Nationals to hold baseball equipment drive this weekend

By Josh Land

Nationals

May 31, 2012, 2:42pm

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Gloves, bats, balls, catchers' equipment, bases, shoes, helmets, or anything you have to spare. With the aim of providing local youth an increased opportunity to play baseball and softball, the Nationals will collect baseball equipment in conjunction with the Baseball Tomorrow Fund this Sunday when they play the Braves at Nationals Park. Fans are encouraged to donate new and used equipment to benefit the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DCDPR) and Major League Baseball initiative. In addition, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund will give the DCDPR a $5,000 grant to help with purchasing new equipment. This is the eighth season the Baseball Tomorrow Fund and Major League baseball have combined for this kind of program. Last year at Nats Park, more than 1,500 pieces of equipment were collected for the Banneker City Little League. The collection will take place at the center-field gates, which open at 11 a.m. First pitch for the contest is 1:35 p.m., before which a pregame ceremony will be held involving the Baseball Tomorrow Fund's presentation of the check.