ROCKINGHAM — For the first time in its nearly 50 years of existence, the Richmond Senior High School baseball program will hold an alumni game fundraiser.
Set for Saturday, Oct. 5 at Raider Stadium, the inaugural reunion of some of Richmond’s best players over the past 46 seasons will see all of the proceeds directly benefit the growth of the school’s baseball and softball programs.
Jim Butler, Richmond’s head principal, has been the frontman in making the event happen. The idea came about from conversations amongst himself, Raider fans and alumni wanting to celebrate over four decades of Raider baseball, while also giving the Raider and Lady Raider players much-needed indoor hitting facilities on campus.
“The nearly 50-year history and excellence of Raider athletics led to a lot of great discussions about big games, memorable plays and the great players who have worn the green and gold,” Butler explained. “So we began thinking about how to honor those memories.
“We also have a very real need for a hitting facility for baseball and softball,” the fourth-year RSHS principal added. “Our two programs lost so much practice time last year when rain knocked out of weeks of preparation. Most of the teams in our conference were able to practice regardless of the weather because of indoor facilities that allow players to hit and throw no matter how much it rains.”
Having a rainy-day alternative for the Raiders and Lady Raiders will hopefully help the two programs that have been perennial conference championship contenders and state playoff regulars the last decade.
Under now former head coaches Ricky Young and Wendy Wallace, the baseball and softball teams both made the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4A state playoffs in each season the past 10 years. Wallace won nine conference titles in her 13 years, while Young added three in his 10 seasons.
Newly named head coaches Rob Ransom (baseball) and Mike Way (softball) will look to carry on the winning traditions, and an indoor hitting facility will be an added bonus. Butler said the plan is to build two facilities, one each for baseball and softball, which would allow for sufficient space and resources to accommodate four teams (two varsity and two junior varsity).
The day’s festivities will start with the gates opening at 11 a.m., followed by a home run derby beginning at noon. To participate in the long-ball contest, interested players must register ahead of time at a cost of $20 per player.
Butler noted that the event is open to “all former varsity Raider baseball players,” and the game itself will take place at 1 p.m. General admission is $5 per person, and concessions will be available to purchase.
A “donation table” will also be set up for interested persons wanting to donate additional funds for the project. Raffle tickets for an assortment of Raider merchandise packages will be sold for $5 a ticket.
In what promises to be an exciting afternoon at the ballpark, Butler expects several former Raiders who have played at the collegiate and professional levels to participate and put on a quality show.
“We want this event to highlight those teams and players that have created Raider Magic for over 45 years,” Butler said. “I hope we have a great turnout of former players, coaches, families and fans coming together to play some baseball, swap stories, reminisce and support Raider baseball.
“We want to continue to grow our programs, but we need support from our community to keep moving forward,” he closed. “It should be a lot of fun for the players, coaches, their families and Raider fans. I hope all of them will come home. The game is optional because the real event is the reunion of Raider baseball players from the 1970s until today.”
At this time, Butler said “new estimates are being developed” for the pricing of the two facilities. Because the baseball and softball fields are located on the opposite ends of campus, each indoor hitting facility will be located near its respective field and final locations are still being determined.
Interested alumni players who want to participate in the home run derby or the alumni game can register by clicking here. Completed forms can be faxed to 910-997-9816 or emailed to jamesbutler@richmond.k12.nc.us or robertransom@richmond.k12.nc.us. The deadline to register is Thursday, Sept. 26.
