Hamilton Hosts State High School Baseball and Tennis Tournaments in June

Upgrades in Hamilton’s Veterans Park are beginning to pay dividends as two high school state tournaments are set to begin in June.

From June 2^nd through 4^th, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state high school boys tennis tournament will take place in Veterans Park.

While on June 9^th and 10^th, Bob DeMeo Memorial Field in Veterans Park will host the NJSIAA state high school baseball tournament.

“Investing in our parks and facilities is an investment in our local economy; and we are confident that our local hotels, restaurants, retail and growing number of family-friendly, recreational establishments will reap benefits from the many visitors that these tournaments will bring,” says Hamilton Township Mayor Kelly Yaede.

During the past several years, Hamilton Township upgraded the majority of its 32-court tennis area in Veterans Park, sections at a time.  In the past, Veterans Park hosted the Burlington County high school tennis tournament, as well as the overall state high school tennis tournament.

Similarly, upgrades to Bob DeMeo Memorial Field in Veterans Park were critical to attracting the state high school baseball tournament to Hamilton.  DeMeo, a Hamiltonian and Steinert High School baseball alum, was a prospect in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league organization who later became the Phillies triple-A affiliate manager. Tragically, DeMeo was killed by a drunk-driver in the early 1980’s, when the baseball field in Veterans Park was named in his memory.  Following upgrades that included reseeding the grass field, installing new bleachers, fencing and a scoreboard, the field was rededicated by Mayor Yaede and Township officials last year.

Beyond the tennis court and DeMeo baseball field upgrades, Hamilton Township also renovated Cowell Soccer Field over the past two years. As part of the upgrades, the Township completely reseeded the grass to improve the playing surface, brought in portable soccer goals and surrounding field wind screens, installed new player benches, an official scorekeeper’s area, a new field score board, a sound system and new elevated bleachers that can accommodate larger game crowds with new accessible seating.  In addition to soccer games, Cowell Field also hosts field hockey and lacrosse games.

The late Albert L. Cowell was a World War II veteran, who greatly contributed to area youth athletics, specifically in soccer.  In April, Hamilton rededicated Cowell field before a spring collegiate soccer scrimmage between Rider and Rutgers universities.

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In the attached photograph, members of Hamilton’s three public high school baseball teams, the Hamilton Township Patriotic Committee and Babe Ruth League International Baseball joined Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede to kick off the town’s Patriotic Games last Armed Forces Day at DeMeo Baseball Field in Veterans Park.  DeMeo Field will host the NJSIAA state high school baseball tournament in June.  Photograph courtesy of Hamilton Township.