Staff report and press release
news@wbcowqel.com
The Galion Graders have rescheduled an event for Saturday featuring Austin’s Alliance of Athletes that had previously been rained out.
This event is to bring drug abuse awareness to the surrounding areas, to educate and inform youth, parents, and concerned citizens regarding the signs, risks, and dangers of both illegal and prescription drug abuse.
Austin’s Alliance of Team Athletes is named in memory of Austin Vertrees, the son of Brian and Tami Lee of Sunbury, Ohio, who died of a heroin overdose in July of 2015. He was a graduate of Big Walnut High School and attended North Central Technical College, where he was a member of the baseball team. He loved baseball and had dreams of becoming a teacher and a coach. Despite repeated attempts to overcome his addiction, Austin lost his battle.
There will be two baseball games, one a youth game featuring Johnny Appleseed and Mid-Ohio Bullets, to be followed by the Galion Graders game. Activities begin at 2 p.m. in Heise Park. The game between the Mid-Ohio Bullets and Johnny Appleseed will begin at 3 p.m. and the Graders’ game is at 7 p.m. In-between games Austin’s story will be shared.