Whether you root for the Akron RubberDucks, the Toledo Mud Hens or the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, there is something special about minor league baseball. It’s America’s pastime in its purest form – a space where athletes and fans can come together to share their love of the game.

Earlier this summer, children of FirstEnergy employees and their families got to experience the fun and excitement of minor league baseball firsthand by attending a kid’s clinic held at FirstEnergy Stadium – home of the Reading Fightin Phils. Participants stepped onto the field and into the world of a minor leaguer, getting tips from several Fightin Phils players and team manager Al Pedrique.

Levi Abrams receives pitching tips from two members of the Reading Fightin Phils. Levi is the son of Jacob Abrams, senior regional Distribution system operator, PA Distribution Operations.

“We had 18 youngsters take part in this year’s event – a great turnout,” said Anika Niehans, executive assistant, Leadership, and coordinator of the event. “The kids are so excited to participate and eager to show off their baseball skills. We may even discover a future hall of famer.”

The players kicked off the event by having lunch with the kids, which included hamburgers, hot dogs and other baseball stadium treats. Then the clinic portion started, where small groups rotated through various stations, including warm-ups, batting practice, pitching drills and base running. The day ended with several of the families attending the evening home game to watch the Fightin Phils take on the Portland Sea Dogs.

“The players are so wonderful with the kids – posing for pictures, demonstrating techniques and teaching them a few tricks of the trade,” said Anika. “I’m not sure who has more fun – the kids or the players,” she added with a chuckle.

The Fightin Phils’ stadium is located in the heart of Met-Ed’s service territory in Reading, Pa. The 10,000-seat facility hosted its first regular season baseball game in 1951 and is currently the oldest ballpark in the Eastern League. The Fightin Phils have been the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies since 1967 – the year the Phils were founded.

“We started this clinic for children of Met-Ed employees in 2000 as part of the company’s naming rights package for the stadium,” continued Anika. “We couldn’t have asked for better partners over the last two decades than the Fightin Phils and the facility’s management team who always go above and beyond to make the clinic a memorable experience for the kids and their families.”

Brisbane Wickard (l.) and Beckham Lutz (r.), grandsons of Mary Hoffman, advanced business analyst, Vegetation Management, get their picture taken with one of the Fightin Phils players.