RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - A recent severe rainstorm in the Sacramento Region brought down the roof of the HRT Sports facility on 10255 Old Placerville Rd where teams in the PS33 Academy softball league train each week.

The damage is extensive. The league’s equipment was destroyed, and the facility itself is filled with rubble and standing water, cordoned off with caution tape and signs barring entry. The total cost of damage to PS33’s equipment is estimated to be around $25,000, with the damage to the building bringing the loss to more than $75,000.

Part-owners of HRT Sports, Wes Archie and Bonita Allen are also co-owners of the PS33 softball league, so the destruction of the facility and equipment has been a major hit. They coach each of the league’s six local teams, with players ranging in age from 7 to 19. The fall season is currently underway, so they are busy traveling to games on the weekends and meeting for two practices each week. “We’re in the middle of it,” said Archie, “so we’ve got to scramble a bit.”

Teams usually rotate practice locations, with some players on a nearby sports field and the rest at the indoor HRT Sports facility (located on Old Placerville Rd. not far from Mather Airport). Now all the players are out on the field together. The current season runs until mid-December; “they’re still actively playing, traveling, and training, so we just want to help them stay continuous,” said Allen. They’re looking for another facility they could rent for practices, but it’s challenging in terms of the timing, schedule, location, and cost. Allen said, “For now we’re just having to be outdoors and hoping the weather doesn’t change too quickly for them.”

Some parents of the players decided to organize a Go Fund Me fundraiser to help replace damaged equipment, including cages, nets, pitching machines, turf, and uniforms. Brian Zambor set up the fundraiser with the goal to “help mitigate potential disruption” while the players are in the middle of training and tournaments: “We want to continue to maintain that.” He said it’s also an opportunity for people to show support for the league during a trying time.

“This is a community. This is a family,” said Zambor. “It’s immediately evident when you become a part of this community how much they give back to the girls.” His 10-year-old daughter Charlotte joined the league almost a year ago, and in that time Zambor has seen tremendous development of her softball skills, but more importantly, he’s seen a change in her confidence: “The way she carries herself, the way she handles herself.” He said, “Softball aside…what makes me even prouder is her development as a human being, as a young woman. That’s so important for me. … It’s been an amazing journey.”

Watching all the girls working together on the field during the first practice since the roof collapse, Zambor said that while it will be an adjustment for the players, “it’s amazing to see their perseverance. They pretty much are just going to continue to do their thing out here.”

Donations for PS33 can be made at http://gofund.me/8c011334 to fund replacement equipment and ensure the players can continue their season.