SPORTS &
RECREATION
 July 18, 2019
 


Winners of last weekend's North Carolina Wiffle Ball Tournament played at Smithfield were these five guys who played for a Johnston County team named "Uncensored": (from left) Spencer Griswold of Smithfield, Joey Creech of Kenly, Jordan Adams and Craig Hardin of Benson, and Ryan Barefoot of Meadow.
Let's hear it for . . . WIFFLE BALL!

31st "state tournament" held here


One of the tournament's founders, Jeff Davis of Kenly, is pictured at right with Jon Moore of the Smithfield Parks and Recreation Department, which hosted the event. Both are former competitors who've been inducted into the tournament's "Hall of Fame."


Organizers claim it to be the oldest state Wiffle Ball tourney in the nation and the second oldest in the world. The N.C. tourney's roots go back to 1982, when Jeff Davis and Mike Grizzard organized a series of two-against-two contests in a Kenly resident's yard.


Today's game involves four-man teams, and this year's tournament included 12 teams from Johnston and surrounding counties with crafty names like "Super Smash Brothers," "Organized Kon Fusion," "Uncensored," and "Get a Whiff."


Smithfield Parks and Recreation has hosted the event since 2006.



Last weekend's tournament was played on the youth soccer field at Community Park, with the playing field positioned next to a corner fence just 95 feet from home plate down the foul lines. Like smart cattle in the pasture, spectators stayed mostly in shaded tents as the thermometer soared well into the 90s.





An even bigger state tournament
coming to Smithfield July 25-28


Tar Heel Leagues, Inc. will present four state baseball tournaments for youth Thursday-Sunday, July 25-28 at Smithfield Community Park, Clayton Community Park, and East Clayton Park.

Players will compete for state championships in four age-group divisions: 8 and under, 10 and under, 12 and under, 15 and under. Teams have been competing in district tournaments throughout North Carolina to qualify for the state championship event.

Johnston County by itself is one of six districts. As a result, at least one local team from each age division has qualified for the state tournament. Teams from Cleveland, North Johnston, and South Johnston are among the qualifiers.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 1 p.m. next Thursday (July 25) at the Smithfield-Selma High School football stadium.

For more information, visit the Tar Heel Leagues website>




"Fun in the Park" 11-4 this Saturday


The East Smithfield Improvement Organization is hosting "Fun in the Park" this Saturday (July 20) at Smith-Collins Park on Lee Street east of the railroad.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. activities for youngsters will include "bounce houses," games and prizes, free food, and music.






SMITHFIELD PARKS & RECREATION DOINGS


Proceed to the Town of Smithfield's website for a complete list of both Youth and Adult activities along with links for registering>

 
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