HIGH SCHOOLS – The Ballston Spa softball team hopes that this weekend’s installment of its annual Grand Slam Tournament will bring awareness to another worthy cause.
The Grand Slam event has been dedicated to the fight against ALS since 2016. This year, the event will be dedicated to suicide awareness and menthal health support.
“One of our players, her father suffered from ALS and we wanted to support her and that cause,” Ballston Spa softball coach Amanda Fifield said. “Then, a family within our program was impacted by the the loss of someone due to suicide. We want to make a donation in their honor, and promote the awareness that there’s help out there for you.”
Prior to the 9 a.m. first pitch Saturday at Luther Forest Athletic Fields in Malta, Fifield will speak briefly before the team presents a donation check on behalf of Meghan’s Monarchs, participating in the upcoming Capital Region Walk for R.I.T.A. on Sept. 25, sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Three rounds of softball are scheduled with Ballston Spa competing along with Section II clubs South Glens Falls, Averill Park, Colonie and Shenendehowa. Teams traveling to compete from outside the Capital Region on Saturday include New Hartford, Monroe-Woodbury and Oneida.
The tournament will again be hosting its fundraising home run derby beginning at approximately 4:15 p.m. with various divisions.
The cost is $10 for 15 swings and Fifield said it is an annual highlight. Competitors can sign up during the tournament.
“I’ll be throwing from behind a screen, below the mound, to everyone — so the pitches will be fair for everyone,” Fifield said with a laugh.
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