Laura Halleman With uniforms, equipment, gear and other fees, having a child participate in a school sport can be a costly undertaking for families. The expenses add up and could be the difference between a child participating or having to miss out.
Hopewell Youth Baseball’s Second Swing was established to lighten that load and provide the opportunity for kids to play baseball who might not otherwise have the chance.
Established in 1986, family owned and serving the Beaver County community for over 40 years. Serving breakfast favorites and lunch specials.
The goal of Second Swing is to match kids with gently used baseball equipment.
“The idea is simple; kids grow, equipment gets outgrown, and sometimes families have perfectly good gear sitting in their garage or shed that another child could really use,” Hopewell Youth Baseball parent Christina Baughman told VSN. “We want to give that equipment a second life while helping make baseball a little more accessible for families in our community.”
“But more than anything, we want Second Swing to feel like an extension of our baseball family. If a child wants to play, we want them to have the opportunity to get on the field, learn the game, build confidence and have fun with their teammates.”
Hopewell Youth Baseball Board of Directors discussed the idea of Second Swing, and the decision was made to introduce it to the community. They purchased a shed to house the donated secondhand equipment and Sadler’s Lawn Service and Landscape Supply offered their facility to collect and organize donations.
Established in 1986, family owned and serving the Beaver County community for over 40 years. Serving breakfast favorites and lunch specials.
Baughman said the program wants families to feel welcome and ask for help with equipment their child may need, without stigma.
“There should never be embarrassment or hesitation about asking if we have glove, bat, helmet, cleats, pants for another piece of equipment their child needs,” said Baughman. “We want this to feel like neighbors helping neighbors and kids helping kids. Our school district recently introduced the message, “Together We Row” and I really love the idea of carrying that same spirit onto the baseball fields. We want our community to come together to support our kids- not just by giving them equipment, but by helping them grow as players and as people.”
Although Second Swing is in its infancy, many in the community have already donated baseball equipment they no longer use. Through word of mouth, Baughman believes the donations will continue to grow.
“Maybe that first glove someone donates is the glove that helps a child discover a sport they’ll love for years. That’s what I hope Second Swing can be, a community coming together, supporting our kids and helping give them the opportunity to grow, both on and off the field.”
If you would like to donate gently used baseball equipment such as bats, gloves, helmets, catchers gear and baseball bags, or if your child is in need of equipment, contact Christina Baughman at christinamariebaughman@gmail.com
