Tomorrow, July 30: Attend A Benefit At Wheated To Help Send Our Neighborhood’s Baseball Players To The National Championship

Since the Bonnie Youth Club launched in 1949, the group, which is based at 1221 Church Avenue, has always been about more than baseball.

For decades, it has provided an opportunity for boys, ages 4 to 19, from Flatbush to show off their skills on the field — as well as to navigate school and family problems and, for many of them, land both academic and financial scholarships for college. It has been a place where, no matter your race, religion or socio-economic background, you had a place on a field filled with people who supported you.

“You see coaches becoming someone’s father, someone’s counselor,” said Coach Jose Castro, who leads the Bonnie Robins — a group of players who are 12 years old and younger. “You see our kids growing up and becoming doctors and lawyers and surgeons, becoming productive citizens of the community. Ninety-nine percent of our kids have a better chance of surviving because of the fact that they were involved in the Bonnies.”

The players have, for years, excelled both on the field and in the classroom — and just recently the Bonnie Robins won the 2015 12u (meaning 12 and under) National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series, landing them a spot in the Youth Baseball Network National Championship — essentially what is described as a Super World Series.

However, this competition is in Branson, Missouri — which means it’s an expensive trip that many of the players just cannot afford. They’ve launched a fundraising page to help them with the finances, including a bus to get the 16 players there and back and hotel rooms, but the competition is quickly coming up — it starts August 19 — and the players need to find funding fast.

To help them do so, Wheated’s owner, David Sheridan, will host a benefit for the Robins tomorrow, Thursday, July 30 at the restaurant that’s located at Church Avenue, by Coney Island Avenue. For the fundraiser, Wheated will donate 20 percent of their net sales from Thursday (they’re open 6pm-12am tomorrow) to the Robins.

“Everything I have learned about the Bonnie Youth Club makes me firmly believe it is a great organization with deep roots in the neighborhood that has a positive impact on the kids that go through its doors,” David wrote to us. “I am hoping a lot of folks agree with me and the turn-out on Thursday will be strong.”

During the evening, Coach Castro and some of his players will likely be on hand to chat with neighbors and field any questions you may have about the Bonnies. Plus,one of Wheated’s employees, Matthew Cruz, whose family has been involved for generations, will be working at the restaurant that evening.

“This World Series isn’t just about the win but a chance for the kids to go to better schools and have more opportunities,” said Matthew, whose grandfather, father, brother, cousins and other family members have been involved with the Bonnies, both as coaches and players. “People better themselves in the Bonnies. I grew up with some of the team members, and I saw members grow up in not the best areas. I’ve seen them leave — the Bonnies raised money for them to go to college.”

The Robins’ coach, Jose, said they work hard to make sure their players are succeeding in all parts of their life — which is why he has, for years, offered after-school and summer tutoring sessions — at no cost for the kids.

“We work hand-in-hand with the Boys Club of New York, and our players, we’ll refer them to the Boys & Girls Club, where they can take a prep course to prepare for tests for prep schools,” Jose said, adding that he’s had many of his players receive scholarships for prep schools and colleges.

As for David, Wheated’s owner said he immediately wanted to help as soon as he heard the Robins had made it this far.

“When I spoke to Coach Castro, it dawned on me that we should be doing more for these boys to ensure they have the chance to represent Church Ave, Flatbush, Brooklyn, in the world series in Missouri in August,” David wrote on Wheated’s Facebook page.

“Speaking from my experiences, this could be so much more than just a trip and a game,” David continued. “It would be a shame if they were to miss it.”

So, tomorrow, we hope to see you at Wheated — after all, how often can you say you can down bourbon and pizza to your heart’s contest and help these incredible kids represent our neighborhood at a Super World Series?

If you can’t make it out tomorrow, you can still donate to the Robins through their fundraising page here.

To all the Robins, good luck — we can’t wait to hear how you do in Missouri, and you’ve already made your community incredibly proud!