- November 4, 2024
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When Jesse Ostrander, director of Sports Missions International Inc., presented the Palm Coast Little League with the idea of partnering with his organization, he didn’t expect this result. At its conclusion, the PCLL’s equipment drive had filled nearly 30 large boxes of baseball equipment for the youth baseball teams in the Dominican Republic.
“This was definitely newsworthy and perhaps will be a catalyst for future involvement,” Ostrander said. “I never expected such a huge outpouring of support.”
SMI has taken youth baseball teams to the Dominican Republic for the last three years. While there, the American players directly give the equipment to the Dominican players so they can then compete and enjoy head-to-head games.
“Many times the kids we play ball against do not have their own cleats, bats or gloves, but they play the game with skill and passion,” Ostrander added. “They are grateful when the Americans give them something.”
Sports Missions collects baseball equipment from various leagues, schools, churches and individuals in the states, and then ships it down to Love-A-Child in Haiti, and then trucks drive the equipment to the Dominican Republic side of the island. Love-A-Child provides free shipping, as they are constantly sending food and medical containers.
While the initial gifts put smiles on the Dominicans’ faces, the American kids usually return to the states with a changed life. For less than $1,000 (including flights, transportation and accommodations at a resort) a player goes to the “Baseball Capital of the World,” plays against top players, passes out much-needed food to very poor families, and distributes highly valued baseball gear to kids who have none.
“Sports Missions is excited about our new partnership with Palm Coast Little League, and we are confident that we will work together again in the near future,” Ostrander said.
