Children and youth can earn complimentary tickets to Spring Training game on March 10 at Ed Smith Stadium
For the 14th consecutive year, the staff of the Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources Department is teaming up with the Baltimore Orioles “to offer children in the community a chance at a triple play — read three books and earn tickets to a baseball game,” the Libraries staff has announced.
Each child or youth from age 6 to 18 who registers at one of the 10 Sarasota County library branches and then reads three or more books before March 6 will receive a complimentary grandstand ticket to the Orioles’ Spring Training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, a news release points out.
The Big League Reader program was established through a partnership between the Libraries and Historical Resources Department and the Orioles “to promote literacy and a love of reading,” the release explains.
“The Orioles’ generous donation of tickets over the years speaks volumes about their commitment to literacy,” said Renée Di Pilato, director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources, in the release. “It’s incredibly uplifting to witness their support, and it sends a powerful message to our children about the value of reading,” she added.
After registering, each child or youth will receive a scorecard to keep track of the books read, the release continues. After they complete their three books, they need to return to the libraries where they registered to have their scorecards stamped and signed by a library staff member, the release notes. The stamped cards then can be exchanged at the box office, up until March 6, for a ticket to the game on March 10.
For additional information on the Big League Reader program, visit www.SarasotaCountyLibraries.org or call 311 or 941-861-1110.