R-Phils to discuss their faith with fans

From L-R: Ryan Fleming, Michael Bourn and Ryan Barthelemy speak at an R-Phils 
Celebrate Your Faith night during the 2005 season.

Reading, PA – The Reading Phillies and 69 News WFMZ have teamed up to offer fans seven Celebrate Your Faith Nights during the 2008 season. This will be the 6th season of the program’s existence. 

On Celebrate Your Faith nights, faith based groups are invited to meet with Reading Phillies players during the pre-game. During the gatherings, which run for about 20 minutes, the R-Phils discuss their faith and the role it plays in their lives as professional athletes striving to make it to the Major Leagues. Fan involvement is encouraged as the players do take questions from the audience. Anywhere from two to four Reading Phillies usually take part in the discussion. Most of the sessions are held in the batting tunnel building on the first base side of FirstEnergy Stadium. 

“Celebrate Your Faith nights have become a fun forum for Reading Phillies fans to learn about the life of a professional baseball player and how they are able to incorporate their faith into a lifestyle that makes it very difficult to stay connected with their friends, family and their places of worship,” said Joe Bialek, Reading Phillies Director of Sales, who moderates the discussions and is also the liaison between the team and Baseball Chapel. “The players enjoy sharing their stories of faith as much as the fans enjoy hearing them. It’s truly an inspirational program for everyone involved.” 

The discussions are non-denominational and do not promote any specific beliefs. All faiths are welcome and the room is often a mixed congregation. 

R-Phils players began speaking about their faith with fans during the 2003 season when XX fans/groups took part in the program. In 2007, 94 faith based groups came to ballgames to hear the players speak. 

2008 Celebrate Your Faith Night at the R-Phils
Saturday, April 26 vs. Connecticut at 6:05 PM
Friday, May 16 vs. Akron at 7:05 PM
Friday, June 20 vs. Akron at 7:05 PM
Thursday, June 26 vs. Harrisburg at 7:05 PM
Thursday, July 10 vs. Erie at 7:05 PM
Thursday, August 7 vs. Erie at 7:05 PM
Thursday August 21 vs. Bowie at 7:05 PM
- All seven games also feature post-game fireworks

Groups (minimum 20) interested in attending a discussion and ballgame should contact the R-Phils Groups Sales Department at 610-375-8469 or send an email to mrob@readingphillies.com.  

This story was posted on February 5, 2008