Recently, I became involved with a little league on the east side of Houston.  When my son asked me if he could play baseball I chose this little league because it was the one I played in when I was his age.  It is the Magnolia National Little League, located at Hildago park.

Needless to say this little league services many children whose families are not of means.  The good folks that manage the league have done their best to not turn kids away, but as you can imagine, many have to sit out the season while their friends play.  The numbers this year were about 30 percent of applicants could not afford the $75 fee.  The league sponsored roughly 5 percent.  I was there when these kids received their new uniforms; cap, shirt, pants and belt.  Their beaming smiles and excitement were bittersweet to me because the other 25 percent were not playing.

Fast forward a couple of weeks to when I was talking to my good friend, Roy Garivey, about my desire to help more kids play ball.  We both came up with the concept of a golf tournament with proceeds going toward field renovation and sponsorships.  Roy’s organization, National Latino Peace Officer Association, would host the event.

My desire to help is twofold.  First, it was the first park I ever got to play in after moving out of Clayton Homes.  Up to that point I had not known what it was like to play with other kids until just before dusk.  Growing up in Clayton Homes meant you stayed behind locked doors most of the time.  I remember how important it was to me to be able to play with my friends, to be a part of a team full of comradery – such as it is at that age.  Second, I recently took a big picture look at why Republicans like me are not well received in these parts.  My best guess is that we are not known for the good deeds we do in these communities.  We need to do a better job at community building in areas like the East End of Houston before we can ask for votes.  Is there a better way to show we care than helping kids play ball?  My proposal is this: come out and play golf.  Let’s have a good time on the links and give back to the community at the same time.  After we make this a success, let’s find another way to help out these communities.  When we are done with that let’s move on to the next thing, and then the next because it is the right thing to do.  First and foremost, we will all reap the benefits of stronger kids and communities, no doubt there.  Little by little we will also be regaining the credibility that we need to turn things around.

Please come out and join me for the golf, food, prizes, and fun.  Four man scramble:

First Annual Magnolia Youth Baseball Golf Tournament
Sunday May 26th 2013
Country Place Golf Club
3123 Flower Field Lane Pearland, TX 77584
Four Man Scramble, 8 am Shotgun Start
Contact: Joe Ablaza to get registered.  713.906.3036
[email protected]