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A resolution recognizing the Parkwood 8U All-Stars for finishing in third place in the Diamond Youth Baseball World Series.
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WHEREAS, Parkwood Men's Club fielded its first team in 1966 on land previously owned by Fisk University. Parkwood joined the Dixie Youth Baseball League in 1968, with three leagues, the first in Nashville. At that time, the Dixie Youth Baseball League had teams across nine states with 54 leagues franchised in Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, in 1973, legendary Coach Jerry Hale took the first Dixie Youth integrated baseball team to the Dixie Youth World Series, winning three titles in 1978, 1979, and 1982; and
WHEREAS, in 1984, the community came together to raise enough money to purchase the Parkwood ballfields, creating Parkwood Community Club, Inc. to own and manage the ballfields, making the ballpark the only known minority owned sports facility in Tennessee and only one of five in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Parkwood had three teams to qualify for the state tournament, the eight-and-under, 10-and-under, and the 12-and-under. The eight-and-under team was victorious at the state Tournament and went on to represent Tennessee in the eight-and-under coach pitch division of the Diamond Youth Baseball World Series; and
WHEREAS, the team consisting of Jace Gaines #24, Rudy Lawrence #10, Ameer Walker #2, Darick Slaughter Jr #8, Michael King Jr #25, J'Khari Whitehorn #5, Kendrick Walker Jr #3, Kodi Ross #0, Clark Batey III #23, Omega Martin #21, Bentley Johnson #4, and Jaxon Gaines #1 traveled to Dunn, North Carolina to play in the tournament on July 25-28, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the team finished in third place with a 5-2 record, defeating teams from Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Mississippi during the Diamond Youth Baseball World Series; and
WHEREAS, the team's success is a testimony to its coaching staff comprised of Head Coach Centonyeo Martin, Edward Jakaway, Clark Batey II, and Michael King Sr and the families, including Team ...
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