Chino Hills, CA: For the first time in quite a long time Chino Hills was represented at the National Softball Finals in San Diego, California this past July. The Chino Hills Girls Softball 8U Red All-Star team battled their way through All-Star tournaments every weekend since the middle of May, compiling a record of 28-8. This talented group of athletes advanced to the championship game in 5 out of 6 tournaments, and were the runner-ups in the Northern/Eastern District tournament which qualified them for the State Tournament. Under the direction of their coach, Ryan Rueter, the girls finished among the top 6 teams out of 25
represented at the State Tournament qualifying them to advance to Nationals.
Once the community was made aware of the team’s upcoming run for a national title, local businesses and residents united with the Chino Hills 8U softball families to support their great endeavor. Thinknlocal, a Chino Hills based company that works to help local schools and non- profit organizations fundraise, coordinated the efforts that would help get the team to San Diego. Luv 2 Play, a Chino Hills business, was one of eleven local businesses that committed a percentage of their sales to the team during a 7-day fundraising campaign. “Luv 2 Play was so inspired by the Chino Hills Girls Softball 8U Team making it to Nationals, we just knew that we had to support them,” stated Jovan Romero, co-owner. “It was an honor to support the team. One of our goals at Luv 2 Play Chino is to partner with local youth organizations and build relationships that support our community as a whole.”
With the support of their families and the Chino Hills community, the team was able to raise $2,143.66 to help cover the cost of getting them to San Diego to compete between July 22nd-25th. Unfortunately, their journey to a national title came to an end in the quarter finals when the Chino Hills 8U Red lost to their rivals from Torrance by 1 run in an ITB (intentional tie breaker). Nonetheless, the girls walked off the field with their heads held high with the knowledge that they were able to outscore their opponents 28-3 during their appearance at the tournament. Their proud coach shared, “I’m very proud of this group of girls. They always worked so hard and really battled all summer long. I don’t think they realize it yet, but what they accomplished was pretty special.”
The athletes, Coach Ryan and the 8U Red All-Star families extend their sincere appreciation to the Chino Hills businesses and community supporters who rallied behind the girls and helped make their softball season a great one.
About ThinkNLocal, Inc.:
Thinknlocal is a giving-based marketing & public relations platform for small businesses. They connect community-minded businesses with schools and
organizations that believe in supporting local businesses. They spend a lot of time thinking about community –what it means, why it’s important, and how we can make it stronger. They’ve figured out that strong partnerships are at the core of a strong community, and believe that when people have the opportunity to come together and support one another, great things can happen. They create a dynamic where one person’s success feeds the success of the next, and together, we can fuel a cycle of community empowerment that keeps going and going and going.
To find out more about how you can start thinknlocal visit thinknlocal.com.
