ROCK VALLEY, Iowa (KELO) — Residents of Rock Valley, Iowa have been trying to salvage their homes, businesses and even the high school after floodwaters ripped through the town, but the return of the Boyden-Hull Rock Valley baseball and softball teams gave the town something to look forward to.
The flooding in Rock Valley in late June devastated the town. It also paused the high school softball and baseball seasons for the Boyden-Hull Rock Valley Nighthawks, but the floodwaters didn’t stop the softball team from making an impact on their community.
“We were together the entire time. We weren’t on the softball field, but at the end of the day, we were together every single day. We just tried to help out our community as much as we can,” Boyden-Hull Rock Valley head softball coach Kait Van Der Zwaag said.
Unfortunately, junior infielder Cameron Halbur couldn’t be with her team.
“I mostly just helped with my house. We just really had to throw everything out and tear apart our basement. I know our teammates helped clean out other people’s houses, and they even helped and stopped by our house,” Halbur said.
Which is something she is grateful for.
“It was just really meaningful. It just shows they are always there for us and that we’re like a family,” Halbur said.
For head baseball coach Brett Moser, he knew that baseball had to be put on hold.
“Baseball got put on the backburner there for a little while, and that’s okay because bigger things are obviously going on then,” Moser said.
That was a bitter pill to swallow for senior outfielder Alic Salazar.
“Being away from baseball was tough because that’s what I love most about summer, just playing a game with your friends, and having to take a break from that, it was pretty tough,” Salazar said.
After about a week without practicing or playing games, both squads returned to the diamond.
“They were ready. They’re ready to come back. They’re like, ‘Don’t give up on us. We’re going to be here. We’re strong,'” Jamie Halbur said.
“They’re still teenagers, high school kids that need an outlet to do something else other than just worry about their family or homes and stuff like that, so it’s good to just to give them something else to do and get their minds off of it a little bit,” Moser said.
Their time away was not easy, but the players learned some valuable lessons.
“The bond that we created this past week with helping the community, honestly, you can tell that the girls are trusting each other on the field, and that’s probably the biggest part is just doing it together and focusing on what we’re doing, not who we’re playing,” Van Der Zwaag said.
“Everybody had to work really hard all week with helping either friends, family, at the school and things like that. Hopefully, they learn how to work hard in these situations, how to help other people that are in need and to be able to handle some adversity,” Moser said.
Despite all the challenges the community has faced, a return to summer sports is a sign of brighter days ahead.
“It’s our joy. We love being at the softball games and seeing the girls’ reactions and just watching them become a team together,” Tony Halbur said.
“Now, to be back and watching the game that these guys love, it’s nice. You don’t have to worry about what’s next, and you can just let your minds at rest,” Jon Van Egdom said.
The softball team played in their first round playoff game against West Lyon in Larchwood tonight; the baseball team will take on Bishop Heelan in Sioux City tomorrow night.
