Community steps up to bat for Bend North Little League

As the Bend North Little League team prepares for its Little League World Series debut Thursday afternoon, the community is rallying behind Central Oregon’s first team to make it to Williamsport, Pa.

Bend North Little League’s 12U All-Star team topped Washington, 5-1, on Saturday to win the regional championship game in San Bernardino, California.

The boys landed on Sunday for an incredible journey in Williamsport, representing the Northwest in the Little League World Series tournament from August 18th – 28th held at Howard J. Lamade Stadium.

Bend residents and fans can follow the team and watch live on ESPN or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/201612Ubendnorthallstars.

“The boys have worked so hard as a team for this moment and we are so excited to see them play in the World Series Tournament,” said Sam Palermo, Bend North Little League president.

The trip is a once-in a-lifetime event for the boys, but is costly for families, who have made two trips and will miss several weeks of work to see their boys play in two consecutive championships.

In a release issued Wednesday, the team said it “would appreciate donations from the Bend community to cover travel costs.”

Wednesday evening, the Bend City Council will vote upon and present a proclamation to Coach Bill Corrigan declaring Thursday as Bend North Day, to kick off a campaign of community and business support for the Bend North families.

Several businesses, such as Bend Magazine, Riverbend Brewing, and Longboard Louie’s East have already stepped up, and the hope is that other local businesses might donate a portion of their proceeds on or immediately following Bend North Day through the duration of the series, which ends August 28 th .

The team said would like to thank those individuals and companies who have already generously donated. If you or your business would like to support the team, click here bnll.org

Meanwhile, Bend Oil, along with its parent company Mid Columbia Producers would like to encourage the community to come out in full force to show support for The Bend North Little League Thursday evening.

Come celebrate our boys as they play in the opening game of the Little League World Series Thursday night at Abby’s Pizza in Bend, located at 1115 NE 3rd Street. Game time is 4 PM. If you can’t make it for the game, you can still support the team and their families by making Abby’s your choice for dinner tomorrow evening.

The game will be on large screens throughout the restaurant and Abby’s will be donating 20 percent of all proceeds… dine in, take out, or delivery during the hours of 4-9 tomorrow evening.

Bend Oil/Mid Columbia Producers will match all donations up to $2,000.

Come order a pizza and watch the game, or stay put and call for delivery, either way the team wins!

About Bend North Little League

Little League Baseball is a non-profit organization whose mission to promote, develop, supervise, and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League baseball.

Through proper guidance and exemplary leadership, the Little League program assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork, and physical well-being.

By espousing the virtues of character, courage and loyalty, the Little League Baseball program is designed to develop superior citizens rather than superior athletes, Little League teaches boys and girls the game of baseball or softball, fair play, sportsmanship, how to be competitive, how to cooperate with others, how to win or lose with dignity, and how to respect authorities. Learn more at http://www.bnll.org/