Canaries-amateur baseball exhibition honors Harter, Bakley

TL;DR

The Sioux Falls Canaries held an exhibition game honoring amateur players Reed Harter and Chandler Bakley, who died in a crash. The event included a youth mini camp and a silent auction to support their families and a memorial scholarship.

Key points

Sioux Falls Canaries held an exhibition game in Humboldt, SD
Event honored amateur players Reed Harter and Chandler Bakley
Included a youth mini camp and silent auction
Funds raised support families and a memorial scholarship
Harter and Bakley died in a crash on I-90 in January

Mentioned in this story

Reed HarterChandler BakleyHumboldt, SD

Sioux Falls Canaries

HUMBOLDT, S.D. (KELO) — The Sioux Falls Canaries play an exhibition game against local amateur players each year just days before their season begins. This year’s game carried a deeper meaning for the amateur baseball community.

The exhibition game was the main attraction in years past in Humboldt. This year, the day’s activities were expanded to include a free youth mini camp put on by the Canaries.

“Just getting the kids out here, getting a bunch of the players out here in BP getting ready for the game,” said Connor Hopkins, who coached and played with Reed Harter and Chandler “Chuck” Bakley.

A silent auction was held, and the money raised went towards the families of and a memorial scholarship set up to honor Harter and Bakley, two amateur players from Winner/Colome who died in a crash on I-90 in January.

“Two of the best guys ever,” Hopkins said. “So, I had the privilege to coach and play with them and then called a couple of those guys my best friends. So it’s really, really, sad, but, really cool moment here too.”

The turnout from fans was evident, but the desire of the current amateur players to play in the exhibition displayed the impact Harter and Bakley had on the baseball community.

“From the players side of things, it was pretty easy to find guys that want to play, not just because they get to play against pros, but, as an opportunity for them to showcase their talent and support Reed and Chuck,” event organizer Rob Lind said.

Reed and Chuck’s legacy is seen in the lives they touched and in the impact they continue to have.

“They really cared about baseball in the community as well,” Hopkins said. “It’s a good thing to come together and celebrate their lives.”

“Baseball’s a small world in South Dakota,” Lind said. “It meant a lot for me to find these guys that we brought in to help do this, and like I said, I think baseball has the tendency to rally around a tragedy.”

The Canaries begin their season Friday on the road. They’ll play their home opener next Monday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.

Q&A

What happened to Reed Harter and Chandler Bakley?

Reed Harter and Chandler Bakley, two amateur baseball players, died in a crash on I-90 in January.

What activities were included in the Canaries' exhibition game event?

The event featured a youth mini camp, a silent auction, and the exhibition game itself.

How will the funds raised from the silent auction be used?

The funds will support the families of Harter and Bakley and contribute to a memorial scholarship in their honor.