Tujunga Little League's artificial turf stolen

Sid Garcia Image
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Tujunga Little League's artificial turf stolen
Some artificial turf belonging to the Tujunga Little League has been stolen, and now the group is scrambling to replace it.

TUJUNGA, Calif. (KABC) -- Some artificial turf belonging to the Tujunga Little League has been stolen, and now the group is scrambling to replace it.

For a year and a half, a former parking area was covered with artificial grass for the league's smallest T-ballers - all 4, 5, and 6 years old.

"I was playing on the turf because I was playing real baseball because I like the grass, and I saw the grass is all gone," said Miguel Wong, a player.

Tujunga Little League officials say sometime last week, thieves made off with all of the artificial turf.

"Ridiculously devastating. It really was. It's sad because the kids look forward to this and it's not available to them now," said Chantel Gray with Tujunga Little League.

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating, but officials say they have very little to work with because there are no security cameras in the area.

League officials are now trying to raise about $3,000 to replace the stolen turf. Their goal is to have it in place by next spring.

"I want my grass back because it makes me sad because now I won't feel safer when I play over there," said Noah Webb, a player.

"We've been trying to do something for our T-ballers for a long time, and it's very frustrating coming in and seeing that it's gone. Knowing that we had a nice area or them to play, remembering them playing on that area, and now it's just a pile of little pebbles," said Bill Mayes with Tujunga Little League.

So far, the league has raised nearly $1,000 to replace the stolen turf. If you want to donate, visit http://www.gofundme.com/h3hzeg.