Eagles defeat Trojans at Double-A stadium

To see all our photos from the game at Arvest Ballpark, or to purchase photos, visit: https://cassvilledemocrat.zenfoliosite.com/photo-galleries/spring-sports-1/2025-barry-county-baseball?ct=2

By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

Thirty-seven high school baseball players from Purdy and Southwest enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime on Saturday, getting to play a regular-season spring baseball game in a ballpark larger than either of their coaches have ever played in.

Purdy Coach Joshua Hughes put the rare opportunity together, bringing a side of nostalgia to the contest by inviting Southwest and requesting a special home plate umpire to the contest at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark., home to the minor league Arkansas Naturals.

Derek Mann, current head coach for the Trojans, is a former assistant coach under Hughes, and the home plate ump, Kyler Propps, is a 2019 purdy graduate who played under both coaches.

“Over my career [at Purdy], we’ve played five or six games in minor league ballparks,” Hughes said. “The last time we played one, this year’s seniors were in eighth grade. I try to do one every four or five years so everyone gets a chance to play.”

And play they did. All 23 Eagles and 14 Trojans had at least one turn at the plate and some time on the diamond, which Mann said outclasses even artificial surfaces the Trojans have played on this season.

“Our kids were very excited from the time I dropped the news in the fall,” Mann said. “They kept asking about the field and what the facilities were like. I kept telling them it would be the nicest field they’ve ever played on, even better than the turf fields we played on this season.”

Hughes started the process to play at Arvest Ballpark in the fall, responding to an email from the park’s public relations team.

“We have to pay them to play there, and it was by design when they asked if I wanted to find a team I reached out to Derek,” Hughes said. “He was interested, and I suggested Ky as the home plate umpire, as he is unable to do our games due to conflict of interest. Derek agreed because we both coached him and knew he would be fair no matter what.” “It was nice that [Hughes] called and thought of us first for the opportunity to play in a ballpark like that,” Mann said. “He suggested Ky behind the plate, and that was a no-brainer. Ky is a good umpire, and you love to see guys doing what they love to do.”

Propps said Hughes made the umpire offer in November 2024, and this was the second Double-A stadium he called in this season, having previously done a game between Conway and Greenwood at Hammons Field, home of the Springfield Cardinals.

“I was ecstatic for the opportunity,” Propps said. “Coach [Hughes] does a good job scheduling the games every 3-4 years, but I got rained out twice when I was in high school, so I never got to play in one. After doing the game at Hammons field, the opportunity this season to call two games in Double-A stadiums was pretty cool.”

The Trojans (3-17) took an early 2-0 lead in the game, but Purdy (147) reversed the lead after two innings, going up 3-2. By the end of five, the Eagles extended the advantage to 5-2. Purdy finished the contest with a 7-2 scoreline.

Hughes and Mann both said the experience was an enjoyable one for the players, who have all now played in a ballpark larger than their coaches have ever played in. Hughes said the biggest park he’s swung a bat was Kansas University in college, and at other DII facilities like Washburn and Rockhurst. Mann said the largest park he’s played in was the former T-Bones Stadium (now Legends Field) in Kansas City, Kan., and the spring training facilities as a youth in Arizona.

“I can’t imagine what it would be like to be a 14-, 15-, 16- or 17-yearold kid playing at a facility like that,” Hughes said. “And it was even more fun that everyone got to play. In the final innings, some of our younger kids were at bat, and our older kids were cheering for them just as loud as when we started the game. And, parents got to see their kids on a professional field. I don’t tink opportunities like this even existed in the ‘90s because these teams and stadiums weren’t around here.

“It was an awesome experience, and the kids had a good time. It was also nice to have a relaxing, fun, competitive day before districts.”

Propps said from the plate meeting to the game’s end — and a few heckles in between — the game was a wonderful experience.

“They used about every opportunity they could [to heckle me], but that was expected,” he said. “[Hughes and Mann] are two guys I respect a lot. They pulled me through thick and thin and helped me develop in high school, and I still call them as friends and stay in touch for things about life and how their teams are doing. Overall, it was a really cool experience.”