When William Harris’s son Cooper made the Palouse city league team last year, no one could’ve predicted the poetic twist: Cooper was headed to Cooperstown, New York – home of the birthplace of baseball, and National Baseball Hall of Fame.
As is often the case in small towns, Harris didn’t just cheer from the sidelines – he stepped in as a coach. With a résumé that includes soccer, basketball, t-ball, minor, major, and pony league, he was no rookie.
The league, made up of 11- to 13-year-olds in the Palouse area, started swinging bats in January, practicing a couple times a week in Colfax, Washington. Unlike travel ball, which just devours weekends, this season was a region-wide hustle from the dugout to the dinner table. And it proved to be his favorite.
“Everyone made the commitment – parents, coaches, the whole crew,” Harris said. And it showed. The Cougars played in seven or eight tournaments and walked away with five wins. Their determination and thoughtful planning led to a spot at Cooperstown Dreams Park, one of the most coveted youth baseball tournaments in the country.
Then came the hard part. Fundraising.
The team set out to raise $20,000 and wasted no time rallying their communities. They collected donations and hosted a dinner where players served guests. Support from sponsors like Avista and other local businesses helped give their dreams legs – and cleats.
It worked.
Once in Cooperstown, the team visited the Baseball Hall of Fame and received VIP treatment. Alongside 103 other teams from across the nation, the boys bunked in barracks, dined in a mess hall, and soaked in the spirit of old-school baseball. In a town where the fields are the heartbeat, they lived the game in its purest form.
With about thirty fans cheering from the stands, including parents and grandparents, the Cougars started strong. They won their first three games and earned a #4 ranking. Emotions soared. But baseball, like life, throws its share of curveballs. By Monday, they’d slipped to #46 and worked their way up to the 32nd bracket after back-to-back games.
Perhaps even more important than their final ranking, was the quality time they shared – playing games, trading collectible pins, and forming lasting bonds – not only within their own team but with teams from across the country.
Overall, Harris was impressed. “The talent we faced was incredible – some of the best pitchers we’ve ever seen.” The boys realized they could hold their own against teams that train year-round. And more importantly, they learned what it means to rise, fall, and rise again.
Though they won’t return to Cooperstown next year, the team is excited to continue baseball next season. Harris is gearing up for his third season coaching the Palouse Cougars, now equipped with batting cages and a larger facility in Pullman.
And Cooper? He’s got bragging rights for life. After all, not every kid gets to play ball in a town that shares his name. As Harris put it, “Cooper will talk about this for years and years.” It wasn’t just about baseball – it was about belonging to something unforgettable.
This is just one example of small communities powered by big hearts. Colfax is in Avista’s Washington service territory and is home to almost 2,000 Avista customers.