A Show Me Times News Report

ST. LOUIS - A group of Dexter elementary school students continued a tradition recently by lending their musical talents to a professional baseball game.

The Songmakers at Central Elementary traveled on Saturday, April 24 to St. Louis and Busch Stadium to perform at the St. Louis Cardinals - Cincinnati Reds baseball game.

Under the direction of music educator Delisa Stize, the Songmakers were invited to perform during the Seventh Inning Stretch the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." The fifth grade students - sporting their bright red "Songmakers" shirts - lined up in the outfield and led the stadium of baseball fans in the song.

The Songmakers performance was broadcast on the Cardinals state-of-the-art stadium broadcast system, with video of the group shown on the large screens throughout Busch Stadium.

Coordinating the event for the students were Stize, Central Elementary Principal Cindy Bowman and Central Counselor Dennis Keith. A large crowd of Dexter parents, family and friends bought game tickets and attended the game.

Ryan Franklin was the unfortunate man on the mound at the end of a very unfortunate top of the eighth inning for the Cardinals that day, as they watched a late lead evaporate in a 5-3 loss to the Reds. Miguel Cairo's two-run single against Franklin was the deciding blow, but only the last indignity in a truly miserable half-inning for the home team and its fans.

A highlight for the Songmakers was Albert Pujols' sixth-inning solo homer that gave the Cards their 3-2 edge after a two-run Votto homer tied the score in the top half of the same inning.

The final score of the game was Reds 5, Cards 3.

Photo Above: The Songmakers choral ensemble from Central Elementary School performed "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" recently at a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game in St. Louis. (SMT photo by Leigh Ann Kincy)

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