Every once in a while you see a story on the news that just puts a smile on your face.  It's generally not an earth-shattering news story involving life and death.   It's just NICE!

Tuesday, MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow did something really nice.   She reported a story from McClatchy Newspapers regarding the Iraqi National Baseball team.   Their complete equipment inventory currently stands at three baseballs, nine gloves and one 5-year-old baseball bat.  They have ONE jersey for the entire team...and it's a hand-me down from the Japanese Olympic Team. 

The Iraqi Olympic Committee has "graciously" offered to give them just enough money to pay their entry fees into the London Olympics.  AND THAT'S IT!    No money for equipment or to pay coaches.   No money for travel costs or for games with other teams.   NOTHING!   Obviously, they don't consider America's game to be very important in their country.

So at the end of her report on Tuesday, she commented that her office was thinking about trying to send them some equipment.    Boy, did they ever come through.   By the end of the day on Wednesday, hundreds of people had e-mailed to donate or to help.   By broadcast time, she was pleased to announce that arrangements had been made to send them equipment.  The players had turned in jersey sizes and are being measured for cleats on Thursday.   A case of baseballs (bought by Maddow herself, along with the official Olympic Baseball Rule Book) are already at the studio.   Verdero Equipment has pledged to donate gloves, bats, cleats and batting gloves.   Another company has donated 20 jerseys with the Iraqi Flag embroidered on them.

It's a silly story in many ways.  It sounds like an elaborate setup to a bar joke.   But it was a home run of a good will gesture.   And while she may be one of the most liberal, left wing commentators on TV....Rachel Maddow deserves kudos for OPERATION IRAQI BASEBALL!  As does everyone who contributed to this rather unique charity drive.  Thank you for your help!

And so the Iraqi Baseball team begins their quest for Olympic history.   (Possibly along the lines of the Jamaican Bobsled Team, but what a great way to show their people that Americans are more than just "occupiers"!

And one last request from Ms. Maddow.   If you would like to help the Iraqi people rebuild more than just thier ball team, you can go to her website for a list of charitable organizations that work with Iraq.