The Kid Plays for Good: Baltimore’s Jimmy Magee Rallies for Parkinson’s Research
12-year-old Baltimore student Jimmy Magee is on a mission. The Boys’ Latin School team player has teamed up with the charity Kids Play for Good to host a round-robin doubles tournament on Father’s Day in Baltimore to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease research.
Magee, who is the son of Boys’ Latin head tennis coach and Tennis East Coast contributor James Magee, is already an accomplished player in his own right, enjoying statewide success at the Boy’s 12s level.
Tennis East Coast asked Kids Play For Good Founder Lynn Morrell for a few thoughts on the organization and on Jimmy Magee as an Ambassador for KPFG in his Rally For Parkinson’s.
Rather than describe her organization, she spoke only of Jimmy and Parkinson’s. It quickly became clear that Morrell has a compassionate vision, and that without her infectious enthusiasm and her organizational genius, none of this would have been possible. Morrell’s tremendous efforts in mentoring young people make the world a better place, one Ambassador at a time.
“It warms our hearts to know that Jimmy is using the sport he knows and loves to honor his Uncle and to raise money for others who are struggling with Parkinson’s Disease. To do it on Fathers Day by teaming up with family, friends and new-found friends makes it extra special”, Morrell said.
“Jimmy is already proving to be an outstanding Ambassador for Kids Play For Good. He’s left no stone unturned getting the word out about the Rally and garnering support in whatever form it may take. To think that he’s designed and distributed a flier and contacted everyone under the sun including local media, organizations, tennis pros, and retail store owners is incredible. You name it: he’s tried it in one short week! Surprising and impressive for a kid who seems shy at heart. Clearly his shyness plays second fiddle to his earnest desire to make a difference.”
“I hope people will watch Jimmy’s video clip. It’s not your rah-rah typical video. Instead, this 12-year-old boy has a quiet poise and engaging empathy that’s truly remarkable to witness first-hand. What he says and what he doesn’t say about Parkinson’s and his Uncle Bryant’s struggle with Parkinson’s will move you to tears.”
Register for the event here. If you can’t make it, consider making a donation instead.
USTA’s Battle Against Obesity Play Day Big Hit in Baltimore
The rain cleared just in time to hold the USTA Mid Atlantic’s “Battle Against Obesity” Family Tennis Day outdoors in Baltimore’s Patterson Park last Sunday. About a hundred local kids, including tennis clubs from city public schools, enjoyed the three-hour long festival.
The program featured instruction from some former USPTA professionals, and children of different age groups were sent to separate courts for the activities. The lessons for the very young involved children catching tennis balls in buckets and learning how to balance a ball on a racquet. Older children enjoyed target practice and advanced instruction.
The only long lines at the event were for the face-painting booth. Even USTA Maryland Executive Director Lynn Coddington got into the act–as Hello Kitty. In addition to the free healthy food options available that day, there were nutritional information advisors on hand to answer questions about food choices for children.
Washington Kastles Mascot Slice
The highlight of the day was a visit from the Washington Kastles mascot. Slice posed for lots of photos with the kids, even allowing himself to occasionally be used as target practice for the eager fans.
Anything you hit, you get. Slice not Included.
The entire event was free and the USTA has staged these family days throughout the nation over the spring. On Sunday, most of the kids in attendance walked off with free tennis racquets and other sporting gear. Participants had to hit a prize with a tennis ball to win in the ‘Hit It and Get It Zone’. A sporting goods company even donated STX Lacrosse sticks. How very Maryland.
Tennis is a tough sell in Baltimore. But on this one Sunday in May, Patterson Park could have stood in for Atlanta or Charleston as kids got very, very excited. About tennis. Tennis East Coast also learned this weekend that kids tennis clinics will return to East Baltimore’s Patterson Park this summer for the first time in several years.
Battle Against Obesity in Baltimore: USTA Family Tennis Day May 6
You have no excuses. No Racquet Required!
City at the Patterson Park tennis courts. Partner organizations include the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, the Friends of Patterson Park, the Baltimore Tennis Club, Baltimore Curriculum Project, and Baltimore’s Safe & Sound Campaign, The festival will feature tennis drills and games for all ages and ability levels, nutrition tips, healthy snacks, and free gifts and prizes.Linwood and Eastern Avenues, Baltimore, MD 21231
For more information, contact Lynn Gertzog (gertzog@mas.usta.com)
Drip, Drip, Drip: More Details Leak on Citi’s Acquisition of Legg Mason #DC
Woodward, Berenstain and the Leaks
I’m no Woodward, nor am I a Bernstein. I’m more like a Berenstain Bear, and these leaks from Washington are hitting me right in the head. The latest confirmation of the Legg Mason Tennis Classics metamorphosis comes not from a journalist, but from the ball person coordinator for the tournament.
In an email sent to Legg Mason tournament volunteers in the wee hours of this morning, the Ball Person Chair noted that “the site will be rearranged with Grandstand being where the north practice courts have been for years and will be constructed to fit a larger capacity than the old Grandstand court. In conjunction with this change, they will be paving over a row of the clay courts, making them hard courts, which may be where they put the practice courts. However, we won’t get the official word on the site change until it gets closer to tournament time.”
The email also promises “many new surprises that are unfolding as we get closer to the tournament.”
RIP LMTC 1993-2011
I, for one, can’t take any more surprises. As a Marylander and a tennis fan, this has been a rough week. The State lost the CitiOpen WTA event, lost the naming rights of a Baltimore-based corporation with an 18-year history at the DC ATP event, lost a pro training facility in Howard County, and lost a full week of tennis for fans. As one who covered both of last years pro tennis events in the DC area, it was exhausting. Now, local bloggers will get to spend an extra week poolside this summer. But it’s not about the bloggers, is it? It’s about the fans. The more I think about it, it is lost tennis opportunity. It would be better for fans to have two weeks worth of Orders of Play to catch more matches. It’s TOO MUCH VACATION!
If the event thrives, it will all be worth it. I think.
Just in case all the news fit to print hasn’t already leaked out, you can expect live tweets from @TennisEastCoast this afternoon beginning at 12:30 p.m. from the W Hotel in Washington. Also, @KelynSoong will be tweeting for Tennis Grandstand. I’m excited to see what the W folks have done to the old Hotel Washington, where my grandfather worked as a busboy on the rooftop restaurant in the 1940s. With all these leaks, though, you’d think the Watergate would have been better-suited for the event.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, the US Open Member pre-sale starts in 45 minutes.
–S. Fogleman
Maryland Marches into Tennis with USTA Play Day
Forty West Racquet Club Play Day is March 31
USTA Supports Nationwide March Promotion to get Kids Playing Tennis With Youth Tennis Events in Baltimore
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is conducting a month-long drive, March Into Tennis, to get more kids playing the sport. Throughout the month, a record 1,200 USTA youth tennis events will take place across the country.
A variety of organizers including clubs, after-school programs, parks and recreation, Community Tennis Associations and others will host Youth Registration Events, Play Days and launching Kids’ Tennis Clubs as part of the USTA’s youth tennis efforts.
Parents and children can find more information about all the March Into Tennis promotions by visiting www.marchintotennis.com. The following are youth tennis events taking place in the Baltimore area:
Youth Registration Events
Youth Registration Events will allow parents to sign-up their children for spring and summer tennis programs at local tennis facilities and youth serving organizations.
Date: March 11 from 10 AM – 12 PM
Host: Howard County Recreation & Parks Tennis Event
Where: 5001 Meadowbrook Lane, Ellicott City, MD
Play Days
Play Days will provide kids of all skill levels the opportunity to experience the fun of competition in a social and fun setting. These events will take place in short, continuous matches over a two-to-three hour period.
Date: March 31 from 2:30 PM – 4 PM
Where: Forty West Racquet Club, 6421 Baltimore National Pike, Baltimore, MD
MEDIA CONTACT:
Steve Pratt/Dana Gordon, Brener Zwikel and Associates
(310) 408-4555/(856) 397-2917 or SteveP@bzapr.com/danag@bzapr.com
Trina Singian, Communications Coordinator, USTA
(914) 697-2223 or singian@usta.com
