Softball Team Hosts Benefit for Lightning Victims

Community Rallies to Raise Money for Tragedy-Stricken Mott Family

Sorry, this video is no longer available

“It just hit close to home because our girls love ball,” said Lisa Kvas, mother of two girls on the Mountain Iron softball team.

Times of tragedy call for a rise above the game.

“Teams, different teams, groups of kids, people that would never come together,” said Scott Staples.

Tuesday, the Mountain Iron softball team did just that.

“You want them to learn more than the game,” said Kvas.

Last Sunday, 51–year–old Jay Mott was struck by lightning in Cherry, Minnesota, heading to his car to seek cover while at his son’s baseball game.

“I heard the lightning, that was unbelievably loud because it was so close,” explained Staples, Jay’s friend and co-worker.

Mott was holding his daughter, Ava, who is now out of the hospital, playing like a 4-year-old should.

“It’s kind of scary thinking that something like that could be so close,” admitted Mountain Iron team captain, Abby White.

Going to bat Tuesday against rival Cherry, the Mountain Iron girls had their thoughts on the Motts.

“It’s just a game, it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s about showing how supportive your team is,” said McKinley Kvas, another team captain.

The girls decorated posters and donated all proceeds from concession stand sales to the Mott family.

“Helping them raise money just to help them is making me feel like a better person,” White said.

They also tied blue ribbons in their hair.

“The blue ribbons will support the Mott family because they’re from Virginia and their colors are blue,” explained McKinley.

The support, overwhelming to Jay’s friends and family.

“He’s a big tough guy, but he’d tear up, I know he would,” said Staples. “There’s a bigger picture, baseball didn’t mean anything that day.”

“It makes you feel just that much closer to them, that they were just out enjoying the sport that we love,” Kvas said. “We care about them, even though they’re not from our own team.”

Proving how a community with a shared love for the game, can come together when support is needed most.

Many members of the Mott family were at Tuesday’s game, including Jay’s brother who says Jay is recovering well

For those interested in making a donation to the Mott family, click here.