SCIENCE HILL, KY (Lex 18) – Community members in Pulaski County hope to lift up one of three families who lost loved ones in a November plane crash by hosting a softball tournament this weekend.
On Saturday, they’ll host the Doug Whitaker Memorial Tournament at Science Hill Park.
"We as a softball family wanted to show them our support for them and show our support for the memory of Doug," said Rodney Todd, who coaches Whitaker’s two daughters’ softball team.
Five months ago, Whitaker and three other people were flying home from a hunting trip in Tennessee when their plane crashed near Glasgow. All four people in the small plane died.
Whitaker served as chaplain for the Somerset Police Department. He was also a proud husband and father.
"Doug was the number one supporter for his girls here while they played softball. He was always taking videos, taking pictures and there’s an empty spot over there where Doug is not sitting," Todd said.
Softball teams from Science Hill, Northern Pulaski County, McCreary County, and Berea Middle Schools will all play throughout the day.
Admission will cost $5 per person.
"The gate admission will go straight to the Whitaker family," Coach Todd said. "They can use that for whatever they need."
Coach Todd said Whitaker’s two middle school daughters will be on the field and his wife will be in the stands. He said the day is not about wins and losses.
"I’m wanting the family to see how much they mean to us, how much they mean to Science Hill, the community, and how much they mean to the Science Hill softball program," Todd said.
The tournament starts at 10:30am at Science Hill Park.
