Red Bay baseball plans fundraisers for July
By Bart Moss for the FCT
The Red Bay baseball program will be holding two major events in July to help raise funds for the program.
July 15 the Tigers will hold the 3rd Annual Red Bay High School Alumni Baseball Game. July 21-22, they will have their first ever Men’s Wood Bat Tournament.
“These are fun events that get the whole community involved and people from all around who love the game of baseball,” said Red Bay baseball coach Richard Maggerise. “Our alumni game has grown each year and has become very successful. I think the wood bat tournament will be a great way to bring more men in who want to relive a little of their youth and play the game the way it was meant to be played.”
The alumni game being held July 15 costs $25 per player to participate. Shirts are given with a desired number on back as long as players are preregistered by July 4. The teams will be divided as evenly as possible.
“We try to play somewhere between seven and nine innings in the alumni game,” said Maggerise. “But, you know, most of these guys after a few years out of high school don’t last very long.”
With the men’s wood bat tournament being held July 21-22, players and teams can go back in time and play the game “the way it was meant to be played” – with a strong dose of defense and legitimate home runs with wood bats instead of aluminum bats.
“This is the way the game used to be played and still is in the major leagues,” said Maggerise. “I hope we can have several teams. We have already had strong interest and curiosity.”
This tournament will be held at the Red Bay baseball field. Teams can be formed from any town or city, made up of men ages 18 and up. Rosters must be submitted before the first game and cannot be altered once the tournament starts.
It will be a double elimination tournament beginning the evening of July 21. Two games are guaranteed.
Alabama High School Athletic Association officials will be used, and all baseballs will be provided; however, no wood bat will be supplied to any team. The use of school catcher’s equipment can be requested. Standard baseball rules will apply.
The cost for the tournament is $25 per player or $225 per playing team. Those who desire to play but cannot find a team or come up with a team can contact Maggerise.
“We want anyone who loves the game of baseball to come out to this event and participate,” said Maggerise. “We hope this event grows each year, and we can get teams all around the area to participate and have fun.”
To register for either of the events or for more information, contact Maggerise at 205-495-1170. All proceeds go to the Red Bay Baseball Diamond Club.
