Trout Fishes for Young Fans

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By Justin Swanson | LB Indy

 

Photo by Jody Tiongco
Photo by Jody Tiongco

Last year’s American League Rookie of the Year and pride of the Angels baseball team, the sensational outfielder Mike Trout visited Laguna Beach schools last week as part of a fundraising effort for the district-wide Parent-Teacher Association.

The PTA is promoting Laguna Night, a May 3 ballgame between the Angels and the Baltimore Orioles, where ticket sales benefit the organization.

“It’s a great family and community event,” promised Elaine Brashier, coordinator for the district’s four PTAs. “It’ll be a giant party in the stands.”

Tickets are $15, half of which goes to the PTA. The elementary school chorus will sing the national anthem at the game, and Haley Castuera, fresh from her leading role in the high school production “Hello Dolly,” will sing “Take Me Out To the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch. There will be fireworks at the conclusion of the game.

Trout visited Thurston, Top of the World and El Morro schools, telling the students about the importance of maintaining good grades. A stop at the high school was not scheduled due to logistical conflicts.

Trout shared that his parents were school-teachers, an important influence who would “keep my head on straight.”

Furthermore, the baseball star explained that it was and is his motivation everyday that drives him to work hard.

“I remember I used to sit in assemblies just like you are today. I thought about one thing: I wanted to be a pro ballplayer,” said Trout, going on to explain his dedication to his goals is what allowed him to be the person he is today.

This is the fifth consecutive an Angels player has visited Laguna schools. Last year, fan favorite Torii Hunter made a stop, and the year before then-rookie, now-starting centerfielder Peter Bourjos spoke to students. Booking baseball players comes with a high profile assist from Angels team president John Carpino who has three children in the school district: a seventh, a fourth, and a first grader.

During his visit, Trout also participated in handing out S.M.A.R.T. certificates to students at Thurston, judging a pretzel-eating contest, and giving autographed baseballs to raffle winners.

Tickets can be purchased online through Saturday at lbusd.org. When tickets are ordered, the purchaser can select which school PTA should benefit.

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