Published: May 11, 2008 09:24 pm            

For Ruth’s babe

Mom collecting used gloves, balls for soldiers, son

Ruth Neal wants to give a part of America’s pastime to its modern day heroes, her son among them.

You can pitch in.

The Navarro College computer information technology faculty member has started a drive to collect used adult gloves and baseballs for soldiers like Marine Lance Cpl. Peter Seefeldt, her son stationed in Iraq. Peter started playing soccer at 4, and throughout his life the DeSoto graduate has played the sport along with basketball, football and, you guessed it, baseball.

He talked his mother, a member of Soldiers Angels, into the collection effort. The Daily Sun will serve as Neal’s drop-off point.

“It’s so good to have something to do and not just support them silently,” said Neal, an employee of the college for six years now. “It’s a way I can be active in my support.

“I think (Peter’s) entire unit would use these and, depending on how many we get, they would probably share them with others.”

Neal said bats are out of the question because they are too big, and businesses and non-baseball-accessory-owning individuals can also get involved, perhaps just to help cover the cost of shipping the items. She’ll ship when necessary.

“I’ll take them forever,” she said. “I’ll send some, then some more. ...

“Even if people don’t have a glove or old baseballs, they might want to get involved.”

Navarro College’s baseball team did. Bulldogs freshman Brett Parsons of The Woodlands — one of Neal’s students — donated a glove when he heard of it. Led by coach Whoa Dill, members of the fourth-ranked squad chipped in with about nine more Friday and about two dozen balls after a practice on campus.

“I can get you at least 20 more balls,” Dill told a surprised, ecstatic Neal.

He also said some of his players said they had additional gloves elsewhere they would contribute.

“A lot of people want to do something to show their support, they just don’t always know what to do,” Neal said. “I know a lot of people have used gloves around the house.”

In addition to adult sizes, Neal said her son insisted on used gloves in case soldiers have to leave them behind. And, she had one other stipulation: “We don’t want sentimental gloves.

“If somebody’s got one they don’t need, we can use it,” she said.

For more information, contact Neal at (903) 874-0202. The Daily Sun office is located at 405 East Collin.



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On the Net:

www.soldiersangels.org

www.navarrocollege.edu

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Raymond Linex II may be reached via e-mail at rlinex@corsicanadailysun.com.

        

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