Team Renfrew-1 show off their newly won B Championship medals from their End of Year Tournament at Ma-te-Way Park. (photo credit: Renfrew Minor Baseball)
Renfrew Minor Baseball thanks the community for stepping up to the plate as they scramble to keep things running until the end of the season.
The local little league organization is still trying to recover after someone broke in to the Ma-te-Way Park canteen during the overnight hours during their weekend-long end-of-year tournament, making off with everything from snacks to trophies and prizes meant to draw in funds to help them keep player fees low.
League President Kasia Maves says they had everything ready to go for their final day on Saturday night, but it was no longer there by the time town staff called on Sunday morning to tell her they found one of the shuttered windows forcibly opened.
Maves says all parties involved decided to involve local police right away, adding that the response from officers on the case has been fantastic.
The case is ongoing, but police are reportedly examining camera footage from the nearby myFM Centre as well as physical evidence left at the scene.
Even so, she says the loss has been overwhelming for the many volunteers who have invested their time in making the weekend and the entire season memorable for the kids.
The canteen would eventually return to action with a few items for sale, but Maves explains that it’s frustrating to have something like theft derail what had been a smooth operation for most of the summer.
Maves thanks the many community groups who have reached out to offer their support as they deal with what she calls a devastating loss for what is a smaller league of around 150 players who rely on the canteen’s proceeds to cover field rentals and tournaments.
She encourages anyone with information about the case to contact Renfrew OPP or Crime Stoppers.
Donations will be accepted by e-transfer at renfrewmbaseballtreasurer@gmail.com.
(written by Kasey Egan)