TOWN N COUNTRY, Fla. (WFLA) – The “Field of Dreams” got a little bit dimmer for a Tampa Little League after thieves broke in overnight. The thieves stole $800 and equipment, in addition to the personal information of players and their parents.
Now, it’s just two days before opening day, and organizers are scrambling to come up with a game plan.
“Heartless,” Northwest Little League President Paco Gomez said. “That’s what it is … It felt really bad.”
“My heart dropped to the ground honestly,” Gomez added.
He showed News Channel 8 the mess and asked who could be so cold. These players are as young as 4, 5 and 6.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the field Thursday morning to search for clues, trying to figure out who would steal from a non-profit and its volunteers. The league’s crews volunteer both their time and their talents.
On this field, they’re not only working toward a perfect season but on helping children in the game of life.
“Working out here to support these kids, life lessons, not only just the game of baseball,” Coach Jermaine Thompson said about the program. Thompson’s coached in this league for three years.
The theft has parents crying foul. “Just tell them there (are) bad people out there,” one parent told News Channel 8.
Another said, “I think it’s a shame incidents like this happen.”
But the game will go on this Saturday no matter what. “We’re going to keep going,” Gomez said. “We’re going to keep moving and we’re going to have a season at the end of this day.”
Detectives are working on a few leads.
You can donate here to help the team.