baseball bats

[alloallo3]

We just spent two weeks in the DR. Had a great time. But I'm still trying to wrap my brain around something. While we were in Constanza, the cheapest place we visited, I thought I'd buy a baseball and bat for some of the local kids. The baseball was us$5.00, which was about what I expected. But the baseball bats ranged from us$140 to us$440. I pointed out that this was lunacy, but they assured me the sticker that said $13,000 was correct.

One young fellow at the store was willing to sell me his used bat for us$80. I didn't buy one, so it's not fair to say they saw me coming. But what was that all about?

 

[Rocky]

We just spent two weeks in the DR. Had a great time. But I'm still trying to wrap my brain around something. While we were in Constanza, the cheapest place we visited, I thought I'd buy a baseball and bat for some of the local kids. The baseball was us$5.00, which was about what I expected. But the baseball bats ranged from us$140 to us$440. I pointed out that this was lunacy, but they assured me the sticker that said $13,000 was correct.

One young fellow at the store was willing to sell me his used bat for us$80. I didn't buy one, so it's not fair to say they saw me coming. But what was that all about?

What's the price range around where you live?

 

[Bob K]

The cost of bats and gloves here are very high. On our last trip back to the States we bought 4 bats and some gloves and then gave them to a local shcool here. The smiles went from one ear to the other. Bats in the States are about $20-25.

Bob K

 

[Rocky]

The cost of bats and gloves here are very high. On our last trip back to the States we bought 4 bats and some gloves and then gave them to a local shcool here. The smiles went from one ear to the other. Bats in the States are about $20-25.

Bob K

And do they appear to be the same quality as the Dom bats seen here at 150 bux plus?
It seems almost impossible.
Just doesn't make sense to have that type of disparity in pricing.

 

[Hillbilly]

There are several tangents to this issue:
1) Dominicans only want to use major league bats--wooden--
2) Aluminum bats are very expensive, even in the states
3) Sponsors usually pay for the bats and balls
4) Cargo charges for bats is high and there is at least a 16% tariff (VAT) on them.

HB

 

[Rocky]

There are several tangents to this issue:
1) Dominicans only want to use major league bats--wooden--
2) Aluminum bats are very expensive, even in the states
3) Sponsors usually pay for the bats and balls
4) Cargo charges for bats is high and there is at least a 16% tariff (VAT) on them.

HB

Now that makes sense.
10 times US price for same item, does not.

PS: I'm forgetting my manners. I commend you alloallo3 and Bob K, for your wonderful generosity and caring ways.

 

[CyaBye3015]

Balls & gloves

Last time I came down I had enlisted the help of a few 'garge sale folks' to buy used balls and gloves. They were a huge hit with the local kids.

(food for thought)

 

[Rocky]

Last time I came down I had enlisted the help of a few 'garge sale folks' to buy used balls and gloves. They were a huge hit with the local kids.

(food for thought)

My sister in law does the same and it's a superb economical idea.
The only difference is that she never found the garges, so she went to the garage sales instead.

 

[alloallo3]

Here are the Louisville Slugger and Rawling's pages from the official Major League Baseball website. MLB.com Shop - Wood - Adult: Search for The bats range in price from $20 to $110. Of course you can't use an aluminum bat in the bigs, and some are, as Hillbilly suggested, very expensive. but you can buy a nice aluminum MacGregor (a well-known name), for $22 at Wal-Mart.

 

[DAKRA]

Im on the way to bring....

During my upcoming trip to DR, I have purchased several baseball items for the young kids near my friends house in SD. I have purchased a box of baseballs and 2 bats, along with 2 pair of Cleats, 2 Hats, but no gloves yet. the cheapest gloves I can find are $240 for good ones.... I think I may have to purchase the cheaper ones from wal-mart.

Nice to see others are doing the same thing. Goes to show the big hearts that people have. It's just a nice feeling.... (and the right thing to do)

:glasses:

 

[Rocky]

During my upcoming trip to DR, I have purchased several baseball items for the young kids near my friends house in SD. I have purchased a box of baseballs and 2 bats, along with 2 pair of Cleats, 2 Hats, but no gloves yet. the cheapest gloves I can find are $240 for good ones.... I think I may have to purchase the cheaper ones from wal-mart.

Nice to see others are doing the same thing. Goes to show the big hearts that people have. It's just a nice feeling.... (and the right thing to do)

:glasses:

That's great, Dakra.
This whole thread is starting to be a testimonial to the caliber of people on this forum.
Kudos to you all.
BTW: Again, my sister in law found baseball gloves in the garage sales, way way cheaper, and the kids just loved them.

 

[BushBaby]

Many of the barrio kids play their early days of baseball here in the streets using a piece of wood (or pole if they can steal one from their mum) to hit a plastic bottle or soft type ball.

So here is a challenge to anyone able to get their hands on a baseball bat to bring down. Get hold of a local (Dominican Hotel worker or longish term Ex-Pat who knows his/her way around) & walk down one of the barrio areas. Find a couple of kids playing 'Ball' in the streets & just hand the bat over. NOW you will see some big eyes & beaming smiles!!! You might need to take the local sanitation department with you too to clean up the mess these guys will make from being given such a unbelievable gift from heaven!!

Be sure to take the name of these kids telling them you want to see their names in the minor leagues by the time they are 20 years old!! You can then say "I gave them their first Bat!!" ~ Grahame.

 

[papinice88]

I just sent some baseball equipment to the DR it's going to the town of monti criste. i sent 3 aluminum bats they cost $ 79.00 us each. The gloves for little league cost about $25 to $40 you better off having

somebody buy them here then taking them for you to DR. its better quality here and cheaper

 

[laurapasinifan]

I just measured my luggage...I can fit a 34" bat in at an angle...I an guessing I could get three maybe four in.

but the kicker is I have never seen my GFs brother or friends play baseball... and dont know of any field in their area where a donation would be maningfull.

and do you think that the bats should be for much younger kids...assuming that the older kids get more stuff....

like a 30" bat.. and how many ounces..

I could buy bats around her for .50 cents...at tag sales....I bet i could go to a tag sale and get 5 bats for a $1......that stuff doesnt sell...kids always want new and they are well of enough to get it.....so that stuff is practically given away at tag sales every weekend.

same thing for gloves... the baseballs would be the hardest...they usually end up wet or for playing catch with the dog.....ha ha ha

bob

 

[BushBaby]

bob,
Bring in 1 x 34" & 4 x 30" & if you don't find a market for them through your GF's family just let me know. I'll gladly take you to Integracion Juvenil school to deliver 2 x 30" & the 34" bats & then we can walk the streets to find a couple of kids playing with sticks as mentioned above. PM me for Tel. No if you haven't already got it on file! ~ Grahame.

 

[Farmer]

other equipment needs

We pack at least one giant piece of luggage each trip with baseball gear like the stuff already mentioned in this thread. There are a couple other items folks can bring down (weight permitting) that these kids need also. We always try to find some catcher's gear (mask, helmet, chest and shin guards). It's heavy but somebody needs it. Another thing is uniforms and your local youth leagues are replacing their uniforms on a regular basis. A couple years ago in February (note February) a fellow came into my office with a huge bag of uniforms his team was replacing. They were spotless. We kept them around until we traveled to the D.R. in late October. We arrived in San Jose de las Matas on the Saturday that the White Sox wrapped up the World Series. We got together with the local little league organizers and gathered all the kids Monday after school. After the obligatory speeches by several Dominicans we gave out the baseball gear first. There were all kinds of squeals of delight but it was when we pulled out the uniforms that the "play" almost went silent. The uniforms were replica White Sox uniforms. People were shocked that I had managed to get uniforms from the just crowned Series champs to town in such short order. I'm not sure I ever told them about the coincidence that had brought those uniforms to my office eight months earlier. My bad.

 

[CyaBye3015]

My sister in law does the same and it's a superb economical idea.
The only difference is that she never found the garges, so she went to the garage sales instead.

Remind me to SMACK you upside the head next time I'm down!!!

 

[memphisj]

Gloves

I was planning on bringing some used gloves with me. You can get them for around $5 at the thrift stores here in Memphis, and in they're great shape! Would the kids be insulted if the equipment is gently used? Check the thrift stores. I got 3 bats around $2 each also.

 

[Rocky]

I was planning on bringing some used gloves with me. You can get them for around $5 at the thrift stores here in Memphis, and in they're great shape! Would the kids be insulted if the equipment is gently used? Check the thrift stores. I got 3 bats around $2 each also.

Are you kidding?
Bring them on.
They love used gloves.
And at that price.... What a steal. The kids will be ecstatic.

 

[Chip]

The high prices just can't be explained by high tariffs and shipping fees remember too the 1. law of supply and demand and 2. In many cases there really aren't free market forces at work in the DR.

Dominicans are really notorious for artificially inflating market prices even to their own detriment. It is the "herd" syndrome and it is prevalent here.