Washington Nationals and Baseball Tomorrow Fund to host baseball equipment collection

On Sunday, June 3, the Washington Nationals will team up with the Baseball Tomorrow Fund to host a baseball equipment collection during the Nationals-Braves series at Nationals Park. Fans are invited to donate new and used baseball equipment to benefit the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DCDPR) as part of the ongoing commitment from Major League Baseball, its clubs and players to increase opportunities for youth participation in baseball and softball. In conjunction with the equipment drive, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund will award a grant of $5,000 to DCDPR for the purchase of new equipment. DCDPR supports youth baseball programs throughout the city to give District youth the opportunity to learn, practice and play baseball. A ceremonial check will be presented to DCDPR by Nationals short stop Ian Desmond* and Meghan Chisholm, Senior Grant Coordinator of the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, during a pregame ceremony on Sunday. This year marks the eighth season the Baseball Tomorrow Fund has teamed with Major League Baseball clubs to supplement their existing equipment collection programs and help facilitate the creation of new programs. Last year's drive at Nationals Park collected more than 1,500 pieces of equipment for the Banneker City Little League. The Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) is a joint initiative between the Major League Baseball Players Association and Major League Baseball designed to promote the growth of youth baseball and softball by awarding grants to support field renovation and construction projects, equipment and uniform purchases, coaches training material and other selected program expenses. For more information, visit baseballtomorrowfund.com and follow BTF on Facebook, Twitter and MLBlogs. WHAT: Fans are encouraged to donate baseballs, softballs, bats, batting gloves, catcher's equipment, youth batting helmets, bases, baseball pants and other useful equipment outside of the Center Field Gates from the time gates open until the end of the third inning of the Nationals-Braves game. WHEN: Sunday, June 3 CF Gate Opens - 11:00 a.m. First Pitch - 1:35 p.m. WHERE: Nationals Park - Center Field Gates, Half & N Street, SE, Washington DC 20003 *Player subject to change.