Matthew Hamlin of Goose Creek received his Eagle Scout award May 12 in Summerville.

For his service project for the highest award in Boy Scouting, Hamlin led a successful effort to build a baseball field at Summerville Catholic School.

Hamlin and his twin sister Morgan are the children of Beth Howard Regan and Dr. Mike Regan of Goose Creek, and the late Gary Hamlin. They are grandchildren of John and Frances Howard of Georgetown.

The Regan family are all involved in Scouting.  Matthew is a member of Troop 777 in Goose Creek, and he and his sister Morgan are both members of Venture Crew 777. Younger brother John is a member of Boy Scout Troop 777, and brothers Patrick and Thomas are both in Cub Scouts. The Scout groups are sponsored by Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Matthew Hamlin became a Cub Scout more than 10 years ago. His love of baseball and of Scouting led him to his service project of taking an all-but-abandoned ball field and leading an effort to dig out old dirt, bring in clay for the baselines, an honest-to-goodness pitcher’s mound, build a dugout and perform other repairs and maintenance to the field.

He coordinated efforts of more than 30 volunteers to do the work, including fellow Scouts and Venture Crew members and family.

Hamlin is a senior on the Bishop England High School baseball team, playing outfield and second and third base.

Several teammates also helped with the nearly 200 hours of work that went into making the baseball field at Summerville Catholic a reality.

Coach Mike Darnell said Hamlin always did everything he asked of him, on the field and in ball games.

Others speaking at Hamlin’s court of honor included his parish priest, principal Michael Bolchoz of Bishop England High School, chaplain Fr. Jeffrey Kirby of BEHS, Mayor Michael Heitzler of Goose Creek, the Swamp Fox District chairman and other current and former Scout leaders.

By Tommy Howard

thoward@gtowntimes.com