This year we will host the 10th Annual Nolan Keane Baseball Classic on June 14th, 15th and 16th, 2024 The 14u division will play on a full size field with a 60 foot mound and 90 foot bases. We will still have all previous divisions again that include: 8u coach pitch, 9u, 10u, 11u, 12u, 13u, and high school division. The high school division consists of 15u-18u, Legion and high school prep teams. The cost for 8u is $200.00. 9u-13u is $430.00. 16U/High school/Legion division is $475.00. There is a 3 game guarantee with trophies awarded for 1st place, 2nd place, and consolation winners. As always, each player will receive a free weekend pass to the waterpark located at Northeast.
In 2014, we held the 1st Annual Nolan Keane Baseball Classic and had 9 teams participate on two diamonds at Northeast Park. We have grown every year and now have over 70 teams in 8 different divisions on 11 diamonds at Northeast Park and Windmont Park in Kewanee, Illinois, Neponset Field in Neponset, Illinois, and Howes Park in Annawan, Illinois. We started this tournament and the memorial fund to honor the memory of Nolan S. Keane. Nolan was an exceptional baseball player that was born and raised in Kewanee. His hard work and dedication to the sport resulted in him being a standout NCAA Division I baseball player at Missouri State University. After completing his college career, Nolan seemed destined to play professional baseball. Tragically, Nolan was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma multiforme in 2008. He fought for several years before finally succumbing to his battle with cancer on April 4, 2013.
The largest portion of the money we raise each year for the Nolan Keane Memorial Fund comes from our tournament entry fees and shirt sales. 100% of the proceeds from the tournament goes to the memorial fund. We use this fund to help area children and their families battling cancer, experiencing medical issues, or suffering other hardships. There is no better feeling than being able to bring a smile to a child’s face that is going through a hard time. We have raised over $25,000.00 in the past and hope to keep increasing that number. For more information and to see what we have done in the past, please visit our Nolan Keane Baseball Classic Facebook page.
