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Dear MARA Families, Volunteers, Community Partners, and Staff,
Spring is in full swing and this past weekend, we had a great turnout—around 1,700 visitors on Saturday and another 900 on Sunday. It’s been awesome to see the park full of athletes doing what they love and families enjoying the spring weather.
We’re right in the middle of baseball, softball, flag football, and 7v7 seasons, and our Track program is gearing up to start soon. So far, weather has been on our side, and the fields are holding up really well. Over the winter, we put a lot of work into improving both the diamond and rectangular fields. That work is paying off—diamond fields are draining better, and the rectangular fields are lush and looking great.
We recently addressed a long-standing issue on the main football field. The irrigation covers that were right near the home sideline have been moved back about eight feet to keep them safely out of play.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about our second annual Baseball and Softball Hit-A-Thon coming up on May 2. This is a fun, pledge-based fundraiser where each player gets 15 pitches, and supporters donate per hit or with a flat donation. Last years hit-a-thon was a huge success and helped fund a new batting cage on Field 10 and renovations on Field 1.
This year, we’re raising funds to install a turf-floored batting cage with a net curtain on Field 8. If we hit our fundraising goal, we’ll also add a four-lane turfed batting cage and two bullpens on Fields 12 and 13. These additions will be a big step forward for our training spaces and benefit players at every level.
Our summer camps are live, and we’re also in the middle of scheduling some upcoming park improvement projects—more to come on those soon.
Please remember that the park will be closed the week of April 13, so there will be no games or practices during that time.
Thanks for being a part of the MARA community—we’re looking forward to a great rest of the season!
Justin Vandergrift
MARA Board President
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The Hit-A-Thon is live and we’re well on our way to raising the funds needed to improve our park! This exciting event gives our baseball and softball players a chance to showcase their hitting skills while helping MARA upgrade our much loved and much used batting cages.
This year, we’re focusing on Field 8 and Fields 12 & 13.
- Field 8: We plan to install a new batting cage with a net curtain, allowing two teams to practice simultaneously or one team to use it as a full-length cage. It will feature a turf floor and new netting, designed to match the existing cage on Field 4.
- Fields 12 & 13: If we meet our fundraising goal, we will install a four-lane turfed batting cage and two turfed bullpens. This upgrade will provide a dedicated space for baseball and softball players at all levels, significantly expanding our batting and pitching facilities.
For pictures and more details on the batting cage renovations, click here.
Each player will get 15 pitches and can collect pledges in two ways: per-hit pledges or flat donations. 100% of the proceeds go directly to MARA’s baseball and softball programs, and all donations are tax-deductible. The top fundraising teams in each division will win a pizza party, and the overall winner will receive Charlotte Knights tickets!
To donate and support your player, click your players division below:
Baseball Links:
T-Ball: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/2025tballh
AA: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/2025aa
AAA: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/2025aaahit
Minors: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/2025minors
Majors: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/2025majors
Travel Baseball Links: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/2025travel
Softball Links:
6U Softball: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/20256usoft
8U Softball: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/20258usoft
10U Softball: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/202510usof
13U Softball: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/202513usof
18U Softball: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/202518usof
Travel Softball Links: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/2025travelsoftball
Help us make this event a success by sharing your player’s fundraising page, donating, and joining us for a fun evening of baseball, softball, food, and family activities. We appreciate your support in keeping MARA’s facilities top-tier for our young athletes!
| | Summer is right around the corner, and we are thrilled to announce our 2025 Summer Camp lineup! Whether your young athlete is looking to sharpen their skills, stay active, or try something new, we’ve got a camp for them! | | CPR & AED Certification & Training | | |
As part of MARA's Safe Play Initiative, we require at least one coach from each team to be CPR/AED certified—and the certification is FREE! If you're a coach, commissioner, or board member, we strongly encourage your participation.
Not a coach but still interested? Parents and community members are welcome to join and get certified!
Dates:
Tuesday, April 8
Wednesday, April 30
Tuesday, May 6
Time:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location:
MARA Board Room
Click here to sign up!
Don't miss this opportunity to gain lifesaving skills!
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Jersey Mike's Coupon Fundraiser
Friday, May 2 - Friday, May 9
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From May 2 to May 9, stop by Jersey Mike’s at 3116 Weddington Rd. in Matthews and make a difference in a young athlete’s life! For every coupon redeemed, Jersey Mike’s will donate $3 to MARA Athletics.
Enjoy great deals on delicious Jersey Mike's subs while giving back to our community!
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Join us for an All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast and help support our service to kids and families! Enjoy delicious pancakes, coffee, and juice while taking part in a fun community event with raffle prizes, door prizes, and more!
Saturday, April 26
8:00 AM – Noon
Matthews Presbyterian Church, 207 W. John Street, Matthews, NC
$10 per person | Kids 8 & under eat FREE!
Interested in purchasing tickets? Contact Dana Bouque at (704) 491-6857 or dana@marasports.net.
| | Click here to participate in our April Newsletter Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win a $50 gift card to Mac's Speed Shop! | | Fuel up while you cheer on your team! | | |
Domino’s pizza is served every night and we are now serving Bubba Burgers hot off the grill every Wednesday night!
Order ahead & skip the wait! Scan the QR code or click here to place your order and pick it up hassle-free.
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Both concession stands are open:
Mon. - Thurs., 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday, 9am - 5:00pm
Sunday, TBD (based on park events)
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T-Ball
Andrew McDermott
Email
AA Machine Pitch
Wesley Propst
Email
AAA Machine Pitch
Scott Hosey
Email
Minors
Jeff Brock
Email
Majors
Bill Eichorn
Email
Juniors & Seniors
Pablo Ocasio
Email
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Bambino Buddy-Ball
Rick Johnston
Email
Cheer
Lindsey Ostergaard
Email
Softball
Alyx Dills
Email
Football
Deon Boswell
Email
Basketball
Keith Jones
Email
Track
Justin Adams
Email
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No surprise here—Christopher “The Jet” Glancy is back! On Saturday, March 22, Christopher crushed an out-of-the-park home run in the Perfect Game March Madness Tournament, helping his team clinch a 14-1 win over SBA Santos!
Christopher has played baseball since T-Ball and currently plays for the 11U MARA Lightning as a right fielder, pitcher, and catcher. Off the field, he’s a 6th grader at Sun Valley, enjoys basketball and chocolate ice cream, and is a huge Yankees fan.
Way to go, Christopher! Keep swinging for the fences!
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Braylon “Bray” Meneses has officially joined the MARA Home Run Hitter’s Club! At just 12 years old, this 6th grader has already made a name for himself on the field with his power at the plate. His first MARA home run was a grand slam on October 26, 2024, and he followed it up with another big hit on Opening Day at MARA!.
Bray has been playing baseball since he was about five years old, and he’s been part of MARA since Fall 2024. He currently plays for the 12U MARA Mavericks challenge team, where he showcases his talent at first base and on the mound. No matter where he’s playing, Bray brings energy, skill, and a competitive spirit to the game!
Off the field, he enjoys football and video games. A die-hard Braves fan, he looks up to Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuña Jr. In the classroom, Spanish is his favorite subject, and when it comes to food, nothing beats cheesecake.
Congrats, Braylon, on this huge accomplishment! We can’t wait to see more big swings from you this season!
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Welcome Parker Mills to the MARA Home Run Hitters Club! Parker crushed his first out-of-the-park home run on Sunday, March 30, during his HQ4 tournament! Parker has been playing baseball since he was just 3 years old and joined MARA in Fall 2024. Now a 6th grader, he’s making waves as the only 6th grader to earn a spot on his middle school team—an incredible achievement! He now plays for our 12U MARA Mavericks and his primary positions are pitcher, catcher, and shortstop.
Off the field, Parker’s favorite subject is math, and he enjoys watching baseball, deep-sea fishing, golfing, hockey, and hanging out with his friends. His favorite food is Mexican, and he loves cookies and cream ice cream. A big fan of the Atlanta Braves and Carolina Panthers, his favorite player is Aaron Judge.
Way to go, Parker!
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MARA is proud to welcome Caleb Dunn to our Home Run Hitters Club! Caleb launched his first home run on February 27, 2025, during a game against South Charlotte Revolution.
Caleb has been playing baseball since he was 5 years and has played every season since, competing on both recreation and challenge teams. This season marks his first season with the MARA Bombers. At almost 11 years old and in 5th grade, Caleb is a versatile player on the field. While is the Bombers go-to catcher, he is also a strong shortstop and reliable arm on the mound.
Outside of baseball, Caleb enjoys playing video games, basketball, and football with his friends. He is a big fan of the Cincinnati Reds and Carolina Panthers, and his favorite athletes are Elly De La Cruz and Bryce Young.
Congratulations, Caleb, on your first home run—we know there are many more to come!
| | MARA's Home Run Hitter's Club is proudly sponsored by: | | |
As we gear up for another season of baseball and softball, if you have a player on your recreation, challenge or travel team that hits an "over the fence" home run, please email Dana at dana@marasports.net.
We would love to celebrate our student-athletes with our MARA community!
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On Tuesday, March 25th, Christian Riddlesworth of the 12U Tigers delivered an unforgettable performance on the mound! He allowed just one run while striking out 10 batters, making it a game to remember.
Way to go, Christian!
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Do you know a MARA athlete with a great story, milestone, or accomplishment to celebrate?
Please send details and photos to dana@marasports.net so we can highlight your athlete on social media!
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MARA’s Bambino Buddy-Ball players are stepping up to the big leagues! Join us on Sunday, April 13, 2:00 PM on Field 2, as we team up with the Charlotte Knights for a fun afternoon! This special game will celebrate our incredible athletes with PA announcing, snacks, drinks, and even balloon twisting!
Come out to cheer on our Bambino Buddy-Ball players and show your support for this amazing program!
| | Bambino Buddy-Ball is proudly sponsored by: | | |
We are gearing up for an exciting All-Star season and would love for alll eligible players interested to apply!
The opportunity to play All-stars is available to all players, 6-12 years old, playing spring recreation baseball - T-Ball, AA, AAA, Minors, & Majors.
If your player is interested in participating, please click here for more details and to apply. The deadline to submit your player's application is Sunday, April 20, 2025.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your league commissioner.
Good luck to all our athletes!
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Congratulations to our tournament champs! | |
9U MARA Cobras (Travel)
Perfect Game Spring Kickoff Runner-up Champions
March 2, 2025
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9U MARA Cobras (Travel)
Perfect Game Spring Slugfest Champions
March 9, 2025
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9U MARA Cobras (Travel)
Perfect Game St. Patty Day Tournament Champions
March 15, 2025
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12U MARA Mavericks (Challenge)
HQ4 Tournament Champions
March 23, 2025
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11U MARA Tide Blue (Challenge)
HQ4 Tournament Champs
Sunday, March 23
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12U MARA Mavericks (Challenge)
HQ4 Tournament Champions
March 30, 2025
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9U MARA Cobras (Travel)
Perfect Game Diamond Warriors Tournament Champions
March 30, 2025
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If you would like your recreation, challenge, or travel team's accomplishments to be featured in our MARA Monthly Newsletter, please send pictures and tournament information to dana@marasports.net.
Make sure to also tag @mara_sports and @mara_baseball on your socials so we can share the fun!
Good luck to all our players!
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MARA Cheer is back and ready to bring the spirit! Whether on the sidelines supporting our football teams or showcasing skills at events, our cheerleaders bring energy, enthusiasm, and teamwork to every performance.
Join us for an exciting season of fun, friendships, and cheerleading excellence!
| | Congratulations to our tournament champs! | | |
10U Matthews Elite
1-40 7v7 Classic Champions
March 9, 2025
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12U Matthews Elite
King of the Queen City Tournament Champs
March 23, 2025
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10U Matthews Elite
City of Oaks Tournament Champions
March 30, 2025
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Check out the tournament schedule below to support our athletes in action! | | If you would like your football team's accomplishments featured in our MARA Monthly Newsletter or on social media, please send pictures and tournament information to dana@marasports.net. | | Congratulations to our tournament champions! | | |
10U MARA Chaos
Top Gun Tournament - Silver Bracket Runner-ups March 22, 2025
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If you would like your recreation, challenge, or travel team's accomplishments to be featured in our MARA Monthly Newsletter, please send pictures and tournament information to dana@marasports.net.
Make sure to also tag @mara_sports and @mara_softball on your socials so we can share the fun!
Good luck to all our players!
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On Saturday, March 15, we kicked off our Spring season in a big way, thanks to the support of our incredible sponsors!
We loved having you at the park, and our MARA families enjoyed meeting you and learning more about the businesses that support our community. Your generosity helps make participation more accessible and enhances the experience for our young athletes.
We appreciate you being part of the MARA family—your support makes all the difference!
| | Mezeh Mediterranean Grill | | | MARA Digital Sponsor Directory | | |
Looking for an orthodontist, electrician, veterinarian, accountant, or aesthetician? We’ve got you covered!
Click here to explore our Digital Sponsor Directory, where you'll find businesses that proudly support MARA. When you choose our community partners, you're not just getting great service -- you are also giving back to the sponsors who help keep our programs thriving!
| | Interested in sponsoring at MARA? | | |
Do you own a local business in the Matthews area and want to advertise with MARA? Are you interested in sponsoring your player's team or displaying your business' logo around the park?
To learn more about partnering with MARA, please contact Dana Bouque at (704) 491-6857 or dana@marasports.net.
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Refer a New Sponsor -
Get a FREE Banner!
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Are you a current sponsor and would like to have an additional banner for no additional cost?
Refer a new sponsor and when they sign up for a sponsorship, we will hang additional banner for your business at the park!
Please emails all referrals to Dana Bouque at dana@marasports.net.
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Carotek is proud to celebrate 60 years in operation this year, as well as being a proud sponsor of MARA for over 40 years. We are the prominent process equipment supplier in the Southeast based right here in Matthews.
If you work in the industrial, municipal, or commercial market and have a process equipment need, please contact your
contact your Carotek Sales Specialist today for expert assistance at 877-900-6681.
| | These coupons are valid until December 31, 2025 and can be accessed by clicking this link. Make sure to share with your friends, family, teammates, and colleagues! The more the coupons are redeemed, the more DSG supports MARA! | | |
CELEBRATE LENT & EASTER AT MATTHEWS UNITED METHODIST:
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JERUSALEM MARKETPLACE- April 13 from 9 am-12 pm. Travel back in time on Palm Sunday! Experience the city of Jerusalem come to life as you visit herb, spice and food markets, ancient crafters, and more. Everyone welcome! Possible donkey sighting! Details
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COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT- April 19 from 6-8pm. Egg hunts for ALL ages, games, inflatables & prizes! Egg Hunts Times: 6:30 for Nursery-Age 5, 7:00 for Age 6-12 & 7:30 for Age 13-Adult. No registration or cost. Detail
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KIDS & FAMILY WORSHIP- Special Date on April 6 in the Gym at 9:30 am
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EASTER JAM KIDS & FAMILY WORSHIP & BUTTERFLY RELEASE-April 20 at 9:30 am in the Gym. A multigenerational acoustic style Easter service packed with fun for the whole family. Special Butterfly Release at 10:30 am afterwards in the Courtyard.
*SUMMER CAMPS: Check out Summer Camps at Matthews UMC
*Vacation Bible School (July 21-25)
*Music & Arts Camp (Aug 4-8)
*View details for Lent & Easter Events & Services at: matthewsumc.org/easter-at-matthews
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Do you have something you would like add to our MARA Monthly Newsletter? Would you like to showcase your teams' accomplishments or promote an upcoming MARA event?
Please email Dana Bouque at dana@marasports.net with your newsletter additions and pictures before April 25.
We are happy spread your news!
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