Baseball was always part of it, but for Ruth Hoffman helping to arrange for a Little League team from Langley, B.C., to travel to Uganda was more about the message of hope and co-operation.

Hoffman and Right To Play are working together to help raise $155,000 so the team from Langley can travel to Africa and play a Little League team from Uganda. The money will also help fund a scholarship program for the Ugandan players, build a practice field, and create a transportation fund so the team can go to other tournaments.

"We decided to make this more than about baseball," Hoffman, an accountant from Vancouver, said in an interview Tuesday.

"It's going to be a lot of good will and fun."

Last summer Hoffman read a story in the New York Times about the Ugandan baseball team that was the first African squad ever to earn the right to compete at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

What was supposed to be a dream trip turned into a nightmare when documentation issues resulted in the team not being given visas, denying the players the chance to travel to the U.S.

"I feel deeply for Africa," said Hoffman, who has worked in East Africa. "When I read the story it really pulled at my heartstrings.

"When I read they were supposed to play the Langley team it didn't take a nano-second before I realized this is a great idea. Then it was just a matter of who do I talk to and what do I do."

The story of the Ugandan team also attracted international attention when ESPN aired Opposite Field, a short video created by filmmaker Jay Shapiro.

Langley won the Canadian Little League championships last summer. At Williamsport the team compiled a 2-2 record.

Hoffman contacted Ugandan coach George Mukhobe. She asked if he wanted to bring his team to Canada or have Langley travel to Uganda.

"His response was immediate," said Hoffman. "It would be his greatest gift if we could bring the team there."

Right To Play, the group whose goal is to improve the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world by using the power of sport and play for development, health and peace, has also become involved.

"We are particularly happy that the impact of the game will be felt for years to come, not only as a result of the experience, but also the legacy plans that will facilitate schooling, a safe play space, and a fund that will allow the Ugandan team to participate in future tournaments," Robert Witchel, the Canadian director for Right To Play, said in a news release.

The Langley team needs to raise about $75,000 on its own for the trip. So far about $40,000 has been raised, said Hoffman.

"We are a good way there," she said.

People wishing to make donations can go to the Right To Play website and click on the link for the Canada-Uganda challenge.

The Langley team is scheduled to leave Canada Jan. 12. They will play a series of games between Jan. 15 and Jan. 21.

There will be one official game between the two teams.

"After that I think the kids are going to mix it up, play together on the same team," said Hoffman. "We are going to play other kids."

Playing baseball in Uganda will be an experience of a lifetime for the Canadian players, but Hoffman believes the impact will go beyond the game.

"This is what it's all about for me, to be able to show people a better picture of Africa," she said. "All that people have in their minds is poverty, war, corruption.

"I have been there several times. These kids are going to meet other kids, and start realizing people are people all over the world and that it was just good fortune we happened to be born here. It's a life-changing experience."

To donate to the cause, visit the Right to Play website.