And give it to community

The Duvall Mustangs don’t have a sponsor yet. What they do have is two coaches and a team of parents who believe in them. They also have a brand new pitching machine. Well, they did. They gave it away as soon as they got it, at a ceremony on June 16th.

“It’s a community asset,” said Coach Andy DiGenova. “We wanted to make it available to the whole community.”

The Jugs M1400 machine, complete with nets, frame and safety screen, was recently installed at Cedarcrest High School in Duvall.

“The school has been very generous with the use of the fields,” said DiGenova.

The Mustangs won it by entering a contest, “Gear Up Your Team” sponsored by UPS and KOMO 1000 News. “As sponsors of the Seattle Mariners and the worldwide leader in shipping,” said Tom Glasgow, sports director of KOMO 1000 News, “UPS has not forgotten the importance of giving back to the community. They continue to honor youth baseball organizations in need of baseball equipment.”

This is the 3rd year that UPS and KOMO have teamed up for this contest.

The contest was to write in 50 words or less why your team should win the batting cage. Out of 150 entries, narrowed to five for a panel to judge, the entry from Kim Reeves, mom of Tyler, won.

“Our team is a group of boys who just want to play baseball together as friends; we have no sponsors, no little league support out of our area – just friends who want to play together ... the boys have great talent & love for the game of baseball; they would greatly appreciate the new gear!!!” said Kim in her letter.

Included with the batting machine was a gift card to Athletic Supply, bringing the total value to $4,188. The coaches used the gift card to buy gear for the team – including bats, balls and a catcher’s mask.

Also included were 37 tickets to the Father’s Day Mariners’ game against the San Francisco Giants. “The whole team got to go,” said Aaron DiGenova. Aaron likes having his dad as a coach because “it gives us more time to do stuff together.”

He says he wants to be a shortstop like the Mariners’ Yuniesky Betancourt, “because he’s a young player, and has a lot of energy and enthusiasm on the field.”

“The boys have been playing select pony league baseball together for three years,” said Connie Harrington, mom of team member Tyler.

They won 1st place in Derby Days in Redmond and 2nd place in Port Orchard. They hosted their first 1-day tournament on June 25th at John McDonald Park in Carnation.

And if that wasn’t enough, Mike Blowers, former Seattle Mariners third baseman, was there to give the boys some tips on their batting, and of course to sign a few autographs.

To KOMO 1000 News, UPS and Athletic Supply Aaron spoke for the whole team when he said, “Thanks for all the stuff, the tickets to the game, batting cage, new cool equipment.”

Anyone wanting to sponsor this generous and motivated team of 12-year old boys can contact Connie Harrington at (425) 442-0667.