How Venezuelan Major Leaguers got Little Leaguers to Williamsport

By César Augusto Márquez

Without a helping hand from Venezuelan major leaguers, Luz-Maracaibo might have never gotten to Williamsport, Pa., for this year’s Little League Baseball World Series.

Players on different Major League Baseball teams came together to ensure that their country’s Little League champion got to participate in the regional tournament in the Dominican Republic. And after it won the Latin American championship with an 8-0 record, that Luz-Maracaibo team got to complete its journey to Williamsport.

Call it a team effort, starting with Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos “CarGo” González, who paid for the airfare to last year’s regional tournament. González’s lead was followed by Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis, San Diego Padres pitcher Jhoulys Chacín and Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor, who combined to help the 20-person delegation secure their visas and have meal money during their stay in Williamsport.

“It would have been very sad for these kids to win the championship in their country and not be able to represent Venezuela elsewhere. I think that it’s the right gesture. They should know that they can count on us and that we believe in them,” González, a three-time All-Star, noted in a statement written in Spanish to La Vida Baseball.

It’s not surprising that major leaguers got involved. After all, baseball is Venezuela’s national sport and, back home, people take their hitting and fielding seriously starting at a young age.

Venezuela is making its third appearance in the LLWS in the past four years and 20th overall. After beating Mexico in its opening game, Luz-Maracaibo lost to Canada on Sunday. It then beat the Dominican Republic on Monday to stay alive and will now play Mexico on Tuesday in another elimination game.

“If you have the chance to make it happen for the kids, then you step up.” — Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis

For González, who was born in Maracaibo, it was also a point of pride to support his hometown team. But to show that he’s not playing favorites, he came to the rescue again this year, helping this summer’s Venezuelan Little League champion by paying for their airfare to the regional tournament in Reynoso, Mexico, that will determine next year’s Latin American representative in Williamsport.

Despite living in San Diego — 3,250 miles from his hometown of Maracaibo — Chacín heard about the team’s financial plight through his personal trainer, Ricardo Linares. He immediately chipped in, offering to pay for 20 visas at the United States Embassy — at $190 a clip for the P visas that are issued to athletes.

“Given the difficult economic situation that Venezuela is going through, I’m glad that I can do my part for something like this,” said Chacín in Spanish via WhatsApp.

“I almost made it to the Little League World Series once, so I know what it means. I couldn’t let them miss out on the opportunity, and it gives me great satisfaction to help all these kids realize their dreams,” added Chacín, who has a career 57-65 record over nine seasons.

Besides being expensive, the visas presented enormous logistical problems. The players and coaches on the team would need to travel 325 miles from Maracaibo to Caracas to apply for them in person.

Given the current political crisis, where there are street demonstrations almost daily against the government of President Nicolás Maduro and highways are frequently closed, Odor paid for the group to fly to Caracas and secure their visas.

Odor, who was also born in Maracaibo, had a stronger personal connection: The current Luz-Maracaibo coach, Alexander Ballesteros, was his Little League coach.

“I know everybody on that team in that league,” Odor told the Associated Press. “And that’s why I tried help.”

Galvis also heard about Luz-Maracaibo’s financial issues through Linares. He decided to provide meal money and per diem for the group during their stay in Williamsport.

“When I was kid, life wasn’t easy,” said Galvis in Spanish in a phone interview with La Vida Baseball. “But I recall that my godfather and the parents of the players made it possible so we could play Little League.”

“I didn’t hesitate to help,” said Galvis, born in Punto Fijo, a coastal city northeast of Maracaibo. “I played Little Leagues for three years and I know that everyone dreams of representing Venezuela. If you have the chance to make it happen for the kids, then you step up.”

Featured Image: @fran_cervelli Instagram