An Open Letter From Dakota Albritton To CEO Jesse Cole, Fans, and The Entire Islington Community
To Jesse Cole, the passionate fans in the stands, and every single soul who calls Islington home,
I’m writing this with a heart that feels too full to contain, a feeling I’ve become wonderfully accustomed to since joining this organization. It’s a feeling I need to give words to, not because I have to, but because I owe it to all of you.
Jesse, from the moment I first stepped into the ballpark, I knew this was different. You didn’t just talk about creating a fan experience; you preached a gospel of joy, of community, of unapologetic fun. In a world, and a sport, that can sometimes take itself too seriously, you built a sanctuary where families can laugh, where kids can run the bases with dreams in their eyes, and where the crack of the bat is harmonized by the sound of genuine happiness. You saw a team not as a commodity, but as a heartbeat for a town. You hired me not just for a skill set, but you invited me into a family. You gave me a chance to be part of something that is so much bigger than wins, losses, or ERAs. It is a privilege to wear this uniform, a privilege you bestowed, and I wake up every day determined to honor that trust. Thank you for seeing the potential not only in me but in what a baseball team can truly mean to the people it serves.
And to you, the fans. Where do I even begin?
I see you. I see you in the front row, keeping score with your grandfather’s pencil. I see you in the outfield bleachers, starting the chants that give us chills. I see the little ones with their gloves up, hoping for a foul ball, their faces painted with our colors. I hear your roar after a strikeout and I feel your collective sigh after a tough loss. You aren’t a backdrop to our games; you are the very reason we play them.
Your support isn’t conditional. It’s not based on a winning streak or a stat line. It’s based on something far more powerful: belonging. You’ve welcomed me, a relative stranger, as one of your own. You’ve cheered for my successes and forgiven my mistakes with a grace that humbles me. You’ve shared your stories with me at meet-and-greets, told me about your long days at work and how coming to the ballpark is your escape. You’ve let me sign your caps and your arms, and in doing so, you’ve signed my heart with a sense of purpose I will carry forever. Playing for you is the honor of my lifetime. You have given me a home, and there is no greater gift.
Finally, to the entire Islington community—the local businesses that display our schedule in their windows, the teachers who use our games as math lessons, the families who gather in the town square on game nights, the volunteers who keep our fields pristine. This team does not exist in a bubble. It breathes because you breathe. It thrives because you thrive.
The love you’ve shown extends far beyond the stadium gates. It’s in the way you wave when we’re getting coffee, the way you support our community initiatives, and the pride you take in calling this place your own. You’ve taught me that a community is not just a place on a map; it’s a living, breathing entity built on mutual support and shared identity. You have wrapped your arms around this team, and in return, I hope you feel us wrapping our arms around you. We play for the hardware store owner who stayed open late for us. We play for the diner that serves us pancakes after a long road trip. We play for every single person who finds a moment of joy, connection, or peace within this incredible community we get to represent.
This is more than baseball. This is a partnership. A shared dream. A collective heartbeat.
So, thank you. Jesse, thank you for your vision. Fans, thank you for your unwavering voice. Islington, thank you for your soul.
I cannot promise a perfect game every night. I cannot promise that every swing will connect. But I can promise you this: every time I take the mound, I will pour every ounce of my being into this jersey. I will play with grit for this town, with joy for these fans, and with a profound gratitude for the opportunity to be a small part of something so beautiful.
This is my home. You are my family. And I am, forever, gratefully yours.
With all my heart,
Dakota Albritton
