FIELD OF DREAMS
West End Trenton team receives $15K grant at Little League World Series >>
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA » Players from Trenton’s own West End Little League received the opportunity of a lifetime this weekend.
The team was invited Saturday to the Little League World Series where they were presented with a $15,000 grant from DICK’S Sporting Goods on the field prior to the nationally televised 3 p.m. game.
On Thursday, West End Little League President Ron Davis said Dick’s, in conjunction with Little League International, paid for Saturday’s trip that 40 Trenton kids got to attend for free. The team visited the Little League Museum, hung out at the Family Fun Zone, ate lunch and were presented with the giantsized $15,000 check.
“It’s going to be the first time for them going up there, seeing the Little League World Series, seeing other teams from other countries,” Davis said on the eve of the trip. “The kids are very excited. They’re going to get jerseys and hats.”
While the team did not get to play in the Little League World Series, Davis said West End hopes to get there eventually.
“We’re going to start training,” the league’s president said, noting the team will hit the batting cages this winter. “We’re going to try to build a team.” However, West End has come close in the past. A team of 12 and 13 year olds was one game away from making it to the states, Davis said.
West End received a $10,000 donation for building repairs to their home field located on Parkside Avenue in Cadwalader Park. The team also was given $5,000 in equipment.
“We’re trying to repair and upgrade our concession stand and our clubhouse building,” Davis said, adding the building is from the 1950s. “We’re trying to upgrade the concession stand with grills and piping and bring it up to code as well as put a bathroom in the upstairs area of our clubhouse.”
The Trenton team was one of the first two youth baseball teams nationally to receive the grant from DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation. The company pledged Saturday to make a five-year, $500,000 commitment to local teams.
“It’s our mission to provide more young athletes with the opportunity to play, learn and benefit from sports, including the great games of baseball and softball,” said Lauren Hobart, president of DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation. “We know sports teach kids
valuable lessons they carry with them through life, and are thrilled this partnership will help more kids play, who otherwise may not have the resources to do so.”
Trenton received the check in front of a crowd of 21,000 ahead of the New JerseyMichigan game. The Jackson, N.J. team beat its opponent 15-5 to stave off elimination.
Gregory Davis, an 11-yearold from West End Little League, threw out the first pitch of the game.
West End Little League, which has been running for approximately 60 years, consists of various teams comprised of city children between the ages of 7 and 13.
“A core group of five or six volunteers keeps the league going along with the coaches,” Davis said. “Our goal is to give these kids a safe haven and give them something to do during the summer months as well as after school to keep their minds occupied.”