LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Throughout Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory partnered with Play Ball Puerto Rico to collect baseball equipment for children.
Play Ball Puerto Rico was an idea then-13-year-old Lawson Strenecky of Bardstown came up with after Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017.
“It started to kind of revitalize youth baseball for communities that have been ravaged with natural disasters, in most cases, especially in Puerto Rico with the hurricanes,” said Belle Taylor, a board member for the nonprofit.
The organization donates baseball equipment to children in Puerto Rico and Kentucky. It also has a "Fields for Dreams" program to restore baseball fields in Puerto Rico that have been affected by natural disasters.
The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory kicked off Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15 with Roberto Clemente Day. Clemente’s legacy of helping others lives on through initiatives such as the equipment drive.
“Fans came in … if they brought in some gently used or brand new baseball equipment, they were able to get free admission to our museum and get a factory tour," said PJ Shelley, the museum's manager of education and programs. "We've been able to collect over 50 pieces of baseball equipment over this past month, so we’re really excited."
Whether in the commonwealth or Puerto Rico, the equipment will end up in the hands of aspiring athletes who may have not been able to afford it. The museum plans to continue hosting the drive yearly for Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month.