Troy Strickland Memorial Softball Tournament

Starting at the little league level, families who actively participate in girls fastpitch softball are in a word… passionate about the sport.

Once their daughters move up to travel ball, families invest the majority of their weekends in all-day tournaments. As soon as one tournament ends, they get excited about the next one.

Friends often play against friends on opposing teams, and parents share stories with familiar faces between games.

Because above all else… girls fastpitch softball is about community.

And when tragedy strikes, the community responds.

Troy Strickland’s Heroic Last Act

On Wednesday, July 25th, 2018, Halifax Heat 14U softball coach Troy Strickland, of Scottsburg, Virginia, drowned on the North Carolina Crystal Coast while saving a 12-year old girl in distress.

Troy Strickland along with his wife Jessica and two children were on vacation at Emerald Isle.

Efforts to revive Strickland, 41, from the ocean were unsuccessful. Troy graduated from Radford University in 1999 and was a big fan of the Duke Blue Devils.

(News and commercial video source: Virginia First / WFXR Roanoke)

Troy’s sister Jessica Tomlin shared this public post on her Facebook feed:

Yesterday the Lord called my brother home to be with him. My brother Troy gave his life to save a girl at Emerald Isle beach in NC! I am beyond words truly believe my brother is a hero to that girl.

As it says great is no man than to lay down his life for his friend, a stranger or anyone. And my brother Troy did just that. My brother would help anyone who needed it. It did not matter who what or anything about the person or persons.

Please pray for his wife Jessica Strickland and his kids. Also please pray for my mom and I as we all go through these seconds moments and hours of the days ahead.

Thanks everyone in advance from our families. We will lean on our savior the Lord Jesus Christ for his our rock and fortress during times of trouble.

I love you the best there was and the best there ever will be.

Halifax Softball Community Responds

On Thursday, July 26th, the Halifax County softball community rallied together on just two-hour notice to honor coach Strickland.

Here are some images from that event (via Joe Chandler / The Gazette-Virginian):

The approximately 150 people that attended Thursday night’s memorial tribute for the late Troy Strickland at the Turbeville ballfield gather in a circle for a closing prayer.

Ashlyn Strickland (right), daughter of the late Troy Strickland, speaks to the approximately 150 people that gathered at the Turbeville ballfield Thursday night for a memorial tribute to her father.

Tearful members of the Halifax Heat travel softball team listen to remarks made by one of the speakers during Thursday night’s memorial tribute to the late Troy Strickland held at the Turbeville ballfield. Strickland was the 14U team manager.

GoFundMe Hero Page

A GoFundMe page was also started in honor of Coach Strickland. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated – as all funds will go directly to the family to help with immediate costs associated with Troy’s untimely passing. Any excess funds will go to children’s education and community organizations.

Visit GoFundMe Page – Troy Strickland Hero Fund

Virginia Softball Community Responds

On Saturday, August 25, 2018, softball teams from across Virginia will conduct a tournament fundraiser near Richmond, Virginia for the Strickland family.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to the family.

Softball Tournament Fundraiser – Details

Game Times: Tournament Bracket
Format: 3 Game Round Robin / Non-Sanctioned Event / Game Balls Provided
Team Participation Cost: $150
Umpires: Teams will pay umpires $30 each at the plate of each game
Location: Warbro Complex (Google Map: 3204 Warbro Rd, Midlothian, VA 23112)
Contact: Brandon King (804-922-0474)

Softball Tournament Fundraiser – Participating Teams

10U

Chestin Storm
Lake Country Crushers
Halifax Heat 08 Conner
Halifax Heat 07 Martin
Thunderstruck
VA Impact

12U

Chesdin Storm
Virginia Breeze
VA Scrappers
Lake Country Crushers
Halifax Heat
Heartbreaker 12U

14U

Hit Doctor
VA Impact
Lake Country Crushers
Halifax Heat
Virginia Extreme Force
Thunderstruck

How You Can Help the Troy Strickland Family

If you share a passion for girls fastpitch softball, you are part of a community much greater than Halifax County or even the entire Commonwealth of Virginia.

The 2018 Troy Strickland Memorial Softball Tournament will come and go on Saturday, August 25th near Richmond, Virginia.

But the family need and pain will remain.

If you feel called, please consider a donation of any amount via the family’s GoFundMe page.

Thank you,

Brent