HOULTON, Maine — Softball enthusiasts and cross country runners will once again gather at Houlton Community Park to pay tribute to one of the area’s fallen heroes.
The ninth annual Aaron Henderson Memorial Softball Tournament swings into action Aug. 5-8 at Houlton Community Park, while the popular 5K road race returns at 9 a.m. Aug. 7, also in the park.
Last year, the event shifted from its traditional July gathering to early August to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions. And while the uncertainty surrounding the event resulted in fewer teams participating, the event was still highly successful, raising nearly $10,000. In comparison, in 2019 the event raised $7,210.
All of the funds generated from the softball tournament benefit the Green Beret Foundation in memory of Henderson.
Henderson, a resident of Hodgdon, was just 33 years old when he died on Oct. 2, 2012, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He served a distinguished military career and became a highly decorated soldier for his assignments overseas in Japan, Iraq, Jordan and Afghanistan as a member of the Green Berets.
The softball tournament was the brainchild of Henderson’s childhood friend Brad Fredericks.
“On my ride home from Aaron’s service I thought there has to be a way to keep Aaron’s memory alive,” Fredericks said. “Aaron played on a softball team that my parents sponsored in 2000 [Shea D Lane] and it was probably one of the best summers Aaron and a few close friends had ever had. So many good memories with Aaron.
“Aaron had always wanted to come home and play ball with us again,” Fredericks continued. “Unfortunately Aaron never had the chance to. So in 2013 I started the Aaron Henderson Memorial Softball Tournament in honor of Aaron and all the proceeds are donated to the Green Beret Foundation.”
A new addition this year is the creation of a home run derby, with separate categories for men and women, slated for Thursday, Aug. 5. Registration will be from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by the women’s derby starting at 6 p.m.
The cost to participate in the home run derby is $10. Each batter will have 10 swings, but do not have to swing at every pitch. A missed swing, foul ball or tip is counted as a swing. A home run will have to cross over the fence in the air located in the outfield.
The top 50 percent of participants will advance to the championship round. Any ties will lead to a “sudden death” round, with each batter receiving four swings.
Players may use their own bats at the approval of the judges, provided the bats are ASA-approved. Batters may also select their own pitchers. However, once a pitcher is selected, they may not switch pitchers.
“I will be putting up a temporary fence for the Women’s Derby at 200 feet,” Fredericks explained. “There will be a lot of great prizes for the winners.”
The co-ed softball tournament kicks off Friday, Aug. 6, with a game at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, Aug. 7, the opening ceremony takes place at 8:30 a.m. and is followed by the Henderson Memorial 5K road race at 9 a.m. Weather permitting, games will be played throughout the day and into the evening Saturday before resuming Sunday, Aug. 8, at 8 a.m.
The championship game typically begins shortly after noon.
The 5K race is a cross-country style event, which is the cross country course used by Greater Houlton Christian Academy and Houlton Middle-High School. This course can be muddy and contains some rough terrain, tree roots across parts of the trail, a small river bed that is crossed and fields.
The first 100 participants are guaranteed an event shirt. To register for the race, visit https://runsignup.com/…/Houlton/AaronHendersonMemorial5K.
A cornhole tournament will be held beside the softball field starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7.
Additional information can be found on the group’s Facebook page.
