Idaho Falls youth baseball league struck by thieves, $4k in equipment stolen

The Idaho Falls Babe Ruth organization is crying foul after thieves hit two home runs, stealing thousands of dollars in equipment.

“It makes it kind of hard because we run on a shoestring budget,” league president JL Parker said.

The first theft took place sometime between April 1 and April 8 at Sunnyside Park in Idaho Falls when thieves broke into a storage unit at the park. Idaho Falls police said there were no signs of a forced entry.

“It is a little bit of a mystery on how they got in,” Parker said.

Those responsible got away catchers gear, batting helmets, and gloves. The estimated cost of the stolen equipment exceeds $3,000.

Thieves struck again this past weekend, stealing more equipment from the Sugar Mill Substation Park. Parker said about $1,000 worth of bases and gloves were stolen from a job box.

“Somebody came within the first day or two after we put them out and cut the cable and stole the whole box,” Parker said.

Idaho Falls police spokeswoman Joelyn Hansen said a detective is assigned to the case, but there are no leads. The outpouring of support from the community has Parker and the league looking up.

“We are so impressed by the outpouring of support we have received from the community.”

The league does have insurance, but it is unclear how much it will cover. The league serves 650 kids in the Idaho Falls area. If you’d like to help with replacing the stolen equipment, you can do so by clicking here.