Pratt and Pratt County has much to be proud of. Great schools. Excellent hospital. Forward-thinking leadership. Pratt is home to many beautiful parks and the Green Sports Complex. The city can also boast of a strong retail base and, of course, the Hot and Cold water towers.
And Pratt is understandably proud of the accomplishments of its people as evidenced by the signage planted at each major entrance into the city’s limits. As one drives into town, Pratt stakes claim to many successful local people and teams. Daniel Prater’s name graces a sign as a 2006 national champion wrestler along with Rocky Patterson’s 2009 PRCA World Championship Steer Roping title. Pratt High School can boast of five Class 4A state championships (1995 football, 1995 and 1998 boys tennis as well as 2001 and 2002 girls track) and three Miss Kansas title holders have brought much pride to the community after being named Miss America in their respective reigns. These are all well deserved tributes and speak highly of the community.
But, there is a glaring omission from these shrines. This past weekend, the Pratt American Legion 86ers returned home from the Class AA Legion tournament as state champions. This is not the first time this has happened. According to Legion legend Smoky Ford, this win brings the 86ers’ state title total to seven. Including this 2010 crown, Pratt has won it all in 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1998 and 1999. Very impressive. The city has undoubtedly benefited from this success with a lot of positive PR as well as the financial gains it has experienced from all the visiting teams that have spent time in our town.
Signs are not free and budgets must be considered. But if Pratt is intent on honoring its champions, it is time to include its most successful team(s). They paid the price and they have earned the reward.
Welcome to Pratt, home of the Kansas American Legion Class AA champion Pratt 86ers Baseball Club.
