NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — If you’ve been to Dickey-Stephens Park, you probably know the man, the myth, the legend. Lance Restum.
“I may sound like a broken record because I say this every year, but this is going to be the best season we’ve ever had,” Lance said.
When he’s not entertaining the crowd between innings, he’s entertaining his daughters.
“I have two girls, neither of which play softball. I’m working on that. I’m working on that; they don’t play softball yet,” he joked.
That’s far from the only thing he’s working on though— his goal is to get more kids out to the ballpark. Lance put that plan in motion three years ago when he helped start the Arkansas Travelers Youth Foundation.
“If you want to be on a competitive team at a competitive level your parents are spending thousands and thousands of dollars traveling all over the country. That’s not a good system, it’s broke,” Lance described.
The foundation supports youth and educational programs across the state, including community impact grants and scholarships.
“Launching the youth foundation gives the opportunity to break down those barriers which are primarily economic and let every kid in our community and Central Arkansas community get outside and play ball,” he explained.
Through his work with the foundation, Lance has become a coach and father figure to several kids just looking for the chance to take the field.
“Inspiring the love of baseball of giving some kid the memory that they’re going to take forever is literally the best part of my job,” Lance said.
Now Lance and the Travs hope to see the foundation continue to grow.
“You can bring your kid here and create an experience with them that will last forever. When we get to do that, nothing brings a smile to my face more,” he added.