Four Queen Anne buddies and baseball fanatics are taking the idea of a summer vacation to a whole new level this year.
Dubbing themselves the “Boys of Summer,” high school seniors Kellan Larson, Travis Smith, Jack Wilson and Kendal Young are planning to leave just after graduation on June 11th and travel 13,697 miles around the country in a van, to see a baseball game in every major league ballpark. They plan to end the 54-day journey at Safeco Field on Aug. 4th.
Root Sports, formerly Fox Sports Northwest, has agreed to chronicle their journey with video updates during some Mariner broadcasts. The four will also be blogging, tweeting, using Facebook and posting videos on their website, www.boysofsummer2011.com. They hope to gain a large virtual fan following.
Beyond the fact that this trip would be a blast for any true baseball aficionado, the students will also be raising money for the Edgar Martinez Foundation, the charity started by the famed Mariner and his wife that offers student scholarships and support for teachers in underserved communities.
But according to Wilson there is another reason these former little leaguers wanted to make this trip.
“We wanted to help inspire America’s love of the game of baseball,” Wilson said. “I feel like the nation has shifted its attention toward football and other sports and interest in baseball isn’t as strong as it used to be. I want to talk about the history of the game that goes along with each stadium and hopefully inspire people. I just want to show people what baseball is all about.”
The idea for the trip was first conceived about five years ago when the friends were hanging out at Wilson’s home and Travis Smith threw out the idea that after their senior year in high school they should travel around the country and go to every single ballpark.
“We started brainstorming, creating routes, a budget, the whole thing,” Wilson said.
While the parents were originally somewhat dubious about the trip, they let the boys continue to plan. Over the next five years, the boys kept putting the pieces together and never lost interest in this dream trip. During the past few months, the parents have pitched in to help the boys find transportation, get insurance and figure out other parts of the trip.
“Since it was our trip, the parents haven’t really been involved till now. For the most part, the four of us pretty much planned the entire trip,” Wilson said. “Our kitchen table dream has turned into something solid and now we are five weeks away from making it happen.”
This will be a no-frills, bare-bones trip. Their ride is going to be a 1999 Volkswagon Westfalia camper with a new engine. They plan to camp, sleep in the van, or crash at the homes of friends or relatives as they make their way around the country. The original budget for the trip was $12,000. But with gas prices skyrocketing and other expenses increasing, they have decided that a more realistic budget is $20,000 to cover all costs and possible car problems.
When asked about food, Wilson said he expects there will be a lot of ballpark meals.
“A big part of baseball culture is the food,” Wilson said. “I would guess we will eat the local specialty. So, if we are in Philadelphia, we’ll probably try to eat the Philly cheese steaks.”
As for covering the costs of the trip, the four students have saved some money. Root Sports, which broadcasts Mariners’ games, is now in conversations with the four about how best to be part of this trip of a lifetime.
“They loved the idea and said they wanted to involve us with their pre-game shows, radio broadcasts and a number of things,” Wilson said.
The sports channel is planning to supply the boys with tickets to all 30 ballparks and may also be posting some of their website content.
The boys are looking for other corporate sponsors to defray the cost of the trip and to raise money for the Edgar Martinez Foundation.
The boys have sent letters to major corporations around Seattle to develop interest. Wilson said sponsors can promote their companies through the Boys of Summer website and their corporate names can be featured on the Westfalia camper that will soon be crossing the United States. The boys are also selling ball-caps and T-shirts on their website.
As for the van, the parents of the four boys bought the used Westfalia and they are planning to sell it when, and if, it returns from the cross-country tour. Wilson acknowledges that one minor problem is that none of the guys know much about auto mechanics, adding an extra element of excitement to the trip.
"In fact, I don't know if any of us have even changed a tire before," he admitted.
While things are getting pretty hectic for the four as graduation looms and the trip nears, Wilson said he’s looking forward to getting on the road and seeing what happens.
“This trip has so much potential for anything,” Wilson said. “It’s just like a magnet for really cool things.”
For those interested in donating to the trip or helping to sponsor the tour, they are invited to go to the website and contact the students.
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