Kickball tournament Saturday to benefit NubAbility Athletes
At the end of the day, you'll tell yourself "That was a lot of fun! I'm glad we did that!"
It's the feeling you'll get by putting together a team and competing in this Saturday's rain-postponed annual NubAbility Athletic Foundation kickball tournament which starts at 10:30 a.m. on the Jaycees softball field on Rt. 152 west of Du Quoin.
If you don't have a team, come out anyway. We'll find you a team.
Laughing out loud, listening to some great music, picnicking with family and friends, eating some great food fresh off the grill and helping one of the nation's truly great causes are all just a short drive away, thanks to Sam Kuhnert and family.
Remember when you played kickball in grade school and high school! A playground ball is rolled to the plate from the pitcher's mound. You connect with the ball and drive it over the pitcher's head across the infield and into the outfield, then run like crazy for first base. Nobody needs a batting skill. Nobody has to worry if anyone's watching. A popsicle is allowed on first base. Dust on your shorts and a family camera are required to create some great memories of a great day at the ballpark.
In case of a muddy field, the Plan "B" is to move the event to the turf field at the Du Quoin High School.
The tournament is sponsored by the Du Quoin Jaycees to benefit the summer camp for limb-challenged athletes. Last year the tournament raised over $1,000 to help fund the camp, which will be held July 19-21 at the Du Quoin High School.
It is a high quality, inspiring project begun and shouldered by Du Quoin athlete Sam Kuhnert, friends and family. It has caught the eye of the country.
The camp is one of two events to benefit NubAbility Athletes. The other is NubAbility Night at the Southern Illinois Miners Rent One ballpark in Marion on June 22. Tickets for the baseball game are $6, and half of the ticket price benefits the NubAbility Athletic Foundation. Those tickets are available at the Du Quoin State Bank, the Perry County Marketplace in Pinckneyville or from the Kuhnerts. You can call 618-357-0237 or eMail nubability@gmail.com for more information. Or, find NubAbility Athletes on Facebook.
The cost of playing in the tournament is only $10 per person. Admission is free. There will be plate dinners, raffles, music and plenty of food from Fenton's BBQ and Bill's Grill.
Five-inning games will start at 10:30 a.m. with a time limit on games. You need a minimum of 10 players on a team.
Keenan Rice, Chad Bland and Charlie Kuhnert will provide live music throughout the day on the grounds.