Located in Winnie, TX, Hamshire-Fannett Little League received an equipment grant from PIFBS in 2020, and a second grant in 2021 as part of the Little League and DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Equipment Grant Program. For this initiative PIFBS sent out 3,560 kits to 366 Little Leagues across the country. The leagues would then give those kits to kids most in need of gear to help provide support to families.
Southeast Texas had experienced major flooding events twice in three years due to storms Harvey and Imelda. In September of 2019, Tropical Storm Imelda brought tornados and 43.5″ of rain, causing flooding and damage to the field. The league’s equipment room and baseball gear flooded, and a tornado knocked down two of the field light poles.
The 2020 PIFBS donation allowed the league to distribute shoes, pants and gloves to players in need. The equipment bags, baseballs and catcher’s gear were used for practices and games. HFLL had 15 scholarship players during the 2020 Spring season, including another 75+ players who experienced flooding of their homes during Tropical Storm Imelda. The equipment grant allowed players to rejoin their friends on the baseball field for pick-up games and to build community pride and camaraderie.
· Years Involved:2020, 2021