St. Andrew's Parks & Playground

West Ashley Youth Sports hosts
9U and 10U Cal Ripken
State Tournaments July 8-11
West Ashley Youth Sports hosts the 9-under and 10-under Cal Ripken
Baseball state tournaments July 8-11 at St. Andrews's Parks and Playground and West Ashley Park. A total of 21 teams will compete in the two age
groups, with the winners advancing to their respective Southeast Regional.

Click here for the Tournament Scoreboard

For the 10-under bracket, click here.

For the 9-under bracket, click here.
( Please note that on the 9-under bracket, Game 8 should be listed as July 10
at 8 p.m. and Game 9 as July 11 at 3 p.m. All other 9-under games on the bracket are correct.)

WEST ASHLEY BATTING CAGES
Indoor air conditioned batting cages just down the road
from St. Andrew's Parks and Playground!
Click here for more information about West Ashley Batting Cages

HOTEL INFORMATION
Below is a list of hotels in the vicinity of St. Andrew's Parks and Playground and West Ashley Park, sites of the 10U and 9U state tournament games.
The first seven hotels listed are the closest hotels to the game sites.
NOTE: St. Andrew's Parks and Playground, the City of Charleston Recreation Department and West Ashley Youth Sports do NOT endorse or recommend a particular hotel/hotels.
The list is provided for visitor information only.

Hampton Inn & Suites 678 Citadel Haven Drive (843) 573-1200

Comfort Suites 2080 Savannah Highway (843) 769-9850

Sleep Inn 1524 Savannah Highway (843) 556-6959

Holiday Inn Express 1943 Savannah Highway (843) 402-8300

Town & Country 2008 Savannah Highway (843) 571-1000

Best Western 1540 Savannah Highway (843) 571-6100

Holiday Inn-Riverview 301 Savannah Highway (843) 725-4138

Homewood Suites 5048 International Blvd. (843) 735-5000

Comfort Inn Coliseum 5055 N. Arco Lane (843) 554-6485

Days Inn 155 Meeting Street (843) 722-8411

Embassy Suites 5055 International Blvd. (843) 747-1882

Hilton Garden Inn 5264 International Blvd. (843) 308-9330

Quality Inn & Suites 5225 N. Arco Lane (843) 747-7300

Sheraton 4770 Goer Drive (843) 747-1900

Emily Runey finishes 3rd
at Team Championship
Pitch, Hit and Run in Atlanta

Emily Runey (pictured above) of West Ashley Youth Sports finished in third place
at the Atlanta Braves Team Championship of the Aquafina Pitch, Hit and Run competition at Turner Field in Atlanta on June 26.

Her scores were 2 strikes in Pitching, (150 points), 57 feet in Hitting (114 points), and she went from 2nd to home in 10.84 seconds (66
points) in the Running competition for a total of 330 points.

The Atlanta Braves Team Championship featured the Top 24 participants in
the Southeast (GA/AL/SC/NC/TN). This is the largest market in the Major League Baseball.

To qualify for the Atlanta Braves Team Championship, Emily won the all-around
Girls 7-8 championship at the Pitch, Hit & Run Sectional Competition
June 5 at Joe Riley Stadium.Emily's scores from the Sectional Championship earnedher a berth in Atlanta, as the top 6 all around scores from all the Sectionals held in the Atlanta Braves region advanced to Turner Field.

Emily was one of several West Ashley Youth Sports athletes who
turned in outstanding performances at the Sectional Competition.
Kaitlyn Painter won the 11-12 girls all around championship, and
Anthony Vincelli finished second in the boys 11-12 competition.
Third place finishers included Jackson White (11-12 boys), Ashley Jones
(9-10 girls) and Stephen Holderness (7-8 boys).

2010 Scholarship Golf Tournament
presented by

Sets Record for Players and
Amount Raised!

A record-setting field of 33 teams and more than 130 golfers participated in the annual St. Andrew's Parks and Playground Scholarship Golf Tournament presented by West Of April 1st at Shadowmoss Plantation Golf Club.

The event is the primary fundraiser for the St. Andrew's Parks and Playground Scholarship Fund, which enables low-income and at-risk youth to participate in summer camps, youth sports and recreational programs offered by St. Andrew's. More than $5,000 was netted from the event, which featured four-player teams in a Captain's Choice format.

"We had an incredible turnout and the money we raised will benefit dozens of families," St. Andrew's Executive Director Kevin Walsh said. "The support we received from individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the community was fantastic, and we're grateful for the contributions that were made."

This year's field of 132 players surpassed last year's previous record of 118 competitors, and the 2010 net proceeds also exceed last year's previous record amount.

For the fourth consecutive year, West Of was the event's title sponsor and Editor/Publisher Lorne Chambers also expressed his appreciation for the record turnout and community involvement.

"St. Andrew's Parks has been a cornerstone of West Ashley for more than 60 years, and we're proud to align West Of with St. Andrew's and this great cause," Chambers said. "It was a perfect West Ashley spring day and everybody had a fantastic time."

Multiple sponsors donated cash, gift cards, services, food and beverage and more. Platinum sponsors were Charleston Visitor Map Guide and discounts4u.com, both part of the Business Alliance Marketing Group (BAM Group) family of companies. Gold sponsors included Lenny's Sub Shop, which provided the pre-tournament lunch for all players and volunteers, and Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ, which donated the post-tournament dinner.

"Our goal is to provide the participants with a first class experience from start to finish, and the contributions we got from West Of, the BAM Group companies, Lenny's Sub Shop and Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ played a huge part in making that possible," said Mark Spinn, the St. Andrew's Parks Marketing and Public Relations Director and chair of the agency's tournament committee. "We get a lot of players who come back to our event year after year, and the tremendous generosity we get from our sponsors is obviously a major factor in the popularity of the tournament. The participants know they'll have a great time."

Silver Sponsors included Pearlstine Distributors, Coastal Burglar Alarm, Triangle Char and Bar, Red Horse Screen Printing, Coca-Cola, The Law Offices of L.W. Cooper, Jr., West Ashley Optimist Club and Rea Landscape Management. In addition, the recently opened Chick-fil-A on Savannah Highway served hot sandwiches mid-round and the Chick fil A cow was on hand to entertain players.

Hole sponsors included Hay Tire, Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union, Port City Paper, Richard's Automotive, Simmons Irrigation Supply and LP Photo.

The team of Gil Lipscomb, Duffy Stone, Dan Gross and John Swicord won the tournament with a score of 58. For the victory, the quartet received a complimentary foursome at RiverTowne Country Club provided by BAM Group. The second place team of West Of's Will Shelton, Charlie Morrison, Dan Lorentz and John Banta shot a 59 earned a foursome at Patriots Point Golf Links, also provided by BAM Group.

Stephen Tanner, Mike Reardon, Chip Mathis and Brad Masopust also shot a 59 for third place and received a foursome at Shadowmoss Plantation Golf Club, provided by the event's host course.

"Every year, we reach out to the community and are amazed how much support we receive," Walsh said. "There are a lot of worthy causes out there to contribute to, so we feel blessed and we're already looking forward to next year's tournament."

PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

Haley Keen wins
Holiday Card Design Contest
Haley Keen, an 11-year old fifth grader at Ashley River Elementary School, designed the winning entry in the annual St. Andrew's Parks and Playground Holiday Card Contest.
Haley's entry (shown above) will be on the cover of the 2009 St. Andrew's
greeting cards mailed out this season. In addition, Haley wins a
$100 Citadel Mall Gift Card. The St. Andrew's staff selected Haley's
design from more than 50 entries received in the contest open to students
in grades K-5.
"It gets harder and harder to pick a winner each year," St. Andrew's Executive Director Kevin Walsh said. "All of the entries put a smile on our faces and there are so many great designs to have to choose from."
Fourth grader JaRon McPherson, third grader Eliza Basel and first grader
Wilkes Cramer were the runners up. Each receives a $50 gift card.
Honorable Mention Entrants:
Grades K-1: Sophia McCormick, Hallie Cole, Todd Tyner, Miles Mercer,
Harper Kissell, Tori Copeland, Kylie Smith, Aidan Roff, Copeland Johnson.
Grades 2-3: Sera Cole, Kelly Keen, Cameron McCulloch, Zaniya Russell,
De'Sean Smalls, Lauren Green, Jason Hendricks, Will Mercer,
Erin Perkins, Allison Karamus, Jasmine Danmeyer, Nat Jellenik,
Bella Kissell and Yesmine.
Grades 4-5: Carmen Tyner, Teagan Prichard, Gregory Moore,
John Hendricks, William Singleton, Kevin Seabrook, Maticyn New,
Amy Trainor, Sean Daly, Leslie Wade, Maya Jefferson,
Gordon Brockington, Maegan Cull, Sarah Abdalrahim, Haley Smith,
Vashti Gathers, Victoria Oaks, Crystal Washington, Karla de la Rosa Saguilan,
Taylor Hodges, Kelly Perkins, Gretchen Green, Jennifer Grunstra.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR DESIGNERS!

St. Andrew's Coach Wall
wins state Coach of the Year award
Robbie Wall, a long time coach at St. Andrew’s Parks and Playground, has been named the South Carolina Athletic Programs Youth Sports
Coach of the Year.

Wall was selected from a pool of state-wide nominees by the South Carolina Athletic Programs (SCAP) board. SCAP is a division of the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association.

St. Andrew’s Athletic Director Tim Orvin and Assistant Athletic Director Rachel Ebaugh nominated Wall for the award, citing his dedication to his teams and enthusiasm for quality youth sports.

“Robbie epitomizes what every youth sports program looks for in a coach,” Orvin said. “He’s a great teacher, a great listener and he makes
having fun the main priority."

Wall began coaching at St. Andrew’s in 2000, and in the past nine years has coached teams in six different sports, including baseball, football, basketball, soccer, track and field, and cross country. This summer, he led the West Ashley Youth Sports age 11-12 baseball all star team to a second place finish in the Cal Ripken Baseball regional tournament and a berth in the state championships.

In addition, under Wall’s leadership, the West Ashley Youth Sports track and field program has doubled in size in only three years and now
has more than 50 participants.

In 2008, he earned the Hershey Track and Field South Carolina Volunteer of the Year award. Wall also volunteered to coach the brand new West Ashley Youth Sports cross country program this fall, and led the efforts to develop the team’s roster which featured 15 runners in its first year. Those accomplishments and more have made Wall one of the most requested coaches at St. Andrew’s.

“I’m totally surprised and honored by this award,” Wall said. “As coaches, it’s our job to be role models because the kids look up to us and we’re there show them the right way to do things in sports and also in life … I’ve always felt the best way to do that was to show the kids a lot of respect because they will be respectful back.”

Wall received the Youth Sports Coach of the Year award Dec. 9 at the SCAP banquet at Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia. He is already looking forward to coaching baseball again this spring.

“St. Andrew’s runs a great youth sports program,” Wall said. “I wouldn’t want to coach anywhere else.”

2009 Scholarship Golf Tournament
presented by

raises more than $5,000

More than $5,000 was raised at the St. Andrew’s Parks and Playground Scholarship Golf Tournament presented by West Of Apr. 23 at Shadowmoss Plantation Golf Club.

The annual event benefits the St. Andrew’s Parks and Playground Scholarship Fund, which enables low-income and at-risk youth to participate in the agency’s summer camps, athletic programs and other services. A record number of 115 players participated in the tournament, which resulted in a record amount of more than $5,000 in proceeds.

“The support we received from the community is incredible, especially given the tough economic times,” St. Andrew’s Executive Director Kevin Walsh said. “We can’t thank all of our sponsors and players enough for helping us raise more money than ever before in a time where more people could use some help.”

In addition to title sponsor West Of, numerous businesses and organizations contributed to the tournament, including Gold Sponsors Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ and BAM Group LLC (publisher of the Charleston Visitor Map Guide); and Silver Sponsors Coca-Cola, Red Horse Screen Printing, GEL Engineering, and The Law Offices of L.W. Cooper, Jr.

Hole sponsors included Publix, Custom Printing, LP Photo, Welcome Mat Services, W. Frazier Construction, Gosnell & Associates Insurance, Coastal Burglar Alarm, St. Andrew’s Family Fitness Plus, Port City Paper, Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union, Hay Tire, Richard’s Automotive, Complete Building Corporation, Wilson & Quirk CPAs and Electric Supply Company.

Door prize donors included Charleston Place, Charlestowne Hotels, Embassy Suites Hotels, Charleston Lighting, D.D. Pecker’s Wing Shack, Crab Shack, M. W. Hunter, Coca-Cola, Southern Wine, Locklear’s Beach City Grill, Citadel Communications, Apex Broadcasting, BAM Group LLC, Southend Brewery, Legend Oaks Golf Club, Stono Ferry Golf Links, Charleston National Golf Club, Charleston Municipal Golf Course, 82 Queen, El Dorado Mexican Restaurant, Wasabi Japanese Steak House, Schooner Pride Cruises, Miler Golf Club and Pioneer Services.

The foursome of Harry Matson, Ralph Linderman, Allen Rogers and Jennifer Linderman won the tournament with a score of 56 in the captain’s choice format. Second place went to Will Cockrill, Chris Short, Skeeter Brown and Geroge Parker, while the team of Gil Lipscomb, Dan Gross, John Swicord and Duffie Stone finished third.

Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ, Chick fil A, Lenny’s Sub Shop, Southern Wine and Total Wine provided food and beverages for the players, many of whom had participated in previous St. Andrew’s tournaments.

“This is my fifth time playing the St. Andrew’s event, and I plan on coming back next year, “ Daniel Broadway of Folly Beach said. “It’s a great tournament for a great cause and always a lot of fun.”

Gladwell inducted into
St. Andrew's Hall of Fame

Jeff Gladwell, who served as Chairman of the St. Andrew’s Parks and Playground Commission for 17 years, was inducted into the agency’s Hall of Fame at the annual St. Andrew’s awards dinner on Dec. 13.

Gladwell was appointed to the St. Andrew’s Parks and Playground Commission in 1987 and became Chairman in 1991. During his tenure with the Commission, Gladwell oversaw numerous projects which enabled St. Andrew’s to continually provide quality recreation services and facilities, including the development of Volunteer Park, the implementation of the agency’s successful long term strategic plan and the purchase of a health club which became St. Andrew’s Family Fitness Plus.

“Jeff’s philosophy was always ‘it’s not worth doing if it’s not worth doing right,’” current St. Andrew’s Commission Chairman Mike Eykyn said. “Everyone involved with St. Andrew’s the last two decades has been positively affected by Jeff’s remarkable achievements on every level of our operations.

“His leadership and outstanding service to the community made our agency a model for parks and recreation excellence around the country.”

St. Andrew’s won numerous local, state and national parks and recreation industry awards under Gladwell’s leadership, including the 2001 and 2004 South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association’s Agency of the Year award, the 2004 National Parks and Recreation Association’s Outstanding Commission of the Year honor, the 2005 Sports Illustrated Good Sports Community of the Year and the 2004 and 2007 National Alliance for Youth Sports Excellence in Youth Sports award.

In addition, Gladwell was recognized as the 2004 SCRPA Citizen/Lay Volunteer of the Year. Gladwell stepped down as Chairman of the St. Andrew’s Parks and Playground Commission earlier this year. He currently continues to serve as a Commissioner, and will retire shortly once a new Commissioner is appointed by Governor Mark Sanford via the Charleston County Council.

The St. Andrew’s Parks and Playground Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding and lasting contribution during service as a St. Andrew’s employee, volunteer, parent, Commissioner or participant. Past inductees include Carolyn Drose, Darius Rucker, Tim Linker and Robert Drose.

Kevin Walsh of St. Andrew's
Named SCRPA President

Kevin Walsh, Executive Director of St. Andrew's Parks and Playground, was inducted as the new President of the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association at the SCRPA state conference in Greenville on Sept. 9.
Walsh's duties as President include overseeing the four districts which comprise the SCRPA statewide, as well as special branches and committees.
"It's an honor to serve as president of SCRPA," Walsh said. "I'm looking forward to working together with all the district representatives and members so we can continue to provide quality parks and recreation programs
throughout South Carolina."
Walsh's term begins January 1, 2009 and runs for a calendar year. In 2005, Walsh was honored by SCRPA as its Professional of the Year and under Walsh's leadership, St. Andrew's Parks and Playground was honored as the SCRPA Agency of the Year in 2001 and 2004.