Friends and family of fallen York Regional Police officer Garrett Styles are going to bat for him this weekend.

For the second year in a row, the Styles family is hosting a memorial baseball tournament in Newmarket, about 50 kilometres north of Toronto.

Styles was killed after being dragged and pinned beneath a van he pulled over during a traffic stop last year. A 16-year-old is facing first-degree murder charges in Styles's death.

On the same diamond where he dreamed of playing as a child, Styles's friends, family and fellow officers are remembering him.

“It’s very honorable to play for someone that to me is a hero,” said Christopher Donator, who plays for the New York Police Department’s baseball team, one of many who travelled from the United States and across Ontario to play in the three-day tournament in Newmarket.

Styles's father Garry says the entire family appreciates the support shown by the players.

“It’s still hard, days like today are what makes us get on with our life,” he told CBC News. "This is one of the main diamonds he played on. He strived to be at this diamond because that's where the big boys played."

Proceeds from the tournament and a silent auction held Friday night will be donated to a charity that helps underprivileged kids cover the cost of playing organized sports.

“I’m sure Garrett would love that,” said Garry Styles.

The Styles family is already looking ahead to next year's tournament. The New York fire department and a team from Australia have already registered.