Some Lake Wales Little League baseball players are learning a lot about kindness and generosity. It comes on the heels of thieves crushing their spirits by stealing their money and sound equipment.
When the Lakeland Flying Tigers found out, the story quickly changed.
Most of these guys get their start from somewhere like the Lake Wales Little League field.
“They’re in the baseball community and any time the baseball community is hurting you kind of look out for each other,” Ron Myers, Florida Operations Director for Detroit Tigers said.
The Tigers threw $2500 to the league.
That’ll cover the stolen PA system, damaged doors, and money snatched out of the concession stand that was meant to buy trophies.
The funds come from auction sales of items like autographed balls and hats by the major league players at spring training, who know the proceeds will help those who need it.
“After talking to them we could tell they were hurting,” Myers said.
Myers admits the donation was made quietly, since there was no desire for attention. But when News Channel 8 got wind of it, he agreed to share the story.
Two juveniles have been arrested in connection to the burglaries.
One of them was a former player. Lake Wales Police are still looking for who’s behind the fourth burglary. The incidents left the kids learning more about the game of life and thankfully it ended with a win.
“We have something now to teach them that there’s always a silver lining,” Lake Wales Little League Spokesman Jim Maggard said. “No matter how bad it might look when you have community and the support and you do the right thing people come to support you it’s a beautiful thing.”
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