They didn't know it yet, but the Zamorano Elementary fourth graders making their way to Petco Park were in for quite a surprise.
The four students and their families were heading downtown to a recent Padres game after being selected to take part in a special on-field ceremony. Before the game, the kids and their school's principal, Derek Murchison, were brought out on the field, joining Padres star player Wil Myers in front of the cheering crowd.
As the announcer honored Myers for becoming the second player in team history to hit for the cycle earlier this year, the Padres' ballgirls snuck behind the kids and surprised them with brand new bicycles. Standing behind home plate, the children watched in awe as they were presented with their new rides, alongside Myers -- whose cycle prompted the donation.
The four bikes were part of the 50 bikes being donated by the Padres, with support from the Bikes for Kids Foundation, to under-served students in the area in honor of Myers' cycle.
Principal Murchison was there for the big surprise, which produced an emotional response from not only the students but their families as well.
"It was great watching our students but the real blessing was watching their parents," Murchison recalled. One student's father was almost brought to tears.
"He had no idea that the students were getting bikes and he was so happy to see his daughter so happy," Murchison said