Archives for November 2018

PawSox Foundation Announces 2018 PawSox Scholars

For the third consecutive year, two PawSox Scholars-once again middle schoolers from Pawtucket and Central Falls-will receive college scholarships of $10,000 each, funded by the PawSox Foundation. The scholarships will be paid directly to the colleges of their choice for tuition and books upon their graduation from high school, provided they continue to excel in scholarship and citizenship.

This year’s recipients, both 8th graders, are Emily Lopes, from Pawtucket’s Samuel Slater Jr. High School, and Liliana Gonzalez, from Central Falls’ Calcutt Middle School. They were selected from applications administered by the two respective school systems and PawSox officials.

The PawSox introduced the program two years ago when they named Charlisa Kollie of Pawtucket and Ethan Hoke of Central Falls as their first recipients. Last year, Jeremy Ortega, from Pawtucket’s Joseph Jenks Middle School, and Jose Juarez Aguilar, from Central Falls’ Calcutt Middle School were the winners.

“Our PawSox Scholars program helps fund the dream of attending college,” said Club President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “By awarding the scholarships to middle schoolers, we seek to fortify the resolve of young children to believe in their dreams, to avoid the dangerous temptations of adolescent life, and to understand that education is the equalizer.”

Steinberg and PawSox Chairman Larry Lucchino were instrumental in creating similar programs in San Diego and Boston. The Red Sox version won Major League Baseball’s first-ever “Commissioners Award for Philanthropic Excellence.”

“From our Padres Scholars program in San Diego to our Red Sox Scholars program in Boston, we have been blessed to see children blossom into inspiring adults for 23 years,” Steinberg said. “Now here in Rhode Island, we are enjoying the selection and development of even more wonderful students who are envisioning their dreams–and the path to make those dreams come true.”

The Pawtucket and Central Falls school systems invited eighth graders to submit applications, including essays. Emily Lopes’ essay praised Malala Yousafzai, while Liliana Gonzalez expressed her admiration for Michelle Obama.

“Our students are some of the best and brightest in the world,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “Their talent, passion, creativity and strong sense of community never cease to amaze me. The PawSox scholars program will ensure that our students’ education continues. This effort by the PawSox has real meaning to our children, their families and their teachers, and I thank them.”

“It is an honor for our school to have Emily Lopes represent us,” said Mrs. Laura Lutz, Principal of Slater Jr. High School. “This award will give Emily the vision and confidence of pursuing a college career.”

“The city of Central Falls is so grateful to the PawSox for including our children in this landmark program,” said Central Falls Mayor James Diossa. “This scholarship program reminds all of our families that no matter what challenges they may face, they have friends who believe in their future.”

“I’m grateful for the chance to provide the Calcutt Middle Shool students the opportunity to express themselves to the public in essays,” said Timothy Milisauskas, Principal of Calcutt Middle School. “The joy the students all shared for one another when I announced Liliana as the winner let me see the true spirit of teamwork and camaraderie that drives Calcutt Middle School, Central Falls School District, and the PawSox.”

“We thank Mayor Grebien and Mayor Diossa, as well as their School Boards, Superintendents, Principals, and teachers for their guidance, wisdom, and collaboration,” Steinberg added. “We hope that we can expand our program to include even more students in our region.”

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

Baysox Announce 2019 Reading Program

BOWIE, Md. –  The Bowie Baysox announced the 24th year of the Read & Hit a Home Run Reading Program this week, thanks in part to Educational Systems Federal Credit Union.

The program, which began in 1996, reaches over 200 schools across the DMV region, impacting over 35,000 students a year. Those numbers include area homeschool co-ops, helping encourage and foster an excitement for literacy in local schools.

Registered schools will have the opportunity to participate in the program by reading four (4) books of the students’ choice during the given time frame. Every student that completes the reading goal will receive two free tickets to a 2019 Baysox game. During the season, the team will host several designated Reading Nights (based on geographic location). At the stadium, all students will be recognized for their accomplishments during the game.

All reading specialists and homeschool teachers/directors are encouraged to register their school. Once registered, all students can participate in a jersey design contest, with the winner’s choice being unveiled at a school assembly by Louie, the Baysox mascot.

To register your school, head over to the ‘community’ section of www.baysox.com and fill out the form at the bottom of the “Read & Hit a Home Run Reading Program” page. For more information or any additional questions, contact Baysox Community Programs Manager Kelsey Carter at (301) 464-4871 or email her (kcarter@baysox.com).

The Bowie Baysox 2019 season is presented by Money One Federal Credit Union. 2019 Baysox Ticket Packages, including Season Tickets, Mini-Plans and Flexible Ticket Packages are available online at baysox.com, via phone at 301-464-4865 or in person at the stadium ticket office.

To keep up with Baysox news, visit baysox.com and be sure to follow the Baysox on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or register for the all new Baysox Text Insider Club for free by texting the keyword BAYSOX to 50700.

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

9th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon Tickets Now On-Sale

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium – Vancouver, B.C.) – Tickets to the 9th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon set for Friday, January 25th, 2019 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver from 12pm to 2pm are now on-sale as we look to sell this event out for it’s 9th consecutive year!

At this year’s event, we will feature a handful of special guests from the Toronto Blue Jays family that will surely bring out the true baseball fans in each and everyone as this event has brought everyone from Marcus Stroman, Russell Martin and Aaron Sanchez to Hall of Famers Tim Raines and Roberto Alomar. This year, we will feature several baseball greats that will not disappoint!

Bring your family, friends and colleagues together for an afternoon of fun, food and familiar faces as we support the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation on Friday, January 25th, 2019. This event has sold out in each of its first eight years so don’t delay.

Click HERE for the 9th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon Order Form

About the 9th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon:

Each year, the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation brings fans together to celebrate our efforts from within our Foundation. Are goal is not only to raise funding for our many programs, but also bring awareness to the many local children from our own neighbourhoods that need our commitment and support. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners, we have been able to welcome more than 1,500 children between the ages of 8 and 13 out to historic Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium and provide them with the opportunity to play organized baseball, cost-free which includes their equipment, transportation and meals. We are also proud to say we have had more than 100 local volunteers donate their time to this project allowing children to feel safe, build confidence and learn the game of baseball on the same diamond that the Vancouver Canadians play on each summer.

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation has helped a number of community programs, teams and organizations with funding and this year we will unveil our newest community initiative which will give baseball leagues from all across the Lower Mainland the chance to receive much needed support.

Since 2010, the VCBF has helped a number of teams, programs and community initiatives including:

Challenger Baseball – Not only have the Canadians provided funding to the league inself dating back to 2009, but in 2016 the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation in cooperation with Variety – the Children’s Charity, the Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation & Jays Care created Western Canada’s first fully synthetic baseball field specifically designed for Challenger Baseball which included dugouts and a playing surface that met needs ensuring that all children could discover and enjoy the game of baseball. The Variety Challenger Baseball ‘Field of Dreams is located just steps away from historic Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

UBC Thunderbirds Baseball – For nearly a decade the VCBF has donated nearly $200,000 to the UBC Thunderbirds Baseball Program to provide scholarships set aside exclusively for local student/athletes who want to continue pursuing their post-secondary education while playing for Canada’s most celebrated collegiate baseball program. Since our donations began, UBC has seen more than 35 players receive direct funding thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

Women’s National Baseball Program – Still in it’s infancy, the VCBF has supported Baseball Canada’s efforts to elevate women’s baseball across the country. The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation provided financial support to the Women’s Program to send their players to the Dominican Republic for a player identification camp that also gave the players and coaching staff the chance to immerse themselves into one of the world’s most passionate countries when it comes to the game of baseball.

Vancouver Canadians Baseball League – This cornerstone program of the VCBF brings out upward of 300 local children each summer to play organized baseball, many of them for the first time in their lives, cost-free thanks to your generosity. This League transports children from 11 different districts throughout the Lower Mainland, provides them with certified equipment, a warm supper mid-game and gives them a safe place to receive mentorship and guidance that helps them both on and off the field. This program which operates in cooperation with The Boys & Girls Clubs of B.C. have provided an opportunity for more than 1,500 local children between the ages of 8-and-13 since 2009.

Jeff Mooney & Suzanne Bolton Youth Scholarship Program – Created in 2017, Vancouver Canadians co-owner Jeff Mooney & his wife Suzanne Bolton created a Scholarship Program donated to The Boys & Girls Clubs of B.C. in hopes of providing an opportunity for up to seven local children who aspire to continue their education beyond high school. The requirements are that they apply for this $10,000+ scholarship showing a commitment to both the classroom and the community. In 2017, all seven scholarships were presented thanks to the overwhelming generosity of both Jeff Mooney & his wife Suzanne Bolton. This year, we look forward to awarding seven more scholarships to deserving young men and women who are making a difference at home, in their communities and in the classroom.

Our newest Community Commitment will be unveiled at this year’s event and we look forward to sharing this exciting “hands-on” project with you all on Friday, January 25th, 2019 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

We cannot help without your support, and tickets to this event go on-sale starting Thursday, November 15th at 12:00pm by calling 604.872.5232, online here at www.canadiansbaseball.com or by visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver, B.C.

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

OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation Helps Provide Winter Coats to Area Elementary Students

OKLAHOMA CITY – Representatives of the Oklahoma City Dodgers Baseball Foundation presented a check to The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools Coat-A-Kid program during a visit to Southern Hills Elementary School this morning.

The non-profit OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation made a monetary donation to fund the purchase of coats for an entire grade of students at the elementary school thanks to funds raised at the organization’s third annual Golf Classic in October.

“Ninety percent of Oklahoma City Public School children fall below the poverty level and many of them walk to school or ride the bus and they don’t have winter coats, so we really wanted to get behind that initiative,” said Jill vanEgmond, Executive Director of the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation.

The mission of the nonprofit OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation is to impact the lives of families in the state of Oklahoma, provide educational opportunities for youth and support first responders in Oklahoma through charitable contributions and programming initiatives.

Coat-A-Kid is a program led by The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools that seeks to obtain donations from community partners to purchase hundreds of new winter coats for students in low-income families.

The OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation has additional fundraising initiatives upcoming for the 2018 holiday season.

The organization is encouraging donations for #GivingBluesday on Giving Tuesday Nov. 27 via Facebook. Giving Tuesday began in 2012 and has become a global day of giving. Facebook is partnering with PayPal to match up to $7 million in donations made to nonprofit organizations via the social media network starting at 7 a.m. Central Time on Giving Tuesday Nov. 27, further fueling the support provided to nonprofits that day.

Amazon.com will donate 0.5 percent of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to charitable organizations. Those interested in benefitting the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation through this initiative can log on to Amazon.com and shop via this unique charity link: smile.amazon.com/ch/47-3520181.

“We are really encouraging people to consider us in their year-end giving,” vanEgmond said. “We will donate that money back to the community and it will go toward our youth in education initiative.”

For additional information about the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation, please visit okcdodgers.com/foundation. To learn more about the Coat-A-Kid program, visit okckids.com/coatakid.

The OKC Dodgers’ 2019 season schedule is available now at okcdodgers.com, and 2019 season ticket and group packages are available for purchase. Visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182 for more information.

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

Giving Thanks: Foundation holds luncheon

MOOSIC, PA (November 15, 2018) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and their charitable arm, the SWB Pinstripes Foundation, held their first of two luncheons this holiday season on Wednesday. The RailRiders welcomed 200 elementary school-aged Life Skills and Special Education students from across Northeast Pennsylvania for the event.

“As this season of giving begins, we were thrilled to host these children for lunch,” stated Jordan Maydole, the RailRiders Director of Community Relations. “The children were able to participate in Thanksgiving-themed arts and crafts to create a keepsake that they could bring home and show their families. The luncheon went well and it seemed like they all had a great time!”

Wednesday’s event was made possible thanks to approximately $10,000 in donations through the SWB Pinstripes Foundation. A second holiday lunch will be held on December 13.

“The SWB Pinstripes Foundation is committed to aiding the underserved in our community and giving back to the community that has given us so much support,” said Amy Miller, the manager of the SWB Pinstripes Foundation. “To provide these free holiday meals and to continue our outreach in the community, we rely on the generosity of our donors. We are still accepting donations to support our next event and encourage those who can get involved to be a part of what we are doing here in NEPA.”

For more information on the SWB Pinstripes Foundation, please contact Jordan Maydole or Amy Miller in the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-BALL or visit swbrailriders.com.

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

Veterans Home Run: A 5K Walk ‘n Run Race Results & FAQ

PawSox 5K Runners!

Thank you for your participation in the 3rd Annual PawSox 5K Walk ‘n Run in support of veterans causes in RI, we are so happy to be able to give back to those who have fought for our country.

CLICK HERE FOR RACE RESULTS

All race results are posted in the link above, if you registered the DAY OF the race and you placed in the top two of your age category for your gender, please email Grace Eng at geng@pawsox.com so we have your contact information and we can mail out your medal. These are the age categories:

·       Wheelchair

·       70+

·       60-69

·       50-59

·       40-49

·       30-39

·       20-29

·       13-19

Also, if you did not receive a race t-shirt please email so we can send that as well, everyone will get a t-shirt for participating. We will also be sending out the certificate that is valid for 2 General Admission flex tickets for the 2019 season, so be sure to be on the lookout for that email, the certificate will be valid to exchange starting March 1st.

If you have any questions about the race results or the day itself, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Again thank you for your contribution to the PawSox Foundation and more importantly to the veterans who have served the United States of America. God bless!

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

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Nominations now open for Kernels sixth annual Military Heroes Baseball Card Set

Cedar Rapids, IA – Nominations are now open for the Cedar Rapids Kernels sixth annual Military Heroes Baseball card set. The card set will represent each branch of the military and honor those who are currently serving our country, veterans who have served in the past but are no longer active, and those who bravely fought for our country, but have since passed away.

Nominations forms are available by visiting the Kernels offices during normal business hours, or online by clicking here. Nominations can be submitted online by clicking here, mailed directly to the Kernels offices or dropped off at the stadium during normal business hours. Please include a photo of the Military Hero with your completed nomination form.

The first 30 submissions will make it into the 2019 card set, so we urge people to turn in their nominations right away. Nominations will be taken until Thursday, January 31st, OR, until 30 submissions are received.

To give all past and current military the opportunity to be honored in the Military Heroes Card Set, we ask that those veterans included in card sets from 2014 to 2018 not be nominated.

The card set will be given away to the first 1,000 fans that enter Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday, July 4th, 2019. Those military heroes selected to appear in the card set and their families will be honored on the field following the July 4th game, and will receive four tickets to that game.

For more information on the Military Heroes Baseball card set, or to access a nomination form, please contact Andrea Brommelkamp at (319) 896-7603 or by e-mail at andrea@kernels.com.

BlueClaws Charities Announces 2018 Grant Recipients

BlueClaws Charities announced the 39 different organizations to receive a grant as part of their 2018 grant distribution.

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LAKEWOOD, NJ – BlueClaws Charities completed their 10th annual grant distribution by handing out grants to 39 area organizations, it was announced on Monday.

BlueClaws Charities Community Partner organizations, all 501c3s that work with the BlueClaws throughout the year, were eligible to apply for a grant and all organizations that applied for a grant received one.

Each applicant was asked to detail a specific use for the grant, with the requirement that all money received from BlueClaws Charities stays in Ocean & Monmouth Counties. A complete list can be found below.

“We are very proud to be support such a wide variety of local organizations that do tremendous work as part of the non-profit community around the Jersey Shore,” said Jim DeAngelis, BlueClaws Charities Executive Director. “These organizations are on the ground working with the underserved in our communities, doing spectacular work.

“Further, it is important that all of the grant money donated by BlueClaws Charities stays here in Ocean and Monmouth Counties,” said DeAngelis. ” It is an honor for BlueClaws Charities to be able to assist these great groups doing their work in our local community.”

The following organizations received grants:

– ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia – to subsidize the cost of services for people living with ALS who reside in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
– Alzheimer’s Association – to provide services to people living with Alzheimer’s and their families.
– The Arc, Ocean County Chapter – to provide funding to the Arc programs that support 1,500 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in residential, vocational, and recreation services throughout the community.
– The Ashley Lauren Foundation – to assist children with cancer and their families through direct family financial assistance.
– Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Ocean County – to continue community mentorship programs in Ocean County.
– Boy Scouts of America, Jersey Shore Council – to provide direct support to the Scoutreach Cub Scout pack at the Clark Elementary School in Lakewood.
– The Brodie Fund – to continue their mission of offering financial assistance to families that have pets fighting cancer.
– Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey – to help defray the cost of criminal background checks completed on all volunteers prior to assignments.
– Cheer Dream Scoliosis Foundation – to enhance the equipment for their special needs team.
– David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation – to offer financial assistance and wellness services to families affected by a cancer diagnosis.
– Dottie’s House – to provide essential counseling to families to become self-sufficient in their futures.
– Easterseals New Jersey – to teach individuals living with disabilities and special needs and their families about health, nutrition, and exercise education.
– Exit 82 Theatre Company – to assist in their 2019 production season.
– Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore – to fund the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s outreach program in Ocean County.
– Go 4 The Goal – to support the Kart 4 Kids, a kart stocked with snacks, gift cards, toys, activities, and electronics to entice kids of all ages.
– Guidinglight House – to provide funding for program services for homeless female veterans.
– HABcore, Inc – to help fund the supportive services program component of HABcore’s Rapid Re-Housing Program in Ocean County.
– JAR of Hope – to fund research in the hope of eliminating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
– Kids Need More – to enhance the lives of children and their families dealing with a diagnosis of cancer or life threatening illness.
– LADACIN Network – to support their Child Care and Preschool Program which integrate children with and without disabilities.
– Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund – to provide funds to assist in aiding and assistant wounded warriors and their families.
– The Mya Lin Terry Foundation – to support their Holiday Gifting Campaign to benefit pediatric cancer warriors.
– Northern Ocean County Habitat for Humanity – to provide necessary repairs and modifications to a senior’s home through their Aging in Place program.
– Ocean County Family Support Organization – to offset the costs of trips for their Youth Partnerships Program.
– Ocean County Shrine Club – to expand and upgrade the hospital’s Walk-in and Urgent Pediatric Fracture Clinic.
– Ocean County YMCA – to support kids, families, and seniors through the Y-Cares Financial Assistance Program such that they will be able to benefit from membership regardless of their financial resources.
– Ocean’s Harbor House – to replace aging computers in their Emergency Youth Shelter.
– Ocean Partnership for Children – to provide needed equipment for the agency’s consulting psychiatrist to use with the youth being seen, as well as to provide books, sensory materials, and toys for the waiting room and psychiatrist’s meeting space.
– Piece of the Puzzle – to produce a Corner Cafe vocational curriculum for students with autism.
– Parents of Autistic Children – to provide a challenger sports league designed to offer a socialization opportunity between disabled students along with typically developing peers from across Ocean and Monmouth Counties.
– Probation Association of New Jersey Education Fund – to enhance education training opportunities through the operation of their annual training conference.
– Raising Hope for Others – to offset the cost of their August fundraiser.
– RJM Sportsgroup – to help raise money for scholarships for students who belong to the Jackson School District.
– The Salvation Army of Ocean County – to help fund their weekly soup kitchen meal, which serves 50-100 meals each week.
– Seabrook Village – to provide scholarships to eligible student employees who graduate high school and are participating in a form of higher education.
– Society for Prevention of Teen Suicide – support Ocean County Youth Council programming for the 2018-19 academic year by engaging youth ambassadors in the prevention process and working on suicide prevention projects.
– The TEARS Foundation – to provide assistance to families who have lost a child due to pregnancy or infant loss in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
– Tom Giannattasio Jr. Memorial Fund – to provide scholarships to graduating seniors residing in Brick Township.
– United Way of Monmouth & Ocean Counties – to purchase warm clothing for low-income children.

Money is raised for BlueClaws Charities throughout the year including through a nightly 50/50 raffle at all BlueClaws home games, special jersey auctions, and events like the Nine and Dine golf outing.

BlueClaws Charities, in addition to this grant program, supports hundreds local organizations and fundraising events with gift package donations, golf outing hole-in-one sponsorships, and specialty organizations such as OCEAN, Inc., a federal program that assists the less fortunate in the community. The “Tickets for Kids Program,” another BlueClaws Charities initiative, donates over 2,000 tickets to under-served youths in Lakewood and elsewhere in Ocean County.

Other events hosted by BlueClaws Charities include a Challenger Clinic for the developmentally disabled, a food & toy drive during the holiday season, a school supply drive leading into the fall, and baseball camps for the underserved in conjunction with the MLB Players Association.

Organizations that would like to become Community Partners can call Jim DeAngelis at 732-901-7000 ext 114. Space in the program, which includes both fundraising and promotional opportunities, is limited and those interested are encouraged to contact the BlueClaws as soon as possible.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. In 2018, the team debuted a brand-new nine-hole Family Mini Golf Course, Biergarten, and Home Run Pavilion (boardwalk game area) as part of a major renovation to FirstEnergy Park.

2019 ticket packages and group outings are currently on sale by calling 732-901-7000 option 3 or online at BlueClaws.com.

– BlueClaws –

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

PawSox Commemorate Veterans Day Holiday with Dinner for Veterans

The Pawtucket Red Sox are commemorating the Veterans Day holiday by welcoming veterans to a steak dinner at McCoy Stadium tonight (Friday).

For the fourth straight year, the PawSox this evening are presenting a four-course steak dinner inside the PawSox Clubhouse. The guests also receive a tour of McCoy and gifts from the PawSox. The honorees are veterans from the YWCA of Rhode Island Gateway to Independence, the Rhode Island Military Organization, Chapter 3 of the Pawtucket DAV, Central Falls American Legion Post 79, Newport VFW Post 406, RI Association of Fire Chiefs Honor Flights, and Operation Stand Down.

“Hosting veterans in 2015 was our first community event after several of us joined the ballclub, and it was inspiring,” PawSox President Dr. Charles Steinberg said. “We have since turned this into a traditional gathering that we very much look forward to around the Veterans Day holiday. This modest gestures allow us to continue to demonstrate our appreciation to those who have served our country.”

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

Chasers Earn 11th Straight ‘Best of Omaha’ Honor

The Omaha Storm Chasers have once again earned top honors by being named Omaha’s Best Professional Sports Team, as selected on by voters of Omaha Magazine. This year marks the eleventh consecutive year the organization has received the “Best Professional Sports Team” award. The Storm Chasers organization accepted the award at Omaha Magazine’s Best of Omaha Soiree: A Night of the Best on Thursday night at the Omaha Design Center.

“We are proud to be the Metro’s top professional sports team for over 50 seasons,” said Storm Chasers President and General Manager Martie Cordaro. “Making the fan experience at Werner Park the best it can possibly be is our top priority and we are very excited for the 2019 season to begin with the Kansas City Royals Exhibition Game.”

The eleven-year stretch in which the Storm Chasers organization has received Omaha’s Best Professional Sports Team honor comprises all eight seasons the franchise has played at Werner Park, where the squad has won four division titles, as well as three Pacific Coast League Championships and Back-to-Back Triple-A National Championships in 2013-14. The ballpark also hosted the First National Bank Triple-A All-Star Game in 2015.

Since hosting its initial Opening Day on April 16, 2011, over three million fans have come through the gates of Werner Park. The 2018 season marked the 50th season in franchise history since the organization first began play in 1969 at Rosenblatt Stadium.

Werner Park is slated to host the Kansas City Royals on March 25, 2019 in an exhibition game presented by Cobalt Credit Union. Tickets are still available for that contest and can be purchased at this link: http://bit.ly/2BUsp72.

Following the Royals Exhibition Game, the Storm Chasers franchise is set to start their regular season slate on Tuesday, April 9. The Omaha Storm Chasers are the Triple-A Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Storm Chasers play at Werner Park in Papillion, Sarpy County, Nebraska. For more information please visit omahastormchasers.com and follow us on Twitter @omastormchasers and at facebook.com/omahastormchasers.

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

Braves Present Gift to Danville-Pittsylvania Cancer Association

DANVILLE, Va. – The Danville Braves continued their community-focused efforts to local non-profits, most recently with a donation to the Danville-Pittsylvania Cancer Association (DPC).

The Braves charitable contributions come from their Cancer Awareness night on August 11, presented by Centra Health, where fans could purchase game-worn jerseys from Danville Braves players and coaches. On that date, D-Braves players touted special Danville 97s jerseys, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the year Danville had two minor league affiliated teams. The proceeds of the sale totaled over $1,000. In total, the Danville Braves have raised over $16,000 as a result of the jersey auction sales over the past eight seasons.

DPC provides financial, educational and emotional support to cancer patients in the Danville and Pittsylvania County area. Donations to the organization aim to defray the cost of cancer-related prescriptions, equipment, supplies, transportation reimbursement, nutritional supplements, as well as other special needs. For more information about the organization, visit www.danvillevacancer.org.

Keep close tabs on dbraves.com and the D-Braves social media accounts for upcoming information on the Danville Braves 2019 season.

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

South Bend Cubs Host Third Annual Polar Plunge

SOUTH BEND, IN – For the third straight year, the South Bend Cubs will host the Michiana Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Indiana on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Four Winds Field. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. with the plunge beginning at 12:00 p.m. followed immediately by the After-Splash Bash in the Pepsi Stadium Club.

The Polar Plunge, an event held across the state of Indiana, continues to be a hit among the South Bend community. Because of this fundraiser, Special Olympics Indiana can continue to work towards their objective of improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by offering year-round programs and events such as the plunge. All funds raised at the Polar Plunge goes towards supporting the 16,000 Special Olympics athletes in all of Indiana.

“In 2019, Special Olympics Indiana celebrates 50 years of serving people with intellectual disabilities,” said Special Olympics President and CEO Jeff Mohler. “During this important milestone, we have set a goal to reach $1 million through our Polar Plunges across the state. The South Bend Cubs and our polar plungers will make this possible. Help our athletes reach their goals too.”

After raising over $17,000 dollars last year, the South Bend Cubs are issuing a challenge to the community in the hope of breaking last year’s record.

“Last year, we nearly doubled our fundraising goal,” said South Bend Cubs Director of Media and Promotions Chris Hagstrom-Jones. “With our new goal of $20,000 for 2019, we’re adding an incentive for our plungers. The individual or group who raises the most money will receive a free outdoor suite to a South Bend Cubs game in April and the chance to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.”

Fans who do not wish to plunge can also donate to the South Bend Cubs front office team, headlined by Owner & Chairman Andrew Berlin. Fans who donate at least $15 will be entered to win a set of four tickets to a South Bend Cubs game. Three lucky winners will be chosen after February 23. Donate by by clicking here.

To participate in the 2019 Michiana Polar Plunge, individuals or groups must raise a “bear” minimum of $75 in pledges. All funds raised will benefit Special Olympics Indiana. Participants can register as an individual or gather friends, family members, co-workers, civic group or school group and register as a team. Register by visiting soindiana.org and clicking on the events page. Funds raised by this event will help local athletes train and compete at local, area and state level.

About Special Olympics Indiana

Special Olympics Indiana is a not-for-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in more than 20 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, reaching more than 16,000 athletes across Indiana. The organization receives no federal- or state-appropriated funds, is not a United Way agency and relies entirely on corporate, civic and individual donations. For more information about Special Olympics Indiana, call (317) 328-2000 or visit www.soindiana.org.

About the South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs are the Class A minor league affiliate of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 31 seasons, the team has won five Midwest League titles, most recently in 2005, and has captured 12 division titles. In 2019, the South Bend Cubs will host the Midwest League All-Star Game. In June 2017, Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, was voted Best Class A ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest. 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 principal 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.

Jumbo Shrimp to host Family Holiday Event at the Baseball Grounds Dec. 8

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and Fun 4 First Coast Kids invite fans to kick off the Holiday season with our very Shrimpy Christmas event on Saturday, December 8 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

The event will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with Christmas movie classics How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Frosty’s Winter Wonderland being shown on the high-definition video board. Fans can also enjoy free pictures with Santa Claus, face painting and Christmas crafts. There will be s’more for sale, as well as other Christmas treats, and a kid zone on the field with a bouncy house and inflatable slide.

Admission is only $1 per person at the home plate gate or free with one new unwrapped toy, per family, to donate to children in need this holiday season. All toys will be donated to the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes and One More Child. You can learn more about them at http://www.fbchomes.org/our-mission/contact-us/.

Attendees may sit on the field, and the stadium seating bowl will be open for seating. There is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible seating available both on the field and in the stadium seating bowl. Attendees are welcome to bring blankets for seating on the field. However, no chairs will be allowed on the field. No outside food or beverages will be permitted in the stadium.

UP NEXT: Opening Day for the Jumbo Shrimp in 2019 is Thursday, April 4, against the Jackson Generals at the Baseball Grounds Jacksonville. Season tickets, mini plans, and corporate outings are on sale now. Visit www.jaxshrimp.com or phone 904-358-2846 to secure yours today.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League’s Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy, and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by General Manager Harold Craw. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.

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

Riders support numerous local non-profits in October

FRISCO, Texas (Nov. 6, 2018) – Though the 2018 baseball season has ended, the RoughRiders Foundation stayed extremely productive during the month of October.

“There’s no offseason when it comes to the work we do with the RoughRiders Foundation,” said Breon Dennis, Executive Director of the RoughRiders Foundation. “We are constantly seeking ways to get involved with the great people of North Texas and our body of work in October was no exception.”

Below is a recap of the Foundation’s activity in October:

* Casino Night (October 13): The Foundation raised more than $6,000 at its annual VIP event thanks to the generous support of the team’s Founder’s members, suiteholders and corporate partners.
* Frisco Family Services (October 16): Riders staff helped sort through donated items and assisted in restocking shelves at the facility.

* StreetSide Showers (October 17): Staff made and distributed hygiene kits, while also helping pass out lunches.

* RoughRiders Baseball Academy (October 21): During the latest clinic for kids, Halloween candy was collected and donated to Soldier’s Angels Treats for Troops.
* National Breast Cancer Foundation (October 24): Riders employees helped make HOPE kits that will be sent out to patients who are battling breast cancer.

* RoughRiders Fall Festival (October 27): More than 2,000 cans of food were collected and donated to North Texas Food Bank as part of the team’s annual event.

In addition to its involvement in community activities, the RoughRiders also hosted the following events to help support various non-profit organizations:

* Red River Celebrity Softball Game (October 4), benefitting the Toby Keith Foundation, the Roger Clemens Foundation and the Just Keep Livin Foundation.
* The Ticket Dinger Derby (October 26), benefitting Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

* Light The Night Walk (October 28), supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

If you would like the RoughRiders to volunteer with your organization, please email community@ridersbaseball.com. For more information on the RoughRiders Foundation, click here.

The 2019 season begins April 4 at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Ticket memberships and group hospitality packages are now on sale. The promotional calendar will be unveiled in early 2019 with single-game tickets going on sale soon after. For more information, visit RidersBaseball.com or call (972) 731-9200.

About the RoughRiders

The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 14 seasons (2005-2018). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg. Since then, the new ownership group, together with the City of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise enhancements, investing over $8 million in a wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including a state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, InTouch Grille, Riders Outpost Team Store and the world’s largest water feature in a sports facility, the massive Choctaw Lazy River. These enhancements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco Ballpark Digest’s prestigious “Best Ballpark Renovation” award for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016). More than 140 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Adrian Gonzalez, Ian Kinsler and Neftali Feliz, as well as current Rangers stars Elvis Andrus, Rougned Odor and Nomar Mazara. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders and Dr Pepper Ballpark, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact Ryan Rouillard at RRouillard@RidersBaseball.com.

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

Contribute to the Annual Toys for Tots Drive!

FREDERICK, MD-The Frederick Keys are excited to announce their continued partnership with the Toys for Tots Program. Entering the seventh straight year where the Keys and Toys for Tots have worked together, fans are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys in November and December. These gifts are then handed out to less fortunate children on Christmas Day.

“It is important that the holiday season is a special time for local children,” said Keys Director of Marketing, Erin Lawson. “We’ve been impressed at the community’s support each year and we can’t wait for another great turnout in 2018.”

The collection period for Toys for Tots is underway and runs through Friday, December 14. To make a donation, fans can visit the Nymeo Field main office (adjacent to the stadium main gates) during normal business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) Monday-Friday. Anyone who contributes a new, unwrapped toy receives a Keys hat and two tickets to a game in 2019. Fans can also bring toys to the annual Keys Holiday Event on Saturday, December 1 which runs from 10 a.m-1 p.m. Prize packs will be limited to one per person.

Nymeo Field has frequently been one of the top collection sites in Frederick County. A program that began in 1947, there are more than 150 Marine reserve sites as wells as more than 800 local Toys for Tots programs across the country. In 2016 nearly 50,000 toys were collected in Frederick County and almost $30,000 was raised.

Planning for the 2019 Frederick Keys season is underway, which includes the Carolina League All-Star Classic on Tuesday, June 18 presented by Visit Frederick. The Keys schedule for next season is available by clicking here, while fans can buy/renew ticket plans for the 2019 season by calling 301-815-9900. To follow Keys offseason news, events and more, fans can visit frederickkeys.com.

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