Three Little Village boys journey to Costa Rica to symbolize group Mexico in worldwide baseball event: ‘We’re very lucky’

Taking part in baseball has stored younger boys in Little Village secure, away from avenue violence and gangs. It has additionally opened the door to alternatives that after appeared distant, stated 13-year-old Freddy Garcia.

On Sunday Garcia and pals, Victor Cervantes and Ben DeMateo took off for Costa Rica to take part in a world baseball event the place they are going to be part of the Mexico group.

“We’re very lucky,” Freddy stated. “My mother and father are excited and say that some youngsters don’t get this chance so we should benefit from this chance.”

The boys, who’ve been taking part in facet by facet in parks on Chicago’s Southwest Aspect since they have been 4 years previous, are the one gamers from the USA representing group Mexico within the 14-and-under event in Central America, that runs by Sunday, stated Matt DeMateo, govt director of the New Life Church, which runs the Little Village Little League. The boys can be competing with groups representing the Dominican Republic, United States, Colombia, Panama and Puerto Rico.

For greater than a decade, the Little Village Little League has been a secure haven for boys, offering them with an surroundings removed from the one typically highlighted within the information — and as an alternative fostering their development within the sport and academically. Greater than 300 kids take part within the league.

Ben stated that the journey the three boys are taking is extra than simply about baseball, it’s a testomony to the work that he and different group leaders have been placing in to encourage change.

“For us, it’s in regards to the energy of sport to create secure areas, the place youngsters are capable of thrive. Play is without doubt one of the most vital methods during which youth can take care of trauma and is without doubt one of the primary methods to construct group,” DeMateo stated. Few instances, youngsters taking part in ball in underserved communities get the identical alternatives as these taking part in in leagues in wealthier areas.

Freddy, Victor, and Ben know that. Proper earlier than leaving, Freddy and Victor shared their pleasure to symbolize Mexico. “It’s a particular feeling as a result of I get to symbolize the place my mother and father got here from and I’m going to cherish each second of it,” stated Victor.

When he began taking part in ball, it was only for enjoyable, he recalled. However he started to fall in love with the sport. Victor’s father, Victor Cervantes Sr., stated he’s pleased with his son. After immigrating to Chicago from Jalisco practically 15 years in the past, they established themselves in Little Village.

Cervantes Sr. stated that he’s grateful that his son can play within the event and counseled the coaches for his or her work.

“Gracias a dios pudo ir, y espero que lo aprovechen, no todos los niños de su edad en el vecindario tiene esta oportunidad,” Cervantes Sr. stated. “Thank God he was capable of go, and I hope they benefit from it, not all youngsters his age within the neighborhood have this chance.”

The journey can also be proof that excellent news and good baseball gamers are growing within the Little Village neighborhood because of the funding in youth, stated Tony Rodriguez, one of many boys’ coaches.

“However the purpose of all of it is for the boys to finally get a scholarship and pursue larger schooling,” stated Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who was raised in Little Village, wished to guarantee that the game wasn’t solely a distraction however moderately a pipeline for development for the youth that will finally additionally change the group narrative.

For that, Rodriguez helped set up the Little Village Sluggers, a year-round growth program that is part of the Little Village Little League that recruits a number of the strongest gamers to educate them the basics of the sport and new expertise through the use of his connections as a former faculty and semipro coach.

He additionally grew to become a part of the teaching workers of the Cubs RBI All-Star program in 2019. Cubs RBI is a Main League Baseball program designed to extend participation and curiosity in baseball and softball amongst youth as a part of Cubs Charities. A number of RBI All Stars — together with the three boys — emerged from LVLL and take part in RBI Students, which gives tutorial help to athletes in Cubs RBI.

Cubs Charities, Rodriguez stated, has offered a number of sources and facilitated partnerships which have allowed him and DeMateo to foster their mission, together with main facility upgrades at Piotrowski Park. The enhancements on the park sparked the connection between Cubs Charities and the Little Village group in 2015. Since then, the group has invested greater than $300,000 in capital and program grants to help issues such because the Little Village Little League and the Cubs RBI program.

“Little Village is a superb instance of how sports activities is usually a automobile for strengthening youth, households and neighborhoods,” stated Keri Blackwell, deputy director for Cubs Charities. “We’re excited for the wonderful journey that awaits Ben, Victor and Freddy. Their love for the sport and drive to develop is why we stay dedicated to enhancing the standard, security and accessibility of baseball and softball for youth throughout Chicago.”

The worldwide event grew to become a actuality because of Rodriguez’s connections with a baseball academy in Mexico. The final word purpose is to attach the gamers from Little Village and Mexico.

“We wish to construct a bridge between Chicago and Mexico — now we have a bunch of companions and the vast majority of our gamers are Mexican — so we wished to construct a powerful group of peace along with that group,” stated DeMateo.

Freddy, Victor, and Ben would be the first three gamers to construct these connections with the gamers in Costa Rica.

“Hopefully with our expertise we get to sometime make it out and present that individuals from Little Village can actually play,” Freddy stated.

larodriguez@chicagotribune.com