Minute Maid and the Astros In Action Foundation are teaming up to sponsor Read Around the Bases, a YMCA pilot program aimed at encouraging children to read during the summer months.

Read Around the Bases is a program open to any child between the ages of 6-15 and enrolled in any of five participating YMCA-affiliated Fort Bend summer camps, including: - Fort Bend Family YMCA, 4433 Cartwright Rd Missouri City, TX 77459 - Mustang Park, 4525 FM 521 N Fresno, TX 77545 - Mayfield Park, 106 Ave Sugar Land, TX 77478 - Four Corners, 15700 Old Richmond, Sugar Land, TX 77478 - New St Phillips Missionary, 6135 Highway 521 Arcola, TX 77583

Children enrolled in Read Around the Bases will be encouraged to read at least four books during their summer break from school. Each time a participant reads a book from a recommended book list, they will ‘run’ the bases – one book, one base at a time. To mark their progress, each child will receive their very own personalized baseball player card, which will be displayed on a wall-sized display of a baseball field, located at each of the five locations. Once they have read four books and arrive at “home plate” they will be eligible to attend a free Astros game at the end of the summer.

‘Mystery’ readers comprised of former Houston Astros players and other special guests will read to all the kids at each location on the first day of the program. Development.

At the end of the summer, any child who has read at least the minimum four books will be entered into a drawing to win the Honor Ball, a baseball signed by one or more Houston Astros. However, if a child reads more than four books, then their chances to win the Honor Ball go up with each additional book.