Fundraiser for softball team pulls an all-nighter

Members of the softball team Sons of Pitches stretch and talk before their first game of the Heatstrokers Marathon Friday at Clinton Sports Complex. The Heatstrokers Marathon was an overnight slow-pitch softball tournament to raise money for a Lawrence team to go to the world tournament in October in Orlando, Fla.

The softball fields at Clinton Lake Sports Complex stay busy in the summer, especially during weekend tournaments. But the extreme heat this season has made softball games uncomfortable for the players, which is what gave one Lawrence softball team the idea to put on an overnight softball tournament.

The team, named Beaus and a word that rhymes with Beaus that isn’t printable in the newspaper, hosted the Heatstrokers Marathon slow-pitch softball tournament Friday night and into this morning to not only beat the heat but also raise money for a trip to the United States Specialty Sports Association slow pitch class-D World Tournament in Orlando, Fla.

A home-run derby was scheduled from midnight to 3 a.m. today and championship games are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. today for the men and co-ed brackets, respectively.

This weekend’s tournament had a $200 entry fee, and each participating team was guaranteed at least three games. The Beaus qualified for the World Tournament through USSSA-sanctioned tournaments and are trying to raise at least $7,000 to cover the costs of travel, housing and the tournament for the entire team.

Food, raffle tickets and tournament T-shirts were also available for purchase to help the Florida-bound softball team with its fundraising effort.

Melissa Campbell and her husband, Michael, have been members of Beaus for eight years. Melissa said she and her husband have seen teammates come and go, but this year the team had the ability and bond to become more competitive, which is why they are participating in the World Tournament in October.

“We finally decided let’s take this to the next level,” Melissa said.

The tournament is free and open to the public for anyone wanting to watch.