Mount Calvary 44s Baseball Team
The Heart Behind the Number: How the Mount Calvary 44s Got Their Name
In the world of travel baseball, it’s easy to get caught up in wins and stats. But for the Mount Calvary 44s baseball team, the game carries a deeper meaning. Every time the Mount Calvary 44s take the field, they do so in honor of someone who once loved the game just as much as they do.
The team’s name is more than just a number stitched onto jerseys. It’s a tribute to Jamie Mertens, a beloved member of the Mount Calvary community whose sudden passing left a hole in the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Jamie was the kind of person who made an impact wherever he went, whether it was as a teammate, coach, fan, or friend.
He wore the number 44 when he played ball himself, and his love for the sport was infectious. He was known for offering encouragement to every kid on the team. Jamie showed up time and time again to support the game he loved and the people he believed in.
When Jamie passed away, it shook the community. His absence was felt not only by his family and friends, but by the community who had grown accustomed to seeing him smile on the sidelines. In the wake of that loss, something beautiful happened. A group of young athletes and dedicated coaches decided to carry his spirit forward, on the field, in every game, and through their name.
They honor the game and the legacy of Jamie Mertens every time they step onto the diamond. They play with a passion that can’t be taught. It’s the kind of energy that Jamie would’ve loved and the kind of team he would’ve been proud to wear 44 for. 44 isn’t just a number; it means family.
That’s how the Mount Calvary 44s were born.
"Be Somebody Who Makes Everyone Feel Like A Somebody"
That motto best describes the man Jamie Mertens was. Jamie lived his entire life in Mount Calvary and was proud to tell anyone that. Jamie could be described as a gentle giant. His stature and personality were large, and yet he was a man of simple pleasures. His love of people is what truly set him apart. Wherever he went he made sure to make a new friend or two. Those people quickly became friends of Jamie's and would remain in his life for years to come.
Growing up Jamie spent a lot of time at this ball diamond. He played for Mount Calvary well into his late 30's. He even came back for a couple years so he could play with his sons, Logan and Kaine on the AC team. When Logan and Kaine were old enough to start playing ball he would step into the role of coach. That was something he dreamed of for years. He had the patience of a saint, and our boys often pushed the limits of those patience. Encouraging kids through sports and conversation was something Jamie did so well. I don't think he ever really understood the magnitude of his actions and how it shaped a piece of each of his players or neighborhood kids. He loved large and he loved everyone!
At age 49 Jamie died suddenly of a saddle pulmonary embolism. It was a shock to our family and our community. July 6th marks the 6 year anniversary of his passing. His light shines brighter and brighter each year with all the ways his love of life is remembered. This tournament is just one example of that. In 2021, a group of dad's decided to develop a travel baseball team, and asked if they could name it the 44s in memory of Jamie. What an absolute honor for our family as that is the number Jamie wore. Most of these little players knew Jamie and he often spoiled them with candy at the diamond. The dads that are coaching most have either played with or against Jamie at one point in time.
Jamie loved sports and always felt it was such a vital part of kids' development. He said there are life's greatest gifts that come from sports and being part of a team. Through our time as sports parents we have traveled the country for baseball and hockey, met some of our dearest friends, learned even more about ourselves and watched our kids grow in ways we could not have imagined. Sports taught us to win humbly, and lose graciously. It taught us that we need to show up to be our best always because you can never count out the underdog!
Many of us have been changed for having known Jamie. He was a simple man who gave himself freely to anyone. We continue to find the blessings in our brokenness and he continues to remind us that it costs nothing to make time for others.
His eulogy was based around the John Cougar Mellancamp song, Small Town. His heart belonged to this town and the people in it. God gifted us with this man and his example and we are better for having him. We will continue to love in the ways he showed us to.
- Written by Stacey Mertens, wife of Jamie
I never thought I’d be a baseball mom.
The long weekend tournaments, bleacher butt, and the endless snacks were not on my radar. But here I am, pulling my wagon from field to field, cheering louder than anyone, and tearing up over double plays.
It all started when my child teamed up with the Mount Calvary 44s, a travel baseball team that is nothing short of astounding. These boys don’t just play the game; they live it. Every practice, every inning, every pep talk in the dugout is a testament to their passion. These kids show up early to warm up and settle in, not because someone’s watching, but because they genuinely love the game. There’s no dragging feet and no complaining about drills, just pure enthusiasm and heart.
It’s something special to witness.
A team of young boys who play not just with each other, but for each other. They cheer each other on from the bench, lift each other up after a strikeout, and celebrate the small victories just as much as the big ones. Their sportsmanship and team spirit would inspire even the most casual observer.
But none of this would be possible without the coaches. Behind every focused player is a coach who believes in them, who shows up with patience, strategy, and a whole lot of heart. The coaches of the Mount Calvary 44s are more than mentors, they’re role models. They set the tone and teach these boys that being a good teammate is just as important as being a good athlete.
To the 44s: thank you for reminding us that hard work, unity, and passion never go unnoticed.
To the coaches: thank you for turning a group of boys into something so much more than a team. You’ve created something beautiful on that field, and we’re all better for being part of it.
I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.
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Resources
- Visit Club 44 Foundation for more information
- Rawlings
- Bruce Bolt
- Elizabethtown Sports Park
