The slow-pitch softball world is one that comes together in hardships, and rallies to support those in need, especially those within their own tight-knit community. This case was proven this past Saturday (2.8.2025) as some 20+ teams showed in the frigid cold temperatures to raise money for a great cause.

Robin Prewitt is a known member of the KC area slow pitch community, and back in December of 2024 Robin’s wife, Kim, battled in the hospital for over a month. Kim had pneumonia in both longs, suffered hypoxia which led to her being placed on a ventilator in the ICU for a week. In the midst of all of this, Kim developed Stephen’s Johnson’s disease, and then her kidneys began to fail which led her being placed on dialysis. Finally, in the middle of January Kim had battled back and was able to be discharged from the hospital!

This hospital stint racked up a large number of bills for the Prewitt’s, and so the softball world did what the softball world does, they came together to support! The benefit tournament was set to raise money to go towards the bills accrued during Kim’s battle. Such a large number of teams had entered the tournament, they there had to a location change, the tournament was originally slated to take place in Raymore, but was moved to Capitol Federal Sports Complex of Liberty.

Saturday saw a full day of softball, as games kicked off at 8am, and the last game was scheduled for 10pm. There were multiple Bates County folks taking teams into this tournament, supporting the cause. Bates County coached teams included: Patty Busters (Hunter Green), Tailgate Team (Cody Morris), Balls Deep (Shawn Mayfield), KC Apex (Shan Mayfield) and Dawgs R Us (Brody Ford). The Bates County folks not only showed up, but showed out! KC Apex was able to fight all the way back from the losers bracket after falling early on and claim the Championship. Bates County Residents on the Men’s Championship team included: Dakota Blackwell, Sam Carlson, Tyler Allen, Austin Allen, Shawn Mayfield, Jeffery Moles, and Ethan Lopez.

Dakota Blackwell, was also a member of the team that had laid claim to the Co-Ed Championship earlier in the day. Dakota played on 2 Lit 2.0, a team that went 5-0 on their way to the winners circle.

A spokesperson for the tournament told Tailgate TV that “money raided after all expenses appears to be around $6,500”.

When Tailgate TV spoke with Robin Prewitt about the tournament he said, “This tourney was so humbling, because when I started to put this together I didn’t think this would blow up into something huge. Just to receive the outpouring of love from the softball community is so heartwarming and humbling.”