With the help of the local community, Peninsula Little League (PLL) is rising from the ashes after a suspected arsonist burned down the juniors’ score booth at their field at Bill Cleator Community Park in Ocean Beach last week. PLL estimates the total damage to the facility at about $15,000. “We’re not idly waiting for a miracle to happen,” said PLL president Kevin Otsuka. “It’s been quite a huge amount of people in the community showing interest and wanting to help us get this thing back where it was.” At around 2 a.m. Oct. 26, the juniors’ score booth was set on fire, destroying the booth and baseball equipment stored inside. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is currently conducting an arson investigation and spokesperson Maurice Luque said there have not yet been any arrests or leads in the investigation. That same day of the fire, PLL took another blow when youth baseball officials discovered that their insurance — which they have through Little League Baseball — did not cover fire damage nor any fire-related losses. Otsuka said he couldn’t believe his ears. Following the bad news about the insurance, PLL reached out to the community for help. Otsuka said the community response has been tremendous. “It’s a pretty good list of people really stepping up to do a lot for these kids,” Otsuka said. “It’s incredible to think that something so senseless and destructive can turn into a community event.” Otsuka said numerous community members have offered monetary donations and help with the rebuilding process, including District 1 county Supervisor Greg Cox and The Rock Church. A local architect is currently drawing up the plans for the new score booth. “We’re planning on inviting everybody who took a part in helping us rebuild this thing and having them come down to be a part of our opening day ceremonies, so that we can bring all these people on the field and personally thank them,” Otsuka said. Once the plans are drawn, they will be submitted to the city for approval. Otsuka said rebuilding the score booth, including going through the city’s regular permitting channels, presents the biggest challenge. According to Otsuka, none of the equipment stored inside the booth was salvageable. Among the items lost in the fire include two pitching machines, an electronic scoreboard, outfield fencing, three chalkers, bases and maintenance tools. “There was a lot of equipment inside that we use daily during the spring season,” Otsuka said. Point Loma Little League has already donated money and a pitching machine to help out the District 32 neighbor. Otsuka said PLL is looking for monetary donations to help replace the destroyed equipment. “Anybody that has the means to help us repurchase the equipment that burned inside, we would be more than happy to accept anything they would like to donate,” Otsuka said. “There were some pretty pricey items that were burned inside that shed.” Donations to PLL can be mailed to: 4261 Santa Cruz Ave., San Diego, 92107 with any checks made payable to Peninsula Little League. Those wanting to donate can also drop off donations at the field, located within the park at the corner of Nimitz and Famosa boulevards, on the next three Sunday afternoons between noon and 4:30 p.m. Donations can also be dropped off at VFW Post 1392 at 4944 Newport Ave. Suite D. For more information, visit www.eteamz.com/PeninsulaLL. Otsuka hopes to rebuild the score booth by the last week in February, which marks the opening of the spring season. “So far, the indications are very good that we’re going to be able to rebuild relatively quickly,” Otsuka said.