TASA receives baseball equipment from non-profit

Tinian Amateur Sports Association staff pose with the baseball equipment donated by nonprofit group Baseball Without Borders based in California. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Tinian Amateur Sports Association recently received a donation of baseball equipment from nonprofit group Baseball Without Borders based in California.

TASA president Jose Kiyoshi said the donation of baseball bats, mitts, balls, and uniforms will help it grow the sport of baseball on Tinian and is a good morale booster for anyone involved in the sport on the island.

“We received this sports equipment from California through a nonprofit organization called Baseball Without Borders led by its president Juan Bustos. I saw his organization through Facebook and I reached out to him and we coordinated with the U.S. Marine detachment that is stationed here on Tinian. Special thank you to Gunny Stilwell for facilitating the shipment,” he said.

Kiyoshi said the baseball equipment may be pre-loved but they are in very good condition and can be used right away by the Tinian Amateur Baseball Association.

He thanked Baseball Without Borders and Bustos for the thoughtful donation.

“Si yu’us ma’ase’ for their generosity to go out of their way and provide our youth and adults with the needed equipment and we hope that more donations are forthcoming our way. This donation will help our organization and players alike because financially it’s very expensive buying gloves and other baseball equipment and sometimes players want to play but they have no gloves but now we can make them use these during game time,” he said.

In its website, Baseball Without Borders Foundation said it’s dedicated to education and cultural exchange through baseball. It sends equipment and players overseas to assist players of all ages and continents to enjoy America’s pastime.

In 1995, Baseball Without Borders Foundation began with a mission to expose youth to cultures existing beyond the American border. Using baseball as the means, it took a team of 36 players to Mexicali, Mexico. The experience helped the non-profit soon realized that they needed to do more than just play the game and learn new traditions.

“While we had access to baseball equipment, the opposing team did not. Their players were catching balls with their bare hands, rounding bases in their socks and batting without helmets, yet they still enjoyed the game. Aware of their needs, we couldn’t return home without doing something about it. This event inspired a new calling for Baseball Without Borders; to collect and donate baseball equipment to impoverished youth around the world!” the group said in its website.