NORTHFIELD — Bats, balls, mitts, uniforms, spikes and helmets stretched from the pitcher’s mound to second base and fanned out toward first and third on the senior league field at Birch Grove Park.
The equipment came from Northfield Little League baseball families as well as organizations such as Somers Point Little League that gave 30 batting helmets and 20 bats. That equipment will have a second shot to play ball when it arrives in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Drug Enforcement Agent Matt Donahue will get it into the hands of kids who love baseball but lack funds for equipment.
Northfield Babe Ruth Coach Glenn Donahue was recently in San Juan visiting his brother, who heads the DEA in the area.
“I saw kids playing baseball where they had just one ball and no shoes,” Donahue said.
Donahue said the Northfield Little League Donation Center was a perfect match.
“We have equipment here in Northfield, and we have kids in San Juan who would be thrilled to have balls, bats and shoes. This is just great. The DEA is always seen as the enforcer, but they would very much like to be able to connect with kids and families and make something positive happen,” the coach said.
The DEA will give the equipment to aspiring baseball and softball players at the Citizens Academy in San Juan.
Recent Mainland Regional High School graduate Brandon Kintish, 18, took over the Northfield Little League Donation Center from his dad, Steve. This spring, Kintish set out bins for families to drop off baseball and softball equipment their kids had outgrown. The result for the fourth straight year was a small mountain of equipment that is still serviceable but has been replaced or just left in a closet.
Kintish said the collection of old equipment and the establishment of the Donation Center grew out of a family closet filled with baseball equipment he and his brother Bryan had outgrown and no one was using.
“I feel very strongly about giving back to the community, and rather than seeing that equipment lying around, it could go to someone else to use, and I’m really happy it is going to get a second chance thanks to the DEA,” the coordinator said.
DEA Special Agent Tim McMahon is based in Newark, but he was in Birch Grove Park last week for the equipment donation. He said the agency will ship the equipment to Puerto Rico, where Matt Donahue and other agents will make sure the equipment gets a chance for plenty more at-bats.
McMahon said the equipment will to be donated to the Loiza Little League in Loiza, Puerto Rico, and Little Leagues in Barranquitas, Orocovis and Ciales, central Puerto Rico. The players in Puerto Rico receiving the equipment are 6 to 9 years old. The towns where it is headed have high unemployment rates.
“Our community outreach program complements our law-enforcement efforts,” Donahue said. “Baseball, and any other sports and activities for that matter, can make a tremendous difference in children’s lives.”
Credit: The Press of Atlantic City
Original story here: https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/northfield-little-league-donation-will-go-extra-innings-in-puerto/article_d5c0d3ea-e547-5d9e-906d-64c2acd29a1b.html