Racquetball tourney benefits wounded soldier

YARMOUTH — A Yarmouth police-sponsored racquetball tournament that starts today will benefit a young soldier from Yarmouth who was wounded in Afghanistan earlier this year.
U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Sprague is recovering from his injuries at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Yarmouth Deputy Police Chief Steven G. Xiarhos said.
Sprague received the Purple Heart medal for his injuries last month.
In high school, he was president of Yarmouth's Citizen Police Academy, a 12-week program during which participants learn about the workings of the police department. His father, Albert Sprague, has been a Yarmouth police officer since 1994, Xiarhos said.
Proceeds from the second annual "Blue Ball Open" racquetball tournament running through Saturday at The Cove at Yarmouth resort will go to help Sprague, his wife and family, Xiarhos said.
"We're raising money for Yarmouth's own wounded warrior," Yarmouth Police Chief Frank G. Frederickson said.
During the first "Blue Ball Open" tourney last year, the Yarmouth Police Department raised $700 to benefit youth sports programs and senior services.
The event is expected to draw more than 50 racquetball players from Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, Frederickson said.
He is the only member of the Yarmouth Police Department playing in the tournament, which is open to all.
Off-duty employees of the police department and members of the Yarmouth Police Relief Association will volunteer at the event, which last year brought in about $20,000 worth of business to Yarmouth merchants through meals, rooms and others services, Frederickson said.
People interested in making donations to help Sprague and his family can send checks to the Yarmouth Police Relief Association at 1 Brad Erickson Way, West Yarmouth, MA 02673.