Drew’s Field Dedicated
March 22, 2009
A tragedy that touched a community and turned into a dream became a reality Saturday morning with the dedication of Drew’s Field in Walnut Hill.
Two year old Drew Marlow and his dad Danny Marlow died in a January 2008 accident on Highway 97. Drew’s Field was named is his honor, bringing wee ball to the Northwest Escambia Little League for the first time ever.
“He loved to play ball with his dad,” Jessica Cloud, one of the people instrumental in making the field a reality, said Saturday morning. “He would hit the ball off the palm of Danny’s hand and take off running. Oh how he loved to run!”
The first three attempt at in vitro conception were unsuccessful for Danny and his wife Cyndi. But on the third try, they were successful. The embryo was rated as on a “3″, when typically only those rated as a four or five survive. Drew beat the odds and was born a happy healthy child. For that reason, Danny wanted his little boy to wear jersey number “3″ during his first game.
Saturday morning, Drew’s number 3 jersey was at Bradberry Park, in a glass case on a memorial board surrounded by tiles written by loved ones in his memory. As Drew’s Dream Team prepped to play their first wee ball game on the field, Cyndi Marlow Wendt stood alone behind the field looking quietly at that number 3 jersey in the glass box.
“It is Cyndi’s prayer that that you cherish every moment spent watching your child play on Drew’s Field as it represents her dream of seeing her little boy play ball,” Cloud said at the dedication ceremony.
For a photo gallery form the first-ever wee ball game at Drew’s Field, click here.
To read our story about Drew’s Field from last week, click here.
The Drew’s Field organizers offered their thanks to many local people and organizations for making the field a reality:
- NWE Board of Directors - for agreeing to build Drew’s field
- Ruritan Club – for their donation and support of the project
- Buddy Bartlett – clearing, leveling, and erosion control
- William Wendt, Jason Ging, and Larry Cook – layout of field and laying sod
- Saye Erosion Control and Sod – donating sod
- Richard Beck and Andrews Sod – discount on labor to lay sod
- Solutia – monetary donation
- Poarch Creek Indians – donation of fence
- Century Dept. of Corrections – labor for fence installation
- Bondurant Ace Hardware in Century – discount on materials
- Drew’s PaPaw (Richard Marlow) – spreading topsoil and clay
- Drew’s Pa (Danny Wilson) for help with materials during fencing
- Academy Sports – gift card for equipment
- Bratt Elementary PTA — bleachers
- Ronnie Cloud aka BBQ Man - preparing fund raiser sandwiches and those who purchased
- Everyone who contributed to the yard sale, or donations at the bank
- Volunteers that worked a a yard sale
- NorthEscambia.com for their continued coverage
- Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union for bank account
- Pensacola Pelicans for donating auction items
- All family and friends for their love and support.
- Michelle and Alan Purvis for building shadowbox frame
- Preferred Materials for donating concrete for dugouts
- Archer Western for pouring concrete
- Sandy Brown for hours of volunteer work
- Pam Brown for assistance with labor crews
- and “most of all Jessica Cloud for organizing everything”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Galleries: NWE Opening Day, First Day Games, Wee Ball
March 22, 2009
Saturday was opening day for the Northwest Escambia Little League.
For a complete photo gallery from opening ceremonies, click here.
For a complete photo gallery from opening morning games, click here.
For a photo gallery form the first-ever wee ball game at Drew’s Field, click here.
Pictured top: Opening Day ceremonies for the Northwest Escambia Little League. Pictured middle: Pitcher Mallory Ryan winds up for the Northwest Escambia Sandy Sansing team. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NHS Winning Streak Comes To An End With Loss To Catholic
March 21, 2009
An eight game winning streak came to an end for the Northview Chiefs Friday night with a painful district loss to Catholic High School.
The Crusaders downed Northview 13-3 Friday night in Bratt.
The Chiefs are now 8-3 on the season. They were scheduled to play two on the road in Mobile Saturday, but their afternoon game has been canceled.
Northview will travel to St. Paul’s in Mobile Saturday for a single game starting against St. Paul at 11 a.m.
The Chiefs were originally scheduled to play Washington County, Ala., at 1:30, but that afternoon game has been canceled.
Click here for more photos from Friday night’s game. Submitted photos by Heather Leonard.
Pictured above: Senior Patrick McPherson at bat for the Northview Chiefs Friday night in Bratt. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Of Two Saturday Games For The Chiefs Canceled
March 21, 2009
One of two Northview High baseball games scheduled for Saturday has been canceled.
Northview will travel to St. Paul’s in Mobile Saturday for a single game starting against St. Paul at 11 a.m.
The Chiefs were originally scheduled to play Washington County, Ala., at 1:30, but that afternoon game has been canceled.
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Drew’s Field: Tragedy Turned Into A Dream
March 20, 2009
A tragedy that touched a community and turned into a dream will become a reality Saturday morning when Drew’s Field is dedicated in Walnut Hill.
Two year old Drew Marlow and his dad Danny Marlow died in a January 2008 accident on Highway 97. A short time later, the Northwest Escambia Little League voted to name a new wee ball field at the back of Bradberry Park “Drew’s Field” in honor of Drew’s dream to play ball.
“I am excited about it, but I get sad. It’s bittersweet,” said Drew’s mom, Cyndi Marlow Wendt. “I am so happy that the other kids will get to enjoy it.”
A monument stand’s near Drew’s Field. It’s a little over five feet tall. The top reads “Welcome to Drew’s Field” and the bottom features a quote from Danny. “Always let your Light shine,” it says. That’s what Danny would always tell players after ballgames that he coached.
The middle of the monument features a little boy and man walking hand in hand toward the sunset with baseball caps and a bat. The back of the boy’s jersey says “Drew” and has the number “3″ and the man’s jersey says “Drew’s Dad” and has the number “3″ too.
Drew and Danny spent hours playing with a blue and orange Florida Gators bat. Dreaming of that big opening day they both just knew would come when that little boy with a big number “3” on his jersey stepped to the plate.
Danny had it all planned out, down to the jersey number. Drew was Cyndi and Danny’s “miracle baby”…he was their third attempt at in vitro conception.
“We were just so excited. But then we went to the doctor. They rate the chances of the embryo surviving on a scale of one to five. A four or below has a small chance of surviving.”
“The doctor rated the embryo as a three that was Drew. A three out of five. We knew it was all in God’s hands.”
And God blessed the Marlows with a healthy sandy blond baby boy they named Drew.
“That’s where the jersey number ‘3’ came from. Danny always said ‘could you imagine if he was a five’,” Cyndi said. “He always wanted Drew to wear ‘3’ in his first ball game.”
“We were going to go play t-ball,” Cyndi said. “That’s all Drew talked about.”
Drew will never get to play on the field that bears his name, but “Drew’s Dream Team” will take to the field Saturday morning.
A memorial tile will be placed near the field, with a handwritten message from Cyndi:
“Drew my sweet angel, I would give anything to have one of your big bear hugs right now. I miss you so much. I know your smile makes heaven brighter…you will forever be in my heart.”
Drew’s field will be dedicated during Opening Day ceremonies Saturday morning at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. Ceremonies begin at 9 a.m., with the Drew’s Field dedication expected to begin at about 9:30.
NorthEscambia.com will have complete coverage Sunday morning from Saturday’s Opening Day at Bradberry Park and from the dedication of Drew’s Field.
Pictured top: Drew’s Field at Bradberry Park will be dedicated Saturday morning. Pictured top middle Cyndi Marlow Wendt with the mermorial marker at Drew’s Field. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Diamond Club To Sell NHS Baseball Shirts
March 19, 2009
The Northview Diamond Club will begin selling t-shirts today as a fund raiser.
The gray shirts have “Northview Baseball” on them with a crossed bats emblem. Adult small to X large shirts are $5.40 each for Diamond Club members, and $2 more for XX and XXX large.
The non-member/fund raiser price is $10 for adult small to X large and $12 each for XX and XXX large shirts.
The shirts will be available beginning this afternoon at Northview baseball games.
Northview Makes It Eight In A Row By Beating Central Christian
March 18, 2009
Northview picked up their eighth win of the year on Tuesday versus Central Christian in Loxley, 16-4 in six innings.
Northview scored five in the first, one in the second inning, four in the third, two in the fifth and four in the sixth. Central Christian scored their four runs in the third inning.
Northview collected 14 hits and committed no errors, while Central Christian had six hits, and committed three errors.
The leading hitters for Northview included Dabney Langhorne going 3 for 5 at the plate, scoring three runs, and collecting one RBI. Brad Lowery was 3 for 3 with a double, a run scored, and two RBI’s. Patrick McPherson was 2 for 2 with a run scored. Scooter Hamilton was 2 for 4 with a triple, two runs scored, and an RBI. Brad Foster was 2 for 3 at the plate with a triple, three runs scored, and an RBI. Dakota Stuckey had a single, scored a run, and had one RBI. Austin Reid had a single and scored three runs. Austin Lowery had one single.
On the mound for the chiefs, Alex Abbott worked 2 2/3 innings to pick up the win. He allowed three runs on two hits, walked one, and struck out two to work his record to 1-0. Brett Hanks pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing 1 run on three hits. He struck out three batters. Heath Burkett closed out the win working the final two innings. He allowed no runs on two hits, and struck out three batters.
Northview improves to 8-2 on the season. The chiefs host Pensacola Catholic on Friday. The junior varsity will play at 4:00 p.m., with the varsity game to follow at 6:30.
Lucky 7: Chiefs Work To Keep Winning Streak Alive
March 17, 2009
The Northview High School varsity baseball team has been on a huge winning streak, winning their last seven.
“Our hitting and run production was not very good at the start of the season. Generally, hitting is ahead of the pitching early,” said Northview Head Coach Sid Wheatley. “Recently though, I feel like we’ve been seeing the ball better and having better swings at the plate. It has helped us to produce more runs. We’ve also been aggressive on the bases and have been able to get some bunts down.”
Four Northview players having batting averages of .333 or better — junior Dakota Stuckey, sophomore Dabney Langhorne and senior Scooter Hamilton.
The Chiefs, now 7-2, are only about two-thirds of the way through the season. Seven straight wins is a good thing, but Wheatley realizes his team has more work to do to keep the wins rolling in.
“I’m pleased at what we’ve done so far, but I also realize we have a lot to work on and improve on. The players realize this, as well. We’re not satisfied with what we’ve done so far, we realize there is much more that we need to improve on,” Wheatley said.
Northview batting averages after nine games:
Dakota Stuckey .348
Dabney Langhorne .333
Scooter Hamilton .333
Austin Reid .310
Austin Arrington .286
Pictured above: Sophomore Austin Arrington at bat for the Chiefs. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NHS Varsity Wins Seventh Straight; JV Wins Too
March 14, 2009
The varsity Chiefs picked up their seventh straight win Friday against Walton, and the junior varsity team added another to their win column.
The Northview High School varsity baseball team beat South Walton 7-3. The varsity team is now 7-2 on the year.
Austin Reid pitched six innings for the Chiefs, allowing just one run.
Scooter Hamilton had two hits, one run and one RBIs. Brad Lowery had one hit and two RBIs. Brad Lowery had three hits and two runs. Dakota Stuckey had one hit; Austin Lowery had one hit and two RBIs. Patrick McPherson had one hit for the Chiefs.
Northview scored one run in the first inning. The second inning saw the Chiefs adding four more to the board. NHS scored a couple more in the third, and the Chiefs added one more in the fourth. South Walton’s scores came in the third and seventh innings.
The junior varsity Chiefs shutout South Walton 10-0.
For a photo gallery from both the varsity and junior varsity game, click here.
Pictured above: Sophomore Austin Arrington at bat for the Chiefs. Submitted photos by Heather Leonard for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Want To Be A Northview Cheerleader?
March 14, 2009
If you want to be a Northview High School cheerleader for the 2009-2010 school year, there are some important dates you need to know.
An informational meeting will be held Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria. It is important that all candidates and parents attend this meeting.
A clinic will be held March 21 from 8 a.m. to noon. A practice for all cheerleader candidates will be held March 23 until March 31 from 4:00 until 6:00 each weekday.
Tryouts for the 2009-2010 Northview cheerleading squads will be April 1 at 3:00 p.m.
This is the last year the Northview cheerleaders will be chosen by outside judges. Squads for the 2009-2010 school year will be entirely coach selected.