Archives for September 2021

Soul Bowl Return To Blue Wahoos Stadium Brings Welcome Community Boost 

 

For the first time in its three decades, the Soul Bowl didn’t happen in 2020. Another unfortunate event cancellation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

That void has created an emotional backdrop for Saturday’s 29th annual youth football showcase at Blue Wahoos Stadium, which organizers were determined to make happen.

“It was extremely important we have the Soul Bowl,” said Lumon May, long-time director of the Southern Youth Sports Association, along with serving on the Escambia County Commission.

“I have been around sports all my life,” said May, 51, who has been part of this event since the first one was staged. “And so to not have the Soul Bowl… something as significant, particularly to the African-American community in Pensacola as this is… it was very sad, very odd last year.

“This year, all the coaches, all the parents, they were not worried about cancelling the season. They said, ‘If we don’t play any other games, if we don’t play any other Saturday, let’s just play the Soul Bowl. Even if we can’t finish the season, we want to go down to the Wahoos Stadium and play the Soul Bowl.’

“That’s what the Soul Bowl has meant.”

The event will feature five games among five different age divisions between the SYSA Tigers and Albritton & Gant East Pensacola Rattlers. This will be the first football played on the newly resodded Blue Wahoos Stadium, after last Saturday’s scheduled game with the University of West Florida was cancelled.

The continued concern and effect of COVID-19 in the community has led to alterations for this year’s Soul Bowl. There will be Soul Food vendors outside the stadium — a decision reached Thursday — but not the mass variety as before.

The Unity Circle celebration in early afternoon Saturday will instead be a solemn memorial to those with ties to the Soul Bowl who passed away from complications involving the horrific virus.

“We’ve lost coaches, cheerleader coaches, volunteers who had been part of this game for a long time,” May said. “So it’s going to be emotional.

“We know we will have some hiccups. But if we can just get the kids out there to play, that’s the biggest win. We may not have the Soul Food trucks and all the outside activity we’ve have had in the past.

“But I thought it was important for the community to have this and most important for the children involved that we do something for them.”

May said there was some debate on whether to put on the Soul Bowl this year. But after talking with Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer, who led the way 10 years ago for the Soul Bowl to move into Blue Wahoos Stadium from its previous two neighborhood park venues, it reaffirmed a push to stage the 2021 event.

The day-long event is made possible through sponsorship of attorney Troy Rafferty, shareholder in the Levin, Papatonio, Rafferty Law Firm, along with Cox Communications, the Blue Wahoos and other sponsors.

“Quint said, ‘Let’s do it,’ and that was great,” May said. “.And thanks to Quint Studer it has become the signature event for inclusion in downtown Pensacola.”

With favorable weather forecast, the expectation Saturday is for a festive atmosphere and celebration of youth football, which includes parents and spectators setting up tailgate tents inside the stadium and picnic-style atmosphere around kids playing football.

“It’s just a fun thing to see,” said Shannon Reeves, the Blue Wahoos events director who has coordinated as stadium host the past four Soul Bowl games. “The stadium is packed, the music is loud, little kids are everywhere, parents are taking pictures, parents are excited.

“And it really has found its niche here. I feel like people expect it to be here. It’s a well oiled machine from their side (Soul Bowl organizers) of things. Parents know what to expect, coaches know what to expect.”

29th SOUL BOWL YOUTH FOOTBALL

WHO: Southern Youth Sports Association (SYSA) Tigers vs. Albritton & Gant East Pensacola Rattlers

WHEN: Saturday, games are at 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m.. 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.

WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium

ADMISSION: $8 general admission (good for all games) if purchased Thursday or Friday; $10 on Saturday. Children 3-under admitted free.

FORMAT: Games begin with teams ages 6-under, then 8-under, 10-under, 12-under, 14-under for final game. Stadium gates will open at 8 a.m.

RESTRICTIONS: Food purchased outside at one of the food vendors will be permitted inside stadium. But no other outside food or beverage will be permitted to be brought into stadium. Concessions will be open before the first game.

Wahoos Octoberfest Is Month-Long Array Of Popular Community Events 

 

The field transformation at Blue Wahoos Stadium into a football venue has ushered another change, which has evolved in recent years.

It’s now viewed in a different realm as a fall events place.

From the annual Soul Bowl youth football event on Saturday (Oct. 2), it begins the stadium’s own version of an Octoberfest.

Events in the month include a specialty Bingo Night on Oct. 7, the First City Art Center Pumpkin Patch on Oct. 9, a first-time appearance by the Nitro Circus motorcycle stunt riders on Oct. 14, the Light Up Learning gala on Oct. 21, a Halloween weekend event (Oct. 29), along with University of West Florida football games on Oct 16 and Oct .23, plus high school homecoming parties.

“There’s not a weekend — from now until the end of the year — that we don’t have something going on,” said Shannon Reeves, the Blue Wahoos events manager. “Either on a Friday, a Saturday, a Sunday or on multiple days the same weekend.

“I see more people interested in booking something at the stadium. It’s become a place where a lot of people can get together in a safe way.”

It’s now approaching 20 months into the coronavirus pandemic and its effect and reshape of the entertainment and sports world. After making a quick pivot a year ago in a 2020 summer without baseball, the Blue Wahoos have continued to find the ballpark viewed as a safe haven for events.

A full October calendar at the stadium is proof of that.

“COVID showed us a lot about what we can do here,” said Blue Wahoos president Jonathan Griffith. “We were doing movie nights, dinner nights, bingo nights, trivia nights (in 2020) and I think it gives people an option during COVID as far as having a place to go that is outdoors and a safe environment.

“I think that is still a thing for us. Especially among a lot of non-profit organizations, who are having their events here. You don’t get any more open air than Blue Wahoos Stadium.

“Even in our version of a suite area, the Hancock Whitney Club, it is open air. So no matter where you are, as far as a event, this is a great place to have that. And having Shannon Reeves to drive that has been great.”

Whether it’s through baseball games or special events without connection to sports, the stadium has provided the Blue Wahoos options to meet the quest for year-round activities.

It is something baseball team owners Quint and Rishy Studer wanted to ensure when pitching a multiuse stadium project more than a decade ago.

“Quint built the stadium as a community space and my job is to keep it a community space and pack these events in here,” Reeves said. “With our Blue Wahoos staff, we have all these fantastic minds coming together about. ‘let’s do this or have that.’

“Just super creative minds in the community to bring these events to our stadium.”

The First City Art Center Pumpkin Patch event moved to Blue Wahoos Stadium last year. Thousands of pumpkins were sold. It was the first time all pumpkins were sold. This year, a couple thousand people are expected for the day-long Oct. 9 event.

“I started here four years ago, and really not a lot of people knew about our events,” Reeves said. “In the last four years our team has come together and we’ve turned the stadium into a space where we’re holding everything under the sun here.

“And with that comes different audiences. When you host a variety of events, it brings a variety of new eyes, new audiences and this new awareness of, ‘Oh my gosh, look at what they can do here.’

“So it’s not just seen as a baseball stadium. We’ve really worked to make it a year-round events center.”

WAHOOS OCTOBERFEST

Biggest public events in October at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Oct. 2 – Soul Bowl Youth Football (All day).

Oct. 7 – Bingo Night (6-10 p.m.)

Oct. 9 – First City Art Center Pumpkin Patch (2-6 p.m.)

Oct. 14 – Nitro Circus (7-9:30 p.m.)

Oct. 16 – UWF Football Homecoming Game vs. West Georgia (4 p.m.)

Oct. 21 – Light Up Learning Fundraiser Gala (5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)

Oct. 23 – UWF Football vs. Shorter (4 p.m.)

Oct. 29 – Halloween Trick-or-Treat, Movie Night, Fireworks (5 p.m.-9 p.m.).

Tickets/Info: www.bluewahoos.com and www.goargos.com.

Boomer’s Drive-Thru Trick or Treat Returns October 29

 

The Williamsport Crosscutters, in association with the City of Williamsport, have announced the return of Boomer’s Drive-Thru Trick or Treat, a free trick or treating experience for children and their families. The event will take place in the Muncy Bank Ballpark parking lot on Friday, October 29 from 6pm-8pm and is sponsored by UPMC and Backyard Broadcasting.

The event will be hosted by Boomer, the Cutters popular mascot, and give children age 14 and under in costume, the opportunity for a fun, safe, trick or treating experience. Over a dozen other exhibitors, including some of Boomer’s mascot buddies, are slated to be part of Boomer’s Drive-Thru Trick or Treat.

Crosscutters Vice-President of Marketing and Public Relations Gabe Sinicropi stated, “Due to the overwhelming success of this event last year, with over 700 kids in attendance, we wanted to bring it back bigger and better this year to give area children and their families a safe trick or treating experience.”

All participants will be required to stay inside their vehicle as they receive treats from the Williamsport Crosscutters and other area businesses. Those attending the event are asked to enter the Muncy Bank Ballpark lot via the West 4th Fourth Street entrance only. All vehicles will exit at the back of the stadium on Blaine Street.

Any local businesses who would like to be part of this event, at no charge, can contact the Cutters at (570) 326-3389.

Amazin’ Mets Foundation Donates Food Truck to Food Bank of CNY 

 

SYRACUSE, NY – The Syracuse Mets and the Food Bank of CNY will host a food drive in the parking lot at NBT Bank Stadium on Thursday, September 30th in conjunction with the game that night.The Food Bank of CNY is using this game to debut the new refrigerated food truck donated to the Food Bank of CNY by the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. The food drive will begin at 5 p.m. and will last until 7 p.m. The first 150 people to donate non-perishable food items will receive an Amazin’ Mets Foundation tote bag.

“The Amazin’ Mets Foundation is proud to support the great work of the Food Bank of Central New York and the communities in Syracuse,” said Alex Cohen, President of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. “We are committed to providing needed services and opportunities to underserved groups, especially when it comes to hunger relief, which continues to be a growing issue throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We are dedicated to making a positive impact in all of our affiliates’ communities and neighborhoods.”

“The Amazin’ Mets Foundation is making a huge impact in the Central New York community, and we are privileged to be working with them, alongside the New York Mets,” said Jason Smorol, Syracuse Mets General Manager. “The Food Bank does so much to support people around our community, and this donation will help them focus and spend on food instead of vehicle maintenance. This donation by the Amazin’ Mets Foundation is just that, Amazing!”

The Syracuse Mets will play the Buffalo Bisons on Thursday, September 30th, and fans attending the game are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate before entering the stadium. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

“We are thrilled to reveal our new refrigerated straight truck during Thursday night’s Syracuse Mets game,” said Karen Belcher, Executive Director at Food Bank of Central New York. “The Amazin’ Mets Foundation and the Syracuse Mets are terrific partners of the Food Bank, providing funds, awareness, and support for our work to provide nutritious food in the community for people struggling with hunger. This truck, funded by the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, will be on the road every day helping to pick up food donated to us from local retail partners for distribution in various locations in the community later that same day!”

Tickets for September 30th and all remaining Syracuse Mets home games for the 2021 season are available at the Onondaga Coach Ticket Office at NBT Bank Stadium, over the phone (315-474-7833), or in-person during regular office hours, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online anytime at syracusemets.com.

2021 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge On Delmarva Delivers 173,000 Meals For Hunger Relief

 

SALISBURY, MD. (Tuesday, September 22, 2021) — As part of Perdue Farms’ “Delivering Hope To Our Neighbors®” hunger-relief initiative, the company teamed with the Delmarva Shorebirds minor league baseball team and three Delmarva Peninsula food banks to deliver 173,000 meals across the region’s communities in the season-long 2021 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva.

“The impact of the pandemic has brought so much uncertainty and challenge to individuals and families struggling with food insecurity on the Delmarva Peninsula,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation. “After pausing the Strike Out Hunger Challenge last year because of the pandemic, we’re pleased that this year’s campaign once again provided a collaborative platform to raise public awareness about the problem of hunger and food insecurity and deliver much-needed relief to our neighbors in the communities where we live and work.”

According to research from the food banks, on average one in seven people on the Delmarva Peninsula are challenged by food insecurity. One third of that food-insecure population is children.

Since 2011, Perdue, the Shorebirds, food banks and the community at-large have embraced the Strike Out Hunger Challenge to generate more than 1.2 million meals for those in need on Delmarva.

“The Delmarva Shorebirds are so proud of this collaborative partnership that continues to put food on the table for so many of our neighbors in need during these difficult times,” said Jimmy Sweet, assistant general manager of the Delmarva Shorebirds. “We look forward to continuing our work with Perdue in this important effort to improve the quality of life on Delmarva.”

To drive this year’s Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva, Perdue Farms issued a $15,000 challenge grant funded by the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Foundation — the charitable giving arm of the company — to benefit the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank, the Food Bank of Delaware and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.

Each of the food banks were required to engage the Delmarva community to raise the equivalent of 10,000 meals in order to claim their equal share of the first $10,000 of the Foundation challenge grant. This included any combination of pounds of food collected, monies collected and donated, or volunteer hours throughout the duration of the Shorebirds’ season. Perdue also donated $10 for each time the Shorebirds’ pitchers struck out an opposing batter, up to $5,000.

“This annual campaign remains a pivotal part of the Maryland Food Banks’ ability to meet the needs of those who struggle to feed their families,” said Jennifer Small, senior regional program director for the Eastern Shore branch of the Maryland Food Bank. “As a result of our longstanding partnership with Perdue Farms and the Delmarva Shorebirds, and the support committed through the Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva, we are able to provide more food to Eastern Shore Marylanders challenged by food insecurity.”

As Chad Robinson, community relations manager for the Food Bank of Delaware, explains, “We are so grateful for Perdue’s leadership with this annual initiative. Partners like Perdue play a critical role in not only raising much needed funds, but bringing awareness of the critical issue that so many in our community face.”

About the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation
The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. As part of our belief in supporting the communities where and with whom we do business, the Foundation provides grants on behalf of Perdue Farms in communities where large numbers of our associates live and work. At Perdue Farms, we believe in responsible food and agriculture®.

About Perdue Farms

We’re a fourth-generation, family owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers, and farmers through trusted choices in products and services.

The premium protein portfolio within our Perdue Foods business, including our flagship PERDUE® brand, Niman Ranch®, Panorama Organic Grass-Fed Meats®, Coleman Natural®, and Yummy®, as well as our pet brands, Spot Farms® and Full Moon®, is available through various channels including retail, foodservice, club stores, and our direct-to-consumer website, PerdueFarms.com.

Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company.

Now in our company’s second century, our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger. We never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever chicken, turkey, pork, beef and lamb, and in USDA-certified organic chicken and beef. Learn more at Corporate.PerdueFarms.com.

About the Delmarva Shorebirds

The Delmarva Shorebirds were founded in 1996 and have been the Class-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles since 1997. The Shorebirds have won two South Atlantic League championships in 1997 and 2000 and were named the MiLB.com Minor League Team of the Year in 2019 after going 90-48 in the regular season. Based in Salisbury, Maryland, the Shorebirds are proud to represent the entire Delmarva Peninsula and have hosted two SAL All-Star Games in 1999 and 2011. The Shorebirds are owned by 7th Inning Stretch, LP, based in Stockton, California headed by Chairman Tom Volpe and President Pat Filippone.

Homers That Help highlights Jumbo Shrimp Triple-A Final Stretch

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Minor League Baseball has created a charitable component to the Triple-A Final Stretch of games that will benefit 501(c)3 charities in each Triple-A city.

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will join the “Homers That Help” campaign to benefit 5000 Models of Excellence. The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project aims to intervene in the lives of minority male youth in an effort to provide them with both positive role models and experiences in order to empower making good choices and encouraging healthy living, responsibility, respect and achievement.

“We are excited to be able to continue to find ways to better the Jacksonville and Northeast Florida community,” said Jumbo Shrimp Executive Vice President/General Manager Harold Craw. “5000 Models of Excellence does extraordinary work for youth through the state of Florida and Duval County. It is an honor for the Jumbo Shrimp to support their organization.”

For each home run hit by the Jumbo Shrimp during the 10-game Triple-A Final Stretch, Minor League Baseball will donate $50 to 5000 Models of Excellence. The Triple-A club that hits the most home runs during the Final Stretch will also generate an extra $5,000 donation for their charity. Minor League Baseball is also donating to charities of choice for the other 29 Triple-A teams.

Through five games of the Triple-A Final Stretch, the Jumbo Shrimp have hit four home runs. Jacksonville’s 4-1 record is 1.0 game behind both Durham and Nashville in the overall Triple-A East standings. The Jumbo Shrimp begin a five-game set at Gwinnett on Wednesday, which marks their final series of the 2021 season presented by FIS.

“Minor League Baseball teams have long been great community partners, and we are pleased to make a donation to each of these local charities on behalf of our Triple-A teams for their performance during the Triple-A Final Stretch,” said Major League Baseball’s Vice President, Minor League Operations and Development, Peter Woodfork. “These charities provide a variety of valuable services to their community, and it is our honor to recognize their efforts.”

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at 121 Financial Ballpark. 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. The club added its second Promotional Trophy in three years following the 2019 season. The 2021 season marks the return of Triple-A baseball in Jacksonville. 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.

Gwinnett Stripers Award $2,500 September Grant to Helping Mamas

 

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves Foundation, have awarded their $2,500 September grant to Helping Mamas.

Helping Mamas, based in Norcross, is a baby supply bank that partners with over 150 agencies to provide low-income mothers and children with access to basic needs and essential items (like diapers, wipes, car seats, cribs, etc.) to help them thrive and grow. Over the last seven years, Helping Mamas has distributed over two million essential items to families throughout Georgia.

The Stripers selected Helping Mamas to receive the September grant, focused on Health and Wellness. The $2,500 grant will be utilized by the organization to purchase items of critical basic need for their distribution events. The funds will support the diapering of approximately 825 children through mobile distributions to families desperately in need.

“We appreciate the support from local community partners like the Gwinnett Stripers,” said Jan Ruth Mayheu, Director of Major Giving for Helping Mamas. “With this grant, we will serve hundreds of families experiencing diaper needs during these trying times. Collaborations and community partners are what help make our communities stronger and keep families healthy and thriving.”

Representatives from Helping Mamas received the grant from the Stripers on September 17 at Coolray Field.

For more information on Helping Mamas, including how you can donate, visit helpingmamas.org.

About the Gwinnett Stripers Grant Program: The Stripers will award four $2,500 grants to different nonprofits in 2021, with each month focusing on a different category of nonprofit organizations aligning with the Atlanta Braves Foundation’s pillars of “Live, Learn, Play, and Serve.” The four categories are Service-oriented programs (June), Military programs (July), Youth programs (August), and Health and Wellness programs (September). Grant applications were collected through May 14. Each grant recipient will be recognized during a Stripers home game at Coolray Field in 2021.

For more information on the Grant Program and all other Stripers community initiatives, visit GoStripers.com/community.

Twenty-Third Annual “Trick or Treat” at Eastwood Field on Tuesday, October 26th presented by T-Mobile, media partners 21 WFMJ and WBCB and radio partner Mix 98.9

 

Niles, Ohio – The Scrappers are excited to announce the twenty-third annual “Trick or Treat” at Eastwood Field. The event will take place Tuesday, October 26th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. “Trick or Treat” at Eastwood Field is a fun and safe way to celebrate Halloween for children age 12 and under. Ticket quantities are limited and are available on a first come first served basis. Children and adults will require a ticket. Tickets are just $1 each and are available starting October 1st at the Scrappers Team Office located at Eastwood Field. In addition, anyone that donates canned goods at the “Trick or Treat” event for Feed Our Valley will receive a free general admission Scrappers ticket valid during the 2022 season.

Back for the 2022 Trick or Treat event is the “Fast Pass”. The “Fast Pass” is only available for the first 100 kids, includes admission for one child and two adult tickets and allows you to skip the line and get in at 5:45pm for only $10. Those that purchase the Fast Pass will receive a wristband upon purchase.

The Scrappers are looking for area businesses to participate in this year’s “Trick or Treat” event. Businesses will receive table space at Eastwood Field. This is a community event and a great way to promote your business to the public. Early reservations are encouraged as space is limited. Click here to download Table Registration Flyer . Please contact Heather Sahli for complete details by calling 330-505-0000 or emailing [email protected].

To stay up to date with the Scrappers in the offseason or for more information on 2022 ticket packages, visit www.mvscrappers.com or contact the front office at 330-505-0000. Mahoning Valley is one of six founding members of the MLB Draft League, joining the Frederick Keys, the State College Spikes, the Trenton Thunder, the West Virginia Black Bears and the Williamsport Crosscutters. The Scrappers 2021 season is presented by Lordstown Motors.

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Aces Final Stretch homers to benefit District 1 Little League in Northern Nevada

 

RENO, Nev. – The Reno Aces will be competing on behalf of Northern Nevada’s District 1 Little League, as part of Minor League Baseball’s “Homers that Help.” For each home run the Aces hit over the Triple-A Final Stretch, MiLB will donate $50 to District 1.

“We are thrilled to partner with District 1 to help fund scholarships for athletes in need of assistance,” said Aces president Eric Edelstein. “We look forward to working with them to grow participation in sports through this partnership!”

District 1 represents 12 Little Leagues across the Reno, Sparks, Carson City and Lake Tahoe areas. District 1 coordinates all league initiatives, as well as MLB initiatives such as Home Run Derby and Pitch, Hit and Run. They also coordinate training for umpires, volunteers and coaches for all leagues.

The Final Stretch will include the 10 remaining games against Albuquerque and Las Vegas, concluding on Sunday, August 3 at home against Las Vegas.

Through 118 regular season games, the Aces hit the second-most homers in all of Triple-A – 193 long balls.

Aces are back in action tonight after being off yesterday. First pitch from Albuquerque is set for 5:35 p.m. PT, and can be heard on KPLY 630AM or on RenoAces.com with Zack Bayrouty on the call.

Isotopes Team Up With Enlace Comunitario For “Homers That Help”

 

For each home run hit by Triple-A teams (home and road), during the Triple-A Final Stretch of the last 10 games of the season, Major League Baseball will donate $50 per home run to a local charity selected by each team. The club with the most home runs over the 10-game span will generate an additional $5,000 donation for their charity.

The Albuquerque Isotopes have chosen Enlace Comunitario to be the beneficiary of the “Homers That Help” initiative. The mission of Enlace Comunitario is to transform the lives of individuals and their families experiencing domestic violence by working to decrease gender inequity and intimate partner violence in the Latinx immigrant community in Central New Mexico.

The Isotopes’ “Final Stretch” begins tonight as they host Reno at 6:35 p.m. to launch their final homestand of the season. The team finishes the regular season with five games at Sacramento from September 29-October 3.

Clippers Team Up with Mid-Ohio Food Collective for Canned Food Drive

 

The Columbus Clippers and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective are teaming up the last weekend of the 2021 season to help families in need while you receive free Clippers tickets for donating much needed food!

On October 1 – 3, bring at least 2 non-perishable items and receive a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE Reserved, Bleacher, Lawn, or Standing Room Only ticket.

To sweeten the deal, if you bring 2 or more high value items, i.e. peanut/almond butter or canned meat, then you will receive a FREE Reserved, Bleacher, Lawn, or Standing Room Only ticket.

Just drop by the Center Field Gate on the corner of Neil and Nationwide to donate your items, then head straight to the Box Office to redeem your offer.

BOGO ITEMS:

Boxed items

Canned vegetables

Canned fruit

Soup

FREE ITEMS:

Chili with beans

Tuna

Canned Meat

Peanut/almond butter

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective is unable to accept perishable, homemade, home-canned, outdated food, or food in glass containers.

Rainiers partner with Rebuilding Together South Sound for “Final Stretch”

 

TACOMA, WA (9/23/21) – For every home run the 2021 Triple-A West Champion Tacoma Rainiers hit between September 23 and October 3, Minor League Baseball (MiLB) will donate $50 to Rebuilding Together South Sound. It’s one of 30 partners selected by each Triple-A club during the “Final Stretch” of 10 games to conclude the 2021 season.

The Rainiers begin the Final Stretch Thursday in Texas against the Round Rock Express, before ending the 2021 Triple-A season at home against the Salt Lake Bees, September 29 through October 3 at Cheney Stadium.

Tacoma – hitters of 177 home runs this season in their first 120 games – are looking to help a great local partner by continuing their power surge. On top of the $50 per homer, the team that hits the most homers over their 10-game span will raise an additional $5,000 for their selected charity, also courtesy of MiLB.

Since 2001, Rebuilding Together South Sound has repaired over 1,000 homes and 18 non-profit facilities, reinvesting over $7.8 million into our community. The organization seeks to advance health equity by improving housing outcomes for those in economically distressed communities. Other needs they address include roof repairs and energy-efficiency upgrades.

“Minor League Baseball teams have long been great community partners, and we are pleased to make a donation to each of these local charities on behalf of our Triple-A teams for their performance during the Triple-A Final Stretch,” said Major League Baseball’s Vice President, Minor League Operations and Development, Peter Woodfork. “These charities provide a variety of valuable services to their community, and it is our honor to recognize their efforts.”

Rebuilding Together programs also provide home modifications and repairs in the homes of low-income seniors, people with disabilities and families with children who live in Pierce County and the Cities of Federal Way and Auburn, Washington.

The Rainiers’ participation in the “Homers That Help” drive during the Triple-A Final Stretch is an extension of the BECU “Home Runs for Homes” program, where for every home run that a Rainiers player hit at Cheney Stadium during the 2021 regular season, BECU donated $50 to Rebuilding Together South Sound.

About the Tacoma Rainiers

The Tacoma Rainiers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Rainiers are a member of Triple-A West. Tacoma has been a Mariners affiliate since establishing the Rainiers moniker in 1995.

Single-game tickets for all remaining 2021 Rainiers home games are now available. Questions regarding season tickets can be directed to [email protected].

The most up-to-date news and notes about the Tacoma Rainiers and Cheney Stadium can be found at WeRTacoma.com, or by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand), Instagram (@tacomarainiers) and liking the team on Facebook.

Each OKC Dodgers Homer Hit During Final Stretch to Benefit Cleats For Kids

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Each home run hit by the Oklahoma City Dodgers during Triple-A’s Final Stretch will benefit Cleats For Kids in Oklahoma City thanks to a Minor League Baseball™ initiative called “Homers That Help.”

All 30 Triple-A clubs close their 2021 seasons with a 10-game Final Stretch, including the OKC Dodgers who play five road games against the Las Vegas Aviators starting tonight, and five home games against the El Paso Chihuahuas Wednesday, Sept. 29-Sunday, Oct. 3 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

For each home run hit by Triple-A teams (both at home and on the road) during the Final Stretch, Minor League Baseball will donate $50 per home run to a local 501(c)3 charity selected by the team. The team with the most home runs hit during the 10-game span will generate an extra $5,000 donation for its charity of choice.

“Minor League Baseball teams have long been great community partners, and we are pleased to make a donation to each of these local charities on behalf of our Triple-A teams for their performance during the Triple-A Final Stretch,” Major League Baseball’s Vice President, Minor League Operations and Development, Peter Woodfork said. “These charities provide a variety of valuable services to their community, and it is our honor to recognize their efforts.”

The OKC Dodgers chose to benefit Cleats for Kids (C4K), which provides new and used sports equipment free of charge to youth in need, gathering equipment through community drives and drop-off donation sites. The organization began in 2011 in Oklahoma City and has impacted more than 150,000 kids, partnering with 55 youth organizations and 220 Oklahoma school districts, according to the C4K website.

“Cleats for Kids provides opportunity for our Oklahoma youth to benefit from the transformational power of sport,” Oklahoma City Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Purchasing sports gear can be a prohibitive factor that keeps children from participating in youth sports, and Cleats for Kids helps remove that obstacle. We’re hoping for numerous OKC Dodgers home runs over the next 10 games to help further Cleats for Kids’ charitable cause.”

The OKC Dodgers open the 10-game Final Stretch tonight with a five-game road series starting at 9:05 p.m. CT against the Las Vegas Aviators at Las Vegas Ballpark. The Dodgers then close out their 2021 schedule with a five-game home series against the El Paso Chihuahuas starting at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The Dodgers play at 7:05 p.m. next Wednesday-Saturday, wrapping up the Final Stretch as well as the 2021 season at 1:05 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3 in OKC.

Tickets for OKC Dodgers’ home games are available by visiting okcdodgers.com/tickets. For additional information about the OKC Dodgers, please visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182. For more information about Cleats For Kids, please visit cleatsforkids.org.

WooSox are “Going Gold” for Childhood Cancer Awareness Night, Set for Friday, September 24, 6:35 PM

Resilience of those in the fight will be celebrated with pregame ceremony, in-game tribute, and postgame gold-themed fireworks show.

 

WORCESTER, MA – September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the Worcester Red Sox will pay tribute by “going gold” for their final Friday night game at Polar Park this inaugural season, scheduled for September 24 at 6:35 PM. Gold ribbons will be painted on the field in foul territory, players will have the option of wearing gold wristbands, and more than 100 childhood cancer patients and their families will be invited to help form a human gold ribbon in the outfield during the WooSox’ pregame ceremonies. At the end of one inning, tentatively set for the 3rd inning, the players from both teams will hold gold placards, as will fans, media, and broadcasters, each inscribed with the name of someone who has been in the battle.

The families who are participating come to the WooSox via Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic, the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts & Rhode Island, the Tomorrow Fund, the UMass Memorial Health Cancer Center, and Why Me & Sherry’s House. All are community partners of the WooSox and the WooSox Foundation.

In advance of the night, the WooSox will present a check for more than $50,000 on Wednesday, September 22 to UMass Memorial Medical Center, the exclusive health care provider of the WooSox. On Friday, the WooSox Foundation will present another $10,000 to the Jimmy Fund Clinic. WooSox fans raised those funds at Polar Park in advance of last month’s Red Sox/ Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon on WEEI and NESN.

Worcester Red Sox Principal Owner and Chairman Larry Lucchino is the Chairman of the legendary Jimmy Fund. The Dana-Farber Institute has saved Lucchino’s life three times.

“It is part of our Red Sox ethos to partner with the Jimmy Fund, part of our Worcester ethos to partner with UMass Memorial, and part of our Pawtucket heritage to partner with the Tomorrow Fund,” Lucchino said. “We are also joining forces with local charities, such as Why Me? and Sherry’s Place, with more to come in the future. All of Red Sox Nation should be aware of the long history we have of fighting this cruel, miserable disease. We should be aware of the strides we have taken, the heroic research going on right now, and the miles we have to go before we conquer cancer.”

Fans will find the gold placards at their seat, and after writing the name of the person whom they want to remember or honor, they will rise as one at the end of the third inning. Fans with general admission tickets may pick up the placards and permanent markers at tables around the ballpark.

Following the game, the WooSox will present their final fireworks show of the season, gold-themed with inspiring music about perseverance, strength, and compassion from “Rocky,” Rachel Platten, and others. The fireworks spectacular is presented by UniBank.

The WooSox invite fans to help make Polar Park a sea of gold on Childhood Cancer Awareness Night and donate to the WooSox Foundation as part of its ongoing commitment to fight childhood cancer. Fans may donate by visiting marked tables around the ballpark, scanning the QR code located on the back of their gold placard, or by visiting woosoxfoundation.org. Tickets

for the game may be purchased online at polarpark.com, by phone at (508) 500-8888, or in person at the Polar Park Ticket Office at 100 Madison Street.

RubberDucks to donate $1 of each walkup playoff ticket to Somerset Community

 

(AKRON, OHIO) September 22, 2021 – In the wake of the devastating flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida the Somerset County, New Jersey, community experienced on Sept. 2, the RubberDucks hope to aid in the rebuilding efforts by sending donations to the Somerset Patriots official charity. The club will donate $1 from every walkup ticket sold during RubberDucks home playoff games to The Somerset Patriots Children’s Educational and Sportsmanship Foundation.

“We are very appreciative of the Akron RubberDucks and their efforts to help raise funds to help the people in Central New Jersey affected by Tropical Storm Ida,” said Somerset Patriots President/General Manager Patrick McVerry. “Since the floods hit our area, we have received nothing but unbelievable support from our friends throughout the Northeast League. Whether that came from donated items for an online MiLB auction, Hartford taking on some of our games, and now Akron putting our fans at the forefront of their community efforts, we couldn’t be more grateful. A very special thank you to the Babby family, general manager Jim Pfander, and the entire RubberDucks organization for their generosity. It once again showcases how baseball can bring people together to make a difference for the communities that America’s favorite pastime so proudly serve.”

In addition to the donations from ticket sales, RubberDucks fans will have the opportunity to make donations at the box office and FirstEnergy Guest Services during each of the games at Canal Park.

the RubberDucks / our community want to do our part and help out another club in our league who experienced unimaginable / devastating loss. We are thinking about the Somerset community and want to help in a small way during their time of need, etc

“As our staff watched Somerset County, New Jersey, another community in our league, experience such devastating loss, we wanted to find a way to do our part in the recovery,” said RubberDucks General Manager/Chief Operating Officer Jim Pfander. “The RubberDucks family and fans in Northeast Ohio have shown incredible support for those in need, most recently amid the challenges of the pandemic. We hope this weekend can help make a difference for the Somerset community.”

The RubberDucks will host the Bowie Baysox for the Double-A Northeast Championship Series this weekend at Canal Park, presented by Brennan Manna Diamond. Game 3 of the best-of-five series is Friday, and Games 4 and 5, if necessary, will be Saturday and Sunday, respectively. All games will start at 6:05 p.m., with gates opening at 5:05 p.m.

The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The RubberDucks season is powered by FirstEnergy at Canal Park. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 330-253-5151 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, or visit akronrubberducks.com. For more information about the team, please call 330-253-5151, visit the website at akronrubberducks.com, Facebook page facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks, or on Twitter @AkronRubberDuck, and Instagram @akronrubberducks.