N.S. community rallies around local baseball association after break-in

A volunteer with a minor baseball association in Nova Scotia arrived at the ball field last week to find a damaged door, a broken window and a seemingly forgotten crowbar after a break-in at the group's clubhouse.

It's believed the break-in at Coyote Park in Windsor happened overnight between July 3 and July 4. About $42 and canteen items like Gatorade and freezies were taken.

"We were just feeling a little down ... a little disheartened that a youth organization that's not for profit would have been targeted by somebody," Kim Frank, treasurer of the West Hants Minor Baseball Association, told CBC Radio's Mainstreet Nova Scotia.

Frank said the volunteer called her with news of the break-in on Friday evening. Within hours of announcing the losses on social media, Frank said community members had banded together to replenish the canteen's supply. 

She said people donated chips, water bottles and treats — one local business even donated a security camera for the clubhouse. 

"There's just been an outpouring of community support … that has just boosted our spirits," said Frank. 

Community support makes 'quite a difference'

The West Hants Minor Baseball Association has had a presence in Windsor for over 50 years. It has expanded to include many towns in the region. Frank said about 200 children are registered to 14 teams under the volunteer-run association.  

Frank said the community extends beyond showing up to games.

"We have folks who are at the field, even if it's not their child playing, they're there to help. They're there to work in the canteen," said Frank. "It does make quite a difference."

Despite the circumstances, Frank said it has been wonderful to see how much the organization means to people. 

"The gratitude that … we have for our community is very overwhelming," said Frank.