I grew up near my grandfather’s farm roughly 20 miles southwest of Nickerson, Kansas. Today, my dad still farms some of those same acres that are now a destination for me to relive my cherished childhood memories with my boys.
Nickerson is not only where I went to school, but mostly is where I fell in love for the first time—with the sport of baseball.
Few communities across the state or even the country match the tradition of America’s pastime like Nickerson. The pride of Panther baseball begins long before Little League. From a young age, kids are expected to learn how to talk “Texas mowe-mowe,” a language used to communicate during games, privy only to players. Other teams would often joke about how we “gobble-gobble” during games. Over the years, Nickerson has produced numerous state appearances, multiple state titles and nearly 200 college scholarships.
There are two expressions we lived by and I’ll forever take with me. They apply not only to baseball, but to life. The first is MTXE—Mental Toughness and Extra Effort. Regardless of the adversity or challenges before you, a good attitude and competitive mindset is necessary to success. Second, “do ordinary things extraordinarily well.” This is a message about fundamentals. A consistent commitment to perfecting the basics will always put you in a position to compete.
Baseball is about a team or in true definition, an extended family. That culture and sense of unity is what still stands today and what makes Nickerson, Kansas, a special hometown.
Zac Stuckey can be reached at [email protected].
