Vidalia — The Miss-Lou’s love for Addison Curtis was out of the park Saturday as residents gathered for a benefit baseball tournament.

Shaun McDonald, head coach of Vidalia Junior High and Advanced Sports baseball team, decided to turn a preseason baseball tournament into a benefit for Addison Curtis, who was shot with an arrow two weeks ago.

The Addison Curtis benefit tournament featured six teams, Vidalia Junior High, Advanced Sports Braves, Tioga Junior High, Delta Charter, Adams County Christian School and Monterey Junior High.

The benefit also featured face painting, temporary tattoos, T-shirt orders and raffle tickets to win several prizes.

McDonald said it was a great day to play ball.

“We’re glad the weather held off, and we fought the field to get it ready the past couple of days,” McDonald said. “I’m happy we had a good turn out and raise some money for him.”

Players and supporters got a chance to sign their name on the “Our love for Addison is out of the park” banner to Addison support from the hospital.

The day began when Addison’s older brother, Carson, threw the first pitch.

Carson, a member of the Delta Charter baseball team, said he was happy to start the tournament off.

“It was an honor to throw the first pitch,” he said.

Addison is also a member of the Delta Charter baseball team, and Delta Charter assistant coach Don Branton said the team has dedicated their season to Addison, starting with their first game against Vidalia in the tournament.

“We’re going to have Addison’s team jersey in the dugout with us at every game,” Branton said. “We’re going to hang it on the fence and every player is going to touch it before they go out on the field or up to bat, so he’s going to be with us every game.”

Branton said the decision to hang Addison’s jersey and wear matching wristbands with Addison’s number, 24, on it was easy.

“He’s one of our teammates and brother,” Branton said. “Every time we go out on the field, we always do a little chant, We are brothers. We have to get together and rally around one of our brothers.”

McDonald said they were able to raise $2,630 for Addison Saturday.

“It was just the start of what we’re trying to do,” McDonald said. “We have more fundraisers planned.”