Batter up for Autism Charity Tournament held in Austintown, Ohio

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Several local softball teams took to the diamond to play not for competition or sport, but for the love of the game and to help others.

The parking lot at Austintown’s Champ Park filled up Saturday for the first annual Batter up for Autism Charity Tournament.

“It’s beneficial for the development of potential, a school for autism,” said tournament director Derek Charlier. “We decided we wanted to get and find a good way to raise money and raise money that would go to a good cause with a good purpose.”

The idea came after Charlier and coach Brian Brindle wanted to help support the community.

“We’re both coaches and we thought probably one of the best ways to raise some money is to have a softball tournament,” Charlier said.

The tournament consists of 25 teams and 38 matches were played on Saturday. The two-day event is expected to raise more than $10,000, which will be donated to the Potential Development School.

“All proceeds from today’s event will go directly back into our schools, helping our classrooms,” said Jodi Harmon of Potential Development. “Over 300 students, so we’re going to need things for our classrooms and for our teachers and this is just a perfect thing.”

The event was showcased both on and off the field as potential development students were part of the opening ceremony. Freshman Patrick Lee began the ceremony by playing the national anthem on his electric guitar. That was followed by the first pitch thrown by senior Colin Cashbaugh.

“It just goes to show that even students with autism have so much talent and can be talented in different ways or talented in different things,” Charlier said. “They have so much love and we are so thankful they were here today. Hopefully all these family members and all these people here got to see a lot of that talent.”

The second day of the tournament will start on Sunday at 9.00 am