Eric Walker Memorial Game

Saturday June 28 the Eric Walker Memorial American Legion games will be played.

Mocksville Post 54 vs Western Forsyth Post 522
Junior Game at 4pm
Senior Game at 7pm
Both games at West Forsyth High School

This game alternates each year between Mocksville & Western Forsyth, last year was the 1st year and we only got to play the Junior game, then the floods came.

All proceeds from these games will go to a scholarship in memory of Eric.

Anyone in the area, stop by for some good baseball and a great cause.

 

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Eric Walker Memorial games

Mocksville Post 54 vs. Western Forsyth Post 522

The Junior & Senior games were played Saturday night at West Forsyth. Mocksville won both games, but that is not what I am writing about. That can be on another thread. Saturday afternoon at gametime for the Junior game(4pm) it was burning hot. We had a ceromonial first pitch thrown out by the Adjuntant from Post 522 Verna Jones, she threw a strike. I looked up under the trees and all along the banks and the place was full. It looked like a Davie-West Forsyth ball game. What a wonderfull site, all through the game there was lines at the concession stand.

At the conclusion of the Junior game some people left, but a lot stayed.Then what we all did not want to happen, did. The skies opened up. Same thing happened last year in our first meeting of this annual game. We put everything on hold and sat around and watched the lightening and the rain. Fortunately it did not rain much, as it had rained on Friday and the field would not take alot of rain. At about game time the skies cleared, Eric was above controlling this we know. We announced that game time would be 7:30pm. I looked at that once filled bank and bleachers and there were about 10 people there.

Pregame cereomies included, the flag color guard from Lewsiville Post 522, they marched out to 2nd. base while the Legion Creed was read and then the national athem, followed by playing of taps. The the 1st pitched was thrown out by Post 522 1st. Vice Commander E.A. Hendley. Let's say he put on a show. Mr. Hendley was very responsible in getting the team for our community.

By the end of the 1st. inning I looked up on that bank again and it was full. I don't know where those people were hiding or where they came from, but they came. There sitting at a picnic table was Eric's Mom & Dad, it was so good to see them at the game.

Why was I so worried about gate & concessions, because ALL PROFITS from this game will be going to a scholarship in Eric's honor.

When we look at what a tragic end of life to a wonderfull young man has done for both of these communities it is numerous. It has brought 2 bitter rivalries together for one cause, (in case you don't know, Eric played HS at West Forsyth and Legion at Mocksville) In 2 years it has provided some much needed scholarship money for derserving students. Eric I know that you were probably hoping for tie, but the 2 games were played hard and with the repect of the game just like you played it.

There are numerous people I would like to thank for making this day special and successful. First all the parents of Post 522 players, each and everyone of you worked doing something to help out on Saturday. Wow, Roger and Marsha Wise, they cooked BBQ all night and throughout the day to sell BBQ butts and BBQ Ribs. I think there was something like 30 butts and 35 racks cooked and all the chopped BBQ was sold out prior to the start of the Senior game. Then we got the word that the racks quickly sold out.This was put together by Roger & Marsha in 4 days. THANK YOU! Next I would like to thank American Legion Post 522, thank you working to get us a team, thank you for serving our country.

One last donation came in, a lady had left her purse at the senior game, one of our Moms found the purse and called the lady, made arrangements to meet her to give her her purse, the lady said I did not know Eric Walker, but thank you for taking care of my purse, hear is a $70.00 donation.

Lastly, Thank you to all the fans that came from both communities & shame on the ones that didn't come, you missed a great day.

This day will be repeated next season in Mocksville.

This is what American Legion baseball is about!

Eric we miss you!

 

Great post,,, thanks for sharing that Tools...

 

hey cool post! Erik and I share much of the UNCC record book. He broke several records I had for closer records. He is sorely missed, and if you ever get a chance to go in the room dedicated to him at Hayes Stadium, it will send chills up your spine.

 

great post Tools. thanks for sharing that.