Archives for May 2017

Senators Annual Pink Night is August 19

The Harrisburg Senators Annual Pink Night is Saturday, August 19 when the Senators play the New York Yankees double-A affiliate the Trenton Thunder. This season, the Senators are honoring survivors of breast cancer by using their names to create pinstripes on the Senators’ special Pink Night jersey.

The jersey will be pinstriped made from the survivor’s names. Starting now, and extending through June 13th, fans will be able to submit an entry with the names of anyone who has battled breast cancer. All names submitted will be used on the jerseys.

The Senators will invite all individuals who have battled breast cancer to take part in a pre-game human pink ribbon in the outfield during the National Anthem including family members. There will also be a banner on display that evening with every name of every survivor from the submissions.

For more information about Pink Night or to submit a name, click navigate to senatorsbaseball.com/pinknight. Submissions must be made online. For questions about Pink Night please call the Senators at 717-231-4444 and ask for either Ashley Grotte, Jessica Moyer or JK McKay.

Tickets for the Pink Night game, and every game this season, can be purchased Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available via telephone during the same hours as the box office hours. Tickets are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online at www.senatorsbaseball.com. You can find the Senators on Facebook at facebook.com/senatorsbaseball or @hbgsenators

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

TinCaps Continue Tradition with Military Appreciation Night

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps once again have partnered with the OmniSource Corporation and Steel Dynamics Inc. to welcome military personnel to Parkview Field for Military Appreciation Night on Tuesday, June 27, when the team hosts the South Bend Cubs (Chicago Cubs) at 7:05 p.m.

Complimentary tickets are currently available for military families-both active and veteran-to enjoy the game on June 27, thanks to the generosity of the OmniSource Corporation and Steel Dynamics Inc., and caring individual donors.

 

“It’s an honor to provide military families the appreciation they deserve on this special night,” said TinCaps President, Mike Nutter. “This gives us an opportunity to give back to the men and women, and their loved ones, who’ve done so much for this country. We’re proud to have partners in the OmniSource Corporation and Steel Dynamics Inc. to help us host this night.”

 

“The men and women of our OmniSource and SDI family are proud and honored to be a part of this celebration for our courageous United States military heroes,” said Russ Rinn, President & COO of the OmniSource Corporation. “We all know that because of them, we live in freedom.”

 

The TinCaps also have continued their partnerships with multiple military organizations offering military personnel in attendance the chance to visit kiosks highlighting many of the support organizations and offerings available to military-active and veteran-in the area.

 

For this game, TinCaps players will be wearing red, white, and blue jerseys designed by Rebekah Frey, a student at the University of St. Francis. The TinCaps also will wear these jerseys on the Fourth of July. On Independence Day, the jerseys will be auctioned off on TinCapsJersey.com, with proceeds being donated to Honor Flight Northeast Indiana.

 

Military personnel and their family who are eligible to request tickets to Military Appreciation Night can visit TinCapsMilitary.com for more information. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Those with questions can contact Aron Brecht of the TinCaps at 260-407-2809 or Brecht@TinCaps.com.

 

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

Wings of Hope event set for Aug. 13

Rochester Community Baseball, the Rochester Red Wings, Sharing Kindness, Inc., and Villa of Hope held a press conference to announce a new initiative, “Wings of Hope” to raise awareness of suicide risk factors, suicide prevention and community resources for treatment. A special day at the ballpark has been scheduled for Sunday, August 13.

Dan Mason, General Manager of the Rochester Red Wings and Villa of Hope President and CEO, Christina Gullo was joined on May 24 by Red Wings players Jason Wheeler, John Ryan Murphy, D.J. Baxendale, ByungHo Park, Trevor Hildenberger, and Alan Busenitz. Wheeler spoke on behalf of his teammates and shared his experience demonstrating the importance of this partnership.

Jason Wheeler and his family know the effect suicide has on a family, “Mental illness and suicide have personally affected me and my family. We lost my 16 year-old brother-in-law Jeremy, almost eight months ago. Since this tragedy, we have been astonished at not only how common mental illness and suicide are, but also how unable we are as a society to speak about them because of the strong stigma associated with these issues. As a family, we are working towards eliminating stigma surrounding suicide, and changing the perception in our communities that mental illness is different from any other illness. We feel very fortunate to be partnering with the Red Wings and Villa of Hope to help raise mental health awareness, improve education, and start an ongoing conversation about suicide, both in the Rochester community and nationwide.”

Dan Mason, General Manager of the Rochester Red Wings shares, “We are fortunate to have great players on our team but even more fortunate that these young men are outstanding citizens who want to make a difference in the lives of other people. It is atypical for a minor league baseball player to sponsor a promotion for his team and we are thrilled that Jason is partnering with us and our friends at the Villa of Hope to help raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention and mental health. This is a very personal matter for he and his family and everyone at Rochester Community Baseball applauds and supports him for using his status as a professional baseball player to raise awareness and funding for such an important topic in our society today. ”

Five months ago, Villa of Hope moved into its new, larger Behavioral Health (Mental Health and Chemical Dependency) Outpatient Clinic at Water Tower Park in response to the rapidly growing need in the Rochester area. Christina Gullo, President and CEO of Villa of Hope states, “Twelve percent of children under the age of 18 have considered suicide in the past year and seven percent attempted it. S uicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24. As a community we need to have the resources for parents and kids to find help before these become life-altering or life-threatening events.”

Special Red Wings jerseys, hats, socks and Minnesota Twins collectibles will be available for auction at the Sunday, August 13th game at 1:35 p.m. All proceeds of the auction will benefit Villa of Hope and Sharing Kindness, Inc. That game is a designated “Kids Club Day” and will include sports entertainer “BirdZerk!” and a chance for kids to run the bases with Spikes and Mittsy after the game.

About Sharing Kindess

Sharing Kindness is a newly-formed non-profit, started by the Walters family after the death by suicide of their 16 year old son Jeremy, in October of 2016. It is dedicated to overcoming the stigma surrounding mental illness, depression and suicide. Sharing Kindness is about having the courage and compassion to start and sustain the conversation in our communities about these issues that have traditionally been so difficult to talk about. We are currently developing and helping fund various awareness and education programs in the lower and outer towns of Cape Cod, MA, an area plagued with higher than average rates of suicide, with special focus on our schools.

About Villa of Hope

Through a network of high quality programs and services, Villa of Hope specializes in helping at-risk youth overcome emotional and behavioral challenges and build lifelong strengths. The Villa’s community-based, residential and educational programs address mental health needs, trauma-informed care, life-skills development, and chemical dependency. Founded in 1942, today Villa of Hope serves more than 3,000 young people and their families annually.

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

Deadline for $5000 scholarships extended to June 14th

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The South Bend Cubs have extended the deadline for scholarships reserved for college bound high school seniors to June 14, 2017. Up to $25,000 will be awarded to softball and baseball players from 11 counties surrounding Four Winds Field in South Bend.

“We make no small plans here at Four Winds Field. Nor should the young men and in this region who compete in high school softball and baseball,” commented Andrew T, Berlin, Chmn./Owner of the South Bend Cubs. “These are for any senior softball or baseball player who intends to continue his or her education full time after high school – whether they continue playing ball in college or not.”

In 2016, The South Bend Cubs awarded five scholarships worth $5,000 each to high school seniors from Edwardsburg, MI, Bremen, LaPorte, South Bend and Walkerton, IN. Two of the recipients were softball players, three were baseball players.

Applications for the 2017 South Bend Cubs Scholarships will be accepted until the close of business at the 1st Source Bank Performance Center at Four Winds Field on June 14, 2017. Up to five (5) $5,000 scholarships will be granted. A full set of rules, eligibility requirements and an application form can be found online at www.1stSourceBankPerformanceCenter.com.

“We want to make sure people understand two things about these scholarships that are very important,” added Joe Hart, President of the South Bend Cubs. “These are not just baseball scholarships. We hope to see as many softball applicants as baseball. And we want people to know that we’re doing our part to build a new baseball and softball dynasty in this region. That’s what the 1st Source Bank Performance Center here at Four Winds Field is all about-year-round professional pitching, conditioning, fielding and at-bat training with professional instructors.

About the South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs are the Class A minor league affiliate of the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 29 seasons, the team has won five Midwest League titles, most recently in 2005, and has captured 12 division titles. In 2015 the team was named Ballpark Digest‘s Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President’s Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill.

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

SMOKIES WILL HOST TENTH ANNUAL SALUTE TO HEROES NIGHT

SEVIERVILLE – The Tennessee Smokies will host their tenth annual Salute to Heroes Night presented by the Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union on Saturday, May 27. The game is set for a 7:00 p.m. first pitch, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m.

Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and a special pre-game tribute honoring the brave men and women of our armed forces will begin at 6 p.m. The pre-game ceremony will consist of highlighting Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for the purpose of raising awareness and directing attention to local resources, a flyover, live rendition of the service branch medley, three-volley salute, enlistment oath ceremony, and much more.

Free tickets will be provided to all past and present military members, courtesy of LaborExchange and Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network. Each veteran, active duty service member, or reserve or guard member will be able to receive up to four free tickets, and additional tickets may be purchased at a discounted rate. Military members will need to provide a form of military identification (DD214, military ID, veteran ID, etc.) in order to receive their free tickets for Saturday’s game at the designated military ticket table in front of the will call booth outside of the stadium.

“I don’t think we could ever say thank you enough to those who protect our country,” stated Smokies President and COO Chris Allen. “This night allows us to show recognition to all of our military heroes as well as local heroes around our community. This is a special night, and we look forward to this every year as we will say thank you to all of our veterans, and raise awareness for PTSD throughout the night.”

Military themed jerseys will be worn by the team for Salute To Heroes Night, as they will be auctioned off throughout the game benefiting Remote Area Medical. The jersey auction will be available for bidding beginning on Thursday, May 25 at 10:00 a.m. through Saturday, May 27 at 8:30 p.m. Fans can place their bid on the special jerseys by using the following link: http://smokies.milbauctions.com/gallery.cfm

Limited edition “Honor Those Who Serve” T-shirts will be for sale in the GoTeez Locker Room with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1078’s efforts related to PTSD awareness and support.

The Smokies will be sporting batting helmets that will honor the memories of former local soldiers who took their own lives due to severe PTSD symptoms resulting from their time in the military. These soldiers will be commemorated with initials on the backs of the Smokies’ helmets.

A patriotic themed fireworks show will light up the sky following the game. The fireworks display is a part of the Summer Fireworks Series, presented by Coors Light and Pepsi which will feature post-game fireworks following every Friday and Saturday game through July 29.

The Smokies return home to Smokies Stadium on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 against the Biloxi Shuckers. The full schedule for this season and information regarding single-game tickets, season tickets, and mini plans can be found online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com

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

Veterans and Military Appreciation Night on June 3

TICKETS

The Clearwater Threshers will present Veterans and Military Appreciation Night with superstar wrestler Sgt. Slaughter and post-game fireworks on Saturday, June 3, at Spectrum Field. The evening is presented by Bosley and Bratch, Lawyers for Veterans. The night will also feature a hero card set giveaway, on-field ceremonies, military vehicles and equipment on display, a silent auction, and vendors on the concourse.

Professional wrestling star Sgt. Slaughter will be participating in the pregame program, and available for autographs on the concourse. Sgt. Slaughter rose to stardom in the WWE in the 1980s and 90s with his enthusiastic brand of American patriotism and his “Cobra Clutch” finishing move. Sgt. Slaughter is currently a member of the WWE Ambassador program.

The Threshers solicited nominations of local military personnel, both active and veteran, to be featured in a baseball card set of heroes that will be given away to guests as they enter the ballpark. A total of 1,000 card sets will be distributed, courtesy of Bosley and Bratch. Heroes selected for the card set, or their representatives, will be honored on the field prior to the game.

The evening will also include parachute jumpers, a swearing-in ceremony for recruits, and a silent auction fundraiser. Threshers players and coaches will be wearing special camouflage jerseys that will be included in the silent auction; winners will meet the players on-field after the game to receive their autographed jersey.

Veterans and Military Appreciation Night is in its seventh year at Spectrum Field. Representatives from the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard will be on-hand for the event. Many veterans groups and support organizations will also participate.

Returning for a second year is a softball tournament in the afternoon of Veterans and Military Appreciation Night. Four teams from the USCG Air Station Clearwater, USCG Sector St. Petersburg, VETSports Tampa, and a team of veterans from several branches will play three games starting at 1 p.m. Tickets are available for the afternoon softball games and include admission for the Threshers game and food from the Hot Corner Café.

The gates for the public will open at 5 p.m. on June 3 for the 6:15 p.m. game against the Charlotte Stone Crabs, followed by a post-game fireworks display. A portion of the proceeds from the day will benefit two local charities, the Haley House Fund and the Injured Warriors Fund. For ticket information, visit the Spectrum Field ticket office or call 727-467-4457.

TICKETS

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

Registration Open: Run Jimmy Run Charity 5K

A race that was born in the ballpark Jimmy built!

Sunday, July 16 is the 5th annual “Run Jimmy Run Charity 5K” at Coca-Cola Field, remembering Buffalo Baseball Hall of Famer Jimmy Griffin and raising important funds for the Alzheimer’s Association of WNY.

This unique race course highlights some of the beautiful sites in our city and ends in our downtown baseball park with a family oriented post-race lunch, party and ball game. The purpose of this race is to celebrate the life and accomplishments and charitable spirit of Mayor Jim Griffin through a fitness-oriented event designed for all ages.

CLICK HERE to register today!

SPECIAL EARLY REGISTRATION RAFFLE -If you register by June 16, you’ll be eligible to win the chance to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a Bisons game (subject to availability) in the very ballpark that Mayor Griffin fought so hard to construct. The special early-registration raffle will also include four tickets to a Bisons game with four hot dogs, four Coca-Cola soft drinks and four Bisons caps.

If you register before the day of the race, it’s only $35 per person! ($40 day of registration). Registration includes a ticket to the Bisons game that day at 1:05 p.m. against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, a commemorative t-shirt, a chip-timed bib, and a post-race party that will serve lunch, beer and pop.

All proceeds from the Run Jimmy Run go to the Alzheimer’s Association of WNY www.alz.org/wny and stay in Buffalo and Western New York. Here in WNY the Alzheimer’s Association is committed to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The Run Jimmy Run is committed to provide funds to the ALZ of WNY for support of patient programs here in our community.Jimmy Griffin was the Mayor of Buffalo who passionately supported the Bisons franchise. He was instrumental in bringing professional baseball back to the Queen city in 1979 and was heavily involved in the construction of Coca-Cola Field in downtown Buffalo.

For more information, please visit RunJimmyRunCharity5K.com

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

Sky Sox to dedicate POW*MIA Chair at Security Service Field

The Colorado Springs Sky Sox, in conjunction with Rolling Thunder ®, Inc Chapter 1 out of Denver, will dedicate a POW*MIA Chair of Honor at Security Service Field prior to their 7:00 PM MDT game against the New Orleans on Friday, May 26. The chair will be the first of its kind in Colorado Springs and the first in a sports facility in Colorado.

The pre-game ceremony, which will begin at 6:45 PM MDT, will include a message from Mike Messenger, the President of Rolling Thunder®, Chapter 1 Colorado, the reading of names of POW*MIA veterans from the state of Colorado and the dedication of the POW*MIA Chair of Honor.

“The POW*MIA Chair of Honor represents a void left by all American Soldiers, Marines, Airman, Seaman still missing in action, from all wars and who cannot be here with us today”, said Mike Messenger, President Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 CO. “The Chair of Honor is a symbol of their sacrifice and serves as a reminder to all Americans that It was through their sacrifices that America remains free today. It is the mission of Rolling Thunder CO 1 and all of Rolling Thunder, to lobby Washington to continue their efforts to find them and bring them home. When ONE American is not worth the effort to be found, we as Americans have lost. We want to thank the Sky Sox organization for allowing us the opportunity to present to them and the community of Colorado Springs, the first POW*MIA Chair of Honor in Colorado.”

The Chair of Honor will be adorned with a plaque reading, “This unoccupied chair is in honor of those that are still Prisoners of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA), and symbolizes there will always be a place in this stadium awaiting their return. You will not be forgotten.”

“We are very proud to partner with Rolling Thunder to honor American POWs and soldiers missing in action with a permanent Chair of Honor at Security Service Field”, said Sky Sox President & General Manager Tony Ensor. “It’s through the sacrifices of these brave men and women throughout our history that we’re able to celebrate our National Pastime as freely as we do today. This seat signifies that they will always have a home in which to return in Colorado Springs and that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

About Rolling Thunder®, Inc.:

Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization made up mostly of military veterans including many who ride motorcycles, though neither qualification is a prerequisite. The major function of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is to publicize the POW*MIA issue: To educate the public that many American Prisoners of War were left behind after all previous wars and to help correct the past and to protect the future Veterans from being left behind should they become Prisoners Of War-Missing In Action. They are committed to helping American Veterans from all wars. As a non-profit organization, everyone involved donates his or her time because they believe in the POW*MIA Issue.

The 2017 Sky Sox season is in full swing at Security Service Field. For ticket information, game schedule, promotions calendar or for additional information about the Sky Sox, call (719) 597-1449, visit SkySox.com, like us on Facebook or follow the team on Twitter at @skysox.

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

Lexington Legends Partner with Robbie Ross Jr.’s Mission 108

WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK (Lexington, KY) – The Lexington Legends are proud to partner with Robbie and Brittany Ross through their non-profit foundation Mission 108, a Human Rights organization focused on helping survivors of Human Trafficking and extreme poverty throughout the globe.

Robbie Ross Jr., a Lexington native and graduate of Lexington Christian Academy, is a current professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox organization. Robbie and his wife Brittany started Mission 108 in 2012 while working with underserved communities in Lexington. While traveling and exploring different cultures as an MLB family, they experienced firsthand the impact that modern day slavery and extreme poverty has on people throughout the globe. Robbie and Brittany realized that their mission needed to be centered on empowering the vulnerable and serving those affected by Human Trafficking.

Mission 108 came to the Legends through the Community Organization of the Night program, a free opportunity the Legends offer to non-profits throughout the region at every Legends home game, to provide a platform for those organizations to inform the public about their cause and good works. Mission 108 will be the Community Organization of the Night on Sunday, May 28, 2017.

In addition to hosting an informational table in the concourse, participating in a pregame on-field interview and on air radio interview during the game, the Lexington Legends and Mission 108 are holding a Mystery Autograph Baseball Grab Bag Event in the concourse during the Legends game on May 28, 2017 at 2:05pm when the Legends take on Tim Tebow and the Columbia Fireflies.

Autographed Baseballs will be available for $30.00 each and in unmarked numbered bags. Fans participating in the Grab Bag Event will have a chance at over 60 different baseballs autographed by Major League Baseball Players, Top Prospects in the Royals and Nationals organizations, former UK Basketball and Football players and Legends 2017 Team signed balls.  In order to participate in the Mystery Autograph Baseball Grab Bag Event, fans must have a ticket to the May 28, 2017 Legends game.

“Mission 108 is excited to combine our love for baseball with our passion for anti-human trafficking at this event. Funds raised from this mystery ball event go directly to those affected. It will be a great time, and we hope to see all of you there. Thank you for your support” states Brittany Ross, co-founder of Mission 108.

For more information, about Mission 108 visit www.mission108.com or about the Mystery Ball Grab Bag Event and Legends Community Organization of the Night, contact Jillian Waitkus at jwaitkus@lexingtonlegends.com or 859 422-7847. The Legends, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and a member of the South Atlantic League, return to Whitaker Bank Ballpark to face off against the Hickory Crawdads, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers, on May 23, 2017 at 7:05pm. For ticket information, call (859) 422-7867 or visit lexingtonlegends.com.

Sea Dogs Offer Military Members Free Tickets on Memorial Day

This Memorial Day the Portland Sea Dogs will host the Trenton Thunder (Yankees) at Hadlock Field at 1:00 PM. As part of our Memorial Day game, the Sea Dogs are offering two complimentary tickets to the game to anyone who is serving or has served in the military. The offer is good for as long as supplies last. Simply complete the form below to reserve your tickets.

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

South Bend Cubs Go to Bat Against Hunger and Honor our Fallen Heroes

SOUTH BEND, IN – The South Bend Cubs, in conjunction with Express Employment Professionals, are proud to host a collection for the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, during the Memorial Day weekend four-game homestand. The Cubs are asking all fans coming to the games to donate non-perishable food items and placing them in the orange barrels located inside all gates at Four Winds Field.

“The entire Express Employment Professionals team is thrilled that the South Bend Cubs have said ‘Yes’ to fighting hunger by hosting the Food Bank’s orange collection barrels at all gates for the upcoming home games,” said Norm Robertson, franchise owner of Express. “We know that the generosity of our community is unparalleled when it comes to helping others in need.”

Along with the food drive over the holiday weekend, the South Bend Cubs and Express Employment Professionals are providing all active duty military and veterans with two free tickets the games on Sunday, May 28 and Monday, May 29 at Four Winds Field.

“Although a solemn day of reflection in remembrance of the multitude of men and women who have lost their lives in the defense of our country, Memorial Day also reminds us of the resilience of our constitutional republic, and how we are always the first to grab the flag and lead others in the direction of all peoples yearning to breathe free,” said Express Employment Professionals Director of Marketing Greg Mackey. “Express Employment Professionals is honored to sponsor Military Appreciation Days on behalf of our active-duty military personnel and our veterans and in partnership with Andrew Berlin, Joe Hart, and this great South Bend Cubs organization!”

“Every year, we are honored to partner with Express Employment Professionals to give back to our local veterans and those who are on active duty in the military as a small way to say thank you for your service,” said South Bend Cubs President Joe Hart. “The collection for the Food Bank of Northern Indiana is a great addition to this weekend of giving back. We encourage our fans to bring non-perishable food items to join us in the fight against hunger.”

In order to receive the two free tickets, all active duty personnel and veterans must visit the South Bend Cubs Box Office and show a form of military ID. This offer is not available over the phone or online. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Should either game sell out, lawn tickets will be provided.

Sunday’s game has a special first pitch time of 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 5:00 p.m. with fireworks after the game. Monday’s game has a scheduled first pitch at 2:05 p.m. and gates open at 1:00 p.m.

The South Bend Cubs are one of over 150 area volunteer organizations helping to fight hunger and food insecurity this summer with the North-Central Indiana offices of Express Employment Professionals, as a part of Express’s “Brand It Blue” food drive campaign.

About Express Employment Professionals:

Express Employment Professionals is a leading workforce staffing provider in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Founded in 1983, Express Employment Professionals has nearly 800 franchise locations, including three franchise offices covering a six county area and located in Mishawaka, Elkhart, and Warsaw, in North-Central Indiana. Express specializes in the placement of job-seekers with employers for commercial, administrative, skilled trades, and professional positions.

About the South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs are the Class A minor league affiliate of the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 29 seasons, the team has won five Midwest League titles, most recently in 2005, and has captured 12 division titles. In 2015, the team was named Ballpark Digest‘s Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President’s Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose sole shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill.

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

Bookmarks to be honored at BB&T Ballpark

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (May 22, 2017) – The Winston-Salem Dash are proud to announce that Bookmarks is the 2017 Charity Partner. The Dash will honor Bookmarks on Monday, May 29, during their 2 p.m. game against the Down East Wood Ducks at BB&T Ballpark.

Bookmarks is a literary arts nonprofit organization that fosters a love of reading and writing in the community. Their programming connects readers with authors and books and is achieved through the largest annual book festival in North and South Carolina, an Authors in Schools program, which reaches 7,500 students annually, and year-round events in their gathering space and nonprofit independent bookstore. Visit bookmarksnc.org for more information.

The Dash’s Charity Partner benefits from the proceeds of the club’s Commemorative Brick Program, through which fans can purchase engraved bricks that are installed outside of BB&T Ballpark’s main gates beyond right-center field. Bookmarks will also receive deliverables equivalent to a Dominant-level partner to spread its message to Dash fans all season long. Here is a list of the Dash’s past charity partners:

2010: Brenner Children’s Hospital
2011: Centers for Exceptional Children
2012: Ronald McDonald House of Winston-Salem
2013: Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County
2014: Senior Services
2015: The Shalom Project of Winston-Salem
2016: Veterans Helping Veterans Heal (VHVH)

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

Generals To Host Two Baseball Camps

Jackson, Tenn. – Once again, the Jackson Generals are proud to host a pair of summer baseball camps for children throughout West Tennessee to learn from the pros! Players will serve as instructors both for the one-day Baseball Camp June 23 and for the two-day Skills Camp July 27 and 28!

Both camps will offer the opportunity to learn the game from the best, with the two-day Skills Camp giving kids more time to hone their skills! The first camp will be the morning of Thursday, June 23 from 9:00 am to noon just after the All-Star Break. For just $55, children can participate in the three-hour camp with Generals players. Also included is a sack lunch, a camp t-shirt, an autograph session and a free general admission ticket to that night’s game versus Jacksonville!

The two-day Skills Camp will take place Thursday, July 27 and Friday, July 28 at The Ballpark! Children ages 9 to 14 will take part in more advanced drills over two days, with the sessions going from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Included in the experience is an exclusive camp t-shirt, an autograph session, a sack lunch both days along with both a ticket and food passport for the July 28 game versus Mobile! Skills Camp is just $130 for the first child, and $120 for any additional camper. Teams of nine or more can get the group rate of only $60 per camper!

Registration for both camps is open now. Fill out forms for the one-day Baseball Camp or the two-day Skills Camp and return them to The Ballpark at Jackson. For more information, contact Kate Lentz with the Generals at klentz@jacksongeneralsbaseball.com or by calling the team at (731) 988.5299.

Make sure to get your tickets now to see the 20th season of professional baseball in Jackson, and the first for the team as an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks! Call the team at (731) 988.5299, stop by The Ballpark or go online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com to secure your seats now!

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

Alex Hilgeford Celebrates Home Run for Life May 31

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 14-year-old Alex Hilgeford during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, May 31, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the South Bend Cubs at Fifth Third Field.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region who are battling serious medical conditions with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each honoree gets to take a lap around the bases at Fifth Third Field during a sold-out Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

Alex’s Story

Alex Hilgeford is an active 8th grader at St. Helen’s Catholic School. He spends his time camping, fishing, and hunting. His favorite passion is wheelchair basketball. While he sounds like a typical kid, Alex’s journey to this point has been far from typical.

In January of 2002, Alex was born with some unusual physical features. He had webbing behind both knees, a club foot, a cleft palate, and his tongue was attached to the roof of his mouth.

Alex immediately underwent testing in the neonatal intensive care unit so doctors could plan the next steps in his care. Because his symptoms were so rare, it took nearly eighteen months before Alex could be officially diagnosed with Popliteal Pterygium (Pop-la-teal Ter-ridge-e-um) syndrome.

Popliteal Pterygium syndrome is a very rare condition that affects the development of the skin and face. Individuals like Alex who have Popliteal Pterygium syndrome could be born with a host of issues such as a cleft lip, a cleft palate, and webs of skin behind their knees.

After diagnosis, Alex faced more than a dozen surgeries. The first surgery came when Alex was only three days old and continued until he was nine.

Following those surgeries, Alex still faced issues using his right leg. Dr. Albert told Alex and his family that amputating his leg and fitting him with a prosthetic was a good option to increase Alex’s mobility. So, at the age of 7, Alex made the incredibly courageous decision to go through with the amputation.

Alex’s decision has been the right choice for him, allowing him to lead an active lifestyle. He loves playing wheelchair basketball and hopes to make the 2024 Paralympics. For the past three years, he has joined the Amputee Coalition at Camp Joy, a camp that helps kids with limb loss and limb indifference enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle. He’s looking forward to the day when he can give back to the camp by volunteering as a camp counselor.

“I want kids to understand that whatever your situation, it’s not going to last forever,” Alex said. “You will come out okay on the other side. This isn’t the end of the road…It’s just a bump along the way.”

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Alex’s life, including his parents Mindy and Drew, his siblings Eric and Kate, all extended family, Dr. Albert, and his entire medical team. Please join us in cheering on Alex as he completes his Anthem Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on May 31.

More Information:  The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

Dragons Host Hometown Heroes Celebration Night at Fifth Third Field

The Dayton Dragons and the Dayton Development Coalition will hold the first of two Hometown Heroes™ Celebration Nights Saturday, May 20 at Fifth Third Field when the Dragons play the Bowling Green Hot Rods at 7:07 p.m.

“Hometown Heroes™ Celebration Nights represent something truly special about the Dayton Region,” said Jeff Hoagland, DDC President and CEO. “Our desire to thank those who serve our country, combined with a true American pastime, has created an incredible night dedicated to our Hometown Heroes. We want to thank them for their service and let them know, no matter where they are stationed, Dayton will always welcome them home.”

The Celebration Nights are the highlight of the year-long Hometown Heroes™ program, which honors our community’s service men and women affiliated with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Springfield, Ohio Air National Guard Base. The DDC and the Dragons, with the generous support of local businesses, began the program 14 years ago as a way for the community to support the thousands of military families in the region.

Colonel McDonald, the installation and 88th Air Base Wing commander, will swear in 12 new Air Force recruits during the game.

Major General William Cooley, the commander of Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and Colonel Bradley McDonald, the Wright-Patt installation and 88th Air Base Wing commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base., will throw out a first pitch.

The Association of Defense Communities recently recognized Dayton as a Great American Defense Community, in part for the Hometown Heroes™ programs at the Dragons, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton Art Institute, and Dayton Air Show. Hometown HeroesTM, working in close partnership with Dayton Hoopla/First Four events, UD & WSU Men’s Basketball, and the Fraze Pavilion, offers year-long events honoring our military community.

Staff Sergeant Kelly Perry from the Air Force Band of Flight. During the national anthem, the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard will present the colors.

On the plaza, there will be a Security Forces Humvee, an Air Force Recruit Van, and the 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron will showcase equipment used on evacuation missions. The Dragons Entertainment staff will hand out mini flags, and fans can sign “Thank You” cards to send to troops overseas.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com

The Dayton Development Coalition (DDC) is the leading economic development organization for the 14-county Dayton region. Working closely with public and private regional partners, its mission is to retain, expand and recruit jobs. The DDC and the Dayton region ranked as the nation’s top metro for its size for economic development in 2008, 2009 and 2012 and runner-up in 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2015. With the State’s largest single-site employer in its backyard, the DDC also focuses on advocating for the critical missions at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and supporting the work of the United States Air Force. The DDC was ranked as America’s top military community, and was presented with the 2015 Community Excellence Award from the Association of Defense Communities. It was designated as one of the ADC’s Great American Defense Communities in 2016 – a testament to the collaborative efforts in support of Wright-Patt, America’s #1 Air Force Base as ranked by the Air Force Times (2014). For any questions regarding the DDC, contact Shannon Joyce Neal at (937) 231-5436.

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