By Kathy Chouteau
The San Pablo Baseball Association, a league that teaches at-risk youth ages 3-17 the sport, had its storage facility set on fire and burgled at approximately 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16.
The incident resulted in the complete destruction of the league’s uniforms and equipment, according to the organization’s President Andre L. Williams, who said now they may not be able to have a spring season. “We’re devastated with the news…We lost everything.”
A GoFundMe entitled “Help San Pablo Baseball Get Back in the Game” was launched by Williams and Samantha Valenzuela to help the league recover from the devastating loss.
San Pablo Police Department Public Information Officer Peggy Chou said police responded to Davis Park in San Pablo at 11:37 a.m. Monday for an arson and burglary investigation following the fire department’s prior dispatch.
A storage container had been set ablaze that contained all of the San Pablo Baseball Association’s equipment. A transient man by the name of Ulices Sanchez, 30, was taken into custody and arrested on alleged arson and burglary charges for breaking into the storage box. Officer Chou said he was also booked on alleged possession of stolen property and a probation violation. An active investigation continues. “Obviously very devastating,” she said of the incident.
Williams reported on the league’s Facebook page that property such as their uniforms, field equipment, bats, balls, catchers gear, l-screens, batting machines, golf cart, advertisements, batting tees and baseball gloves were destroyed.
“The heart of our league has been hit hard, but we won’t let this setback defeat us,” said Williams on the Go Fund Me page. Anyone who can help the league recover from the loss of their equipment can donate to the Go Fund Me or contact Andre Williams at (510) 978-6876.
