ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – As the season changes from summer to fall, the most successful baseball team on the field in the MINK League is turning its attention to helping students in the classroom.

The St. Joseph Mustangs are gearing up for the eighth year of their annual reading program for elementary students.

The free program, open to all elementary age students, has grown each year. In 2015, the Mustangs’ visited more than 20 schools, and reached over 3,000 children throughout northwest Missouri with the book totals exceeding 50,000.

“It’s great to see so many kids get excited about reading and learning,” Mustangs general manager Ky Turner said. “We love being an outlet for family fun at Phil Welch Stadium throughout the summer, and this is an extension of the organization with this program. We have great schools and teachers here in St. Joe and the surrounding communities, and we’re excited to partner with them.”

The Mustangs’ Reading Program comes with many incentives that include tickets to the 2017 opening night at Phil Welch Stadium, as well as prizes from East Hills Shopping Center, Aspen Leaf Frozen Yogurt, Cici’s Pizza, Worlds of Fun, Legoland Discovery Center and much more. The class that reads the most books at each school will also win a pizza party courtesy of Little Caesars Pizza.

The program is up to each teacher and school if they would like to participate, and the Mustangs are currently offering an assembly for schools that feature the team’s mascot, Rally, and a custom book written by the Mustangs’ staff.

All teacher sheets must be turned in to the Mustangs by March 10, 2017.

For more information, click here.