WASHINGTON — More than a hundred parents and kids crowded into a room Saturday at the Cleveland Park Library to watch an all-star pitcher close out a book.
For years, the Nationals have partnered up with the DC Public Library for the annual Summer Reading Challenge. And this year, pitcher Sean Doolittle showed up to help make sure the program’s end for the summer finished strong.
“One of my favorite things to do away from the field is to read,” said Doolittle. “I don’t go on a road trip without bringing a couple of books along with me.”
“When I was a kid we went to the library a lot, and I think libraries can be really important community centers. And to be able to use baseball to meet some kids and get into the community and share the space with them today, it was a lot of fun.”
After taking a few questions from some kids in the crowd, Doolittle sat down and read “The William Hoy Story.” He admitted his wife had gotten on him before the event to make sure he showed everyone the pictures.
“I hope they got a chance to check out the rest of the library either before or after we read the book,” said Doolittle. “Reading can be cool and not something you have to do as just part of your homework.”
The folks in the library seemed to agree.
“It’s a great way to get kids excited about reading and baseball and the library,” said children’s librarian Julie Pflager. “That is, to encourage kids to keep reading through the summer, keep those minds active so that they’re ready to hit the ground running when school starts again in September.”
Doolittle ended the event by posing for pictures, signing autographs and talking with all the young fans who wanted to meet a baseball player.
