An investigation is currently being conducted in Pasadena, Texas, after a man reportedly took money from families with promises of helping them build a softball team, only to disappear. This man had claimed he would help young athletes, particularly those on the HTX Sliders softball team, make their way to college-level teams.
A Promising Start for the HTX Sliders
The HTX Sliders softball team was formed with high hopes of sending players to college. Among those joining the team was Kristina Alvarez’s daughter, who was excited to try out. According to Alvarez, her daughter was thrilled when she made the team. “She was super excited because she made the team right off the bat,” said Alvarez.
For many parents, their children’s excitement was fueled by promises made by a man they believed to be a coach with connections to college teams. This man convinced them he could help their children achieve their dreams of playing at the college level, a promise that seemed to be echoed by other parents like Stephen Grisham and Tabitha Solis.
The Man with Big Promises
According to Solis, the man had a good reputation and was known for recruiting players for college teams. “He was supposedly known to be a very good coach and to help recruit girls to get onto college teams,” said Solis. However, things began to take an unfortunate turn once the team had been assembled.
Alvarez first learned about this coach after seeing a post about the team on Facebook. “There was a flier on Facebook for this select team, showcase team. We had to meet up at 3k for them to try out,” Alvarez shared.
Once the final roster of 13 players was confirmed, the coach asked the parents for hundreds of dollars to cover costs like tournament fees and uniforms. Some parents were even given an ultimatum. “He sent a text to the group, ‘Either you pay tonight, or your girl doesn’t play,'” said Grisham.
Empty Promises and Silent Communication
Sadly, after the parents paid, the coach stopped showing up for practices, and tournaments were canceled. The promises to help these young players pursue their dreams slowly disappeared. “He was canceling the practices.
He canceled the tournament… Later on, I heard through texts that he wasn’t answering, and he disconnected the group meeting,” said Solis.
To make matters worse, the coach had communicated earlier that he was dealing with personal tragedies, such as a death in the family and a car accident. Parents tried to stay in touch, concerned about his wellbeing, but eventually, he stopped responding entirely.
The Search for the Coach
Although Pasadena police have located the coach, he has yet to reach out to the parents, leaving them feeling disappointed and upset. “Saddening, very sad. I wish I could have a better statement than that. I mean, still struck that it happened,” said Grisham.
Despite this setback, the parents remain committed to supporting their children’s dreams. They have decided to use their own funds to keep the team going. “It’s my daughter’s dream. She put herself out there. She’s fighting, so I’m going to fight for her,” said Alvarez.
Police Urge More Families to Come Forward
Pasadena Police are in touch with the coach and are urging any other families who may have fallen victim to similar circumstances to come forward. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are looking to gather more information from those affected by the situation.
Even though this ordeal has been heartbreaking for the families involved, they are determined to continue supporting their children’s dreams and keep the team alive.
