July2012

Marshall Tourney raises $17K for Cancer Research

July 10, 2012

Innerkip, ON

FULL STORY

Nice story including our good friend Kyle Smith from ballparkradio.com fame!



INNERKIP - After another outstanding tournament, organizers of the annual Gord Marshall Memorial Women’s Fastball Tournament say they are right on track for hitting their ultimate goal next year.
The four-day tournament in Innerkip raised $17,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society Oxford County unit. The total raised so far in $92,200. Next year, organizers want to hit the $100,000 mark.
“He would be amazed, absolutely amazed,” Marshall’s wife, Judy Marshall, said Sunday during the championship game.
As the Whitby Eagles and the Guelph Gators battled it out on the diamond, Judy Marshall talked about her husband and his love of the game.
“I got a call from the hospital when he was sick telling me they had to give him an emergency tracheotomy. When we got there that night, even though he couldn’t talk the first thing he wanted to know was how Amy’s game went. Then the next thing he wanted to know was who pitched,” she said with a laugh.
Even while undergoing cancer treatments, Marshall could still muster enough energy to head out to the ballpark and watch games.
Marshall died from cancer in 2003 at the age of 48.
Every year since, a tournament has been held at the Innerkip ballpark in honour of the player, coach, umpire and, most importantly, dear friend to many.
In 2004, the tournament began as a local fundraiser for the Innerkip ladies' team, but in 2006, local umpires were asked to take over the event.
Kyle Smith, tournament media relations co-coordinator, said he met Gord Marshall through agricultural channels but did get a few chances to umpire with him.
“He always had a smile on his face. He was really admired,” he said.
The tournament was broken down into two divisions – the Open Division, which included Senior, Intermediate, Junior and Midget Tier 1 teams. There was also a Tier 2 Division that featured several Oxford County teams.
The Whitby Eagles earned the championship in the Open Division after mercying the Guelph Gators 9-2 in six innings.
Close to 300 people watched the final game that finished about 5 p.m. Sunday.
Wining Tier 2 was the Byron Blaze.
“I think we have succeeded because we have a reputation for holding a premiere tournament. These teams come here to get ready for provincials. It’s high calibre ball that’s being played here,” Smith said. “This community is another reason why this succeeds. We have great sponsors and we all have great family’s at home that support us coming out doing this and the people come out to watch.”
 

 

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