Annual Little League fund-raiser scores big hit
The Martinez-Evans Little League held its annual Betsy Bingo fund-raiser last Saturday.
Hundreds of Little League baseball players, parents and other fun-seekers turned out at Kelley Field on Old Petersburg Road in Martinez to take part in carnival rides, games, rock-climbing, singing and, of course, baseball.
The primary draw of the event, and its namesake, Betsy Bingo allowed participants to pick a square of the baseball field on the chance that Betsy the cow would deposit a dropping there, and the winner would receive a cash prize. The grand prize of Betsy Bingo was $1,000.
"This is our biggest fund-raiser of the year and we usually raise around $20,000 to $25,000," said Martinez-Evans Little League President Donald Coleman. "It's money that we use to repair fields, purchase uniforms and other things that may come up."
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In addition to Betsy Bingo, other fund-raising activities included food sales and an auction conducted by state Rep. Ben Harbin, R-Evans. Among the items auctioned were a Club Car golf cart and a John Deere riding mower.
John Jiminez, 11, of Evans, rears back to launch a water
balloon in a game during the Betsy Bingo fund-raiser at Kelley Field.
Photo by Donnie Fetter
But for many of the visitors, it was all about finding the next exciting ride or activity.
"It's fun," said John Jimenez, 11, who had just emerged from a water-balloon fight dripping wet in his Evans Pirates uniform. "I just got here about 30 minutes ago and I'm having fun."
The Martinez-Evans Little League plays host to about 60 teams and 780 children from ages 5 to 15.
"Kids have so many choices these days," said Coleman. "Baseball continues to be popular for whatever reason. They want to play and the league wants to make sure they'll always be able to."