Pilots enjoy the excitement of recess
May 26, 2011
LEWISTON, Idaho - The LSU Shreveport Pilots baseball team may be the number four seed in this year's Avista-NAIA World Series but to the children at Saint Stanislaus Tri-Parish School they are number one. The Pilots visited each classroom at the school on Thursday morning and enjoyed recess with the kids on the playground.
Following their visit to the classrooms the Pilots joined the kids on the playground for a twenty-minute recess. Some played tag while others showed them what they could do on the basketball court and eventually some entered into a soccer match. There were no boundaries and no score keeping just kids, both big and little, having fun.
The Pilots also enjoyed the kids asking for their autographs as some thought of the idea to ask the players while in the classroom while others brought their baseballs and autograph pens with them to the playground.
"This was a neat experience for us. I had forgotten what it was like to enjoy recess," said LSUS first baseman Kevin Smith.
"I love this part of the World Series more than anything. It is always fun to see the faces of the kids and how they light up when the players walk in the room. When we came here in 2003 we got to come a second time to the schools and I sure hope we get to again this year. It is the best time watching the players and the kids play and enjoy each other's company," said LSUS head coach Rocke Musgraves.
After the bell rang the Pilots were asked to all stand in front of the group as the children wanted to give the players something before they had to go as they sent them off with their rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" which included the phrase.. "For its root...root, root for Shreveport."
The students from Saint Stanislaus will get to enjoy a field trip to Harris Field tomorrow at noon PDT and it just so happens that they will get to see the Pilots in action as they take on the number five seeded Lee Flames. Following their visit to the school, the Pilots had to changed their tune quickly and prepare for the practice time on the field.
This afternoon Coach Brent Lavallee will lead some of the Pilots as they go to work a camp for the little leaguers with some base running tips. Each team in the World Series will provide a few players to be camp instructors. Tonight all teams will enjoy a meal at the Avista-NAIA World Series Banquet before the games begin in the morning.
