Joe Nichols Hits a “Home Run for Hope” With Nashville’s First Inclusive Baseball Field Initiative

On a crisp Sunday afternoon in Nashville, country star Joe Nichols stepped off the stage and onto the diamond, proving that some of the most meaningful performances don’t happen under the lights, but on a ballfield. His Home Run for Hope event (Sept. 28) wasn’t about chart-toppers or sold-out arenas, it was about building something far more lasting: a place where every kid, regardless of ability, can play ball.

Photo credit: Jessica Crans for BSB MGMT

A Field of Dreams, For Everyone

The mission is ambitious but deeply necessary, transforming one of Edwin Warner Park’s five baseball fields, originally built in 1961, into Nashville’s first ADA-compliant “flexible field.” This $1.5 million project will include flat, turf-based surfaces, ADA dugouts and bases, accessible fencing, lighting, and mobility-cart access. In short, it’s a field built for inclusion, where players with disabilities can experience the same joy of the game as any other athlete.

Nichols’ inspiration traces back to his own song “Home Run,” a heartfelt anthem about connection, resilience, and finding one’s way home. “Music has always been about bringing people together,” Nichols said at the event. “Baseball can do that too. This field is about hope, community, and making sure every player gets a chance at bat.”

Community at Bat

The Home Run for Hope was more than just a fundraiser, it was a festival of community spirit. Local businesses and organizations rallied to the cause, offering everything from giveaways and hot dogs to auction items that blended sports, music, and a little Nashville flair.

Sponsors included Academy Sports + Outdoors, Vanderbilt Athletics, Taylor Guitars, the West Nashville Sports League, the Mt. Juliet Challenger League, and even the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame (yes, bobbleheads made the lineup). Taylor Guitars sweetened the pot with a guitar signed by Nichols himself, up for auction through late October, with proceeds supporting the field.

Nichols in the Outfield

It wasn’t all speeches and sign-ups. Nichols laced up his sneakers and joined athletes from the Special Olympics of Tennessee Youth Athletes, The King’s Daughters’ School, the West Nashville Sports League, and the Mt. Juliet Challenger League for a simple but powerful act, playing catch. For the kids, it was a chance to toss the ball with a country star. For Nichols, it was a reminder that music and baseball share the same heartbeat: joy, rhythm, and connection.

And thanks to Academy Sports + Outdoors, Nichols surprised those young athletes with brand-new sporting equipment proving that generosity, like baseball, works best when you keep passing it along.

A Legacy Beyond the Scoreboard

Events like Home Run for Hope highlight how country music’s reach extends far beyond the radio dial. Nichols’ initiative shined a light on mentorship, inclusivity, and the timeless beauty of community-building. By the end of the afternoon, it was clear, this was more than a charity event. It was the first pitch of a movement.

Because in Nashville, sometimes the most important hits aren’t songs at all. They’re home runs for hope.

Good Scentiments partners with musicians to benefit their favorite charities. Visit shopgoodscentiments.com to purchase Joe’s candle HOME RUN ❤️

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