Pre-K students enjoy a day of games and gifts, thanks to Marlins
Marlins legend Charles Johnson and current second baseman Isan Diaz helped make Friday’s holiday gathering and toy giveaway memorable for pre-K students — and themselves.
Charles Johnson stood in left field at Marlins Park with a half-dozen pre-K students in front of him on Friday. It was time to play some catch.
Johnson, the Marlins’ catcher during their 1997 World Series run, had caught from some big-name pitchers during his 12-year MLB career. He was behind the plate for each of the first three no-hitters in Marlins history (Al Leiter in 1996, Kevin Brown in 1997 and A.J. Burnett in 2001).
But even he wasn’t expecting the heat some of these youngsters were throwing.
“A couple of these young kids have some pretty good arms,” Johnson said through a laugh. “I mean, we need to keep an eye on them.”
It was part of an hourand-a-half of fun for the close to 30 students who attend the pre-K program at
CNC, a not-for-profit organization in Miami. In addition to playing catch on the field at Marlins Park, the youngsters participated in an arts and crafts activity and received a toy from Billy the Marlin (who was dressed as Santa Claus)
— as well as a Marlins swag bag, and bat and ball set.
“It’s definitely very exciting,” Johnson said. “I mean we all know it’s been a very difficult year for everybody. Really, I think all of us have been really waiting for this
time of the year a little bit for Christmas to get a little bit of joy, a little bit of excitement. To be here with these young kids and share some time with them, and for them to get some gifts and get to play on the baseball field a little bit, it’s always a great thing.”
It might also spark a newfound interest in baseball. The Marlins over the past few years have been active in community out