Watertown Baseball Raises $40K with Chase the Ace Game

The Watertown Baseball Association in South Dakota hit the jackpot with their recent Chase the Ace fundraiser, raising $40,692 for youth programs while paying out an equal amount to lucky winners.

Chase the Ace is a weekly raffle where participants buy tickets for a chance to draw from a deck of cards, hoping to find the elusive ace of spades. Most organizations never make it through the full deck, but Watertown beat the odds.

The grand finale delivered a storybook ending when Darcy Henley, who bought 10 tickets that evening, drew the winning card from 1,876 entries sold that week. Board members had hoped an in-person participant would win, making the moment even sweeter for everyone gathered at Cloud 9 Bar & Grill.

The association split ticket sales three ways: one third to weekly winners, one third to the jackpot, and one third to the baseball program. This creative approach meant the community won twice, supporting both neighbors and young athletes.

Ryan Neale, Director of Baseball Operations and Legion Head Coach, attended every single weekly drawing. His dedication, along with volunteer board members who spent countless hours managing ticket sales both in-person and through Venmo, made the 33-week journey possible.

The Ripple Effect

The $40,692 raised does more than cover operating costs. It keeps Watertown one of the most affordable youth baseball programs in South Dakota's Class A division, removing financial barriers that might otherwise bench talented kids.

The funds will support immediate needs like equipment and field maintenance while building toward bigger goals. The association plans to purchase a safer passenger van for team travel and install new pitching mounds for their youth travel program, investments that improve both player development and safety.

Cloud 9 Bar & Grill hosted the weekly events and sponsored half the gift cards awarded during the promotion. Their consistent support created a community gathering spot where neighbors could support local kids while enjoying an evening out.

The success proves what happens when a community rallies around its youth. Every ticket purchased represented someone investing in the next generation of athletes, and now those kids will benefit for years to come.