Painting of Newman Park
by local artist, Marshall Stokes
Rowan County will be hosting the N.C. American Legion State Baseball tournament at Catawba College's Newman Park Friday, July 24, through Tuesday, July 28. The Rowan County host team is coached by Catawba's own Head Baseball Coach Jim Gantt '89, who recently led his Catawba Indians team to runner-up status in the NCAA Division II National Championship.
The eight top teams in American Legion baseball throughout the state of North Carolina will be participating in this tournament with play beginning in a 9 a.m. game on Friday, July 24. Multiple games are scheduled each day. The winner will advance to the Southeast Regional tournament (hosted by Asheboro) for possible advancement to the American Legion Championship in Shelby in late August.
Salisbury artist Marshall Stokes created the original oil painting of Catawba College's Newman Park and has signed and numbered all 1,000 prints made from the original. These limited edition prints are being sold for $100 each as part of a collaborative fundraising effort between the American Legion and Catawba College to rebuild Newman Park. Newman Park was established on Catawba's campus in 1926 and its grandstands were erected in 1934. It remains the longtime home of Catawba Baseball and American Legion Baseball. To obtain one of Marshall Stokes' signed and numbered prints of Newman Park, contact the Catawba College Development Office at 704-637-4394.
