Houston Astro Gives Children a "Game to Remember"

A locker room visit with a professional baseball player is a privilege usually reserved only for insiders and the news media. Unless, of course, you happen to be a member of "Berkman's Bunch."

Every Saturday before an Enron Field home game, Houston Astros slugger/outfielder Lance Berkman meets a group of 30 children and welcomes them to the game. He hands out autographs and gifts, and answers questions from the kids.

The experience makes each child an official member of Berkman's Bunch, and they are given mock IDs to identify them as such.

"Many of these kids are attending a game for the first time," says Berkman. "It's great to see kids excited about coming to a game, and about baseball in general."

Sponsored by The Methodist Health Care System and the Astros, Berkman's Bunch is a community program that allows Houston-area children and their families the opportunity to attend a Houston Astros baseball game.

The children are part of a number of organizations chosen by Berkman and The Methodist Health Care System. Some are beneficiaries of Methodist's community benefits program. Participating organizations include Boys & Girls Country; a nonprofit family clinic in Tomball that serves the Tomball, Magnolia and Waller areas; Northwest Assistance Ministries; Fort Bend Family Service Center; Baytown YMCA; and Hope for Youth.

When Berkman walks into the room for a pregame visit, girls squeal and boys press forward to shake his hand. Occasionally, Berkman - a new father (his baby daughter was born a few months ago at The Methodist Hospital) - will give a child a piggyback ride.

"I feel very blessed to be in the position that I'm in," he says. "Berkman's Bunch has provided a way for me to give back to the community."

In addition to the Berkman's Bunch partnership, The Methodist Health Care System has pledged $500 to the St. Nick's Project for each home run Berkman hits during the regular season. The funds will be used to supply underprivileged youth with toys and books.

Berkman serves as the voice for Methodist's health awareness radio spots, which air during Astros game broadcasts. He also makes personal appearances to visit Methodist patients and employees.

A native of Waco, 25-year-old Berkman is in his first full year in the majors and played in his first All-Star game earlier this season. A power switch hitter, he has a .352 batting average, which puts him near the top of the list of major league leaders in batting.

In June and July, Berkman went on a 21-game hitting streak, which is one of the longest in the majors this season. He also ranks among the top two or three players in baseball for slugging percentage, on-base percentage and number of hits, and is ranked among the top five in runs scored and runs batted in.

"I've been around baseball my whole life, unlike many of these kids who would never get the chance to come to a game otherwise," Berkman says. "This is a great program and is a lot of fun."

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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