Reecey Cup Tournament March 4 – March 6

8:13 pm February 19, 2013

Mel has family in both North and South Carolina. I have only met the North Carolina family once….for the funeral of Reece Leighton Richardson, 17 years old, Mel’s cousin’s son. It was really one of the most heartbreaking moments in my life and I did not even know this family. But what I saw when I was there was so amazing. Reece’s death (yes, he also happens to have the same name as my son) came under truly horrific circumstances. Reece was not the only child killed in that car accident. One of his best friends was driving the other car involved and he also died. This happened January 21, 2007.

But to see this family mourning, yet also supporting and uplifting the youth of Kenly, North Carolina was truly amazing. I sat there and watched as Reece’s dad, Rickey, spoke on multiple occasions to Reece’s friends, the youth of the highschool…trying to help them through this horrific tragedy. I have been, and always will be, amazed at the will and courage the Richardson family (all of them) showed to each other and their community during this tragic time.

And now, the Fourth Annual Reecey Cup Softball Tournament is planned for Friday, March 4 through Sunday, March 6 at three locations, Kenly, Micro, and Pine Level.

In addition to the softball tournament, which raises money for the Reece Richardson Memorial Scholarship, this year there will be a special feature on Friday night, “Safe Behind the Wheel Rally” which begins at 6 p.m. at the Kenly ball fields.

The rally will feature some of the parents, community members and several teens from county high schools who have been affected by the tragic accidents that have taken place in Johnston County. The Richardson family, sponsors of the tournament, have invited the Johnston County School’s Teens in the Driving Seat Teams to be part of this rally.

Also during the rally, any high school student who attends that night will be able to register for a $500 Safe Behind the Wheel Scholarship that will be drawn that night. The drawing will take place at the end of the evening events and the student receiving the scholarship is asked to be present to win.

Softball tournament play will begin on Saturday morning and continue into Sunday. On Sunday morning there will be a tent service at all three of the facilities where the tournament is scheduled, KAPARC in Kenly, North Johnston Middle School fields in Micro and at the Sam Godwin Park in Pine Level.

There are currently 55 teams who will participate in the weekend event, one of which will be traveling from Wisconsin.

Each year the tournament grows and visitors from all over the country participate in the tournament and other activities.

Saturday’s games will begin at 8 a.m. at all fields and will continue through Sunday. The cost of a ticket to get into the games is $5 for those 12 and up; $3 for ages 7-11 and under six is free.

Anyone who would like to make a donation to the scholarship fund may do so by mailing donations to Reece Richardson Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1119, Kenly NC 27543. Any donation will be tax deductible and every dollar will go to a deserving athlete to help receive a Christian education. Donors will receive a receipt from Mount Olive College. This scholarship will be awarded later in the year at North Johnston High School.