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“In towns and cities... there is no more important institution than the local paper.”
Warren Buffett
Members of the La Mirada Girls Softball Association poise at Hews Media Group – Community Newspaper offices in Cerritos on Wednesday afternoon. The team needs to raise $11,000 in the next three weeks in order to head to Arizona to compete in a national championship tournament. All of the team members are 10 years of age or younger, and all attend local schools in the La Mirada area. Randy Economy Photo
By Kristin Grafft and Justin Cooley
Despite their amazing success in qualifying for the Girls Softball National Championship Tournament, the La Mirada Girls Softball 10u Gold All Star team still might not be able to go.
Their long road to success began with their first place win at the Mirada Madness tournament, followed with wins in San Diego and Chino Hills. The girls then took the championship at the district tournament and ended with an impressive 25 to 4 record.
The team moved on to the state finals in Lancaster where they tied for 9th place, qualifying them to compete at the National level in Peoria, Arizona from July 31st to August 4th.
However, their celebration was cut short when the team realized they didn’t have the funds needed to attend the competition. The team needs to raise $11,000 within the next 2 weeks “for the whole team to go, stress free,” says Andre Adams, parent of Savannah Adams.
“That’s pretty much the difference of kids being able to make the trip or not being able to make the trip,” Adams explained.
The $11,000 will cover the gas to get there and back, food and lodging for the team, and entrance into the park. There is also a $500 fee to compete in the tournament, as well as $700 in expenses toward trading pins and gifts.
Some of the tournaments traditions include, an opening parade of the teams followed by mingle time where the girls are able to get to know each other while trading team pins. There is also a gift exchange after the first game between the competing team members and their parents.
The team is hoping to raise the money through fundraising events, such as a yard sale, and through donations.
There will also be an event at the Chili’s restaurant located at 1600 W. Imperial Highway in La Habra on Monday, July 15th from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. During that time the restaurant will donate 15% of each groups’ total sales with each flyer presented.
David Rosales, one of the coaches, is proud of the girls and said that it is not typical for their age to get this far. “But our deadline is two weeks from now, so that’s the hardest thing.” Rosales said.
Kayla Carrillo, one of the ten year old teammates said, “We win together as a team; we lose together as a team.” The girls just hopes their hard work will still pay off and their dreams are not cut short due to a lack of funding.
When asked about her future goals Carrillo said, “I want to be a professional softball player. I think that’s the dream of all the girls here.”
For more information, or if you would like to make a donation, visit the La Mirada Girls Softball Association Facebook page.
For more information on the Chili’s fundraising event, the restaurant can be reached at (562) 690-7491.