Softball Parents

[sam_gordon]

I know we have parents of softball players on here, I have a very minor dilemma (file it under "First World Problems")...

Oldest DD played fast pitch softball through 8th grade. During that time we bought her a composite bat. Believe me when I say it didn't get a ton of use. It was probably actually too heavy for her, so we bought a different composite bat (used). That was 10+ years ago.

Those two bats are still sitting in our garage.

What's the best thing to do with them? I wouldn't mind selling them, but have no idea what the value is (if any) just for a little cash (maybe $50?). I'd donate to the HS, but DD never played for them. Maybe the MS? Goodwill?

We do not have a used sporting goods store near us.

Any suggestions?

 

[soccerdad72]

I would probably post them on something like Facebook Marketplace. I sold a bag of catcher's equipment years back for like $50 that way.

 

[sam_gordon]

I forgot to mention, I'm not on FB, ebay, etsy, etc.

DW (and I think DD) are both on FB however.

 

[soccerdad72]

I forgot to mention, I'm not on FB, ebay, etsy, etc.

DW (and I think DD) are both on FB however.

That would have been important info to note

There's also apps you can use for selling goods. OfferUp is one I've used before.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I'd donate them to a local Goodwill or Sal Army location. I'm sure there are kids out there who would love to pick up a bat that doesn't cost hundreds of dollars new these days. What you have, if it's 10+ years old, isn't going to be worth very much. New bats and new technology come out every year. Just get them out of your garage knowing you probably helped some teen-ager enjoy the game for a couple years with their own 'new' bat...... For me, it's not worth meeting up with strangers at the local mall to sell them for a few dollars...... FYI - there are used bat web sites out there you could look into, where you enter the make and model of the bat and they'll give you an estimated value currently.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I bet @slo knows. Her daughter, Katie, played many years of softball.

 

[easyas123]

I'd donate to the HS, but DD never played for them

Why not? I'm sure there are kids that play on that team that would be grateful to give the bats a try.
Probably most schools w/ a program (I'd assume) would appreciate them. Otherwise maybe Goodwill or a local county sports program?

 

[_19disnA]

If you live in/near a larger city there used to be stores the would buy used sports equipment. I know there was one where I used to live. Donating would be my second choice. Much prefer that to trying to sell online to strangers.

 

[lanejudy]

I'm at a similar stage clearing out "stuff" that we no longer need or use. Honestly I've found it much easier just to donate. Maybe there is a youth league in your area or the middle school. Or just Goodwill.

 

[mmbrad02]

Selfishly as another parent who's daughter has played softball (rec league) through 8th grade, and who also purchased a composite bat (for a travel team that never took off so never even had a legit practice, much less any games)... and now DD has taken up track instead..... I would try to sell it only because I know what I have invested in it. Such a pricey investment. I sold a couple of DD's outdoor batting/catching nets this spring and reinvested the money in a sprinting block for her new sport.

We are actually waiting to see if DD plays on any rec league teams this summer and if not, I will be finding a way to sell hers. I would list on my personal FB or perhaps Ebay because I currently already sell on those, but here in KY I know there are several travel type pages on FB where they post try outs or spots needed on travel teams and such, I might also try to post on those if allowed. I used to follow those pages when we thought DD might go that route but it didnt work out for us.

 

[sam_gordon]

If you live in/near a larger city there used to be stores the would buy used sports equipment. I know there was one where I used to live. Donating would be my second choice. Much prefer that to trying to sell online to strangers.

That's what "Play It Again Sports" is. There used to be one in a neighboring city, but it closed.

 

[slo]

Hey Sam......with this bat being over 10 years old it won't be in high demand for selling. Don't get me wrong, you can sell it, but you won't get anywhere near what you paid for it. If you would like to donate them, my #1 suggestion would be to contact your local town that has a town ball program, aka....rec ball. They may like to have them to let girls use that have possibly forgotten their equipment or can't afford their own equipment. Rec ball is a fantastic program for girls that don't want to play softball as seriously as travel ball girls or their family can't afford to have them in travel ball. Many times rec ball coaches carry equipment with them, that is provided by the town, for the players to use - I know this, because I used to be one of those coaches until my DD went to travel, and then I was one of her travel coaches until college (travel programs wouldn’t need them as much as rec ball)

Another thought would be to contact a local facility/business that gives softball lessons. They may like to have those to keep on hand in case a player comes in for a lesson and has forgotten her bat, or maybe recently broke their bat or etc. My friend has one of these businesses and I work there one day a week to help him out, and we have many bats like yours for baseball and softball.

Good luck, I hope you find a good home for them. I actually am also in the process of having to find homes for the insane amount of bats my DD21 used (she just retired from college softball). She had a bat for cold weather, hot weather, heavier bats for slow pitchers, a lighter bat for fast pitchers and etc. She always carried 4 bats with her at all times. We have every bat at our house from when she started softball at 7 years old - it unreal how many we have, and this doesn't include the broken ones. I'll be sad to see them go, but it's time to rehome them or donate them to my friends business.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks all.

I'm not looking for a lot of money. I did look up the bat online and NIW are going for ~$300. I was hoping to get $50. lol Just trying to think of what's a reasonable cost for "slightly used but old" AND where/how to sell or if donating is a better option.

 

[kdonnel]

I'm not a softball parent but I was an orchestra parent. I had a cello and viola that needed a good home so I donated them to the school.

Are there any softball programs that you could donate the bat to so it makes it to someone in need?