First grade students at Ballard Elementary in Niles had a special visitor this week.

Swoop from the South Bend Silver Hawks stopped by to remind the children how important it is to read every day. Swoop informed all six classes about his reading club, which is back for its third year with new sponsors and prizes. The goal, however, is still the same — to encourage students to read in the classroom and at home. Swoop wants kids to be excited about reading by involving them in Swoop’s Reading Club.

The club is an incentive-based reading program designed to help students discover the joy and benefits of reading. Teachers set their own goals for students to match the reading level of their classrooms.

Each goal corresponds with a base on a baseball diamond. Students will be rewarded with prizes provided by the South Bend Silver Hawks and area businesses for each goal completed. After students reach all four bases, they will receive a complimentary ticket to a Silver Hawks home game on reading club nights.

Reading club nights are a fun, new way for students who have completed Swoop’s Reading Club to enjoy their “home run” level prize. They offer an opportunity for the whole school and surrounding community to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of club participants.

Students who complete the club will receive one free bleacher ticket good for the school’s reading club night; however, everyone is welcome to come to reading club night.