Alpharetta, Hopewell Baseball Organizations Help Cure Cancer

Alpharetta Youth Baseball Association (AYBA) & Hopewell Youth Association will be hosting a tournament from June 6-9 to benefit Coaches Curing Kids’ Cancer.  The goal is to make a difference for all kids in our community who have been diagnosed with childhood cancer, including those we may know personally. 

Childhood cancer has hit close to home for those at AYBA. In May 2010, a player at AYBA named BJ was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma, a very aggressive form of childhood cancer.  His coaches had noticed he wasn’t his normal energetic self, and after much testing, the diagnosis was given.  His family’s life, as they knew it, stopped. 

Everyone at AYBA rallied around BJ. They were already very familiar with the prevalence of childhood cancer through their involvement with Curing Kids’ Cancer, a non-profit organization whose mission is to find cures for pediatric cancers in our lifetime. 

Curing Kids’ Cancer raises money to fund the most promising pediatric cancer research.  One of the ways they do it is through the Coaches Curing Kids’ Cancer (CCKC) program.  Youth sports teams donate to CCKC in honor of their coaches at the end of the season in lieu of a traditional gift.  The coach receives a great Curing Kids’ Cancer gift (t-shirt, hat, or whistle) along with a certificate letting the coach know that the team has donated to us in the coach’s honor. This money then goes to fund cutting edge pediatric cancer research.  And the kids on the team learn about giving back.  It is a win/win for everyone! 

BJ underwent 7 months of very harsh treatments, and on Dec. 18, 2010, BJ had his last treatment, and has been in remission ever since! 

Not all children are as fortunate as BJ.  Which is why we need your help!  Tournament proceeds will go to the nonprofit organization Coaches Curing Kids’ Cancer.  For more information about their mission, please go to http://www.curingkidscancer.org .  Donations can also be made at this site.

• When: June 6-9, 2013
• Ages: 6U, 7U, 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U
• Classifications: All Star and AA/AAA.  All-Star and AA/AAA will not be combined. (See who is already confirmed to attend: www.alpharettasports.com/tgba)
• Where: The tournament will be played at Wills Park and Webb Bridge Park in Alpharetta and Bell Memorial Park in Milton.

Format: 2 pool games w/ single elimination bracket (3 game minimum)

The tournament includes homerun derby contest hosted by Grand Slam Sports Center.

Trophies will be given to the first and second place team in each classification. Each team to provide two balls per game. The team entry fee is $350, plus $75 gate fee.

Contacts:

Mike Olmsted - 770-329-8093 or molmsted@comcast.net

Andy Faw – 678-984-5033 or andy.faw@rrd.com

Follow AYBA on Facebook and Twitter for additional information on this baseball tournament.