baseball equipment for kids

[shroon]

I have been given some used baseball gloves, balls, bats, pads etc from friends I want to take them to Cuba to give away to children there but don't want to pay the extra $7.00/k for baggage. Does anyone know how I can get this free through Air Transat baggage. Thanks. Shroon

[cubafish]

shroon - good question and maybe someone can give you a good suggestion - here's mine ->

I too take baseball equipment with me when I go and disburse it in small towns where the kids don't have as much access to baseball equipment as kids do in the larger cities. I scour my local Salvation Army and Goodwill stores after each little league season buying what I can find and then I take a little bit of the equipment each time I go.

FYI, I have a boat that I take down in the summer and that's when I take the bats and other heavy items (ie. a catchers mask) as bats are too long and too heavy to put in luggage - even the smaller little league ones, although I can get the pee-wee size in my bag. So if you want to take the time and money to ship the bats and or other heavy items you have to me, I will be glad to take them this summer - maybe you could ask the donor to package and ship them to me?

[Cha_Cha_Chavito]

I think you can take sports equipment for free, I have done what you are doing many times and when I told them it was sports equipment there was no charge. This may have changed as I have not done this for a few years now. Good Luck

[cubafish]

Cha Cha is correct. But have you ever tried to get bats in your luggage? :help:

Plus bats and gloves get heavy after you have put a few in your bag . . . . :wall:

[asere]

You are allowed to bring sports equipment. I play ball with a coach from a local university, and at the end of the season, all the dregs come to me...dregs, perhaps, to players of that caliber, but a couple of hours washing, cleaning and scrubbing, I have 15 pairs of spikes...Nike, Reebok, Puma, etc...in virtually PERFECT shape...they were just muddy! 20 sets of batting gloves. 15 pair of pants and sleeve jerseys. And a half dozen gloves that need a stitch here or there, or new laces wherever which is no big deal. 3 or 4 aluminum bats that may have a small dent or a scratch from a couple of games of play. Catcher's equipment...leg guards, chest protector, mask...

I pack the clothing as tight as possible and stuff it into an equipment/bat bag, along with as many cleats as I can fit, bats, and all the other stuff. I usually rent a place right next to Ciudad Deportiva, and there are always teams playing or practicing out there to whom I can throw a baseball from the patio across the street!

After I saw a catcher go down after a foul tip hit him in an unmentionable spot, I also make it a point to get protective cups to the catchers who otherwise don't have them.

Never been charged for sports equipment coming into Cuba...although your carrier might charge you excess baggage.

[Rick]

We have brought a bicycle in the last three trips.
"Cha Cha is correct. But have you ever tried to get bats in your luggage?"
Cubafish, have you ever tried to get a bicycle in your luggage? LOL
The reason why we bring in bikes is three fold:
1) they are useful.
2) they are better quality and at a better price then the dollar stores sell them.
3) the airlines allow them as sports equipment which is NOT included in your baggage allowance. We wrap the bikes in plastic and surround it with "other items". Cuban Customs will open a bike box but not translucent plastic.:thumbsup:

These are difficult times that call for drastic measures. You are truly a caring person for wanting to bring some items that can bring joy to Cuban kids whose lives are otherwise limited in entertainment. Hope we have been able to help and remember it's not part of your luggage allowance.

[asere]

I always thought that airlines charged to check a bicycle, like $50 - $75. At least in the States. Gotta check the airlines...one carrier will allow a bike in lieu of checked baggage, but only if it meets dimensional requirements (no more than 62 linear inches, or something like that). Some carriers might allow them. With the new rules for US carriers, however, they want to charge for everything...

[shroon]

Thanks for all the advice. I know bicycles, golf clubs and scuba gear are not considered in your weight allowance. I have managed to scale down my luggage and eliminate the bats so its just gloves, balls and shin pads which I can include in my suitcase so between my husband and myself we will try and manage. I made lots of enquiries with Air Transat but unless I am part of a recognized charity I have to pay the extra cost. Although one person did say to try and get it on as my personal sports equipment. Will post when we get back to let you know how we made out. Thanks again Shroon

[fireball2440]

I've found that Scuba equipment is excluded by most airlines. Last trip I took 18 gloves, 19 balls, 5 bats, 7 bottles of maple syrup and a bunch of clothes. All in two dive bags. No Problem. Make sure you have a pair of fins and a mask on top, although nobody even looked at them.

[asere]

Nice haul! They usually don't take kindly to food stuff...even maple syrup...good you got through!