Padres Help out Park View Parents

Park View Little League All-Stars playing in Little League World Series

The Friars joined another big corporate name in the county to help families of the Chula Vista Little Leaguers who are going to the World Series.

On Monday morning, Padres vice chairman and CEO Jeff Moorad pledged $10,000 on behalf of the Padres Foundation to help the parents pay for the trip to Williamsport, Penn.

"This achievement is great for the team and something the entire San Diego community should be proud of," Moorad said. "We wish them the best of luck as they head to Williamsport and look forward to celebrating their accomplishment at Petco Park when they return."

Park View scored five runs in the fifth inning to break open a tie game and defeated a team from Northern California Sunday night 11-4 to qualify for the World Series. Park View, which has been crushing the baseball all week, smashed four more home runs in the game.

While the Park View Little League All-Stars' parents are still trying to make travel arrangements. The Little League World Series organizers cover the cost of travel and lodging for the team and coaches, but the parents must pay their own way.

"It's about $5,000 per family to go, and we have 12 kids on the team, so it's a lot of money in a short amount of time," said Shelly Garcia, a Park View Little League board member.

At a viewing party in Eastlake Sunday, friends and other families that participate in the league gave their moral support. But they also provided monetary support by buying food and raffle tickets for fundraising and by contributing dollars each time the team scored a home run.

League officials admit they've had difficulty raising funds but remain hopeful they can help the families with the cost of the 10-day event.

"A lot of the families, it's tough times for people, but having an opportunity like this is really once in a lifetime, so I think people are willing to invest a little bit and hopefully donate a little bit more," said Greg Houck who also coaches in the Park View Little League.

The Sycuan Band of the Kummeyaay Nation donated $15,000 to the families Monday.

Sunday's game was held before an estimated 13,500 fans who packed Al Houghton Stadium in San Bernardino. Many traveled north from Chula Vista and chanted ā€œP-V-L-Lā€ throughout the intense game.


 

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