Local hardball retailer D-BAT Billings hosted a gear swap event to help parents cope with the high costs of sports gear. Owner Elly Wood emphasized the financial burden of outfitting a child for sports, with expenses reaching up to $800 for just one child’s equipment. The gear swap aimed to provide families with an affordable solution by collecting unused gear and offering it to others in need.
For many families, especially those with lower incomes, the cost of sports gear can be prohibitive. Little league coach Adam Erekson shared his own experience growing up with limited resources, highlighting the significance of events like gear swaps in providing access to sports equipment for all children, regardless of their financial background.
Wood acknowledged the challenges faced by parents in affording sports gear, particularly when considering additional expenses such as offseason camps and travel. Gear swaps like the one organized by D-BAT Billings help alleviate some of these financial burdens, even if only slightly.