A Sweet Beginning for a Growing Business
When Ben Norman learned that his former Southwest Little League teammates would be traveling to Sugarland for the 2025 50/70 Southwest Region Tournament, he wanted to do something to help. He brainstormed ideas for a fundraiser and eventually settled on a simple yet effective plan: selling homemade cookies wrapped in Saran wrap on paper plates.
Ben’s idea was to create batches of butterscotch and chocolate chip cookies, which he and his family would prepare and sell to friends, neighbors, and members of their church. The goal was to raise enough money to cover the team’s travel expenses, including gas and other costs associated with the trip.
Over the course of several weeks, Ben and his family worked tirelessly in their home kitchen, eventually moving their operations to the commercial kitchen at First Christian Church, where his mother, Mary, works. The effort paid off — they raised just over $700, which was given directly to the team for their travel needs.
“I’m not exactly sure where the money went, but I know it was used for good,” Ben said. His efforts were supported by his mother and sister, Emeline, who helped with packaging, selling, and delivering the cookies.
The project started as a simple fundraiser, but it quickly evolved into something more. Anthony Delgado, a friend of Ben’s and a member of the 50/70 Southwest Little League team, praised the support from Ben and his family. Although the team didn’t make it to the Little World Series, they were grateful for the help.
Ben had previously played with some of the team members and spent part of the summer coaching them during their championship run. This season, he was just slightly too old to continue playing with them. However, his connection to the team remained strong.
Roy Delgado, Anthony’s father and the team’s coach, had also coached Ben for several seasons. He described the bond between the families and the team as meaningful. “We really love these kids. We love their coach. Coach Roy has done so much for Ben in baseball, but also in life,” Mary said.
The idea for the fundraiser eventually turned into something more than just a one-time effort. After the initial success, Ben and his mother continued to expand their cookie business. Lindsey Delgado, Anthony’s mom, came up with the name “Batter Up Bakery” and designed the baseball-themed logo that now appears on each batch of cookies.
“Now that the fundraiser is over, my mom and I have just kept going,” Ben said. “So, we’ve been learning how to make all this. And it’s been real fun.”
The original recipe for the butterscotch cookies came from Mary, who borrowed it from her mother-in-law. She often made the cookies for her husband, and the idea of using them for a fundraiser came naturally. “Every now and then I’d make butterscotch cookies for my husband, and then suddenly, one day it was like, ‘Let’s just make some cookies and try and raise money,’” she said. “And then it turned into seven cookies later.”
Today, the menu includes five additional flavors beyond the original two. These include Shortstop S’more, Line Drive Key Lime Pie, Sweet Emeline Strawberry, Catchers Crunch Cinnamon, and Savannah Banana Pudding. “We’re getting legit,” Mary laughed.
Ben has taken the lead in coming up with new flavor combinations and creative names for each cookie. He has already pitched ideas for future products, such as PopTart Pitcher and Outfield Oatmeal Creme Pie cookies. Each variation builds upon the original recipe created by Mary.
As Ben enters his freshman year at Monterey High School and Mary continues her work at First Christian Church, both are working to find time to grow their cookie business. Mary recently earned her Texas Cottage Food Production certification, which is a key step toward expanding their operations.
“This is what it started out as — just cookies on a paper plate,” Mary said. From those humble beginnings, she hopes to see the products of Ben’s Batter Up Bakery appear in Lubbock’s farmers market scene and beyond.
Currently, the bakery offers cookies for $5 each or a Line Up of six cookies for $25. More information about the current menu and ordering options can be found on their Facebook page. Orders can also be placed by emailing [email protected].
