Archives for October 2017

2017 San Jose Giants Release 2017 Community Report

SAN JOSE, CA– The San Jose Giants released today their 2017 Community Report. The report is an overview of the organizations outreach and community involvement as well as a summary of games and events at historic Municipal Stadium. From a record number of mascot and player appearances, donations and fundraising endeavors to the celebration of the #DiamondSeason, the San Jose Giants connected with and served the South Bay in more ways than ever before.

“I want to personally thank all of our fans and partners for your loyalty and support. You inspire us each day and are the motivation behind our efforts to give back to the community” said Daniel Orum, San Jose Giants President and CEO. “2017 will be remembered as a hallmark year filled with countless memories all made possible by you. We are proud to contribute to this wonderful community and are working diligently to raise the bar even higher in next year.”

The 2017 Community Report demonstrates the variety of charitable efforts the San Jose Giants are involved with both inside and outside the stadium gates. Highlights of the report include the nearly 200 community appearances made by San Jose Giants personnel, special community-centered nights and events at Municipal Stadium, the #DiamondSeason and introduction of We Care Wednesday, extensive fundraising programs, events in partnership with the Giants Community Fund to help underserved youth and in-kind donations to well over 500 local and national organizations. For the complete 2017 San Jose Giants Community Report, click on the link below.

2017 San Jose Giants Community Report

For more information on the San Jose Giants and how to get your organization involved next season, call 408.297.1435 or visit sjgiants.com.

FirstEnergy Stadium to host 11th Annual Eastern PA Toy Run

(Reading, PA) – FirstEnergy Stadium will welcome the 11th Annual Eastern PA Toy Run presented by Classic Harley-Davidson on Sunday, November 5th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Tompkins VIST Bank Plaza at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program and The Children’s Home of Reading.   Folks will be admitted to the holiday event by presenting a new, unwrapped toy of any value or by making a monetary donation that will be used to purchase additional toys for children.

Motorcycle registration for the toy run will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Classic Harley-Davidson. Santa Claus will lead the ride as it departs from Classic Harley-Davidson on Route 183 at 11:00 a.m. and follows a 25-mile course until arriving at America’s Classic Ballpark for an estimated noon arrival. All motorcycles, Jeeps, and classic cars are welcome to participate in the Eastern PA Toy Run with a donation of an unwrapped toy or game.

Upon his arrival at noon, Santa will be on hand until 2:00 p.m. for photos with those on both the naughty and the nice list. There will also be live music on the Hardball Cider Performance Stage throughout the afternoon.

The Eastern PA Toy Run began in 2007 after the Berks County Toys for Tots motorcycle run was potentially cancelled after the Marine Corps Reserve Unit was deployed. Multiple motorcycle runs combined and teamed with the Fightin Phils in order to continue benefiting Toys for Tots in Berks and Lebanon County and The Children’s Home of Reading.

The Steve Moyer Subaru Fightin Phils Team Store will also be open with special holiday sale pricing, so fans can pick up discounted gifts for the holidays. There will be steep discounts of up to 50% for one day only. Those attending will be able to check out FirstEnergy Stadium signage and player line-up cards available for purchase. Fans can own a piece of FirstEnergy Stadium history!

America’s Classic Ballpark is proud to be a part of Pennsylvania’s Americana Region. Season tickets for the 2018 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter at @ReadingFightins and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/fightins.

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

Making Strides Walk Coming Up Saturday, Oct. 21

DAYTON, OHIO – The 2017 “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk will take place at Fifth Third Field on Saturday, October 21. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. The walk will start at 9:00 a.m.

This event is part of a national fundraising effort. In 2016 alone, over 1 million walkers across the country collected more than $60 million to help fight this disease.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and it is estimated that over 40,000 lives will be lost to breast cancer in 2017. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women (excluding skin cancer) and second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in women.

You can help win the fight. The walk and donations go directly to the support, transportation, recovery, and other needs that arise with the diagnosis of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society also invests in groundbreaking breast cancer research to better understand, prevent, find, and treat the disease.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Dragons website, www.daytondragons.com, has gone pink in October in support of efforts by Kettering Health Network to increase Breast Cancer awareness in the Miami Valley.

To register for the walk, please visit www.makingstrideswalk.org/Dayton.

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.

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

Trick-or-Treat With Johnny TinCap!

Halloween is quickly approaching and Johnny TinCap is looking to make plans. Do you know anyone who’d like to go trick-or-treating with him?

If so, members of the TinCaps Kids Club are invited to enter the TinCaps Halloween Essay Contest. All you need to do is explain “Why I want to trick-or-treat with Johnny TinCap…” in 100 words or less.

Not a Kids Club member yet? Then sign up here. It’s free to join and open for all kids 12 and under. Benefits include invitations to VIP events open only to Kids Club members, like Johnny’s Birthday Party and a Clinic with TinCaps players, plus exclusive giveaways.

Essays are due by Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. and can be emailed to johnny@tincaps.com, dropped off at Parkview Field, or sent to the following address:

Attn: Johnny TinCap, Fort Wayne TinCaps, 1301 Ewing St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802.

Entries will be judged by Johnny and his friends on the TinCaps’ staff.

Johnny will go trick-or-treating with the winner in his or her neighborhood for an hour on Halloween (Tuesday, Oct. 31). The winner also will receive a special TinCaps Prize Pack.

Happy Halloween from Johnny and the TinCaps!

And in the spirit of Halloween, don’t forget to visit Parkview Field on Saturday, Oct. 15 for Fright Night Downtown!

Take a look at this video of Johnny trick-or-treating with a previous winner, Lydia.

Watch: Youtube Video

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

San Jose Giants Lending Support for Fire Victims

SAN JOSE, CA– The San Jose Giants have announced their plan to support victims affected by the catastrophic fires in Northern California. Wildfires began on Sunday, October 8 and, as of Friday morning, have tragically resulted in 31 confirmed deaths, hundreds of missing person reports, over 3,500 destroyed structures, 20,000 evacuations and more than 220,000 scorched acres. The devastation is being forged by nearly two dozen sizeable fires, stretching resources thin. The firestorm is currently one of the deadliest and most damaging in California state history.

“We are deeply saddened by the many tragedies caused by the devastating wildfires and understand that this national disaster is far from over” said Daniel Orum, San Jose Giants President and CEO. “Our organization vows to provide and support relief efforts for the North Bay community during these incredibly difficult times.”

The San Jose Giants have designated Municipal Stadium as a drop-zone for supplies and will be taking a delivery truck north for those impacted by the fires on October 19. Specific items in need include: air mattresses, cots, pillows, blankets, phone chargers, dry and canned pet food, animal crates, food bowls, can openers, diapers, baby strollers, personal protection equipment (masks, latex gloves, etc.), duct tape, camp stoves, propane, water, non-perishable food items, baby food, personal hygiene products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, baby wipes, soap, etc.), toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, Band-Aids, antibacterial, duffle bags, children’s books, coloring books and coloring supplies. The San Jose Giants will contribute water, clothing, hats and blankets amongst other needed items. The organization’s front office staff is currently collaborating with local organizations in determining a drop-off location.

The San Francisco Giants also teamed up with other Bay Area sports teams to support the fire relief efforts. The teams have established a You Caring site which donors can visit by Clicking Here. Individuals can also contribute via text by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

Municipal Stadium’s Box Office is open to collect supplies from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Friday and 2:00 to 5:00 PM. For more information call 408.297.1435.

Staten Island Yankees General Manager Jane Rogers Earns League Community Award

STATEN ISLAND- Staten Island Yankees General Manager Jane Rogers has been selected by the New York-Penn League as the recipient of the 2017 Bob Julian Community & Baseball Service Award. The award is given annually to the individual that has made outstanding service contributions to their community and to baseball.

As a key part of Staten Island’s operation, Jane has distinguished herself through her hard work and magnetic personality and is known by many as a person who you can count on to get things done. In the first six years of her tenure with the team, Jane progressed from Office Manager to Assistant General Manager to Executive Vice President to her current position of General Manager. Along with being a main-stay in community relations, she is also the team’s liaison to the New York Yankees working closely with player development.

Throughout the years, Jane has been recognized for her work all across Staten Island and has earned the following recognitions: Business Leader Award from Boy Scouts of America, Wounded Warrior Community Award, Todt Hill Iron Hills Community Leader Award, Community Leadership Award from Emma’s Place, Goethals Bridge Award from SIEDC, Women of Influence Award from SIEDC, Influential Woman Business Leadership Award, and NYPL Female Executive of the Year (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008). Jane also sits on the following boards: MiLB Baseball Chapel Advisory Board, Eger Nursing Home Advisory Board, SIEDC Business Council, and Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.

Jane resides in Tottenville with her husband of 38 years, Mike Rogers. Jane and Mike are the proud parents of Julie and Matthew and have two grandchildren, Vincent and Daniella.

“I’ve known Jane for years and long before we became co-workers on Staten Island. Her passion, energy and caring extend way past the boundaries of Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George and serve as an inspiration to our staff. Her dedication to this business and our community have garnered several well-deserved awards. I’m proud Jane will be honored for her efforts by an industry of our peers at the Baseball Winter Meetings this year.” – Will Smith, President/Operating Partner, Staten Island Yankees

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

Nine Dogs Adopted Through Diamond Dog Program in 2017

BOWIE, Md. – 2017 proved to be a successful year at Bowie Baysox games for the Diamond Dog of the Game as a total of nine dogs found new homes over the course of the season.

This marked the second year of the program and a total of 14 dogs have now been adopted over those two seasons.

The focus of the Diamond Dog of the Game program is to find suitable homes for dogs in the area that are in need and also to raise more awareness regarding pet adoption.

The Baysox partnered with seven local organizations to bring different canines out to the ballpark on a nightly basis: Chesapeake Cats & Dogs, Humane Society of Calvert County, Partnership for Animal Welfare, PG County Shelter, SPCA of Anne Arundel County, SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George’s County and Bowie CLAW.

Below is a list of the dogs that were brought home by various families during the 2017 season:

Belle-Keeshound                                            Humane Society of Calvert County

Bugs-Greyhound & Dutch Shepard Mix        SPCA/Humane Society of PG County

Emmy-Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever   Partnership for Animal Welfare

Murphy-Older Mixed Breed Dog                   Bowie CLAW/Black Dogs & Co.

Harry-Beagle                                                   Bowie CLAW/Beagle Rescue of So. Maryland

Zack-Black Lab                                              Bowie CLAW/LRCP

Rosie-Beagle                                                   Humane Society of Calvert County

Luna-Beagle Mix                                            SPCA/Humane Society of PG County

Matilda-Redbone Coonhound                         Chesapeake Cats & Dogs

The Bowie Baysox season is presented by Money One Federal Credit Union. The 2017 Baysox season has ended, but the team will return in 2018 to celebrate its 26th Season. The team’s 2018 home opener will be Thursday, April 5 against the Harrisburg Senators at 6:35 p.m. To keep up with Baysox news during the offseason, visit www.baysox.com.

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

SC Veterans Upstate Salute at Fluor Field on November 12th

The Drive, along with fellow Upstate Veterans Alliance partners GE, Greenville Health System and Michelin are excited to team up for the second annual SC Veterans Upstate Salute! You’re invited to join us in this free celebration on Sunday, November 12th at Fluor Field, as we will honor our local veterans with a night full of entertainment.

The event will begin at 5:00 PM, with the Field Street gates at Fluor Field opening at 4:00. Highlights of the evening include a concert from country music star Craig Morgan, a 21-gun salute, parachuters, an aerial flyover and opportunities to meet community agencies supporting veterans and their families. The night will conclude with a spectacular fireworks show. The concession stands at Fluor Field will be open throughout the evening.

Admission is free for the Upstate Salute, but registration is required, and you can register by CLICKING HERE. For more information, including to learn more about the schedule of events for the Upstate Salute, please visit www.upstatesalute.com. We hope to see you at Fluor Field on November 12th to help honor our nation’s veterans!

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

Blue Rocks Win Carolina League’s Matt Minker Award For Community Service

Wilmington, DE – The Wilmington Blue Rocks were honored by the Carolina League on Tuesday with the Matt Minker Community Service Award for the fourth consecutive season. The honorees were selected by a league-wide vote of club executives and owners.

“I could not be more proud of the entire Blue Rocks’ organization,” said managing partner Dave Heller. “I am especially happy for my partner and friend Clark Minker, since the community service award bears his late father’s name. This is a great team award, and I am so delighted for everyone with the Blue Rocks who worked so hard all season long to earn this tremendous accolade. We take enormous pride in our standing within the Delaware community and this award is a public recognition of how special our relationship with the people of the First State is.”

The Minker Award goes to the club that best demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support, and leadership within its community. The award is named after the Blue Rocks’ founder, who owned the club until his death in 2007. Minker, whose construction company built Frawley Stadium, is still the team’s honorary president.

The Blue Rocks won the award thanks in large part to their numerous school programs, charitable endeavors and hospital visits.

As an organization the Blue Rocks work with area schools to promote academic achievement (DSEA Rocky’s Reading Challenge), citizenship (Outstanding Student Program) and overall knowledge (Discover Baseball and Education Day). Frawley Stadium also hosts three youth camps each summer, teaching kids how to play the game of baseball.

The team helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for good causes through partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, Fight for the Gold, Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and many other charities in 2017. Several times during the season the team’s players and mascot also visited local hospitals, brightening the spirits of that facility’s patients and their families.

“Matt Minker was instrumental in laying the foundation for the Blue Rocks and for the franchise’s success in the years to follow,” said Blue Rocks director of community affairs Kevin Linton. “It is fitting that this award represents his life’s work and we are absolutely thrilled as an organization to honor his legacy for a fourth consecutive season by earning this recognition.”

As the Carolina League’s recipient of the Matt Minker Award, the Blue Rocks received the 10-team league’s automatic nomination for the John Henry Moss Community Service Award, given out by Minor League Baseball at its annual national convention, to be held this December in Disney World.

Season seats for the 2018 season are on sale now, with group packages available beginning November 9. For more information please call 302-888-BLUE or visit the team’s website at BlueRocks.com.
www.BlueRocks.com

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

Pawsox to Host Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive with First Lady of Pawtucket

The PawSox are teaming up with Lauren Grebien (The First Lady of Pawtucket) to help feed those in need by distributing food baskets on November 21 from 9am-5pm, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

This year’s goal is to fill 650 baskets of food for underprivileged families in Pawtucket and Central Falls, and we need your help.

If you are interested in volunteering your time, please contact Sandy Benson at (401)-728-6554.

Those who are unable to donate food or volunteer, but would like to make a financial contribution, please reach out to Herb Weiss, City of Pawtucket’s Economic & Cultural Affairs Officer at 401-728-0500 ext. 437.

The PawSox and the City of Pawtucket would like to thank you in advance for your generosity.

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

RiverDogs Lend Helping Hand to Oklahoma

CHARLESTON, SC — General Manager Dave Echols has announced that 15 percent of all profits of Charleston RiverDogs merchandise purchased through MiLB.com will be donated to the Oklahoma City Red Cross, as part of Minor League Baseball’s “15 for 15” initiative to raise funds to assist those affected by the recent storms in Oklahoma. The donations will run until June 17.

A total of 51 minor league teams — including the RiverDogs — are participating in the endeavor to assist those in the Sooner State that were affected by recent tornados.

“The Charleston RiverDogs are pleased to participate in this endeavor,” said Echols. “It’s very important for us to help during this devastating and unfortunate time in Oklahoma.”
The RiverDogs join in the partnership with Minor League Baseball Charities, MiLB and Professional Baseball Umpire Corp., and the clubs participating in the program include the Bakersfield Blaze; Batavia Muckdogs; Bluefield Blue Jays; Boise Hawks; Bradenton Marauders; Buffalo Bisons; Cedar Rapids Kernels; Charlotte Knights; Charlotte Stone Crabs; Chattanooga Lookouts; Clinton LumberKings; Connecticut Tigers; Corpus Christi Hooks; Dayton Dragons; Delmarva Shorebirds; Durham Bulls; Frisco RoughRiders; Great Lakes Loons; Greenville Astros; Greensboro Grasshoppers; Hickory Crawdads; Idaho Falls Chukars; Indianapolis Indians; Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino; Jacksonville Suns; Lakewood BlueClaws; Las Vegas 51s; Lexington Legends; Lynchburg Hillcats; Mahoning Valley Scrappers ; Memphis Redbirds; Modesto Nuts; Myrtle Beach Pelicans; Nashville Sounds; Oklahoma City RedHawks; Orem Owlz; Rochester Red Wings; San Antonio Missions; Savannah Sand Gnats; Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders; St. Lucie Mets; State College Spikes; Stockton Ports; Syracuse Chiefs; Toledo Mud Hens; Trenton Thunder; Tri-City ValleyCats; Tulsa Drillers; West Michigan Whitecaps; and Wilmington Blue Rocks.

Legends Helping “Restore the Shore”

(WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK, Lexington, Ky.) The Lexington Legends and the Lakewood BlueClaws are South Atlantic League rivals on the baseball field, but the Legends are enthusiastically supporting the New Jersey-based BlueClaws on their “Restore the Shore” campaign in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

The Legends purchased “Restore the Shore” t-shirts in support of the efforts by the Blue Claws to help victims of the super storm. The campaign will continue through Memorial Day. While the BlueClaws are working closely with individuals and businesses in their area, support is welcome from anywhere. Atlantic Physical Therapy and Ergo clothing are sponsoring the campaign.

“Supporting the BlueClaws in the Restore the Shore efforts was a no-brainer,” said Sarah Bosso, the Legends’ director of community relations and special events. “As a member of the South Atlantic League baseball family, we wish we were able to do more to help those affected. The hope is that our contribution to our friends in Lakewood and surrounding areas will highlight the importance of reaching out and supporting communities outside of your own, and will encourage other teams and individuals to do the same. We are grateful for the opportunity to be involved.”

Each Friday until Memorial Day, participants will wear the t-shirts, and each person will make a donation every Friday. Details are available at BlueClaws.com/Restore.

Businesses that participate will be honored in a ceremony at a 2013 BlueClaws game.

“Obviously, there were so many of our friends and neighbors impacted significantly by Hurricane Sandy,” said Dave Manzo, co-founder of Atlantic Physical Therapy Center. “Through this program, we can raise money in a fun way over the next several months.”

In early 2013, those impacted by the storm will be able to fill out an application, and donations will be made to as many families as possible.

“We have an opportunity to help many re-build after Sandy’s devastation,” said BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown. “We’re looking forward to helping, and we hope that there are a lot of businesses and families that can help us make an impact.” ###

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

End of Season Jersey Auction for Dragons Foundation

End of Season Auction includes:

  1. Luis Bolivar, autographed white jersey
  2. Tony Santillan, autographed white jersey
  3. Scott Moss, autographed green jersey
  4. Taylor Trammell, green jersey
  5. Jose Siri, autographed orange jersey
  6. 1 Trammell autographed bat, 1 Moss & Santillan signed ball … the ball has both autographs on them
  7. 1 Siri autographed ball, 1 Siri autographed bat, 1 Siri autographed game program

Click here to visit the auction

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

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PawSox Begin 2nd Year of Pioneering Partnership with “Mentor Rhode Island” at Pawtucket’s Agnes E. Little Elementary School

Here is a link to the original story on the team’s website.

 

The Pawtucket Red Sox today announced that they will continue their pioneering mentor program with elementary school students in partnership with MENTOR Rhode Island. Last year, the PawSox became Pawtucket’s first partner of the organization that coordinates and operates mentoring throughout Rhode Island. For the second consecutive year, PawSox front office members will serve as mentors to children at Agnes E. Little Elementary School.

Each week, staff members visit the nearby school and spend an hour with individual children. Last year, the students were third graders. To provide continuity this year, the staff will mentor some of those same children, who are now in fourth grade.

“Whether we were sharing pizza, trying out a guitar, or taking a walk on the playground, the visits were so rewarding for us,” said PawSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “You looked forward to the smile that awaited you, and you let the conversation go wherever the child took it. It’s a wonderful way to gain insight to the lives of these thoughtful, sensitive young people in our community.”

“The relationships formed from mentoring have a profoundly positive impact on students, and helps broaden their perspectives of the world,” said Michael Gilmore, the school’s principal. “We are excited to be kicking off another year of this partnership, and everyone from the teachers to the students are looking forward to seeing the PawSox Front office staff back in our building, as part of our school community.”

Formerly known as the “Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership,” MENTOR Rhode Island supports the services of various programs statewide that provide more than 4,000 mentors to more than 5,000 students. It also directly operates programs in five other cities and towns: Warwick, Woonsocket, Newport, Middletown, and Cranston. The program established in January of 2017 was their first in Pawtucket.

“MENTOR Rhode Island is thrilled to continue and expand our partnership with the PawSox and the Agnes E. Little Elementary School with the second year of our Pawtucket Mentor Program,” said Jo-Ann Schofield, President and CEO of MENTOR Rhode Island. “The PawSox have been amazing and dedicated partners by providing the inaugural mentors for the children of their host community. Every PawSox staff member who served as a mentor last year has eagerly returned along with some additional recruits. We are hopeful other businesses will follow the PawSox’ example and provide mentors to the program so we can expand to serve more students. We are so grateful for the PawSox making this program possible.”

“We are grateful to Jo-Ann Schofield, to Michael Gilmore, and to the teachers and administrators in Pawtucket’s city school system for the inspiring work they do every day,” Steinberg said. “They make a difference.

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

Custom Hooks Surfboard Up for Auction!

Here is a link to the original story on the team’s website.

CORPUS CHRISTI – A custom Corpus Christi Hooks/Nolan Ryan surfboard – one of three in existence – will be auctioned off by the Texas Surf Museum during its Third Annual Surftoberfest this weekend.

The board is presently owned by Ryan-Sanders Baseball/Entertainment COO JJ Gottsch, who’s donating the Robert August creation as part of Surftoberfest’s Port Aransas Education Foundation fundraiser.

Gottsch was the first Hooks president from the club’s 2003 inception through the 2008 season.

“Brad Lomax has been a great friend to me personally, the Hooks, and the community at-large for a number of years,” Gottsch said. “When I heard that he had Robert (August) coming to the event this year, and that the funds were going to help hurricane relief efforts, I immediately thought of the board and how it could hopefully help those efforts. It will be a truly unique gift for any Robert August, Nolan Ryan, or Corpus Christi Hooks enthusiast.”

To bid online for the Robert August surfboard, click here from midnight, Thursday, October 5, until 8:30 CDT on Saturday night, October 7.

August will personally autograph the board for the winner.

The board’s design was produced in a special collaboration between August, his son Sam, Reid Ryan, Reese Ryan, and Gottsch. A second Hooks/Ryan WIR “What I Ride” (9.2) surfboard is currently displayed at the museum. Unique features include a classic blue/white design incorporating the Hooks’ primary logo in various elements, plus Nolan Ryan’s iconic “34” logo.

Robert August (born 1945) is an American surfer and surfboard shaper, most famous as one of the subjects of Bruce Brown’s 1966 surf documentary “The Endless Summer” with friend Mike Hynson. The film follows the two pursuing their hobby world-wide during the California off-season, meeting other surfers and discussing surf culture. August picked up surfing in the 1950s, when the sport’s popularity had just begun. His father, Blackie August, was also a noted surfer. Robert’s enthusiasm for and involvement in “The Endless Summer” influenced the sport’s growth for decades to come. His surfboards are sold under the Robert August Surfboards brand. He continues to travel the world promoting surfing, and in 1994 was involved in the shooting of “The Endless Summer II,” in which surfers Pat O’Connell and Robert “Wingnut” Weaver retrace the places visited by August and Hynson 30 years earlier.

Nolan Ryan – Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, Nolan Ryan was inducted on July 25, 1999, on 98.79 percent of eligible ballots, the second-highest figure in history. He is the only player to have his uniform number retired by three different teams, the Los Angeles Angels (#30) and Houston Astros (#34) joining the Texas Rangers (#34). Ryan compiled a 324-292 record and 3.19 earned run average over 807 appearances in an unprecedented 27 seasons with the New York Mets (1966; 1968-71), California Angels (1972-79), Astros (1980-88), and Rangers (1989-93). The all-time leader in strikeouts (5,714) and no-hitters (7), Ryan has owned or shared 53 Major League records. An eight-time All-Star, he also threw 12 one-hitters, tying Bob Feller for the most ever, and owns two of the top four single-season strikeout totals in Major League history, including an all-time best 383 with the 1973 Angels.

Ryan is executive advisor to Houston Astros owner Jim Crane.

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