October 6, 2026 — "Let's go, Braves! Let's go, Braves! LET'S GO, BRAVES!!" 

The halls at King Springs Elementary roared with support for the home team just hours before the Atlanta Braves host the first of two National League Division Series (NLDS) games. A special beloved visitor was even seen walking through the school's hallways, classrooms, and cafeteria. Blooper, the famous Braves mascot, made the short trip from his home at Truist Park to generate excitement for his team, and the students and staff of King Springs were more than willing to give it.

Cobb Schools and the Braves Foundation have long shared a common goal: strengthening the communities of Cobb County. That partnership has often led the Foundation to visit individual schools to reward students and staff for their hard work while also having a bit of fun. Having Blooper run around your building is a surefire way to create fun and positive energy. 

Tonight, the Braves enter Game 3 of the NLDS tied with the Dodgers, with a chance to close out the series with two home wins. If the excitement at King Springs was any indication, those wins are already in the bag.

Fourth-grade teacher Ronnell Mathews received a special visit to his classroom from Blooper. As King Springs' current Teacher of the Year, Mr. Mathews was both surprised and excited to see the 7-foot mascot rush into his classroom and congratulate him. 

"Having Blooper visit my classroom was about more than baseball," Mr. Mathews said thoughtfully. "It was a powerful reminder of the connection between the Braves and the Cobb County community. It is exciting to see how the Braves, as an organization, interact with local schools and students. I very much appreciate their commitment to giving back to the community that supports them."

The 33-year teaching veteran has been a fixture at King Springs for the past 25 years. In fact, Mr. Mathews even taught Principal Ashley Mize's daughter in fourth grade. 

"Mr. Mathews and I have a strong relationship," Principal Mize said. "My daughter is 23 now, and she always asks to come back and see him every time she comes home from Texas. That's the level of impact he has on the kids here at King Springs, and the impact he's had over all these years."

Principal Mize also expressed appreciation to the Braves Foundation for making everyone's morning a little brighter. They brought team hats for every teacher, Crumbl Cookies to help celebrate game night, and, of course, Blooper to energize students ahead of a critical playoff game. 

"This is so important to me because our teachers work so hard, in all of our schools, but at King Springs, I feel like our teachers give so much back to our community," Principal Mize said with a smile. "They pour into their students and want them to learn in order to reach their full potential. Teachers don't get as much recognition as they should, and ours are just outstanding at what they do!" 

The Braves will take the field tonight and Wednesday night at Truist Park, needing all the support they can get to upend the Dodgers' well-funded and star-studded roster. The good news is that the Braves have consistently beaten the Dodgers during the regular season, with a 5-1 record to prove they have what it takes to advance to the NL Championship Series. 

Let's go, Braves!!