The Leadership Christian County Class of 2025-26 officially unveiled its community service project Friday afternoon at Ruff Park, celebrating months of work at improving safety, appearance and the future of youth baseball and softball in Hopkinsville.
Community leaders, Leadership Christian County participants, parents and supporters of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Youth League gathered for a ribbon cutting recognizing the completion of upgrades spearheaded by the class in partnership with HCCYL.
The project included new yellow fence toppers, freshly painted foul poles and other improvements throughout the park designed to enhance both player safety and the overall experience for families.
HCCYL President Nick Harbold said the organization serves approximately 500 families each season and continues working to expand opportunities for local youth athletes.
The league offers baseball and softball programs for children ages 4 to 16 and recently revived a senior division for players ages 13 to 16, similar to the former Babe Ruth League once played on North Drive. Harbold said this summer marks the program’s second season since returning.
“We’re super excited about leadership and them helping us with their projects this spring,” Harbold said. “It helps us improve the park and keep kids coming out here.”
Leadership Christian County participant Cody Armstrong said many class members have children who play at Ruff Park, making the project a natural fit — especially during the park’s 50th year.
Class members said they wanted to focus on projects that would have a direct impact on children and families while also improving safety around the facility.
“We knew safety is a big thing out here, especially when you’re dealing with children, ages four to 16,” Armstrong said. “And the first thing we thought was the fence toppers.”
The bright yellow additions not only improve visibility and aesthetics, but also help reduce injuries from children climbing on fencing around the fields.
Fellow leadership participant Matt Sholar said the class worked closely with league organizers over the past several months to determine which upgrades would be both practical and impactful.
The group began discussing project ideas in December before narrowing its focus after the holidays. By early spring, members were spending weekends at the park completing the work themselves.
Armstrong said volunteers often spent six to eight hours each weekend at Ruff Park over the past two months to finish the project.
“It was an opportunity to invest in the community and knew that we could reach a lot of people with one project,” Sholar said.
The upgrades are already making a visible difference at the park, according to Harbold.
“The yellow fence toppers and the yellow foul poles just pop and make it look so much better,” Harbold said. “And it adds to safety for the kids as well.”
Leadership Christian County Board Chair Lucas Stagner said community service projects are a core component of the leadership program, which is coordinated through the Christian County Chamber of Commerce.
Each class is tasked with selecting, fundraising for and completing a project before graduation in May. Participants spend nine months learning about local industry, government, nonprofits and civic leadership through monthly leadership days and community engagement opportunities.
Stagner said this year’s class independently chose HCCYL after considering several possible projects because many participants had personal connections to the league.
“Of course the leadership class this year chose HCCYL and have done a great job as everybody can see,” Stagner said.
Applications are currently open for the Leadership Christian County Class of 2026-27. Stagner said the deadline to apply is May 20 through the chamber website or the Leadership Christian County Facebook page.
The next class will begin in August with an opening retreat and conclude in May 2027. Graduation for the current class is scheduled for May 19 at the Christian County Middle School Performing Arts Center.
Harbold said projects like the one completed at Ruff Park show the importance of continued community involvement and volunteerism.
“Without the support of our community, we can’t continue to improve,” Harbold said. “So it’s much appreciated by the entire community.”
