Hundreds Step up to the Plate for Suicide Prevention

By: Kim Eiten - Email

Updated: Sat 9:52 PM, Sep 08, 2012

Out of the Darkness:

http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.home

Hundreds came out in Grand Island today to circle the bases for suicide prevention.

The softball tournament was a combined effort between suicide prevention organization Out of the Darkness and friends and family of Gabby Ayala, a local girl who committed suicide in February.

People gathered to honor Gabby by spending the day on the field, one of the places they say she loved most.

But, friends and family said it's about more than paying tribute. They said the goal is to raise awareness.

"Suicide is becoming one of the highest rate deaths in the world and its something that's 100% preventable," Gabby's friend, Tasha Birch said.

"My sister always grew up playing softball and soccer. It was one of her favorite things that she loved to do," Gabby's sister, Bianca Ayala said. "When Tasha said I'm thinking about doing a softball tournament, I said hey let's do this together because that's the one thing I know my sister would love more is to watch the people she loved playing the thing that she loved to do most."

Sixteen teams turned out for this year's event.

Organizers said they hope to grow the tournament for next year and make it an annual gathering.

Study Shows High Levels of E. Coli in Swimming Pools