KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Kansas City Royals are in the middle of a playoff push, but Thursday, their focus shifted from the scoreboard to the classroom.
The team hosted fourth graders from Scuola Vita Nuova at Kauffman Stadium as part of the Royals Literacy League, an initiative in its third year of improving reading skills across Kansas City.
The program, which partners the Royals with nine area schools, kicked off with a field trip that brought learning to the Diamond Club. Students were taught lessons blending baseball and reading, showing how the game’s concepts can connect to literacy.
Laura Palacios, program manager for the Royals Literacy League, said the team wanted to give students a unique launch to their school year.
“We surveyed parents, and parents told us that their students look at reading as a chore,” Palacios said. “All of the players have a deep understanding of how important literacy is, and they talk to the students about what they’re reading.”
Teachers Susanne Whitt and Ms. Scheneman led Thursday’s session, guiding students through lessons normally held in a classroom – but made special by the setting inside the stadium.
“This is the same lesson we would have done in class, but we did it here in this place where famous people have been, you know, famous Kansas Citians,” Whitt said. “They just feel so important, and brings them value.”
Students were eager to show what they had learned. When asked what literacy means, fourth-grader Ryland Phinney gave a straightforward answer.
“It means being able to read.”
That understanding is vital in Kansas City, where Missouri data shows only 23 percent of public and charter school students read at grade level by third grade.
Classmate Melanii Gonzalez said reading has become a source of joy.
“One thing I like about reading is that it entertains you,” Gonzalez said. “I’m gonna say my most favorite part is getting time to spend with my friends.”
The Literacy League pairs each participating classroom with a Royals player who will check in with them throughout the year, offering encouragement and personalized messages. Whitt said those interactions are often a highlight.
“The kids will get videos throughout the year with the Royals player. They like that. And when they drop their names in it – it’s just so fun to watch their reactions,” Whitt said.
For Scuola Vita Nuova, their Literacy League “champion” is Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. His introduction drew cheers from the students.
“He’s also really cool,” Phinney said.
Pasquantino said he’s excited to support the program.
“We’re trying to make a difference, and seeing that we’re actually making a difference,” the Royals’ first baseman said. It’s huge just to see these kids growing – the way that they are – it’s massive.”
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