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St. Joe’s kids take in Jamestown Jammers game, get to see local product Casey Vincent

St. Joseph Catholic School student Jahzara Hunter takes off a batting helmet following a promotional contest between innings during the Jamestown Jammers game at Diethrick Park, New York, Thursday, June 8, 2017. The school took a field trip to the game for “student day” so students could experience the sights and sounds of the game.

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – Baseball long held the moniker of “America’s favorite pastime,” and a group of St. Joseph Catholic School students got to see why, in-person, Thursday.

The school approved a field trip for “student day” at Diethrick Park where the students took in the sights and sounds of the game, as well as a short meet-and-greet with former Eisenhower standout, and current Jamestown Jammers pitcher, Casey Vincent.

“The Jammers contacted us about today and I asked the teachers about it,” said Nancy Werner, St. Joseph principal. “The teachers thought it was a great idea.”

Werner said the school’s Parent-Teacher Union purchased the tickets and paid for transportation to the game.

The school choir took part in the pre-game festivities as it sang the national anthem.

St. Joseph Catholic School students cheer during the Jamestown Jammers game at Diethrick Park, New York, Thursday, June 8, 2017. The students got to experience the sights and sounds of the game, as well as have a meet-and-greet with former Eisenhower standout, and current Jammer, Casey Vincent.

“They did a beautiful job, we’re so proud,” Werner said.

A few students caught souvenirs during the game and one was selected to participate in an on-field promotional contest between innings.

Werner said this was the first time the school had taken a field trip to a baseball game. This was the first time many students had a chance to see a game above the high school-level in person, she added.

Although he didn’t pitch, Werner said it was exciting for both students and adults to see a local athlete in the Jammers’ uniform.

“It’s really great, I know all the adults are rooting for (Vincent),” she said.

This was the third annual “student day” at the park and Jammers business manager Austin Alonge said it’s a good way for the team to build its relationship with the community. “The kids get to take a field trip to Diethrick Park and have a little fun,” he said.

The Jammers are now part of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League. While all the league teams are based in New York, the players are chosen from colleges across the country. Being able to bring in players who have ties to the local community, like Vincent and Jamestown native Collin Stack, gives local players someone to look up to, Alonge said.

“It gives them a role model,” he said.

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