A 16-year-old Petrolia baseball player is looking to level the playing field for a number of other local ball players.
Peter Buckley recently founded Baseball Without Boundaries, a program that helps less fortunate players attend an annual spring-training trip to Florida.
Buckley, a pitcher for the Great Lake Canadians elite organization, says the trip was a real game-changer in his baseball career.
Now, he's hoping to raise money to send three other local players on the trip next March break.
"It was a pivotal experience for me. Going down on the bus with the team, playing other teams from all over the country. I want other people to have that experience," he says. "My goal is to raise $6,000 by the end of this year. That should cover the costs to send three players."
In order to raise the money, Buckley started an online store. You can buy hats, t-shirts, sweaters, water-bottles and blankets, or simply donate to the cause.
He also has a Facebook, Twitter and Instagram account and email address: bwbontario@gmail.com
Buckley says the award winners will display leadership, sportsmanship, humility, and other traits of a well-rounded ballplayer.
The three players, selected by the GLC coaching staff, will be announced in December during an event at Centrefield Sports in London.
There are five other local ballplayers competing at the elite level with the Great Lake Canadians.
Daniel Gibson plays along Buckley on the U-17 team. Jett Jarvis, Core Jackson and Kaden Gray are on the U-16 team. And Caden Turnbull plays for the U-15's.