Friends of cancer victim support sons with annual memorial Whiffle Ball tournament in Antioch
One of Keith Pearson’s sons, Peyton, prepares to swing during the 2016 annual Whiffle Ball tournament.
Brian Howerton proudly displays this year’s T-shirt.
By Allen Payton
Keith Pearson was born and raised in Antioch and played baseball at Antioch High. In 2011 he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and died soon after.
“It’s the fastest rising cancer diagnosis and more often than not its terminal upon diagnosis,” said one of his good friends, Brian Howerton.
So, he and all of Keith’s other good friends started a memorial Whiffle Ball tournament in 2012 to support the American Cancer Society and to make sure his two boys, Preston and Peyton, now ages five and eight, get to play the sports they want to play.
Funds are raised from the fee each team pays to play, as well as from the sale of annual T-shirts and a raffle. This year’s tournament was played at Antioch’s Mira Vista Hills Park.
“I appreciate the continued support of Keith’s best friends even after his death and for helping our kids,” Keith’s widow Amy Pearson said during this year’s tournament on Saturday, September 24. “This is a great reunion every year. I just know he would wish he was here.”
For more information visit www.ecan.org., visit the group’s Facebook page or contact Scott Pearson.
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