Thousands of visitors expected to flood the McKinney area
Strikes Against Cancer to host 3rd annual boy’s travel baseball tournament to benefit cancer research
McKinney, TX – The City of McKinney will be flooded with thousands of youth baseball players and their fans during the weekend of May 3-5, for the Third Annual 2013 Strikes Against Cancer Charity Baseball Tournament. Opening ceremonies are set to be held at the Ball Fields at Craig Ranch on Friday evening. These dedicated youth baseball players aren’t just competing for a trophy; they are also joining forces with Strikes Against Cancer to help them raise precious funds for ground breaking cancer research.
The Strikes mission is simple. They host youth baseball and softball tournaments, and then count the strikes in an effort to raise money for Cancer Research. 100% of the net donations from their fundraisers are given to research organizations, including their signature partner, the Jimmy V Foundation. In just our second year as an all-volunteer 501(c)3 organization, Strikes forwarded almost $40,000 in donations to the Jimmy V Foundation and an additional $2,500 to the American Cancer Society. In total they donated approximately $1.25 per strike.
“In 2013 our goal is to raise $150,000 – 200,000,” said Strikes Against Cancer vice president and spokesperson, Eric Power. “We already have over 130 teams signed up and believe that we could have 450-500 teams attend, effectively doubling last year’s 238-team tournament. Based on our previous success, we estimate that this year’s event could draw upwards of 17,000 participants and fans representing numerous regions of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. This is a great opportunity for businesses to take advantage of this kind of influx into their community. Can we count on you to be a part of our weekend?”
Teams will be traveling hundreds of miles, and from across the Metroplex, to support this worthy cause and play in the Tournament, which ultimately benefits the V-Foundation. Teams that they “Can Count On” to make the journey to help fight cancer include the following; the Midland Titans, Wichita Falls Indians, Ellis County Prospects, LBA from Lubbock, Stephenville Texans and many others.
Jeff Carter, Volunteer Director of Strikes Against Cancer said, “We had stories last year of a grandmother flying in from Massachusetts to come see her grandson play as well as a 9-year-old leukemia survivor presenting his team trophies after they won their bracket. These are just a couple of the countless inspirational stories that make you realize it’s not just the teams, but also all cancer patients that are counting on us to run this tournament. That is why we will need over 400 volunteers this year to make it a successful event.”
Can they “count on you” to help them?
About Strikes Against Cancer Opening Ceremonies:
• Opening Ceremonies are set for 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 3 at Craig Ranch at the Gabe Nesbit Collegiate Field.
• Mayor Brain Loughmiller will read the Strikes Against Cancer Proclamation.
•A Special Trio-Ceremonial First Pitch! In celebration of our Third Annual Tournament, 4 year-old leukemia survivor Bryce Dahl, Congressman Scott Sanford and Senator Ken Paxton (pending their availability due to Senate sessions) will throw in the First Pitch in harmony.
• McKinney recording artist Maylee Thomas will be singing the National Anthem.
Additional information about Strikes Against Cancer is available from their website or through contact with Eric Power at epower@strikesagainstcancer.org