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Dear Members, Volunteers, Sponsors and Staff,
As summer approaches, we are thrilled to update you on the exciting activities and improvements happening at MARA. Our summer camps for baseball, softball, football, and cheer are in full swing, offering our youth an excellent opportunity to hone their skills, make new friends, and enjoy the season.
Fall sports are just around the corner, and you won’t want to miss the excitement! Our tackle football teams are gearing up for another championship run, and our baseball and softball teams, along with our cheer squads, are ready to hit the fields with enthusiasm and determination. Registrations are open so come join us for a season full of action, teamwork, and community spirit.
We're also excited to share significant renovations at our park. We are installing LED lights on fields 1, 9, and 10, enhancing visibility for evening games and practices. Additionally, we are removing outdated equipment and refurbishing the park, ensuring a safer and more pleasant environment for everyone. This includes comprehensive maintenance to prepare all our fields for the upcoming fall sports season.
Moreover, we will be hosting several baseball and softball tournaments this summer. These events are a fantastic way to showcase our community's talent and bring everyone together for some friendly competition.
As we embrace these exciting summer months, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our members, staff, children, and our incredible volunteer coaches and parents. Your dedication and support are the backbone of MARA, making everything we do possible. You are the true face of our organization, and we are deeply grateful for your contributions.
Enjoy the summer, and let's make it a memorable one!
Hazel Williams, Jr
MARA Board President
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Dear Andrea,
On behalf of the entire MARA Staff, Board, families, and volunteers we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your exceptional service as the Concessions Manager over the past seven years. Your dedication and outstanding contributions have been one of the cornerstones of our organization, and your commitment has truly made a significant impact on the MARA community.
Throughout your tenure, you have exemplified excellence, consistently ensuring that our concessions operations ran smoothly and efficiently. Your hard work and attention to detail did not go unnoticed, and your efforts have helped create a positive experience for everyone involved with MARA.
As you move on to new adventures, please know that you will be sorely missed. Your presence, and passion have left a lasting legacy, and we are profoundly grateful for everything you have done for MARA.
We wish you all the best in your future endeavors and hope that your next chapter is filled with success and happiness.
Sincerely,
MARA
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MARA has embarked on a transformative capital campaign aiming to raise $3.5 million to rejuvenate our park. This endeavor is not merely about upgrading facilities; it is a commitment to ensuring MARA meets the needs of our young athletes today and for generations to come.
The projects associated with the Capital Campaign include:
1. Illuminate The Path to Success: Replace Aging Lighting Infrastructure
We will upgrade the lighting infrastructure throughout the park to minimize maintenance and operational costs while enhancing accessibility to the park during evening hours.
Project details: Replace outdated lights and aging poles, install new lights and poles in currently unlit fields, upgrade electrical panels, and transition all lights to energy-efficient LED fixtures to save on costs.
2. Revitalize Fields, Ignite Potential: Improve Fields and Pathways
Our play fields need revitalization. We will upgrade and maintain our fields to the highest standards, ensuring a safe and conducive environment for our athletes. This includes improving drainage to create more favorable field conditions after rainfall. We will make pathways more accessible, fostering inclusivity and creating a welcoming space for all.
Project Details: Enhance drainage systems, upgrade select fields with artificial turf, and improve pathways throughout the park, notably those leading to the T-ball fields and from the main parking lot to field 10. Additionally, PF2 will be transformed into a regulation-size football field.
3. Build Dreams, One Swing at a Time: Indoor Batting Facility
Imagine a brand new indoor batting facility where MARA athletes can refine their skills, regardless of weather conditions. Indoor batting cages will provide our athletes with year-round training opportunities and a chance to develop the confidence and discipline necessary for success both on and off the field.
Project details: Build a facility for indoor batting cages.
We are looking for volunteers with capital campaign or fundraising experience to join our team. If you are interested, please email Lauren Benjamin at lauren@marasports.net.
If you would like to contribute financially to our Capital Campaign, click here.
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The park has undergone several enhancements recently, significantly improving its aesthetics and functionality:
- Front entrance landscaping
- Pavilion at Field 4 landscaping
- New concrete floor in maintenance shed behind Field 2 to prevent flooding
- Sinkhole behind Field 2 repaired
Despite the wet spring with May's rainfall reaching 7.34 inches—more than double the average of 3.24 inches— the drainage fixes have been effective, preventing significant erosion and ensuring the park remains in excellent condition.
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Our FREE Fall Registration Raffle winner will be drawn on Sunday, June 23.
Thank you to everyone who participated!
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CPR/AED Training and Certification is free for all MARA coaches and commissioners.
If you are not a volunteer but would like to participate and receive your CPR/AED certification, you are welcome to sign up.
As part of MARA's safe play initiative, we ask that one coach from each team is CPR/AED certified.
The following class is being offered:
-Wednesday, June 12, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
If you have questions, email info@marasports.net.
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MARA Spirit Night w/Charlotte Knights | |
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You are invited to join us as the Charlotte Knights host the Gwinnett Stripers.
Friday, June 21 at 7:00pm
Truist Field, 324 South Mint St., Charlotte
HR Section 1, 2, & 3
Ticket $18 each
Fireworks after the game
To purchase tickets, click here.
*Remember if you purchase your tickets with the link above, the Charlotte Knights will give MARA back a portion of each ticket!
We hope to see you at the park and don't forget to wear your MARA gear!
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Jersey Mike's MARA Fundraiser
Saturday, June 15 - Sunday, June 23
3116 Weddington Rd., Matthews
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It's time for our next Jersey Mike's Fundraiser. Coupons are valid beginning Saturday, June 15 through Sunday, June 23.
Each time one of the above coupons are redeemed, Jersey Mike's will give MARA back $3.
Share the coupons with your friends, family, neighbors, teammates and colleagues!
You must have physical coupon to save the money.
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Next Generation Baseball Camps
Click here for more details and to register your player.
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Summer Cheer Camp
Click here for more information and to register.
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Brian Hales Football Camps
Click here for more details and to register your player
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Football Position Specific Camps | |
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QB, Running Back, Wide Receiver, & Tight Ends - $175
Camp Dates: June 24 - June 26, 6:30pm - 8pm
Registration closes on June 22
Offensive & Defensive Line - $100
Camp Dates: July 8 - July 10, 6:30pm - 8pm
Registration closes on July 6
Linebacker, Cornerback & Safety - $115
Camp Dates: July 15 - July 17, 6:30pm - 8pm
Registration closes on July 14
Tackling - $125
Camp Dates: July 22 - July 24, , 6:30pm - 8pm
Registration closes on July 20
Speed & Conditioning - $175
Camp Dates: July 29 - July 31, 6:30pm - 8pm
Registration closes on July 27
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(L-R) Monique Brooks, Program Coordinator, Rich Johnston, Head Coach, and Dana Botiglione, Assistant Coach | |
It was a crazy season for Bambino Buddy Ball this spring. We dealt with weather delays, the usual obstacles of holidays during the season, the coach needing brain surgery, and did I mention the weather?
But through it all, our little program has thrived. I told the volunteers at our post-season pizza party at the park that they were the best group of buddies since I took over the program. And that wasn't just something to be said. It was, and remains, the truth.
I was asked in the parking lot on the way in how I feel about the end of a season. It's good and right that a season ends, because the season has to end. But the more I do this, the more I find myself getting wistful when we get to the end. This may or may not have something to do with me getting older. I'll let you know after I do some digging.
I'm a little tired, for sure, but at the end of the day, and the end of the season, I think what I said this time last year still applies...
The field is empty, but my heart is full.
-Rick Johnston Head Coach, Bambino Buddy-Ball
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Thank you to our gracious sponsors Domino's and The Local Scoop for providing the pizza and the ice pops for party! | |
Bambino Buddy-Ball is proudly sponsored by: | |
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MARA All-Star votes have been tallied and rosters have been completed.
Here are your 2024 MARA All-Stars:
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Challenge Baseball Highlights
(These are just a few of the challenge tournament winners. To see them all, check out our April highlights on Instagram @mara_sports).
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Congratulations to our 10U MARA Mavericks for bringing home the tournament win on Sunday, May 19. | |
Congratulations to our MARA Rattlers for placing runner up in the Top Gun Summer Championship tournament this past weekend! | | |
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Jack Johnson, Homerun Bling | |
On Sunday, May 26, our MARA Blaze won the 7U HQ4 Tournament of Champions tournament! Congratulations!
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Travel Baseball Highlights | |
On Sunday, May 5, the MARA Cobras came in first place in the USSSA Under Armor Championship Series! Congratulations! | |
On May 19, the MARA Lightning came out on top as the PG Youth Coastal Super Regional champs! | |
Congratulation to our MVPS!
(L-R) MVP Pitcher Silas Mokris, MVP Christopher Glancy | |
If you would like your recreation, challenge, or travel baseball team's achievements featured in our monthly newsletter or on social media, please email dana@marasports.net with your team and tournament details. | |
**If you are posting pictures of your players on Instagram, please tag us (@mara_sports) so we can share them on our stories and in our highlights! | |
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We just ended another successful season of Spring Football Cheer.
A big THANK YOU to all of our athletes, parents, coaches, and volunteers who make this program a success!
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Registration for fall cheer opened on Sunday, June 2.
Early bird pricing will be available through June 8.
Register today!
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Make sure to follow MARA Cheer on social media. | |
Click here to register your player!
| CONGRATULATIONS to our 7v7 teams who dominated at the Spring League Tournament in Matthews on Sunday May 5. | |
10U 7v7 Spring League Tournament Champs | |
11U 7v7 Spring League Tournament Champs | |
12U 7v7 Spring League Tournament Champs | |
On May 19, our 10U 7v7 team won the Queen City Showdown tournament! Congratulations! | On Sunday, May 26, our 10U 7v7 team were crowned National Champs! CONGRATULATIONS! | |
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We are excited to announce that MARA Colts Football has partnered with S/P Orthodontics for our upcoming summer and fall flag, 7v7, and tackle football programs. As a part of this partnership, S/P Orthodontics will be providing all of our players with the option to have custom mouth guards created. This means that your player can have a mouth guard that is specifically designed for them. The first custom mouth guard will cost just $15 and each additional guard will be $20.
If you are interested in having a custom mouth guard professionally created just for your player, you can opt in while registering your football player for their upcoming season. Even if you have already registered and have changed your mind, don't worry! We still have time to create your custom guard.
We understand the importance of protecting your player's teeth and want to provide you with the best possible option. By partnering with S/P Orthodontics, we are able to offer a professional and affordable option for custom mouth guards. For more information, please call Dana Bouque at (704) 491-6857 or email at dana@marasports.net.
Stay tuned for more details on this exciting partnership!
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CONGRATULATIONS to our 10U MARA Missfits! After 13 hours at the field, they came home as the Top Gun Tournament Champs! | |
- USA Softball will be hosting EliteLevel 16U tournaments at MARA this summer. More details to come!
- MARA will be hosting the inaugural CharMeck All-Stars Tournament on Sunday, June 16 for 13U and 18U. Tournament begins at 1pm!
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Make sure to follow MARA Softball on Instagram. | |
Interested in MARA Sponsorships? | |
Do you have a local business in the Matthews area and would like to advertise with MARA? Interested in sponsoring your player's team or would you like to see your business' logo across the park?
MARA offers lots of opportunities to not only support your player but to promote your business.
To learn more about partnering with MARA, please contact
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Follow MARA on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. | |
Please welcome our newest sponsors to the MARA family! | |
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Fairfield by Marriott - Charlotte Matthews | marriott.com/cltfm
8540 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte | (980) 245-9200
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Barringer Construction is a Carolinas-based general contractor committed to delivering an exceptional experience for our customers. We take a client-centered approach that allows us to build lasting relationships grounded in trust, honesty and shared goals. The experience we provide and the quality of our team is what sets us apart. With projects spanning across the hospitality, industrial, commercial, corporate interiors, mission critical, healthcare, institutional and life sciences market sectors, we strive to build far more than just a high-quality space; we are dedicated to providing an experience rooted in excellence, professionalism and doing what is best for our clients and their projects. | |
BeLocal is a unique and comprehensive new movers guide that helps new residents learn how to live like a local by sharing some of the best places to eat, shop and explore. We also provide word-of-mouth recommendations and introductions to some of the most reputable local businesses via print, digital and social media. | |
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Smooth Summer Savings:
From August 5 - 23, we will be offering 10% off all of our medical-grade skincare products. From moisturizers to quality sunscreen to exfoliators and more, see how smooth your skin can be.
Click here to learn more about our products.
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If you are new to MARA or have a player moving to a new division, keep our complex map handy! If you have questions about a field location, check with concessions or email MARA at info@marasports.net. | | | | |
