The Simi Valley Baseball League is asking for the community's help in identifying the person or persons who burglarized and vandalized the league's Snack Shack last Friday.

Between 9 p.m. on the evening of June 12 and 6 a.m. the following day, vandals broke into the SVBL Snack Shack and stole items and caused damage totaling several thousand dollars.

According to Cecil Dennis, league president, the burglar came in through turbine vents on the roof, causing major damage to both the roof and the ceiling.

"It's substantial construction that will take place up there to replace the broken wood," Dennis said, adding that the estimated cost to repair the roof is between $1,500 and $2,000.

The burglar also damaged the cash register while prying it open, stealing a couple hundred dollars from the till, and took some of the league's T-shirts and sweatshirts.

Dennis estimated the total cost of stolen goods and damage is about $3,000.

"It is very disheartening given the charitable nature of our organization," he said.

Established in 1978, the Simi Valley Baseball League is a nonprofit organization located at 3700 Royal Ave.

Dennis said that a number of families couldn't afford the costs for their children to play in the league this year, so SVBL gave them $2,000 in scholarships.

He said the cost to the organization for the break-in hinders the league from helping other families.

"We just can't tolerate it," he said. "We're a nonprofit, and $3,000 is a lot of money that we could be putting into our fields and our kids."

The league is offering a $250 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved.

The Simi Valley Police Department took fingerprints from the crime scene and is looking through its database for leads, Dennis said.

Anyone with information should e-mail Cecil Dennis at cdennis23@roadrunner.com or Tony Valadez at cmtv@sbcglobal .net.

All tips will be kept confidential.