The clock hits 6 p.m. and Gate City Grays owner Terry Fredrickson hands the microphone to the singer of the national anthem.

As the music starts and the words carry over Halliwell Park, Fredrickson looks out at the stands and feels his lifelong love affair with baseball — and 13 years of work alongside his wife, Erica — all come to fruition.

As the music fills the ballpark, tears run down his face as he quietly takes in every moment.

“It’s hard to hold back tears,” Fredrickson said. “I don’t know how many times tonight I feel like I’m gonna cry, because I’m just overwhelmed with compassion and love. They make it tough, this town, to hold your composure.”

Fredrickson’s love for baseball started far from Halliwell.

Growing up, he watched the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs with his grandpa in the trailer next door.

He loved baseball, but for a while, baseball didn’t love him back.

Every team he tried out for, Fredrickson got cut. He loved the game but never got the opportunity to play it.

“My coach said I was horrible, said I couldn’t hit the ball if I had to,” he said.

He moved to Pocatello to attend Idaho State University, and when the opportunity to buy a baseball team came up, he couldn’t say no.

Thirteen years later, every day he is around the game is a blessing.

“I just want to be part of the game any way possible,” Fredrickson said. “Without having any kids, I couldn’t be involved that way. I always thought I’d be a pretty good baseball dad, but didn’t get that chance. When we found out the team was available, we knew this town would support it. We knew this was the place to be.”

Every day he walks through those gates, he is that same kid gathered around the TV watching with his grandpa.

And every game day, he gets to live it.

Fredrickson arrives at the ballpark at 3 p.m. to begin getting the park ready for the game ahead. Between setting up the beer station, making sure the speakers work and getting the merch out, he heads behind home plate for some yoga to get his mind focused.

After yoga, he resumes his duties, greeting fans at the gate until around 5 p.m., when he leads the team in meditation, a key part of the Grays’ pregame routine.

“I feel like we go in disjointed, and when we get done having team meditation, we come out as one,” Fredrickson said. “It’s the coolest thing, it really is. We breathe together, we come together, we play as one, and that’s part of the success, you got to be one.”

Between then and first pitch, Fredrickson makes his rounds checking on everyone, his kind and friendly demeanor welcoming fans to the ballpark.

When the game begins, his job is just getting started.

Between innings, he runs promotions, games and giveaways as a way of thanking the community for coming out.

What sets Fredrickson apart from other owners is his connection with fans and the community. Every face is a friendly one, and that energy is a driving force behind the near-sellout crowds every time the Grays take the field.

“This community, man, they work hard, play hard, and that’s what the Grays are, that’s what this city is all about,” Fredrickson said. “The city is a city of uniqueness. I want them to have the love of the game. This game can give so much to you over your life.”

When the game ends and the lights turn off, Fredrickson takes a moment to reflect on the day and his enduring love for baseball.

“You can be 100 years old and still watch the game, listen to the game, and it can still provide so much entertainment and insight. That’s kind of what we’re trying to teach the guys.”

The spirit of that love fuels Fredrickson and the Grays as they work to inspire the city of Pocatello to embrace the game.

“There’s kids out there that need to learn this game.”