The Aaron Pointer Classic Charitable Tournament is an extraordinary opportunity for the community, especially the baseball community to invest back into them and highlight legacy of Aaron Pointer.
About Aaron Pointer
Aaron Pointer, who has lived in Tacoma since 1968, is the last professional baseball player to hit .400 in affiliated, professional baseball with a single team. Something no major league batter has been able to do since WWII!
In 1961, Aaron Pointer signed a contract with the National League expansion franchise, the Houston Colt .45s. He was sent from spring training that year to the Salisbury Braves in North Carolina. It was during that season that he achieved this record that has yet to be beaten. The record alone is worthy of celebration but when you consider the circumstances he was in when he achieved that success, it makes it even more profound. Aaron endured overt, extreme racism during that season including being shot at with BB Guns while playing in the outfield, being banished to the team bus during meals at “whites-only” restaurants and so much more.
Beyond Baseball
Beyond baseball, Aaron Pointer has generously engaged in a long career of community service and development for many years in the PNW and accomplished many other noteworthy things:
Brother of the Pointer sisters, first black football referee in the Pac-10, NFL official for over 15 years, served for 29 years as employee of Pierce County Parks and Recreation, currently serves on the Metropolitan Parks of Tacoma Board of Commissioners, serves on the Executive Board of the Tacoma Athletic Commission, he was inducted into the Tacoma Hall of Fame in June of 2008, and he is an incredible husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
Scholarships
Proceeds from this tournament will be invested back into the community and into our youth athletes. Top Tier will be allocating funds to sports based youth development and community based organizations serving youth. Additional proceeds will be allocated to equipment and player fee grants.
Awards will be named after Aaron Pointer and recipients will be identified for embodying Aaron Pointer’s three core principles:
1. Consistently demonatrates positive sportsmanship
2. Engages in Community service or regularly helps others
3. Gives above and beyond effort athletically