World Series Fundraiser Underway For Harford Co. Baseball Champs
BEL AIR, Md. (WJZ)— A lot of kids who play baseball dream of being in the World Series. Now, as Mike Schuh reports, some kids from Bel Air have overcome all the hurdles to get to the Cal Ripken World Series--except for perhaps the most important one.
Being part of a group like this is the highlight of your summer. The Hickory Hornets have had many highlights. Game after game they've battled back.
"Because it's exciting during games because when they get down they get back up," said Jacob Boddan, batboy.
They kept getting back up. Now they're state champions and regional Cal Ripken champs.
"So these kids have learned a lot of life lessons in the past weeks about perseverance, never giving up, never being counted out," Ken Bogdan, coach.
Now these kids could be world champs.
"We're really excited because it's a one in a lifetime kinda deal," said Cameron Kalandros, player.
But-- and there's always a but in these stories—although Bel Air and the site of the championships in Winchester, Va. are just 120 miles apart, it might as well be on the other side of the Earth.
To get this far, they've twice had to travel and stay overnight.
"The parents have been hit pretty hard from a financial standpoint, for them to go up and play it's a very expensive cost," said Randy Spurlock, head coach.
In other words, they're broke. This week they need $16,000 or there will be no joy in Mudville.
"It's a very expensive thing and what we're trying to do is try to raise some money," Spurlock said.
On Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Five Guys in Bel Air, they're having a fundraiser.
"Donate some money to us," said Jake Supulock, center fielder.
The team has a fund set up with M& T Bank in Bel Air. It's called the "Hornets World Series Fund."
