With baseball season in full swing, Alecia Glaize, director of the Escambia County Habitat for Humanity, said the idea for a fundraiser to aid the organization was a “homerun.”

“I watch a lot of baseball at my house,” Glaize said. “Both my husband and my son like to watch it on television and I have watched it with them. Last year, it seemed as if the Home Run Derby at the big league stage was something everyone enjoyed. I wondered if it would be possible to work out something that our local players might enjoy.”

With the help of Stephen Dickey, director of the YMCA, and Joey Shell, recreational director of East Brewton, a Homerun Derby is planned at R.T. Johnson Park in East Brewton on Saturday, May 21.

“I checked with Stephen Dickey and Joey Shell and they seemed to think if would be a good idea,” Glaize said. “We have been working on it ever since.”

Bats will be swinging at the East Brewton Park on Williamson Street in East Brewton with a focus on raising money for Habitat projects, Glaize said.

The Homerun Derby will be open for boys and girls, ages 10 to over 40.

With six divisions based on age no one will be at a disadvantage. A $10 donation will buy the batter 10 swings. Baseballs will be provided, but hitters will have to furnish their own pitcher. The winner of each division will get an engraved miniature bat and bragging rights for the year.

Age divisions (age as of April 30, 2011) are as follows: at 9 a.m.-ages 10 and under; 10 a.m.-ages 12 and under; 11 a.m.-ages 15 and under; 12 p.m.-ages 19 and under; 1 p.m.-ages 20-39 and at 2 p.m.-age 40 and more.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and batters must register at least 15 minutes prior to the age division’s competition time.

“The size of the field will be adjusted according to the age groups,” Glaize said. “The younger ones won’t have to hit it as far as the older to make a home run.”

The day will be an opportunity for families to enjoy being a part of helping with Habitat projects, Glaize said.

“The whole family can be a part of this,” Glaize said. “We will have concessions of hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, drinks and home-made goodies.”

Glaize said the public can be involved by participating as spectators at the event.

“We need batters trying to hit home runs, but we also need people to come out and support them,” Glaize said. “There is no charge for watching. We hope this will expose Habitat to some new people.”

For more information, contact the Habitat office at 867-0095 or email habitat@escambiahfh.org.