Major league player gives one-on-one lessons for a cause

Summary

A major league baseball hitter helps raise money for a local community food bank.

Story Published: Nov 8, 2008 at 6:29 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 18, 2008 at 3:59 PM MDT

AMMON - "This is a game and it's a very good game. It's America's past time," says Billy Butler of the Kansas City Royals.

And to share that past time, the Royals hitter gave local baseball fans a chance at one-on-one practice with a major league pro.
But the young fans got more than just a few pointers about the game. They got inspiration from a successful role model.

Butler, who got his start as an Idaho Falls Chukar a few years ago, has made Idaho Falls his permanent home.
The Baseball workshop at Hillcrest High School raised over twenty-three hundred dollars for the Idaho Falls Community Food Bank. But the day was more than just a fundraiser. For the kids, it was the chance of a life time. And for Butler, it was the opportunity to give back to the community that gave to him, his first shot.

"Anything you put your mind to, you can do and never set limitations. I never did," says Butler.

Beside traveling the states and playing on a professional team, Butler finds another favorite part to his dream job.

"The best part is, people look up to you," says Butler.

Quran burning

A Florida pastor says he is likely to burn copies of the Quran on September 11th. Gen. David Petraeus says the action could endanger US troops. The pastor says he's just standing up to radical Islam. What do you think of the idea?

  • A stupid idea. His symbolic protest puts real soldiers in danger, and shows the world we practice the same intolerance we condemn in our enemy.
  • A great idea. We need to spend less time worrying about whether our enemies in this war might be offended. If this is how he chooses to express himself, I'm all for it.
  • Not sure.