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Sky Sox Baseball article
As a proud member of the Colorado Springs community, the Sky Sox are committed to making an impact in the lives of people in and around the state of Colorado. On occasion, a special situation will arise that allows the Sky Sox to reach a much broader audience. This past week, members of the Sky Sox front office were able to spend a few hours with students from the Ruperti-Gymnasium Mühldorf a. Inn School in Bavaria, Germany.
The class of over 30 students, all between the ages of 16 and 17, are visiting America from April 14th-May 6th. They are led by Mr. Stefan Wolf who previously brought a class to Colorado in 2009. The students are attending classes at Doherty High School and living with foster families for the duration of their trip.
During their stay, the students will be taking trips to Denver, the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Pikes Peak, and other locations throughout Colorado Springs.
A key aspect of American culture that Mr. Wolf hoped to introduce to his students was baseball.
"Baseball is very significant in American culture", observed Wolf. "The purpose of this trip is to immerse our students in the American way of doing things. Learning about baseball and the differences in concept compared to European games like football (soccer) are very beneficial."
The Sky Sox were ecstatic for the opportunity to interact and share with a diverse group of people from another country.
"It's important to recognize that the Sky Sox community can impact not only the front range of Colorado, but a worldwide community", said Director of Community Relations Jon Eddy. "We genuinely appreciate the opportunity to be involved in a program that educates youngsters about baseball."
Eddy gave the class a detailed presentation on the various rules and concepts involved in the game of baseball. The information was beneficial on multiple levels for all involved.
"For our students, English is a foreign language. To listen and communicate in English is a great learning experience for them", said Wolf. "Learning a completely foreign game in a foreign language presents a unique challenge, but it's something our students very much enjoy."
For the Sky Sox, the experience was a chance to "experience the game from a fresh perspective", said Eddy.
The students showed a great aptitude for the game and picked up on the concepts quickly.
"The students in the class were actively engaged, interested, and eager to learn more at each passing step", remarked Eddy. "Many of these students had never seen a baseball game nor did they know any of the basic terms needed to understand. It was our job to give them these terms in an easy to understand format. Using a combination of handouts including lineups and diagrams, Sky Sox game video and lecture we were able to give them the foundation they needed to understand baseball."
The students were quickly able to put their newfound knowledge to work. Accompanied by their foster families, the students enjoyed their first baseball game with the Sky Sox later that night.
"Attending the Sky Sox game allowed us to experience the sights, smells and sounds of a baseball park", said Wolf.
"It was extremely rewarding to see how much fun this group was having after only learning the foundation of the game earlier that morning. Their grasp of the game was impressive while their enthusiasm permeated throughout the ballpark", said Eddy.
The evening culminated with the students singing Take Me Out To The Ballgame during the seventh inning stretch.
"Originally we had selected (Doherty High School teacher) Kurt Taylor to sing Take Me Out To The Ballgame by himself", said Eddy. "However, we quickly decided it would be a better experience for all involved if the entire program led the crowd from the stands. Even though they only knew parts of the song, their education and enjoyment of the game culminated in an exciting experience with America's national pastime."
Wolf plans on returning to Germany with some baseball equipment and says some students at their school have already started playing the game. He hopes to return to Colorado with more students in 2013 and 2015.
The Sky Sox thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share a piece American culture with the students of Ruperti-Gymnasium Mühldorf a. Inn and hope they will be able to participate with any successive groups in future years.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
The class of over 30 students, all between the ages of 16 and 17, are visiting America from April 14th-May 6th. They are led by Mr. Stefan Wolf who previously brought a class to Colorado in 2009. The students are attending classes at Doherty High School and living with foster families for the duration of their trip.
During their stay, the students will be taking trips to Denver, the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Pikes Peak, and other locations throughout Colorado Springs.
A key aspect of American culture that Mr. Wolf hoped to introduce to his students was baseball.
"Baseball is very significant in American culture", observed Wolf. "The purpose of this trip is to immerse our students in the American way of doing things. Learning about baseball and the differences in concept compared to European games like football (soccer) are very beneficial."
The Sky Sox were ecstatic for the opportunity to interact and share with a diverse group of people from another country.
"It's important to recognize that the Sky Sox community can impact not only the front range of Colorado, but a worldwide community", said Director of Community Relations Jon Eddy. "We genuinely appreciate the opportunity to be involved in a program that educates youngsters about baseball."
Eddy gave the class a detailed presentation on the various rules and concepts involved in the game of baseball. The information was beneficial on multiple levels for all involved.
"For our students, English is a foreign language. To listen and communicate in English is a great learning experience for them", said Wolf. "Learning a completely foreign game in a foreign language presents a unique challenge, but it's something our students very much enjoy."
For the Sky Sox, the experience was a chance to "experience the game from a fresh perspective", said Eddy.
The students showed a great aptitude for the game and picked up on the concepts quickly.
"The students in the class were actively engaged, interested, and eager to learn more at each passing step", remarked Eddy. "Many of these students had never seen a baseball game nor did they know any of the basic terms needed to understand. It was our job to give them these terms in an easy to understand format. Using a combination of handouts including lineups and diagrams, Sky Sox game video and lecture we were able to give them the foundation they needed to understand baseball."
The students were quickly able to put their newfound knowledge to work. Accompanied by their foster families, the students enjoyed their first baseball game with the Sky Sox later that night.
"Attending the Sky Sox game allowed us to experience the sights, smells and sounds of a baseball park", said Wolf.
"It was extremely rewarding to see how much fun this group was having after only learning the foundation of the game earlier that morning. Their grasp of the game was impressive while their enthusiasm permeated throughout the ballpark", said Eddy.
The evening culminated with the students singing Take Me Out To The Ballgame during the seventh inning stretch.
"Originally we had selected (Doherty High School teacher) Kurt Taylor to sing Take Me Out To The Ballgame by himself", said Eddy. "However, we quickly decided it would be a better experience for all involved if the entire program led the crowd from the stands. Even though they only knew parts of the song, their education and enjoyment of the game culminated in an exciting experience with America's national pastime."
Wolf plans on returning to Germany with some baseball equipment and says some students at their school have already started playing the game. He hopes to return to Colorado with more students in 2013 and 2015.
The Sky Sox thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share a piece American culture with the students of Ruperti-Gymnasium Mühldorf a. Inn and hope they will be able to participate with any successive groups in future years.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
GAPP 2013
In 2009 und wieder in 2011, die "Gappies".