Art Thunell Legacy Fund News & Events

Alumni Return to Malone Field

August 15, 2026 | John Day, Oregon

On August 15, generations of Grant Union baseball players returned to Malone Field for an Alumni Game celebrating the program, its history, and the legacy of Coach Art Thunell.

More than 80 alumni signed in for the event, with over 50 taking the field. Players representing more than four decades of Prospector baseball came together—from alumni dating back to 1985 to members of the current program. The group included former All-League and All-State players, State Champions, and multiple Oregon Players of the Year.

The afternoon became about far more than what happened between the lines.

Former teammates who hadn't seen one another in years stood together again. Players reconnected with old coaches, friends and families. Stories were shared, memories resurfaced, and generations of Prospectors who had experienced Malone Field at very different times suddenly shared it together.

For many, the reunion was emotional.

More Than a Baseball Game

Generations of Prospectors

The span of generations was evident everywhere on the field. Alumni from the mid-1980s played alongside athletes from the decades that followed, while members of today's program were able to experience firsthand the tradition they have inherited.

A Community Shows Up

The alumni weren't the only ones who came back.

An estimated 300-plus spectators filled the 7th Street Complex, with the parking lot full and vehicles lining 7th Street. Another estimated 10–15 baseball alumni were believed to be among the crowd or around the field who hadn't signed in, making the true number of former Prospectors in attendance even greater.

One community member summed up the turnout simply by stating they had never seen that many people at the park.

A Legacy Still Being Written

The response following the Alumni Game has been overwhelmingly positive, but perhaps the most meaningful part of the afternoon was seeing what still connects so many people to Grant Union baseball.

Different teams. Different eras. Different generations.

For one afternoon, they were all Prospectors again.

Radio

KJDY - Coffee Time 8/21

Art Thunell Legacy Fund Director Jake Taylor joined Coffee Time to discuss the details regarding the Prospector Alumni Baseball game August 15th, and the huge success it was.

Alumni Game Posters