A Marine unit based at Camp Lejeune will soon receive a shipment of more than $10,000 worth of baseball gear.

The Charlotte Knights are sending Louisville Sluggers, baseballs, jerseys, and other equipment to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Supply in Iraq.

John Agresti, spokesman for the team, said the Knights were first contacted by a charity run by US Airways employees.

Flight attendant Kim Johnson explained how a Marine corporal from Huntersville hoped to form a baseball league to help troops stave off boredom during their downtime.

Corporal Frank King told Knights management some of the troops stationed in Iraq were getting restless.

“He had just said how they’re looking to start baseball and softball leagues and the guys and girls are looking for something to do during their downtime. They’re watching chick flick marathons right now,” Agresti said.

In addition to two cases of bats and dozens of baseballs, the team is shipping jerseys, t-shirts and posters.

Agresti said the Marines should also have plenty of pants.

“Our equipment manager had 165 pairs of baseball pants and he said 'I’m either throwing them away, donating them, what do you all want to do.' And we just grabbed them all and we said we’re going to ship them all over there,” he said.