The Alpena Wildcat baseball team is set to welcome fans this weekend for the annual Friends Together Strikes Out Cancer tournament, a four‑team showcase that blends competition with charity.
Games will open on Friday at 5 p.m. and run through Saturday, drawing players and supporters from across Northeast Michigan who gather not only to play but to raise vital resources for local cancer patients and their families.
For Head Coach Eric MacKenzie, the event carries a deeply personal significance; the tournament was renamed in tribute to his mother, who lost her battle with cancer, turning the diamond into a living memorial.
Honoring a legacy
A moment of silence will be observed for Judy Burns, the founder of Friends Together, whose vision continues to guide the organization’s work with survivors, caregivers and loved ones throughout Northern Michigan.
Fundraising will extend beyond the scoreboard, with basket raffles, designated donation sites and other activities designed to funnel proceeds directly to the nonprofit, helping cover transportation costs for patients traveling to treatment appointments.
Saturday morning will feature a ceremonial first pitch and a special national anthem performance, adding a poignant pageantry to the weekend’s schedule.
Beyond the games, the tournament serves as a rallying point for the community, reinforcing a shared commitment to awareness, support and hope in the fight against cancer.