West Anaheim Little Leaguers are off and running for the season, as the call for funding goes across the community.
The league features four Tball teams for children ages 4-6, two “Minor B” teams for seven and eight-year-olds, two “Minor A” teams for ages seven and eight, ands one major league team for youngsters between 11 and 12.
“We have 103 boys and girls playing this season,” West Anaheim Little League Registration Coordinator Tiffany Williams said.
West Anaheim Little Leaguers are off and running for the season, as the call for funding goes across the community.
The league features four Tball teams for children ages 4-6, two “Minor B” teams for seven and eight-year-olds, two “Minor A” teams for ages seven and eight, ands one major league team for youngsters between 11 and 12.
“We have 103 boys and girls playing this season,” West Anaheim Little League Registration Coordinator Tiffany Williams said.
The need for donations is especially vital because the organization was robbed eight times during a three-month period in 2011.
“Our snack bar was successfully broken into and our hot dog roller and slushy machine were stolen, along with all of our candy, hot dogs, chips, chili, and other assorted items,” Williams said. “They stole our safe, but luckily it didn't have any money in it at the time.”
The snack bar still has a broken window from the incidents.”
Vandals also broke into the shed and stole gardening tools.
“Our women's bathroom lock was busted off and still has not been replaced,” Williams said.
The group was almost victim to crime again during the 2012 season.
“We had to replace the main door to our board room and snack bar because someone tried to pry it open,” Williams said. “This season we have already had our fence cut open in two separate locations meaning someone has been on our property, and we believe using and sleeping in our bathroom.”
Williams said the group does between two and three fundraisers per year.
“This year we are doing chocolate bar sales, which is a big hit,” she said. “Also, we do raffle ticket sales for our carnival, which it is mandatory for each child to sell 25 tickets.”
Businesses play a vital role in the fundraising effort.
We rely on them to donate raffle prizes and money,” Williams said. “The funds go to supplying equipment (helmets, catchers gear, baseballs, etc), field maintenance (dirt, clay, sod, seed, fuel, gardening tools). We have a few big sponsors this season which include Northgate Gonzalez Market, Anaheim Animal Care & Pet Hospital, and West Coast Chill.”
Everyone is welcome to the annual carnival.
“We will have small carnival games (each team provides their own game), a water slide, bounce house, dunk tank, home run derby, and raffle,” Williams said.
Not every family has the financial means to place their son or daughter on a team, which personifies the need for community funding.
“No child is ever turned away,” Williams said. “We just ask the parents to donate a little time.”
Teams make money on game day with concession sales.
Each team has three people working the snack bar during home games,” Williams said. “Typically each child's parents are responsible for 3 games each season.”
In light of the crime the league has faced, the values taught in through Little League and the benefit of interactive parents can change lives.
“It is imperative that parents come out and cheer on their children and be a part of their baseball experience,” Williams said. “Some managers even require the parents to help with practices.
Every league parent or guardian must volunteer for 10 hours during the season.
“It could be coming out for field clean up days,” Williams said “We have one coming up on April 13 at 2p.mm
Other volunteer activities include taking pictures for the yearbook, opening day and carnival set up and clean up, recycle bin sorting and handyman services like drywall, roofing, plumbing, landscaping, and tree trimming.
Big projects still remain on the agenda during 2013.
“We need to trim tress because they are becoming a hazard for the children and spectators,” Williams said. “We also need to fix the ice machine, fencing, and concrete walkways and replace the gardening and lawn equipment that was stolen.”
Residents without children in the league are always welcome.
“My husband and I joined the league last season because he wanted to umpire,” Williams said. “We do not have any kids in the league but we put in about 30 hours a week volunteering.
The duo also serves as manager and coach for a team that did not have any volunteers.”
Visit www.westanaheimlittleleague.comor call 714?900?fast for more information.
