SUMMERDALE, Ala. — He wanted to be a preacher like his granddaddy, Billy Lambert (Summerdale Church of Christ), loved football, baseball and being outside more than anything. His compassion for others was unending and always had a smile for everyone he knew.

That’s the legacy 11 year- old Caleb Coxwell, whose life was tragically cut short on July 15, 2009 in a farm machinery accident, left for his friends and family and hopefully by next year, other baseball players will benefit from Caleb’s legacy as work continues on “Caleb’s Field of Dreams” at Alabama Gulf Coast Christian Academy in Summerdale.

“We have the ground laid out and are hoping to get the backstop, fencing and lights later on in the year. We have had such tremendous support from the community for Caleb’s field and are so excited about getting it finished,” said Ben Coxwell, Caleb’’s dad, who began his third year teaching Science and Bible classes to sixth-12th graders at AGCCA.

Already raising $23,000 for the field, whose groundbreaking was May 15, Coxwell said they recently raised another $980 by selling “Spirit Cups” and had a jewelry sale fundraiser this past Thursday and Friday.

“We don’t have an exact amount on what the total cost of the field will be but want to have the sprinkler system, sod, scoreboard, and concession stand added as we get the money to complete it,” said Bonny Coxwell, Caleb’s stepmom, who is a the secretary at AGCCA.

In April or May, the school will have a Spring Fling and Fun Run and possibly a motorcycle ride to benefit Caleb’s Field, Coxwell said. “We had a great time last year and want to have the same type games and carnival-type stuff again this year. We also want to come up with a logo for the field too.”

Lester Smith , AGCCA Principal said of Caleb, “He was a very special young man and he loved playing football and baseball and really wanted AGCCA to start a sports program. We are trying our hardest to make that dream a reality for him and his family.”

And although football was his favorite sport, his dad said he was better at baseball. Playing first base on Foley’s City League teams for six years, Coxwell said Caleb had a .850 batting average.

“He was the best hitter I’ve ever seen and had great agility and hand-eye coordination. He was a big kid and hit the ball so hard it scared me. I know he would have made the All-Stars. I remember one time he had a base hit and it whizzed by my head and I had to fall to the ground to keep it from hitting me,”said Jeff Pool, Caleb’s baseball coach for the 2009 season.

Recalling Caleb as being the most genuine and compassionate person, Pool said he always had a positive attitude and was so enthusiastic toward his teammates. “He was very competitive and would tell the other players how to be the best and was always asking questions, curious about everything. Such a super young man.”

Caleb injured his knee halfway through the season and had to have a cast and crutches, Pool said, but it didn’t keep him down. “When Caleb got hurt, he wanted to keep playing the rest of the game even when I tried to get him to come out. He was just that type of player.”

And the team went on to win the championship that year because of Caleb’s efforts. Pool even nicknamed him “Da Bomb” because of a special bat he wanted named “the bomber”. “I know he wanted that bat the whole season. I think he got it but I’m not sure. I know he bugged Bonny and Ben for it constantly,” Pool said.

Although Caleb played first base, Pool said he wanted to pitch too, “He threw very fast but had no control. He kept asking me to let him pitch and so I finally let him. He did okay for a while and then started pitching wildly and I was afraid he was gonna hit someone so I had to take him out.”

When Caleb played, the sponsor was Nix Landscaping. For the 2010 season, Bonny and Ben sponsored the team and they were “Caleb’s Field of Dreams”. Caleb’s jersey was #10 and was worn by a fellow teammate. Pool said they are gonna try to get it retired this year and hung at AGCCA.

“He was always talking about growing up to be a preacher like his grandpa and he is certainly missed by all of us. He was a very special and unique person,” Pool said.

Caleb also played football under Coadh Brad Grey for three years as an Offensive Guard and Defensive Tackle and won two Super Bowls.

“Caleb was such a hard worker and happy kid. he took his role seriously and had a great sense of humor. I’ll never forget he showed up the first year in red cleats and really stood out. He wasn’t shy about telling you what he thought should be done either,” Grey said.

“Bonnie and Ben were such great supporters of his and great parents. That’s probably why he was such a special kid because of his parents,” Grey said.

Being passionate about everything he did was something Grey remembers about Caleb that stuck with him. “He was a very coachable kid and took good and bad criticism very well and responded in the right way about it. You can’t say that about many kids. The community lost a great kid and player in Caleb. I wish he were still here.”

And Caleb’s legacy lives on when Grey speaks about him to new players each year.

“I tell them to be careful about getting mad about playing or having to work hard or sweat. That Caleb can’t do that anymore and they should be thankful they can still play,” Grey said.

Many of Caleb’s friends had great memories of him as well. One of them, Gracie Sims, a classmate since second grade and now a sixth grader, said “Caleb was a fantastic baseball player. He would’ve loved for AGCCA to make a baseball filed. He was such a Christian leader and had a good attitude about things. Somehow he would always cheer us up. He was an awesome friend.”

Taylor White, another friend and cousin, said Caleb was very influential in getting people to go to church. ” Caleb had a great Christian attitude and encouraged everyone to have a better outlook on life, always looking out for others. Caleb was a very dedicated football and baseball player and that’s why I think Caleb’s Field of Dreams is so important. Caleb looked forward to the day when AGCCA would have a sports team and field. This will be the beginning of Caleb’s dream so other students who were so passionate about sports will have a chance to play at AGCCA.”

Also loving to hunt, Ben said Caleb spent a lot of time at his favorite hunting camp in Jackson, Al. “He loved hunting deer and turkey. He wanted to be outside all the time and was always asking questions about everything and tried to explain how to do things better to his sisters Callie and Caryn every chance he got.”

“He was the kind of kid everyone took notice of and was very kind and compassionate toward others. Very empathetic,” Ben said.

AGCCA was established in memory of Allison Coxwell, Caleb’s mom, who died when Caleb was two and according to a webpage dedicated to Caleb’s memory, he was excited to be a part of his mother’s dream. Having a servant’s heart, Caleb was always willing to help and volunteered at every opportunity to lead devotionals, pray and lead singing during chapel.

For more information about Caleb’s Filed, visit the website calebsfieldof dreams.com or call (251) 989-2333. To send a monetary donation, mail to AGCCA, P.O. Box 420, Summerdale, Al 36580.