Three matches of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area joined umpires Marvin Hudson and Mark Wegner for games between the Colorado Rockies and the home town San Francisco Giants. Barry Bonds entered the weekend tied with Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list at 715.

On Saturday, May 27th, mentor Ellie Sadler and little sister Miriam joined mentor Patrick Earley and Treyon as Marvin's guests. Pedro Feliz belted a two-run triple in the fourth inning and the Giants beat the Rockies 4-1. Bonds went hitless but scored a run in the game. So our first two matches of the weekend got to see a Giants win.

On Sunday the 28th, Peter Rabover joined Liam (pictured with Mark at left) to see a bit of history as Barry Bonds passed Babe Ruth to claim sole possession of second place on the all-time home run list. Peter and Liam were guests of Mark Wegner for the history making game. The big home run was not enough for the Giants however as the Rockies won the game 6-3. Still, it's not every day that you witness baseball history.

Peter, Ellie, and Patrick...BLUE for Kids wishes to thank you for all you do to give boys and girls a positive role model to look up to.

Dawn Kruger is the Program Manager of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area. Thanks for helping make it a fun weekend for your matches Dawn. If you live in the Bay area and think you would be interested in mentoring a young boy or girl, visit their website at www.bbbsba.org. Live in another area ? Visit www.bbbs.org.

Samuel Dearth
Executive Director | BLUE for Kids

One of the best stories of the year in baseball is the success of the Detroit Tigers. After a few years in the cellar of the American League Central, the Tigers have taken the division and league by surprise. Two matches of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit joined umpires Marvin Hudson and Mark Wegner this weekend for games against the Cincinnati Reds.

On Saturday, May 20th, Big Brother Eric Reinhard and Little Brother Nico (pictured above) made their way to Comerica Park for a thriller. After relinquishing a four-run lead by surrendering a Ken Griffey grand slam in the seventh inning, Detroit was brought back from the brink with a game-tying homer by Curtis Granderson, sparking the Tigers to a 10th-inning comeback victory.

On Sunday, mentor Scott Dunaway and his little brother Tony (pictured on the left) had their chance to witness a close Tiger victory as guests of Umpire Mark Wegner. Tigers pinch-hitter Placido Polanco delivered a clutch pinch-hit RBI single to push across the game's only run in the bottom of the eighth. Tigers 1 and the Reds 0.

Eric and Scott...BLUE for Kids wishes to thank you for the time you spend with Nico and Tony. We hope your day at the ballpark strengthens your match relationship in a small way.

We also wish to acknowledge Beth O'Conner (Match Support Specialist) and Michelle Soucy (Program Director) of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit for helping put this together.

If you live in the Detroit area and think you would be interested in mentoring a young boy or girl, visit their website at www.bbbsdetroit.org. Live in another area ? Visit www.bbbs.org.

Samuel Dearth
Executive Director BLUE for Kids

Three mentor/youth matches of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri joined umpires Marvin Hudson and Mark Wegner at Busch Stadium this weekend as the Cardinals battled on the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cardinals entered the weekend in a tie for the National League Central Division with the Cincinnati Reds.

On Saturday, Marvin met mentor Kelli Barton with her little sister Brittany and Angie Haddock with her little sister Rachel. 'Thrilled' is the word Marvin used to describe their meeting because the majority of matches who participate in BLUE for Kids events tend to be male. Here's a picture of everyone (L-R) Brittany, Kelli, Marvin, Angie, and Rachel. The home town Cardinal offense was explosive on Saturday and won the game 9-1. The win and a Cincinnati Reds loss put the Cardinals alone in first place.

On Sunday, mentor Kevin Chandler and his Little Brother Xavier attended the final game of the series as guests of Mark Wegner. Although they scored three runs in both the 6th and 7th inning, the Cardinals could not overcome three errors in the game and fell short 7-6 to the Diamondbacks. They split the weekend games but the Cardinals remained in first place as the Reds were swept by the Phillies.

Marvin and Mark wish to thank mentors Kelli, Angie, and Kevin for taking time to be a friend to their little sisters and brother. Also, thanks to Jamie Pfau and Kate Dupoch of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri for helping set up the ticket opportunities for their matches. If you live in the St. Louis area and would like to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, go to www.bbbsemo.org.