Brooklyn youth baseball team raising money to play in AABC World Series

A Brooklyn youth baseball team is asking for the community’s help in funding its trip to the American Amateur Baseball Congress World Series in Rockford, Illinois.

The Youth Service League Bombers, a 13-U team based in Canarsie, is looking to raise about $10,000 in order to cover airfare, hotel costs, car rentals and meals for the players and their parents. The team requires the funding before it leaves for Rockford on Thursday, August 4.

“For these boys, it would be a dream come true,” said Jimmy Draiss, who has been reaching out to restaurants, businesses and other organizations along with team coach Felix Santana. “They made the World Series two years ago but it was in Brooklyn. They were not able to travel. Some of them have been a part of it since they were nine or 10 years old.”

The team first reached out for assistance to State Senator Martin Golden’s office. It has also attempted to garner support through canning on Saturdays and reaching out to larger ball clubs/players such as the Brooklyn Cyclones, New York Mets and New York Yankees.

In total, the team has raised approximately $2,500, including over $1,200 via  https://www.gofundme.com/yslbombers.

In preparation for the World Series, which will last from August 5 through 10, the Bombers have been practicing for three to four days a week, three to four hours at a time, all the while collecting donations in the sun and heat.

“It would be great for the boys to experience,” said Draiss. “They have participated in all the boroughs but to experience how baseball is played in other states, meet kids from different states, line up and shake hands after the game, to be part of that is a memory they will never forget — win, lose or draw.”