Even though the December 10th EF-4 tornado destroyed the Little Busch Stadium and ball fields, the annual Jake Hodge Wiffle Ball Tournament will be held this weekend.
The tournament is an annual fundraising event in memory of 12-year old Jake Hodge, the son of Denis and Shannon Hodge of Marion, who died in his sleep early one Saturday morning. According to the Crittenden County Coroner, an autopsy found no medical issues to explain his death.
Lifelong Princeton resident Ken Parker, the property owner, says the tournament raises funds for scholarships with Denis Hodge adding that in the last decade they have given out over $150,000 to more than 200 kids in the area.
click to download audioAccording to Hodge, they have expanded the scholarship eligibility this year to include students from any county who has participated in the tournament or assisted.
Parker says the Wiffle Ball Tournament is for all ages.
click to download audioHodge says this is a three-day tournament.
A lot of work went into building the Little Busch Stadium which is a 1/4 replica of the home of the St. Louis Cardinals. Parker says that’s because they wanted to build a place that would make people want to return for the tournament each year.
click to download audioBecause of the tornado, Parker says it will look a little different this year but they just want people to come out and enjoy themselves.
click to download audioThe fields also had to be rebuilt.
click to download audioTwenty-four teams are signed up to participate in this weekend’s tournament with concessions also available on site. The tournament will be held at 1301 South Jefferson Street in Princeton.
