Socorro Bulldogs Find Championship Rings Expensive

SOCORRO, Texas — The Socorro Bulldogs are the state Class 5A baseball champions. As with most title teams, along with that comes the right to a championship ring.

But that can get expensive. “Unfortunately, the rings have come out expensive. Some of the guys might not be able to come up with the money needed, so we probably need a little help,” said Aaron Olivas, a member of the championship team.

The question is, can the Bulldogs accept help?

According to UIL and NCAA rules, donations may not be allowed.

“This is something they’ve worked for for their whole lives and it’s kind of their motivation and we’ve talked about it before — go get a ring! And now we have that opportunity, we just want to make sure everybody gets their ring,” said Socorro head baseball coach Chris Forbes.

Forbes said if his players have to pay for their own rings, about $300 each, some of them may not be able to get them.

“We’ve got a lot of players on the team that it’s going to be very difficult thing for them to do, but somehow we’re gonna see how we’re going to be able to afford those rings,” said Bulldogs designated hitter George Stoltz.

Stoltz, a Socorro senior, designed the rings. Jostens, which also makes World Series and Super Bowl rings, is offering the champs a discount.

“We’re all a team. That’s the way we got through the season, we got through the playoffs, we got through the state championship. I mean, everybody deserves a ring,” Stoltz said.

Socorro ISD officials said the seniors on the team can accept help paying for their rings as long as they are not going on to play baseball in college.

However, the underclassmen and those who are going on to play collegiately will have to pay for their own rings.

If you would like to help the Bulldogs get their rings, contact the Socorro High School baseball team booster club at flytonancy@yahoo.com.