Archives for August 2018

MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT, XBOX GIVEAWAY AND FIREWORKS HIGHLIGHT SKY SOX HOMESTAND

The Colorado Springs Sky Sox third-to-last homestand of the 2018 season begins on Thursday, August 9, when the team hosts the Nashville Sounds -Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics – for four games and the completion of a suspended game from May 3 at Security Service Field.

On Thursday, August 9, the Sky Sox will amp up another Military Appreciation Night presented by Colorado Military Academy with a pre-game 21-gun cannon salute from members of Fort Carson while the team shows support in Military-style uniforms, which will be auctioned near the end of the month. In addition, it is another $3 Thirsty Thursday presented by Coors which features $3 Colorado Native Amber Lager craft beers, $3 parking, and $3 upper-reserve tickets.

On Friday, August 10, the Sky Sox will be continuing the “Cheers to 45 More Years” campaign as the team will debut and wear replica “Socko” Colorado Springs Sky Sox Jerseys from the 2000’s era, which will be auctioned off at the end of August at SkySoxJerseys.com. Following the 6:40 p.m. scheduled game, there will be 2000’s music themed Friday night post-game fireworks presented by Divine Roofing. To start the day, the Sky Sox and Sounds will be resuming a suspended game from May 3 at 5:00 p.m. with gates opening at 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 11 features X-Box Giveaway Night. On this night, the Sky Sox will be giving away an Xbox every inning. All fans have to do is register at the front gates. A winner will be picked and announced each inning to go home with a free Xbox. Following the conclusion of the game, there will be post-game fireworks presented by Pepsi & Colorado Springs Utilities.

The homestand’s last day, on Sunday, August 12, will feature a special Sky Sox “Peak Performers” giveaway presented by Pioneer Landscape Centers – a Mount Rushmore-like collectible that includes a player from different seasons of Sky Sox Baseball – which will be given to the first 1,000 fans through the gates . Additionally, fans can enjoy the ever-popular 50-cent hot dogs presented by Safeway available at all concessions throughout the game.

Tickets for all event dates are on sale now at www.skysox.com/tickets.

An outline of details for each game date is below.

For more information on promotions and ticket options, please call (719) 591-7699 or email info@skysox.com. Get the latest Sky Sox news online at www.skysox.com, like us on Facebook or follow the team on Twitter at @skysox.

Thursday, August 9 vs. Nashville – 6:40 p.m.

  • Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
  • $3 Thirsty Thursday presented by Coors
    • $3 Colorado Native Amber Lager Craft Beer, $3 Parking and $3 Upper-Reserve Tickets
  • Military Appreciation Night presented by Colorado Military Academy
    • Sky Sox wearing special, on-field Military Jerseys
    • Pre-game cannon 21-gun salute by members of Fort Carson

Friday, August 10 vs. Nashville – 6:40 p.m.

  • Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
  • Completion of Suspended game from May 3 with 5:00 p.m. start followed by regularly scheduled 6:40 p.m. game
  • Early 2,000’s themed Friday night post-game fireworks show presented by Divine Roofing
  •  “Cheers to 45 More Years” team debut of 2000 replica Sky Sox “Socko” jerseys

Saturday, August 11 vs. Nashville – 6:00 p.m.

  • Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
  • X-Box Giveaway Night with post-game fireworks presented by Pepsi & Colorado Springs

Sunday, August 12 vs. Nashville – 1:30 p.m.

  • Gates open at 12:30 p.m.
  • Sky Sox “Peak Performers” giveaway presented by Pioneer Landscape Centers (first 1,000 fans)
  • 50-cent hot dogs presented by Safeway
  • YMCA Kids Run the Bases post-game

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

PawSox Become “Boys of Bowling” for Tomorrow Fund

The Triple-A ballclub that plays together also bowls together?

Yes, and it’s done in the name of a very good cause.

Every season, the Pawtucket Red Sox put down the gloves and bats and pick up bowling balls at East Providence Lanes – located two miles away from McCoy Stadium – to raise money for The Tomorrow Fund, a Rhode Island-based nonprofit organization that provides financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their families. This year’s event took place on Thursday, July 26. As usual, everyone had a good time.

Inside the PawSox clubhouse, the tone that stresses the importance of the “Strike Out Cancer” event was set when manager Kevin Boles hung a notice on the bulletin board. Mandatory attendance was expected, as Boles requested that directions to East Providence Lanes be printed and placed inside each locker.

Minor-league ballplayers aren’t the beneficiaries of too many nights away from the ballyard during the season. Even when there’s a scheduled off day, it could be compromised due to traveling from one city to the next. They’re around each other enough, grinding it on out the field and alternating between bus and plane rides, so that it’s perfectly understandable if everyone wishes to go their separate ways for one night.

“We spend a lot of time together, no doubt about it,” Boles said. “To get away from the ballpark and touch families that are going through a rough patch, that was good.”

These were just some of the positive responses that Tomorrow Fund Board of Directors member Rosemary Huestis picked up on as she traveled from lane to lane. She greeted each player, who was paired up with a Tomorrow Fund patient. Some of the PawSox players enhanced the evening by bringing their families to East Providence Lanes.

“For them to dedicate their time to the kids and our organization shows what great people they truly are,” stated Lisa Abbenante, Executive Director for The Tomorrow Fund.

The excitement displayed by the youngsters whenever their PawSox bowling partner succeeded in knocking down a high number of pins was easy to spot.

“The kids would say, ‘That’s my guy!'” Huestis said. “For our kids to have something like this and have someone come pay attention to them is a big deal.”

“The players and front office staff are happy to be here, but this event is more about the kids,” said Joe Bradlee, PawSox Director of Communications/Community Relations.

The bowling arrangement between the PawSox and The Tomorrow Fund started in 2012. Through the years the two organizations have added additional charitable twists that still stick to the core principle of aiding those in need. For the past few seasons at McCoy Stadium, fans who purchase soft balls before the fifth inning test their aim as a pickup truck takes to the field and circles the warning track. All the proceeds raised from this popular in-game feature – appropriately dubbed “Hurl The Pearl” – go directly to The Tomorrow Fund.

Whether the support is financial or done with the intentions of brightening someone’s day, The Tomorrow Fund knows they have a good thing going when it comes to the organization’s partnership with the PawSox.

“The support the PawSox give us is amazing. They give us a lot of publicity and help make us known,” Huestis said.

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

Muckdogs meet young fans at YMCA

BATAVIA, N.Y. — Four players from the Batavia Muckdogs began their day by making some new friends.

Marlins prospects Tanner Andrews, Sean Reynolds, Igor Baez and Chris Vallimont signed autographs and talked about their experiences playing professional baseball with young campers at GLOW YMCA in Batavia on Thursday.

The GLOW YMCA serves four counties in western New York through the Genesee County YMCA in Batavia, the Wyoming County YMCA in Warsaw, the Orleans County YMCA in Medina, Camp Hough located on the shores of Silver Lake in Perry and a virtual branch beginning to serve Livingston County out of the Village of Geneseo.

Have a picnic at the ballpark

Andrews was the Marlins’ 10th-round pick out of Purdue in June and has appeared in eight games this season, seven with Batavia. Reynolds was Miami’s fourth-round pick in 2016 while Vallimont was selected in the fifth round this summer from Mercyhurst High School. Baez signed with the Marlins as a free agent last August.

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

Tarpons to Host “Back to School Splash” on Saturday, August 4th

Tampa, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons will host a “Back to School Splash” on Saturday, August 4th. The first 1,000 kids (14-and-under) will receive a free Tampa Tarpons drawstring backpack.

Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. and the Tarpons will battle the Lakeland Flying Tigers beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Select Tarpons players will be signing autographs on the concourse from 5:40-6:00 p.m. The event will also feature a dunk tank and an inflatable obstacle course. After the game, fans are invited to stay for a fireworks show.

Saturday will also be a “Salute to Service Members Saturday.” All former and active military members will receive a free upper reserved ticket by presenting a valid I.D.

A Friends & Family 4-Pack ticket offer is also available to fans. The deal includes four lower reserved tickets and four Tarpons hats for $24. This offer is only good for the game on August 4th and may only be purchased online at TarponsBaseball.com.

To purchase tickets for the “Back to School Splash”, fans can visit the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office or go online to TarponsBaseball.com. Tickets start at $5 for upper reserved seating, $8 for lower reserved seating, and parking is always free.

The Tampa Tarpons are the Single-A Advanced Affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information about the Tampa Tarpons, call (813) 673-3055 or visit TarponsBaseball.com.

###

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