Hayward Firefighters, Oakland A’s team up to cover losses suffered by Hayward Little League burglary victims

(HAYWARD, CA) – Few baseball-related losses are as gut-wrenching as the one experienced by Tennyson American Little League on Sunday night. Thieves broke into the league’s clubhouse and made off with the proceeds of their annual fundraiser, roughly $7,000 awaiting bank deposit on Monday morning. The burglary was a major blow to the league, which serves about 220 Hayward kids. Although the league’s insurance will cover most of the loss, the coverage comes with a hefty $1,000 deductible.

True to form, Hayward Firefighters were quick to act. “I saw what had happened on the news and I just felt awful for the kids,” said Ryan Hamre, President of the Hayward Firefighters union. “It didn’t take much for everyone to agree that we needed to do something.”

In the span of a few hours, Hayward Fire Department members had relayed the story to officials with the Oakland A’s and secured a $1,000 donation from the Green and Gold. At the same time, the firefighters matched the A's donation to the league with $1,000 of their own.

And just like that, the Tennyson American Little League is back in business -- and then some.

“I’m just really excited that we were able to do this together,” said Hamre. “We look forward to opportunities to help the community, and it's great to be able to work with the A’s and have a positive outcome for the kids.”