Play Ball: Hingham HS Collects Used Equipment for Red Sox Foundation

Some Hingham residents did a little spring cleaning and it was all for a good cause. 

It was for the Play Ball Program sponsored by Jordan’s Furniture, which is collecting used baseball and softball equipment. The donated items will be given to underprivileged children through the Red Sox Foundation’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program. 

Jordan’s Furniture asked schools to help collect donations and jumped on board. 

“There’s so much that can be learned on a baseball diamond – and all while playing a game that happens to be a lot of fun," said Hingham High School Assistant Principal Richard Swanson.  "Every American boy and girl should have the chance to experience these things regardless of where they grow up. The RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner City) Program is making that happen both in Boston and elsewhere across the country. At Hingham High School we’re glad to be supporting those efforts."

set up a collection bin in the main lobby and will be collecting donations through today, Opening Day.

This isn’t the first time Hingham High School has collected items to donate. 

In the Falll, the Green Committee challenged Duxbury High School to a sneaker drive. Hingham residents ran with it and won. The high school collected over 700 gently used sneakers. Some were donated to local charities and others to Nike’s “Reuse-a-shoe” recycling program.  

 “Jordan Furniture’s new Play Ball campaign connects with our Green Committee’s interest in keeping usable items out of landfills," Swanson said. "But more importantly it gives us a chance to help support efforts to revive baseball in poor urban neighborhoods."

 The school with the most donated equipment will receive Red Sox tickets, an autographed Red Sox jersey, and a visit from Wally the Green Monster.  The winner will also receive furniture for the school teacher's lounge.

Swanson, who is also an athletic coach, believes that physical exercise and participation in sports are a key part of a healthy lifestyle.  

 "At the same time sports like baseball can help to promote values like hard work, effort and perseverance," Swanson said.  "But at the same time sports like baseball can help to promote values like hard work, effort and perseverance. Baseball can help kids learn how to perform under pressure and how to cope with adversity."