By Emma O'Dea
The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation believes that every child has the right to play ball, regardless of how much money their parents have. It is partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC to give 300 children from across the Lower Mainland a chance to play baseball.
For many of these kids, this will be the first time theyve ever set foot in a baseball diamond. More importantly, without this particular opportunity, most wouldnt have had the opportunity to play baseball at all.
Jeff Thoms, a father of two girls, Sequoia, age eight and Mikaela, age 10, will be at the programs launch on Thursday. He couldnt be more thrilled about this opportunity.
The girls received an invitation through their school, Mount Pleasant Elementary. Both have played a bit of organized sport before, but this will be the first time either of them have played baseball. Their mom joined a softball team recently, so because of that theyre pretty amped up about it.
Both girls also attend the Boys and Girls Club, every day after school. Thoms describes the club as stellar and says it gives parents a total peace of mind.
Thoms emphasizes that there can sometimes be a stigma attached to living in East Vancouver, and although this is a wonderful opportunity for children in need, it would be a great experience for any child, regardless of their living situation.
He looks forward to his girls becoming more engaged and staying active with other kids in the community.
With the first event kicking off July 5 at Nat Bailey Stadium, the league will run over the course of the summer, where the children will be mentored and coached by local sports personalities and community figures,
The mini league will consist of two divisions. All children ages 6-8, will be in the T-Ball division while all children ages 9-11 will be in the Coach-Pitch division.
For more information, visit the VCBF website.
