Brian Melakian, the owner of Play It Again Sports in Lubbock, said softball gear has been flying off the shelf these past two years.

Gardner is a growing community that loves its sports. There’s a sporting goods store in town, Hometown Sports Gear, that hopes to love the community back just as much.

Parents are feeling the pinch as costs for youth sports climb, with families spending far more on registration, gear, lessons and travel than they did five years ago.

The Royals and Urban Youth Academy and Commerce Bank are teaming up to collect baseball and softball equipment for kids in the community.

Fans can donate gently used baseball and softball youth equipment and receive Hooks tickets and a chance to win Astros tickets.

The Twins partnered with Pitch In For Baseball and Softball to donate gear and uniforms to 43 Twin Cities teams. "Softball is our sport.