Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 5 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
Vidalia Lil' Angels hosting fundraiser
Published Friday, May 30, 2008
VIDALIA — Being a part of a traveling youth sports team isn’t cheap. Tournament fees, gas and lodging will eat up a budget in a hurry.
That’s why the Lil’ Vidalia Angels softball team is having a fundraiser spaghetti plate dinner today.
The Angels will have spaghetti plates which include green beans, homemade rolls and a cake slice, for sale at the Vidalia Recreation Center for $6 each from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The money raised will go toward funding trips to tournaments during the summer, including the World Series in Fayetteville, Ark.
“We played in a tournament in Meridian and finished fourth, then we won a Memorial Day weekend tournament in Eunice, La.,” Said Tina Thompson, whose husband Paul is one of the team’s coaches, “We usually play until the end of July but after that last tournament, all of the money is gone. We want to go to another couple of tournaments, which is why we’re having the fundraiser.”
Thompson said each tournament costs quite a bit of money to participate.
“The entry fee for these tournaments is usually between $175 and $250 per player,” Thompson said. “World Series tournaments are more than that. Then you have to consider gas to travel to the tournament site as well as lodging, it’s not cheap at all.”
The Angels team is made up of 12 players age 10 and under. The team was started by coaches Donald Bertelsen and Bill Harrell and some of the players have been playing together for three years.
Thompson said the team is lots of fun for the girls.
“They play a lot of games out in the boiling sun, but they hang in there great,” Thompson said. “They’re doing really great. We’re proud of them. They represent Vidalia well.”
Thompson said that while the team enjoys the tournaments, she hopes that one day the Vidalia recreation complex will be complete and the team can perhaps host some tournaments of their own.
“We hope to one day host tournaments here at home,” Thompson said. “That would bring some good revenue to the Miss-Lou.”
For more information about the spaghetti plate fundraiser, contact Thompson at 601-446-2229. Patrons may also fax in their order at 601-442-8551.
Comments
Posted by Usedtolovenatchez (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope it $175 to $250 per TEAM, not per PLAYER. That would REALLY be expensive.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It IS per person, Usedto. Isn't that ridiculous? But these little girls represent our area wonderfully! They are fun to watch! Best of luck Vidalia girls!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Gimmeabreak (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was a Vidalia Angel in my younger days-some of the best memories ever. I knew for sure she was misquoted with the $250 per person amount but I see that I was wrong. I cannot believe that it costs that much, when I played it was $250 a team, dang, I guess even recreational sports have seen inflation-crazy. Go Angels!!
Posted by crawgator (anonymous) on May 31, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have been involved with these programs for over 30 years and I can tell you that the amount she stated is modest at best. For these girls to play in one Tournament is in the range of $400-$500 per / with entry fees soaring as are just the means to get to them. Wow, just think of the revenue we could be gathering with an Elite complex like some of the ones I've seen. Our team is currently raising money for a world series tournament that already has over 100 teams. These tournaments usually run 3-5 days. You can figure with gas, fees, and hotel what the price is.
Posted by Usedtolovenatchez (anonymous) on May 31, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Trust me folks, I currently coach a select girls softball team and have for the last 5 yrs. The entry fees in slow pitch tournaments are $175 PER TEAM!!! And are 1 day tournaments until you get to state, regional, or national tournaments. The Angels played in a tournament that my team played in 2 wks ago in Meridian, MS. The entry fee was $175 PER TEAM. Fast pitch entry fees are $250 and are usually 2 day tournaments. Travel softball is extremely expensive, but it is not the tournament entry fees that hurt so bad. Its the gas, food, hotel, etc.
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)