Community Corner

Community Rallies to Support FishHawk All-Stars After Money is Stolen

Thanks to the community, the team was more than able to make up for any funds lost in the burglary, said Martinez.

Chasing down thieves was the last thing on Ricky Martinez’ mind Saturday as he finished up a practice at the FishHawk Sports Complex with his all-star team of 8- and 9-year-olds.

As the team was wrapping up practice, Martinez ended up hopping in his car and chasing down a pair of alleged burglars.

Read in our previous coverage more details about the chase that didn't end until it reached Pasco County.

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At the FishHawk Sports Complex, a mother of one of the all-star players discovered her car had been broken into and her purse was stolen along with a bag that contained, among other things, about $1,000 in funds to be used for the boys’ trip to Alabama on Thursday.

The team had been trying to raise donations to offset the cost of the trip to the Southeastern Regional Tournament Thursday through Sunday in Andalusia, Ala.

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A member of the Cal Ripken Division of the Babe Ruth League, the all-star team selected from 120 8- and 9-year-olds that play at the FishHawk Sports Complex is the first FishHawk team to ever go to a state championship.

The all-stars played in Palm Beach Gardens, winning four games in a row, qualifying as one of two teams to represent Florida at the regional tournament.

For Coach Martinez, who has been coaching at the FishHawk Sports Complex for four years, the team’s success was especially thrilling.

As a boy playing at the South Brandon Little League in 1991 at the age of 15, Martinez was a member of the first team to go to the Little League World Series.

“That was such a thrill and I have such great memories of that time,” said Martinez. “I wanted these boys to experience that feeling.”

But competing at the state and regional level comes with a price.

“This will be our third trip of the summer and the parents have to foot the bill. Each trip costs about a $1,000 a trip so we decided we needed to raise money to offset the cost,” said Martinez.

On July 7, the same day the auto burglaries occurred, the team hosted an equipment exchange at the sports complex. Members of the community were asked to donate their old sports equipment and Play It Again Sports general manager Bryan Havener, whose kid plays at FishHawk, would donate all proceeds to the team.

“Quite a few people donated equipment on Saturday,” said Martinez. “So after practice that day, I told the boys to stick around and thank people for donations. That’s when this (the burglaries) all went down. There were only four or five cars in the parking lot and they were literally 20 yards away from us. They were really bold.”

But, thanks to the community, the team was more than able to make up for any funds lost in the burglary, said Martinez.

In addition to a $1,200 donation from Play It Again Sports, the Publix of FishHawk Ranch permitted the team to sell raffle tickets for tickets to Busch Gardens, certificates to Beef O’ Brady’s and Cherry’s as well as a chance to win a Nintendo Wii.

“That brought in quite a bit,” said Martinez. “I also got a ton of calls yesterday from people wanting to donate.” Among them was a $2,000 donation from the Landon Plastic Surgery Center and a $1,000 donation from Mosaic Inc.

“We’re dividing it by 12 and giving it to parents to help ease the burden,” said Martinez.

As for playing in the regional tournament, Martinez said the kids are “pumped up.”

“This is a great group of kids,” said Martinez. “But, with 8-year-olds, the key is getting them to have fun, learn teamwork and know their roles. I think they’ll do great.”


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