Day two of softball tournament held in Jackson

March 16, 2023

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff,

JACKSON, Tenn. — Thursday, the second day of the Sarah Beth Whitehead Memorial Softball Tournament kicked off at the Jackson Sportsplex.

Sarah Beth Whitehead Memorial Softball Tournament

John Whitehead created this tournament in 2008 to honor his daughter after she died from meningitis.

From this tournament, they take donations for the National Meningitis Association, and a scholarship for a high school senior.

The tournament is a standard pool play bracket sanctioned by the TSSAA. Whitehead says this is more than just a fundraiser for the players.

“Softball is fantastic, and we talk to them about faith, about teamwork, about being part of a team, just the whole nine yards,” Whitehead said.

This is the 16th year of the tournament, and there are 19 teams from all over West Tennessee and surrounding states.

“It feels great. To me, it’s like another Christmas because this is my time of year. I love watching the girls playing softball. It’s about them showcasing their talent and playing good teams in a good tournament,” Whitehead said.

Whitehead expressed his appreciation for everyone coming out to honor his daughter’s memory and watching these girls do what they love.

“It’s not about my wife, Tracy and I. It’s about these girls playing softball, and just showing how good they can play. Give them the opportunity to come out and play games and have parents support them. We have parents, grandparents, siblings, boyfriends, and friends coming out watching them play. It’s fantastic,” he said.

The teams are: