February 2023
MARA PRESIDENT LETTER
Dear MARA Families,

With Spring around the corner and baseball, softball, cheer, and flag football starting to kick off, we are gearing up for another successful season, which feeds into the remainder of this year. I would be remised to highlight our winter sports, from Basketball to 7v7 football, and our augural year for our girls’ flag football season. This winter season has been a success. A special thank you to our volunteers, members, kids, parents, and an unbelievable full-time staff for their dedication.

As you make your way around the park, we have begun some renovations and improvements, with many more to come. We are committed to building this park to be utilized by our kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. We can make this happen by volunteering your time, financial donations, and in-kind contributions. And remember, we are a non-profit organization, and your donations and contributions could be tax deductible but consult your tax advisor first. Thank you again for all you do and for your much-needed support.

See you at the park!

Hazel Williams, Jr
MARA President
REMINDER ABOUT PARKING
Reminder that towing will be enforced at all times at MARA. Please be conscious of where you park and respect the "No Parking", "Reserved for Concessions Manager" or "Reserved for Staff" parking spots. Thank you.
MARA NIGHT WITH THE KNIGHTS
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Do you have a few hours during the day? Working from home and need an outdoor break or are a stay-at-home parent? MARA can use your help to hang sponsor banners on 3/6, 3/7 & 3/9. No skills needed!
OPENING DAY
We hope to see you at MARA's Spring Season Opening Day on March 18th!
CONCESSIONS

Wow, we are SO CLOSE to being in "full swing" for Spring Season! We had sunny, cool days for assessments, and seeing all the familiar faces was incredible! We've missed you! 

We will be open Saturdays through the pre-season and will open weeknights beginning on March 6 as we lead up to Opening Day! 


So excited for a great year at MARA! Follow us on Instagram at mara_concessions for updates and specials. 

See you soon! 
Andrea Brock (Concessions Manager) and the AMAZING MARA Concessions Staff
LOST & FOUND
The Lost & Found box is next to the Coke machine near the concession stand. Please label your items so we can help your items back home.
PARK UPDATES
Thanks again to the following companies who helped to renovate MARA's Board Room.
SWAG BAG STUFFING - MARCH 4
CALLING ALL PARENTS, PLAYERS, SIBLINGS AND FRIENDS!
 MARA needs your help on Saturday, March 4 starting at 9:00am to help stuff player swag bags in the multipurpose room upstairs of main concession stand.
If you forget to sign-up please come anyway as we can use the help!

Join us while you son or daughter has practice.
Coaches bring your team before or after practice
If your child needs service hours - this will count!
BASKETBALL
Coach Kendrick Bradsher and the Red team prevail to win the MARA Championship for girls in the 11U division. 
MARA Basketball is proudly sponsored by:
Contact Hazel Williams, MARA President, for more information about the MARA Basketball Program.
MARA COLTS FOOTBALL
Contact Deon Boswell, Football Commissioner, for more information
about the MARA Colts Football Program.
CHEERLEADING
Registration for Spring Football Cheer is OPEN for ages 4-11. Spots are filling up quickly! We are still seeking a Head Coach for our Jr. Tiny Mite division. Please visit our page for more information. 

The season starts the week of March 12th. All squads will have one day of practice per week and games on Saturdays. This is a great opportunity for those interested in trying cheer for the first time. Early registration for the 2023 Pop Warner season will open in May. More details are coming soon. 

Spring Cheer teams are open to ages 4-11. Age for the season is determined as of 3/1/2023: 
  • Jr. Tiny Mite: 4y
  • Tiny Mite: 5-6
  • Mitey Mite: 7-9
  • Jr. PeeWee: 9-11

CLICK HERE to register now!
Contact Nicki Johnson, Cheer Commissioner, for more information
about the MARA Colts Cheerleading program.
BASEBALL
Contact Charlie Durham, Bat & Ball Commissioner, for more information
about the MARA Baseball program.
CHALLENGE BASEBALL
Contact Charles Traetto, Challenge Commissioner, for more information
about the MARA Baseball Challenge program.
SOFTBALL
Contact Eddie Hernandez, Softball Commissioner, for more information
about the MARA Softball program.
CHALLENGE SOFTBALL
Contact Eddie Hernandez, Softball Commissioner, for more information
about the MARA Challenge Softball program.
YOUTH BASEBALL UMPIRES NEEDED
20/20 Umpires is seeking youth baseball umpires. We provide umpire services to local youth ages 5-18 with games primarily in the Charlotte area. Spring games begin in March and typically end in June. You can work as little or as much as you would like, scheduling is very flexible. This is a great way to make extra income for people with a basic knowledge of baseball. We recruit and hire people-oriented, supportive, and fairness focused individuals to serve on our umpire team. The safety, protection and well-being of all players is our top priority.

Requirements:
  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Have reliable transportation.
  • Have internet access, smart cell phone and valid email address to utilize our scheduling system.
  • Clear Background Check via National Criminal Background and Sex Offenders Registry (no felony/serious misdemeanor convictions).
  • Previous baseball and/or umpire experience (preferred), training will be provided for others.
  • Games are played mostly Monday – Thursday and all-day Saturday. We may have a few Friday & Sunday makeup games.

If you are interested in joining our team, please provide the following information to us via email:


Your contact information (name, email, home address and phone number).

Your expected availability (days/times you normally would be able to umpire).

Details of your previous baseball and/or umpiring experience.

Tom & Debbie Bowman
20/20 Umpires, LLC
2020umpires@gmail.com
(704) 763-6585
TRAVEL TEAMS
Contact Chris Nieder for more information
about the MARA Travel program.
TRACK - SOUTHSIDE STORM
Contact Lakisha Williams for more information
about the MARA Southside Storm Track program.
EAGLE SCOUT PROJECTS
MARA is always looking to partner with Boy Scouts needing a beneficiary for their Eagle Projects.

Please contact MARA Past President, Laura Budd at marapastpresident@gmail.com if interested.
MEMBER OFFERS
Dick's Sporting Goods coupons can be used an unlimited number of times at ANY DICK's location - even out of state so please share with family & friends.
SPONSOR NEWS
IS RAIN TO BLAME FOR YOUR ENT ISSUES?

While some people may find rainy weather to be a soothing romantic backdrop or a useful tool for farming, others find it to be a tedious occurrence that ruins their day. If you find your ears, nose, or throat feeling off when the sun’s away and the rain’s here to stay, it can seem extra dreary. But why is that?
Save time. Shop Online.
Harris Teeter Express Lane online shopping makes it easy to shop at home anytime you like. Our personal shoppers will shop for you. For orders over $35.00, the service fee is FREE. Yearly Subscriptions are available for $99.00.
We invite MARA Families to begin shopping with us at Johnson Volvo Cars Charlotte and to swing by our dealership for a test drive. You can schedule one online by contacting our sales team, or by calling us and swinging by our dealership on E Independence Blvd in Charlotte, NC. Visit us today!

Visit us at 7040 East Independence, or online at www.JohnsonVolvoCarsCharlotte.com


Kids WILD WEDNESDAY Nights, Parents Night Out, Family Worship featuring Sara Kelly, Butterfly Project with Release & EASTER JAM
Info & Registrations at Kids.MatthewsUMC.org
Its Almost Time for your Spring Tune-up from Team-Tock!
Please contact our office today to schedule your Seasonal Tune-up!

DON'T DELAY: get on our schedule NOW while all of the preferred days and hours are available!

Click: https://www.mcclintockhvac.com/schedule-maintenance OR CALL - 704-321-5207
Northline Roofing, LLC serves as a leading contractor in the Charlotte, NC, area. Fueled by our commitment to excellence, we go the extra mile to make sure clients are completely satisfied with our work. We are in the 2% of United States roofers who qualify as GAF Master Elite Installers! This allows us to offer the best warranty in the industry — The Golden Pledge. The Golden Pledge guarantees the workmanship of your roof for 25 years after installation and leaves us subject to 40-Point detailed inspections to ensure that you receive the best roof possible!

Do it RIGHT. Do it DIFFERENT. Give BACK.

Novant Health GoHealth Orthopedic Urgent Care in Waverly

The providers at Novant Health-GoHealth centers have orthopedic training to care for your muscle pulls and strains. At the Waverly center, orthopedic injury care is provided for fractures, sprains, and back, neck and joint pain by an orthopedic specialist. On-site X-ray imaging and splinting is also available. They treat everyone from children age 6-months to seniors. If you should require on-going care for an orthopedic injury, their unique integration with Novant Orthopedic and Sports Medicine ensures you can get all the care you need. Learn More.
INTERESTED IN 2023 SPONSORSHIP?
Looking to advertise your business at MARA with a sponsorship for 2023?

Want to sponsor your child's team?

Time is running out! Contact Monique Brooks,
Sponsorship Director at marasponsorship@gmail.com for more details.
PARK REMINDERS
Please review our park rules before coming to the Park. This is for your safety and the safety of all members.
  • NO dogs allowed in the park

  • NO inappropriate use of language

  • NO handguns or weapons of any kind

  • NO drugs allowed in the park

  • NO alcoholic beverages

  • NO tobacco use of any kind (cigarettes, e-cigs, chewing tobacco, etc.)

  • NO bicycles

  • NO motorized bikes, go carts, ATV'S or scooters

  • NO skateboards, hoverboards, roller blades, or roller skates

  • NO RC/ airplanes or model rockets 

  • NO fireworks

  • NO kicking or batting balls into fences

  • NO climbing fences or trees

  • NO climbing on buildings or roofs

  • NO parking on sidewalks or access road that connects our park with the Courtney Neighborhood (Matthews Police WILL ticket you!)

Please DO NOT park in the Concession Managers spot, she has to unload supplies and needs to park near concessions.

Park at you own risk: MARA is not responsible for your vehicle or you property.

Handicapped Parking at MARA: Please be respectful of the Handicapped parking spaces. If you do not have a placard that allows you to park there, you risk receiving a fine and having your car towed.

MARA Is A Privately Owned and Operated Complex. It Is Not A Public Park. Use of Fields Are For Association Members Only. Unauthorized Use Of This Property Will Be Viewed As Trespassing. Violators Will Be Prosecuted For Any Of The Above.
IMPORTANT: LIGHTNING SAFETY SYSTEM
The safety of the players, spectators, and officials is our main concern at MARA. No weather event is more dangerous than lightning. Because of this threat, we have installed the Thorguard Lightning Prediction System. This system can provide advance warning of a lightning hazard, allowing you the time to seek shelter. The system continually monitors and evaluates the electrostatic atmosphere and predicts the probability of a lightning hazard in the immediate area of our facility. You will be alerted by one loud horn blast that will last 15 seconds.
 
Upon hearing the horns, everyone should seek shelter immediately.
 
When this occurs, strobe lights located on the top of the horns
will activate and remain active while under a weather alert.
Every attempt should be made to seek shelter in a safe environment like a permanent building or car.
 
The Thorguard system will determine when conditions are safe to return. Three 5-second blasts will indicate that all is clear and the strobe lights will cease operation.

ALWAYS AVOID THE FOLLOWING:  

·      Athletic Fields & Bleacher
·      Open Areas
·      Field Lighting Poles
·      Isolated Trees
·      High Elevation

Questions regarding Weather and Field Conditions contact
Mara Weather Line: 704-845-6337 or your Commissioners.
WEATHER UPDATES
Follow mara_sports on Instagram to quickly and easily receive updates on weather and field conditions directly to your smart phone. Also, email communications will be sent out to the email address in the registered account. Please make sure your information is up-to-date!