Manteca Little League
Donation protected
The Manteca Little League is trying to recover after being the target of thieves.
It was sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning when crooks used a flat bar to pry open the league's storage unit at Lincoln Park.
"The door was literally hanging off, it had been pulled," said Brian Grabowski, president of the Manteca Little League.
The thieves made off with maintenance equipment, including a four-wheel ATV. "We had a case of Manteca Little League baseballs that were taken. Those were our playoff baseballs," said Grabowski.
The kids' batting helmets and catching gear were also stolen – a total loss of about $3,000.
The young players were left hurting the most. "I think that's messed up since most of the stuff is part of our field," said Mark Lopez-Smith, a Cubs player.
Despite the theft, the players continued to play ball as they gear up for playoffs.
"Unfortunately, it's hitting them the most because they're not going to have the field that they need to be able to play the best ball that they can," said league parent and fundraising coordinator, Tara Todd.
But it's something the kids had to get used to. Last year, the same storage unit was also broken into.
In order to replace the stolen items, fees have to go up.
"It turns back onto having to raise registration fees and that's something that unfortunately we've had to do," said Grabowski.
Even with the lost items, the game will go on.
The League is hoping the community steps in to help. To make a donation go to the Manteca Little League's website.
If you have any information on the theft case, you're asked to contact the Manteca Police Dept.
It was sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning when crooks used a flat bar to pry open the league's storage unit at Lincoln Park.
"The door was literally hanging off, it had been pulled," said Brian Grabowski, president of the Manteca Little League.
The thieves made off with maintenance equipment, including a four-wheel ATV. "We had a case of Manteca Little League baseballs that were taken. Those were our playoff baseballs," said Grabowski.
The kids' batting helmets and catching gear were also stolen – a total loss of about $3,000.
The young players were left hurting the most. "I think that's messed up since most of the stuff is part of our field," said Mark Lopez-Smith, a Cubs player.
Despite the theft, the players continued to play ball as they gear up for playoffs.
"Unfortunately, it's hitting them the most because they're not going to have the field that they need to be able to play the best ball that they can," said league parent and fundraising coordinator, Tara Todd.
But it's something the kids had to get used to. Last year, the same storage unit was also broken into.
In order to replace the stolen items, fees have to go up.
"It turns back onto having to raise registration fees and that's something that unfortunately we've had to do," said Grabowski.
Even with the lost items, the game will go on.
The League is hoping the community steps in to help. To make a donation go to the Manteca Little League's website.
If you have any information on the theft case, you're asked to contact the Manteca Police Dept.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jimmy Maverick Coronado
Organizer
Manteca, CA
Karen Moore
Beneficiary
