Antietam First Graders Welcome Hylton Bulldogs for 2nd Annual Diamond Dawg Reading Day

The first graders at Antietam Elementary School were beaming with excitement as 12 members of the C.D. Hylton Bulldogs Varsity Baseball team visited their classrooms on Friday. 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.

At first glance, reading and baseball might seem like an unlikely pairing. But husband and wife duo Beth and Craig Flesher wove the two subjects together seamlessly.

According to Antietam first grade teacher Beth Flesher, Hylton's Varsity Baseball Coach Craig Flesher was looking for a community service project for his team last year. Antietam was looking for a way to emphasize the school's wellness initiative.  "The idea of healthy minds (reading part) and healthy bodies (active sports part) just came together," said Beth Flesher.

Craig Flesher said, "they remembered a similar program from their high school days," and they were excited to try it out here.

The Hylton players, three to a classroom, read aloud stories about baseball such as "Curious George Plays Baseball. " The students then performed read-out-loud skits that they had practiced at school and at home over the past three weeks. Their hard work was evident and their excitement was palpable.

"The students had been waiting all week long to ask questions of the team," Beth Flesher said.

The team members patiently answered thought provoking questions  such as, "What is high school like?," "What are your favorite things to learn about?," and "How long have you played baseball?", and "Where have you traveled to play baseball?," to the more mundane,  "What is your  favorite color?" or "What is your favorite food?" and, "What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?"

The teachers used this discussion as an opportunity to emphasize to students the importance of having an active lifestyle. The students learned that they would only be able to play sports in upper grades if  they keep their grades up. They also learned the importance of exercise to maintaining good health. The Hylton students emphasized their commitment to school and getting good grades as well.

Sophomore Alec Bettinger is a former Antietam Mustang. He said he fondly remembered his days as a student in the school and remembered his first grade teacher Candi McArdle.

Following a special lunch with the players, everyone filed outside. Rain clouds threatened to wreck the activities and despite a little shower, the classes took part in a variety of baseball drills. There were stations for practicing overhand throwing.  Tandem mock baseball games using the school's batting cages seemed to be the highlight of the day. The students excitedly chanted their classmates names as each one came up to bat. The Hylton players instructed the kids on the fundamentals of how to hit the ball off the tee, the proper way to run the bases, and gave them the feel of a real game, by "trying" to tag them with the balls as they crossed home plate.

Following the excitement of the baseball games, the players and students were seated in the gym for a rally. Popsicles were served and several door prizes, including Hylton team t-shirts and signed baseballs, were given to a few lucky Antietam students. Finally, one child from each class—four in all—was selected to throw out the first pitch at the April 14 baseball game. Each Antietam student was given a free ticket to attend this game with a paying adult.  

When asked, "Who had too much fun?" every Antietam student enthusiastically raised his and her hands. The Hylton students learned a valuable lesson about  the benefits of being involved in your community, being a role model, and reaching out to others. This day proved reading and baseball can be a winning combination.