Girls Softball League Loses Big in Recent Theft

It's been a couple of weeks since Erin Macias, president of the Pacifica Girls Softball League (PGSL) and staff, discovered that the storage container at Cabrillo School had been broken into. The thieves not only destroyed the locking mechanism, but they also stole snacks off the shelves and took off with a cash box holding an estimated $1,000.

"The loss is estimated at $1,000 because we had to rekey, hire a welder, custom fabricate a new locking mechanism, and replace the stolen merchandise," said Macias.

The theft was a direct hit to their goal of building new batting cages at Cabrillo School.

"We have a pitching cage that is too short and has a dirt floor. It's an uneven surface and vandals knocked the chain link roof down a few years ago. We didn't have the financial resources to fix it," said Macias.

The crime at Cabrillo School is part of an ongoing vandalism problem, explains Macias.

"It's not just PGSL, it's everywhere in Pacifica. PALL baseball fields have had problems recently too at Ortega School. SF Archers had a container cut open last year. I am sure there are many others that have gone unreported," she said.

Macias reported their break-in because it was a big hit compared to the little things they address regularly on the field. For example, they have to hand pick glass from alcohol containers off the infield on a regular basis so the girls sliding into bases don't cut themselves. 

"Our volunteers are awesome and keep our fields very safe. We are fortunate to have an excellent working relationship with the School District," said Macias. "But this field is constantly hit by vandals and kids who party up on the hill."

The League collects a nominal registration fee that covers the basics for their league. Any improvements must be fundraised, and they have a big goal on their agenda: new batting cages.  

The League is planning a fundraiser in June. In the meantime, donations to the Pacifica Girls Softball League can be sent to P.O. Box 422, Pacifica, CA 94044. Checks should be made payable to Pacifica Girls Softball League. Contributions will be acknowledged with a written donation receipt that includes their tax ID number.

"Initial donations will go towards the loss, donations above that will go towards our batting cage project," said Macias. 

So far three community members contacted the League and offered to make donations.

"We received a generous $100 donation from DeMartini Graphics in Pacifica," said Macias.

There are no leads in the case, but Macias is very hopeful that there will be as more residents learn about the incident. The Pacifica Police Department dusted for prints and the League is asking for the community's assistance in catching the thieves in both the theft and the ongoing vandalism. Anyone with information can contact the league at info@thepgsl.com.

Read more on Pacifica Patch:

• Explosions Mire End of Boston Marathon
• Thieves Snag Tip Jars From Pacifica Businesses
• Update: Stolen Sailboat Runs Aground at Linda Mar Beach; 3 Arrested
• Pacifica Makes List of 100 Safest Cities in America