Help Support HTX Families Affected by Softball Scam

We are a group of parents and players from the Houston-area youth softball community who have recently fallen victim to a heartbreaking scam.

Earlier this year, many of us entrusted Thaddeus Lewis, who claimed to be building a competitive select softball team under the name HTX Sliders, with our daughters’ time, talent, and dreams. We paid fees intended to cover tournament entries, college showcases, and uniforms—opportunities meant to further our children’s development and college prospects.

Unfortunately, after collecting funds, Mr. Lewis vanished without warning. All phone numbers, payment accounts, and online profiles tied to him have been shut down or made untraceable. We are now left without a team, without answers, and without the money we invested in our daughters’ futures.

Police reports have been filed with multiple agencies:

• Pasadena Police Case #: 25-009058

• La Porte Police Case #: 25-01692

• A report with Houston Police is pending.

We are raising funds to:

• Reimburse families for lost fees

• Cover costs for players to join new teams

• Ensure our girls can still participate in upcoming tournaments and showcases they worked so hard to prepare for

This experience has been both financially and emotionally devastating—but we are determined to turn it into something positive by rallying around our players and each other.

If you’re part of the softball community or simply someone who believes in helping kids pursue their dreams, we humbly ask for your support. Every donation—big or small—helps us rebuild and keep these girls on the field where they belong.

Thank you for standing with us.

Parents of the New HTX Sliders