Pod-Cast: Weekend Equipment Days

It’s a May weekend full of BTF Equipment Days!

The Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros are hosting their 2012 Equipment Day collections this Saturday and Sunday, respectfully.

Last year, the Astros collected more than 250 baseball and softball items which ranged from balls and bats to cleats and uniforms. The Blue Jays collected nearly 200 items and $4,000 in cash donations. Once complete, items and cash were given to a grant recipient of each club’s choice. The Blue Jays chose the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, the largest social housing provider in Canada with nearly 164,000 low and moderate-income tenants in 58,500 households throughout Toronto. The Astros collected items for Houston RB,I a nonprofit organization that provides Houston youths the opportunity to learn and play the game of baseball.

Let’s see if they can out-do themselves from the previous year and supply this year’s Equipment Day grant recipients, Houston Parks and Recreation Department, The Toronto Rookie League and, once again, the Toronto Community Housing Corporation with more gear.

This year marks the eighth season that the Baseball Tomorrow Fund has collaborated with Major League Baseball to bring the league wide Equipment Day initiative. Since 2005, the BTF/MLB Equipment Day initiative has collected nearly 100,000 pieces of equipment and approximately $1,250,000 in cash donations has benefited organizations in need.

Thus far, the Kansas City Royals and the San Diego Padres have completed their Equipment Days. We’ll be tallying the results and sharing each club’s figures soon on our Facebook and Twitter pages. May is the kick-off month meaning it’s just the beginning for the BTF/MLB Equipment Day initiative. Go to our website to see when your favorite MLB team is hosting their Equipment Day.