05/28/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Inaugural Frank Martin Classic Youth Baseball Tournament Set for June 5–7 in West Memphis and Marion; Event to Benefit Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Arkansas
WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — The inaugural Frank Martin Classic youth baseball tournament is set to take place June 5–7 in West Memphis and Marion, bringing together more than 60 youth baseball teams from across the Mid-South for a weekend focused on competition, community impact, and honoring the legacy of longtime West Memphis civic leader Frank Martin.
Hosted by Grand Slam Arkansas, the tournament is expected to generate significant economic activity for Crittenden County as thousands of visitors fill local parks, restaurants, hotels, and businesses while also raising money for the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Arkansas — an organization that held a special place in Frank Martin’s heart.
Grand Slam Arkansas State Director Logan Williams and Assistant State Director Thomas Martin are no strangers to hosting successful baseball events in Crittenden County. The pair have organized youth sporting events in the area for more than a decade.
“When Mayor McClendon and the West Memphis City Council honored dad by naming the newly constructed park after him, this event was Logan’s brainchild,” said Thomas Martin. “He had the tournament posted the day after the City’s ceremony. We originally thought we might attract 20–30 teams to fill up Frank Martin Sports Complex, but it just kept growing and growing. We are already well over 50 teams as of today and fully expect to have around 60 teams come play with us. We reached out to Marion Mayor Tracy Brick, and she and her staff immediately jumped on board with us.”
The tournament is expected to be the largest youth sporting event held in Crittenden County since Williams and Martin launched the annual “Homie with an Extra Chromie” tournament, an event benefiting the Down Syndrome Association of the Mid-South in honor of Williams’ son, Brooks, who has Down syndrome. That event has raised more than $55,000 over the past six years and will enter its seventh year this fall.
Over the course of the weekend, teams will play more than 120 full baseball games across 10 fields in just two and a half days. Each team is guaranteed a minimum of three games. Organizers estimate the tournament will bring approximately 3,000 visitors into the county.
“As of today, we are sitting at 52 teams entered,” Martin added. “But the most exciting part is that only two of those teams are from Crittenden County. Fifty teams are traveling into our community to participate in this event. We have really focused on recruiting teams to travel in, as that is what drives economic impact.”
Frank Martin’s passion for sports was well known throughout the community. A devoted supporter of the West Memphis Blue Devils and the Memphis Tigers, his greatest love was baseball. A lifelong New York Yankees fan, Frank enjoyed every level of the game — from youth recreational leagues to Major League Baseball.
That love of baseball helped shape his vision for the revitalization of Tilden Rodgers Park and the construction of the Frank Martin Sports Complex. Through years of traveling to youth baseball tournaments with his grandson Caleb, Frank witnessed firsthand the positive economic impact youth sports could have on local communities.
One of Frank Martin’s final responsibilities as West Memphis Finance Director before his passing was working extensively on the bond initiative in partnership with Southland Casino Hotel that helped completely revitalize the West Memphis Parks Department.
The Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Arkansas also held deep personal meaning for Martin. He served the organization for more than 20 years as both Treasurer and Board President. Thomas Martin later followed in his father’s footsteps, serving the organization in the same two capacities for many years.
“The Club meant a tremendous amount to dad,” Martin said. “They have been serving the youth of West Memphis, Marion, and now all of Northeast Arkansas for more than 50 years. When Logan suggested making this tournament benefit the Club, I immediately loved the idea. I couldn’t think of a better organization to support with an event that we hope becomes an annual tradition.”
Martin also expressed gratitude to the many community leaders and organizations helping make the event possible.
“I can’t begin to thank Logan for all the legwork, Mayor Marco McClendon, Mayor Tracy Brick, West Memphis Parks Director Russell Jones and his staff, Marion Parks Director Andy Rawls and his staff, and Boys & Girls Club CEO Darin McCollum,” Martin said. “This event is only going to grow, and I can’t wait to see every ball field in Crittenden County full next weekend.”
For additional information about the Frank Martin Classic, visit Grand Slam Arkansas online or follow Grand Slam Arkansas on social media.
