“BEYOND THE BASEBALL DIAMOND: A NIGHT OF FAITH, KINDNESS, AND COMMUNITY IN ALABAMA”

It was a special night in Alabama, where high school baseball brought people together—but the real story stretched far beyond the scoreboard.

Former Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle and his wife Kelli were in attendance, cheering on a team that means a great deal to their community. The couple, who run the Big Oak Boys and Girls Ranches in Gadsden and Springville, continue to dedicate their lives to providing stability and opportunity for children in need. Westbrook Christian School, which houses students from the ranches and surrounding areas, was at the heart of the evening’s events.

Before the Class 4A State High School Baseball quarterfinals even began, something meaningful took place—quiet, simple, but deeply intentional.

Kaleigh Clayton, wife of coach Ricky Ray Clayton, organized a Children’s Bible giveaway for the young fans and students attending the game. As families filled the stands and anticipation built for the matchup, Kaleigh and volunteers handed out copies of the Bible to the children in attendance.

By the end of the night, 63 Bibles had been given away.

“We had a great crowd for the games,” Kaleigh shared afterward. “We gave away 63 Bibles.”

To some, it might have looked like a small gesture tucked into a busy athletic event. A brief moment before the first pitch. A side activity among many.

But for those involved, it carried a deeper purpose.

It wasn’t just about baseball. It was about planting seeds of hope, faith, and encouragement in the lives of young people—many of whom are navigating circumstances far beyond the field they were sitting on that night.

And in the stands, Brodie and Kelli Croyle were right there—supporting not only the game, but the broader mission of investing in children who need a chance, a structure, and a future they can believe in.

Their work through the Big Oak Boys and Girls Ranches continues to focus on giving kids stability, education, and guidance—something that often begins with moments just like this one: community gathering, shared purpose, and people choosing to show up.

It was a reminder that impact doesn’t always come from grand stages or big announcements. Sometimes it comes from a baseball field at a high school game, from a Bible placed gently in a young hand, from families and leaders quietly choosing to care.

And in those moments, the real win is not on the scoreboard—it’s in the lives being shaped long after the final out.