Kids get to play ball
Dealership supports local Little League team
A group of Southern Nevada youth baseball players is headed for the Little League Senior Regional Championship in Ontario, Calif., thanks in part to a donation from Findlay Cadillac in the Valley Automall.
The playoffs are scheduled July 28 to Aug. 5 at Jay Littleton Ball Park, which became famous after the fields were the backdrop for the movie “A League of Their Own.
Mountain Ridge Little League will represent Nevada against elite teams from Hawaii, Utah, Arizona, and California in a division of play for teens ages 13-16.
The trip only became possible because of private donations that included Findlay Cadillac, among other local businesses, and friends and family. Even more important is that if the Nevada team wins in Southern California, the next stop will be Bangor, Maine, which will be the site of the Senior World Series playoffs beginning Aug. 10.
“I want to take the opportunity to thank Findlay Automotive group for their generous donation to our 2014 Mountain Ridge Seniors All-Star team as we set sail in our journey to the Seniors Little League World Series Western Regional,” said head coach Scott Olson.
Based in northwest Las Vegas, the team had to advance out of the Nevada All Stars Division earlier this month.
“We have a lot to live up to,” said Olson, who works for Nevada government when not coaching. “Our boys have put their noses to the grindstone practicing five to six days a week to prepare in the heat for this prestigious moment. Needless to say, the kids are pumped. The coaches are excited, the parents have been gracious and we must represent the state of Nevada with pride.”
Parents and supporters of the team include former Findlay Automotive Group veteran Finance Director Cyndi Berger, who provides financial services and products to the group’s stores in Nevada, Utah,
Dealership supports youth sports
Arizona and Idaho.
Now employed by Accelerated Profit Technologies, the 21 year-resident of Las Vegas spends significant hours with the group’s stores training and coaching dealership employees.
“Findlay Automotive Group has always been supportive in the community and especially with regards to youth athletics,” said Berger, a native of Michigan.
“We love this community and in fact, our son, Brett, is on the Nevada team in the tournament and wants to continue playing for UNLV.
“I cannot even imagine how many young people have been helped by the Findlay family in the past 50 years,” Berger said. “There is no end to what the Findlays do for this community.”
Findlay Cadillac is headed by General Manager John Saksa, who also oversees Findlay Fiat.
“We are delighted to be able to help these fine young men,” Saksa said. “Cyndi does a lot for us, and we will do anything to help her. To borrow a line from athletics, this is a complete teamwork effort.”
Findlay Cadillac is part of Findlay Automotive Group, which was founded more than 50 years ago by the late Pete Findlay, whose son, Cliff, directs operations of automobile dealerships in Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Arizona.
For more information on Findlay Cadillac, call 702-558-2600 or visit www. findlaycadillac.com.