By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
The second annual Groveport Madison High School alumni baseball event will be a doubleheader this year.
Two teams of alumni players will square off against players currently in the high school baseball program. The games will be on the varsity baseball field at Groveport Madison High School, 4475 S. Hamilton Road on May 16. The first game will be at noon and the second game will begin around 3 p.m. Groveport City Councilman Ed Dildine will throw out the first pitch in game one and Groveport Mayor Lance Westcamp will perform first pitch honors in game two. Admission is free.
Game organizer Dylan Frank, a 2010 graduate of Groveport Madison who is also an assistant coach for the school’s freshman team, said 25 alumni players are signed on for the games.
“The oldest alumni player is from the class of 1981 and the most recent alumni player is from 2014. We hope it’s more competitive this year,” said Frank, noting that last year the high schoolers defeated the alumni 14-4.
Frank said the challenge for the alumni players is in matching speed and strength against the younger players.
“It’s not a matter of age if you stay active,” said Frank. “I’ve seen plenty of older players who can compete.”
Frank said concessions will be sold at the event and there will also be raffles with prizes as well as t-shirt sales. Donations will be accepted and proceeds benefit the Groveport Madison High School baseball program.
“An event like this helps bring the community together,” said Frank. “I want to help the baseball program that I was part of when I was in school. I want to help boost confidence and support for the program. The money raised can help with purchasing equipment like a hitting and batting cage.”
Frank said he also wants to see if the event can raise money to help fund an early spring baseball trip to a warmer climate for the varsity team, much like trips other area teams make.
“Most other Ohio Capital Conference schools go on trips south to play games to get out of cold, wet Ohio weather in early spring,” said Frank. “Our team has to spend time practicing in gyms for weeks during the cold and wet times instead of playing games, which creates a disadvantage for them.”
Frank said he hopes the alumni baseball event keeps building and remains an annual event.
“Baseball’s the American past-time,” said Frank. “Everyone loves watching a ball game on a nice spring day.”
Email Dylanfrank2010@gmail.com for information.
