Forman Field at the IKM-Manning High School in Manning, will be one of two locations hosting the Special Olympics Softball Skills Competition. IKM-Manning hosted the 2016 event with 55 athletes competing, and organizer, Beth Hagedorn, says she expects closer to 60 athletes from the entire western side of the state will participate in the upcoming event on Thursday, July 6. “I am absolutely thrilled that we are able to host the 2nd Annual Special Olympics Softball Skills event in our home district,” Hagedorn says. And when asked why volunteering for this event is so important to her, she adds, “I just wanted to share my passion with others so they too can see how rewarding it is to volunteer in an event like this.” Opening ceremonies will get underway at 9 a.m. and the competition will test athletes’ skills in base running, fielding, hitting and throwing. Those who place on July 6 at Manning and in Muscatine will advance to the next level of the competition at the Special Olympics of Iowa State Softball Tournament in Ankeny on Aug. 5. Hagedorn adds they had a great group of volunteers who helped make last year’s event a huge success, and there are over 60 volunteers signed up already for this year. However, with more athletes anticipated, they can use more students, entering high school or older, and adults to sign up to help out from 8 a.m. to noon on that Thursday morning. Volunteering for the event can be done through the contact information included below.
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For more information or to volunteer, contact Beth Hagedorn at bhagedorn@ikm-manning.k12.ia.us
