Clarkston Riverdawgs hosted 48 youth baseball teams from throughout metro Detroit in the 15th Annual Clarkston Classic Youth Baseball Tournament at Clintonwood Park, April 24-26.
‘The week was very wet and the Independence Township Parks and Rec team had the Clintonwood and Sashabaw Plains fields in great shape and ready to go on Friday,? said Laura Popp, tournament director.
‘Clintonwood Park looked beautiful. Volleyball nets were up. Kite festivals and youth soccer games were going on. It was an incredible atmosphere.?
Rain interrupted play on both days of the tournament, sponsored by Clarkston Youth Baseball Organization, Popp said.
‘There were times that I thought we would have to send everyone home and cancel the tournament,? she said. ‘Had it not been for Brian Doyle and his team preparing the fields on Thursday and Friday and Larry Hess, the onsite supervisor for the weekend, we would not have pulled it off.?
Hess worked around the clock and came back on his personal time to warn us of the weather, she said.
‘He worked with us to keep the teams and families safe and keep the tournament on track,? Popp said. ‘Larry ordered materials late at night and worked the grounds until the championships could be played. I simply cannot say enough of the Independence Parks and Rec team. Parents showed up early and stayed late. Our students, players and coaches all pitched in! It was a total team effort.?
Several other tournaments around Metro Detroit were cancelled due to rain, she said.
‘I am incredibly proud to be part of the Clarkston community and we showed several other communities our excellence,? she said. ‘Kudos to our parents, students, coaches and players who volunteered and supported this event. Clintonwood Park and the team that works there are a real gem and we are all very blessed to have them for our families. Our Independence Township Parks and Rec is terrific.?