Arcadia Elementary’s fourth and fifth graders were treated to a unique experience on April 22: the Spokane Indians minor league baseball game at Avista Stadium in Spokane Valley.
“Thanks to our community partners, who generously sponsored the tickets, Arcadia students could watch the Indians play,” said Arcadia assistant principal Steve Hitchcock. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The kids were excited to do something different and grateful for the opportunity. Considering this was the first time we took 300 elementary kids on a field trip, things went as smoothly as possible.”
Hitchcock remarked that, while some students were unfamiliar with baseball, everyone knew that whatever was happening on the field was a big deal.
“When the Indians scored a home run, our kids went crazy cheering,” Hitchcock said. Skyler Messinger and Cole Messina both hit home runs during the game, which the Indians won 17-5 against the Eugene Emeralds. “These kids were so enthusiastic about cheering for the home team that the Indian players in the bullpen turned around and acknowledged their support. The kids got excited about that. The announcers named all the schools attending the game, and when they said Arcadia Elementary, the kids were so proud that our section ended up cheering the loudest of any other school. The game also provided a valuable learning experience for both the students and the accompanying adults. They quickly learned that items from the concession stand during a sporting event can be quite expensive.”
Hitchcock recounted how David, a fifth grader in Mrs. Granard’s class, caught a foul ball. “I am 43 and have never caught a ball at the games; David is 11. That is quite a feat.”
“I used to play T-ball,” David said. “I love the sport of baseball. I was eating Dippin’ Dots, watching Hunter Mann, number 32, at bat. The pitch was clocked at 96 MPH. Mann is a right-handed hitter; when he swung, the ball went left to where we were sitting. I saw the ball get closer and closer, so I put my hand up and caught it in my Dippin’ Dots cup. It hurt a bit, but all my friends screamed that I caught the call. That was the first time I ever caught a ball as a spectator. The experience makes me want to become a professional baseball player.”
This game was a first for Emaleigh, also an Arcadia fifth grader. “They had really good Froyo at the concession stand, but I liked it when the pitchers were in the bullpen warming up, practicing their pitches before their team was up, and everyone in the stands was yelling, ‘Throw it over the net.’ They didn’t. We screamed a lot when the Indians hit a home run. After the game, our teacher passed around a trash bag, and we took responsibility for cleaning up our trash.”
Levi, a fourth grader, said the game turned out to be more fun than he expected. “The stadium was so cool, and I saw people up in the announcer’s box. We watched the team warm up, throwing the ball from base to base. I like to play catch with my dad, but they were throwing the ball so fast I couldn’t even see it. We were cheering for the players and really wanted to catch a foul ball; it made me want to play baseball. My favorite part was watching the Indians hit a home run; it got really loud in the stadium, which was fun. And the hot dog I got at the concession stand was the best hot dog I’ve ever had.”
Fourth grader Cheyenne said she got so excited the moment she heard her classroom was going to an Indians game. “That was a new experience for me. I love the Spokane Indians team jerseys; they are so colorful and interesting-looking. I was impressed with the way the players so easily caught those fastballs. I would have wanted to catch a foul ball if I had a baseball glove. One Indian hit a home run over the net at left field where we were sitting, so we got to see the ball sail right in front of us.”
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team that is the Colorado Rockies’ High-A affiliate. They are members of the Northwest League and play their home games at Avista Stadium in Spokane Valley.
6
Want to stay updated on North Vancouver and West Vancouver news? Sign up for our free daily newsletter.
