Faith-based travel league expands out east

HERITAGE HARBOUR — Eleven-year-old Collin Goda knows two watchful eyes are gazing down at him every time he steps onto the diamond.

Whether his team is trying to rebound back-to-back losses or bouncing back to win a tournament, Collin knows there always will be someone looking out for him and his teammates — no matter the circumstances.
But the eyes are not those of a coach, family member or friend. Instead, the East Manatee River Dawgs 11U first baseman takes comfort in knowing God is looking out for him every time he swings the bat or snags a ground ball.

“I know God is watching out for me, and he helps get me through the day,” Collin said. “We play to honor God.”

Collin joined the River Dawgs travel baseball organization three years ago after his father, John, a board member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, felt compelled to start a youth travel baseball league, which would also be affiliated with FCA.

“At the time, (Collin) had a desire to play highly competitive baseball,” Goda said. “The more competitive teams had some competitive personalities, and I figured there had to be a better way. I stepped on faith and sure enough a bunch of kids signed up.”

The league formed when the kids were 8 years old and has continued to run and establish more teams over the past three years. Today, the league is home to 8U, 9U, 11U and 13U travel teams.

“We try to follow a lot of what FCA does,” said Goda, who coaches the 8U team. “We say to parents and children, ‘It would be really nice if someday some of these kids would go pro, but the odds go against it. But one thing that we can make sure of it that every one of these kids go pro in being a man.’

“We try to teach life lessons through the game of baseball and not vice versa,” Goda said. “We want to see individuals impacted. We want to create a positive environment where boys can create excellence. It’s a lot easier to teach those lessons with a baseball glove in their hands. We want them to grow in character as much as grow in ability.”

As part of its affiliation with FCA, the River Dawgs are able to openly share their faith with one another. The coaches and players pray together before every game, as do the coaches and parents. Once the game is over, the players, coaches and parents all come together in prayer.

“We pray before every game, which helps us by getting God to be with us,” Collin said. “It’s fun, because we get to play baseball, but we’re also playing to honor God.”

Nine-year-old P.J. Fincher agreed.

“It’s important because you’re talking to God,” P.J. said. “It’s an honor, because most kids don’t get to do this. I’m having fun with my friends and also learning how to be a good athlete.”

In addition, the players and their families all sign a code of conduct prior to the beginning of each season, which reminds the players what FCA stands for and the River Dawgs’ mission to never give up, never give in and never give out.

“It’s important for them to know that God is in our lives and that baseball is only a very small part of what’s out there,” 9U coach Brian Hedgepeth said. “We want them to learn there’s more to life than just sports. We want them to know you have to treat people with respect; that it’s important to have faith; and how to become a better man through baseball and instead of becoming better baseball players.

“It’s an amazing opportunity and they know they have a pretty big responsibility by wearing the FCA patch on their sleeves. It’s a really big job, and we hold high standards.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].