Archives for January 2015

Help Us Honor Fallen Heroes

January 15, 2015

The 2015 season is almost upon us and we are excited for what it will hold. The Midland RockHounds will host Military Appreciation Weekend sponsored by ProPetro Services on May 14th-18th. Throughout that weekend, the RockHounds players will be wearing specialty jerseys that will show the names of fallen heroes from around our community. These jerseys will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to a local charity, which will be determined at a later date.

We would like for our fans to submit names of family members or friends that have died honorably protecting our country, so that we can honor them by placing their names on the jerseys. Names will appear on the jerseys in the locations where “SOLDIER” is located on the above jersey artwork.

Please send all names and information to Courtnie Golden at cgolden@midlandrockhounds.org, no later than February 28, 2015 (limited to the first 50 names submitted). If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 432-520-2255.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Midland RockHounds. Click here to view the original story.

Need a Unique (Fun)draiser?

January 14, 2015

The Hooks Can Help Your Group!

Does your club, association or organization need to raise money?

Once again, the Corpus Christi Hooks, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Kleberg Bank are offering a unique and simple fundraising program.

Groups can sell 2015 Kleberg Bank College Classic tickets and keep half the proceeds!

Sam Houston State, Missouri and Purdue join the Islanders February 19-20-21-22 at Whataburger Field. The Bearkats and Islanders received votes in Collegiate Baseball’s preseason ranking of the Top 40 NCAA Division I teams.

Daily adult tickets are $10, $5 for children 4-12; organizations retain $5 and $2.50. To get your Kleberg Bank College Classic fundraiser started, contact Jeff Mackor of the Hooks ticket office at 361-561-HOOK (4665), or e-mail jmackor@cchooks.com

—

The 2015 Kleberg Bank College Classic schedule:

Thursday, February 19
Missouri vs. Islanders, 6 p.m.

Friday, February 20
Sam Houston State vs. Missouri, 3 p.m.
Purdue vs. Islanders, 7 p.m.

Saturday, February 21
Sam Houston State vs. Purdue, 11 a.m.
Purdue vs. Sam Houston State, 3 p.m.
Missouri vs. Islanders, 7 p.m.

Sunday, February 22
Missouri vs. Purdue, 11 a.m.
Sam Houston State vs. Islanders, 3 p.m.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Corpus Christi Hooks. Click here to view the original story.

NEST, Storm Chasers Present 13th Annual Essay Contest

January 12, 2015

Students in 7th and 8th grade write about “Why I Want to Go to College”

The Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST) and the Omaha Storm Chasers have officially kicked off the 13th-annual “Why I Want to Go to College” essay contest, Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg announced today.

Students in 7th and 8th grade both in and outside the state of Nebraska may send their entries until the March 27 deadline. Essays must be 750 words or less, describing the student’s educational goals and dreams for the future. Entries must be typed, double-spaced on 8 1/2 by 11″ paper and must be the student’s original work. Each entry must be accompanied with the required cover sheet found here:

http://treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/scholarships/essay/college/2015/2015writingContestCoverSheet.pdf.

Judging will be conducted by faculty and students in the College of Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The essay contest awards 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts, as well as Out-of-State, with winners earning prizes of $2,000, $1,000 and $500 toward a NEST College Savings Plan.

All winners from Nebraska, which will be notified in early May, receive four box seat tickets and earn recognition prior to the Storm Chasers game on May 10 against the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Each winning student will get an opportunity to meet Nebraska State Treasurer Stenberg during the visit.

For complete rules and information on the Essay Contest, visit the Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office website here:

http://treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/scholarships/essay/college/2015/.

Entries must be postmarked by March 27 and sent to:

Omaha Storm Chasers

Attn: Andrea Stava

12356 Ballpark Way

Papillion, NE 68046

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Omaha Storm Chasers. Click here to view the original story.

Sea Dogs to Hold Food Drive

January 12, 2015

Trade Your Canned-Goods for Tickets When You Make a Ticket Purchase

The Portland Sea Dogs, in partnership with the Maine’s Credit Unions, will hold their 15th annual Food Drive which will run from now through Friday, January 30th. All the collected food items will be donated to the Good Shepherd Food Bank.

As in the past, this year’s food drive will be “Buy One, Bring One, Get One.” For every ticket purchased and every donated food item you bring, you will receive a free Sea Dogs ticket to the same game. For example, if you buy three tickets to the June 18th game and bring in three food items, you will receive three additional complimentary tickets of equal or lesser value to the June 18th game. The offer is good for Box Seats, Reserved, General Admission, and Pavilion seating; subject to availability.

Fans may take advantage of this offer by bringing their non-perishable food items to the Hadlock Field Box Office. The Sea Dogs Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Tickets for the Eastern League All-Star Game are excluded from this offer.

Each year the Sea Dogs have been able to donate hundreds of food items to the Good Shepherd Food Bank thanks to the generosity of Sea Dogs’ fans.

The Sea Dogs open the 2015 season on Thursday, April 9th at 6:00 PM at Hadlock Field against the Reading Fightin Phils. Tickets for the 2015 season and the Eastern League All-Star Game are now on sale. Book your nine inning vacation by calling the Sea Dogs ticket office at 207-879-9500 or order online at www.seadogs.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Portland Sea Dogs. Click here to view the original story.

Cougars To Host Coaches Clinic On January 31

January 8, 2015

Youth baseball and softball coaches can attend free event, receive professional instruction from Cougars and Arizona Diamondbacks

The Kane County Cougars will host a free Coaches Clinic on Saturday, January 31^st that features professional instructors from the Cougars and Diamondbacks organizations including new Cougars manager and former Major Leaguer Mark Grudzielanek, Cougars pitching coach Doug Bochtler, Cougars hitting coach Vince Harrison and Diamondbacks hitting coordinator Chris Cron. The clinic will take place from 9-11:30 a.m. inside Fifth Third Bank’s upper deck level. Attendees are asked to RSVP by calling the Cougars at (630) 232-8811 or emailing sfreed@kanecountycougars.com. The clinic is provided free-of-charge to participants as a community service from the Cougars and Diamondbacks organizations.

Although open to the public, the clinic’s purpose is to specifically instruct coaches. Therefore, the clinic is intended for adult coaches rather than youth players. Coaches are encouraged to bring video recorders and note pads for their convenience, and will have the opportunity to visit each station and learn valuable pointers in specific areas of on-field execution, practice techniques and coaching style. Donuts and coffee will be provided for attendees.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Kane County Cougars. Click here to view the original story.

Tides to renovate local youth field

January 8, 2015

4th year of field makeover contest

The Norfolk Tides today announced the return of a contest in which a local youth field will be renovated by Tides groundskeepers and front office staff. Proudly presented by Goodwill, this field makeover will include an upgrade to the playing surface and an improvement to existing dugouts, with the recipient of the makeover being determined by a fan vote on the Tides’ Facebook page.

“This project has become a yearly highlight for our entire front office staff” said Tides General Manager Joe Gregory. “We’re excited to offer our resources to these worthy organizations, as they provide a home for children to learn the game of baseball while serving as an environment conducive to fitness and fun.”

Those interested in having the Tides makeover their facility should submit a picture of their field to Heather McKeating at HMckeating@norfolktides.com. Along with the photo, fans are asked to include a brief description of why their league should receive this enhancement. The deadline to submit this information is February 6, with online voting taking place on the Tides’ Facebook page from February 16 to February 20.

2015 is the fourth year in which the Tides will be renovating a local youth field. Over the first three years of the program, the Tides have helped renovate six local fields – Ocean View Little League (Norfolk), Smithfield Recreation Association (Smithfield), Bennett’s Creek Little League (Suffolk), Phoebus Little League (Hampton), Shore Little League (Nassawadox) and Cradock Little League (Portsmouth).

In addition to the field makeover, the Tides will be hosting a youth baseball groundskeeper seminar on Wednesday, February 11 at Harbor Park from 5-8 pm. The event will allow two members per youth league the opportunity to tour the Harbor Park playing surface alongside Tides groundskeepers Kenny Magner and Derek Trueblood. This free seminar will then feature dinner at Hits at the Park Restaurant followed by a question and answer session designed to help youth baseball leagues prepare their fields each year. Those interested must RSVP by February 4 to Heather McKeating at HMckeating@norfolktides.com.

“Goodwill is proud to support this amazing community giveback effort for a second consecutive year” said Danielle Cronin, Community Relations Manager for Goodwill. “As a nonprofit, we strengthen families and communities throughout Hampton Roads with our job training programs and career development services. The leadership and staff at Goodwill look forward to being a part of the field renovation – it’s just one more way we can give back to our local community.”

The project is made possible thanks to Goodwill and the Tides Youth Baseball Fund, a program established by the Tides in 1990 as a way to raise money for youth baseball and softball programs in Hampton Roads. In addition to assisting with field renovations, the Youth Baseball Fund also helps local teams and leagues with travel expenses. Those wishing to make a donation directly to the Youth Baseball Fund can do so by clicking here.

The Tides open their 2015 regular season with a nine-game road trip beginning Thursday, April 9, with the home opener slated for Saturday, April 18 vs. Durham at 7:05 pm. Season tickets, group tickets, picnics and patios are currently available for the 2015 season. For pricing and additional information, stop by the Harbor Park Box Office, visit norfolktides.com or call (757) 622-2222.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Norfolk Tides. Click here to view the original story.

Hit The Books bookmark contest winner honored

January 7, 2015

Berlin Intermediate’s Emily Sandt draws winning design

The Delmarva Shorebirds, class “A” affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and Dr. James M. Crouse at The Brace Place, presenting sponsor of the Hit the Books program, honored Emily Sandt of Berlin Intermediate School for winning the 2015 Hit the Books Bookmark Design Contest. Her winning design was distributed to all participating students on the Delmarva Peninsula.

The Hit the Books initiative officially kicks off January 20 and will continue through February 27.

The program encourages elementary and middle school students on the Delmarva Peninsula to read outside of their regular classroom assignments. Students that complete their reading goals receive two free tickets to a Shorebirds home game during the 2015 season.

Sandt’s winning design featured a drawing of Sherman the Shorebird on a baseball field with airplanes flying overhead encouraging students to “Read, Read, Read.”

“Her design perfectly illustrated the goal of the program, to get students to read beyond the classroom,” said Shawn Schoolcraft, Director of Marketing and Community Relations. “We look forward to seeing the kids realize the fruits of their labor at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium this spring.”

In 2015, over 40,000 students from over 100 local schools are participating in the “Hit The Books” program, which is the largest non-school funded reading program on the Delmarva Peninsula.

“Reading books is a favorite pastime of mine and I love to see young people reading books,” said Dr. James M. Crouse at The Brace Place. “Our sponsorship of the Shorebirds ‘Hit the Books’ program is a perfect fit for us at The Brace Place.”

Participating schools will be notified in March about their game date at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, and students will be honored as part of a pregame parade around the field. For more information, contact the Delmarva Shorebirds at 410-219-3112.

Season ticket and group outing packages are currently on sale for the 2015 season. The Shorebirds offer full season tickets, half season tickets, a 22-game plan and a 12-game plan along with a number of opportunities for groups to enjoy a night out at the ballpark. To secure your seat(s), call 410-219-3112.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Delmarva Shorebirds. Click here to view the original story.

Pinstripe Pals Program Launches

January 6, 2015

RailRiders Seek to Sponsor Local Youth Baseball Teams

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) love baseball, families and NEPA. In 2015, they will combine all three loves into the Pinstripe Pals, presented by Maines Food & Party Warehouse. A youth baseball sponsorship initiative, the Pinstripe Pals program includes a $500 sponsorship from the RailRiders and a $500 gift card to Maines Food & Party Warehouse for each selected league.

The program is open to Little League districts 16, 17, 18, 29, 31 and 32 along with Cal Ripken district five. Other benefits include:

The chance for each selected league to be honored at a RailRiders game with a pre-game parade on the field.
The league’s ability to choose a photo for the cover of the GuideRail cover for that league’s game.
A mascot appearance and giveaways for the league’s opening ceremonies.
One of the league’s teams can serve as the “Field of Dreams” squad that takes PNC Field with the RailRiders.

For consideration, a league representative should fill out a form found on the RailRiders website and mail it along with a 500-word essay describing why the RailRiders should choose his/her league. The completed forms and essays should be sent to SWB RailRiders, Attn: Pinstripe Pals, 235 Montage Mountain Rd., Moosic, PA 18507.

Please note that the sponsorship preferably includes a team within each selected league adopts the nickname “RailRiders” and uses the RailRiders logo on team jerseys/shirts.

“The holiday season might be over but giving is a year-round activity for the RailRiders,” said RailRiders community relations director Rachel Mark. “We started this program today to benefit NEPA’s baseball stars and fans of tomorrow.”

The RailRiders open their 2015 season at home on April 9 against the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals). For more information please call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Click here to view the original story.