Channel Islands High baseball team tries to recover after equipment stolen

Andres Garcia, Ventura County Star
·2 min read
The Channel Islands High baseball program suffered thousands of dollars in lost equipment and damages last month when thieves broke into the team’s clubhouse.
The Channel Islands High baseball program suffered thousands of dollars in lost equipment and damages last month when thieves broke into the team’s clubhouse.

Channel Islands High administrators are asking the community for donations following a burglary at the Oxnard school last month.

Thieves broke into the baseball team’s clubhouse and stole property that belonged to both the school and individual players, including bats, gloves, balls, cleats, uniforms and a brand-new speaker system, according to school officials.

The burglary was discovered early on April 26, when the maintenance crew noticed the hinges of the clubhouse doors had been sawed off.

Channel Islands head baseball coach Ronnie Marin estimated that the total cost of the damages to the clubhouse and the stolen equipment to be about $6,000.

The Raiders lost their equipment just before the penultimate game of their season, a 3-2 win at Rio Mesa, which was played using their opponents’ gear.

Marin called the Rio Mesa coach ahead and warned him about the team's situation. The Rio Mesa coach responded with a gift.

"When he came over there, he provided us with a brand-new bat and that was really nice to see, " Marin said. "It was humbling."

This is not the first time sporting equipment has been stolen from campus. The football program was targeted “about four or five years ago,” according to Channel Islands athletic director Phyra Prum.

“About 15 to 20 helmets got stolen,” Prum said.

The Oxnard Union High School District has filed an insurance claim on behalf of the students' lost equipment and will replace the uniforms, according to spokesperson Senerey De Los Santos

Channel Islands High principal Marianne Ramos said community members interested in helping can donate directly to the program through the school’s Associated Student Body, via cash or check. Checks can be dropped off at the school's office or mailed to 1400 Raiders Way in Oxnard. They should be written out to: Channel Islands High School Baseball.“Everyone will receive a receipt for any donation that they provide,” Ramos said.

A parent of a player has organized a GoFundMe to raise funds directly for the players. The post had raised $635 of a goal of $3,000 by Monday. The GoFundMe notes that the fundraiser is not officially sanctioned by the school or district. It outlines that the fundraiser's "intention" is to provide the players "with a special event."

Ramos underscored that donations contributed to the GoFundMe should not be expected to reach the school.

“It is not where we encourage people to donate money,” Ramos said.

Andres Garcia is an intern at the Ventura County Star and can be reached at andres.garcia@vcstar.com.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Channel Islands High officials seek help after baseball theft