Hixson Youth Athletic Association president Alan Bailey and his son Cooper, 5, an HYAA ball player, are getting ready for the group's Hey Day Parade and Mother's Day at the Ballpark community event.
Contributed photoHixson Youth Athletic Association invites the community to the HYAA Hey Day Parade and Mother's Day at the Ballpark combination event May 7 beginning at 10 a.m. with a parade of teams.
HYAA ball fields are located across from the former Hixson Middle School.
"We want to march the teams in to recognize them," said HYAA president Alan Bailey. "It is our second annual parade day."
Team mother Robin Grant will sing the national anthem to kick off the parade. Then, HYAA's 38 baseball teams, with 375 total players, will parade from the football field to one of the baseball fields. HYAA board member Ronnie Phillips Jr. will serve as master of ceremonies. Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger, a former HYAA ball player, will serve as the guest speaker.
Bailey said since the event falls on Mother's Day weekend, team mothers will coach that day. Baseball games for ages 3 to 12 will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., allowing all players to play.
A dunk tank, home run derby for all ages, bunt derby, pitching zone and inflatables will entertain participants.
"For the home run derby, we stand at home plate and we draw a big arc from foul line to foul line, and if the player hits it past that then it's considered a home run," said Bailey. "The 5-6 [age group] line will be 100 feet out from home plate and each age group to follow will be pushed back a little further. For the bunt derby we will draw two five-foot radius circles, one on the right foul line and one on the left foul line. The idea will be for players to bunt the ball in those circles."
Players that compete in the home run and bunt derbies will have a chance to win trophies.
• To learn more, contact HYAA president Alan Bailey at hyaa@comcast.net or 421-1366.