GYBA Hosts Annual Alex John Richardson Memorial Tournament

Forty-four teams recently participated in the 7th annual Grayslake Youth Baseball Association's Alex John Richardson Tournament, bringing more than 600 players from as far away as Oak Park to Grayslake to play more than 70 games of baseball on Grayslake's renowned baseball diamonds.

Jackie Nayer, GYBA Tournament Director commented, "This tournament requires a gigantic effort from not only our board, but from the community to pull it off. I received countless email of thanks from parents and coaches complimenting our league with the organization of the tournament even stating it was the best they had ever experienced!! We should ALL feel proud of that." 

John Marson, GYBA director of player development, offered this observation of the tournament:

"One of the best things about summer is baseball.

As kid I couldn't wait to meet my friends at the ballpark for a game or practice. Trying to make a great diving catch in the outfield, turn a double play, trying to emulate my favorite pitcher's pitching wind up or bat like Ken Griffey, Jr.! Oh, and once I did crack that pitch—emulate longtime Cubs announcer Jack Brickhouse with his memorable "Back, Back, Back....Hey, Hey...Home Run!" Great times and great memories.

And so this summer also brings the essence of this back to Grayslake. The GYBA Alex John Richardson Memorial Tournament every year reminds us of what is good about baseball through the memorial of Alex. Every year, teams throughout the area come back to enjoy playing baseball the way it was meant to be played, the way Alex played it—with enthusiasm, heart, leadership, spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship.

This year's tournament was no different. The parents who watched the tournament throughout GYBA's fabulous fields saw some of the best baseball played this summer by outstanding teams and young men. Grayslake's very own teams did an outstanding job and should be proud of their play and effort!

For those of you there in person, the memories of boys not giving up with comeback wins, winning the AJR "Heart of a Champion Medallion," or simply meeting as a team for dinner or ice cream after a long day at the field will be an everlasting memory of what is good.

While I could fill the page with many more memories or thoughts of how the game should be played or how Alex played it. I will simply leave you with this picture—a picture that embodies what the Alex John Richardson memorial tournament is about. A picture that not just captures two teams with the spirit and heart of champions but emblematic of the teams as a whole.

Enjoy this picture as somewhere out there Alex is smiling for the legacy he has left and the one teams like these are continuing! Play Ball!"

—GYBA submitted this information.