La Liga Cristiana: A League of Faith

Fifteen-year-old Elijah Luna grew up with his father serving in the Army and knew nothing about sports growing up. Elijah and his mother, Delia, became part of a baseball league where they would soon find out the intangible benefits gained through a simple sport. Spring has sprung and, on the South Side of Milwaukee, La Liga Cristiana, is ready to kick another season of baseball for the community and its members.

Delia has been involved with La Liga since 2009. She serves as a sponsor, director, board member and a parent. La Liga Cristiana is currently the only faith based baseball league in Milwaukee.

“My son became comfortable, and the league helped him develop his skills,” says Luna. “He was voted MVP one year and now is trying out for his high school team.”

In 2008, La Liga Cristiana was founded by local Pastors Luis and Francisca Vergara. They had a vision to bring unity among the South Side community through the game of baseball. What makes this league unique is its goal to reach the community through faith and its mission to enhance and foster athletic development while cultivating a Christian lifestyle.

Pastora Francisca says that her husband, Pastor Luis Vergara, was inspired through prayer with a “God” idea to transition their initial church baseball league into a faith based community league, which now serves as a catalyst of unity towards a strong community, family togetherness, and it carries a message of hope through the good news of the gospel.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fth8xNPkrD8&w=700&rel=0]
For years now, many community members and church congregations gather each week to share in America’s favorite past time. Not only are families able to enjoy the sport in a safe environment, but this league has also brought about life changing experiences.

“My husband and I have a passion and desire to see our city healthy, strong and united, and we recognize the benefits the church institution provides to the family as a whole,” says Vergara.

The pastors are constantly looking for ways to strengthen relationships, provide a positive example to the children, and make it a point to care for every person that attends the games.

According to those who have been a part of the league, many broken families are restored as fathers attend their child’s baseball game for the first time and troubled youth receive sound mentorship and counsel to be a contributing citizen versus spending it on the streets.

“Despite all the great things the coaches and volunteers were doing, that was not what made the biggest impact for me,” says parent, Brooke Maldonado. “It was seeing the love and unity of the families that were there watching their kids play. It was witnessing the fellowship of these men and women that made me long for that.”

The league has impacted various individuals physically, mentally and spiritually and left its imprint in their lives. Its desire to cultivate relationships and understand values and principles of life has been flourishing, its founders say.

Alex Grumbo has been a player since 2012. He has been faithful to the league, and he was the first ever player to become a coach. His third year as a coach is approaching this season, and he isn’t even 21-years-old yet.

“I came thinking that it would just be a league to have fun,” says Grumbo. “It’s left me speechless. I’ve developed unbelievable relationships with everyone here.”

Grumbo has received more than life long relationships through La Liga, but he says he has received something more precious and irreplaceable – a relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

La Liga started off with 40 players in 2008 and is expecting approximately 240 players to register for this summer. La Liga has expanded its reach and created other health initiatives. For the remainder of 2016, the league will include programs such basketball, volleyball, fitness classes, youth flag football, 5k walk/run, weight loss challenges, and summer golf leagues.

While this is a faith-based organization, La Liga welcomes everybody from within and outside the parameters of the community.

The league’s goal is to continue to grow to be a year-round program that empowers individuals and families to be a healthier goal-oriented community, organizers say.

La Liga is currently looking for volunteers for the season, which includes concession sales, general managers, uniform distributors, coaches and assistant coaches. If you are interested, contact laliga.cristiana@yahoo.com.

Opening day for La Liga is expected to be June 4, 2016.