Kontos Column: Swinging for the fences

By Dan Kontos

Among many other things to be proud of in our community, one is youth baseball.

August 14-24, the Stevens Point Youth Baseball Association (SPYBA) 13-year-old and under team is taking a trip of a lifetime. After battling their way down the tournament trail, starting at the state level and striving through the Ohio Valley regional games, they were invited and soon will be on their way to the Babe Ruth World Series in Jamestown, New York.

Exciting times for these dozen young athletes, many of them having played together since they were seven years old. Not just them, but exciting times for the coaches, assistants, and families. Especially so, considering that this was their third attempt to make it to the championship.

According to Head Coach Jason Duellman, the season has been a labor of love, with hard work and long hours, and he is tremendously proud of his players. He also went on to praise the tremendous parent support that he and the team enjoy. Not the stereotypical helicopter parent drama that plagues all too many of our youth sporting events these days.

While this is obviously a great achievement to be celebrated, we’re not there yet. This is where the community comes in.

The team leaves for New York on August 13. That’s more than 10 days of travel, food, and especially lodging. Coach Duellman estimates the cost to be more than $3,000 per kid. Even with my limited math skills, multiply that by 12 players, and the total is a lot!

As in the past, local supporters are contributing mightily to support the team over their seasons, but now, in order to get the team to their ultimate destination, the burden is even heavier. That’s where we can help.

Local businesses are stepping up to support the team. Let me give you a couple of great examples.

At the local iconic hangout for tantalizing adult beverages and scrumptious pub grub, Mr. Brews Taphouse is quietly asking its patrons with a simple homemade sign requesting donations to support the SPYBA trip. Showing the nature of their customers, to date, they have raised well over $1,000 in mostly small but meaningful contributions. 

Watching the donors, they typically show a smile of appreciation when they hear the story of the team’s achievements. The staff, always appreciative of the generosity their guests show for this and all sorts of causes, thank them with genuine appreciation, almost as if the contributions have extra special meaning – which it kind of does.

Meanwhile, at another local eatery, Pizza Ranch will be sponsoring another of what they refer to as a Community Impact Night. General Manager Gary Hall explains it like this: The company is a huge supporter of local organizations and causes. Gary, who is relatively new in his position, said that there is a renewed commitment to increase their impact for good causes in the area.

On Wednesday, August 6, from 4-8 p.m., Pizza Ranch will host SPYBA as the kids bus tables to help support their trip. Ten percent of the sales will be donated to the team’s trip. 

In addition, donations made directly to the team will be eligible for a drawing for “Free Pizza for a Year,” giving you a free large pizza every month for all 12 of the following months. If that’s not enough, coupon cards for Pizza Ranch will be sold for $10-$15, giving pretty good discounts for future visits, and all sales proceeds will go right to the team.

So, if you’re like me, while I love to cook, I occasionally need a break. A trip to Pizza Ranch or Mr. Brews (or most likely and…) can not only give you a bit of a respite from the kitchen, but you can also help support the young athletes at their dream trip of a (albeit short, so far) lifetime.

Can you help without having to eat pizza or drink malted beverages? Yes, but what’s wrong with you?

Individuals can make donations to support the trip by sending money via Venmo at @SPYBA2025. If you don’t know how to use Venmo, you probably know someone under 18 who can help.

If you don’t know any young people, feel free to mail a check to SPYBA, Attn: 13U World Series Team, PO BOX 615, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481.

Thanks for considering supporting our youth athletes as they make memories that will not only last a lifetime, but also motivate follow-on generations to do their best and swing for the fences.

So, with that, let’s meet in the opinion section to talk about all of it, boldly, honestly, and with an appreciation for all our kids who work hard to be more than they think they could. Until then, remember that God loves you, and so do I.