Bub’s Memorial Tournament keeps kids active in Tyendinaga

This weekend is the 3rd Annual Patty’s Boys (Bub Maracle’s Memorial) Ball Tournament at the Tyendinaga Sports Complex on York Rd. It is a fundraising ball tournament started by Bub Maracle for the Active Lifestyle Fund. Since Maracle’s passing, his family carries on the tournament in his memory.

According to Maracle’s Aunt, Kat Brant, “Bub had a dream and in his dream his grandfather Patty Maracle came to him. Grampa Pat passed onto the spirit world many years ago. Grampa said to Bub…Why aren’t you playing ball? Where is all the sports?”

After having the same dream repeatedly, Maracle finally got the message and started the tournament two years ago. There were only a half dozen teams playing in that first tournament. That number has since doubled, with teams signing up from the surrounding communities as well as Tyendinaga. One of the tournament organizers, Kevin Brant stated, “We are hoping to get teams from all other reserves in years to come.”

According to Kevin Brant, the Active Lifestyle fund was started in conjunction with the tournament “to help fund sports for a healthy lifestyle and healthy way of living”. Bub Maracle also wanted to help the language program in Tyendinaga. Tournament proceeds are donated by the family to assist the Kawenna’on:we Primary Kanyen’keha Immersion Program.

The weekend promises to be filled with lots of fun playing ball. There is a home run derby on Saturday and a number of raffles for participants and spectators alike. Melissa Maracle, a regular team member, had this to say about why she attends every year, “because Bub`s daughter goes to the Immersion school and he was always a strong support of our school. He attended meetings to get things started and he had always been a good friend.”

The first game begins Saturday at 8:00 a.m sharp. The entry fee is $300.00 with cash prizes available for first place positions in Division A and B.

If you would like to participate in the weekend you can contact Kevin Brant at (613) 849-5636 or Dustin Brant at (613) 885-3195. In addition, if you would like to donate to the weekend or directly to the Active Lifestyle Fund, check out the Patty’s Boys (Bub’s Memorial) Ball Tournament Facebook page.

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