It was a story which hit home for Ruth Hoffman.

Five years ago, with her twin sons on the Belgian baseball team which had advanced to the in the United States, the team nearly didn鈥檛 get the chance to attend.

The squad was stuck at the airport, with planes grounded because of a terrorist threat.

The situation was resolved and the team made it to the U.S. in time to play.

鈥淚 can tell you that summer was and always will be the highlight of their youth,鈥� Hoffman said.

This past summer, a team of 11, 12 and 13-year-olds from Uganda won the right to represent the Middle East/Africa division at the famed tournament in Williamsport, Pa. They were the first African team to qualify but just two weeks before the tournament in early August, the Ugandan request for visas was denied by the U.S. State Department.

When Hoffman heard of the team鈥檚 plight through media stories, it brought back the memories of when their own team almost had to miss out.

鈥淭he feeling of knowing what it is like not to go, or to think they are not going and then read the story of the Ugandan kids, who come from a million times worse background, it just really pulled at my heartstrings,鈥� she said.

Hoffman, who moved to Vancouver a few years ago, is on a mission to send the , , to play the Ugandan team in Africa this January. 91原创 was a natural fit as it is the team Uganda was scheduled to face in the opening game in Williamsport.

Originally, Hoffman, who has contacts in Africa, contacted the Ugandan coach about coming to 91原创 to play the Canadian champions.

The coach preferred to host their Canadian counterparts so they could showcase Ugandan baseball.

She contacted , a not-for-profit organization.

鈥淪he said something which really struck a chord with me, which was she didn鈥檛 want just an exchange but she wanted to leave a legacy behind,鈥� said Robert Witchel, Right To Play鈥檚 national director, Canada. 鈥淚 thought the story was a compelling one.鈥�

A total of $155,000 is needed, with $75,000 due by Dec. 31.

Hoffman has put down a $3,500 deposit for airfare, with the balance due Dec. 5.

She has already received some in-kind donations, including hotel rooms and equipment. The money raised will go towards sending the coaches, players and one parent each to Uganda.

The rest of the money will go toward legacy projects, such as education opportunities through scholarship programs for Ugandan players, funding for travel to participate in international tournaments and/or funding to build a baseball diamond closer to where the players live.

Former Major League Baseball player Gregg Zaun, who is working on Sportsnet鈥檚 World Series broadcast, is an athlete ambassador for Right To Play. He aired a story on the initiative on Sunday during Game 4 of the Series. He also pledged $5,000 and Sportsnet has pledged another $10,000.

For more information, visit and click on the Canada-Uganda Challenge: Let Them Play!