County baseball tournament loses sponsor, coaches want to keep it going

Gaston County high school baseball coaches want to continue the county tournament even though the title sponsor is no longer backing the event.

The Charlotte Observer mailed letters to the county high schools notifying them that the newspaper will no longer sponsor the tournament. The letter, written by Michael Gross, cited "the sluggish economy and an increasingly tight budget" as reasons for the cutback.

Most teams have completed or are close to completing their schedules for the season, which begins March 2. The tournament usually takes place during Gaston County Schools' spring break, which is scheduled for April 6-10. If the tournament doesn't go on as planned, the eight participants might have to scramble to fill their schedules.

But three coaches contacted by the Gazette this week say they don't want the tournament to end.

"I played in it when I was in high school and I feel like it's just as exciting now as it was then," North Gaston coach Jesse Martin said. "You're still playing for the bragging rights as the best team in Gaston County. Traditionally Gaston County has pretty good baseball."

Hunter Huss coach Terry Radford was head coach at North Gaston when the Wildcats won the inaugural county tournament in 1987. North Gaston went on to win the 3A state championship.

"I think that (tournament) was sort of a springboard for us," Radford said. "We had all tough games in that tournament."

East Gaston coach Randy Sellers also wants the tournament to resume after his team won the title this past spring.

"It just gives an opportunity to play during the spring break," Sellers said. "It's a break from our conference and it's been going around for more than 20 years."

The tournament traditionally rotates sites among the participating schools each year. It's North Gaston's turn to host the next tournament.

Radford, who hosted the 2008 tournament at Huss, said the Observer's only expense was an ad it placed in the Gazette. Martin said the Observer initially paid for the trophies but reimbursed itself after ticket revenue was collected. Officials were also paid from ticket revenue.

After all expenses were paid, the eight participating schools divided the remaining proceeds and received between $500 and $600 each, Radford said.

Martin contacted the Gazette about the possibility of sponsoring the tournament. He said others at North Gaston also contacted Citizens South Bank and Sun Drop, both of whom were interesting in sponsoring the event.

Martin wants to act quickly so all teams involved can finalize their schedules.

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.