Operation Diamond Harvest
Donated baseball gear, used to introduce Christ to kids in low-income and poverty-stricken areas. Born out of a 2026 mission trip to the Dominican Republic, where we saw first-hand both a deep love of baseball and a dire need for equipment.
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18, ESV
What we're collecting
Gear is for kids aged 5 to 18. It doesn't need to be new. Anything well-worn but in proper working order can be donated.
- Bats
- Wood, aluminum, composite, hybrid, one-piece or two-piece, any certification: BBCOR, USA, USSSA. Nothing broken or cracked. Wipe them down and make sure the grip still works.
- Shoes
- Metal, molded or turf cleats, any size. As a guide: no holes, at least a quarter of the tread left, and two working laces. Clean off the dirt and tie the pair together by the laces.
- Gloves
- Infield, outfield, catcher's mitts, first base mitts, all of them welcome. Well-worn is fine, but no broken leather or lacing. Give them a wipe down.
- Baseballs
- T-ball through college. Ideally not water-damaged or out of round. They don't need washing, but no caked-on mud. A full bucket is great, not required.
- Hitting nets and tunnels
- Accepted and needed.
- Also accepted
- Catcher's gear, batting tees and miscellaneous items are welcome, though not a priority. No large equipment: we can't take L-screens or pitching machines.
Tell us what you've got
Fill this out and we'll get back to you about picking it up or where to drop it off. No amount is too small. One glove still puts a kid in the game.
Questions
The mission
Who runs and funds this?
Operation Diamond Harvest is run largely by volunteers, and all the gear is donated. Distribution is facilitated by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the Dominican Republic, funded by donations through His Show.
Why baseball gear?
As followers of Jesus Christ, the Great Commission commands us to go and make believers of all nations. In the Dominican Republic we found a place where the love of the game runs deep and the equipment to play it does not. Gear opens the door.
What is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes?
FCA is an international organization that uses the platform of sports at every level, from professional to collegiate to youth, to share the gospel of Jesus. Our relationship is with the Dominican Republic arm of FCA.
Donating gear
Where does the equipment end up?
Most of it ships to the Dominican Republic and is distributed through FCA to baseball-loving children across the Caribbean islands. Locally, low-income programs in the Charlotte area may qualify to receive equipment as well.
Can I send a note or a picture with my gear?
Yes, and we'd encourage it. Write it on a 3x5 card and tape it to the item. Most of these donations end up in the Dominican Republic, so include a Spanish translation alongside the English. The hope is that these items share God's love and lead children to Christ.
What does this cost to run?
Almost all of it is packaging and shipping, so the figure moves with the quantity and type of donations that come in. Everyone gathering, sorting and preparing gear for shipment is a volunteer.