01/14/2004 9:09 AM - In independent minor league baseball, the manager is a fixture in the community all year long. Such is the case for Kansas City T-Bones manager Al Gallagher, a year-round resident of Kansas City, KS who is also a former sixth grade teacher.

Al Gallagher’s desire to become a teacher was a by-product of his love for children and learning, and his reading program is a result of the same. “This is a tremendous way for us to be involved in the community,” exclaimed an exuberant Gallagher. “I love having the opportunity to be a part of the classroom and to interact with the kids.” This isn’t the first time Gallagher has been involved with such a program; last year, he inaugurated the T-Bones’ reading program, and has been involved with such programs for the last ten years.

Schools who participate in the program will be invited to have a kick-off assembly where Al Gallagher and the T-Bones mascot, Sizzle, will attend. Gallagher will stress the importance of reading as well as the excitement books can bring. Whether a school chooses to have an assembly or not, it can still participate in the program simply by requesting materials from the T-Bones.

Al Gallagher and Sizzle will make their first 2004 reading program appearance at Mill Creek Elementary in Lenexa, KS on January 28 at 1 pm. Gallagher and Sizzle, as well as select T-Bones players, will be available for assemblies through April 30th. Students who complete their reading goals will receive a voucher good for two tickets for a select 2004 T-Bones game.

Click this link for the student registration form.

In other literacy-related news, the Kansas City T-Bones are pleased to announce their inaugural Fan Essay Contest in which fans of all ages can submit essays about their experiences in the first season at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Essays should be up to 750 words in length and the award-winning essay will be printed in the 2004 program. The winning author will be invited to throw out the first pitch at a selected T-Bones game. Essays should be submitted to [email protected] by April 1, 2004.

After a successful inaugural campaign, the Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League are eagerly preparing for their second season. For information about creative sponsorship packages, season tickets, and group outings, please call the T-Bones front office at 913/328-BALL, or visit the T-Bones web site at www.tbonesbaseball.com. The Kansas City T-Bones… Fun Well Done!