This past Saturday, June 23rd Blackstone Valley Community Health Care of Pawtucket, Rhode Island hosted children from surrounding community organizations such as Hockymock YMCA and Boy’s Town New England, among others, to attend a private baseball skills session. The theme of the day was ‘Get Active’ as BVCHC has joined in the fight against the epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States.
According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the percentage of children 6-11 who are obese in this country has risen from 7% in 1980 to nearly 20% in 2008. Similarly, in the adolescent 12-19 age group the number has risen from 5% to 18%. Healthy eating and physical activity are essential to lowering these percentages and keeping the children of this country healthy and ready for bright futures.
On the 23rd the children were greeted at McCoy Stadium with complimentary PawSox t-shirts commemorating that day and were soon ushered onto the field where PawSox players greeted and took them through stations that worked on pitching, fielding, and hitting skills. Pitcher Alex Wilson took up in the visitor’s bullpen to teach the basics on different pitch grips and wind-up mechanics. Infielder Tony Thomas went over some basic batting stances and how to “squish the bug” with your back foot and use the core for a powerful swing. Finally infielder Jon Hee took out a fungo bat, hit the participants some grounders and reminded everyone to look the ball all the way into their gloves.
After the physical part of the camp was over the players took the time to sign anything and everything for the kids including t-shirts, bats, balls, and gloves. To wrap things up the kids were fed a healthy lunch of salad, grilled chicken, baked potato, corn on the cob and watermelon. Every child who participated was also encouraged to come back for the game at 6:05pm that evening when the Pawtucket Red Sox hosted the Louisville Bats. Two reserved box seats were presented to each child, again, courtesy of BVCHC.
Blackstone Valley Community Health Care was inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move’ campaign that has similar interests in raising a generation of healthy kids. You can find more information about this movement at www.letsmove.gov. Please also visit Blackstone Valley Community Health Care’s website www.blackstonechc.org.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Pawtucket Red Sox. Click here to view the original story.
The Yakima Bears will host Prostate Cancer Awareness Night during a 7:05 game against the Tri-City Dust Devils at Yakima County Stadium on Saturday. The event is sponsored by Washington Hematology-Oncology and will feature some special appearances and a fireworks extravaganza.
LEXINGTON, KY – On Saturday, June 16 the Blue Grass Council of the Boy Scouts of America presented David Barry, the Lexington Legends Box Office Manager, with the North Star Award. The North Star Award is a high-level award presented by councils on the behalf of the National Court of Honor for non-registered volunteers who have made a significant contribution to Scouting. This is the first time the North Star Award has been presented by the Blue Grass Council to a local citizen. David has been a member of the Lexington Legends Front Office staff since 2003 working in various positions within the Legends Box Office. David has been the main contact for the Blue Grass Council of the Boy Scouts of America and has organized the highly popular Boy Scout Campouts at Whitaker Bank Ballpark since 2005. David has also helped raise funds for the Friends of Scouting campaign and coordinated various Big L appearances at camps and other events.
“David has been a valuable member of the Legends team for almost a decade now, and as evident by this award his great work extends far beyond Whitaker Bank Ballpark. All Legends staff members are encouraged to be active participants in our community and with causes that are important to them. No one exemplifies that any more than David, and we’re thrilled for him to receive the North Star Award.” Seth Poteat, General Manager of the Lexington Legends.
Harrisburg, PA – What could be more fun than bowling with your favorite Harrisburg Senators player, nothing! The good news for all of you bowlers and just people that enjoy bowling, you’re in luck! On Sunday, July 22, the Senators are Bowling For Kids’ Sake.
In addition to the bowling, a raffle will take place throughout the event. Each raffle ticket is $2 or a baseball bat length for $20. The list of items is growing and all of the proceeds benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region.
Hey Drive fans – Loving your colon could save your life! Find out how at the “Drive Out Colon Cancer” game sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina on June 24 at 4:05 p.m. Hear live interviews with colon cancer experts, visit an “Ask-a-doctor” station, meet colon cancer survivors, sign a pledge card to get screened and register to win a great prize!
In an effort to raise awareness about the Princeton Rays, as well as reach out to the region’s children and parents, P-Rays’ staff members have been spotted in many area youth ballparks this spring. The team has been doing this annually each spring since 2007 to promote the beginning of the season as a part of their annual Little League Caravan. The 2011 version of the caravan concluded with stops that included Narrows, VA on June 6, along Baileysville, WV and Alderson, WV on June 9.
Those donating at Fluor Field will also receive a complimentary hot dog, bag of chips, and 12 ounce Pepsi product.
Spokane, WA–The Spokane Indians announced today that Madison Elementary and Logan Elementary have been selected to participate in this year’s Itron Champions Program. Every year, the Itron Champions Program provides two low-income Spokane schools with a visit from OTTO the Mascot and 250 Indians tickets to distribute to their students as a reward for good attendance, hard work, and achievement in the classroom.
Shriners Hospitals for Children® – Salt Lake City provides state-of-the-art medical care in a family-centered environment. The colorful, light-filled hospital is designed to let children with a host of orthopaedic and neuromusculoskeletal disorders learn new skills, make friends and receive care in a safe, supportive and high-tech setting. Every staff member – from surgeons to therapists, nurses to orthotists – is dedicated to helping children achieve their best quality of life.