Youngster set for Puerto Rico

      Lied Middle School pupil Anthony Garcia was recently selected to represent Southern Nevada as a member of the Roberto Clemente All-Stars early next year.
      The North Las Vegas resident will play on a team made up of players from across the country.
      "It's been a dream of mine to play for my country and to compete in a place like Puerto Rico, which is known to have some of the best baseball in the world," said Garcia, 13. "I'm also excited to learn about their culture, traditions and way of life."
      The Roberto Clemente All-Star teams are national squads that travel to Puerto Rico and compete against amateur programs that produced major league stars such as Roberto Alomar, Juan Gonzalez and Ivan Rodriguez.
      With the team, Garcia will receive instruction from top coaches and former Major League Baseball players and have an opportunity to compete in a professional atmosphere.
      "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity which I believe can make me a better ballplayer and a better citizen of North Las Vegas," said Garcia, who recently played with the Las Vegas Yard Dawgs, a group of 15-and-under baseball players that captured the United States Amateur Baseball Association World Series.
      While in Puerto Rico, Garcia will meet Vera Clemente, the widow of the late Roberto Clemente, who won the National League batting title four times and collected 12 Gold Glove awards.
      Clemente was killed tragically while flying emergency supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake victims.
      The All-Stars were inspired by the Hall of Famer, whose career and life was dedicated to helping kids and increasing understanding and friendship between the mainland and Latin American countries, said program director Jordan Kern.
      "By traveling overseas with us, we believe Anthony will not only become a better baseball player, but also a more aware and well-rounded citizen," Kern said in a prepared statement.
      When he is not on the diamond, Garcia and his teammates will be able to tour famous sights like El Yunque National Rainforest and historic Old San Juan.
      A series of college seminars and workshops will also be available to help players focus on how to gain exposure.
      "This a great opportunity to get him a chance to compete against individuals with his caliber of talent," said Garcia's father, Tony. "It is a great opportunity to push himself and see how good he can be.
      "Anthony has always played up in age and has been used to competing against the older kids."
      Although the Garcias have made it over their first obstacle -- earning a spot on the roster -- their next hurdle is raising enough funds to help defray costs for the trip.
      "Bottom line is, we don't want to refuse him this opportunity," his father said. "Next year he will be in high school and he will be so involved with those programs that he may not have another opportunity like this. Whatever is most feasible, we want to get the word out that there is a local kid going to represent North Las Vegas, Southern Nevada, the state and the country. That is our goal."
      The Garcias have been seeking sponsorships to raise a little more than $3,000 by February. The total expense includes: round-trip airfare, food and lodging, uniforms, instruction and travel to and from games while on the island.
      Garcia will meet his team in San Juan on Feb. 14 for training camp before playing five games in four days.
      "I'm working odd jobs saving my pennies," said Anthony Garcia, who has been selling T-shirts and magazines to raise money. "But I'm also seeking sponsors from local businesses and other people in the community."
      Anyone interested in sponsoring Garcia can call 657-9814, or 499-8889.