Ozzie Smith coming back home to Mobile
Published on March 30, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
Mobile, Ala. - The Mobile BayBears, in conjunction with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the American Library Association (ALA), have announced that Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith will kick off season three of the national Step Up to the Plate @ your library® program in Mobile on Friday, April 4.
Step Up to the Plate teams up two American classics - baseball and libraries - to increase awareness of the library as an essential information resource and the importance of information literacy skills, which include knowing how to find, evaluate and use information.
At a morning library event at the Baker High School library, Smith will lead a group of students through a series of baseball trivia questions developed by librarians at the Hall of Fame for the Step Up to the Plate program. Later in the evening, Smith, ALA and Hall of Fame and local library representatives will be recognized on field during a pre-game ceremony promoting the program.
Season three of the Step Up to the Plate is a whole new "ball game," celebrating the 100th anniversary of the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." People of all ages are encouraged to use the print and electronic resources available at their library to answer a series of trivia questions designed for their age group (10 and under, 11-13, 14-17 and 18 and over) and inspired by the iconic song. Categories of questions include ballparks, baseball in popular culture, fan experience and baseball pioneers. Questions are available in both English and Spanish.
One grand-prize winner will win a trip for two in October to the Hall of Fame's World Series Gala event in Cooperstown, N.Y., including a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum. The grand-prize winner also will receive an Ozzie Smith autographed baseball. Smith spent the majority of his Hall of Fame career with the St. Louis Cardinals after first reaching the major leagues with the San Diego Padres. Nicknamed "The Wizard," he earned the National League Gold Glove Award in 13 consecutive seasons.
The American Library Association, the "voice of America's libraries," is the largest library association in the world. The ALA has 66,000 members who are primarily librarians, but also trustees, publishers and others who support the work of the association. The mission of the ALA is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the historical development of the game and its impact on our culture by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections for a global audience, as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to our National Pastime.
Step Up to the Plate @ your library is part of The Campaign for America's Libraries, a national public awareness advocacy campaign about the value of today's libraries and librarians.
On Friday, April 4, the BayBears will host the Carolina Mudcats at 7:05 p.m.
Hank Aaron Stadium is located at 755 Bolling Brothers Blvd. in Mobile, Ala off Exit 1 on I-65. For tickets or more information, contact the BayBears at (251) 479-2327 (BEAR) or log on to www.mobilebaybears.com
Southern League Stories from March 30, 2008
- Montgomery Biscuits Announce 2008 Roster - Montgomery Biscuits
- 2008 BayBears Ready for Exciting First Week - Mobile BayBears
- Ozzie Smith coming back home to Mobile - Mobile BayBears
- Stars Announce 2008 Opening Day Roster - Huntsville Stars
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.
