Mankato, Minnesota – The Mankato MoonDogs, Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union and Mankato Area Public Schools Community Education and Recreation have again partnered this summer for the MoonDogs Fit Program.
Each summer MoonDogs Fit gives MoonDogs players the opportunity to visit ACES locations throughout the Mankato area and step off of the field and into the classroom. ACES is kindergarten through seventh grade, summer program for children in District 77.
Players get the opportunity to teach Mankato’s Youth lessons including eating healthy and being physically active as well as important life lessons like how to be a team player and having good sportsmanship.
This summer seven locations were a part of MoonDogs Fit Program: Hoover Elementary, Kennedy Elementary, Eagle Lake Elementary, Rosa Parks Elementary, Holy Rosary Elementary, Franklin Elementary, and Roosevelt Elementary.
The lessons in July were about teamwork, healthy eating, and fitness. Students and players talked about the importance of teamwork and what it means to be a team player. They also discussed “My Plate” portions and meal sizes, and about why eating healthy is important and can impact many aspects in one’s life. Finally, they went over fitness and how living an active lifestyle is important in maintaining one’s health.
The MoonDogs enjoy the Fit program because it gives them the opportunity to interact with kids in the Mankato community in a way they never have before.
MoonDogs Fit wouldn’t be possible without the support of Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union. As the presenting sponsor Minnesota Valley provides each child with a free t-shirt and a ticket to a MoonDogs game so they have the opportunity to see their “teachers” on the field.
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The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 150 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visitwww.mankatomoondogs.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store and set the MoonDogs as your favorite team.
