New coach, board of directors leads this year's Royals

Not only do the Mountain Home Royals have a new look on the field with new coaches, but they also have a different look behind the scenes, as they have a new board of directors leading them.

Robert "Woody" Woodruff is president of the Mountain Home Royals American Legion baseball program. He said the board has stepped in to take over the business aspect of the program and let the coaches coach.

"What we're doing this year is we've got a baseball board, and letting the coach go ahead and focus on the coaching aspects of the game," Woodruff said. "In the past, Travis DeVore, Soapy (Walborn) and Mark (Cotton) and Rick Holmes, and even Deanna (Russell), who took care of the treasurer part, they did a lot of work, and they weren't able just to focus on the kids and the game. So we came up with a board that can help the program take care of the baseball aspect of the game."

The board is made up of Woodruff as president, Rich Baker as vice president, Shana Hennessey is the secretary, Kent Bodily is the treasurer, Jeff Day is the fundraiser organizer, Jackie Day will oversee concessions, and Chuck Goldsby will serve as the American Legion spokesperson.

"We definitely want to take care of the business aspects," said Woodruff. "We want to make money, we want to have that money so the kids can play now and into the future. Jeff Day is just remarkable on fundraisers.

"The pot keeps growing and it helps with the high school program and the American Legion program," the coach added. "Right now, they're putting in some bull pens at the field that are going to be outstanding and both programs benefit."

Woodruff said they have a fundraiser involving selling tickets on a 22-gun safe.

"The safe we got from D&B Supply, and the tickets sell for $10 a ticket," he added. "You can buy them from any board member or player. Feel free to ask them for a ticket if they haven't hit you up, because it's a great deal for 10 bucks."

The coach said the winning ticket for the gun safe would be announced on July 11 at the last home game.

Woodruff encouraged the public to come out and support the Mountain Home Royals and the program.

"They're a great baseball team -- great kids. Our concession stand, we have a variety of concessions -- hamburgers, hot dogs, chili cheese fritos, salads, ice cream, soda pop -- you name it. Come and support the Royals and I'm sure you'll see a good game."