It all started as a simple idea.

 

A friend of Steve Murfin had a nephew in Iraq who loves baseball.  And the friend wanted to do something a little different for Christmas instead of sending the normal brownies and cookies.

 

The friend asked Murfin, who is the Head Baseball Coach of Silver Spring's Blake High School, if he had two old gloves and an old ball that could be used as a gift to the nephew so he could play catch in Iraq on off duty from his patrols of the Iraqi war zone.

 

The nephew, Staff Sergeant William Suter, who heads a Maryland National Guard unit out of Frederick, is a huge fan of baseball and the Baltimore Orioles.  He is in his second tour of Iraq having come home after the first tour in May 2006 and shipping out again in May of this year.

 

Murfin, who also plays over 60 baseball games a year and who has been playing competitive baseball for over 45 years, knew it wouldn't be a problem to find two old gloves from his basement equipment room.  And, being a high school baseball coach, he could always count on finding a few old baseballs left over from the season.

 

"But then I said, 'wouldn't that be great if we could fill our a whole unit with uniforms and equipment,'" said Murfin.  "I was half joking.  And then my friend said:  Don't you have some friends that could donate a glove?"

 

Friends who play baseball?  When you play for 3 baseball teams, play in two national tournaments a year and coached hundreds of kids, you tend to know a few people in the game.  A few emails and a few calls later, Murfin had commitments for bases, a home plate, bats, balls and enough gloves to field four teams.  And it hasn't stopped. 

 

"It has been a groundswell.  I contacted my teammates in leagues and tournaments I have played in through the years.  Everyone has old equipment sitting in the basement gathering dust.  What was really amazing was how quickly people responded.  Many people, who said they were saving the equipment to give to a grandson or a nephew, said it would be better to give to our soldiers for all they do for us."

 

So far they have received over 120 pieces of baseball equipment. 

 

Baseball equipment is coming from local players and former players of all ages, baseball leagues, companies and teams.  Gloves, spikes and bats came from players in the Ponce de Leon Adult Baseball League, the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL), and several players from Frederick-area high schools.  Blake High School is donating dozens of brand new baseballs.  The Baltimore Orioles are donating catcher's gear.

 

Murfin is still looking for more baseball items that can be donated to the Maryland Guard Unit in Iraq.  Anyone interested in contributing can drop off their old equipment at Blake High School through December 14.  The equipment must be mailed to Iraq by this Friday in order to arrive in time for Christmas.

 

"I can't thank the local baseball community and businesses enough for their response.  I have been fortunate to experience a lot of great things in baseball.  But this is, bar far, the most rewarding," said Murfin.

 

To donate to the Baseball for the Troops Campaign, contact                                      

 

Steve Murfin

301-518-7303 

Donations to Baseball for the Troops Campaign. 52 people donated over 120 items.

Staff Sgt. William Suter's wife Angie and children Hunter, Courtney and Morgan Suter

Staff Sgt. Suter's wife Angie and children Hunter, Courtney and Morgan along with Steve Murfin and the 120 pieces of donated baseball equipment.

Close-up of some of the 120 pieces of donated baseball equipment.