VALDOSTA —
Being named to a local youth baseball All-Star team is an honor for any youth player. It is also expensive.
For the parents of four Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation youth baseball All-Star teams, they are quickly discovering how expensive it can actually be. Now the teams and parents need the help from the local community to raise the proper financial funds in order to play.
The four teams raising funds, an 8-year-old coach-pitch team, a 9-year-old, a 10-year-old and an 11-year-old team, are seeking financial funds in order to compete in their respective All-Star tournaments, which will be played throughout the state.
If the teams can finish in the top two of their respective tournaments, they will qualify for the Dizzy Dean World Series in Southaven, Miss., resulting in the need for even more financial resources. Last year, the 10- and 12-year-old teams from Valdosta won the Dizzy Dean World Series.
The 9-year-old tournament will be played in Canton, while the 11-year old tournament will be played in Rock Springs, a five-plus hour drive from Valdosta. With the cost of fuel, lodging and food continuing to rise, the cost to attend the five-day tournaments is alarming. According to Scott Willis, the head coach of the 11-year-old team, the cost, for one family of four, to attend a tournament out of town could run anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000. Considering there are 11-12 players per team, and the grand total ranges anywhere from $16,500 to $24,000 per team per tournament.
If the teams qualify for the World Series, that number would double.
Although the local 8-year-old and 10-year-old teams won’t have to travel for their respective state tournaments, as they will be played at VLPRA facilities, the teams are looking ahead to potential trips to the Dizzy Dean World Series in Southaven, Miss.
“We do not have an automatic bid for the World Series, like other teams do, but we feel confident that we will make it there, so we need funding for that,” said Tim Samples, the head coach for the 10-year old team.
Samples also noted the need for financial support to help raise money for bats and uniforms, which alone cost around $80 per player. Last year, the VLPRA 9-year-old team raised $6,000 to fund a trip to the state tournament. That money was used for hotels, uniforms and just two team meals.
The 8-year-old and 10-year-old tournaments begin July 5 and end July 10, while the tournaments for the 9-year-old and 11-year-old teams are much sooner. The teams begin play June 29 and the tournaments conclude July 4.
To help raise money for their teams, fundraising efforts have begun on behalf of the coaches. Samples and the 10-year-old team have been selling Krispy Kreme Donuts, and are planning a Boston Butt sale in the upcoming future. The 10-year-old team is also taking monetary donations at the Colony Bank location on North Valdosta Road.
The 11-year-old team is holding a car wash Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Moe’s Southwest Grill on Ashley Street in North Valdosta. The local 8-year-old team is selling raffle tickets and spots on their dugout sign, which can be purchased by local businesses. The 8-year-old team has also set up an account at Commercial Bank and Company in Valdosta.
“We set up an account at Commercial Banking Company,” said 8-year-old head coach Dan Carrigan. “It is under VLPR All-Stars. That is where donations could be made. This is a needs base, not a wants base. The needs, of course, being lodging, uniforms, food and transportation.”
People looking to get involved may also directly contact the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority.
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Related Photos
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Drew Anderson of the VLPRA's 10-year-old All-Star baseball team hits the ball off of a tee on Tuesday night at On-Deck Sports in Valdosta. Anderson and his teammates will compete in the state tournament, which begins on July 5. Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times
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Brodie Whiddon of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority's 10-year- old All-Star baseball team throws a bullpen session with his coach Tuesday night at On-Deck Sports in Valdosta. Whiddon and his teammates are trying to raise money to compete in the state All-Star baseball tournament, and possibly the Dizzy Dean World Series. Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times
Discussion
Youth teams seek funds
VLPRA All-Star squads preparing for upcoming state tournaments
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