The Lexington County Blowfish open their season later today.

Fans will see the team and their coaches on the field.

Behind the scenes are the people who made this possible.

Bill and Vicki Shanahan brought the Blowfish collegiate team to Lexington.

They had help from the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission which built the Ballpark Road stadium where the old Wildcat Hollow used to sit.

They had additional help from local public officials, baseball fans, business sponsors and their staff. It was a cooperative effort.

People often wonder how the Shanahans can work and live together.

They say they enjoy it – working side by side.

Each brings individual strengths and experience to the team.

Vicki was born and raised in Arkansas, Bill in New York and San Francisco. They met in Wichita, KS, where their families were living.

Vicki managed three women’s retail stores and Bill was in radio. They met through friends, fell in love and married.

Their baseball career began four years later when Bill ran the Wichita Triple A team.

Their 4 children were born 2 years apart - 2 boys and 2 girls - all grown now. God has blessed them with 6 wonderful grandchildren, Bill said.

Baseball has taken them from Wichita, KS, to San Bernardino, CA to Columbia, SC to Mobile, AL and now here.

“We lived in Lexington in the 90s with the Columbia Mets/Capital City Bombers,” Bill said. “ Our kids attended Oak Grove Elementary and we loved living in Lexington.”

The Shanahans are community minded. One of their gifts to the community is the annual St. Pat’s parade. Bill grew up in a traditional Irish home, performed in Irish Festivals and marched in the San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Parade for a many years.

While with the San Bernardino Spirit, they started their first St. Patrick’s Parade.

“We loved the opportunity to start one in Lexington three years ago,” Bill said.

Being able to own and operate the Blowfish together has been a great experience.

With Vicki’s background in retail business and Bill’s in sales, marketing and promotions – plus their love for America’s pastime – “it’s fun working side by side.”

“Vicki and I work off each others strengths,” he said.

“Vicki is the more detail oriented. I’m the big picture guy. For the first 30 years of our marriage, Vicki was home with our children. That was important to us.

“Our 2 sons played baseball and worked at the ballpark. Our 2 daughters helped out too so it just became a way of life and a way to spend time as a family from April to September. Being a family meant spending lots of time at the ballpark so we make it fun to be together.

“Now, as empty nesters, it’s a blessing to be able to work and make decisions together – not that it’s always easy.

“We love making new friends and helping Lexington County come together in different ways. The greatest joy is building relations and helping our county.

“Our advice is simple. Do something you love and give it all you’ve got consistently.

“Serve others, understand each day brings new challenges, and create opportunities from those challenges.

“At the end of each day, be grateful to God for how he has provided for you.”