By Becky Maxedon

Summer league baseball has been hot in Lake Havasu City since Rick Twyman founded Havasu Heat in 1992.

With the exception of about a decade in Kansas, the Heat has been Havasu’s portal to America’s Pastime.

Players will hit the field tonight for the kick-off of the 2025 season, but this season holds a special message and mission.

Tonight, at 7 p.m., the Pack the Park Night for the Cody Strong Foundation, dedicated to the memory of William Cody Treatch, features a team alumni game.

Cody was recruited by Twyman out of Gateway Community College in 2018.

“He was a wonderful kid. 89-92 mile an hour arm, 6’ 1”, 230 lbs., and just a great kid,” Twyman said.

Long story short, Cody met Twyman’s daughter Kylee, and a love story followed.

The two clicked and married in 2024.

Cody and Kylee Treatch wedding photo. Photo courtesy Kylee Treatch

After graduating and finishing up his baseball career in 2021, Cody and Kylee moved to Phoenix so Cody could help Kylee complete her graduate degree.

“He worked outdoors in a scrap yard for three years as a heavy-equipment operator and laborer. Six months prior to joining the (Rural Metro) fire department, he was training and getting in shape,” Kylee said.

“He was born and raised in Arizona and has been outdoors his entire life. He was completely healthy medically and the absolute worst case scenario happened just two days into the fire academy when it was preventable,” Kylee said.

Cody was on his second day as a cadet, training with the Rural Metro Fire Department, when he suffered a heat-related illness and passed away. The couple had only been married for seven months, and Kylee was pregnant.

Since that tragedy, Twyman gained a new grandson, Hunter, who was born before Cody and Kylee would have celebrated their first anniversary.

Kylee Treatch and her son Hunter. Photo courtesy Kylee Treatch

“Hunter was named after Kaden (Kylee’s brother). A lot of people know Kylee and Kaden around town,” he said.

So, what is the Cody Strong Foundation nonprofit?

Kylee is not only a new mom and sadly a new widow, but she is also a doctor. She has her Doctor of Occupational Therapy with a target audience of outside workers, first responders and athletes.

And her mission with the foundation is to educate athletes and first responders about the dangers of working and playing in high heat conditions.

“Kylee, after Cody’s death, was pretty much out of commission until after Hunter was born. She decided to launch a nonprofit – nationwide, worldwide – for professional athletes, first responders,” Twyman said.

“She has doctors on her side educating athletes and first responders, so this won’t happen again.”

To that end, team members met with RNs and doctors this week and were informed about heat safety.

“Heat. We’ve never messed around with that and for one of our own to go down like that. He wasn’t on the baseball field, but it shouldn’t have happened,” Twyman said.

He said one strategy of dealing with the scorching temperatures in Lake Havasu included having two people for each position. “We have to do that to compete in a long season – 60 games in 60 days, so we have buffers to help out with the players.

“But most of them – they don’t want to be honest because they are afraid that if they come out of the lineup, they might not get back in. This is not going to happen on our watch.”

In addition to starting the nonprofit, Kylee has written a book that launched three weeks ago. “We Still Can: Essays In Grief” is described as a memoir of grief, motherhood and finding light after loss.

“People ask how this young lady is so strong. She’s always been. I guess it’s her healing process. The book’s doing real well,” Twyman said.

“If it could happen to Cody, it can happen to anyone. I’m sharing his story to raise awareness that heat-related illnesses are serious and preventable. It’s not just about the temperature – it’s the UV index, the electrolyte-to-water ratio, and understanding how quickly things can turn dangerous. This is about more than education – it’s about making sure no one else loses someone they love to something we can prevent,” Kylee said.

Kylee and Hunter will throw out the first pitch at the game Friday evening. Hunter is now 5 months old.

“It’s going to be real emotional. I have to be there for my kids – especially for Kylee. It’s all for one cause – the Cody Foundation.”

The Havasu Heat Baseabll Team poses for a photo with the Twyman/Treatch Family. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene Magazine

The Heat play at Lake Havasu High School baseball facility.

“You’ll see some quality baseball this weekend,” Twyman said. A regular scheduled game will be played Saturday.

Admission is $5. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Drink containers and water are not allowed to be brought in, but water will be available for sale, as well as offerings from food vendors.

Find out more about the foundation at Cody Strong Foundation on Facebook and at #codystrong.

Back row: Ray Huthoefer, Rick Twyman, and Willie Treatch. Front Row: Ingrid Bergman , Jacquie Treatch, Kylee Treatch, Hunter Treatch and Kaden Twyman Jillian Danielson / RiverScene Magazine