Play Ball! Pro Teams Reach Out to Schools!

From lesson plans to scholarships! Professional baseball's community outreach programs educate and enrich young students. From lesson plans to scholarships, local major- and minor-league baseball teams can offer students more than just a fun day at the ballpark!

Remember that kid down the street with the massive baseball card collection? The one who could figure out the batting average of any baseball player in the major leagues and who could figure out a pitcher's ERA in a flash? You know -- the one who couldn't do a long division problem in the classroom to save his life but who was a whiz at any mathematical calculation that had to do with baseball.

Now there is a way to show that kid how smart he really is, and how enriching math-- in or out of the classroom -- can be.

Several major-league teams offer programs targeted at educating young students in subjects as diverse as geography, reading, and mathematics. Some programs provide materials without charge and rewards, including food coupons, tickets, and educational materials for students and for the classroom. Other programs offer funds to shore up urban athletic leagues or school baseball fields.

The Chicago White Sox have one of the oldest programs -- Sox Student Achievers. That program rewards straight-A students with tickets to a White Sox game.

More hands-on programs offered by the Sox include the Direct Instruction Reading Program and the Athletes Committed to Educating Students Program. The tutoring/mentoring programs involve White Sox players volunteering to spend one-on-one time with at-risk urban students.

SCHOLARSHIPS TOO!

The ChiSox also sponsor two scholarships -- one for a student working on a teaching degree in Illinois and one at Ohio University for a master's degree in sports management.

The Atlanta Braves have perhaps one of the most extensive community outreach programs related to the education of young people. Teaming up with other corporate entities, such as BellSouth, Home Depot, and Georgia Power, the Braves leave no doubt that their goal with these programs is educating kids.

The Grand Slam Program brings Braves mascots into schools for special assemblies, where the message is, "Stay in school, exercise, read, and keep up with current events and don't use drugs." The show is an interactive one, featuring motivational messages and videos highlighting Braves players.

The Braves also honor outstanding teachers with their Excellence in Education Awards and the annual selection of an Educator of the Year.

One unique program of the Braves is the Guest Press Program, which encourages future journalists. The Braves offer high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to cover a Braves game. The students conduct pregame interviews, attend pregame activities on the field, prepare for their coverage by studying Major League Baseball press notes, and sit in the press box during the game.

MINOR-LEAGUE TEAMS OFFER RESOURCES TOO

Don't discount minor-league teams in the community as great sources for educational programs. There are many active educational programs among the dozens of farm teams affiliated with professional baseball.

One example is the Trenton (N.J.) Thunder. The Class AA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox has been committed to the Trenton community, particularly its children.

The Take Kids Out to the Ball Game Program allows children to participate in academic lessons using baseball as a reference. "Thunder players visit during each session, helping and encouraging the participants," said Steve Hickok of the team's public relations department.

The team also works with the New Jersey Educational Association in literacy and geography campaigns, using interactive assemblies similar to the ones the Braves present to enhance learning skills in those two subject areas. Thunder officials provide complimentary tickets to students who complete the programs successfully.

The minor-league Fort Wayne (Indiana) Wizards, an affiliate of the San Diego Padres, also has strong ties to the community through educational programs.

THE BASEBALL TOMORROW FUND

The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is a $10 million initiative that promotes and enhances the growth of baseball as it provides money to schools and communities to build their youth sports programs. With the backing of professional giants such as Cal Ripken Jr. and Barry Bonds, the program looks to be successful.

Jessica Betts, a former sales promotion and broadcast advertising executive for Random House, is the executive director of the fund. "It's a unique opportunity to make a difference and invest in our youth," said Betts.

The Baseball Tomorrow Fund focuses on athletics, but many grassroots programs at the club level target education.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Chances are the local professional or minor-league team in your community offers educational programs similar to those mentioned here to aid you in teaching your students. Check them out by calling the public relations department of the team or visiting the team's Web site. You can link to any professional team's Web site from the official site of Major League Baseball.