Witt Jr. visits 5th-grade classroom for reading program, leaving students with priceless memories
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Less than 24 hours after securing a walk-off win over the White Sox, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. traded the ballpark for the classroom.
The Gold Glove winner visited fifth graders at Crossroads Charter Schools Quality Hill as part of the Royals Literacy League program.
“That just showed that we matter,” fifth grade teacher Sgt. Quentin Robinson said. “Our kids feel a connection to him, they feel a connection to their city, and ultimately they will feel a better connection with themselves.”
“It’s amazing actually,” fifth-grader Langston Blount said. “Like, he gave me a hug, and he hugged me back. And I got a signature on a piece of paper.”
Witt Jr. shared the importance of reading to the classroom full of eager students. “I get to learn so much through it,” he said. “It helps your brain, and it makes you, I feel like, smarter.”
Students asked him questions ranging from his favorite childhood book (Holes) to how many career home runs he has (86).
He even gave them a little advice heading into a big test.
“Just know that you have confidence going into the test — that you’re going to ace it,” he said.
One young man left with a memory he’ll never forget.
Fifth-grader Alden Truesdell-Kinkeade bought a Bobby Witt Jr. baseball card from an antique mall for $1.50.
“And then I found out that this event would be happening, so I thought I’d just bring it to school in case Bobby Witt Jr. could maybe sign it,” Truesdell-Kinkeade said.
Mission accomplished.
Witt Jr. signed the card on his way out of the classroom, bumping the value up significantly — but Truesdell-Kinkeade doesn’t plan on letting it out of his hands any time soon.
“After I got it back from him, my hands were shaking and I had the biggest smile,” he said. “Never let anybody else touch it again.”
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