2017 Plymouth Pilgrims Reading Program
Background – As we enter our 5th year as a franchise, the Plymouth Pilgrims are again presenting the Pilgrims Reading Program for elementary schools in Plymouth & Carver. The purpose of the program is to introduce students to the Pilgrims players while they talk about the importance of reading and recreation in the academic world. Each player will be reading from carefully selected books and the topics will range from working hard in school, proper exercise, making sound life decisions, saying no to drugs and bullying.
Our ballplayers are college students, aged 18-22 on scholarship at major universities such as the University of Miami, Auburn Univerity and University of Oklahoma. Approximately 35% of players in our league will go on to play professional baseball.
Timing of the Program – June 1 to June 30
Theme of the Program – “Reading & Recreation: A Balanced Approach to School”
Additional Details – Players will read to students and also discuss their lives as student-athletes touching on the hard work and dedication needed to achieve the level of success they’ve attained. A script will be constructed with the help of Plymouth Superintendent of Schools, Gary Maestas as well as 3-5 local principals to ensure a consistent message is conveyed to all schools. Students will also be encouraged to ask questions of the players to find out what they do to balance school and baseball. Players will also discuss the importance of healthy eating and with the help of program sponsor, Decas Cranberry Products of Carver; sugar-free, dried cranberries will be distributed. Every student will also be asked to write down the 4 books that they read and encouraged to read even more. This will be recorded by the school systems. Prizes will be raffled off and each student will be given a family ticket to a 2017 Pilgrims game.
Our program will be managed by 2017 Pilgrims Reading Program Coordinator, Nicole Manfredi with assistance from Pilgrims General Manager, Kevin Plant
