Benson Little League Celebrates Rebuilt Fields, Hosts Free Gear Swap

Community event aims to help Omaha families save money on youth sports equipment.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:37pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a youth baseball game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes in a palette of greens, browns, and whites, conceptually representing the financial barriers to youth sports participation.A community gear swap aims to make youth sports more accessible by providing affordable equipment to local families.Omaha Today

Benson Little League in Omaha, Nebraska is celebrating the renovation of its Sedlacek Field facilities, which were rebuilt after recent flooding. As part of the celebration, the league is hosting a free community gear swap to help local families save money on sports equipment, as the costs of youth sports have risen significantly in recent years.

Why it matters

The free gear swap provides an opportunity for Omaha families to access affordable sports equipment, addressing the growing financial burden of youth sports participation. This community event aligns with the league's goal of making the sport more accessible and inclusive for local children.

The details

The renovated Sedlacek Field features new dugouts, playing fields, and concession stands. The gear swap allows neighbors to donate used equipment, which can then be claimed by other families in need. According to a national study, the average American family is now spending 46% more on youth sports compared to 2019, with the current national average exceeding $1,000.

  • The Benson Little League celebration and gear swap will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • The league's facilities were rebuilt after recent flooding in the area.

The players

Benson Little League

A youth baseball league located in Omaha, Nebraska that is celebrating the renovation of its Sedlacek Field facilities.

Oliver Morgan

A Benson Little League board member who played on the old fields as a child in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Project Play

A national organization that found the average American family is spending 46% more on youth sports compared to 2019, with the current national average exceeding $1,000.

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What they’re saying

“In the past couple decades, Benson has really reestablished itself as a community within the city. But I think more for, like, nightlife and entertainment, but it definitely needed this resurgence for the youth.”

— Oliver Morgan, Benson Little League Board Member

What’s next

Games are scheduled to take place on opening day, but the event is weather dependent with a chance of rain on Saturday.

The takeaway

This community event highlights the growing financial challenges facing youth sports participation and the importance of initiatives that help make sports more accessible and inclusive for local families.