Teams Vie for NCBA District III Championship

Four college club baseball teams have been spending the weekend in Martinsville-Henry County as they vie for the title of District III Championship at Hooker Field. The University of South Carolina- Union and University of North Carolina- Wilmington played the first game on Friday with USC-Union winning 11-1.  In the second game on Friday, The College of William & Mary beat Old Dominion University with a final score of 4-3.

The USC-Union team spent Thursday night before the tournament in town at the Quality-Dutch Inn and enjoyed dining at several area restaurants including Sonic and Najjar’s Pizza Haven. According to the USC Bantams Coach Paul Wilkes of Union, South Carolina, “We know that Martinsville is known for the Martinsville Speedway, so it’s exciting to come here and see a new city with such beautiful scenery.”

Fans coming to support the teams drove in from Charlotte, Raleigh, South Carolina, Richmond, West Virginia and Connecticut.

According to NCBA District III Tournament Coordinator, Steven Baker, “The town of Martinsville should be extremely proud of the quality of tournament they put on each and every year and this year is no different from the atmosphere to the beautiful Hooker Field. Day one played host to some great baseball and sets the stage for a competitive day two. I encourage the town to come out to support this event on what figures to be a beautiful spring day and give these teams all the support possible as the competition heats up and eliminations begin in day two.”

The event has also offered the Martinsville Mustangs staff a chance to prepare for the upcoming season. New General Manager for the Mustangs Shea Maple said, “It’s exciting to host the NCBA because it means that we’re really gearing up for our season. This is my first taste of seeing the stadium in action and having fans come through the gates is tremendous!”

The National Club Baseball Association’s (NCBA) District III double-elimination tournament will continue on Saturday with UNC-Wilmington and Old Dominion taking the field at 9 a.m. Additional games will also be played at 12 noon and 3 p.m.

On Sunday, a game will be played at 9 a.m. and if needed, another one will be played at 12 p.m. The winner of the tournament will move on to the NCBA Division II World Series.

Admission is $5 each day or a tournament pass may be purchased for $8 on Saturday; children five and under are free with a paying adult. The Martinsville Community Recreation Association will sell concessions and all proceeds from ticket sales and concessions will benefit Hooker Field. The Martinsville Mustangs will sell beer and Mustangs souvenirs during the tournament. Fans will not be allowed to bring outside food or beverages into the stadium.

Another NCBA Tournament for the Mid-Atlantic Division I will be held on the following weekend, May 9th-11th. Both East Carolina University and James Madison University have made it into the Division I tournament.

Additional information on the tournaments and area information can be found online at www.VisitMartinsville.com or by calling 276.632.8006.