Lila, Ashlynn, Lenyn and Ronnie learned about teamwork Tuesday morning by playing a water balloon toss game in front of thousands of their classmates.
The four Lincoln Public Schools students joined fellow fifth graders from across the city at the annual Lincoln Saltdogs Kids Day. They filled Haymarket Park with happy sounds as they watched an American Association of Professional Baseball game between the Saltdogs and Sioux City Explorers. The trip gave students a chance to practice prosocial skills in a fun setting with teachers, administrators and other staff members.
Lila and Ashlynn go to Humann Elementary School and Lenyn and Ronnie attend Pyrtle Elementary School. Lila and Ronnie each tossed water balloons at Ashlynn and Lenyn, who were holding plastic buckets on their heads. They said it was fun to play a game on the stadium grass by the first base dugout.
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“I’m glad that I didn’t get her wet,” Lila said, pointing to a smiling Ashlynn. “That was the best part.”
“I liked that there was teamwork with this,” Lenyn said. “It was cool that there were a lot of people supporting us too.”
Earlier in the morning, Hill Elementary School students Kyler, Michael and Carter smiled as they left the concession stand with their items. Carter said he wanted to catch a foul ball in the stands, while Michael said he was hoping to appear on the scoreboard screen. All three nodded their heads when asked if they were excited about the day.
“I’ve been looking forward to this all year,” Kyler said. “I just like seeing the Saltdogs play.”
“I like being with friends,” Michael said. “It’s a cool experience to get to do this.”
LPS K-12 Health and Physical Education Curriculum Specialist Matt Avey said he was happy to see students having fun at the ballpark. It marked the 15th year that LPS students have attended a Saltdogs game. Classes from all 40 elementary schools began to fill up the stadium soon after the first bus arrived at 9:30 a.m.
“It’s a great opportunity for kids,” Avey said. “A lot of kids have never been to a professional or semiprofessional game of any sport, so it’s a great chance for them to engage with their peers in a public setting.”
Avey and LPS K-12 Health and Physical Education Administrative Assistant Sherry Rogers finalized the date for the game back in November. They then worked with the LPS Transportation Department and other LPS leaders throughout the winter and spring to plan the big day. They scheduled bus drop-off and pick-up times, arranged where each school would sit in the stadium and involved students in many on-field activities.
Avey said the experience was a good teaching tool for all fifth graders. For example, students from dozens of schools came together to sing the national anthem prior to the first pitch. They learned how to meet other people, follow directions from choir leaders and perform in front of a large crowd. Many other students learned how to calmly stand in line for concessions, help each other find their seats and enjoy working together to create a wave in the audience.
“There are a lot of soft skills that we’re teaching kids today,” Avey said. “They’re learning how to be a member of the public with the things they’re doing. To get to do this with all of the other fifth graders at LPS is something that we hope will be both memorable and instructive.”
Holmes Elementary School fifth grader Tylen felt he was gaining many of those lifetime benefits. He emerged from a concession stand line alongside classmates Madi and Violet with ice cream to enjoy. He was glad that the Saltdogs tradition continued this spring.
“I like this because it’s baseball,” Tylen said. “It’s a good sport to watch with friends.”
Ashlynn said she gained confidence from being in the water balloon toss. She beamed as she caught two balloons from Lila during the event.
“It was scary being out there at first, but then I got used to it,” Ashlynn said. “It was a lot of fun. I’m glad that I got to do it.”
Avey said the Saltdogs game has become a highlight for thousands of LPS students each spring. He would like to provide the same memories for future fifth graders during their trips to Haymarket Park.
“It’s been a hit every year that we’ve been doing it,” Avey said. “Hopefully we can continue coming to games for many years to come.”
