Sarasota Little League's moment of need is bigger than baseball

Signs bearing the number "200" hang on chainlink fences encircling the baseball diamonds at Twin Lakes Park. Foul lines along first and third base lead to them.

Each represents the total feet from home plate to the outfield fence, serving as visual reminders for hitters on how far they'll have to hit the ball for a home run.

In Sarasota Little League, though, that number — multiplied by a thousand — carries a darker meaning. 

It's an omen that without the community's help, the landscape of local youth baseball could change dramatically.

On Oct. 29, the league reported a disappearance of over $200,000 from its treasury, leaving only a few hundred dollars to work with. President Alexis Meininghaus notified league families via email, calling the loss both "shocking" and "devastating."

A police investigation is still active as of Nov. 4, led by the Criminal Investigation Section of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. The league has also launched an emergency fundraiser on Zeffy with a goal of $100,000 and has raised over $17,000.

There will be a community fundraiser Nov. 15 at Twin Lakes Park, from noon to 4 p.m., in hopes of keeping the league running for the spring season. The League needs volunteers, auction items and sponsorships.

In her email to league families, Meininghaus also said the board is reviewing and revising its financial safeguards.

"There were never really any red flags to make us question what was going on, so there was no reason for our board to be concerned," said Meininghaus, a 41-year-old Sarasota resident. "It's safe to say that we were given information each month, at each board meeting, that we believed to be true."

Photo by Jack Nelson

With a few weeks remaining in its fall season, SSL has immediate payments it needs to make. Most pressing of all are expenses for the use of county fields and lights, as well as for the paying of umpires.

Then there's the operation of its building — which Sarasota County is not responsible for — and that entails a gas bill, electric bill and concessions.

SSL, formerly known as the Central Sarasota County Little League, also needs funds to prepare for its spring season. The board has to make orders for equipment, chief among with their uniform vendor.

Meininghaus wanted to offer more transparency to families about the lost funds in her email. But to do so, her and the rest of the board would've had to wait until completion of the investigation.

They couldn't afford to play the waiting game. They reached out purely because of dire financial need.

"We just had to do it. We had to rip the band-aid off," said Meininghaus, who has served as league president since July. "We had to go to them, and they've been fantastic. Our community has really, really rallied and they know how important this organization is."

Photo by Jack Nelson

Stealing from a little league is a strange sort of evil. Whatever motivations there was, whatever parties were involved, this theft is nefarious to its core.

The culprit(s) didn't just hinder league operations. They stole an opportunity for kids to do what they love.

Baseball can be synonymous with a formative time in life. Children come to understand the thrill of winning, sorrow of losing and, most importantly, how to take both outcomes in stride.

Friendships may fluctuate as they move through Little League, but memories often outlast playing days. The excitement of hitting a walk-off single could be equally as memorable as watching it from the dugout while chomping on Big League Chew gum.

Tyler McCallister, a 36-year-old Sarasota resident, has coached in the league before. Two of his sons have played.

As executive vice president at Brown & Brown Insurance, he made a $5,000 donation to the league's online fundraiser while calling on the local business community to pitch in.

"You learn about losing, not giving up, teamwork, hard work, commitment, dedication," McCallister said. "There's a lot of lessons that these children can learn, including socialization, of course, through these avenues that aren't always provided elsewhere... That's why I deeply feel like I want to support it."

One day after Brown & Brown Insurance's major donation, the Plattner Automotive Group at Arcadia Chevrolet matched it.

Marci Plattner, a 56-year-old Sarasota resident, has seen six kids in her family participate in SSL. News of the lost funds hit her hard.

"We have been a great supporter of Sarasota Little League for years and years with all of our children," Plattner said. "It was just really disheartening to hear."

Photo by Jack Nelson

For some kids, Little League is an all-important entry point en route to the bigs. For others, it's no more than a way to be active outside of school. Both are worthy paths.

That's the beauty of baseball. It often serves as an avenue to a winning future — regardless of whether or not that happens in the higher echelons of the sport.

Now it's time for the Sarasota community to affirm its belief in that power. A considerable good is necessary to battle a considerable evil, but it's possible.

Gloves can not be forgotten in closets. Bats can not sit in garages collecting dust.

Help the kids play ball.