Team Strikes Out in Bid for City Donation

A group of 9- and 10-year-old baseball players and their coaches drew praise from the City Council this week but struck out when they asked for a $10,000 donation.

The team, the Cypress Rockies, recently won the right to be one of two teams representing California Aug. 3-10 in the Amateur Athletic Union World Series Championship Tournament in Kansas City, Mo.

Rudy Lara, a parent who is manager of the team, told the City Council that it will cost about $1,000 for each of the 17 youngsters to attend the weeklong event.

“We figure we can raise $7,000, but we need $10,000 [more],” Lara said.

However, Councilwoman Cecilia L. Age said that donating city money to a private club would create a dangerous precedent. She said many other deserving youth organizations could similarly make claims for city funding.

Councilman Tom Carroll added: “I could not in good conscience vote to spend taxpayer money on this.”

The council members said they endorse private fund-raising now being done for the team but have no city money to give to the campaign.