YBB: Brady Barton Tournament approaches
is approaching in early August and teams can now
sign up to play in the event.
The 11th Annual Brady Barton Fall Ball Tournament is coming to Carthage once again in early August. Tourney organizer Robert Barton, and father of Brady Barton, is looking for teams to participate in tourney, which raises money annually to the worthwhile cause.
Robert Barton said the tournament will be divided into several age groups and take place over two weekends. The 7-and-Under, 8-and-Under Machine Pitch, 9-and-Under, 12-and-Under and 13-and-Under age groups will compete at the Carthage Baseball Complex on Aug. 7-8.
On the following weekend, Aug. 14-15, the following age groups will play: 6-and-under; 8-and-Under Coach Pitch; 10-and-Under; 11-and-Under; and 14-and-Under at the same site.
The entry fee for the tournament is as following: $250 per team for 6-and-Under, 7-and-Under and 8-and-Under; $300 per team for 9-and-Under, 10-and-Under, 11-and-Under and 12-and-Under; $325 per team for 9-and-Under, 10-and-Under, 11-and-Under and 12-and-Under; and $325 for 13-and-Under and 14-and-Under. Teams must show proof of insurance.
There is no admission charge for the public to attend the tournament this year.
There will be individual trophies presented for first through third-place teams. Each coach and player will receive a t-shirt and each team will receive a three-game minimum in its respective tournament. Teams will be required to furnish one ball.
Due to Carthage City ordinance, there will be no coolers or pets allowed in the ballpark.
For more information concerning the tournament, you can go to www.bradybartonfoundation.org or call Robert Barton at (903) 806-7857.
All proceeds from the tournament will go to help parents who have children with cancer. The Brady Barton Foundation was established in memory of Brady Barton and its main purpose is to help families that have children diagnosed with cancer, according to the organization's website.
Brady was born Feb. 24, 1986 to Robert and Janet Barton, formerly of Tenaha.
He was very active as a youth, and participated in church activities. He was a member of the church group that won state Bible drill competition two years in a row, recording perfect scores.
Brady was also an outstanding baseball player during his young days, participating as an all-star early on.
Then on Dec. 19, 1997 he was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. He continued to try to do the things in life that he loved so much, even as the cancer eventually spread throughout his body. He never gave up his faith that he would be healed, according to his father Robert. Brady died of the disease on Nov. 6, 1999 at the age of 13.