Fans were lined up at midnight to get the opportunity to buy exclusive, new merchandise for the Houston Astros.

“This is a great opportunity to play baseball in the summer. We always like to say we try to give kids at bat,” academy director Wade Daryl said.

The Houston Astros Foundation and Reliant Energy have partnered for the second year in a row to stop the “summer slide” that happens too often for elementary students. That’s why they are excited to kick off the “Slide into Summer Reading” program, which encourage students to become “Reliant Readers” during their school break.

HOUSTON The Houston Astros Foundation will host an emergency supply drive Saturday to help distribute donated items to Hurricane Laura victims. The supply drive will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The donated items will go to the Catholic Charities of Lake Charles and will be distributed to those impacted by the hurricane. The no-touch drive will also accept donations via curbside drop off on Crawford Street at the Left Field Entrance adjacent to Minute Maid Park. According to a news release, the Astros mascot Orbit and the Astros Shooting Stars will be on hand for the event.