Pender County Parks and Recreation announced on May 14 that it will host The Freedom Swing, a home run derby event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 7, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Guine Field in Hampstead Kiwanis Park.
The event aims to bring together families and residents for an afternoon of baseball, games, and prizes while marking the milestone anniversary. Youth and adult divisions will compete in three rounds for prizes including Louisville Sluggers, apple pies, hot dogs, and the title of The Freedom Swing Champion.
“This event is a fun way for families, friends, and neighbors to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary while enjoying friendly competition and community spirit,” said a Pender County Parks and Recreation representative. “The Freedom Swing goes beyond the traditional home run derby by offering exciting contests and prize opportunities for everyone, not just the biggest hitters.”
Participants are required to bring their own bats. Admission is free for spectators; entry fees are $5 for youth participants and $10 for adults. Registration details as well as rules can be found online at https://www.pendercountync.gov/2032/The-Freedom-Swing.
Guine Field is located at Hampstead Kiwanis Park on Sloop Point Loop Road in Hampstead. More information is available through the website or by calling 910-259-1330.
In other news about Pender County students’ academic readiness: Of junior students taking the ACT during the 2022-23 school year in Pender County school districts, approximately 28% were considered ready for college in science, around 39% in reading, and about 26% in math; similar percentages were seen among senior students according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
