Hit The Books Begins In Area Schools
Published on March 16, 2010 under Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release
MISSOULA, MT - The Missoula Osprey's biggest and most successful community program is the Hit the Books Reading Program, which begins today in 31 Missoula-area elementary schools. The 2009 Osprey Hit the Books Reading Program encouraged over 4,000 area students to read over 50,000 books. There are over 200 classrooms and 4,000 students signed up to participate in Hit the Books this year.
"Hit the Books is an incentive based reading program designed for Missoula area students to set goals and follow through with achieving them over a six week period," said Osprey General Manager -Sales & Marketing Jeff Griffin.
The Osprey started the program during their inaugural 1999 season and participation has grown each year. At the time, nobody knew how big the program would become and the impact it would make on the community. The program has grown to become one of the best reading programs in all of minor league baseball. "The program is great for the community and we are very excited about continuing it in Missoula," said Griffin. "Educators say the program helps motivate tudents as summer vacation approaches."
Hit the Books is set up like a baseball game, meaning there are nine innings (three books equals one inning), and students receive a different prize for each inning completed. Each classroom is given Osprey reading charts, so students can track their progress. Every student that participates also gets a certificate of achievement from the Osprey and the opportunity to win a savings bond. Other prizes include pencils, erasers, pencil pouches, rulers, pencil sharpeners, Ollie Osprey magnets, an exclusive dessert party and ticket vouchers to an Osprey game. Over $100,000 in prizes was awarded to area students in 2009.
The program culminates with a celebration at one of seven Osprey home games designated as Hit the Books Nights, where students are honored with a parade on the field during the game. The champion readers from each classroom (student who read the most books) are entered to win the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at that schools' Hit the Books Night.
Pioneer League Stories from March 16, 2010
- Hit The Books Begins In Area Schools - Missoula PaddleHeads
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
