SANFORD, N.C. — Family and friends said goodbye to a Lee County boy found beaten to death near his home this week.

The funeral for Bradley Way, 11, was held at Center United Methodist Church in Sanford Friday morning.

An avid baseball player and member of the Deep River Northview Optimist Club Baseball League, Way was remembered for his love of baseball.

Friends and family say Way was at home on the baseball field. He loved the game so much, he would spend hours working on his skills with his father.

The baseball league held its annual All-Star tournament Thursday and named Way an honorary all-star. The tournament will now be named The Bradley Way Invitational Tournament.

"Baseball was Bradley and Bradley was baseball," coach Jeff Gaster said. "I wish everybody in the world would have had an opportunity to meet that little boy one time and see him on the baseball field."

Before the first pitch, the flag was lowered to half staff.

Coaches and officials are wearing Way's initials and number on their jerseys in honor of him. They are also selling ribbon pins with Way's number to raise money for the family. Way's number will also be retired.

Even after the season ends, Gaster said Way will always be remembered.

"We are going to have a cookout out here. We are going to have a pick-up baseball game and every team is going to play without a shortstop because that is the position he played in the past year," he said.

A fund has been set up on Way's behalf. Donations can be sent to the Deep River Optimist Club, P.O. Box 984, Sanford, N.C., 27331.

Victor Gamble, 20, of Cameron , was charged in Way's Murder.

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Ken Smith

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Michelle Singer