The annual Mark Dickens Invitational “Hustle for the Future” varsity baseball tournament is scheduled to return on Monday, March 28 and conclude Wednesday, March 30 on the campus of Oakdale High School.

Eight teams will be making their way to town to be a part of the special tournament remembering the late Mark Dickens. Along with Oakdale, teams from the Central Valley and two from Nevada will arrive at Oakdale High School for spring time baseball. Oakdale welcomes Beyer, Dos Palos, Escalon, Tokay, Gregori, Spanish Springs and North Valley this season.

Each team is guaranteed three games, with Oakdale’s first game slated for Monday morning at 9 a.m. when they take on Dos Palos.

“The Mark Dickens Invitational is a great way for us to honor a great husband, father, friend and coach. Mark was a selfless man and his traits exemplify what we want our players to strive to become as men,” varsity coach Nate Gregory said. “This tournament helps provide some financial assistance for our senior players as they move on to college. I feel blessed to have known Mark. His family, (wife) Mila, (sons) Eriksen and Soren are forever a huge part of the Oakdale Baseball Program.”

In 2007 Dickens coached the freshman team to the Valley Oak League championship. He passed away following a battle with cancer.