The Miccosukee Community near the northern edge of Leon County now has a newly-revamped park with a state-of-the-art little league park at its heart. On Saturday (4/4/15) the ball park was dedicated as a memorial for a very special young player.
That player was Trent McElroy, also known simply as “T”. Leon County Parks and Recreation Director Leigh Davis was among the dedication speakers.
“Our ‘Heart of a Warrior’ park slogan is directly inspired by Trent,” she told the hundreds of little league players, coaches, parents, volunteers and community residents during Saturday’s dedication.
“T” died of cancer in 2013 at the age of 10. Mike Beasley was his little league coach and admirer.
“If you found that you were struggling and hurting for him,” he said with a quiver in his voice, “You needed only to look at his demeanor, his unyielding determination and courage, and you would gain strength from him.”
Now there’s a statue of Trent at the park he loved, that was blessed by Good Shepherd Catholic Church Pastor Father Michael Foley.
“Father, we pray for the ‘Heart of a Warrior’ and that we all might live like ‘T’.”
At one point, the crowd threw its hands in the air and shouted, “Hallelujah,” which was Trent’s signature exclamation whenever he made a big play on the field. It was also a way for those on hand to echo the “Live like ‘T’” vow as a new little league season gets underway.