MLB Umpires Mark Wegner and Brian Runge invited 4 children and 2 chaperones of Hillsborough Kids, Inc. to Tropicana Field in Tampa on August 25, 2007 for a Big League Umpiring Experience (BLUE). Dakota, Eddie, Randall, and Quasan tried on equipment, watched batting practice from the field, rubbed mud on baseballs, and asked a number of questions about baseball. Even a couple of players stopped by to visit them. The BLUE is an opportunity for kids to learn, laugh, and have fun!

View the event photos on our Flickr page. Click Here for Photos!

EVENT COMMENTS

"Another great experience for these children! Thank you for the opportunity, and many thanks to the Devil Rays and Mark Wegner and Brian Runge for their gift of time and enthusiasm for the project. I know the effort that it takes from all involved, including the incredible Susan Gicking; the smiles and lifetime memories for the children are the undeniable return on the investment of time. " - Rita Soronen, Executive Director, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

"Just wanted to thank you for the opportunity on Saturday! We all had a wonderful time, the kids were just so excited the entire time." - Susan Gicking

SPECIAL THANKS TO

• Cherie Lewison, Suzanne Murchland, and the entire Devil Rays Community Relations team for assistance at the ballpark.
• Susan Gicking, Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter, Hillsborough Kids Inc. for all the time and effort in identifying the kids. Also thanks to Krista Linder who, along with Susan, served as a chaperone.

Labels: blue, mlb, runge, tb, wegner, wwk

MLB Umpires Mark Wegner and Brian Runge welcome Matthew, Floyd, Drew and Jonathan to Shea Stadium as a part of the BLUE Crew Tickets Program. Drew, Floyd, Matthew, and Jonathan are a part of Big Brothers Big Sister of New York City.

THANK YOU! - Robert Hines & Jill Knee (NY Mets Community Relations) as well as Valarie Stark-Trimarko (Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City) for your role in making this a wonderful experience for everyone.

MORE Photos: 2007 BLUE Crew Ticket Photos
ABOUT Big Brothers Big Sisters: www.bbbs.org

Labels: crew, mlb, nym, runge, wegner

MLB Umpires Mark Wegner and Brian Runge welcome Mike, Ben, Luis, and Christopher to AT&T Park as a part of the BLUE Crew Tickets Program. Pictured (L-R) are Brian Runge, Mike, Ben, and Mark Wegner. Mike and Ben are a mentor/youth match with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area.

THANK YOU! - Erin Reilly and Bobby Baksa (San Francisco Giants Community Relations)

GUEST COMMENT: (Mike Baczynski) "Ben and I had a great time on Sunday at the Giants game...the only low point being that the Giants were beat by the Dodgers. The highlight of the day was getting to meet Mark Wegner before the game down by the umpires lounge after which he walked us up to the field level. We were also fortunate enough to meet fellow umpire Brian Runge who happened to be behind home plate that day (Mark was umpiring at 2nd). Mark was very good at answering our questions and we found out about how his career progressed to the Big Leagues. He was also interested in finding out about Ben and I and how we had progressed in our Big Brother relationship. All in all a good day, however, despite all of our pleadings to Mark and Brian to give us the "home field" calls, the Giants still weren't able to pull it out. Anyway, thanks again for the wonderful opportunity you presented to us...we will not soon forget it. "

MORE Photos: 2007 BLUE Crew Ticket Photos
ABOUT Big Brothers Big Sisters: www.bbbs.org

Labels: crew, mlb, runge, sf, wegner