The American Baseball Missionary Society Mission to France!

[Cowboy7130]

Many of you have followed the discussion in another thread about Moonlight Graham's desire to establish a baseball club in France. He needs help, and I think we can help him. I don't know what to do, except to start talking about doing something and starting now.

First of all, I think there is a basic list of things Moonlight needs to get started:

1. Gloves - usable, inexpensive gloves of various sizes.
2. Usable, well broken-in catchers mitts ... a couple would be nice, but at least one is essential.
3. Catcher's gear: helmet, chest protector, shin guards
4. Batting helmets - at least four double-ear-flapped helmets.
5. Bats - various sizes, from Little League to adult sizes.
6. throw-down rubber bases would be great
7. BASEBALLS!! Moonlight's autographed collection of baseballs does not need to get slapped around his new Le Stade du Yanquie!

Moonlight can probably find all the coaching tips and practice tips he needs on the internet, but if you have something unique, you might want to send that along, too.

So how are we going to go about this? My suggestion is for those of us who coach baseball go home this weekend and weed through our equipment and see what we've got, and decide what we need to replace before next season anyway. Then, list those things that you would be willing to share with Moonlight in this forum. (He doesn't need 12 catcher's helmets and one bat!)

Then, let's decide on a coordinator, someone we all trust, *ahem, coff coff VintageBrett coff coff* preferably on the east coast *closer to France, slightly reduced shipping - * We send him a couple of gloves and a bat or two, a box of baseballs, whatever it is we want to send, AND A $10 BILL TO HELP COVER THE CROSS-ATLANTIC SHIPPING COST. Then after a specified "deadline" date, the Big Box of Baseball goes across the water, and Moonlight and his English students have a big Christmas in November!

What do you think? I think we can do this! But I have known to get excited pretty easily ...

[vintagebrett]

I wouldn't mind collecting the items and doing the shipping. I have a bunch of usable gloves (mostly imports) hanging around that need to go to a group that will use them.

If you are interested in participating (and Moonlight is willing to take on this items ) either post or drop me a message.

[wareagle34]

Cowboy, great suggestions and love that take charge lets get'r dun Texas attitude. Count me in, I've got some gloves, catchers mask and helmet, and balls. I would love to see them learn with wooden bats but I don't have any. Like the idea of one person being in charge, and the obvious person I agree is Brett. How bout it Brett you out there?

Moonlight, just sit back and watch it's fixing to happen, and I like my beer cold, OK? I know how you Europeans are about your warm beer.

email: stewartfamily6@juno.com


WAR EAGLE!

[Cowboy7130]

Thanks, fellas! *he said with a sentimental tear in his eye* Y'all are the best!

[crackofthebat]

I have a bunch of bats (all sizes) that I have picked up for "parts" that I would be willing to donate. Brett, you can pick through them when you come over this weekend. Also have a number of used baseballs I can add to the mix.

[stockbuddy]

Hi Moonlight Graham, Brett, Cowboy, Fred and guys,

Sounds like a very cool idea. I too am in education and hope that people would enjoy the glove hobby as much as I have over the years. Perhaps one of my glove books would help to educate kids in France about the old timer Fielder's gloves in the U. S. and how they have evolved over the years.

Brett, if it is ok with you I will send you one of my 1st ed. Fielder's Dream Glove Books to pass along to Moonlight and the kids when you send some other baseball items.

Brett, just email me your mailing address and I will send you a first ed. glove book to include in the mix of things.

My email address is cunninghamd1707@yahoo.com

I hope Moonlight and the kids will enjoy reading and looking at the old gloves.

Dave

[Moonlight Graham]

I just can't believe what I'm reading... This is just fantastic, and I'm quite sorry I can't find any other word to describe what I'm feeling. This is the greatest human adventure I've ever been involved in. The more I see what you're all suggesting and offering, the more I think this is really going to happen. This is simply unbelievable. Like you said Cowboy, I too have a tear in my eye. Thank you so much to all of you.

So from now on, I'll buy as many cans of beer my fridge can take and you'll get your fresh glass of beer when you finally make it to France. And War Eagle, we do like fresh beer too !

Now I need to find a name for my team. And this name has to convey what is happening here, or at least suggest that the ones who made this all happen are from the USA. The first name that comes to mind is the Yankees because that's a common name used in all cowboys films, but if you have any better idea I'll take it.

Thanks again ! Men, I must be dreaming !

[stockbuddy]

Moonlight, It kind of sounds like a "Dream team" I do hope you and the children will enjoy the stuff they get. Best of luck to you.

Dave

[vintagebrett]

Let's set some dates so we can get these items off to France:

-By Friday, October 5th, please let me know if you are planning to send me items that will be package and sent to Moonlight.

-By Friday, October 19th, I'd like to have all of the items in hand and ready to ship.

Does this sound good to everyone? I just thought it would be easier if we had some dates to go by but I'm flexible.

[stockbuddy]

Brett, Sounds like a good plan to me. I can not recall your new home address so if you email me your mailing address I will drop you a glove book in the mail.

Dave

[Cowboy7130]

Sounds like a great plan, Bret. I will have some time tomorrow to go through the closets and storage room. I know I have some Little League sized things to send. Moonlight's kids are 10-15, so some of those things will work, I hope.

Moonlight, like I said before, baseball guys are the best, and the guys on this forum are some of the best baseball guys there are! So, they're the best of the best!

[wareagle34]

Hey Brett sounds like a plan to me. What about the expense, I hate to see you get stuck. Do you think 10.00 will be enough?
I'll send my package to you as soon as you get me your address. My email address is in the third post above. Thanks.
Chuck





WAR EAGLE!

[vintagebrett]

Moonlight has offered to help with the shipping costs if need be. I'm sure we'll be fine though. I'll probably ship vis UPS because it will be cheaper than USPS.

[ebbets55]

Count me in guys. I have some gloves I can send although not many new items. Most of of my stuff is older. Hope it can still help. I'll get a box worked up and sent to you Brett.

Jim

[softball66]

Yes, I have some gloves that should work. I'll ship to Vin Brett before 19th.
Also this past weekend as a side note, went to one of Texas' largest flea markets in Texas in Canton, Tex. Sad to report: no gloves purchased. Saw 30 to 40 gloves, pretty beat and import made of 80s. Most gloves were RIP. Not even any zombie gloves (some you could bring back to life).
Only one of note was XPG26 but had Amos Otis on it. Big difference between former XPG26 endorser, Mr. Mantle and Amos Otis. But passed on it at $25, VG+.