Illustrations of ice cream and animals populated Spillane Field as players from the Wareham Gatemen read to kids on Tuesday, July 23.

The players read a selection of ice cream-themed children’s books to families sitting in the dugout. They listened to stories like “Pete the Cat Screams for Ice Cream,” a book about a cat who was on the hunt for an ice cream truck. 

Pete the Cat was seven-year-old Caelyn Nicholson’s favorite book that the Gatemen read. However, her favorite part of the morning was when players threw around some baseballs with the kids.

“I really liked the catching,” Caelyn said.

Players also autographed the baseballs and pictures for each of the children.

Gatemen pitcher Bryce Gluckman said that it was awesome to get out and get into the community through the program.

“It’s a really cool experience,” he said.

As a sweet end to a  morning of throwing around baseballs – just like the characters in the stories they were read – each kid got some ice cream of their own: A good ol’ Hoodsie Cup.