Summer Readers to Arrive at Library Night at the Ballpark - August 7

After two months of library visits, reading and attending fun library programs, young readers and teens who completed Goal 2 in the Summer at the Library program, will flow into the Bricktown Ballpark, Aug. 7, to watch the Oklahoma RedHawks play the Tucson Sidewinders.

"What a way to wind up a summer - taking in the atmosphere of the ballpark, rooting for the RedHawks, and receiving accolades for reading achievements," said Kristen Smith, children's services coordinator for the Metropolitan Library System.

To reach Goal Two of the program, children and teens who finished Goal One (read or listened to eight books, eight hours or 800 pages) and went on to read or listen to another eight books, eight hours, or 800 pages, received Goal Two prizes, which included baseball coupons.

"Every year it is astonishing how much the reading program grows. Thousands of young and teen readers and their families will be attending the ballgame."

Admission to the game is free for each child and teen who completed Goal Two of the program and received two coupons for the ballgame. Readers and their families should arrive at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive , by 6:30 p.m. to redeem the coupons for actual tickets at the box office.

The library will conduct a short presentation at 6:35 p.m. , and the game will start at 7:05 p.m.

This year, seven year old Harlee Coffey will throw out the first pitch. Harlee started the program as a reluctant reader at the Bethany Library, but soon was exited about reading. "She is a very outgoing little girl," said Smith. "Harlee and her cousin came to the Bethany Library with their Grandmother, Nancy Young," said Daniel Fields, children's programmer at the Bethany Library. "And Harlee never missed a program!"

"It's an honor to throw out the first pitch," said Smith, "And Harlee is so exited to go down on the field and represent all the summer readers!"

All the readers and teens who qualified will be honored at the game. So come early and Play Ball!