**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
05.06.22
PRESS RELEASE 05.06.2022 (For immediate release)
Aaron-Andrews Classic Tournament
The Hank Aaron Sports Academy in conjunction with world renowned Dr. James “Jim” Andrews will introduce the inaugural Aaron-Andrews Classic Tournament to be held in Jacksonville (May 28-29), to the Mayor and council members at next Tuesday’s (May 10th) city council meeting. This will mark just 1 of 6 such tournaments that will be held throughout the southeast this summer with each being hosted in a Minor League Baseball city (Pensacola, Montgomery, Birmingham, Biloxi and in Jackson / Pearl). These touramets will focus on combining rec baseball with travel baseball with a focus on underserved and overlooked youth in each of those MiLB communities.
What makes these tournaments unique is that each will grant $25,000.00 in scholarships which will allow up to 30 rec and or minority teams to participate at no cost, with the Hank Aaron Sports Academy and Dr. Andrews carrying all of the costs for operation of the event, including umpires, baseballs, game day workers, rents, travel, administration etc. Each city will receive all revenues generated from concessions. Travel teams will also be invited and encouraged to participate, with winners in each bracket receiving free entry to participate in the Hank Aaron “Big Show Championship” in October at the Hank Aaron Sports Academy in Jackson, MS.
“What we are doing is consistent with the vision that Mr. Henry “Hank” Aaron had, to make this game available to every child and family regardless of their social or financial status in each of these communities. Hank came from very humble beginnings and if not given the chance to play the game he and so many other Americans love, what a loss that would have been not only to the sport but to our society. Unfortunately, many of the families and youth that make up our communities are getting priced out of participation, so we are matching that challenge head-on by eliminating one of the largest costs, entry fees”.
- Tim Bennett the President of the Hank Aaron Sports Academy and Co-Owner of the Biloxi Shuckers (Milwaukee Brewers – AA)
The presentation will be made collectively and cooperatively with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and General Manager Harold Craw who has been in the position in Jacksonville since 2015 on the heels of his 20 plus years in professional baseball.
“The Jumbo Shrimp are honored to work with the Aaron-Andrews Classic” said Craw. “The vision of the tournament and goal of the organizations involved aligns with our goal to make baseball accessible to all in our community and we look forward to continuing to spread our love for fun and the game of baseball to everyone in Jacksonville.”
1200 COOL PAPA BELL DRIVE – JACKSON, MS. 39216 WWW.HANKAARONSPORTS.COM
Contact: Tim@hankaaronsports.com or (601)212-7267
Carrying the legacy of the most prolific baseball player in our generation to all deserving youth.