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By BILL SAVAGE; Times Leader Sports Writer
Tuesday, April 12, 1994 Page: 3C
MOOSIC — As a former law enforcement officer, Bob Lipski knows the
importance of having the right equipment to do a job.
That’s why perhaps the most important aspect of the former Red Barons
bullpen catcher’s effort to teach baseball to young people in Poland is taking
place before he and his wife ever leave the United States.
Before leaving for Poland on May 20, Lipski is working to collect
contributions and equipment to be donated to the Polish Little Leaguers, many
of whom have never even worn a proper baseball glove or held a real bat.
“You have to understand, a lot of these kids don’t have anything,” said
Lipski. “They say that, over there, if you give a kid a baseball, it’s like
giving him a piece of gold.”
To provide as many young Polish players as possible with such a thrill,
Lipski has spent the past several weeks contacting Little League organizations
in Northeastern Pennsylvania, asking them to donate used equipment and
uniforms.
“A lot of them are just getting into their field houses now because of the
snow and they’re helping us out with their old equipment,” he said.
Also being sought are contributions from the general public, including
donations of any used baseball equipment.
“If someone can afford a new piece of equipment and donate it to us, that’s
great,” Lipski said. “But we realize not everyone can afford to do that. So,
if you have an old glove or something like that, we’ll take it. As long as
it’s not falling apart.”
Old equipment, Lipski said, will be reconditioned before being sent to
Poland. And, to help prevent the equipment from falling into the wrong hands
and ending up on the black market, the Polish Youth Baseball Foundation will
ship it over later in the summer.
Anyone with old equipment to donate can bring it to Lackawanna County
Stadium during daytime business hours. The equipment should be brought to the
Red Barons’ offices at the stadium with instructions that it is for the Polish
baseball effort.
Currently, the equipment is being stored on the stadium’s third floor.
Also, from April 22 through 29, when the Red Barons play Charlotte and
Toledo, it will be “Polish Youth Baseball Week” at the stadium.
Any young people who bring baseball equipment to any of the games during
that period will be admitted into the stadium free.