From the sidelines
As the 12-year-old Cal Ripken Midwest regional baseball tournament in Marion approaches, it becomes more evident how many people it is going to take to make the week run smoothly.
From the baseball/softball commission, to coaches, to host families, the whole community really does have to work together from July 25-31 to make this event a success.
So far that has happened with dozens of volunteers signing up for housing out-of-town players, concession stand work, donations, and in countless other ways.
At the baseball/softball complex itself there have been many community members offering a hand to make the facility great not only for the tournament, but all other future games as well.
A portable fence for the team to use during the tournament was provided by Tampa State Bank, Case and Son Insurance, Seacat Do-it-Best Home Center, Western Associates, Marion-Florence USD 408, and the Marion Baseball/Softball Boosters Club.
Do-it-Best also donated a press box for B-field, where the tournament games will be played.
The City of Marion purchased lumber for new bleachers at the field, and Dave Shiplet of Marion donated the labor.
Hillsboro got into the act, as The Lumberyard Inc. donated materials for new picnic tables, while Marion resident Gene Lanning donated the labor.
New ADA bathrooms are being built on-site, and will be completed by the start of the tournament.
The City of Marion purchased the materials from Do-it-Best and owner Brad and Anita Seacat, and their sons, have provided the labor.
It's hard to keep track of everyone involved from donors, to tournament commission members, to the players themselves.
But what is obvious is the fact that many people in the community are already starting to come together to help make tournament week the best it can be.
It is a time for Marion to "show off" a little and for the players from here and across the Midwest to have a great time.
With the help from the community, it's obviously they will.
