M's Caravan rolls into Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — The Mariner Moose was loose at Knolls Vista Elementry School Wednesday afternoon as members of the Seattle Mariners made two stops in Moses Lake for the 2009 Mariners Caravan.

Their first stop in town was Knolls Vista Elementary as 500 excited students and staff assembled to participate in the Mariners’ D.R.E.A.M presentation. The presentation looks to educate students about the dangers they may face as they grow older, said Knolls Vista Elementary Principal Mike Riggs.

“It’s never to early to teach them, to help inoculate them from all the temptations they may face,” Riggs said. “They are soaking in what is being said. I think that will stick with them.”

One student told Riggs how much they enjoyed the visit from the Mariners, especially the Mariner Moose.

“Everybody cheers for the Moose,” Riggs said. “It’s the best one we’ve ever had.”

Along with the Mariner Moose, the Caravan includes active players and former players. Active players include pitcher Ryan Feierabend and third Baseman Matt Tuiasosopo. Former third baseman and current announcer Mike Blowers also was a member of the Mariner Caravan.

The current stars and former athlete helped the Mariner Moose deliver the drug-free promotional presentation as part of the 2009 Mariners Caravan.

Feierabend thought it was great the students got an opportunity like the Caravan which wasn’t available when he was their age.

“I wish when I was younger there were Major League Baseball players to talk to us like these kids (have),” he said. “I think the kids really get the message.”

The second stop of the day was a question-and-answer session at Big Bend Community College where members of the Mariners Caravan took questions from the audience.

After the question-and-answer period concluded, the members of the Mariners Caravan stayed behind for pictures and to sign autographs.