Planning for the second annual Colton Osborne Memorial Softball Tournament is currently underway.

According to information provided by the Colton Osborne Scholarship Committee, the organization will host a two-day men’s slow-pitch tournament in memory of the late Osborne, with a two-team women’s game kicking off the Saturday morning events.

Committee member Angela Ward Davis said the tournament will begin April 14 and will start at 9 a.m. However, those interested in playing should sign up now.

“We wanted something that would not just be a one-time thing to keep his memory alive,” Davis said.

She said the tournament would raise funds to provide scholarships to benefit students in Charlotte County and adjoining Mecklenburg County.

“The idea came from my son Dajour and [friend] Joseph, wanting to give back in his memory, so we came up with the idea of a scholarship that would benefit a Randolph-Henry student and a Bluestone student, because Colton was well known in both counties,” Davis said.

Wylliesburg resident Colton Osborne passed away Aug. 27, 2016. According to his obituary, he was a 2016 graduate of Randolph-Henry High School and served as a volunteer firefighter for Chase City and Bacon District.

In addition, he was passionate about baseball.

Last year’s tournament, held at Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC), drew a crowd. At that time, Davis said she was aiming to raise about $500 per scholarship recipient.

“I’m thinking we’re going to raise more than that,” she said during last year’s tournament.

Additionally, Teresa Osborne, Colton’s mother, said during last year’s event, “It means a lot to us. Colton was special. He loved to play any kind of sport.”

Osborne said she was honored to hear that some of the kids wanted to do the ball tournament last year to start a fundraiser in Colton’s memory.

“The tournament was a great success, and we are hoping this year’s will be just as great,” she said.

The event will be held in Chase City at the field of Steven Spurlock.

“If we get enough teams, we will play on Sunday as well,” said Davis. She said trophies would be given to the men’s teams that place first, second and third in the tournament.

Davis said the women’s tournament is open to ages 16-25, and she can be contacted for sign-ups at (434) 470-1294. Any men interested in playing should contact C.J. Reed at (434) 390-1236, or Dontae Eubanks at (434) 298-8551 or Spurlock at (434) 470-1915.