Clarksville's own Garrett Spain has made a name for himself climbing the ranks of professional baseball, but his next big play is for a cause much closer to his heart.
Fresh off a standout season in the minor leagues, the former Clarksville High School and Austin Peay State University star is launching a personal initiative to promote awareness for the special education community.
Spain, an outfielder in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, is developing a custom glove with his sponsor, Jake Hale (JHprogloves), to wear in the upcoming season. The glove will serve as a platform to support Autism Speaks, a cause he chose to champion.
The project is a deeply personal one, created in collaboration with his mother, Toni Pennington, who taught special education for over 20 years. Pennington is currently the Dean of Students at Ashland City Elementary STEM Academy (ACESA).
"He has learned so many life lessons through his journey," Pennington said of her son. "One lesson he has always kept close to his heart is the awareness of the needs for our special education population."
To bring the project to life, Spain and Pennington enlisted the help of the students at ACESA, including members of the school's Unified Club.
The school's club is part of the state and national Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program. This program is designed to foster social inclusion by bringing students with and without intellectual disabilities together through shared activities, leadership and sports, creating a school-wide climate of acceptance and respect.
The ACESA students were given a powerful challenge: to use their artistic side and create drawings that could be added to the glove's design. According to those involved, the kids "excelled above expectation," and the resulting artwork was "nothing less than breathtaking."
Spain's dedication to his community mirrors the tenacity he's shown on the field. After a stellar career at Clarksville High, he became a local legend at Austin Peay State University, where he was named the 2019 OVC Freshman of the Year and a 2021 First Team All-OVC selection.
He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021 and has since navigated the minor league system. This past season (2025), playing for the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers, Spain had a breakout year. He was named Southern League Player of the Week in August and finished the season posting new career-highs with 16 home runs and 69 RBI.
Now, he's channeling that professional success into a personal mission. The custom glove, which will soon carry the heartfelt designs from ACESA students onto a professional field, is more than just equipment—it's a project straight from the heart.