An opportunity to play on the big stage isn't the only great thing coming out of the Children's Fund Baseball Classic, being hosted by Catoosa County Public Schools Saturday, March 4.
This is the sporting event's second year to raise money for the Children's Fund, which helps financially support kids in need throughout the school system. The fund is separate from the Homeless Children's Fund, which receives federal money and is specifically targeted at students whose families are without permanent residence.
The competition is being played at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, where the Lookouts host their home games. Dr. Lamar Brown, Catoosa's director of school services, believes this will be the first time Ringgold High, Heritage High and Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High's baseball teams have played at the same venue on the same day.
"Last year, the Heritage/Gordon Lee game was the largest-attended game we'd ever seen," said Brown, referencing last year's classic. "We're anticipating even higher attendance this year."
LFO plays Ridgeland starting at 11 a.m., Ringgold faces off against Northwest Whitfield at 1:30 p.m. and Heritage rematches against Gordon Lee at 4 p.m.
Tickets cost $5, and all proceeds will go toward the Children's Fund. Last year the event raised over $8,000, and Brown said organizers are aiming for $15,000 this year.
"Any time we can go out and help the community in Catoosa, we take it," said Ringgold head coach Brent Tucker. "They do so much to support all the schools and us. We weren't able to play last year, so we wanted to make it a priority this year to get involved."
RHS had already committed to a tournament out of the county last year, preventing the school from attending the classic, he explained.
Heritage's head coach Eric Beagles echoed Tucker in saying he expects this year's classic to be "historic" in attendance.
"Our county is extremely passionate about baseball and so supportive, so this should be a great opportunity to help out a good cause," Beagles said.
It's definitely the biggest venue any of the students have played on, said RHS player Rhett Baldwin.
Another RHS player, Tyler Nichols, said while the team is excited to play on such a large stage, the real focus is on the Children's Fund.
Brown agreed. In the 2015-2016 school year, he said, the fund distributed over $23,000 to students and families in need, assisting with utilities and rent, medical bills, clothing and food, just to name a few.
"We helped over 200 families," said Brown. "Until I got this position, I didn't recognize how big the need was. Now, I see it all around every time I meet with parents and families."
Tickets can be purchased at the Catoosa County Board of Education's office, Catoosa County Sheriff's Office or from the LFO, RHS or HHS baseball teams.
For more information about the classic or the Children's Fund, contact Dr. Lamar Brown at lbrown@catoosa.k12.ga.us, or Children's Fund board member Katie Sponberger at katie.sponberger@catoosa.com.
Email Shane Foley at sfoley@timesfreepress.com.