East Meets West: Baseball Teams Join in Christmas Tree Fundraiser

In a crosstown collaboration, baseball players, their coaches and parents from Tosa and high schools have joined forces to raise funds for the upcoming season.

The plan is chilly but fulfilling. The two programs devoted to the game of summer sell Christmas trees to usher in winter and the holidays.

East baseball head coach Brain Karas said the annual tree fundraiser gives the team members a chance to work together and helps strengthen the bond between players.

“I like having them work for a fundraiser because it gives them a better appreciation for what they receive,” Karas said.

Players from the teams have taken part from the unloading of the trees through setting them up in the lots and helping customers with their selections.

Senior Colin Trautschold, middle infielder, was happy to help out at the Christmas tree corner because he knew it would benefit the team for its upcoming season.

“It’s fun,” said Trautschold. “It’s good to see two baseball teams coming together to benefit the program.”

Karas said the fundraiser has been better than expected so far and exceeds sales from last year. The coach ordered more trees than last year in anticipation of bigger crowds.

Most of the money will go to buy new bats, needed because of a new rule the conference put into place. New balls and equipment are also items the teams hope can be purchased with the money raised.

Besides stocking up on new equipment, Karas has high hopes as he heads into his first season as head coach for the East baseball team.

“I’m looking forward to a lot of hype and a lot of competition,” Karas said.

Garland, wreaths and poinsettias are also available for purchase.

The tree lot is open from 4 to 8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and is located in front of Locker's Florist, 8851 W. North Ave., and Leff’s Lucky Town, 7208 W. State St.