Education Days are two of the biggest days of the season for the Stockton Ports, Single-A Advanced affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, but this year they were bigger and better than ever. This year, the Ports Education Days were held on May 11 & May 23, both 11:05 AM day games. A total of more than 50 different schools attended the Education Days. Each child and teacher received a $6 package that included a ticket to the game, a hot dog, chips and a drink. Not only do schools use these days as an end-of-the-year field trip, but the students have a chance to interact with the players, as well as learn new things about baseball.
Before the games on May 11 & May 23, four students were chosen to ask Ports pitchers Josh Lansford, Gary Daley, Jr., AJ Huttenlocker, Chris Mederos and Scott Deal educational questions down on the field in front of the crowd. Afterwards the students were able to get autographs from the players.
During each game, students were randomly chosen to be a guest PA announcer, Radio announcer, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, as well as start the game as our Play Ball Kid and to lead the crowd in “Take me out to the Ballgame”. Stockton’s very own 6-year-old super star Kayla Talania from Creekside Elementary blew the crowd away with her version of the national anthem on May 11. Sisters Micah & Grace Ann sang for the crowd on May 23.
Clifford the Big Red Dog from Barnes and Noble was at both games, as were many local businesses promoting their education programs including Sylvan Learning Center and University of the Pacific.
“This is my first year with the Ports, so it was my first year coordinating the Education Days,” said Account Executive Peter Lopez. “With two sold out crowds, I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out. You could tell that all the kids were having a great time and were really enjoying their time at the ballpark.”
For more information on the Ports Education Days, contact (209) 644-1900.
