Nine boys baseball teams in Du Quoin this weekend for indoor Special Olympics benefit
Nine boys traveling baseball teams will compete at the first annual 2013 Boys Baseball Winter Indoor Classic at the Southern Illinois Center, Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin on Saturday and Sunday Dec. 14 & 15. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit Special Olympics Illinois Southern/Area 15.
Boys baseball teams from across Southern Illinois will compete in the following age groups: 10 & under and 11 & under. Competition will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning and continue through Sunday, with each team playing a minimum of three games in this double-elimination tournament.
All proceeds provide support to over 840 athletes in Special Olympics Illinois Southern/Area 15, which serves individuals with intellectual disabilities in the following counties: Alexander, Franklin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, Union and Williamson.
Opening Ceremonies for the tournament will be at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the S.I. Center, where all competing teams, presenting sponsors, community leaders, special guests, and Special Olympics Illinois Athletes will be introduced and honored at this time. Two of Special Olympics Illinois Southern Area 15's boys slow-pitch softball teams will also take part in a game during this year's opening ceremonies. Fans are encouraged to come out and cheer for all teams throughout the weekend. For more tournament information, please visit www.southernillinoisindoorsoftball.org.
Presenting Sponsors are Knight Hawk Coal L.L.C , Ward Chrysler, Ward KIA, and Mathis & Sons, Inc. Supporting sponsors are Country Financial, Lee's Sports, Southern Illinois University, Banterra Bank, Alongi's, Hicks Trading Post, Burley-Shay Investments, Marshall Browning Hospital, Isaac Davison DDS, Craig Furry MD Family Practice, and the Du Quoin Jaycees.
Southern/Area 15 is one of 18 areas of Special Olympics Illinois. Southern/Area 15 was founded in 1970 and currently serves more than 840 athletes, has 93 active agencies and more than 1,600 volunteers.