Santa Fe Babe Ruth Opens Season Honoring Courage, Service

ALACHUA ‒ Courage and service to others were at the heart of the Santa Fe Babe Ruth Softball and Baseball 2025 Spring Opening Ceremonies, held Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex Pavilion Field.

The event drew hundreds of attendees, including city officials, Santa Fe High School baseball and softball coaches, and players.

This year’s ceremonies were dedicated to Nathan “Nate” Blair and his family in recognition of their courage and commitment to cancer awareness in the High Springs and Alachua communities. Blair, a former Santa Fe Babe Ruth and Santa Fe High School baseball player, died of cancer in August 2024 at the age of 23 after a four-year battle.

Blair was remembered not only for his accomplishments on the field, including playing a pivotal role in the 2014 National Babe Ruth World Series where the team finished third overall, but also for his bravery, kindness and compassion. His fight inspired a community-wide movement, “Fight With Nate,” bringing together volunteers, coaches, friends and families in support.

During the ceremony, a speaker described cancer in the Blair family’s life as an “unexpected intruder” that caused chaos but never diminished their authenticity or strength. The community continues to honor Blair’s memory as a source of inspiration and resilience.

Blair was posthumously awarded the Nathan “Nate” Blair 2025 Jamboree Memorial Recognition Award, which read, in part: “In grateful recognition of Nathan Blair for his significant impact he has made to rally support for cancer awareness in the High Springs and Alachua community. He demonstrated grit, and his scars represented survival. The community continues to Fight With Nate.”

Also recognized during the ceremonies was the late Willis “Ray” Gallop, who was honored with the Golden Eagle Lifetime Award for decades of service to the Alachua and High Springs communities. Gallop, who died in February 2022, and his wife, Cindy, dedicated more than 30 years to volunteering in baseball and basketball during their 46 years of marriage. His legacy continues through his children and their spouses, who remain active in local youth sports.

John DePaola received the Hal Brady Award, presented annually to a Santa Fe Babe Ruth participant who best embodies Brady’s longstanding commitment to community recreation. DePaola has coached for more than 15 years and umpired for over 30 years, becoming a staple of the Santa Fe Babe Ruth community.

While baseball and softball kicked off their seasons, the Santa Fe Soccer Alliance also launched its 2025 Spring Season on Saturday at Legacy’s Multipurpose Fields. More than 300 youth players participated in games throughout the day.

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