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Cannons 8U team sets out build character by helping community
Baseball can be more than a game when individuals use the sport to unite for a common purpose, to do something constructive for a community as well as themselves. For the Gainesville Cannons 8U "black" travel team, the sport is serving as way to build character. The boys spent part of the summer fundraising door to door, going out in front of local supermarkets selling coupons and other items to area residents in exchange for donations that could benefit the team. But just because the leaves are bound to start changing color soon doesn't mean the Cannons are done. This fall, they're planning to plant a working garden at a local senior living facility, distribute donated food at a Haymarket food bank and spend time at a local health and rehabilitation or assisted living center for seniors to be active with people who can benefit from a youthful hand. "In order to have people help us with our fundraising, we can't just take their money," said assistant coach Phil Quintana. "We need to be good public citizens." There is a practical side to the donation seeking as traveling for a youth sports organization can be expensive, especially without sponsors instantly available. Such expenses include cost of equipment, uniforms and general maintenance. "We didn't want their kids to take for granted mom and dad writing a check," said Quintana. When he first approached Cannons manager Chad Baird about signing up his son to play, Quintana said he wanted to make clear that the team would be about developing good citizens as much as playing ball. That's where the community service aspect comes around. Quintana wrote in an e-mail that the whole team helping others is a chance for the kids to work with each other and interact off the field. "These boys are 'strangers' to each other," said Quintana, "but have come together through baseball to make a positive impact." When team officials approached a Gainesville-based senior center with the idea, Quintana said initial talks focused around the boys playing wiffle ball with the older folks. Instead, however, the Gainesville coaches decided that they wanted them to actually serve, by helping out with lunch trays, reading and handling Bingo cards and participating in general activity time. According to Quintana, one of the goals is for the 12 boys from Haymarket and Gainesville to become "positive role models for the environment." If they're successful, the assistant coach said, that will allow each of the players to "build character and become positive citizens in their future communities throughout their lives." The team includes players Noah Latta, Jack Walsh, Jackson Baird, Owen Vandiver, Brendan Graham, Cole Bonnell, Blake Cuddington, Daniel Quintana, Eddie Wagner, Preston Munro, Joseph Christopher, and Peter Benavides along with a five-man coaching staff led by Chad Baird.
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