The Last-Minute Toy Shop held their Battle of the Bats fundraiser last weekend, with some big sports action of the diamond while helping youngsters in need. The program is set to provide gifts from newborns to late teenagers, and has been made possible by volunteerism and community support.
During the softball tournament, participants donated $10 and a toy to play. Six teams formed including the Tenneco Brakers, SW Bomb Squad, Smithport Cabinetry Smashers, SW Sluggers, SW Sons of Pitches, and the Alexandria Industrial Machine Bat Intentions.
In the first game, the Bomb Squad dominated the Tenneco Brakers 22-4. Ethan James, Adam Lee, Chris Roller, and Noe Sosa got runs for the Brakers, while Kendal Cryer, Ean Cryer, Brian Trapp, Adam Ferrell, Ivan Verdel, Chip Robinson, Anthony Carl, Chad Cantrell, Melanie Barker, Kaison Sloan, Isaac Maher, and Nathan Shepherd had multiple runs for the Bomb Squad.
In the second game, the Sluggers came out on top of the Smashers 26-17. Wineybar Colinar, Sean Skaroupka, Ray Rogers, DJ Ledford, Jonah Evans, Brittany McCardell, Sam Claiborne, Charles Zellman, Heather Church, Roger Miller, and Lucas Phillips had runs for the Smashers, while Yomemoto, Stevie, David R., Travis F., Yomada, Kondo, Matt N., Shinoh, Marty, Xixing, Crystal, Matsumato, and Ashley Nall scored multiple runs for the Sluggers.
The Bomb Squad was back in action in the third game as they faced off against the Sons of Pitches. The Bomb Squad would take this game, 18-12. Gustavo Moccno, Jonathon Hanson, Blake Austin, James Jordan, Derek Souther, Tyler West, and Zack Southern touched the plate for the Sons of Pitches, while Kendal Cryer, Ean Cryer, Bryan Trapp, Chip Robinson, Angela Bogle, Anthony Carr, Chad Cantrell, Mel Banker, Kaison Sloan, and Nathan Shepherd scored runs for the Bomb Squad.
The next game, Alexandria Bat Intentions blasted past the Sluggers, 29-5. Abbi Roller, Colter Norris, Zack Rowland, Seth Braswell, Christian Pruitt, Trey Finley, Gracie Randolph, George Roller, Victor Roller, Tevin Owens, and Lee Randolph each scored for the Bat Intentions, while Yamemoto, Stevie, David, and Matt N. touched home for the Sluggers.
After that, the Brakers got a shutout against the Smashers, 19-0, with nearly everyone on the Brakers scoring at least one run.
The Sluggers would then match up against the Sons of Pitches in a high scoring game. The Sons of Pitches would eventually come out on top, despite a late-game surge by the Sluggers, 26-16.
Bat Intentions would take on the Bomb Squad next with Bat Intentions dominating 21-1, followed by the Sons of Pitches winning over the Brakers 22-16.
The Sons of Pitches would rematch against the Bomb Squad next with the Bomb Squad winning in a narrow 17-15 match.
In the end, Alexandria Bat Intentions won the tournament and claimed bragging rights in the charity tournament, that saw a good amount of Christmas toys donated and funds raised for the kids.
“We are registered with the State of Tennessee as a non-profit organization,” said Toy Shop founder Angie Meadows. “We’ve used our fundraising money to buy items for Christmas for ages birth to 18, if they are still in school. Other programs stop at earlier ages and the teens don’t get anything. We are using our funds to buy bikes, a few TVs, hoverboards, tents and camping gear, fishing equipment, and things for teenagers. But we will have lots of toys and gifts for the younger children too.”
“I don’t want to say this if for underprivileged families, because these days some parents just need help. There are single parents struggling to pay bills, working every day and putting food on the table, but they have nothing extra. And there are grandparents raising their grandchildren. It’s just the reality of our times. This is to help those families and children through tough times at Christmas,” Meadows said.
The Last-Minute Toy Shop hold fundraisers throughout the year up until Christmas day.
