Archives for April 2020

South Bend Cubs Offering Personalized Messages for Donations to Food Pantry

SOUTH BEND, IN – The South Bend Cubs are offering an opportunity to help the community and provide you with a special memento. Fans can purchase a message to be displayed on the video board at Four Winds Field for a minimum donation of $10 and receive a digital copy of that message on the video board. All of the money raised will go to the Walter A. Meyer Food Pantry at the Salvation Army Kroc Center Family Resource Center.

Fans will receive an added bonus and have their message displayed on the South Bend Cubs Facebook and Twitter pages. Those who do not wish their message to be added should leave a note in the comments section at check out.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

“During this time of social distancing, we’re actively trying to find ways to help our community,” said South Bend Cubs Team President Joe Hart. “We know there are some in our community that are food insecure or having a difficult time. The Kroc Center is just one of the many organizations providing assistance for those who need it. I’m encouraging anyone who is looking for a unique gift for a friend or family member to purchase a message. It’s a great way to show someone you care and help our community at the same time.”

“The Salvation Army, motivated by God’s love, continues to meet human needs through its Family Resource Center, ensuring that families and individuals have food to eat,” said Senior Kroc Officer Monty Wandling. “In the first two weeks of our drive-through pantry we have already given away 300 prepackaged food boxes to aid our fellow community members who are struggling during this time of quarantine. Your ongoing prayer and financial support of our service to the community are greatly appreciated.”

The process is simple. Fans can visit SouthBendCubs.com and click on the video board message request link through the Cubs Den Team Store. Just select the amount you wish to donate (minimum $10 donation) and go to check out. In your shopping cart special instructions box, enter your personalized message then click checkout.

Message requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of 20 per day. There are no refunds for video board messages. The South Bend Cubs reserve the right to approve and edit any message. Messages that contain obscene or offensive content or include foul language will not be accepted. Marketing messages are not permitted. Photos will be sent to the email provided associated with the Team Store account.

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 32 seasons, the team has won four Midwest League titles, most recently in 2019, and has captured eight division titles. In 2019, the South Bend Cubs hosted 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. More information is available at www.SouthBendCubs.com.

Captains announce United Way Ticket Package to support COVID-19 relief efforts

 

(Eastlake, OH) – In an effort to support COVID-19 relief efforts, the Lake County Captains are proud to announce a new ticket package in partnership with the United Way of Lake County (UWLC). Proceeds from the package will support the UWLC’s Lake County Relief Fund, which benefits food pantries, in-home grocery delivery for seniors, the Lake County Free Clinic and more.

Included with each $20 United Way Ticket Package purchase is a $5 donation to the UWLC Lake County Relief Fund, four (4) tickets to any 2020 Captains home game, four (4) ice cream vouchers, one (1) Skipper foam head, one (1) Captains autograph book and one (1) mystery bobblehead.

UNITED WAY TICKET PACKAGE

ABOUT UWLC’S LAKE COUNTY RELIEF FUND

“We know this crisis is challenging for our entire community and we’re so proud of the work being done by our partners at the United Way of Lake County,” said Captains General Manager Jen Yorko. “Their efforts are crucial to supporting Lake County residents in need and we want to help in any way we can, while giving our fans something to look forward to when baseball returns.”

Fans can donate to the UWLC at uwlc.org and they can learn more about the UWLC’s Lake County Relief Fund by visiting uwlc.org/lake-county-relief-fund.

The Captains’ front office staff is currently working remotely, but staff members can all be reached via email. A full staff directory can be found here. Fans with general questions can also email [email protected].

The Lake County Captains are the Class-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. For more information, visit the Captains’ website at www.CaptainsBaseball.com, Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/CaptainsBaseball, Twitter @LCCaptains and Instagram @LCCaptains. Fans can also get the latest Captains news and offers by signing up for the Captains’ newsletter, The Anchor.

ValleyCats now accepting online National Anthem submissions

 

TROY, NY – The Tri-City ValleyCats, Crossgates, and 98.3 TRY are set to host the anthem audition contest online! Fans can submit their unedited video HERE until 4/15. We ask that all video submissions be no longer than 90 seconds. This contest is open to all soloists, groups, and instrumentalists of any age. We encourage all groups to utilize a group video conference service to record, please be sure to follow social distance directives.

The Top 3 finalists’ videos will be shared online on April 20th. Fans will be invited to vote for their favorite performance, with the top vote recipient having the opportunity to sing at a premier ValleyCats game at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium this summer.

Please note that if you are chosen in the Anthem Audition Top 3, your audition tape will be used on the Tri-City ValleyCats Facebook page.

Voting will remain open until April 27th and the winner will be announced April 28th. Good luck to all contestants!

The ValleyCats 2020 home opener is currently scheduled for Wednesday, June 24th as the 19th season of Minor League Baseball begins at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy.

Ticket plans and flex vouchers for the ValleyCats’ 2020 season are currently available for purchase online at tcvalleycats.com. The ValleyCats are also taking reservations for groups of 20 or more, and individual tickets are set to go on sale April 16th.

Support Our Local Restaurant Sponsors

Restaurants are open for take out, pick up or delivery

During these difficult times, many of our local restaurants continue to serve much needed meals. Many of these restaurants are partners with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, and with your support, we can help these businesses continue to support their employees and serve our community.

Below is a list of our partner restaurants with links to their websites. All of these restaurants are currently open for take out, pick up or delivery. For hours and details, please call ahead or check the restaurant’s website.

The Lakeland Flying Tigers and our partners thank you for your support!

Abuelo’s
Applebee’s
Dairy Queen – North Lakeland
Denny’s – North Lakeland
Hooters – North Lakeland
Hooters – South Lakeland
Little Caesars – North Lakeland
Little Caesars – South Lakeland
Olive Garden – North Lakeland
PDQ
Zaxby’s

Aces’ Reliever Damien Magnifico Encourages Adopting, Not Shopping

 

When he’s not pumping 100 MPH gas on the mound, Aces pitcher Damien Magnifico spends his time fostering animals. The 28-year-old reliever enters his second season in the D-Backs’ organization, but has become a full-time stay at home dog dad while he waits for baseball to come back.

Fostering animals is not new for the right-hander, he’s been doing it for eight years now. And while adopting is always important, it takes on a new level under the current circumstances according to Magnifico.

“It is always better to adopt but it is more important at the moment, because rescues and shelters aren’t able to have events showing off the animals to the public,”

Magnifico said. “Most shelters are still open but by appointment only. Some are able to promote online but not all of them have the resources to promote the animals and not everyone has the access to that technology.”

While Magnifico encourages adoption, especially now, he stresses the importance of preparing for the commitment of housing animals.

“Each rescue or shelter is a little different, but you basically just let the dog (or cat or rabbit) live with you until it finds its forever home. Many organizations make it free to you to foster by providing medical care. We’ve had fosters that stay a few days with us; to ones that stay with us months and months, and one that was with us for over a year,” he said.

“Do your homework – ask what they do/don’t cover so you know before you agree to get the pet into your home. There are a lot of ways to get involved: you can be temporary foster, medical foster, you can transport, and you can even pick the sizes/temperaments/breeds/medical conditions you feel most comfortable with,” he added.

A pitcher that strikes fear in hitters’ eyes by touching triple-digits on the radar gun, Magnifico has spent time in the Major Leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Angels. In 2019, the reliever was 3-1 over 53.0 innings pitched out of the bullpen split between Double-A Jackson and Triple-A Reno to go with a 3.74 ERA and 68 strikeouts.

All things considered; it may be odd to hear that the fierce competitor has such a soft spot for animals but he described the difference of his personality on and off the field the best way he could.

“The two are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Easiest way to explain it is to compare on-duty Sully and off-duty Sully from Monsters Inc.”

For information about how to adopt or become a foster parent, contact SPCA of Northern Nevada by calling 775-324-7773 or by visiting SPCANevada.org. Or get in touch with the Nevada Humane Society at (Reno: 775-856-2000), (Carson City: 775-887-2171) or by visiting Nevadahumansociety.org.

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PPE Donation Drive Set For April 4-5 At Frawley Stadium

 

Wilmington, DE – Local non-profit organization Donate Delaware has arranged to host a donation drive for PPE and other essential medical supplies in the parking lot of Frawley Stadium – home of the Wilmington Blue Rocks – on Saturday, April 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

As local healthcare providers continue to anticipate a “surge” in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in our region, Donate Delaware is assisting in the fight against COVID-19 in Delaware by collecting donations of PPE and other essential medical supplies from the general public. All items collected will be donated to hospitals within The First State. The Frawley Stadium drive will benefit Saint Francis Healthcare and the Wilmington VA Medical Center.

To donate items, vehicles are asked to simply pull up outside of the main entrance of Frawley Stadium, located at 801 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington, DE 19801. Volunteers will approach each vehicle and remove items to be donated, minimizing person-to-person contact.

Donors should place items in the trunk of their vehicle and keep their windows rolled up. Anyone experiencing upper respiratory symptoms should not visit the donation drive.

Items especially needed include:

Regular protective face masks

N95 masks

Face shields

Gowns

Surgical caps/protective caps

Eyeglass shields/goggles

Nasal testing swabs

Lysol or Clorox wipes

Hand sanitizer

Other donations of any kind also will be gratefully accepted.

“We know that businesses, schools, and other organizations may have these types of cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment, and may be willing to donate them to this greater cause,” said Dan Sinnott, President and CEO of Saint Francis Healthcare. “We have been so moved by the generous donations made by so many already, and we are inspired to continue caring for this community as we have for 95 years. Together, we will survive this battle.”

In addition to the Frawley Stadium drive benefitting Saint Francis Healthcare and the Wilmington VA Medical Center, Donate Delaware is hosting an additional drive in Wilmington at the Brandywine Town Center, located at 5329 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803, through Saturday, April 4. That drive, benefitting Nemour/Alfred I. duPont Hospital For Children, runs daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information on supply drives across the state, click HERE.

 

OKC Dodgers and LifeShare of Oklahoma Encourage Organ Donation Through Continued Partnership in 2020

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and LifeShare of Oklahoma are continuing their partnership throughout 2020 to assist LifeShare’s mission of gaining and educating organ donors across the state of Oklahoma.

With the start of April and National Donate Life Month, the first 250 individuals to register to become an organ donor at okcdodgers.com/everlastingfans will receive an exclusive LifeShare Everlasting Fans T-shirt, plus have a chance to win four Oklahoma Fidelity Bank Club tickets and a VIP experience at a future OKC Dodgers game. Once registered at okcdodgers.com/everlastingfans individuals should screenshot the completed page and email it to [email protected] to secure their T-shirt.

This partnership between the OKC Dodgers and LifeShare will continue throughout 2020, and once baseball season begins, guests to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark will be able to sign up during Dodgers home games to become LifeShare Everlasting Fans. Individuals who register in person will receive an exclusive LifeShare Everlasting Fans T-Shirt by visiting the promotions table located on the concourse behind section 110.

Last season, 1,400 people registered to become an organ donor at OKC Dodgers games, and since the partnership between LifeShare of Oklahoma and the OKC Dodgers began in 2015, more than 4,500 people have registered to become organ donors at Dodgers games.

“LifeShare is honored to partner with the Oklahoma City Dodgers again this season to raise awareness about organ donation,” said Jeffrey Orlowski, President and CEO of LifeShare. “We have had great success in the past with our Everlasting Fan promotion and we look forward to more Oklahomans making a decision to save lives this year as well.”

LifeShare of Oklahoma was created in 1986 and is a nonprofit, federally designed organ procurement organization dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant purposes. LifeShare works closely with four transplant centers and 145 health care organizations in Oklahoma to facilitate donation. LifeShare of Oklahoma strives “to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation through public education,” according to the organization’s website.

National Donate Life Month began in 2003 and is celebrated in April to “help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to celebrate those that have saved lives through the gift of donation,” according to the Donate Life America website.

To stay current on the latest information regarding the OKC Dodgers’ upcoming season, please visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182.

 

Bats Launch “Buddy’s Curbside Pick-Up” To Support Local Restaurants

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville Bats today announced they are partnering with ImagineAR – a company specializing in delivering augmented reality (AR) – to help support local restaurant partners whose operations have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. The “Buddy’s Curbside Pick-Up” initiative offers fans the chance to win a variety of great Louisville Bats prizes by simply ordering curbside pick-up from a partner restaurant and sharing a picture of their trip on social media with a special hashtag.

“The Louisville Bats are committed to helping our community in these challenging times,” said Bats president Vic Gregovits. “We partnered with ImagineAR to offer a unique experience that gives fans the chance to win great prizes, and in-turn, support our valuable local restaurant partners.”

As part of the initiative, ImagineAR has equipped each restaurant with unique AR engagements at their food pick-up locations. When fans arrive to pick up their carryout, they can use ImagineAR’s app to unlock an exclusive AR model of Buddy Bat on their mobile phones.

Fans can then take a photo of the digital Buddy Bat at the restaurant and share the photo on social media with #CurbsideBuddy. Each fan who posts a picture of the AR Buddy Bat with the hashtag will be entered to win a variety of Louisville Bats prizes, including tickets, team gear and game-day experiences.

Buddy’s Curbside Pick-Up will also feature a grand prize sweepstakes. Fans who visit at least two different restaurants and submit their pictures online via the Bats’ website will receive four complimentary ticket vouchers and be entered to win an ultimate VIP experience for a Bats home game during the 2020 season. The VIP experience includes a complimentary luxury suite, $100 worth of concession/team store credit and the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

To participate, visit any of the following restaurant partners:
Bubba’s 33
Chick-fil-A
Hardee’s
Jimmy John’s
Papa John’s
Penn Station
Rootie’s Sports Bar & Grille
Smoothie King
Texas Roadhouse
White Castle

For additional information regarding rules and regulations, visit batsbaseball.com.

Greater Nevada Field to Host Two Food Bank of Northern Nevada Drive by Distribution Events in April

 

The Reno Aces, 1868 FC, and Greater Nevada Field are partnering with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada to provide drive-thru distributions of the Mobile Harvest program on April 7 & 17 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. for community members in need of both shelf-stable and perishable food items.

Community members will have the ability to participate in a grab-n-go food distribution line located in the parking lots adjacent to the rotunda at Greater Nevada Field. Volunteers will be in place to help the flow of traffic.

Because the safety of the clients, volunteers, and staff of the Food Bank are of utmost importance, it is asked that anyone attending a distribution take the following precautions:

  • Please keep safe social distances from others
  • Whenever possible, please limit the number of household members who attend distributions
  • We recommend 1 person per household
  • If you are ill, please do not attend a distribution
  • Clients may have a friend or neighbor pick up from a distribution on their behalf by simply writing a short note to be presented when food is picked up
  • Practice frequent and thorough handwashing with soap
  • Remember to sneeze or cough away from others and into your elbow when possible
  • Volunteers and employees are wearing gloves and sanitizing surfaces for the protection of all served through Food Bank program

If households are in need of help during this difficult time, they are encouraged to reach out to the Food Bank at 775-331-3663 or by visiting the Get Help section of FBNN.org to find the distributions closest to them.

“We are so grateful to the Reno Aces and 1868 FC for allowing us to use their lot for distribution of our Mobile Harvest program,” Jocelyn Lantrip, Director of Marketing for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada said. “Because of their partnership, we are able to operate drive-through distributions that are much safer for everyone involved. It is so important for the community to work together during this challenging time and we are very grateful.”

“We are thrilled to be able to contribute to the Northern Nevada Food Bank’s Mobile Harvest distribution program by hosting at the Greater Nevada Field parking lots,” Aces General Manager Emily Jaenson said. “We are here for the community and are happy to have found a way to contribute.”

“The Northern Nevada Food Bank is a vital part to this community every single day, and we are here to lend a helping hand during these uncertain times,” 1868 FC General Manager of Business Operations Doug Raftery said. “We appreciate what they do for our area, especially in this time of need.”

For more information on the Reno Aces or Reno 1868 FC, visit the teams’ websites at renoaces.com and reno1868fc.com. For more information on the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, visit fbnn.org.

 

2020 Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship Deadline Approaching

Cedar Rapids, IA – The application deadline for the eighth annual Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Kernels Foundation, is Friday, April 10th.

Nick Adenhart was a bright young pitcher who played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2006, and he was a rising star in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization. Only hours after Nick’s 2009 season debut on the mound for the Angels, Nick was tragically killed by a drunk driver on April 9, 2009 at age 22.

Nick’s family would like to honor him by awarding two $1,000 scholarships in his memory. The Kernels Foundation is privileged to administer the scholarships on behalf of Nick’s family.

Applicants must be a graduating high school senior from an area high school and attend a two or four-year accredited college or university and take 12 or more hours per semester. The applicant must have played an organized sport in the last two years, must be a great teammate, must demonstrate hard work and determination, and must have a clear vision of their career goal.

With the recent closure of Veterans Memorial Stadium and area high schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic scholarships can are being accepted one of two ways:

Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship
C/O Cedar Rapids Kernels
PO Box 2001
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406

Scholarship applications may be downloaded from the Kernels website at www.kernels.com under the ‘COMMUNITY’ tab.

For more information, please contact Doug Nelson at 319-363-3887 or email at [email protected].

 

Carryout lunches are available to general public Tuesday-Friday and delivered to front-line COVID-19 responders on Mondays 

 

The Charleston RiverDogs announced that on Thursday, the ballclub – whose season’s start has been delayed by COVID-19 – will begin drive through lunch service at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. Vice President of Food and Beverage Josh Shea, a longtime chef in the Charleston culinary scene, has created a special menu, from which patrons can order for pickup during lunchtime Tuesday through Friday for the foreseeable future. On Mondays, Shea will prepare 100 meals to be donated to various front-line COVID-19 responders in the Charleston area.

The RiverDogs, long-known as one of baseball’s nationwide leaders in food and drink creativity at the ballpark, will roll out a full menu prepared and cooked in the kitchen of the Segra Club at Riley Park. Items for purchase include ballpark favorites (yes, you can get the HomeWrecker) and healthy options, inspired by the RiverDogs’ partnership with MUSC Health.

Online orders can be placed at http://charlestonriverdogs.ehopper.info/. Lunches will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and available for pickup from the VIP lot directly adjacent to Riley Park. Also included on the menu are Kids Meals, which come with RiverDogs baseball cards, and all meal orders include two free RiverDogs ticket vouchers, good for any game in the 2020 season.

The RiverDogs will also take the chance to give back to the community in this time of need. Individuals can nominate groups of community members working to fight the effects of COVID-19, including first responders and medical professionals, for free lunch for up to 100 through an online nomination form. The RiverDogs will choose recipients and deliver hot lunches each Monday, starting on Monday, April 6. The link for nomination is: https://forms.gle/yQx2sFD1j9HD94fx6.

“We’re not, unfortunately, making final preparations for RiverDogs baseball as we normally would be rolling into April,” said president and general manager Dave Echols. “However, we believe using our resources and talent to offer an option for drive through meals and help those who are hard at work on this pandemic is a way to still be a positive force in this community.”

In offering this special menu, the RiverDogs have enacted additional health measures to ensure the safety of both its employees and its patrons. Additional sanitizers will be placed throughout the ballpark and pickup location, and health checks will be conducted on the limited RiverDogs employees involved in food service. The operation is made possible in large part due to its longstanding partnerships with Sysco and Pepsi.

All links are available at RiverDogs.com.

The Latest on the RiverDogs

The health and safety of RiverDogs fans and employees is of the utmost importance to the organization and we support Minor League Baseball’s decision to delay the start of the 2020 season in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This is a fluid, rapidly evolving situation and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure that our facilities are following the recommendations set forth by local, state and national officials. At this time, the RiverDogs remain unsure as to what extent this delay will have on our season. RiverDogs season tickets, partial season plans, and group tickets, including options to the Segra Club at Riley Park, are now available for the 2020 campaign at riverdogs.com/tickets. A full schedule and list of game times for the 2020 season is also available at riverdogs.com.

–RIVERDOGS–

Cutters Seeking Anthem Performer Videos

 

The Williamsport Crosscutters are now looking for National Anthem performers for the 2020 season.

All individuals and groups who are interested in being considered are encouraged to fill out the short application available at Crosscutters.com (link below). Applicants are also required to send in a video of them performing the Star Spangled Banner.

“Due to the restrictions of COVID-19, we are unable to hold in-person auditions this year,” said Gabe Sinicropi, the Cutters Vice-President of Marketing and Public Relations. “That said, we hope to receive a wealth of applicants to choose from with these video submissions.”

The Crosscutters are seeking any and all types of performers including soloists, groups, and musicians, of any age. All performances must be 90 seconds or less in length, the traditional rendition and vocalists should sing a cappella.

All applications and videos should be submitted by April 30. Those chosen to perform at a game will be notified and scheduled at a later date.

The Crosscutters 2020 home opener is scheduled for June 19 at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. The full schedule can be viewed online at Crosscutters.com.

CLICK HERE to complete the National Anthem application online.