I wrote this post 9 years ago. I repost it as a memorial to a man who influenced so many lives as a teacher and coach and continued to do so in retirement. 

Reeves passed away.

Just a few short weeks ago, I was fortunate to talk with Reeves at the Staples-Motley Athletic Hall of Fame celebration. His 1983 State Champion baseball team was inducted into the HOF. At the reception held after the program, Reeves was in rare form telling stories and telling jokes. The table he was sitting at was full, as was the standing room around it, by those who were impacted by him. There was a great deal of laughter and joy, and probably feelings of thankfulness for having him as a coach so many decades ago.

I imagine his funeral will be quite full, as well. Maybe more tears than laughter, but still feelings of thankfulness, and maybe some wondering of how we were so fortunate to have Reeves cross our paths in life.

I sure hope everyone has a Reeves in their life

What does it take to get your name on a ball field?

Well, in the current professional and big-time college sports arenas, getting your name on a sports venue takes big-time cash. Just in Minnesota, we have Target Field, Target Center, Xcel Energy Center, TCF Bank Stadium, and – take a deep breath – the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

In a small town, it takes a lot more than cash – it takes a lifetime of dedication, commitment, passion, and service to the sport you love.

Last week, I took a short daytrip to my hometown of Staples. In addition to visiting my parents, I attended the ceremony naming the high school baseball field after the coach for whom many of the high school baseball players graduating from Staples High School had the pleasure of playing.

From now on, when players and fans step onto the Staples-Motley High School baseball field, they will be walking on Jerry Riewer Field, though they could have also called it “Reeves Field”, because Reeves is what all of us call him.

Reeves was very successful as a coach, with a state championship and a runner up in baseball, and a state championship and a dominant program in cross country. He has been inducted into numerous halls of fame and has a cross country meet named after him. I could list all of his awards and his coaching stats but that information is available to anyone interested in looking for it.

I am more interested in sharing what he accomplished that is not written down in any record book.

I am more interested in the impact he had on those of us who played for him.

What is not written down is the fact that Reeves coached every level of baseball, from Little League to Legion, and sometimes all in the same summer.

What is not written down is the number of sandlot games Reeves organized so we had more opportunities to play baseball.

What is not written down are the countless phone calls Reeves made to us, asking us to show up to the game early, and with a shovel, so we could get the field ready to play a game.

What is not written down is how Reeves modified his van by taking out the back seats and building benches along the sides so he could drive the entire team to away games. (By the way, the benches had removable seats so all the equipment could be stored underneath.)

What is not written down is the memory of Reeves dragging the all-dirt infield at Pine Grove Park with his ’55 Chevy, using the springs of an old mattress as a drag.

What is not written down is the number of his players who teach their kids how to play baseball by saying “Reeves taught us…”

What is not written down is the care he took to prepare the field, no matter if it was for a high school tournament or a Pee Wee game.

Finally, what is not written down is the love of baseball so many of us have and pass on to our kids because of being coached by Reeves.

Twenty years from now, when future generations step onto Jerry Riewer Field, I hope someone takes the time to share with every fan and every ballplayer why the field is named after Reeves and remind them the impact one person with dedication and passion can have.

Congratulations, Reeves, and thank you!

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