By Scott Roblin

Emotional weekend for players & organizers at Mason Close Memorial Tournament

Aug 13, 2018 | 4:58 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Baseball was a way of life for Mason Close, growing up on ball diamonds across Medicine Hat over his 21 years.

That’s why friends, family, and strangers came together over the weekend to celebrate a life cut far too short and the game that brought them all together.

The first Mason Close Memorial Slow-Pitch Tournament was held at the Moose Community Ball Complex on Saturday and Sunday, featuring 24 teams and hundreds of players joining forces.

Scott Galloway was a member of the ‘A’ tournament winning squad and said it was important for so many in the baseball community to show their support.

“So important, so awesome,” said Galloway. “Just to see as many teams that came out, with the 24 teams that came out, and everyone just so involved and so into it, it was just fantastic. It just makes you feel proud to be part of the community.”

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Close played high school baseball for the Monsignor McCoy Colts before graduating in 2014, then spending time in the local American Legion system as an assistant coach.

He had begun working with Royal LePage before passing away at the age of 21 in March.

The tournament also served as a fundraiser for the newly created ‘Strikeout Stigma’ foundation, which will raise funds for supporting local mental health initiatives in sports.

Organizer Carly Stegen said it’s a cause that Mason would have supported in a second and is excited to continue on his legacy.

“We knew that Mason always had such good support and he always said how good of support he had, and he had that luxury,” said Stegen. “But, we know that not all athletes and all people struggling with mental illness do have that kind of support. So, we feel that trying to raise money to kick start this foundation is a really good way to just get it started.”

Many of those helping to put on the event knew Mason through baseball and wanted to make sure his memory isn’t forgotten.

“I know Mason would have loved every single minute of this weekend, baseball was his life” said Stegen. “So, it was really nice to put on something in honour of him, his family, and something that he would have really been proud of us to be a part of.”

Organizers don’t yet know a final amount raised over the weekend, but are hopeful they will hit their goal of $20,000.