HOLLYWOOD, Md. — The Chesapeake Ghost baseball organization announced Monday the start of its first Ghost Holiday Home Run Equipment Drive, a monthlong effort to gather new and gently used baseball and softball items for distribution to St. Mary’s County recreation leagues.
The drive, modeled after the Toys for Tots program but tailored to youth sports, runs through November and targets financial challenges faced by families and leagues. Donations will go directly to groups such as St. Mary’s Little League and the St. Mary’s County Youth Organization, supporting roughly 1,200 young players across 104 teams in the county’s largest league alone.
Mikey Farrell, president of Chesapeake Ghost, described the initiative as a way to extend the organization’s community focus. “Baseball and softball are more than just a game; they’re a community,” Farrell said. “We realized we had an opportunity to use our platform to give back to the next generation of players right here in our town. By collecting new and gently used helmets, gloves, and bats, we hope to hit a true ‘Holiday Home Run’ for these young athletes.”
Paul Burch, 10U manager for Chesapeake Ghost, highlighted the role of local programs. “Organizations like St. Mary’s Little League and the St. Mary’s County Youth Organization provide such a vital service to the youth in our county,” Burch said. “We want to make sure no kid goes without the proper equipment to play this sport and experience the fun and lessons that baseball and softball have to offer.”
Community members can contribute gloves, batting helmets, baseball bats, batting gloves and related accessories. Drop-offs are accepted anytime through contact with RJ Bean at rbeanjr@gmail.com or 301-904-5355. A main collection event is set for 6 p.m. Friday, November 21, at Dorsey Park Field 1 in Hollywood.
Chesapeake Ghost, affiliated with PRD Baseball Academy and based in Leonardtown, fields competitive teams from 8U to 12U levels. The group emphasizes athlete development alongside leadership and service, with recent tournament play in events like the Beast of the East.
Such equipment drives address a key hurdle in youth sports retention. In Maryland, costs for basic gear — a glove at $30 to $100, a bat up to $300 and a helmet around $50 — can deter participation, especially in lower-income households. A 2020 county report noted baseball and softball as top activities, with over 1,500 participants annually, but highlighted equipment as a barrier for 20 percent of families surveyed. Statewide, nonprofits like Leveling the Playing Field have redistributed more than 2 million items since 2004, boosting enrollment by 15 percent in recipient programs.
In St. Mary’s County, youth sports involvement has climbed steadily, with a November 2025 update showing 90 percent coach compliance in safety protocols and overall participation up 8 percent from 2023 levels. Baseball and softball account for 40 percent of organized play, fostering skills like teamwork amid the region’s rural fields and community parks.
Chesapeake Ghost’s effort builds on that foundation, encouraging businesses and fans to join. Donations ensure gear meets safety standards, such as ASTM-certified helmets. For families, leagues offer sliding-scale fees, but drives like this fill gaps without added paperwork.
