CHS players trade bats for brooms to support their sport

While the members of the Carson High School Baseball team are pretty adept with a bat, it wasn't their implement of choice on Sunday.

Members of the team used brooms, dustpans and cardboard signs to raise money for the squad during the cut-a-thon fundraiser at Attitudes Hair Salon in Carson City.

"I just got this wild hair one day to do this fundraiser and they said let's do it," said owner Brandy Plattsmier.

Plattsmier, along with several of her employees, volunteered their time so that all the money raised would go to help defray the costs to equip and maintain the team.

In the first hour, Plattsmier and crew gave 19 haircuts, including head coach Stephen Cook.

"We will use this money to help run the program, to send kids to tournaments, pay for equipment and maintain the fields," Cook said. "People would be surprised how much it costs to run a team."

Cook estimated that to run the team for one season, the total cost averages about $10,000. The team spends about $800 on baseballs alone, which probably won't last them the season, according to Cook.

Each varsity team member needs to raise $450 and junior varsity needs to raise $300.

"It can be a pretty daunting task for these parents that have multiple kids in multiple sports but they are so willing to help out however they can," Cook said.

The players are also collecting donations for their annual hit-a-thon, which allows supporters to pledge money based on how far the players can hit a baseball.

Team members were assigned shifts for the fundraiser, sweeping up hair between cuts, holding signs along the roadway and distributing flyers throughout town.

"I saw their signs and needed a haircut today, so it worked out perfectly," said Sue Gaudaine of Carson City.

David Eller, a junior pitcher on the team, said the extra work is worth it to be able to play.

"It's a great sport and I've been playing it since I was little," Eller said.

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.