Archives for September 2016

Miracle League Baseball Field and Inclusive Playground Initiative Planned in Eastlake near Classic Park

(Eastlake, OH) – A collaboration of leaders in Lake County have put together a fundraising task force and campaign to create an exciting project geared toward children and adults with developmental disabilities. The project is planned at the corner of Route 91 and Vine Street in Eastlake, adjacent to Classic Park, and will include construction of a Miracle League baseball playing field and a large, inclusive playground which will provide play opportunities for individuals with all abilities. An official press conference will be held with members of the community and media at Classic Park on Thursday, September 29 at 1 PM.

There are over 2,000 residents in Lake County alone who will be able to utilize these new facilities which will be open year-round to residents across northeast Ohio. The project will cost approximately $1.2 million to develop and build the Miracle League field and playground. This initiative will be 100% financed through private contributions and donations. The group spearheading this project has already received support from the Lubrizol Foundation, CT Consultants, members of the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council, the Lake County Captains, Captains Charities, and the Deepwood Foundation.

The Miracle League is a nationwide program with over 270 fields across the country. Their goal is to provide opportunities for children with physical and intellectual disabilities to play baseball and be part of a team. The Miracle League’s website is www.miracleleague.com for more detailed information on the league.

The team of leaders initially putting together this initiative includes the Lake County Commissioners, City of Eastlake Mayor Dennis Morley, Lake County Ohio Port and Economic Development Authority Executive Director Mark Rantala, Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities/Deepwood Superintendent Elfie Roman, Deepwood Foundation Executive Director Rikke Coach, Lake County Educational Service Center Superintendent Brian Bontempo and Lake County Captains General Manager Neil Stein.

Commissioner Judy Moran, in announcing the creation of the task force said, “I am proud to be a part of the group that has been assembled for this very special Miracle League project. The field and playground will be a place for kids and young adults to come from all over the county and the City of Eastlake to enjoy the things we all do every day. It is a heart-warming project that will put a smile on the faces of everyone involved. The Miracle League Field and Playground will enhance this County as a wonderful place for special needs individuals and their families.”

Lake County residents with special needs already recognize the high quality of community support through Deepwood and the Lake County school systems. Elfie Roman from Deepwood said, “This project epitomizes the inclusive spirit of our Lake County community, and reinforces that all our citizens, of differing abilities, can live, work, and play together!” Eastlake Mayor Dennis Morley commented, “I believe this is a great project for our community. This is not just for Eastlake but for all of Lake County and the surrounding area. I am honored to work with everyone on this task force to bring this project together for the very special group of kids and adults. This will be a special place for everyone to enjoy.”

The funds will be collected by the Deepwood Foundation and Executive Director, Rikke Coach, and will be tax deductible. The fundraising campaign will be led by fundraising Campaign Chairman Morris Beverage III and will begin in September with a goal of having the funds raised by the end of March in 2017. LCOPEDA Director, Mark Rantala said, “This is a very special project and we look forward to making this happen. Community resources like this enhance the County’s ability to attract a quality workforce. The Commissioners’ commitment recognizes that quality of life items are important to the attractiveness of the community. I am confident we can raise the funds.”

For more information on how to get involved with the project contact Mark Rantala at 440-357-2290 x232 or via e-mail at MRantala@lcport.org. Organizations interested in making a financial contribution to the project can contact Rikke Coach with the Deepwood Foundation at 440-350-5208 or Rikke.Coach@lakebdd.org.

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

Helping Hand: Power donate $50,000

Charleston, WV (September 29, 2016) –  The West Virginia Power, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Pirates, are pleased to announce that their ongoing flood relief efforts have raised $50,000 for the West Virginia Region of the American Red Cross. The flooding that occurred in late June devastated 44 counties across the state of West Virginia and the Power immediately began relief efforts at Appalachian Power Park. Power fans and many of the team’s partners made sizable donations to the collection efforts, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pyrotechnico and Success Promotions.

“Our community was hit hard by this natural disaster,” stated Ken Fogel, Executive Vice President of the West Virginia Power. “Our fans, employees, friends and even some corporate partners were affected by the flooding. It was our goal to help in any way possible to begin the relief and recovery process. We are thrilled by the response and the donation we can now make on behalf of those who support us.”

During Power games, the team also used a variety of avenues enabling fans help the flood relief efforts as well. In addition to donation points located around the ballpark, charity t-shirts printed by T-Graphics were sold, proceeds from the nightly 50-50 were allocated and a portion of online tickets sales were donated to the relief effort.

The Power and Pirates Charities worked together to collect and donate dog food for the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association. KCHA spent the weeks following the flooding rescuing animals displaced during the disaster. Power fans could drop bags of dog food off at the park and the players held a dog food drive at PetSmart in Southridge. On August 9, Pirates Baseball Charities arranged for 50 pallets of dog food to be delivered on behalf of the West Virginia Power and Ainsworth, one of the Pittsburgh Pirates partners.

“We are proud to partner with everyone at the West Virginia Power in support of the recovery efforts of those effected by the historic and devastating floods.” said Bob Nutting, the Pittsburgh Pirates Chairman. “The Power organization is a Pirates affiliate both on and off the field, as we both share in the same deep rooted commitment to help improve the lives of those in need.”

For more information on the monetary donation or other flood relief efforts that the Power held, please front office at (304) 344-2287.

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

Hot Rods to Host Annual Halloween Event

Bowling Green, KY – The Bowling Green Hot Rods announced on Wednesday that the team will once again celebrate Halloween at the ballpark by hosting the newly branded Hot RodderWeen event on Sunday, October 23. The free event will take place from 2-4 p.m., and will include a new haunted clubhouse tour, trick or treating, photo booth, costume contests, and more.

“Our Halloween event has become a staple on our offseason calendar and we love hosting this free event for the community,” said Hot Rods General Manager Eric C. Leach. “In addition to the costume contest and trick or treating, we are adding in a haunted clubhouse tour, which will be a lot of fun for both kids and adults.”

The Hot RodderWeen event will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 23 and will run until 4 p.m., rain or shine. Attendees are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes, as there will be a costume contest for both children and adults. The event is also dog-friendly (they must be on a leash) as the Hot Rods will have a special costume contest for all dogs in attendance.

Attendees will be able to trick or treat at various locations throughout the ballpark, including the Graves Gilbert Carousel and Van Meter Insurance Axle’s Adventureland playground. A photo booth will be set-up for families to document their outing at the ballpark. And the Body Shop, official merchandise store of the Hot Rods, will be open so fans can stock up on their favorite orange Hot Rods apparel. Hot dogs, popcorn, and soda will all be available for $1.00.

The Hot Rods welcome any community organization or business that would like to hand out candy at the event. If interested, please contact Jennifer Johnson at 270-901-2121 or by email via jjohnson@bghotrods.com.

The Hot Rods open their ninth season in South Central Kentucky on Thursday, April 6th against the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Mini-plans and season tickets are now available for the 2017 season at the Hot Rods front office and online at BGHotRods.com.

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Hot Rods Baseball – #FanDriven

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

Baysox Nominated for Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award

BOWIE, Md. – The Bowie Baysox and the Eastern League of Professional Baseball Clubs announce that the Baysox are the league’s nominee for the Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award, presented to a club for outstanding support of and engagement with the United States Armed Forces and veterans, both at the ballpark and in the community.

An overall winner is selected from among the nominees from each league by Minor League Baseball and honored at the 2016 Baseball Winter Meetings at National Harbor, Md.

Located just miles from Washington, DC and several United States military bases, including the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the Baysox take great pride in their relationship with area active military and veterans. The team hosts a number of military-themed events throughout the season in addition to nightly ticket discounts for current and former military and monthly Military Appreciation Nights that include additional ticket discounts.

One of the highlights of the Baysox promotional calendar is Navy Night, held in early August. The team donates 5,000 tickets to local Naval personnel, distributed through local MWR offices, and the Baysox also host the entire Summer Plebe Class from the Naval Academy. As their summer program comes to an end, the Naval Academy’s incoming 1,200 person freshman class gets to enjoy a Baysox game while wearing their dress white uniforms in public for the first time.

For the third consecutive season, the Baysox also honored local current and former military heroes with a special baseball card set giveaway on Friday, Aug. 26. Earlier in the season, the Baysox received nominations from friends and family for military heroes to include in the 18-card set. The team invited each military hero out to the game for special recognition as the baseball cards were distributed to fans in attendance.

Throughout the season, the Baysox also hosted special nights for the individuals and families serving at Joint Base Andrews and Fort Meade. Free tickets were distributed to the bases and men and women from the bases were recognized throughout the game. The Baysox also invite service members to perform the National Anthem and Honorary Color Guards to present the colors during games throughout the season, including Memorial Day and Independence Day.

The team’s relationship with the local military does not exist only during Baysox games. Throughout the season, the Baysox mascot Louie could be found at community military events throughout the region. The Baysox also partnered with the Travis Manion Foundation for their 9/11 Heroes 5K run in Annapolis and with the Vet Tix organization to provide free Baysox tickets to active military and their families throughout the season. For the fourth season, the Baysox also hosted the Amputee Warrior Softball Classic at Prince George’s Stadium in June. The charity softball game teamed NFL stars, including Redskins DeSean Jackson and Bashaud Breeland, with members of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team with proceeds benefitting the Connected Warrior Foundation, Yellow Ribbon Fund and WWAST.

The Baysox front office staff also got involved during the 2016 season by participating in the #22KILL push-up challenge. Prior to each home game, the Baysox front office staff did 22 push-ups to help raise awareness to the 22 military veterans, on average, who commit suicide each day. The Baysox began participating in this challenge in May and collectively, completed nearly 12,500 push-ups during the season. Videos can be found on the Baysox and 22KILL Facebook pages.

The Bowie Baysox season is presented by Money One Federal Credit Union. The Baysox season has ended, but the team will return in 2017 to celebrate its 25th Season. The team’s 2017 home opener will be Thursday, April 14 against the Harrisburg Senators at 6:35 p.m. To keep up with Baysox news during the offseason, visit baysox.com

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

JDRF One Walk Dayton at Fifth Third Field Saturday

Dayton, OH – JDRF Southwest Ohio will host its annual JDRF One Walk Dayton on Saturday, October 1 at Fifth Third Field, where more than 2,500 participants are expected.

The event is one of more than 200 community Walks nationwide that bring together thousands of people each year who share JDRF’s mission to create a world without T1D.

Walk check-in begins at 8:00 am. The 4k walk, which begins at 9:00 a.m., starts and ends at Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton.

The Walk’s Corporate Co-Chairs this year are Steve Petitjean, Market Manager at Fifth Third Bank and Liz Heitner, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Synchrony Financial. There is also a committee of lead volunteers and walk coaches driving the Walk to success.

“Our mission at JDRF is to turn type one into type none, and participating in the JDRF One Walk Dayton is a great way for individuals to support the Dayton community and experience a fun event. This year’s Walk features the One Walk Model, which focuses on JDRF’s mission to fund research for a cure for type one diabetes. We hope attendees will enjoy returning to Fifth Third Field as we’ve add some extra fun surprises for this year.” said Samantha Redden, Dayton Development Coordinator for JDRF Southwest Ohio.

JDRF One Walk is the most powerful peer-to-peer fundraising program in the world for T1D, raising more than $75 million annually. As JDRF’s flagship fundraising event and the largest T1D event in the world, JDRF One Walk provides the perfect opportunity to get more involved in your local JDRF community and show your commitment to creating a world without T1D.

Since 1992, the event has raised more than $1 billion dollars for life-changing T1D research-research that has led to breakthrough discoveries, many of which have already moved into clinical trials and real-world testing. Although there has been considerable progress, there is plenty more we have yet to accomplish. View past JDRF One Walk Dayton event photos at their Flickr page.

JDRF gratefully acknowledges its national corporate partners who support its efforts to create a world without T1D. The JDRF One Walk Elite Partners include Advance Auto Parts, Ford Motor Company, Lilly Diabetes, Marshalls, Novo Nordisk and Walgreens. Local corporate partners for Southwest Ohio’s Walk include Fifth Third Bank, Synchrony Financial, Messer Construction, Dayton Childrens, Heidelberg Distributing, Ford Lima Engine Plant, RSM and Fifth Third Field. Event day emcees are John Seibel from WDTN with and Frye Guy from K99.1 FM.

Interested participants can find more information and register at walk.jdrf.org/dayton or by contacting the Southwest Ohio office at (937) 690-9176.

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About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal.

Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $1.6 billion to diabetes research. Past JDRF efforts have helped to significantly advance the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. For more information, please visit swo.jdrf.org or connect with us on Facebook (JDRFSWOhio) or Twitter (JDRFSWOhio).

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

66ers Honored with California League’s Award for Community Service

San Bernardino, CA – On Friday the California League announced the 2016 Front Office Awards and named the Inland Empire 66ers the winner of the Excellence in Community Service Award. The award, which was voted on by the other organizations in the California League, was given to the 66ers due to their outstanding and on-going commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within the local community.

The Sixers received high praise from the league for their efforts and commitment to the community following the tragic events on December 2nd. A day after the incident, thousands came to San Manuel Stadium to attend a candlelight and prayer vigil. Victim’s families and friends, civic leaders and the community at large started healing the healing process together. On this night “SB Strong” came into existence and an organic fundraising opportunity happened after multiple attendees asked where they could buy tee shirts with the SB Strong logo on them. The fundraiser was a great success as over 2,000 shirts were purchased with 100% of the proceeds heading to the San Bernardino United Relief Fund. Following the vigil the club would go on to host a luncheon for the first responders, a SB Strong Charity Picnic and Blood Drive and the team’s SB Strong Night Game. During this game the Sixers and the visiting San Jose Giants wore specialty SB Strong jerseys that went up for auction to raise funds for the cause. In total, $74,115.26 was raised for the victims and their families through events held at San Manuel Stadium.

The 66ers continued their excellence in community service by closely working with local schools in several ways. The team’s reading program, which provided tickets for children and their families for reading, saw an increase in participation by over 30%. In addition, the club introduced the Breakfast with a Book Program in which students were rewarded for their academic efforts by receiving breakfast and a new book courtesy of the club. The commitment to the area didn’t stop there as the 66ers worked with over 200 local partners that had an impact of over $400,000 in donations during the 2016 Season.

About the Inland Empire 66ers

The Inland Empire 66ers are the California League Affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels and play their home games at San Manuel Stadium. The club is one of eight Elmore Sports Group owned franchises and one the six Minor League Baseball clubs in the group. Other Elmore Sports Group baseball franchises include the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Pacific Coast League), The San Antonio Missions (Texas League), Lynchburg Hillcats (Carolina League), Eugene Emeralds (Northwest League), and the Idaho Fall Chukars (Pioneer League). The 66ers franchise will play their 30th season in San Bernardino during the 2017 season which starts on Thursday, April 6th.

Follow the 66ers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @66ersbaseball

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

B-Mets Issue Reading Challenge To Binghamton Schools

BINGHAMTON, NY – On Wednesday, September 21, 2016 the Binghamton Mets issued a reading challenge to all of the elementary schools within the Binghamton Central School District. The grand prize – the winning school will assist the Double-A Mets Affiliate with the announcement of their new team name in November.

It was important for the organization to partner with the local Binghamton Central School District elementary schools as a way of furthering our ties to the local Binghamton community. At the end of the day, the Double-A Mets Affiliate will proudly say “Binghamton” right across the chest of the jerseys. Therefore, we are proud to partner with Calvin Coolidge, Benjamin Elementary, Horace Mann, MacArthur, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Woodrow Wilson, and St. John’s for this friendly challenge amongst the Binghamton schools.

From September 21st through October 21st the Binghamton Mets are looking to see which of the eight schools can read the most combined minutes per student. Each student within the district has been provided with an Independent Reading log to track his or her progress. For the entire month (as well as the entire school year) students will keep track of all their time spent reading within the classroom and outside the classroom. On October 24th all schools will submit their final data for the Binghamton Mets staff to review. After all of the data is reviewed the Binghamton Mets will announce the winners of the reading challenge that same week.

The winning school will then be bused and provided lunch at NYSEG Stadium in November for the unveiling of the new team.

For more information please call 607.723.METS or email eddie@bmets.com.

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

Fifth Third Field to Host AHA Walk/Run on Saturday

Dayton, Ohio – Fifth Third Field will host the American Heart Association’s Greater Dayton 5K Heart Walk/Run on Saturday, September 24th from 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. A signature event of the American Heart Association, the Heart Walk/Run promotes physical activity and healthy living in an environment that’s fun for the whole family. All proceeds will go toward funding research and education involving the reduction of heart disease and stroke. Individuals or teams can register online at heart.org/daytonwalk or by calling Kim Doherty at (937) 853-3110.

The Walk/Run is specifically designed for children and adults of all ages and abilities. Day-of registration starts at 7:30 a.m., which is also when the gates open at Fifth Third Field. Before the event begins, families can roam the concourse or enjoy a fun and interactive health and wellness fair on the plaza. Sponsors will give out a heart-healthy snack and allow attendees to check blood pressure and help figure out body mass index (BMI). There will be inflatable games for children to enjoy, and Dragons mascots Heater and Gem will roam the concourse and take pictures with those in attendance.

Heart disease and stroke survivors are also encouraged to visit the survivor area, created especially for the “honored guests” of the Heart Walk. Special gifts will be available to survivors at the walk.

The third annual Kids Fun Run/Walk will begin shortly after 8:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies begin at 9:00 a.m. The 5K Race and Heart Walk is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

Registration is quick and easy if you visit heart.org/daytonwalk. Once you click “Register,” you can join a team, join as an individual, or start your own team. After you complete registration, you can personalize your site and invite friends and family to participate or sponsor your efforts.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION OF GREATER DAYTON

Located in Kettering, the American Heart Association of Greater Dayton covers 12 counties in the area and is committed to fighting heart disease and stroke throughout Ohio. The mission of the American Heart Association is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Currently, the American Heart Association is funding $660,000 of experimental research at Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine. For more information, visit heart.org/dayton.

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

Missing Children Shown on ONEOK Field Sign Found

The Tulsa Drillers are thrilled to announce that three of the missing children seen on signage at ONEOK Field this season have been located and returned home safely.

Fans may recall seeing pictures of Ziare McDonald from Oklahoma City, Michaela Brummett from Eufaula and Jazmin Fonseca from Oologah on BairFind Foundation signage located on the first base concourse between Drill Bits and the main concession stands.

The BairFind Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding missing children, confirmed that Ziare, Michaela and Jazmin had all been found and safely returned home. It was also verified that Michaela was located and rescued in Tulsa, while Jazmin was found in Glenpool after being missing for over a year.

“This year we featured over 500 kids in MiLB ballparks, and so far 169 have been safely located,” said BairFind Foundation Director Dennis Bair.

The search continues for Paige Moore from Broken Arrow, as the 18-year-old is the only remaining missing child seen on the BairFind Foundation’s poster this season. Fans wishing to learn more about the BairFind Foundation can visit their website at www.bairfind.org.

The Foundation would like to highlight the fact that the top proven method to locating missing children is to have as many eyes as possible looking. If you or someone you know has any information on the whereabouts of a missing child, please call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or visit www.missingkids.org to report the information.

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

Register for Fang’s Reading Club

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The 2017 edition of Fang’s Reading Club is open for enrollment now! The club is presented by Learning Rx and is an incentive-based rewards program that encourages reading development in children from grades K through 5. Teachers and reading coordinators have until Friday, November 18 to get involved in this popular Timber Rattlers program.

Personnel at participating schools have the flexibility to design the program to meet the needs of their students. The Timber Rattlers and various sponsors will provide students with incentive prizes as they reach goals within the program. Students who meet all of their goals for the program are rewarded with a FREE ticket as part of their school’s Family Night at a Timber Rattlers game in 2017.

The Timber Rattlers and the sponsors of Fang’s Reading Club will provide:

  • An introductory letter to be sent to parents at the start of the program.
  • Baseball related verification aids to help parents and teachers track the progress of participants.
  • Incentive prizes for students as they reach each goal set by the coordinator.
  • A FREE ticket to a 2017 Timber Rattlers game with a hot dog & soda voucher for students who complete the program.
  • Information to aid schools in setting up their Family Night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Please head to Fang’s Reading Club page at the Timber Rattlers website for full details, including a sample timeline, dates for Reading Club games, and how your school can schedule a visit from Fang.

The sponsors of Fang’s Reading Club in 2017 are Learning Rx, Badger Sports Park, and Feeding America.

Contact Dayna Baitinger at dbaitinger@timberrattlers.com, (800) WI-TIMBER, or (920) 733-4152 if you have any questions or would like to register your class or school for this year’s club.

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

Dragons to Host Fifth Third Bank College Prep Night

Dayton, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons and Fifth Third Bank will hold College Prep Night, a free educational event for prospective college students, at Fifth Third Field on Wednesday, September 28 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. College Prep Night is a one-stop college resource event to guide incoming college students and their parents through the process of planning an educational path. High school students can talk to representatives from many of the region’s top colleges, and one lucky student in attendance will win a $1,000 college scholarship.

More than 1,000 students and their guests attend and more than 40 colleges and universities participate in this free event. Among the colleges scheduled to appear are Miami (Ohio) University, Purdue University, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, University of Kentucky, Wright State University, and many more schools from around the region. Representatives will be on hand to answer whatever questions that students might have about college life at each particular school.

The $1,000 scholarship will be given away during the event to one lucky college-bound student. To be entered to win, parents or students must RSVP before the event at www.daytondragons.com/collegeprep and must attend the event.

In addition to visiting with the different schools, students and parents can participate in many of the dynamic, informative workshops that will tell them everything they need to know about college. Fifth Third Bank will educate attendees on navigating financial aid and how to pay for college.

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

Missing Child Found with Spinners Help

LOWELL, MA – The Lowell Spinners, short season affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, are proud to announce that Edward Vasquez, a missing child whose picture was prominently displayed at LeLacheur Park this season, has been safely located in Springfield, MA.

Vasquez, in addition to three other missing children, had his picture posted on a sign from the BairFind Foundation, an organization dedicated to locating missing children, at LeLacheur Park this season. He was reported missing in April and was found in his hometown of Springfield. The three other missing children from the sign, Skyelee Housman, Derrick DeSouza, and Charlotte Lowell, have all been found as well. This marks the second season in a row that the BairFind Foundation and the Spinners have teamed up in an effort to find missing local children. For more information on the BairFind Foundation, visit bairfind.org.

“We could not be happier that all four children pictured in LeLacheur Park have been located and are now safe, sound and reunited with their families,” said Spinners’ owner Dave Heller. “The more eyes that are looking for a child, the more likely that child will be found, and the support this great community has given to the Bair Foundation and our outstanding law enforcement authorities has been overwhelming — and has produced real results for four families. This is a grand-slam day for Lowell!”

“BairFind is proud to partner with the Lowell Spinners, as they joined in the search for Edward Vasquez and three other missing children since opening day.” said BairFind founder Dennis Bair “It feels great to know that those children have been located safely this summer. The Spinners have made LeLacheur Park a powerful resource for their community in the search for missing kids.”

The Spinners recently concluded their 2016 season with the winningest season in team history and a Stedler Division title. The team will return for the 2017 season in June.

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

D-Braves nominated for Charles Murphy Patriot Award

DANVILLE, Va. – The Appalachian League announced its nominations for the Minor League Baseball Annual Awards Wednesday afternoon, with the Danville Braves earning the league’s nomination for the Charles Murphy Patriot Award. The award is presented to a team who demonstrates “outstanding support of and engagement with the United States Armed Forces and veterans, both at the ballpark and in the community.”

The D-Braves placed a strong focus on recognizing and honoring the military throughout the month of July during the 2016 season, with each Friday game and the team’s July 3rd contest being dubbed Military Appreciation Night presented by Angus Heating and Air and Blue Ridge Beverage. The Braves’ wore special military-themed jerseys on each of the Military Appreciation Nights, with the game-used jerseys being auctioned off to benefit the Danville Veterans Memorial and the Fort Bragg Fisher House.

Additionally, the D-Braves welcomed members of the Dan River High School J-ROTC for the National Anthem prior to each game on Military Appreciation Nights.

“We are honored to represent the Appalachian League for this award,” said D-Braves General Manager David Cross. “The U.S. Military and their families have provided more than we can ever repay, and honoring them in the ways we have is the least we can do.”

This year’s Charles Murphy Patriot Award will be presented at the 2016 Baseball Winter Meetings to be held in National Harbor, Maryland from December 4-8.

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

Hops For Hospice Beer Festival Oct. 1

The Clearwater Threshers will be hosting the 8th Annual Hops For Hospice Beer Festival at Bright House Field on Saturday, October 1, from 4-8 p.m. The fundraiser event benefits Empath Health and the Suncoast Hospice Foundation. Over 100 different beers will be available for sample on the concourse from JJ Taylor, Great Bay Distributors and local breweries.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Tickets are limited and often sell out. Every attendee will receive a complimentary miniature beer mug for samples.

Tickets may be purchased at the Bright House Field ticket office, online at HopsforHospice.com or by phone at 727-467-4457.

You must be 21+ years old with a valid photo ID to attend the festival. Parking at Bright House Field and Joe DiMaggio Field is $5 the day of the event.

*Presale of tickets and online sales end at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Sep. 30. After this time, the TICKETS link below will be inactive. The Bright House Field box office will open at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, for day-of sales.* 

TICKETS 727-467-4457

Hops For Hospice website

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

Missing children from D-Braves’ BairFind sign found

DANVILLE, Va. – The Danville Braves are pleased to announce that two of the missing children featured on the BairFind sign at Legion Field have been found. Maria de los Angeles Avendano Ramos and Peter Van der Linden have both been located and returned home safely after their pictures were featured on signage at the D-Braves’ stadium throughout the 2016 season.

The search continues for Samantha Clarke and Shimeaka Gibson, the two remaining missing children featured on the D-Braves’ BairFind sign in 2016. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a missing child is encouraged to call 1-800-THE-LOST.

The BairFind Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to locating missing children that has partnered with Minor League Baseball to promote its efforts. The organization works with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to feature missing children specific to an MiLB team’s geographic location on signage at ballparks across the country.

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