Archives for April 2016

Charitable Tuesdays Bigger and Better in 2016

For the third consecutive season, the Williamsport Crosscutters will present Charitable Tuesdays. The program, presented by Woodlands Bank, gives local non-profit organizations a no-cost opportunity to have a presence at BB&T Ballpark, for the purpose of educating fans about their organization.

One organization will be featured at every Tuesday home game and receive;

  • A display table in the stadium to display and distribute promotional literature and materials
  • A live on-field interview before the game
  • Ceremonial 1st pitch honors for the organization
  • The opportunity to be a guest on the Crosscutters radio broadcast for one inning
  • A $250 donation to the organization courtesy of Woodlands Bank and the Crosscutters presented during an on-field ceremony

“When approached by the Crosscutters with the idea to partner with them for Charitable Tuesdays, it was an immediate yes”, stated Jon P. Conklin, President & CEO of Woodlands Bank. “Woodlands Bank is defined by its commitment to the local community. Daily, we work, live, and give in Lycoming and Clinton County. The Cutters are a great organization that shares the same values as we do, which I know will lead to giving to great and worthy local non-profits this season.”

Interested organizations should submit an application, available online at crosscutters.com or at BB&T Ballpark. Applications must be received by June 3, 2016. More information is available by contacting the Cutters Director of Community Relations, Sarah Budd at (570) 326-3389 or email sarah@crosscutters.com

The Crosscutters 2016 season opens on June 17 when they host the State College Spikes. The full schedule can be found at crosscutters.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Lake Monsters and Five Guys Team Back Up In 2016 For May Days Fundraising Program

BURLINGTON, VT — The Vermont Lake Monsters are excited to announce the continued partnership with Five Guys Burgers and Fries during the annual May Days fundraiser to benefit non-profits from across the state of Vermont.   “Five Guys May Days” fundraiser will launch May 1st as a month-long program devoted to helping raise funds and awareness for state wide non-profits.

Support of local non-profits has demonstrated the strong commitment both the Lake Monsters and Five Guys have to the greater Burlington community. The goal of this program is not only to provide the opportunity for organizations to raise money, but also raise awareness for their programs while providing a chance for supporters to come together at the ballpark.

The Howard Center is just one of the many local non-profits who has benefitted from participating in Five Guys May Days and will continue the tradition this year. “Throughout the year, we benefit from the generous support of the Lake Monsters.” said Catherine Shahan, Director of Community Friends Mentoring at the Howard Center. “We appreciate our community partnership as it provides opportunities for many of our clients to enjoy an afternoon or evening of baseball, hot dogs, and fun!” Thank you, Lake Monsters for giving back and ensuring the whole community has access to your programs.”

Participating non-profits will have the entire month of May to promote and sell $6 Lake Monsters tickets through a specific URL link designated to their organization for a specific game during the season. After the month of May is completed, the Lake Monsters will donate half of the proceeds back to the organization. Following the selling period, Five Guys will donate up to $500 to match the amount raised by the highest selling non-profit in the program. Organizations will then be recognized on field with a check presentation at a Lake Monsters game this season.

This opportunity is an easy way to fundraise for non-profits, simply by reaching out to your employees, supporters, volunteers, and sponsors with the URL link. For more information or if your non-profit is interested in participating contact Zach Betkowski at 802-655-4200 or zach@vermontlakemonsters.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

NYPL Announces 2016 Scholarship Contest

AUBURN, NY – The Class-A Short-Season New York-Penn League and its member clubs are proud to announce that the league’s philanthropic arm, the NYPL Charitable Foundation, will once again award over $10,000 in scholarships this summer to deserving high school graduates from the league’s 14 markets.

Now in its eighth year, the 2016 NYPL Scholarship Contest is open to any graduating senior from a public or private high school within the league’s footprint. Any student who has been accepted at a two- or four-year college or university, vocational school, or technical education institution is eligible. Applicants will be judged based on academic performance, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and the impact their local NYPL club and Minor League Baseball have had on their lives.

The scholarship contest will consist of two stages – a local round and a league round. In the local stage, students will apply directly to their local NYPL team, with one applicant chosen by each of the 14 teams to advance to the league/final round. The 14 finalists will then be judged by league representatives. Three pplicants will be selected to receive the top prize of a $2,500 scholarship. All other finalists will receive a $250 book award.

“The New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation and our 14 member clubs are pleased to have the opportunity to assist outstanding high school seniors within our league’s footprint for the eighth consecutive season,” said Ben J. Hayes, President of the New York-Penn League. “This program will again recognize those seniors who not only meet and exceed traditional scholarship criteria, but demonstrate the positive community impact and lifelong memories fostered by their local NYPL clubs throughout the year.”

Local High school seniors interested in entering the 2016 Scholarship Contest can download the application by clicking here.

The deadline to submit applications to the nearest NYPL team is May 20, 2016. Each club’s winner, including the three $2,500 scholarship recipients, will be selected in mid-June.

The New York-Penn League and its 14 member clubs created the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, a 501(c) (3) charitable organization, in 2003. The mission of the Foundation is to provide focus and support for the collective and individual charitable and community efforts of the New York-Penn League, its Clubs, and their staff.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

6th Annual Cutters 5K to Benefit CDC

The Williamsport Crosscutters, in partnership with the Children’s Development Center, will be holding the 6th Annual Cutters 5K on Saturday, June 25th at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.

The race, through Williamsport’s West End, begins at 9am with registration open at 8am. The course has runners starting outside the ballpark entrance with the final sprint inside the stadium finishing at home plate. Both runners and walkers are encouraged to take part in the event.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Children’s Development Center of Williamsport. Since 1923, the CDC has been providing services to children with special needs from birth to 21 years of age. Last year’s event attracted almost 200 participants. Since its inception, almost $60,000 has been raised for the CDC through this event.

“Hope Enterprises and its Children’s Development Center strive every day to accomplish its mission of serving children and their families in this area. Due to the tremendous community support Hope has received over the years, we are able to meet the very specific needs of those we serve. As an example of that support, we are extremely proud and fortunate to partner with the Williamsport Crosscutters and their 5K run” stated Hope Enterprises President, Jim Campbell.

Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in seven male and female age categories. In addition to the prize awards, the top male and female runners will throw out ceremonial first pitches at the Williamsport Crosscutters game on July 1st. Prizes will also be awarded to the top three male and female walkers. The event will also feature a new Kids Fun Run, free for children age 10 and under. All kids participating will receive an award.

“We are proud to partner with the CDC annually on this event. It just keeps growing every year”, said Cutters Vice-President of Marketing Gabe Sinicropi.

Registration is $15 in advance and $20 on race day. All participants receive a race t-shirt (while supplies last), and a ticket to the July 1st Crosscutters vs. Batavia MuckDogs game at 7:05pm. Registration forms and more information are available online at crosscutters.com, at the Crosscutters offices at BB&T Ballpark or the CDC offices located at 625 W. Edwin St.   Sponsorships of the event are also still available.

The Crosscutters open the 2016 season on June 17 against the State College Spikes at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. The full schedule, along with detailed information on ticket packages, is available at www.crosscutters.com or by calling the Cutters at (570) 326-3389.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Pedal to the Park on Sundays

Portland, Maine– The Portland Sea Dogs have announced a new partnership with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine to encourage fans to Pedal to the Park on Sunday afternoons. The Coalition will be offering its free Valet Bike Parking service.

The Valet Bike Parking service will be offered at all Sunday Portland Sea Dogs home games in 2016 (excluding the July 3rd night game). Valet Bike Parking is FREE to use, secure, quick, and the best way to get to the game. The Valet Bike Parking area will be located at the ballpark entrance at Hadlock Field on Park Avenue and will be open from 11:30am-4:30pm for Sunday home games.

“We are proud to partner with the Portland Sea Dogs to offer our FREE Valet Bike Parking service. Hadlock Field is an extremely bike friendly location, and we’re excited to to reduce traffic and parking congestion, while providing fans with a great way to get to the game,” stated Nancy Grant, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.

Volunteers from the Bicycle Coalition of Maine will greet fans who ride their bikes to the game on Sundays. Each rider will complete a sign-in sheet with their contact information and will be given a wristband that matches the one placed on their bike. After having a great time at the game, show your wristband to the attendant and you’ll get your bike back just as you left it. Afterwards ride off into the sunset past everyone waiting in vehicular traffic.

For fans who are unable to bike all the way from their home, the Coalition has provided maps highlighting satellite parking areas and the best routes to the ballpark from around the Portland area.

For more information please visit the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s website at www.bikemaine.org/valet.

The Sea Dogs open the 2016 season on April 7th against the Reading Fightin Phils in Reading, PA. The home opener is set for Thursday, April 14th at 6:00 PM against the Hartford Yard Goats. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs ticket office at 207-879-9500 or online at www.seadogs.com.

Join Rays Kids Club, Summer Reading Program

Princeton, WV- The Princeton Rays are proud to unveil the 2016 Rays Kids Club and the 2016 Princeton Rays Summer Reading Program.

Rays Kids Club:

The Rays Kids Club has been a staple of summer fun for young Rays fans for many years and will continue to provide members with club-exclusive incentives and experiences in 2016.

Sponsored by MedExpress Urgent Care of Princeton, the Kids Club privileges for members include:

  • Invitation to five pre-game club meetings with meals provided including a picnic with several Rays players.
  • Official Kid’s Club T-Shirt, Membership Card and Certificate
  • Free admission to all regular season Rays games when wearing Kids Club T-Shirt
  • A custom birthday card autographed by Roscoe the Rooster
  • All members registered by June 3, 2016 will have their name listed in the Rays 2016 Game Program

The Kids Club is open to children ages 12 and under with a cost of membership is set at just $22 per child.

Membership registration forms are available on the Rays’ official website princetonrays.net, from the Rays’ front office or via email by request sent to princetonrays@frontier.com.

Rays Summer Reading Program:

The Rays and the Princeton Public Library aim to show that that baseball is a mental as well as physical game. With that in mind, the Rays official announce their partnership with the Princeton Public Library and the formation of the Rays 2016 Summer Reading Program.

The program will extend from the time Princeton-area schools release students for Summer Break until the end of the Princeton Rays regular season. Children ages 6 to 14 are welcome to register and win Rays’ prizes for reading throughout the summer.

The only requirement of Summer Reading Program members is to read one book about baseball and have their parent or guardian sign-off on the amount of hours they have read.

Prizes for members include:

  • One exclusive player autograph opportunity for five hours of reading
  • One game ticket for ten hours of reading
  • A 15% off coupon to the Rays’ Team store for 15 hours of reading
  • A Rays’ Reader T-Shirt for 25 hours of reading

Also, the Reading Program member who reads the most hours as of August 26 will earn the opportunity to throw the ceremonial first pitch at one of the Rays’ final regular season home games against the Bluefield Blue Jays.

Registration for the Rays Summer Reading Program is free for all interested members of age.

Membership registration forms are available at the Princeton Public Library, on the Rays’ official website princetonrays.net, from the Rays’ front office or via email by request sent to princetonrays@frontier.com.

The Princeton Rays, for the 20th season, are the proud Appalachian League Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays and will begin their 2016 home schedule on Sun., June 26 against the Danville Braves.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

NYPL Announces Scholarship Contest

The Class-A Short-Season New York-Penn League and its member clubs are proud to announce that the league’s philanthropic arm, the NYPL Charitable Foundation, will once again award over $10,000 in scholarships this summer to deserving high school graduates from the league’s 14 markets.

Now in its eighth year, the 2016 NYPL Scholarship Contest is open to any graduating senior from a public or private high school within the league’s footprint. Any student who has been accepted at a two- or four-year college or university, vocational school, or technical education institution is eligible. Applicants will be judged based on academic performance, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and the impact their local NYPL club and Minor League Baseball have had on their lives.

The scholarship contest will consist of two stages – a local round and a league round. In the local stage, students will apply directly to their local NYPL team, with one applicant chosen by each of the 14 teams to advance to the league/final round. The 14 finalists will then be judged by league representatives. Three pplicants will be selected to receive the top prize of a $2,500 scholarship. All other finalists will receive a $250 book award.

“The New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation and our 14 member clubs are pleased to have the opportunity to assist outstanding high school seniors within our league’s footprint for the eighth consecutive season,” said Ben J. Hayes, President of the New York-Penn League. “This program will again recognize those seniors who not only meet and exceed traditional scholarship criteria, but demonstrate the positive community impact and lifelong memories fostered by their local NYPL clubs throughout the year.”

High school seniors interested in entering the 2016 Scholarship Contest can obtain the official application from their local NYPL club, or by visiting the league’s official website, NewYork-PennLeague.com.  Download Application Here

The deadline to submit applications to the nearest NYPL team is May 20, 2016. Each club’s winner, including the three $2,500 scholarship recipients, will be selected in mid-June.

The New York-Penn League and its 14 member clubs created the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, a 501(c) (3) charitable organization, in 2003. The mission of the Foundation is to provide focus and support for the collective and individual charitable and community efforts of the New York-Penn League, its Clubs, and their staff.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Donate Life Night with the 51s – Saturday, April 9

Las Vegas, NV – March 25 – During the 6th annual Donate Life Night with the Las Vegas 51s, Nevada Donor Network will invite more than 2,000 of their supporters to fill the stands at Cashman Field in honor of National Donate Life Month. Through a strong partnership with Nevada Donor Network, the Las Vegas 51s work tirelessly to maximize every opportunity to promote donation throughout the year and particularly during Donate Life Night. Fans of the Las Vegas 51s are encouraged to register as organ, eye and tissue donors, becoming “Fans for Life” in honor of the 51s.

Local Nevadans who have received a lifesaving transplant, family members of donor heroes, and living donors will be introduced alongside Las Vegas 51s players during the pregame. One of the evening’s very special honorees, Manny Solis, was diagnosed at just two months old with Denys-Drash syndrome. The rare genetic disorder caused his kidneys to deteriorate to the extent they needed to be removed. He stopped growing. Learning to walk was out of the question as Manny was imprisoned in his crib, enduring 10 to 15 hours of dialysis a day to survive. His adopted mother, Cynthia, gave him the gift of life when Manny was just two years old by donating one of her kidneys to him. Now a happy, healthy seven year old, Manny will be throwing out the honorary first pitch of the night!

Nevada Donor Network will have several information tables at the event to promote donation and encourage all in attendance to register as a donor hero in honor of the more than 120,000 people in the U.S. awaiting a lifesaving gift.

WHAT:           Donate Life Night with the Las Vegas 51s

WHO:             Nevada Donor Network and Las Vegas 51s

WHERE:         Cashman Field, 850 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV 89101

WHEN:           7:05pm Saturday April 9, 2016: Las Vegas 51s vs. Fresno Grizzlies

CONTACT:     Kelli Little, Nevada Donor Network, 702-750-3377 (office), 503-871-5772 (cell)

Jim Gemma, Las Vegas 51s, (702) 943-7226 (office)

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.