Yakima schools team up with Yakima Reds

By Sebastian Moraga

The Reds are launching a program that they hope will fill their stands with young fans of all ages.

In partnership with the Yakima School District, the Reds are introducing the team to elementary middle and high schools all over the Yakima Valley as part of a publicity blitz to acquaint the city with the team.

The program is called “The Yakima Reds Scoring with Education,” and it entails free goodies for the schools’ best students.

The team will offer free tickets to the top students in each school, as determined by that school’s administration, team co-owner and head coach Alex Silva explained.

“We’re combining education with sportsmanship,” Silva said. “We will be giving 10 season tickets to each school in Yakima. That way the [students] will get to know the Yakima Reds, their family will get to know the Yakima Reds and their friends will get to know the Yakima Reds.”

More than 30 schools in the Yakima area will participate, Silva said. Some schools might get more than 10.

The student must have a GPA of at least 3.0, Silva said, in order to get season tickets.

Parents of students who are too young to come to the games by themselves will get a discounted rate at the gate, Silva said.

Students in Sunnyside, Zillah, Toppenish and all around Yakima, are involved. Schools from Wenatchee and Ellensburg may participate if interested, Silva said.

The response has been “terrific,” he added.

“I’m really happy with the program,” Silva said.