Miami baseball team a hit at Kramer Elementary
RedHawks read and spend time with area students in grades 1-3
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Published
Miami University baseball players David Novak, left, and Dominic Krupinski, far right, help Kramer Elementary students Christian Smiley, second from left, and Alexis Hinson during art class. The Miami baseball team recently participated in a Read with the RedHawks day at Kramer with students in grades 1-3. (Scott Kissell photo)
Miami baseball team a hit at Kramer Elementary
•
Published
Reading with the RedHawks turned into Recess with the RedHawks Monday afternoon at Kramer Elementary School.
Miami University’s baseball team, a few days removed from clinching the Mid-American Conference regular-season title for the first time in 20 years, arrived at Kramer, books in hand, to read with children in grades 1-3.
The RedHawks’ visit, though, coincided with the beginning of recess for Kramer’s first-grade students. They spent about 30 minutes in the fresh air, tossing mini footballs, playing kickball, and participating in other recess activities that led to an overjoyed chant of “5 more minutes” as some of Kramer’s students lined up to go back inside.
Once there, the reading commenced. Art projects, too, as the RedHawks spent time in Kramer’s classrooms.
“It’s a community that gives so much back to us, so to be able to kind of return the favor a little bit means a lot to us,” said Carson Byers, a junior from Mattawan, Michigan, who was named the MAC Reliever of the Year in 2024. “I think we get more out of it than the kids do.
“It’s super fun. It kind of reminds you of when you were younger, back to good times. It’s nice to be out here and get those memories rolling again.”
When Miami’s football team has its home games, the baseball team helps with parking for the events. The RedHawks also are active with an area church.
Earlier this month, members of Miami’s athletic programs helped MetroParks of Butler County remove honeysuckle from hiking trails at Mill Race Preserve Area.
“We try to do as many as possible, and not just in Oxford but other areas as well,” Brian Smiley, head coach of Miami Baseball, said of the RedHawks’ service projects.
“It’s vital to have your team be seen out in the general public.”
Miami’s baseball team can next be seen on the field Thursday as part of the MAC Tournament in Avon, Ohio.
By virtue of Saturdays’ 26-16 victory at Ball State, the RedHawks claimed the top seed in the tournament, as well as their first regular-season conference championship since 2005. The program also set a record for conference wins in a season with 23.
“We still have work to do, but it’s probably been the most fun season so far,” said Patrick Mastrian, a senior pitcher from Indianapolis majoring in Psychology.
Added Byers: “We’re not only looking at success on the field, we’re looking at success off the field. Getting our name out there and kind of showing what our program is about; it’s not only between the lines, it’s off the field as well.”
Smiley, who is in his second season as head coach, was recently named MAC Coach of the Year. He called the RedHawks’ 2025 accomplishments a testament to the players’ efforts.
Seven RedHawks earned all-conference honors this year, including Cooper Katskee, who was named MAC Pitcher of the Year.
“A lot of their hard work over the last year and a half has really come to fruition,” Smiley said. “Thankfully, with their success, other people are starting to notice their hard work as well.”
Miami University’s baseball team, a few days removed from clinching the Mid-American Conference regular-season title for the first time in 20 years, arrived at Kramer, books in hand, to read with children in grades 1-3.
The RedHawks’ visit, though, coincided with the beginning of recess for Kramer’s first-grade students. They spent about 30 minutes in the fresh air, tossing mini footballs, playing kickball, and participating in other recess activities that led to an overjoyed chant of “5 more minutes” as some of Kramer’s students lined up to go back inside.
Once there, the reading commenced. Art projects, too, as the RedHawks spent time in Kramer’s classrooms.
“It’s a community that gives so much back to us, so to be able to kind of return the favor a little bit means a lot to us,” said Carson Byers, a junior from Mattawan, Michigan, who was named the MAC Reliever of the Year in 2024. “I think we get more out of it than the kids do.
“It’s super fun. It kind of reminds you of when you were younger, back to good times. It’s nice to be out here and get those memories rolling again.”
When Miami’s football team has its home games, the baseball team helps with parking for the events. The RedHawks also are active with an area church.
Earlier this month, members of Miami’s athletic programs helped MetroParks of Butler County remove honeysuckle from hiking trails at Mill Race Preserve Area.
“We try to do as many as possible, and not just in Oxford but other areas as well,” Brian Smiley, head coach of Miami Baseball, said of the RedHawks’ service projects.
“It’s vital to have your team be seen out in the general public.”
Miami’s baseball team can next be seen on the field Thursday as part of the MAC Tournament in Avon, Ohio.
By virtue of Saturdays’ 26-16 victory at Ball State, the RedHawks claimed the top seed in the tournament, as well as their first regular-season conference championship since 2005. The program also set a record for conference wins in a season with 23.
“We still have work to do, but it’s probably been the most fun season so far,” said Patrick Mastrian, a senior pitcher from Indianapolis majoring in Psychology.
Added Byers: “We’re not only looking at success on the field, we’re looking at success off the field. Getting our name out there and kind of showing what our program is about; it’s not only between the lines, it’s off the field as well.”
Smiley, who is in his second season as head coach, was recently named MAC Coach of the Year. He called the RedHawks’ 2025 accomplishments a testament to the players’ efforts.
Seven RedHawks earned all-conference honors this year, including Cooper Katskee, who was named MAC Pitcher of the Year.
“A lot of their hard work over the last year and a half has really come to fruition,” Smiley said. “Thankfully, with their success, other people are starting to notice their hard work as well.”
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg.
