As the dust from last week’s flood settles, Happy Valley High School is coming to terms with their baseball field flooding once again.

The school’s field experienced significant damage during severe flooding last February, and they have been working on repairs since around September.

“We were well on our way to at least practice on it,” Head Baseball Coach Todd Caldwell said. “The outfield as still a bit mushy.”

He said they have not had the chance to fully assess the damages from this year’s flooding, though he said they do not look as bad as last year, which featured tearing of much of the grass and rearranging of a lot of the dirt. This time around, he said, features mostly some normal pulling, but not nearly to the same degree.

In spite of this, he said the team already considered the possibility of having to practice and play elsewhere. Now that possibility is certain, marking the second year they have been unable to use their own field.

“My goal is to play at least one game,” Caldwell said with tears in his eyes. “Maybe senior night.”

In the meantime, the team has received support from multiple communities. Milligan will host HVHS’s conference home games, and Elizabethton High School will host their regular home games. Groups such as ETSU and RBI Tri-Cities in Johnson City have lent their resources, as well.

“It is excellent,” he said. “It shows how close-knit this community is. We would not be able to function outside of all these people.”

He said the school’s Diamond Club may hold a fundraiser in the near future, but details are still in development.

As for the community and HVHS fans in general, he said not to worry. They are not giving up.

“Do not focus so much on the negatives,” Caldwell said. “We are talking about a field, but there are always people who have had it so much worse.”

Those interested in supporting the team, whether through financial contributions or volunteering, Caldwell said to follow their Diamond Club on Facebook or by calling the school at 423-547-4094.

He said the team’s, and his own, dedication to making sure they succeed comes from his love of the community he serves.

“I love this place,” Caldwell said. “I went to school here.”

To him, it is more than a field; it is a second home.