Dash unveil "Home Run" statue at BB&T Ballpark

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (April 1, 2014) - Winston-Salem is known as the "City of the Arts and Innovation," and the Winston-Salem Dash added to that nickname by unveiling a new piece of art outside BB&T Ballpark's main gates in right-center field on Tuesday morning. With help from its artist Tom Ogburn and Mayor Allen Joines, the Dash unveiled "Home Run," a bronze statue depicting three children of different ages all stretching up in hopes of catching a high flying baseball.

The statue stands approximately 10 feet tall and weighs about 800 pounds. Ogburn, who has lived in the Winston-Salem area his entire life, started the project in 2009, one year after he took up sculpting full-time. Ogburn worked with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco and taught at Wake Forest University before this career change. The sculpture was created in gratitude for all of the blessings that Ogburn and his wife Anita have received from living in this community and in celebration of downtown Winston-Salem and the city as a whole.

A number of local groups and citizens helped to make this project possible through financial support. Andy and Margery Brown provided the lead gift for "Home Run." The Winston-Salem Dash also contributed to the project, along with Charles Hemrick and Norma Sink on behalf of the Sam and Pauline Carter Fund of the Winston-Salem Foundation.

Other contributors to "Home Run" include the following: Bud and Zanne Baker, William and Kay Boles, Penn and Jane Craver, Mayor Allen Joines, Jim and Mary Allen Martin, Allison Towne McCall, Tom and Anita Ogburn, Sam and Mary Ceile Ogburn and Home Real Estate Company, Jim and Charley Stuart and Mosby Vogler with Salem Funeral and Cremation Services.

"This wonderful statue will provide a warm welcome for those entering BB&T Ballpark," Dash team President Geoff Lassiter said about "Home Run." "It represents the appreciation of thousands of local residents who love baseball and art, and Tom's hard work should be commended."

The Dash open up their fifth season at BB&T Ballpark this Thursday at 7 p.m. with the first of a four-game series against the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Kansas City). For tickets, call at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.