NEW YORK -- Astros outfielder George Springer paid to have 24 fourth-grade students, many of whom are disadvantaged, from John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Kingston, N.Y., attend Thursday's game against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The kids made a roughly 100-mile trip, and for most of them it was their first time seeing a big league game.
The kids' teacher, Nicole Van Loan, has been friends with Springer's girlfriend, Charlise Castro, since middle school, and Springer went to the school this winter and spoke to the class. The students did a writing assignment on Springer, who later surprised them with tickets.