Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament shares thanks for some unsung heroes

Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament
shares thanks for some unsung heroes 

While we’re still getting a whole lot of photos and videos together, we wanted to shout out a few Unsung Heroes from yesterday’s Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament. Without contributions from each of these groups, we wouldn’t have gotten off the ground.

Thank You (TY) to Franklin Recreation Department and Ryan Jette for not only opening their “doors,” to us at Beaver Pond yesterday, but for truly rolling out the red carpet. What a fabulous site we hope to call home for many Junes to come.

TY to the incomparable Cam Afonso, who donated/printed all of the signage for our tremendous sponsors.

TY to Dan at Dan Brown at Kapitol Photography for volunteering his time and efforts to capture our on-field action and Opening Ceremonies. More of Dan’s beautiful work to come.

And TY to Gary Horton and HPG for their super generous donations of our Volunteer shirts — the wicking fabric was very much needed on a hot day!

BTW, we’ve still got Grant Tourney hats and t-shirts available for sale. Reach out to get the kickball player and/or fan in your life outfitted with the coolest swag in town. 

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1JLyi9CvCC/

Additional photos (more to be added as processed)   https://photos.app.goo.gl/PW92Hv7XExMJ9Di96

Franklin Matters Weekly was proud to sponsor this inaugural event. Video is being processed of the opening ceremonies, games, and the dunk tank action. It will be shared as soon as ready

What is Franklin Matters Weekly? Get one email a week with an outlook on the week ahead and a lookback on the week that was. 

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, June 14, 2026 ???

Sunday, June 14 Flag Day

Beaver St road closed at MBTA tracks 

8:00am Yoga on the Beach (Beaver Pond)

9:00am Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament (Beaver Pond Turf Field)

9:00am Fallen Hero: Timothy J. Hayes (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

1:00pm Sunday Funday (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm Sunday Speaker Series: Panel: Soccer's MA Roots and Branches (Franklin Historical Museum)

*** NO Town Meetings today   ***

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Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Yes, Franklin Matters Weekly stepped up as a field sponsor for the Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament

Yes, Franklin Matters Weekly stepped up as a field
sponsor for the Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament

Via Franklin Fathers:

"A sincere THANK YOU to the team at @franklinmatters.ma for their field sponsorship for this Sunday’s Eddie Grant Tournament.


Also, if you haven’t listened to Steve’s interview with Chris on the tournament, our mission, and our core pillars, you can find it embedded below here in the comments, on the FM website, on Apple, or Spotify!"

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DZZ7i5CRt2q/

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1760-inaugural-eddie-grant-kickball-06-05-26/

Chris Stickney talks about the Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament June 14 (audio)

FM #1760 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1760 in the series. 

This episode shares my conversation with one of the founders of Franklin Fathers, Chris Stickney. We recorded in the Franklin TV & Radio studio on Friday, June 5, 2026. 

• Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament, Sunday, June 14, 2026

• Double elimination, teams of 10

• Food trucks, refreshments, games for kids & families

• Fund raising for Franklin Fathers, the American Legion Post, and the Franklin Food Pantry

The conversation runs about 20 minutes, let’s listen in

Audio link - https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1760-inaugural-eddie-grant-kickball-06-05-26/

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Register for the Kickball tournament   https://forms.gle/LqbaRKZz3kHYKZ9D7! 

Franklin Fathers operates from a Facebook page (for now) 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580257836187 

Volunteer to help at the Kickball tournament

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2026/06/volunteers-needed-for-inaugural-eddie.html 

NOTE: travel to Beaver Pond Field via Grove St on Sunday, June 14 as Beaver St is closed at the MBTA railroad tracks.

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Be Aware: Beaver St Road Closure this Weekend changes routes from 140 to Beaver Pond and Recycling Center

BREAKING: Thank you to Franklin Department of Public Works for all their help putting us on the map!

No, seriously, we’re on this map

Be Aware: Beaver St Road Closure this Weekend changes
routes from 140 to Beaver Pond and Recycling Center

Due to a road closure at Beaver St. this weekend, make sure to take Grove when traveling to and from the Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament on Sunday!

We’re not letting one little detour stop our flow…of family fun!

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1D1HDhDTLB/

Volunteers needed for the Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament - June 14

via Franklin Fathers

Calling all Volunteers!

@franklinfathers is in need of volunteers on Sunday, 6/14, at our inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament.

We’ve got shifts available from 8AM set up to 4PM break down, so there’s a spot for everyone and plenty to do!

High schoolers — if you’re in need of hours for any reason, we’re happy to commit.

• Sign up via the Google Form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_kXGteo2WtVp9_P4StBpOURp-jFwKDlhXJW0C9CFD3aedog/viewform

• or email us at franklinfathersma@gmail.com

#community

#franklinma

Reminder: Franklin Fathers schedule the Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament - June 14

via Franklin Fathers:

"Take us out to the Ballgame!

Reminder: Franklin Fathers schedule the
Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament - June 14

We’re thrilled to announce we’ve opened team registrations for the Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament, a family-friendly event coming to Beaver Pond on Sunday, June 14th!

We’ll be posting more about Eddie’s incredible story, our fundraising efforts, and our wonderfully gracious community partners soon, but we’d love to have you join us.

Scan the QR code or find the registration link ->   https://forms.gle/LqbaRKZz3kHYKZ9D7!"

#community 

#franklinma

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1FMHFhBtxN/

Franklin Fathers host the inaugural Eddie Grant Memorial Kickball Tournament on Saturday, June 14

Franklin Fathers, a local dads and caregivers group dedicated to community, wellness, and civic connection, will host the inaugural Eddie Grant Memorial Kickball Tournament on Saturday, June 14, bringing together families, local organizations, and businesses for a day of recreation, remembrance, and community spirit. The event will take place at Beaver Pond.

The tournament honors Eddie Grant, a Franklin native, Major League Baseball player, and World War I veteran who was killed in action in 1918. Organizers hope the event will help introduce Grant’s legacy to a younger generation of Franklin residents who may not yet know the story behind one of the town's most distinguished historical figures.

“Part of the goal is simply to reconnect Franklin with one of its own,” organizers said. “We want to re-introduce Franklin to one of its most remarkable sons: an athlete, scholar, soldier, and public servant whose legacy still represents the very best of our community."

The family-friendly tournament will feature community teams, food, music, children’s activities, and a 50/50 raffle, with raffle proceeds benefiting the American Legion.

The tournament is still accepting teams, with room remaining for four additional entries. Community groups, friend groups, businesses, neighborhood teams, and organizations are all encouraged to participate.

Interested teams can register by emailing or completing the registration form at tinyurl.com/EddieGrantKickball.

Organizers are also still seeking local business sponsors for the event. Sponsorships offer an opportunity for businesses to connect directly with Franklin-area families while supporting a positive community initiative rooted in local history and civic engagement.

Businesses interested in sponsoring the tournament can contact organizers at franklinfathersma@gmail.com.

Additional event details, including schedules and participating organizations, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Have you signed up for the Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament - June 14 ???

via Franklin Fathers:

Franklin Fathers schedule the Inaugural
Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament - June 14

"Take us out to the Ballgame!

We’re thrilled to announce we’ve opened team registrations for the Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament, a family-friendly event coming to Beaver Pond on Sunday, June 14th!

We’ll be posting more about Eddie’s incredible story, our fundraising efforts, and our wonderfully gracious community partners soon, but we’d love to have you join us.

Scan the QR code or find the registration link ->   https://forms.gle/LqbaRKZz3kHYKZ9D7!"

#community 

#franklinma

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1FMHFhBtxN/

Franklin Fathers schedule the Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament - June 14

via Franklin Fathers:

Franklin Fathers schedule the Inaugural
Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament - June 14

"Take us out to the Ballgame!

We’re thrilled to announce we’ve opened team registrations for the Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament, a family-friendly event coming to Beaver Pond on Sunday, June 14th!

We’ll be posting more about Eddie’s incredible story, our fundraising efforts, and our wonderfully gracious community partners soon, but we’d love to have you join us.

Scan the QR code or find the registration link ->   https://forms.gle/LqbaRKZz3kHYKZ9D7!"

#community 

#franklinma

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/1FMHFhBtxN/

Inaugural Eddie Grant Classic Kickball Tournament - June 14

Inaugural Eddie Grant Classic Kickball Tournament

Presented by Franklin Fathers

Join us for the **first-ever Eddie Grant Classic Kickball Tournament**, a fun-filled community event bringing families, friends, and local businesses together for a day of friendly competition and fundraising. This double-elimination tournament will feature teams from across the community competing for bragging rights, a trophy, and prizes — all while supporting local causes and celebrating community spirit.

Who Was Eddie Grant?

Eddie Grant was a Franklin native, Major League Baseball player, Dean- and Harvard-educated attorney, and World War I soldier who exemplified leadership, service, and community spirit. After volunteering for military service during WWI, he was killed in action in 1918 while assisting wounded soldiers. His legacy reflects teamwork, sacrifice, and dedication to something greater than oneself — values we aim to honor through this community-focused event.

🗓 **Date:** June 14, 2026

⏰ **Time:** 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Tournament Details

* Double elimination format (8 teams max)

* 5-inning games

* 30-minute time limit (revert to last full inning if time expires)

* Played using official kickball rules

Team Composition

* Minimum of 10 players per team

* At least **3 kids (ages 12–17)**

* At least **3 women (age 17+)**

💲 **Registration Cost:** $200 per team

🏆 **Prize:** Trophy & prize for 1st place team

More Than Just Kickball!

This is a full community event with something for everyone:

* 🎟 Day-of raffles featuring prizes & baskets from local businesses

* 💰 50/50 raffle (proceeds benefiting the VFW)

* 🚚 Food trucks on-site

* 🏰 Kids activities including bounce house & face painting

* 🥤 Light refreshments available for purchase

Volunteers Needed

We’re also looking for volunteers to help with day-of tasks such as setup, scorekeeping, raffles, and cleanup. If you’re interested in helping, please reach out!

Bring your team, bring your family, and come enjoy a great day of community, competition, and fun. Spots are limited to **8 teams**, so register early!

More details and registration information coming soon.

Facebook event - https://www.facebook.com/events/990288313511154