A funny thing happened on the way to the Little League World Series for the Chandler, AZ team....apparently no one told their parents that it is not an all-expense paid vacation to Pennsylvania....they actually have to pay if they want to go watch!
Heaven forfend! PAGE ONE on AZCentral.com earlier today ran an article titled "Chandler Team Raises Funds." This was NOT an article on how they did what every other youth team does...work through the offseason having carwashes, bake sales, looking for business sponsors, etc. No, this article was on trying to get public donations so the 60+ FAMILY members (not the team members) could go to Williamsport. They also estimated each individual would cost $5,000 for the 9 day trip.
Don't get me wrong, kids sports build character....I played them and I am fairly certain most of the individuals that visit this page played them. However I can never recall simply asking people for handouts when we were not a charity. Chandler Little League is NOT the United Way or American Red Cross. They are NOT Cancer Research.
Here's a news flash....YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT. I want to go to Hawaii every month. The bank account says no, so I stay home. I DO NOT pander on a news site for money. The fact the families are doing this has taken away from the achievement of the team (and many that posted comments to the AZCentral article echoed this) in that it feels a bit tainted in that a team representing our region cannot simply be happy and work with the hand they have been dealt. Apparently the short-sightedness of the fundraising arm of the team is now ALL OF ARIZONA's problem.
I had been in a discussion with two individuals close to the team trying to get them to justify why people should give so 60 people can get a free vacation to Williamsport instead of, say, giving to AIDS research or the March of Dimes. For this I was pretty much told to 'press on' as I was 'ignorant about a once in a lifetime opportunity.'
I would love to agree with them, however the charities I like to give to have many that don't live to the age of 12.
Melanie Fitzpatrick
Damaris Lewis
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being an umpire for my local little league, this does not suprise me at all
Hogger4life
Alma , AR
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Great post. This story is sickening and absolutely offensive to the multitude of destitute poor (and completely ignored) Americans in urban and rural areas who can't afford a pair of shoes, let alone a trip to Williamsport, PA. Not that I would take this out on kids, but this post just stoked my interest in how far this Arizona team goes in the LLWS.
EastCoastKeith
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Yeah....I revisited and more of the parents piled on me with 'Chill out.' That's okay....I will still 'be a 'spaz' and ask people to give to Red Cross, Cancer Research, United Way, etc. Anything beats simply giving so these people can get a free vacation. The kids are already there...this is their time. If the parents can afford to go great, but if they can't don't make it the public's problem.
karlns51
Queen Creek, AZ
Total Comments (4)
Great post. Sounds like the famalies are a little greedy. Back in the mid '80's I was an asst. coach on an under 18 travel soccer team. We had a chance to travel to London, England for 10 days. The players stayed with host famalies over there while the coaches and parents of some of the players stayed at a YMCA. We had fundraisers for the players, but the adults paid their own way.
Red Zone
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