West Broward Hosts 3rd Annual Bats Against Breast Cancer
When West Broward Manager Sergio Ambros first took over the program four years ago, he wanted to do something that was different and hadn’t been done before. He had an idea to do something positive for the community through the game of baseball. He met with friends such as Jorge Miranda and Onel Garcia, and both jumped right on board. Together they laid the foundation for a special fundraiser that the team organizes each fall, the Bats Against Breast Cancer.
Saturday marked the Bobcats third annual fundraiser event to help raise funds for the fight against breast cancer. The team hosts a pair of varsity and junior varsity baseball games that brings in revenue from those in attendance. Through various fundraisers, donations and special events during the day the teams work to raise more money that is all then donated to the Pembroke Pines Memorial Hospital Breast Cancer Fund.
“We raise funds for them to help them out when they don’t have that extra paycheck to buy themselves supplies or a wig or a prosthetic bra or whatever,” Ambros said. “Not only females, but we’ve had male breast cancer survivors here as well. It’s something that is about giving back and helping out our community, and the boys get into it. They get into the whole game and the spirit of it. The person who leads it is Linda Schappell, a mother of one of our players who is also a breast cancer survivor. It hits right at home and it all comes full circle.”
The first year they were able to raise roughly $5,000 dollars through selling pins and little bracelets. By Saturday’s third annual event it has grown to become an all-day occasion. The baseball field and surrounding area is littered with pink memorabilia, dozens of volunteers come out to run booths for face-painting, silent auctions, raffles and meals. Tons of professional athletes donated autographed memorabilia, and everyone just does whatever they can to help the cause get bigger and better each time.
The event grows bigger and better each year, and with that also comes an increase in the money the teams are able to raise. This year Pine Crest also got involved, and was able to raise roughly $2,300 dollars through the sale of pins and other stuff. Coach Garcia and the Somerset program also returned and chipped in by raising over $1,500 dollars. Coach Ambros anticipates that this year’s efforts will bring in over $10,000 dollars in funds. 
“It’s just a great feeling when we can get not only ourselves but other schools to help and give that to our community,” Ambros said. “A week from now when we present them that check they are just so grateful. It’s so heart-warming.”
It is a cause that brings out the best in everyone. All across the baseball facility are smiling happy faces, families sharing together and enjoying the sprit of the event while also watching some quality baseball being played. Everyone is so generous with gifts, or by donating their time and effort. Local umpires work the game action free of charge and members of the West Broward family handle the announcing duties.
It is a family thing, something that brings the community closer together for a great cause. Grandmothers and mothers not only of the coaching staff but also relatives of current players and past players that have been affected by this thing come out and are recognized and honored on the field. Then there are just survivors in general of the local area in Pembroke Pines. Together everyone rallies to bring further awareness, support and encouragement in the fight against breast cancer.
“This is definitely a great event,” West Broward senior Michael Schappell said. “We’ve been doing this the past three years and it is a good thing because the whole community comes out and celebrates this cause in trying to raise money to try and find a cure for it. As Coach says, it’s not about the win; it’s about raising awareness and just trying to have fun. If the win comes out of it then the win comes out of it.”
Further example of the impact this event has had on those involved is evidenced by the Bobcats alumni who return to take part. This year former West Broward players Alex Zapata and Tyler Draughon both returned for the festivities, donating their time and sharing in something that touches close to everyone’s hearts. This is a trend that figures to continue even after the current group of seniors departs from the high school next year.
“We’re really close and like a family, so even when I leave and everybody else leaves we still are going to want to be involved,” Schappell said. “For the big events like this we will want to come down and hang out with the guys just like Alex Zapata and Tyler Draughon did here today. That’s definitely a big thing that we hope the kids that graduate this year will still want to come be a part of this again next year.”
Saturday’s event was an enjoyable and positive experience that brought the best out in the people involved in it. God graced the day with beautiful weather, the players approached the games with class and integrity, while also giving their best effort to put on a show for the fans. Somerset outfielder Mark Bejar provided just one example of this, when he chased down and dove out head first into the fence to snag a foul ball during the afternoon’s final contest.
Inspired by the cancer survivors they honor, the players do not have to look far to find that extra motivation they need to play baseball with passion and determination. Each honoree is a survivor of a much bigger challenge in life, and Saturday provided everyone with a chance to offer appreciation and support for that relentless human will.
“I walk those ladies out to the mound and they are telling me thank you,” Ambros said. “All I can say is ‘thank you for keeping up the fight, for not giving up and for showing us an example of what not giving up a fight is’. The baseball game is meaningless and it is not about the baseball game. It’s about honoring these people.”
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