Prior to the start of the Baysox 1996 season, the Baysox established the Read & Hit A Home Run Reading Program to help encourage literacy and an excitement for reading in local elementary and middle school students.
The game worn jerseys will be signed by Baysox players/coaches and auctioned off, with proceeds benefitting the winning designer's school.
Beginning in early January, registered schools will receive instructions encouraging their students to read four (4) books during the program time frame. If the students complete the reading task, they will receive two FREE Tickets (one for them and one for a parent/guardian) to attend their school's Reading Night at a Chesapeake Baysox home game. All students attending their county reading night at the Baysox game will be invited to participate in a recognition event during the game to recognize their individual and school's accomplishments along with other fun events throughout the game.
In 1996, the Read and Hit a Home Run Reading program began with just twenty local schools within the Baysox home of Prince George's County