Mandy Torkelson is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Valley Christian High School for AZPreps365.com

The Valley Christian Trojans baseball team traveled to Houston for a service trip to work with underprivileged kids through sports and service opportunities. Partnering with Spring Spirit, a sports-minded Christian organization in Houston, the Trojans provided the community with different projects throughout the week.

“This trip was about more than just baseball,” head coach Vince LaGatta said. “I think it’s super important that our players are growing into strong young men — men that, when they leave here, will make an impact on the communities that they go to, and be good role models and mentors for people that they come in contact with down the line.”

Throughout the week, the Trojans hosted events, including a Friday Night Live community outreach event, where they interacted with between 100 and 200 children. They provided and served food, and some of the team's leaders provided a Gospel message. They also participated in a sports camp and provided information to coaches.

LaGatta said the trip was successful on multiple levels and believes it will have a lasting impact on the team.

In addition to service, the trip strengthened team bonds. Players and coaches spent the week together, allowing them to connect beyond baseball. 

“We got to see sides of people that we wouldn’t normally get to see in our everyday life,” senior outfielder Brock Jackson said. “Connecting outside of baseball was really special.”

The trip required fundraisers and donations from friends and family. After being short on money last year and missing their service trip, the team prioritized coming up with enough money this year. 

“We focused on being volunteers instead of victims,” Jackson said. “It was powerful to see the kids engage and care about what we were sharing.” 

The Trojans also contributed through hands-on projects, including pulling up turf, laying new turf in batting cages, and cleaning the facilities.

“We left their property in better condition than we found it,” LaGatta said. “We served with a servant’s heart, and I’m so proud of our guys.”

The Trojans spent most of the week working with young kids ages 5 to 8, as well as some up to age 14. Supporting the young kids and giving them baseball knowledge, and providing knowledge on their Faith was very important for the team. 

“With the kids we worked with, I realized that we were in that same boat once, so it was important for us to help out the community and lead the people on the right path,” said Senior Pitcher/Outfielder Jaxen Maxey. 

The experience reinforced the team’s identity beyond baseball, emphasizing leadership, giving back to the youth in Houston, and sacrificing their spring break to do so. The players now feel more united than ever. 

“When helping out the community, it shifted our mindset to being selfless and leading by example,” Maxey said. “It took our mind off of baseball and our performance.”