Clarinda A's Baseball

A letter from Michael Sanchez-

I want to thank Pat and the entire Merl Eberly family for 70 years of Clarinda A's Baseball.  Thank you to the sponsors of the Clarinda A's, the host families being honored tonight, and to the town of Clarinda which I fell in love with 56 years ago.  I still love it today and am disappointed that we couldn't be in Clarinda tonight.  

In 1968, Ralph and Audrey Bond were Host Parents for me, a 17 year old from New Mexico that came to Clarinda to play for the A's and Iowa Western Community College.  The relationship between the Bonds didn't end in the summer of '68.  Ralph and Audrey Bond and their family became family to me and a year later my wife Lynn.  We feel like this bench with Ralph and Audrey Bond's name on it is one small gesture to honor two of the most generous, loving, and genuine people ever.  

My family and I will always have a special place in our hearts for Ralph and Audrey Bond and the entire Bond family, plus all of the wonderful friends that were made in Clarinda.  The memories we have shared over the past 56 years will be carried for generations in the Sanchez family.  

A special thanks to Carson of the Clarinda Parks and Recreation, Rod Eberly, and "Big E" Ernie Tomlinson for coordinating the presentation of Ralph and Audrey's bench. 

With love to all from Michael and Lynn Sanchez

-Pictured is Terry Bond with his family accepting the bench in honor of Ralph & Audrey 7/19/25