CHRONICLE COUNTRY CHARITY SPORTING EVENTS

Returning to Lexington always brings back fond memories for Nick Ciuffo.

“The community here is awesome,” the Tampa Bay Rays’ catcher said. “They brought me in and I felt like I was part of the family from Day One. I won a state championship down in Columbia (the Wildcats defeated Blythewood to win the 2013 Class 4A title). It’s always fun to come back.

“My mom still lives here. My sister spends a lot of time here. So I always love coming back here and spending as much time here in the off-season.”

On Satuirday, Ciuffo and close to 15 former and current Major League Baseball and minor league players were at Lexington County Baseball Stadium for fun and a cause. It was the fifth annual S.C. Youth Diabetes Association’s Celebrity Softball Game.

The participants signed autographs, took part in Home Run Derby and played in an All-Star softball contest.

Scott’s team defeated Palmer Hudson’s team 14-10. Joining Ciuffo in attendance were former Gamecock Adam Westmoreland, former Clemson and Bamberg-Ehrhardt football player Ricky Sapp and Home Run Derby winner Ryan Stack. With assistance from the Lexington County Blowfish, the organization held its charity contest in Lexington for the first time.

Organized by Matthew Scott, the event raised funds to support SCYDA’s mission of helping children with diabetes in the Palmetto State through the development of camping opportunities.

There was also a silent auction on the concourse. Among the items available for big were baseballs signed by Goose Gossage, former Atlanta Brave Andruw Jones, current Boston Red Sox Brandon Phillips, and the King of NASCAR Richard Petty and a football signed by Heisman winner, and current Carolina Panthers quarterback, Cam Newton.

Proceeds from Saturday’s game helped SCYDA send children ages 6-17 with Type 1 Diabetes to “Camp Sweet Escape”, a 3-day, 4-night residential camp for children ages 6 through 17.

Camp dates and applications are available at www.campsweetescape.com. For more information about SCYDA, visit www.scyda.com or send an email to scyda4life@gmail.com .