Sports Tournament Benefiting South Austin Family Rescheduled Due to Rain

The event aims to raise funds for the Lucero-Noriega family after a tragic apartment fire.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:20am

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A dynamic, cubist-style painting depicting a fragmented scene of a softball or kickball game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a bold color palette, conveying the energy and emotion of a community-driven fundraising event.A community comes together through sports to aid a grieving family in their time of need.Austin Today

A softball and kickball tournament originally scheduled for this past Sunday to benefit the Lucero-Noriega family in South Austin has been postponed to April 26 due to rainy weather. The event, organized by Montopolis Little League and East Austin Sports Teams (E.A.S.T.), was expected to raise around $10,000 from the 35 teams that had signed up. Despite the cancellation, organizers say the community support remains strong, with volunteers, umpires, DJs, and food donations all lined up to help raise money for the family as they recover from the devastating apartment fire that claimed the lives of three of their children last month.

Why it matters

The Lucero-Noriega family suffered an unimaginable tragedy when a fire broke out in their South Austin apartment on March 11, killing three of their young children. This community-organized sports tournament is an important way for the local Austin community to come together and provide financial and emotional support to the grieving family as they navigate this difficult time.

The details

The softball and kickball tournament was originally scheduled for this past Sunday, April 13, but had to be postponed due to persistent rain. Organizers estimate the event could have raised around $10,000, as 35 teams had signed up to participate prior to the weather disruption. The fundraiser is now rescheduled for April 26, and organizers expect even more teams to join in support of the Lucero-Noriega family. In addition to the tournament, the organizers are also selling shirts featuring the children to further support the family with medical bills and other expenses.

  • The fire happened on March 11 at an apartment complex in South Austin.
  • The sports tournament was originally scheduled for April 13 but was postponed due to rain.
  • The tournament has been rescheduled to April 26.

The players

Montopolis Little League

A local youth sports organization in Austin that is co-organizing the fundraising tournament.

East Austin Sports Teams (E.A.S.T.)

A community sports group in Austin that is co-organizing the fundraising tournament.

Benji Ray

A co-organizer of the tournament.

Gracie Rodriguez

A co-organizer of the tournament.

Lucero-Noriega family

The family impacted by the tragic apartment fire in South Austin that killed three of their children.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of players or teams that joined don't know the family, but they're still wanting to support them and show love.”

— Benji Ray, Co-organizer

“I feel that anyone in Austin wearing this shirt is gonna be a supporter for the Lucero-Noriega family. That will also help with medical bills and assisting them ... get back on their feel as well.”

— Gracie Rodriguez, Co-organizer

What’s next

The sports tournament benefiting the Lucero-Noriega family is now rescheduled for April 26, and organizers expect even more teams to participate.

The takeaway

This community-organized sports tournament is an important way for the Austin community to rally around the Lucero-Noriega family and provide financial and emotional support as they grieve the tragic loss of three of their children in a devastating apartment fire. The outpouring of volunteers, donations, and team signups shows the power of a community coming together in times of tragedy.