To the Editor:

Guilderland Little League is conducting a gently-used baseball and softball equipment drive this spring, to benefit Roberto’s Kids, an international organization (founded in Oneonta, New York in 1989) that distributes equipment to kids in over a dozen nations who love to play, but have little to play with.

We are collecting baseball and softball bats, balls, helmets, caps, gloves, bases, shoes, socks, catcher’s equipment, and just about anything else that is used to play baseball or softball.

Nationwide changes in baseball bat regulations this year have meant that nearly all baseball families in the area have had to buy new bats this spring, and the older bats cannot be used in league play. Those bats, however, would be a bonanza for baseball-loving kids around the world who need equipment.

People can drop off equipment at Keenholts Park, the Guilderland Public Library, or Frozen Ropes baseball academy in Albany, until June 15.

At the Little League opening ceremony on Friday evening, May 11, equipment can be dropped off at the Guilderland Public Library table under the main baseball pavilion.

People who drop off equipment will be entered in a drawing to win one of two weeks of baseball camp — at Guilderland Rising Stars camp, Frozen Ropes Camp, or two to three days at the TriCities ValleyCats camp.

We thank all three organizations for their generosity. Anyone with questions may contact me at 518-339-3530, or .

Thanks for helping out kids who want to play baseball or softball! You'll be getting a head start on spring cleaning too.

Tim Wiles

Library Director and

Little League volunteer

Editor’s note: Tim Wiles is the director of the Guilderland Public Library.