Orgun-e, Afghanistan, Aug. 16, 2002: An Afghan boy takes some practice pitches before another boy steps up to home plate for his at-bat in Orgun-e, Afghanistan. U.S. soldiers put together two baseball teams with local boys, holding games each Friday.

While the boys had the enthusiasm, they lacked some of the proper equipment. Catchers wore a flak vest for chest protection. Additional vests were used as a backstop. Sandbags marked all the bases and the pitcher’s mound. Church groups and relatives of the soldiers donated a catcher’s mask, more balls and two aluminum bats.

Read the story of the Afghan “Little League” and see additional photos here.

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• From the archives, 2002: A league of their own