Royals Literacy League teacher awarded Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat at ALDS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Royals honor a fan at each game who impacts our community with the Buck O’Neil Legacy seat. Game 4’s honoree was Hickman Mills Elementary School teacher Kellee Ransom.

The Kansas City Royals partnered with QuikTrip on a four-year pilot program this year called the Royals Literacy League. 18 classrooms at nine schools have a designated Royals Player as a Classroom Champion.

“We’ve got Bobby Witt Jr., my classroom champion, who is literally pouring love and support into our classrooms. So while he’s a star on the diamond he’s a star on the diamond. He’s a star in the hearts of our children,” Ransom said.

Witt met with children at Ingles Elementary back in May.

“Have y’all ever heard of Llama Llama Red Pajama?” he asked the students.

“We see him out there on that diamond making these plays, being just really clever and he talks about how books really open the door to think on such a high level and how that’s helped him be successful on that diamond,” Ransom said.

Crown Libraries were installed at the schools as well at the K, where Ransom was introduced to the sold-out crowd, detailing the impact the program she helped design is making.

Her students were no doubt excited to see her on TV Thursday night as TNT commentator Bob Costas described the history of the Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat. But they also were excited to see their favorite players.

They sent them inspirational messages ahead of the postseason with chants ranging from “Let’s go Royals to 48 is great.”

“They’ve said it inspires them as well and it helps them to remember that there’s more than just what’s on the field,” Amy Gale, Royals Sr. Director of Community Impact, said.

Just like the Royals increased their winning percentage immensely this year, the goal of the $3.7 million program is to increase literacy by 10 percent over the next 4 years on state test scores.

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