The recreational baseball and softball seasons opened this weekend with the 8th Annual Ryan Michael Lee Memorial Tournament at Latta Recreation.

The opening ceremonies were held on Friday, March 20, and the tournament ran on Friday and Saturday, March 21.

Latta Parks & Recreation Director Jimmy Haselden.

Latta Parks and Recreation Director Jimmy Haselden conducted the ceremony with each player and coach introduced.

Ricky Bryant (center) presented R.C. and Carolyn Lee with a special picture remembering Ryan Lee. (Photo by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD. Click to view at full size!)

The tournament sponsors, R.C. and Carolyn Lee, were also recognized. Ricky Bryant presented them with a framed photo remembering Ryan.

Gladys Bedinger, Greg Bedinger, Wade Brown, Allen “Squeaky” Elliott, Wil Brown, and Christy Rogers at the unveiling of the Dwight Bedinger monument. (Photo by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD. Click to view at full size!)
The Dwight Bedinger monument was unveiled as part of the opening ceremonies. (Photo by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD. Click to view at full size!)
Greg Bedinger and Gladys Bedinger at the Dwight Bedinger monument. (Photo by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD.)

A monument for Dwight Bedinger was also unveiled during the ceremonies. Bedinger was involved with Latta Recreation baseball since the late 1970s and helped develop the fields and recreation complex for the Town of Latta. He was a volunteer recreation director for over 15 years before he passed away in 2013. The monument “is dedicated to all those who have and will support the youth of Latta.” Bedinger’s family and friends were on hand for the unveiling.

The 8U recreation teams will be wearing the initials “K.H.” in remembrance of Kyle Hyatt, who passed away earlier this year. (Photos by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD. Click to view at full size!)

Also during the opening ceremonies, the 8U boys teams took a moment to remember Kyle Hyatt, who passed away earlier this year. The teams will be wearing the initials K.H. on their jerseys this season in remembrance of Kyle.

Latta’s Red Raiders were recognized in the opening ceremonies. The Raiders will play in the annual Old Timers Game at the Latta Recreation Field on Saturday, April 25, with a home run derby at 10 a.m. and the game at noon. All proceeds go to the Alex H. “Buddy” Johnson Scholarship Fund. (Photo by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD. Click to view at full size!)

Latta’s Red Raiders were also on hand to promote their annual Ole Timers game coming up on Saturday, April 25, at the Latta Recreation Field. The day will include a home run derby at 10:00 a.m. followed by the game at noon. All proceeds will go to the Alex H. “Buddy” Johnson Scholarship Fund.

Latta’s 12U DIxie Ponytails received their 2014 State Championship rings. The championship team includes Kayla Davis, Ashley Sanderson, Bailey Wiggins, Rayne Nolan, Shayla Hunt, Emily Walters, RiAna Green, Hannah Medlin, Morgan Bethea, Arica Gandy, Jessie Bryant, and Sky McCoy. The coaches include Dustin Nolan, Michael Medlin, and April Roberts. (Photo by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD. Click to view at full size!
The Latta Ponytails received their state championship rings as part of Friday’s opening ceremonies. (Photo by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD. Click to view at full size!)

Also during the ceremony, Latta’s Dixie Ponytails received their State Championship rings. The 12U Ponytails won the 2014 state title, going undefeated in the state tournament and defeating Hanahan, 5-1, to win the championship.

R.C. Lee threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the Ryan Michael Lee Memorial Tournament. (Photo by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD.)
Rachel Caulder sang the national anthem. (Photo by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD.)

Afterwards, R.C. Lee threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and Rachel Caulder sang the national anthem, followed by fireworks and the releasing of balloons.

Photos by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD. Click the images below to view at full size!

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