NASHVILLE, Tenn (WTVF) — A local baseball team is heading to the World Series, but the Tennessee Parkwood baseball team says the tournament is more than a game.
It’s America’s favorite pastime, game that stretches back for centuries, a game played here on this field for more than 50 years.
"I love baseball, it’s my favorite sport, I’ve been playing for about 14, 13 years," said player Sean Ladd.
These young men ranging from 14 to 17 are the Tennessee Parkwood baseball team, and they are heading to their second world series through the Dixie Baseball league. But the road to the championship did not come easy.
"The kids don’t have much to do at that age once they get 17 wither they’re working or they’re running the streets or something, so this gives them a chance to play something they like and hopefully they can take this to college and pro," said Coach Edward Jakaway
Jakaway says playing baseball gives these kids a chance to win not just in the game of balls and strikes but in a game called life.
"They can get out here and do something every day or three times a week, it really gives them a positive outlook," said Jakaway.
This is a chance to help these young men be better than most.
"We get something to do during the week instead of doing bad things," said Ladd.
And during times when people hear stories about the youth getting into crime and trouble these young athletes want to get to the pros.
"To get to college, get my education and move forward," said Ladd.
And to these players from Antioch to Greenbrier they say they are more than just teammates, athletes and students.
"Everybody's from metro so it’s like a little family, I love it," said Ladd.
The team is a non-for- profit so they are in need of donations to help the players get to all the games. If you can help email the club at parkwoodcommunityclub@gmail.com
Their first game is July 27 against Arkansas.
