By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
Blake Snyder (class of 2015) slides safely into third base during last year’s Groveport Madison High School Alumni baseball game.
The Cruiser baseball old timers are oiling up their gloves and stretching out their aging muscles to get ready for the fourth annual Groveport Madison High School alumni baseball game.
The game will be played April 30 at 2 p.m. (rain date May 7 at 2 p.m.) at the Groveport Madison High School varsity baseball field, located behind Cruiser Stadium. Admission is free. Proceeds from food sales and raffles during the game will go toward the Groveport Madison baseball program.
“It will be two alumni teams playing each other,” said game organizer Dylan Frank. “I hope to have at least 30 alumni players this year so I can have 15 players on each team. We had 25 players last year.”
In last year’s game, the Cruiser Red team defeated the Cruiser Black team 4-3.
“Last year has been my favorite year so far,” said Frank. “We separated the alumni into two teams, one had more experience then the other, but the second team was more recently out of high school. It stayed neck and neck with both teams making great plays and diving catches to keep the game close, but in the end the team with more experience came out on top just barely, I feel the turning point in that game was when Shawn Cleary from the class of 1978, and the oldest player in the game, hit a single.”
Frank said the aim is to play the alumni game like a classic baseball game.
“I want fans to watch their favorite players while enjoying a drink and Crackerjacks,” said Frank. “Nothing more than baseball and fresh air will give all our supporters that great spring feeling that baseball has always given us.”
Frank said the annual alumni game helps bring the community and school district closer together as well as helping the baseball program succeed.
“This alumni game helps fund our great baseball program and will help purchase items and learning experiences for coaches and players in order to improve our already great program,” said Frank.
Alumni players interested in playing in this year’s game must provide Frank with their entry fee, jersey information and biographical information by April 16.
For more information, to sign up to play, to sponsor, or donate to the fundraiser, call Dylan Frank (614) 832-3645 or email: dylanfrank2010@gmail.com. or find him on Facebook.
Despite the construction of the new high school, there is still access to the baseball field from the main school parking lot. Eastland Career Center’s parking lot is also available.
