Carl Crawford Identifies With Chicago Little League Team
Dating back to last year, Crawford has funded the Jackie Robinson West little league team, which is based out of Chicago. The team fell one game short of reaching the Little League World Series last year, but earned a trip to Williamsport, Pa. this year.
Crawford said the reason for his involvement is the nostalgia and reminder of his days as a little leaguer, via Steve Dilbeck of the LA Times:
They just reminded me so much of the Little League team I played on, being all black and everything,” Crawford said. “I called up my brother [Cory], who helps me with a lot of this stuff and I told him, ‘Can you reach out to this team and see what they’ve got going on, if they need any help or whatever?’ I didn’t really know what their situation was, I just reached out to them on my own.”
Among Crawford’s contributions include his paying for hotel and travel of the player’s parents. The expense doesn’t concern Crawford, who is pleased with the team getting the opportunity to play:
The bill don’t matter, that’s the thing,” he said. “As long as it gives them a chance to play.”
Jackie Robinson West fell to Nevada on Sunday and will be in a must-win situation on Monday when they face the Cumberland, Rhode Island team. Crawford plans to meet the team he’s been funding when the Dodgers visit Chicago.
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