Baseball for Beau: More than $8k raised for scholarship named after Hartselle child
Hundreds of community members gathered at the Flint Fields at Gale Montgomery Park this past Saturday to play a little baseball in honor of a Hartselle child who never got the chance to play the game.
Nearly 50 6U-12U teams from across the Tennesse Valley participated in the all-day tournament that raised more than $8,500. Teams from Decatur, Hartselle, Priceville, Cotaco, Moulton, East Lawrence, Falkville, Elkmont, West Point, West Morgan and Danville participated. The money will fund the Beau Clark scholarship at Hartselle High School.
Diamondback no. 15 Cole Bishop at bat in the Beau Clark Memorial Tournament March 23.
Beau Clark, 4, was killed in a dog attack Feb. 26.
According to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, Clark rode his bike over to a neighbor’s house when he was attacked by the dog. Clark had been around the dog, an Olde English Bulldog, many times before and the dog never showed aggressive or violent behavior. Clark was laid to rest March 1.
Beau Clark
Jacob Wilbanks of the Priceville Community Recreation Association helped organize the tournament.
“I have a child who will turn two in June and Beau’s story hit close to home,” Wilbanks said. “I knew I wanted to do something to honor his memory and help the family.”
After speaking with Kevin Clark, Beau’s father, Wilbanks said he knew any money raised should go to honor Beau to the scholarship fund.
Wilbanks said baseball has always been a big part of his life, and when he read Beau’s obituary, and about how he was looking forward to wearing the number seven on his jersey to play t-ball, he knew their needed to be a baseball tournament in Beau’s honor.
“The tournament wasn’t about winning or losing, it was in memory of a little boy who never got the chance to play,” Wilbanks said.
“All our umpires and the people who worked the gates volunteered their time,” he added. “We’re grateful for everyone who has helped make this tournament a success – Drake Montgomery, Houston Norris, Jeni Jordan.
“Pepsi of Decatur and Zaxby’s donated food and drinks for the hospitality room for our volunteers,” Wilbanks added.
“We had a great turnout despite the weather. It was a great day playing ball for a great cause.”
Fellow organizer Drake Montgomery said the event would not have been successful without community participation.
“The success of this tournament is all because of the support of this community,” Montgomery said. “This could not have happened without the teams and coaches and the volunteer staff we had. Huge thanks to our local partners who helped make this event happen.”
