by Carrie Moritz, Gazette
Last Saturday, an inaugural event brought the community of Garretson out to the Jaycee's Complex, where they could come together in a way that hadn't been experienced for a while. Pack the Park lived up to its name, packing the park for the softball and baseball games that were played between the 12U Garretson teams.
Pack the Park accomplished many things, first and foremost by holding a community gathering in memory of 11-year-old Benton Howe, who lost his life earlier this spring in a UTV accident. Howe would have been player #7 on the 12U Intellipro Security team this summer, and baseball was one of his favorite sports to play.
Pack the Park also showcased the talent of Garretson's youth baseball and softball players at the age between coach-pitch/kid pitch and the high school leagues. The games allowed the kids to get out on the field and have fun, not knowing what was going to happen next (for example, one inning was run backwards by the batters, who had to run to third base instead of first).
Another goal was to raise funds for the Benton Howe Memorial Scholarship, which will be able to provide scholarships to Garretson students each spring, pending funds.
Pack the Park was the brainchild of Cory Buchholz, a member of the Garretson Ball Association and coach for the 12U Intellipro Security baseball team.
"A little over a month ago when I started spinning the idea in my head, I would have NEVER DREAMED of anything like Saturday night," wrote Buchholz on Facebook. He said to the Gazette that when he pushed "post" in June on the event, he told his wife there was no turning back. And he's glad he didn't.
The event raised over $18,000 for the Memorial Scholarship, and was supported in some fashion by nearly every business in Garretson. Approximately a dozen volunteers helped with umping, tickets, working the fields, concessions, and more.
The games began with softball at 6:00 p.m. and the entire event had a festival feel. Pork loin sandwiches and ice cream were for sale, raffles and a silent auction were on-going, and children ran around while adults conversed. Beverages were held in the coaches' hands as they encouraged the players from first and third base. The refs missed calls regularly. Players and coaches were switched around randomly, playing spaces they normally didn't cover or on the other team. Breaks were taken between innings for dance parties. At one point, fireworks were set off nearby, giving the field a very "Sandlot"-like feel.
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Garretson's own Matt Schrank was DJ and announcer, who gave random trivia about each player as they stepped up to bat. Tailgating spots had been pre-sold in the weeks leading up to the event, and the outfield around the fence was packed. Prior to the softball game, the "Star Spangled Banner" was sung by five incoming GHS seniors as the Post #23 Honor Guard stepped out on the field. "Take me out to the Ballgame" was sung by three elementary youths during the baseball game.
Between the softball and baseball games, Benton's family, Nathan, Betsy, Bryce, and Miles Howe, stepped onto the field. While father, Nathan, stood close, mother, Betsy, spoke to the crowd.
"I wrote it down because I wasn't sure if I'd get through it otherwise," Betsy said as she pulled out her speech, which left few people with dry eyes by the end.
"On behalf of our entire family, the city of Garretson, and the Garretson Ball Association, we want to welcome you to the first annual Pack the Park night in honor of our never forgotten son, Benton," she began. "We hope that this event only grows and becomes an annual celebration of our son’s life. I just want to take a moment and personally thank everyone that came tonight for coming out and showing support for myself, my family, and most of all Benton.
"Benton Howe was an 11-year-old boy right here from this community. He had many passions, such as trapping, hunting, baseball, riding basically anything with a motor, fishing, wrestling, and collecting things. He had beach blonde hair, and that smirk that always brought a smile to your face. He had a wild side sometimes, but that was completely offset with a more genuine, caring, and tender-hearted side. He was such a wonderful soul who was just starting to blossom into being his own person.
"Tragedies like this often leave thoughts of what if, but ultimately the outcome will remain the same. We miss our little boy so much, and we have gone through something that I hope no one ever has to go through. Even though Benton is no longer here, his legacy and influence lives on stronger than ever. Everywhere there are signs of him, and I know you see them just as I do. Just look around you now. Who would have thought an 11-year-old boy would have such an impact on so many lives? Even in death he has brought this community together to watch a little baseball, laugh, cry, eat, tell stories, and grow our relationships even stronger with one another. In a world that today is so divided, he brings us closer together."
Betsy, and the community, know that Benton is still with us, and a saying that has become commonplace since the tragedy is, "Give Heaven some Hell," which speaks to his love of life and ability to grab that life by the horns. Benton was always willing to say that God was in charge, and Betsy stated she knew that was true, even amongst the unfairness of losing such a beloved member of their family and community.
After the speech, memorial gifts were presented to the family- one was a frame with Benton's 2022 baseball shirt and hat, and another was a painting of two boys (including #7) in baseball gear on a baseball field looking at King and Queen's rocks. Above the painting was written, "Give Heaven some Hell." A third gift was a baseball helmet signed by all the players.
Little brothers Bryce and Miles then threw the opening pitches for the baseball game, which was played until 11:00 p.m.
Outstanding games were played, and while scores were kept, the winner didn't really matter.
What mattered was that, for one night at least, Benton was able to bring the community together again.
If anyone is interested in making a donation, a fund for the Memorial Scholarship has been set up at First Bank & Trust in Garretson, or checks can be made out to the Garretson Ball Association and mailed to 401 Jesse James Circle, Garretson, SD 57030.
