Greetings- My name is Mike Sparrer and I am the head varsity baseball coach at Leland High School. I'd like to take this opportunity to invite your varsity baseball team to participate in the fifth annual "Baseball Battling Cancer" baseball tournament at Leland High School In May 2002, my mom, Randee Sparrer, was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer and tragically was given just months to live. Colorectal cancer, like many other types of cancer, is treatable and beatable when diagnosed early. Unfortunately it was discovered too late and we lost my mom at the age of 52 on September 21, 2002. As we approach the 15-year anniversary of her death, I have decided to do my small part to help spare another family the same heartache my family experienced. The proceeds of the "Baseball Battling Cancer" tournament will be donated to the American Cancer Society, with our goal for this year being $5,000. Last year we were able to write a check to the American Cancer Society for $4,800, bringing the five year total contribution to over $20,000. Many of you have been touched by cancer through a friend, family member, or perhaps you have even battled this terrible disease. And as you know, it can be a very helpless feeling dealing with the disease and the suffering and loss of loved ones. I'm hoping that you will consider bringing your team to the tournament and enjoy a week of great baseball while also teaching our players the importance of giving back to the community. The cost of the tournament is $500 (made payable to Leland High School) and covers umpires and baseballs, with the proceeds from those entry fees, the gate fees collected, and concession sales going directly to the American Cancer Society. The tournament is an 8 team, single elimination tournament, with 3 games guaranteed. Games will be at Leland and a second, still to be determined site, with the weekday games beginning at 3:30pm and the Saturday games at 10am and 2pm. Winners continue to advance to the championship game while the losers continue to play in a consolation bracket. We'll award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place team trophies, a tournament MVP, and we'll name an all tournament team. My contact information is below and I encourage you to contact me with any questions or suggestions on how to make this tournament as successful as possible. And please consider participating in the tournament, I know many of you are working on your 2018 schedule, and I'm hoping you will able to leave an opening in your schedule for next year and the years beyond. Please get back to me with any questions. I wish you the best of luck this season. Mike Sparrer Athletic Director Head Varsity Baseball Coach Leland High School school: 408-535-6290 ext. 66207 cell: 408-591-4962