FAYETTEVILLE, AR (KNWA) – A local softball team is headed to the Youth World Series after thousands of dollars in donations came in from across the country, including some from Northwest Arkansas.
It’s been a wild week for Venom Fast Pitch Softball.
“The team has gone from thinking they’re never going to do this, to finding out yesterday, they are getting to go to the world series,” said team mom Shelly Emmert.
The 14-and-under team is a top seed for the upcoming world series in Orlando, Florida and they’ve raised money for months to be able to go.
“We’ve done raffles, we’ve done meals, community meals, we’ve done all kinds of things. Car washes, all the typical things that teams do to raise money,” Emmert said.
With time running out, and the team behind on funds, someone burglarized the fireworks stand they were operating to raise more money for the trip.
“This kind of just devastated us, having somebody come in here and steal from us,” said Venom coach Bobbie Wolf. “I never thought nothing like this would happen here.”
The team put up a GoFundMe page to ask for donations. A major donation on the page helped the team meet their goal of $6,500 on Tuesday, but according to the website, the payment did not process.
But as of Thursday morning, with more donations rolling in, the team once again had reached their goal.
But now, they say it’s time to focus on the game.
“It’s just amazing that people who don’t even know us, you know. They’re just giving to us out of their hearts,” said left fielder Emily Emmert.
12-year-old Emmert couldn’t believe it when money started pouring in on the team’s online page.
“It was pretty shocking at first,” she said. “I just really think that God did this for a reason. He’s showing us that the good people can always defeat bad actions.”
With the tournament just days away, it’s all hands on deck to get ready.
“So, we’re now scrambling to get everything together, kind of last minute, but we really just want them to focus on playing ball,” said team mom Shelly Merrit.
With a last minute practice, packed bags and a restored faith in humanity, the girls head to Orlando with Northwest Arkansas behind them all the way.
“As long as we try our best, keep our heads high, win or lose playing there, being there and trying our hardest,” Emmert said. “Thank you for giving from your hearts. Thank you, and thank the Lord, and thanks for everything.”
“Never give up, you know? No matter how far down you are, you just got to keep fighting, for every step, every bat, every ball, every place that we go, we’re gonna fight, and we’re gonna get there and we’re gonna cross the chalk.”
