Published 4/9/2020

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On April 8, 2002, this group of amazing Baseball Teammates of Bobby & Jason came over during their lunch break to check on us.  We had so many meals given to us that our refrigerator was full.  They helped manage that issue by allowing us to feed them all!  After eating, we all sat down for a question-and-answer session.  I shared what we knew about the search and encouraged them to let the professionals search.  I’m not sure they listened, but we let them know about all the agencies and family members that were looking.  I truthfully answered their questions and let them know we continued to have hope. 

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As the team was leaving to return to school, we asked them to line up in front of our garage door for a photo.  It took some of my best wise cracks to get them to smile, but as you can see, they smiled. 

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After they left our home, I knew that I wanted to address the team privately.  I contacted the school, coach Buckley, and coach Ainley and arranged to meet with the team before practice, away from the field.  My escorts, Kirk, Jody, and Scott, drove me to the freshman field where we witnessed the press hanging out, waiting to talk with the players at the field.  At this point, I wanted nothing to do with the press.  My escorts blocked me from the view of the reporters so I could enter the locker room.  I let the entire team know that our request was that they not go out searching on their own: that the Forest service, National Park Service, California Highway Patrol Helicopter, Vandenberg Air Force Helicopters (3), Civil Air Patrol, Lemoore Navy Helicopter (1), Private Pilots (6), CAL Fire, United States Department of Justice and our Tulare County Sheriff department were doing an awesome job!  I finished with reminding them that both Bobby and Jason love the game of baseball and encouraged them to continue to practice and play the game they loved.  The boys would want them to carry on.  It makes my heart happy knowing they did just that! 

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You’re looking at an incredible group of young men in this picture that even with the adversity of losing three high school friends, two of them teammates, they managed to play the rest of season. This is an incredible group that came over to encourage us, comfort us, and care for us!  We are thankful to see them mature into even greater men, some now husbands and fathers.  We love hearing from them from time to time on Facebook or email.   

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To all those on the 2002 Freshman Baseball team, again thank you!  Please know how proud and thankful we are of each of you.