EVENSVILLE, Tenn. — Twenty-nine days from today, Cory Gearrin will join the rest of the Atlanta Braves’ pitchers and catchers near Orlando, Fla., for the official start of spring training.
But before he could return to the Braves bullpen, the 25-year-old Gearrin had to help out Rhea County High School’s baseball and softball programs with a fundraiser Friday night.
“It’s a combination of two things, really,” the 2004 RCHS graduate said a few minutes before he addressed a crowd of more than 300 inside the school’s cafeteria. “One, I always want to do anything I can to help out my high school. Two, I just want the people of this community to know how much they mean to me.”
To back up his words with deeds, Gearrin brought several boxes of Braves gear — bats, hats, jerseys, jackets and gloves — to be used for a silent auction. Added to donations of gift certificates and baked goods — one woman’s carrot cake reportedly has brought $100 or more in past fundraisers — the school figured to raise several thousand dollars for a new indoor practice facility for the baseball and softball programs.
“This started out as a little chili supper,” said Golden Eagles baseball coach Mike Kinney. “When Cory got involved, it got a whole lot bigger than that.”