VERO BEACH — Teenage baseball enthusiasts from across Indian River County are going into extra innings to help one of their own with a marathon baseball fundraiser scheduled for 9 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 at Bob Summers Field, 3451 Indian River Drive East, Vero Beach.
Baseball players between the ages of 13 and 17 are invited to help raise money for the family of Brian Simpson, the Vero Beach resident who was tragically murdered in November after walking in on two men burglarizing his home. Simpson is survived by his wife of 19 years, Kristen, and two children, 15-year-old Samantha and 14-year-old Scott, who is a member of the
Treasure Coast Hurricanes Travel Baseball Team, Gifford Middle School Baseball Team and Vero Beach Junior Baseball League.
For $15 players can pre-register to play three innings of baseball. Pre-registration will begin Dec.19 and run through Jan. 13. Same day registration will be available on a limited basis at $5 per inning as available. Additional opportunities to raise money for the family through concessions and raffles will also be offered throughout the day.
In a community like Vero Beach, with such strong baseball ties, it is fitting that the game would serve as a rallying point around the Simpson family. Simpson and his son Scott are well-known in the local baseball circles, said Larry Lawson, coach of the Treasure Coast Hurricanes and organizer of the baseball marathon fundraiser.
“Baseball was an important bond between Brian and his son Scott,” said Lawson. “Brian was an incredibly positive influence around the field for both the players and the coaches. We owe it to him to embrace and support his family however we can.”
While the event is an opportunity to help the family financially during the aftermath of the tragedy, it is also a chance for our baseball community to formally honor Simpson’s love for both his family and the game, Lawson said.
In addition to the Marathon Baseball Fundraiser, friends of the Simpson family are hosting a 5k race, Saturday, January 14 at South Beach Park. Pre-registration is available at Runners Depot, 436 21st St., Vero Beach. For more information contact Michelle Lawless at (772) 633-7193.
Registration forms for the Marathon Baseball Fundraiser will be available Dec. 19 at www.treasurecoasthurricanes.com. Checks for registration and other donations should be made payable to the Simpson Children’s Fund.
For more information about participating in or sponsoring the event, contact Lawson at (772) 633-3955 or Maria Lawson at (772) 633-3956.