The Freethinker

What do Russ Taff and Baseball have in common?

I'm not quite sure.

We found out a few weeks prior to the event that Russ Taff was going to be playing at our local baseball field for the "Altoona Curve" on August 26th, 2005, for "Faith Nite"... We got the tickets way in advance, and found out that we were going to be sitting in the 216 section of the stadium.

I had gotten myself ready early in the day, gathered up all the neccessary accessories and went on our merry way to the stadium. There wasn't too much traffic to deal with, considering we were about a half hour early. We parked two miles away from the stadium though, which was good, (I suppose), for excercise.  (Since I'm such a lazy bone...)

After we had taken our seats, we went through the normal baseball rituals (Such as singing that "Charge!" Song, clapping around to that Adams Family song, and dancing around like maniacs, which I did not do. I'm much too old for that. No, really, I just didn't feel like jumping around like a maniac just to get on camera. Haha.) I was quite interested in the game though, the Curve won, of course, because I was there.

Its quite odd though, every time I attend a game at the Curve stadium or the Pirates stadium, the Curve or the Pirates always win! Every time! I'm like their good luck charm. Things that evening were looking a bit grim though, and I thought my good luck charm had worn off, but it didn't! The Curve won just in the nick of time.

So afterwards we moved down to the first floor to grab a seat near where Russ Taff was going to be singing while workers at the Curve were setting up the stage.

The neccessary equipment was set up and we waited patiently for Russ Taff to make his appearance.

He arrived a few moments after a pastor who was responsible for Russ Taff's appearance for "Faith Nite". Russ Taff was greeted by applause, and began the evening by singing "Trumpet of Jesus" which he had sang with the Imperials. He also sang some other songs I wasn't completely farmiliar with, but they were catchy and I had a good time none the less.

Before the concert, we were informed Russ Taff would be doing a "Meet and Greet", so we had walked over to the area in which he was supposed to do so. We waited about a half hour or so, after someone informed us he would bring Russ Taff out for the meet and greet, but we grew slightly impatient and headed out the entrance to leave. But then my mother spotted a man whom she had seen in the office. She asked him if Russ Taff could sign a photo I had bought earlier during the baseball game. The man said, "Sure, I'll be right back." And he walked into the office. (Note, during this whole time, I kept thinking "Good things come to those who wait.")

We just waited, and I had a slight inclination the man was going to come back to bring us into the office. And lo behold he appeared out the door and said to us, "This is going to make your night!" And he waved us over to the door. We walked in, and he instructed us to go through a door and down a hallway. And then, there was Russ Taff!

We walked into the tiny room, and Russ Taff exclaims, "HI ANNETTE!" And quickly rushes towards my mother and mows me down. (Literally!) My father recalled he just saw this huge yellow shirt pummeling its way past me. I just continued grinning the whole time, acting a bit confused. Then the man who had brought us in said, "No no no, thats Annette! *Points to me*" And my mother exclaimed, "No no thats our daughter! Thats Annette! *Points*"

Russ quickly turned to me and went, "Oh! Ah, oh, er, oh, ah!" Then he bursted out in a laugh and gave me a hug and said sorry, and I just laughed. Then we made some small talk about the show, and then got a group picture. My parents told Russ about our music ministry and how we play some of his songs, and I told Russ how I was raised on his music, and he just gave me another hug and said "God bless you!" And as we were leaving, my mother said, "I pray God will give you many more years to His service!" (Or something of that sort), and Russ replied, "Well Jesus is comin' back soon!!"

So yes, that was fun. :o)

Heres some pictures!

Russ singing...

People at the concert...

My dad, mom, Russ and me! :o)

how fun

8:09 PM, Aug. 30, 2005

Posted by 4boys4me

sounds like a great evening!

Faith Night 2006!!!

12:17 AM, Aug. 8, 2006

Posted by Anonymous

After a great Faith Night event last year by Russ Taff at Blair County Ballpark and State College’s very first Faith Night at Spikes Stadium in July 2006 with Kirk Cameron, I am pleased to welcome you to our upcoming Faith Night scheduled for September 1st 2006 in Altoona!



Faith Night is a ministry that takes Christian outreach to minor league baseball games. These events are truly focused on families and reaching out to the lost of Central Pennsylvania for Christ.



Faith Night 2006 at Blair County Ballpark is scheduled for September 1st. I have the pleasure of welcoming Matthew Ward (Formerly of Second Chapter of Acts) and Randy Stonehill. Both are legendary award winning Christian singers and songwriters from the Jesus Movement of the 1970’s. Mr. Ward and Mr. Stonehill will share great music after the baseball game at Blair County Ballpark between the Bowie Baysox and Altoona Curve. Game Time is 7:05pm.



In my mind, this is very important business: Bringing the Gospel right to the marketplace, in this case, right in the midst of a secular baseball game.



What an opportunity! We need YOU to make this opportunity a reality!



Our funding goal for honorariums is $3000 for Faith Night 2006! You should consider sponsoring this event because this is an important KINGDOM EVENT. One beyond ourselves! Truly an event for God! This is one of those times where we put our money where our convictions are. Are we interested in reaching the lost? What are we doing about it? We’re committed to doing what we can, according to God’s leadership. If you can help out financially right NOW it would be greatly appreciated.



All sponsors / donors will receive promotional announcements on the scoreboard during the event, free tickets for the game/concert along with a meet and greet opportunity with the entertainment at the end of the event!

All Groups Who Sponsor Will Receive FREE Tickets For Event!



We ask that you pray for our events and give a gift from your heart. Any size tax-deductible gifts are welcome. We are in need of securing the honorarium before the event.



If you know of others who are blessed of God who can help, please pass this important message along. We are seeking sponsors who love Jesus, Baseball, and great Christian music & entertainment.





Thank you for your heart for advancing God’s Kingdom!





To learn more about Randy Stonehill or Matthew Ward, click:

www.matthewward.com or www.randystonehill.com



Learn more about Altoona First Southern Baptist Church at: http://www.localconnect.net/~a1sbc/ or http://menofcourage.blogspot.com/



Please share our need with friends and clients.





May God Bless You!



Sincerely yours in Christ,







Don Mast

(Cell) (814) 935-2039 or (Home) (814) 942-6695





Mail donations to:



Faith Night 2006 c/o Altoona First Southern Baptist Church

903 N. Fourth Street ~ Altoona, PA 16601-5711

Make Checks Payable to: Altoona First Southern Baptist Church