Last January (2024), I was a fairly new resident of Hampton Roads and eager to explore the area’s baseball parks and experiences. One afternoon, I took a short drive from my house over to First Colonial High School and walked the grounds of the baseball field, Norbie Wilson Baseball Field. I loved the field, loved the layout, and the loved the prospect of researching just who was “Norbie Wilson.” I did some online and managed to put together this blog about First Colonial and Coach Wilson – First Colonial High School baseball. I was so impressed by Coach Wilson’s tenure at First Colonial and can only imagine how special his impact was/is on the FCHS baseball community.

Fast forward to last week, I came upon a volunteer website promoting a local baseball game here in Hampton Roads with the benefits supporting the Alzheimer’s Association. I have two parents in the throws of Alzheimer’s at the moment, and have lost a grandparent to Alzheimer’s when I was in my 20s. So, you can see that I have a very personal connection to this disease. The local VA Beach game and the information online had a familiar name – Norbie Wilson. I reached out to the website contact and asked if I could donate my time to promote the event. I received an email response from Emily Rosenberger, a staff partner with the Alzheimer’s Association who is working with the event organizers of this upcoming ALZ Baseball Game, slated to be played on May 3rd. Emily, responding to my email to volunteer in any way, replied “Thank you for reaching out regarding this special community event! The game is taking place in Virginia Beach, Virginia,” and included this flyer and program information for the game labeled as “Norbie Wilson Game to End ALZ, Battle of Mill Dam Road.”

As I was away on vacation for the past few days visiting my Mother and Father, again both within the spectrum of Alzheimer’s, still remembering who I am, but just barely, I am a bit late to the game on promoting this event. But, I feel so strongly about the cause and I love when baseball communities come together to support one of their own, so here is the information you need to know. Game is Saturday, May 3rd at 1pm. Festivities start around 12pm, per Emily’s email response. This is Year 2 of the charity game and it features a matchup of First Colonial High School (Norbie Wilson’s school) vs. Cape Henry Collegiate. Sponsorship opportunities are available and please refer to the flyer for details on how you can contribute. Game day tickets are $5 and other proceeds from the event, according to the flyer, will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association of Southeastern VA.

There are a number of media links from last year’s game to get a broader sense of the meaning of this game. Here are a few that were forwarded to me from Emily’s email.

WTKR Link: https://www.wtkr.com/sports/first-colonial-cape-henry-baseball-turn-helping-hands-towards-legendary-coach-norbie-wilson

Virginia Pilot Link:
https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/04/24/rubama-as-legendary-coach-norbie-wilson-battles-alzheimers-first-colonial-cape-henry-will-play-in-his-honor/

I hope to see a large crowd at the Battle of Mill Dam Road, Norbie Wilson Game to End ALZ on Saturday, May 3rd. Regardless of the score, everyone who supports a community member with a kind word, a donation of time or money, or a pledge to help out is a winner in my book. Huge thanks to Emily Rosenberger for the information on the game and for giving me the opportunity to help out in anyway I can.