Antietam Elementary School First Graders Step up to the Plate

Antietam Elementary School students  recently enjoyed an evening of baseball with their families at the C.D. Hylton High School varsity baseball game against the Gar-Field Indians.  

The Antietam Elementary School students charged onto the field one by one as their names were called out over the loudspeaker.  The kids were excited to run between the rows of Hylton Players  onto the field, and they received high fives along the way.

After heading  to the outfield for the playing of the National Anthem, all but four of the students moved to the sidelines. These four students had the privilege of throwing out the first pitch at the game. Maddox, John Wesley, Emma and Riley each took turns stepping onto the pitcher's mound and throwing the ball across the plate. Parents and Hylton fans alike cheered them on as they did their best.

After throwing out the first pitch, all the Antietam students took their seats to enjoy watching the Hylton Bulldogs play against the Gar- Field Indians. The excitement was high as the game got underway. The Antietam students really seemed to get into the game and they cheered on the Hylton players with a lot of enthusiasm.

This game day experience is part of a collaboration between Hylton High School and Antietam Elementary School that is in its second year. Friday, April 8, members of the Hylton Bulldogs, Varsity Baseball team visited the first grade classrooms at Antietam for Diamond Dawg Reading Day. For nearly three hours, the baseball players spent time with the first graders to help encourage them in their literacy efforts while promoting the importance of healthy lifestyles as part of the county's wellness initiatives.

The Hylton players read stories about baseball such as "Curious George Plays Baseball, " and the students performed reading skits that they had practiced at school and at home over the past three weeks.  Following lunch with the players, the first graders took part in a variety of baseball drills involving throwing, hitting and running the bases.

As a part of the program students were each given a ticket to attend the Hylton-Gar-Field game and be a part of the opening ceremonies.

When asked what he thought of the game, first grader, Riley Kotlus said, "It was cool to throw out the ball."