Online crowd funds Gueydan baseball program

GUEYDAN — Like any new head coach, Gabe Fluitt has a vision for the Gueydan High baseball program.
As most coaches know, seeing that vision come to fruition takes time and money.
Thanks to social media, Fluitt, who will be going in to his first season as Gueydan High head baseball coach this coming spring, is well on his way to having the monetary part of the process down.
After receiving an OK from school officials, Fluitt, a 2009 Gueydan High grad, set up a GoFundMe account to help raise money for the program. GoFundMe is a crowdfunding site that allows donors to give to various events, as well as help families and others during trying circumstances.
“I wanted to try to start fundraising,” Fluitt said. “I went online to find ideas for fundraising and this was one of the things that came up.
“I thought I would give this a shot.”
It has paid off well to this point. After being up for five days, the page raised $2,100 for the baseball program. Fluitt set a goal of $3,000.
“It spread pretty fast,” Fluitt said. “I put it on Facebook. People I would have never thought to ask have donated.”
More than 30 people have donated through the site. Many have shown support through messages on the page.
“Good luck, hope to see this baseball program take off!,” Brandon Cormier exclaimed. “Thanks for the great efforts Gabe, I hope you’re positive impact will still be felt when its time for my wife and I’s children to play.”
Meredith Streete echoed those positive sentiments.
“Gueydan is so lucky to have a coach who cares so much about making a difference in children’s life!,” Streete expressed. “Go Bears!”
The baseball program has also received hand-delivered donations.
“I am blown by all of the support,” Fluitt said. “We are grateful for all this.”
Funds raised will go towards the purchase of uniforms and equipment.
“Baseball is one of the more expensive sports at the high school level,” Fluitt said. “Along with individual purchase for players, the field has a lot of upkeep and maintenance that needs constant conditioning.”
Dirt will be purchased to put on the field. Fluitt explained that a sod cutter would be rented to improve the field, something that in turn would improve safety.
“Clay and special bricks need to be placed for proper alignment of pitchers mound and catchers back stop,” Fluitt said. “The fence needs repair and there is some attachments that would need to be applied to bring out the look of the field.”
More than 20 kids have already signed up for baseball. Fluitt said the goal is to improve the program overall for each one who makes it out this spring.
“We are developing an improved baseball program,” Fluitt said. “We want to give our players the best overall baseball experiences.”
Fluitt, a multi-sport athlete during his time at Guedyan, wants those experiences to extend well beyond the field, too.
“Our focus within this baseball program is not only to develop excellent athletes,” Fluitt said, “but also to help shape these young men into mature, well-rounded adults.”