Redhawk Youth Recreation League director Sara Forrester (center left, pink shirt) excitedly announces the next prize to be given away during the 2025 Nick Riley Spirit Awards drawing on July 9 at the Traer public pool. Also pictured conducting the drawing, volunteer Tiffany Murty to Forrester’s left. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – The Redhawk Youth Recreation League capped off its successful 2025 ball season with a pool party payoff on Wednesday, July 9, at the Traer Municipal Swimming Pool.

After spending roughly an hour and a half swimming with their family, friends and coaches that evening, league players eagerly gathered around director Sara Forrester and volunteer Tiffany Murty for the final awards presentation of the season during which Kessler Sniffin was drawn as the grand prize winner of the 2025 Nick Riley Spirit Award.

“The award has become a tradition to celebrate good sportsmanship and positive attitudes at each third/fourth and fifth/sixth baseball and softball game,” Forrester explained. “We then do a final drawing for a grand prize.”

The Nick Riley Spirit Award was founded in the summer of 2023 in memory of Redhawk baseball’s ‘biggest fan’ Nick Riley – husband to Sami, father to Karver and Karrington, and dedicated volunteer firefighter – who passed away from pancreatic cancer on February 17, 2023.

“Youth sports is not just about learning to play a game. It is also about learning to be a part of a team. We want young athletes to practice good sportsmanship as much as we want them to practice the technical aspects of the game,” the award’s description states. “Nick Riley was a great example of bringing positive energy, enthusiasm and sportsmanship to every event.”

North Tama elementary students in grades first through sixth who play baseball or softball with the Redhawk Youth Recreation League, enjoy an end-of-season pool party with their families and coaches on July 9 at the Traer Municipal Swimming Pool. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

As part of the award and after every rec league game during the summer season, 3rd-6th grade coaches were given the opportunity to select one player to acknowledge. Players were chosen for a variety of reasons including positivity, excitement, eager participation, and team spirit (cheering on their teammates). Each acknowledged player then received a gold star pin plus one entry into the end-of-season drawing.

Present during the drawing on July 9 was player Lane Svoboda, a rising North Tama seventh grader, who in addition to playing as a member of the 5th/6th team this summer also volunteered to coach the 1st/2nd grade coach pitch baseball team when the league was unable to recruit an adult volunteer.

“I am thankful for all of my volunteer coaches,” Forrester said when asked to comment on Svoboda’s dual status. “We did have a few other ball players help coach other ages as well [while] some did field work, helped at practices, or umpired. They all did a great job and helped our players grow their skills and love of the game.”

In addition to Svoboda, North Tama Class of 2025 graduate Faith Dvorak and rising senior Addy Hochstetler – both members of the Redhawk varsity softball team – also assisted with practices.

League head coaches this season for softball included Tiffany Combs (1st/2nd); Mercedes Fink (3rd/4th); Sara Forrester, Channing Halstead, and Alea Dvorak (5th/6th). Head coaches for baseball included Svoboda (1st/2nd); Bryant Cizek, Martin Hastead (3rd/4th); Pat Ambrose, Tony Dudys, Haley Blaine, and Cheryl Popelka (5th/6th).

Coach Lane Svoboda (front row, far left), a rising North Tama seventh grader, pictured with his 1st/2nd grade coach pitch team this past summer. Svoboda was just one of a host of dedicated volunteers helping power the Redhawk Youth Recreation League this season. PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH TAMA T-BALL & REC LEAGUE/FACEBOOK

“All were assisted by other parents and other current junior high/high school players on occasions,” Forrester continued. “It takes a community to raise our kids and we have some great people who step up and help our youth in many aspects of sports and life.”

Forrester added that in the future, any past players who would like to coach and/or volunteer would be more than welcome as organizers work to keep the league viable. To learn more about volunteering for the 2026 season, contact Forrester at sara.forrester@n-tama.k12.ia.us.

“They all just want to play,” Forrester concluded. “The [ball] diamond is a special place.”

Julie Knaack, the daughter of Dr. Nicole Knaack and North Tama Activities Director Andrew Knaack, enjoys a trip down the big slide at the Traer swimming pool on July 9. Julie played on the Redhawk Youth Recreation League’s 1st/2nd grade softball team this season. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER