Experience Columbia SC Sports and Richland County Recreation Commission partner with Atlanta Braves in Growing the Game Initiative
April 15, 2021
Atlanta Braves alumni are coming to Columbia April 16 – 18 to support the Growing the Game initiative, which aims to pass along the love of baseball to a new generation of athletes. In partnership with Experience Columbia SC Sports and Richland County Recreation Commission, the Atlanta Braves are hosting a Braves Country Battle tournament for about 100 teams, ages 6 – 18, over three days at Kelly Mill Sports Complex. The teams are competing for a chance to play in the Braves Country Championship, hosted in the Greater Atlanta Area July 9 – 11.
“We are so excited to partner with the Atlanta Braves and RCRC to host a Braves Country Battle right here in Columbia, SC,” said Scott Powers, ECSC Sports Executive Director. “Our close proximity to Atlanta has made our area a part of Braves Country since the days of Hank Aaron and that passion for the Braves has only grown stronger with their continued success over the past 55 years. Many children in our community have grown up cheering on the Braves and to be able to bring events like this to the Columbia region this weekend is part of why I love my job so much.”
“We have developed Braves Country Battles to provide youth baseball teams across the Southeast with a fun, competitive and unforgettable tournament experience,” said Derek Schiller, Atlanta Braves President & CEO. “We look forward to our partnership with ECSC Sports and RCRC as part of our ongoing efforts to grow youth baseball in Columbia and beyond.”
“Richland County Recreation Commission is excited to partner with the Atlanta Braves and welcome their Braves Country Battle to Columbia,” said RCRC Recreation Superintendent Matt Christman. “It’s an incredible opportunity to host a youth baseball tournament offered by such an esteemed organization as the Atlanta Braves. We look forward to this partnership for many years to come!”
Braves Country Battles Columbia will feature a Friday night ceremony with a skills competition and a meet and greet with Atlanta Braves alumni like Brian Jordan. The Braves Country Battles are powered by 17 tournaments. To learn more about Growing the Game, please visit https://www.mlb.com/braves/community/youth-baseball.
About Experience Columbia SC Sports
The mission of Experience Columbia SC Sports is to strengthen the area’s economy by marketing and selling the region as a premier destination for sporting events and by recruiting new events that provide an economic benefit to the region by generating room nights, food and beverage sales and associated tax revenues. For more information, please visit www.columbiascsports.com.
About Richland County Recreation Commission
Richland County Recreation Commission is dedicated to enriching lives and connecting communities through diverse recreational opportunities in order to better promote health and improve the quality of life in Richland County. Richland County Recreation Commission is the first agency in South Carolina to be nationally accredited. For more information, please visit www.richlandcountyrecreation.com.
About Atlanta Braves
Based in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves are the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. Since 1991, Braves teams have earned two National League wild cards, 18 division championships, five National League pennants and a World Series title. Atlanta Braves games are telecast on Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast. Radio broadcasts can be heard in Atlanta on 680 The Fan (AM), Rock 100.5 (FM) and regionally on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network. Follow the Braves at braves.com, facebook.com/braves and twitter.com/braves.
