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Marauders' kickball skills a home run with Tillman Elementary students

School District of Manatee County

August 17, 2023

A handful of professional baseball players were special guests at Tillman Elementary in Palmetto.

kickball players and teammates

Brandan Bidois, Elijah Birdsong, Owen Kellington, Patrick Reilly and Landon Tomkins are pitchers for the Bradenton Marauders, a minor league team for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

kids watching kickball from the fence  kickball team with the mascot

They joined third and fourth grade students, as well as physical education teachers, Tyler Bench, Kyle Mauk and Hunter McGarry.

kickball team teaching younger students  kicking the kickball

The players used their rocket arms (and legs) to play an epic game of kickball on the school’s baseball field.

younger students watching from the side  team members talk to younger students

Shortly after the game was underway, there was a commotion from the sidelines.

kickball team and younger students pose with the mascot  kickball coach and mascot stand on the field

The students were shouting for Marty the Marauder as he made his way across the campus playground.

mascot greets younger students  student kicks the ball

After many hugs and high-fives from their favorite local mascot, the kickball match continued.

students sitting on the ground  student raising her hand

Before the class period ended, the players held a Q& A with students to talk about baseball, college and more.

At least three of the players were drafted out of college and one from high school. A fifth was signed as an international free agent from Australia.  

students playing kickball  students playing kickball

Most of them have been playing baseball since the age of three or four – a fact that made the students gasp.

Many questions were directed at Marty, who usually answered with some kind of crazy dance.

student jumping in the air  students gathered on the fence to watch

The Marauders had one last gift for the school and presented Principal Marla Massi-Blackmore with 150 tickets to the team’s last home game.

group photo of younger students and the team  Player signs a student's cast

The teammates posed for photos with their new friends, and even signed a young boy's cast before heading back to Pirate City to prepare for a doubleheader. 

“Fan Appreciation Night” is Saturday, September 2nd. The event is going to feature raffle prizes during all nine innings, activities for kids and postgame fireworks.

20% of your ticket purchase goes back to the SCHOOL OF YOUR CHOICE! The $15 ticket includes a hat and a soda voucher.

To view more photos of the Marauders at Tillman Elementary School, please visit our Facebook page.