ASHLAND CITY, TN – Clarksville’s own Garrett Spain has made a name for himself in 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 and Austin Peay State University star is launching an 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.
The project is being created in collaboration with his mother, Toni Pennington, who taught special education for over 20 years and 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. “One lesson he has always kept close to his heart is the awareness of the needs for our special education population.”
Spain and Pennington enlisted the help of the students at ACESA, including members of the school’s Unified Club. The 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.
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.
After a career at Clarksville High, Spain played for 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 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.