Oakland A's, SF Giants Donate $15K to Petaluma Little League

Petaluma National Little League has received a $15,000 donation from the Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants and Comcast SportsNet. 

The West Region Champion Petaluma Nationals are preparing for the 66th Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., and the donation will assist in offsetting travel costs. 

The announcement was made today by Ted Griggs, President of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Ken Pries, Vice President of Broadcasting and Communications for the Oakland A’s and Mario Alioto, Senior Vice President of San Francisco Giants.

"We look forward to cheering on the Petaluma Nationals and are hopeful that they will bring back a Little League World Series championship to Northern California," Griggs said. 

“It’s our privilege to assist this great, young team as they chase their dreams in Williamsport,” Pries said.  “As a proud native of Petaluma, our own Jonny Gomes has been their No. 1 fan since the tournament started and we’re happy to join in his support of the team.”

The Petaluma National Little League team defeated the Nanakuli Little League team from Hawaii 7-4 last Saturday and became the first Sonoma County team to make it to the Little League World Series, and the first Northern California team to advance to the World Series since the Aptos Little League did it in 2002. 

Eight teams from the United States and eight international teams will compete for the Little League crown in Williamsport, Pa. between August 16 and 26.

The 13-member team arrived in Williamsport Monday and have been training since then. On Wednesday, the boys threw pitches, ran drills, and took swings in the batting cages, all in an effort to remain fit and sharp before their big debut Thursday. 

Petaluma plays the first game of the World Series at 3p.m. EST on Thursday, which will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com. Tonight, Petaluma will be featured alongside the 15 other competing teams in the opening ceremony parade in downtown Williamsport. (Stay tuned for photos and more coverage.)

Alex Kuzio contributed reporting from Williamsport, Pennsylvania.