The annual Paul and Mary Ann Graves Softball Classic will be in Perry this Saturday with 8 teams competing for the championship at Pattee Park.  The host Jayettes will play 3 games beginning at 11:15 against I-35, 2:45 against Prairie Valley, and a 6:15 match-up with Guthrie Center.  The complete schedule is as follows

9:30  IKM Manning vs Woodward Granger and Saydel vs Van Meter

11:15  Perry vs I-35 and Prairie Valley vs Guthrie Center

1:00 IKM Manning vs Van Meter and Saydel vs Woodward Granger

2:45 Perry vs Prairie Valley and Guthrie Center vs I-35

4:30 Saydel vs Prairie Valley and IKM Manning vs I 35

6:15 Perry vs Guthrie Center and Woodward Granger vs Van Meter

The annual tournament is named after Paul and Mary Ann Graves.   A youth softball tournament honors Paul for his efforts in hosting international, state and local contests.  The Pattee Park softball field was built through the dedicated efforts of Paul.  Everything from the field surface, lights, scoreboards, dugouts, batting cages and press box involved Paul’s hard work.  In the spring of 2004, the City of Perry, the Perry Community School District and the Perry Youth Softball program joined together in  a resolution declaring the field the Paul Graves Softball Diamond in his honor.

Paul served on ASA softball boards at all levels.  He also approved leadership to the Iowa Games and the Iowa Special Olympics.  Mary Ann could always be found assisting.  In the spring of 2009, the Perry Community School District Board of Education passed a resolution declaring that the Perry High School Softball Tournament be named the Paul and Mary Ann Graves Softball Classic.

Shawn Kenney will have the play by play of the 2:45 and 6:15 games on Local Radio AM 1310 KDLS.