UPDATE!
On July 10, MLB.com announced that LBC grad Tyler Smith (’16) from the Baltimore Orioles organization is heading to the 2024 All-Star Game!
A Lancaster Bible College Health & Physical Education graduate has the exciting opportunity to head to the 2024 MLB All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas! Tyler Smith (’16) was nominated to serve on the All-Star Game ball crew for a stellar play he made on the sidelines for the Baltimore Orioles.
Tyler Smith (’16) is helping his two children become Baltimore Orioles fans at a young age.
As a former physical education teacher in York, Pa., the lifelong Orioles fan spends some of his summer days at Camden Yards in Baltimore. As a member of the ball crew, Smith’s amazing foul ball grab off right field on March 31 earned him the nod [see the play here]. Just four ball boys have been nominated to fill two slots, so Smith’s All-Star opportunity is certainly within reach.
The LBC community can help send Smith to the All-Star Game by casting their votes by 11:59 p.m. ET Tuesday, July 9. The two ball boys garnering the most votes will be announced Wednesday, July 10, on the MLB Network. The 2024 MLB All-Star Game airs on FOX at 7 p.m. CT Tuesday, July 16, with the Home Run Derby set for 7 p.m. CT Monday, July 15. Ball boys invited to the game will also get to experience All-Star Week events.
Now in his fourth season as an Orioles ball boy, Smith told LBC back in 2019 that he’s just as passionate about teaching students health and physical education and lifelong lessons. “I love being able to teach character through sports and activities,” he said. “Principles such as collaboration and lifelong fitness are really important to me.”
Married to LBC alumna Aly (Kurtz ’15) Smith, Tyler, 31, has transitioned to the role of Interning Elementary Assistant Principal in the East Pennsboro Area School District in Enola, Pa.
Smith grew up going to Orioles games with his family, including his dad, a season-ticket holder. The former LBC Chargers baseball player was also once an employee at the former O’s team store in York.
After the announcement of this honor, Smith told MLB.com that his “favorite part about his current job with the Orioles is the interactions he has with fans at the ballpark throughout the summer. While stationed down either baseline, he frequently chats with the spectators in the first rows of seats.”
Even though sharing his faith in these situations and in the public school classroom might not always be possible, Smith said he strives to “live out Matthew 5:13-16 in my actions on a daily basis to demonstrate what I believe. LBC, specifically through biblical integration in our teaching lesson plans, really helped prepare me to be able to do that.”
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
—Matthew 5:13-16, NIV
*Globe Life Stadium, Arlington, Texas, photo from iStock.com.