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A Little League of Their Own
By Elisa Ast All
Her teammates most of whom are on the honor role and are active in their communities feel the same way. "Carly was very excited and surprised to practice with the team," Callans says. "The girls are all excellent athletes that can really play baseball."
Because of their athleticism and dedication to baseball, the girls were selected for the team by the American Women's Baseball Federation (AWBF), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit amateur sports organization that organizes and promotes baseball tournaments for women and girls. Collectively, the girls aspire to represent the United States in Disney's Sunshine Showdown.
Countries participating in the tournament include Japan, Australia and Canada, but as of right now, no team from the United States is scheduled to be there because of a lack of funds. The team, aptly named the Chicago Pioneers, is raising money through fundraisers: two teammates recently raised $65 by selling lemonade and cookies one weekend.
But they need about $6,000 more to make it happen.
Arnold, now 83 and the inspiration to Carly Callans, is on hand with encouragement and hard-won advice from her days as a professional baseball player, and she is hopeful the girls will earn the money they need to get to Florida. "Never give up, and have fun doing it!" she says.
If you would like to find out how your daughter can join the team, or if you would like to help them get there, please contact Jim Glennie through the AWBF Web site at www.AWBF.org.