Thieves hit Ben Davis Little League, steal more than $5,000 worth of equipment

Some time Friday after darkness fell, thieves broke into storage at Ben Davis Little League and stole 12 new sets of catcher's gear, baseball bats and the spirit of what youth sports is all about.

"This is stealing from our kids..." the league posted to its Facebook page Saturday after discovering the crime.

Soon, league officials realized the thieves didn't spare the league's other youth sports.

A cart owned by Ben Davis' youth soccer league used to transport grandparents from car to field was taken. The football league found broken padlocks and damage to its public announcement system. The equipment is stored at the youth sports park, 7558 W. 21st St. 

Ben Davis High's varsity baseball coach Kyle Cox learned of the theft and was not only disheartened but wanted to help.

Cox played baseball for the league from ages 5-12. The kids who play there now feed into his high school program.

"It is run by good people and is a great place for kids in a community where many struggle with the costs of baseball," he said.

Cox, a ninth grade English teacher, quickly set up a GoFundMe account to raise $5,000 to replace the equipment. In less than three hours, that goal was reached.

A big financial boon came from ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who saw a post on Twitter about the theft, donated $3,700, then tweeted. "All set."

Cox said he has been touched by the generosity, not just of big donors like Herbstreit, but those who gave what they could, $10 or $20.

"It’s been really cool," he said. "And it’s spread. Kind of overwhelming on my end."

By Monday afternoon, more than $7,200 had been raised. Any extra money, after new equipment is purchased, will be used to upgrade the storage facility so another incident like this doesn't happen, said Cox.

In the meantime, the league hopes the people who took the equipment are found. "If you see or know something —s ay something," it posted.

IndyStar has requested the incident police report. This story will be updated.

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on Twitter: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com.