Elizabeth Myers and her little sister Akila are a mentor/youth match from Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Carolina Youth Development Center. They were guests of South Atlantic League Umpire Craig Barron for the baseball game between the Lexington Legends and Charleston RiverDogs on Sunday, July 30th. Unfortunately Craig was unable to meet the match before the game but Elizabeth and Akila had a great time.

Elizabeth wrote an e-mail to us shortly after the game. Here is how the day went in her own words...

"Dear Craig,

Thank you so much for giving Akila and I the opportunity to go to the RiverDogs game today. Neither of us had ever been to a baseball game before and it was a wonderful first. Akila got a balloon animal made and named it "Riverdog" after the team. She loved cheering for the players as each went up to bat and following the number of balls, strikes, and outs each inning.

Akila also made friends with Charlie, the team mascot, and one of the ushers who gave her two lollipops during the game! After the game she and the rest of the kids at the game were allowed to run around to bases and Akila went around three times. Then she got a team picture and had the guys (along with Charlie and her lollipop friend) autograph it. It really was a wonderful afternoon (and the team won both games!).

I took lots of pictures but I don't have a digital camera so when I get them developed I will scan them and send them off to you. Thank you once again for making this all possible!

Beth Myers"

Elizabeth, Craig Barron and BLUE for Kids thank you for volunteering your time and energy for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). Your enthusiasm and commitment show in your written words and in our telephone conversations.

A BLUE for Kids salute also to Latoya Vickers (Match Services Coordinator) and Mandy Scherer (Program Director) of Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Carolina Youth Development Center for setting up your match.

If you live in the Charleston, SC area and would like to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit their local website at www.becomeabig.org or the national BBBS website at www.bbbs.org.

Samuel Dearth
Executive Director | BLUE for Kids

Benito Herrera and his little brother Kevin are a mentor/youth match from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico. They were guests of Pacific Coast League Umpire Jon Merry for the baseball game between the Fresno Grizzlies and Albuquerque Isotopes at Isotopes Park on Saturday, July 29th. Pictured (L-R) are Benito, Jon, and Kevin.

It didn't look good for the Isotopes who trailed 3-0 heading into the 9th. Then the bats came alive! In the end, the Isotope's Jason Woods hit his second ninth-inning walk-off single in three days capping a four-run Albuquerque ninth sending the Isotopes (as well as Benito and Kevin) home with a come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Fresno Grizzlies.

Shortly after the game, Benito e-mailed the following to us:

"Attached are a few photos from the Isotopes game Kevin and I were treated to by Umpire Jon Merry. This was the first professional baseball game Kevin ever attended and Mr. Merry really made it special.

Before the game, I told Kevin we were going to meet the umpire but I don't think he knew what that meant; however, after we met Jon and got to walk out onto the field, Kevin became thrilled and couldn't stop talking about it.

Besides the Isotopes' jersey and hat from Mr. Merry, Kevin walked away with some great memories. This experience really made an impression on both Kevin and I.

Thank you very much to all who were involved, especially Umpire Jon Merry."

Benito, Jon Merry and BLUE for Kids thank you for volunteering your time and energy for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). Your making a difference to Kevin each and every time you meet.

Thanks is also in order to Louis Garcia, Program Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico, for setting up your match. We look forward to many future opportunities with your organization.

If you live in the Albuquerque, NM area and would like to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit their local website at www.bbbs-cnm.org or the national BBBS website at www.bbbs.org.

Samuel Dearth
Executive Director | BLUE for Kids

Three matches from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area joined umpires Marvin Hudson and Mark Wegner this weekend for games between the Padres and Giants at San Francisco's AT&T Park. This is the third visit to AT&T this season for Marvin and Mark.

On Saturday, July 22nd, mentor Mike Baczynski and little brother Ben (pictured left) were guests of Marvin Hudson. Giants catcher Eliezer Alfonzo drove in two runs in the second inning and scored the decisive run two innings later after doubling in the fourth. The Giants moved past the Padres into first place in the National League West with the 4-3 victory.

The next day, mentors Andy Pascal with Sam and Sameer Hassan with Brandon were guests of Mark Wegner. The Giants rallied for three runs in the eighth but couldn't sustain the 5-4 lead. Armando Benitez allowed a run in the ninth inning and the Padres went on to win the game in the 12th.

Mike, Andy, and Sameer...BLUE for Kids salutes your efforts. Thanks for bringing the kids out to the game. Thanks also to Emily Goldberg and Dawn Kruger of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area for all of your support in helping us send a few matches to the game.

If you live in the San Francisco area and think you would be interested in mentoring a young boy or girl, visit their website.

Samuel Dearth
Executive Director
BLUE for Kids
samuel@BLUEforKids.com

On Saturday, Pacific Coast League (PCL) Umpire Jon Merry invited mentor Rick Brown and his little brother Michael to Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium. Rick and Michael are a mentor/youth match of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, serving the Omaha, Nebraska area.

Due to a rainout earlier in the season, Saturday was rescheduled as a doubleheader between the Omaha Royals and the Round Rock Express. Unfortunately for Rick and Michael, the Omaha bats couldn't get things going and the visiting Round Rock Express swept the doubleheader by scores of 2-0 and 3-1. Despite the outcome on the scoreboard, we hope you two enjoyed your day out at the ballpark.

BLUE for Kids and PCL Umpire Jon Merry would like to thank you Rick for being a mentor and spending time each week with Michael. It is an incredible thing that you are doing! BLUE for Kids would also like to thank Abby Riessland of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands for her time and effort in setting the match up.

If you live in the Omaha area and would like to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, please visit http://www.bigomaha.org/.

Samuel Dearth
Executive Director BLUE for Kids
samuel@BLUEforKids.com

Two matches from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta joined umpire Mark Wegner on Sunday to watch the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds do battle. It was the last BLUE for Kids Tickets for Two event before the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star game.

Mentor Ted Ghiz with Quinton and mentor Coulter Stout with his little met Mark along with umpiring crew chief Ed Montague before the game for a brief conversation and a few pictures. (Pictured from left to right are Ed Montague, Ted Ghiz, Quinton, and Mark Wegner). Ted works for Coca Cola and did a rather nice job with product placement for the company don't you think?

The Atlanta Braves offense pounded the Reds with 17 hits including three shots over the fence. Thorman, Francoeur, and Andruw Jones all went deep for the Braves who after a slow start this year are poised for a 2nd half season comeback. Final score BRAVES 8 REDS 3.

Ted and Coulter...Thank you for being mentors to your little brothers. We hope you 'had a Coke and a Smile' at Turner Field. BLUE for Kids would also like to thank Tracy Shipley of BBBS of Metro Atlanta for your time in helping create this opportunity for your matches.

If you live in the Atlanta area and think you would be interested in mentoring a young boy or girl, visit their website at http://www.bbbsatl.org/.

Samuel Dearth
Executive Director BLUE for Kids
samuel@BLUEforKids.com