Baseball tournament organized in Jackson boy's memory

A youth baseball tournament to honor the memory of Parker King, a 10-year-old Jackson boy who lost his life in a UTV accident in December, is planned for May 10 and 11 at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau.

According to organizer Jennifer Gast, the Parker King Memorial Showcase will be open to baseball teams with players 9 to 11 years old.

"We're hoping to sign up as many teams as possible," Gast said. "So far we have 10 teams that will be playing."

Gast said the idea was hatched about a month ago by coaches of two Jackson youth baseball teams, Scott Hume of the Jackson Jackhammers and Cory Crosnoe of the Southeast Stingers.

"They approached Parker's parents, James and Robin King, who thought it was a good idea," she said. "Parker was an enthusiastic player for the Jackhammers, so a baseball tournament in his memory seemed to fit."

Jackson players wear homemade T-shirts in memory of 10-year-old Parker King, who passed away from the injuries he received in a UTV crash Dec. 21, as they warm up on the first day of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament on Dec. 27 at the Show Me Center. (ADAM VOGLER)

The tournament will consist of teams playing at least three games, and individual competitions focusing on home-run hitting; running bases and throwing could become added. All players will receive a certificate of participation.

Gast said the entry fee for teams is $200, and T-shirts and concessions will be on sale during the tournament. She added the tournament has received help from business sponsors.

"Little Caesars has been kind enough to donate pizza," she said, "and Bagger Dave's will be donating hamburgers. What they're doing is great."

Gast said money raised during the showcase will go toward the Parker King Memorial Fund.

"The details haven't been hammered out yet," she said, "but it could be [used for] a scoreboard bearing his name at Whitey Herzog Park or at the Jackson Youth League football field. We hope to have things finalized by the time of the tournament."

According to Gast, the tournament will not be so much be a competition but a time for players to have fun.

"That's what it's all about," she said. "This will be a wonderful time for kids to have fun playing baseball and to remember Parker."

For information on how to donate to the Parker King Memorial Showcase, contact Gast at 986-8922 or by email at jgast@semo.edu. For information on how enter a team in the tournament, contact Crosnoe at 243-9533.

Parker died at a St. Louis hospital a few days after a UTV in which he was riding overturned in Cape Girardeau County. He was a student at St. Paul Lutheran School.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

Arena Park, Cape Girardeau, Mo.