Knight Ridder Newspapers

MILWAUKEE – A minor-league baseball team is hopping on the milk wagon.

The Fort Myers Miracle of the Single A Florida State League is trying to locate the unidentified batboy who was suspended by the Marlins and put him back to work.

“Similar to a rehab stint, we want to help this kid stay on top of his game,” Miracle general manager Steve Gliner said. “Instead of crying over spilled milk, we decided to offer him the honorary post.”

The Marlins suspended the batboy after finding out he had accepted a dare from Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny – with a $500 reward attached – to drink a gallon of milk in less than an hour without throwing up. The batboy drank the gallon, but he couldn’t hold it down.

The batboy was suspended for the upcoming homestand at Dolphins Stadium that runs from Monday through Sept. 4

The Miracle, an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, wants to have him pick up their bats during Monday’s game against the Tampa Yankees in Fort Myers.

As part of the promotion, all children 14 and under will receive a pint of milk when entering the stadium, a cow will be stationed at the front gates, and empty milk cartons will be placed throughout the stadium so fans can make monetary donations to the batboy.

The Miracle is owned by a group that includes Mike Veeck, actor Bill Murray and musician Jimmy Buffett.

ESPN.com reported that the Milk Processor Education Program offered the batboy $500 and any lost wages from the suspension if he promises to drink the recommended three glasses of milk a day.

In addition, Penny, who was angered by the suspension, told The Miami Herald on Thursday that he intends to compensate the batboy.

Copy the Story Link