The Linden Youth Advisors held its first benefit softball game on March 31, with the proceeds going to Marengo County Relay for Life.

The Linden Youth Advisers took on the City of Linden public safety department and held a sizeable lead throughout the game, but the public safety department claimed that the ball that the Youth Advisors hit was not a regulation ball and deducted runs for using an illegal ball.

Regardless of the score, the true winners were the American Cancer Society and Marengo County Relay for Life. Funds raised through Relay for Life go towards research, treatment and education regarding cancer and those who have the disease.

“This game is a benefit for the Quest Club of Linden for Relay for Life,” said Linden mayor Mitzi Gates, who is also a teacher at Linden High School. “I am a member of the Quest Club, and I asked them if they would be interested in doing the concession stand, and they said they would love to. What they didn’t realize is that they are going to get the gate, too. All of the students and adults paid $2 to get in.

“I am very, very grateful for coach Robbie James of Marengo Academy and Tim Thurmond of Linden High School for thinking that this was a great idea and allowing the students to get out of school early to do this.”

The Linden Youth Advisors is in its third year and consists of 16 students from Linden High School and Marengo Academy.

“It’s been a dream of mine since the first year of the Youth Advisors to do this softball game,” Gates said. “I am proud of our senior members, Colton Baugh, Shelby Mathis, Chelsea Tucker and Milton Anthony. They are charter members of our Youth Advisory board, and I am excited that they got to see it come to fruition.

“The Linden Youth Advisory Board is like a junior council for the City of Linden. It is a real honor to be a Youth Advisor because they are selected by their principals as student leaders and good citizens. These kids have really stepped up to the plate because they raised $2,012 for Haiti relief.”