Archives for April 2022

Blood Drive Hosted at Fluor Field During Wednesday's Game

As blood donations continue to have an urgent need in our Community, the Greenville Drive and The Blood Connection will host another Blood Drive at Fluor Field on Wednesday, April 20th. Blood mobiles will be setup along Field Street.

The Blood Drive will begin at 2 PM, and conclude with the first pitch of Wednesday’s game at 7 PM. Walk-up donations are allowed, but those wishing to donate are encouraged to pre-register for a time slot by clicking HERE.

Donors will receive a commemorative raglan t-shirt, clear bag, and a voucher for two tickets to a future Drive game!

First Reading All-Stars Celebration is Sunday, April 24th!

The first of three Reading All-Stars games this season. Presented by Michelin, this program uses the fun and excitement of Greenville Drive baseball to encourage elementary and middle school students to read. If students achieve Reading All-Star status, they earn a complimentary ticket to the game.

This game will see students from Anderson, Pickens, Laurens, and Spartanburg County schools. Each Reading All-Star will get the chance to walk in a pregame parade or attend a Meet the Team event prior to the game and get a new RAS t-shirt and book to take home with them.

Students and teachers will be recognized throughout the game as we celebrate their accomplishments!

Health Careers Night is Wednesday, April 20th

Wednesday night is Health Careers Night. Throughout the night, the Drive will be promoting careers in the healthcare industry to encourage and educate students interested in following this career path. The day begins at 2pm on Field St. with The Blood Connection blood drive. Donors can register by clicking HERE and will receive a raglan t-shirt, clear bag and a voucher for 2 tickets to a future Drive game.

Take part in a free Root Cause community health services fair on Field St. starting at 5 PM brought to you by Prisma Health and University of SC School of Medicine Greenville. This interactive fair leading up to the first pitch will include information and activities from community partners such as Carolina Wellness, Greenville Technical College Dental programs, American Heart Association, New Horizons and more.

At 5:30 PM, there will be a lively panel discussion in the 500 Club geared towards middle and high school students and their parents. Experts and professionals from Prisma Health and Greenville County Schools will be onsite discussing their own personal pathways to a career in the healthcare industry. Enjoy complimentary ice cream following the discussion!

When gates open to the public at 6 PM, the concourse will be alive with different interactive exhibits from Prisma Health, Greenville Technical College, Furman University and more.

For even more information on this special night, and to get tickets, click HERE.

3rd Annual Teach GCS Night is Tuesday, April 19th

In partnership with Public Education Partners of Greenville County, Greenville Count Schools, and Herff Jones, the Greenville Drive will host their 3rd annual Teach GCS Night at Fluor Field this Tuesday to kick-off the homestand versus the Winston-Salem Dash – affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

A night to elevate teachers in Greenville County Schools, and celebrate their profession, the evening begins at 5 PM with a special pre-game picnic in the 500 Club for all first-year teachers and their mentors! Those attending this picnic should have received a special invitation from Public Education Partners!

When gates to Fluor Field officially open at 6 PM, all teachers will receive a complimentary “My Drive to Teach” t-shirt courtesy of Herff Jones, and a $5 ballpark voucher compliments of the Drive that can be used at any of the concession stands!

Teachers from across Greenville County Schools will be recognized pre-game and throughout the night! Anne Tromsness, the 2021-22 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year will throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch, while Matt DeHart and Caroline Black, two of Greenville County Schools “Emerging Teachers” will serve as the Honorary Captains. Christian Scott, Sarah Poole and Anna Hasenkamp, the Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year Runners-Up will kick the game off as Honorary Play Ball Announcers!

In-game inning breaks will include live interviews with Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster, as well as GCS Trustee Chuck Saylors.

You’ll want to be part of this special night, when we recognize and thank our Greenville County School teachers. Click HERE to purchase tickets!

We Honor the Negro Leagues on Jackie Robinson Day

This year, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson debuting for the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking baseball’s color barrier. In honor of Robinson and many other players who pursued playing professional baseball despite the obstacles that were placed in their path, the Charlotte Knights would like to remember a few players from the Carolinas who were part of making the Negro Baseball Leagues a major league sport, even if it wasn’t properly recognized in their time.

The Taylor family out of South Carolina played a big role in the legacy of the Negro Leagues. The oldest of four Taylor brothers, C.I. Taylor, was born in 1875 in Anderson, SC. In 1904, C.I. founded the first all-black professional team in Birmingham, AL. As manager of the Birmingham Giants from 1904-1909, the eldest Taylor recruited his younger brothers Steel Arm Johnny, Candy Jim, and Ben to play for him. The youngest brother, Ben Taylor, finished his career in the Negro Leagues batting over .300 across 21 seasons. In 2006 Ben was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Another member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Buck Leonard, played from 1935 to 1948 for the Homestead Grays of the Negro National League. Leonard was born in Rocky Mount, NC in 1907. He was compared to Lou Gehrig early in his career. The comparison was not just for his smooth hits and bat swing that resembled Gehrig’s (which was intentional as the teenaged Leonard would take a train up to Washington, DC to watch his favorite player Gehrig and the Yankees play the Senators) but it was more so for his kind and gentle demeanor, which Gehrig was known to have. In 1972, Leonard was inducted into the Hall of Fame after a Negro Leagues career hitting over .340 and a 1.042 OPS.

Dave Barnhill pitched in the professional and semi-pro Negro Leagues and foreign baseball leagues from the mid-1930s up until 1948. Standing only 5’6” tall, one might not be ready for the heater (fastball) coming to the plate from the mound. Not only were batters scared of his fastball, but even Barnhill was quoted as saying he was worried he might hurt a batter. When asked about Barnhill, Cool Papa Bell said, “he threw smoke.” Barnhill was born in Greenville, NC. In 1943 the Pittsburgh Pirates asked Barnhill to tryout for the Major League team. Unfortunately, the Pirates owner canceled the tryout. This was 3 years prior to Jackie Robinson signing with the Dodgers. In 1948, the New York Giants offered Barnhill a Major League contract. In 1950, at age 36, Barnhill and the Minneapolis Millers (minor league team for the Giants) won the American Association Championship. He went 11-3 with a 3.60 ERA that season. Barnhill retired before ever getting a promotion to the New York Giants.

As most remember Jackie Robinson being the first player to break the color barrier in the Major Leagues, some may forget the first player to break the color barrier in the American League was South Carolina native Larry Doby. On July 5, 1947, Doby debuted for the Cleveland Indians becoming Major League’s second black player. Doby was born in Camden, SC before his family moved to New Jersey. While in high school at age 18, Doby began playing professional baseball for the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League. While serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Doby met Mickey Vernon, a star with the Washington Senators who was also serving in the Navy. Vernon is credited with encouraging Doby not to give up on baseball. In 1947, Bill Veeck and his Indians signed Doby to a Major League contract. In his last at-bat in the Negro Leagues, Doby hit a home run for Newark before leaving for Cleveland. After a 13-year career in Major League Baseball, Doby was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998. Doby has won two World Series, the 1946 Negro League World Series with the Newark Eagles and the 1948 World Series with the Cleveland Indians.

There were many more players in the Negro Leagues who either played in the Carolinas or were born in the Carolinas that contributed to making the Negro Leagues a major league sport. The Negro Leagues helped Jackie Robinson take the steps to start the breaking of barriers in baseball, in sports, and in our society.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation, founded by Jackie’s wife Rachel, continues to help provide scholarship and leadership programs for minority students and is opening a Jackie Robinson Museum in New York this year.

Jackie Robinson Foundation: https://jackierobinson.org/

MLB’s recognition of the 75th anniversary: https://www.mlb.com/news/jackie-robinson-day-2022-commemoration

Fireflies Seeking Stand Up To Cancer Warriors of the Inning Nominees

COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Fireflies today announced that they are searching for Cancer Warriors of the Inning to be honored during Stand Up To Cancer Night at Segra Park Thursday, May 19. The Fireflies will recognize local Cancer Warriors: those who are survivors, currently fighting or who have lost their lives to the fight against cancer.

Fans can nominate Cancer Warriors online by sharing their Warrior’s story. Nominations must be submitted by midnight Sunday, May 8. The Fireflies will be recognizing eight warriors during the game on Stand Up To Cancer Night. Each warrior who gets selected will receive two complimentary tickets to the Fireflies game May 19 vs the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at 7:05 pm.

The Fireflies return home April 19 to face-off against the Down East Wood Ducks for the first time in franchise history! When the Texas Rangers affiliate comes to town, the Fireflies will host their first Trash the Poop Dog Day of Summer, pass out a t-shirt giveaway and will blast-off a spectacular fireworks display.

Tickets for the upcoming games next week, and all 2022 Fireflies home games, are on sale now and can be purchased online at FirefliesTickets.com, by calling the Fireflies Box Office at 803-726-4487 or by visiting the Fireflies Box Office in-person at Segra Park. Individual game ticket prices range from $5 to $12 and premium seating options are available starting at $14 per person. All tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis and are based upon availability.

REGISTRATION UNDERWAY FOR DRAGONS 5K

Dayton, Ohio – Registration is underway for the 12th annual Dragons 5K on Saturday, July 16, 2022 starting at 8:00 a.m. at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District with options to participate in-person or virtually. The event began in 2011 and has become a local tradition as one of the Miami Valley’s largest races with over 2,000 runners and walkers participating annually.

The Dragons 5K will continue offering a virtual option for those that prefer that method. Participants that sign up for the virtual option can complete the race on their own time, and then input their time online by July 16.

All race participants (including virtual) will receive a swag bag that includes a Dragons 5K T-shirt, Dragons 5K medal, Dragons hat, and four (4) lawn tickets to a future Dragons game. If participants sign up for the race in the first 30 days, they will receive two additional Dragons stadium tickets.

The registration fee is $30 for ages 18 and up and $20 for ages 17 and under. For the virtual race option, there is an additional charge of $10 for swag bag shipping. Fans can sign-up today to reserve their spot at www.daytondragons.com/dragons5ksignup.

The race will begin at 8:00 a.m. and participants may choose to run or walk the course. Baby strollers are permitted. The course will move through downtown Dayton and end back at Day Air Ballpark.

The top three male and female finishers will receive a specially-engraved baseball bat. The top three male and female runners in each age group will be awarded a Dragons Den e-gift card. Also, top finishing groups will receive great group prizes with the grand prize being a luxury suite at a Dragons game in 2023.

There will be fruit and water provided for participants after the race. Results will be provided to fans following the completion of the race. The winners of the top overall, individual age group, and group category will receive a notification from the Dragons via email by Monday, July 18. You can learn more about the Dragons 5K event at www.daytondragons.com/dragons5k.

The 2022 Dragons 5K is being presented by Orthopedic Associates. As the regional leader in comprehensive orthopedic care, our passion is helping Dayton’s families get back to doing what they love. We are proud to be the trusted orthopedic provider serving your Dayton Dragons for more than a decade. Learn more at www.BonesFixed.com_._

For more information on the Dragons 5K, go to http://www.daytondragons.com/dragons5k.

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Sea Dogs welcome first Sustainability Partner, Arcadia, as part of Club’s comprehensive sustainability strategy

Portland, Maine– The Portland Sea Dogs welcome their first Sustainability Partner, Arcadia, as part of their refreshed and comprehensive approach to sustainability. This season, the club will build a sustainability strategy around the opportunities to create positive community impact, including through tactical solutions in the stadium and through fan engagement initiatives and game day activations within the Portland community.

As part of Arcadia’s Sustainability Partnership, they will be leading a program titled “Sustainable Sundays” to feature several local partners who are taking and inspiring sustainable action on an individual or organization level.

“We’re thrilled to support the Sea Dogs again and to bring fans Sustainable Sundays,” said Kate Henningsen, co-founder and COO of Arcadia. “We’re especially excited to highlight the phenomenal work that our partner organizations are doing across Maine. Together, we can help fans hit it out of the park with sustainable actions to make a lasting impact.”

Sustainable Sundays will showcase environmentally-focused themes throughout the baseball season, such as featuring the Bike Coalition of Maine during National Bike Month. “We are excited to partner with Arcadia and the Portland Sea Dogs for National Bike Month! Clean energy and active transportation go hand in hand!” said Jean Sideris, the Executive Director of the Bike Coalition of Maine.

In addition to Sustainability Sundays, fans should expect to see more sustainability-related promotional events throughout the season, starting with Earth Day in April.

“Sustainability isn’t new to us, but this new partnership helps us to put sustainability at the forefront. The time to take environmental action is now and a formal strategy will be important for helping us prioritize feasible solutions to take action. We’ll be announcing more about this later in the season,” said Geoff Iacuessa, Portland Sea Dogs President & General Manager.

To support this comprehensive sustainability strategy effort, the club has engaged Recipric as their Front Office Sustainability Agency, who will develop the club’s sustainability strategy and will provide tactical solutions for the club to take positive action. Recipric will engage the club throughout the season and fans can expect regular updates on the progress of those efforts.

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*About Arcadia: *

Arcadia is a climate crisis–fighting technology company founded in 2014 and born out of a simple idea — everyone deserves access to clean energy. Arcadia breaks the fossil fuel monopoly by creating unprecedented access to energy data and renewable energy sources through its technology platform, Arc, and its community solar program. Arc fuels the renewable energy revolution by democratizing access to energy data from 125 utilities nationwide, covering more than 80% of US electric utility accounts. Arcadia also manages the nation’s leading community solar program, helping to tackle energy injustice while spurring economic growth with more than 700MW of solar under management. Join us in our mission and find out how you or your business can help achieve the vision of a 100% clean energy future at arcadia.com.

*About Recipric: *

Recipric is a Front Office Sustainability Agency, that represents the comprehensive sustainability strategy, partnership, athlete engagement and more for sports teams, leagues, and related organizations. Recipric is based in Maine but works with professional sports organizations across the US and around the world. Visit the website or contact Kristen Fulmer to learn more: [email protected]

*About Portland Sea Dogs: *

The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. In 28 seasons the Sea Dogs have welcomed over 10 million fans to Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine. The Sea Dogs provide family-friendly entertainment while actively contributing to a vibrant and inclusive community. The Sea Dogs’ “Strike Out Cancer in Kids” program has raised over 5 million dollars for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. While over 300 Sea Dogs players have gone on to play in the Major Leagues including some of today’s Red Sox stars such as Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, and Christian Vazquez. For more information on the Sea Dogs visit seadogs.com. Follow the Sea Dogs on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Cutters Looking to Fill Summer Positions

The Williamsport Crosscutters, members of the MLB Draft League, are looking to fill dozens of part-time game day positions at Muncy Bank Ballpark for the 2022 season.

Interested individuals must apply in-person at one of two Cutters Job Fairs to be held Saturday, April 30 from 10am – Noon and Thursday, May 12 from 5-7pm at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, 1700 W. Fourth St., Williamsport. Anyone aged 16 and over is encouraged to apply. The events will be held rain or shine.

Benefits include; wages starting at $10 per hour, flexible schedules, merchandise discounts, complimentary game tickets and a fun work environment.

Job descriptions for all available positions can be found at crosscutters.com. Positions include; food service workers, ticketing, stadium ushers, camera operators, wait staff, parking attendants, grounds crew members, game day internships and more. The Crosscutters season consists of 40 home games from June 2 until September 1.

To save time, those interested are encouraged to download and fill out an application AVAILABLE HERE prior to the job fair. Applications will also be available at the event. Applicants should have an outgoing personality and a willingness to work with the public. The Williamsport Crosscutters are an equal opportunity employer.

The Crosscutters open the 2022 season on Thursday, June 2 against the State College Spikes. MVP Club Season Tickets, Bonus Books and Mini-Plans are now available. Opening Night and single game tickets go on sale May 3.

Cutters Announce Military Salute for 2022 Season

The Williamsport Crosscutters have announced a new program to honor active and retired military members during the 2022 season.

The program, Military Salute, is presented by EQT and will honor an active or retired member of the armed forces in pregame ceremonies at every Cutters home game this season.

Cutters Vice President of Marketing Gabe Sinicropi stated, “While our debt to those who have defended our freedom can never be repaid, we look forward to shining the spotlight on just some of the brave individuals from our area who are or have served our country. The Crosscutters are thrilled to be able to provide this well-deserved recognition to these men and women thanks to the support of our partner EQT.”

To nominate someone for the Military Salute program, simply fill out the short online nomination form AVAILABLE BY CLICKING HERE. Those chosen will receive;

  • 4 tickets to the selected Cutters game
  • A $25 Cutters gift card
  • Recognition on the field prior to the game
  • Ceremonial 1st pitch honors

Nominations will remain open until all 40 available spots have been filled.

The Crosscutters also support active and retired military with Thank You Thursdays presented by the Master Sgt. Sean Thomas Foundation and Hamilton Patriot. The program provides a free pair of tickets to any Thursday home game for those showing a military ID (active or veterans) at the box office.

The Crosscutters open the 2022 season on Thursday, June 2 against the State College Spikes. MVP Club Season Tickets, Bonus Books and Mini-Plans are now available. Opening Night and single game tickets go on sale May 3 at 10am.

About EQT: EQT Corporation is a leading independent natural gas producer with an evolutionary focus on the future. EQT has operations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio and is dedicated to responsibly developing our world-class asset base in the core of the Appalachian Basin. At EQT, our business is about more than just the innovative production of energy resources; it’s also about being a good neighbor. Just like the friends and neighbors in your community, we strive for a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with our customers, our partners, and residents in the regions where we do business.

Make-A-Wish HV announces World Wish Day celebration with Renegades

TARRYTOWN, NY (April 12, 2022) – Having granted more than 3,000 wishes for children with critical illnesses since the chapter’s founding in 1986, Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley staff, volunteers and supporters know about the power of a wish and how it restores hope for local children battling with critical illnesses.

Every year, Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley – along with other chapters and affiliates worldwide – celebrate World Wish Day on April 29, the anniversary of the wish that inspired the founding of the organization 42 years ago.

In celebration of World Wish Day, Make-A-Wish supporters are invited to celebrate the power of a wish at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, NY to rally around the tagline:

“Restore hope with a wish.”

In partnership with the Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, Make-A-Wish will host a local World Wish Day Ambassador, wish kid Bryan and his family, to represent the over 3,000 children who have had a wish granted by the chapter. Bryan will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and take part in on-field activities at the Renegades game that night. In addition, Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley President & CEO, Kristine Burton and Bryan will spend time in the radio broadcast booth to talk about the impact of a wish and how everyone has the power to restore hope with a wish.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.gadesgroups.com. The password is WISH. Tickets will be available for purchase through this link until Wednesday April 27th at 11:30pm, two days prior to the game.

Inspired by new research on the impact of a wish, World Wish Day 2022 focuses on how the hope that a wish provides can improve the emotional and mental well-being for children with critical illnesses, helping them to deal with, and overcome, their illness.

Today, Make-A-Wish is releasing new research in the form of the 2022 Wish Impact Study that provides quantitative data to lend credibility to the anecdotal feedback heard regularly from wish families. The powerful results of the Wish Impact Study add to a growing body of research demonstrating how wish-fulfillment promotes mental and emotional well-being for children and their families who are facing trauma stemming from a critical illness.

The online study surveyed three groups of individuals: parents of wish kids, wish alumni (i.e., former wish recipients) and doctors. The parents and alumni who were surveyed experienced a wish between 2009 and 2019, allowing them to look back and assess the lasting, long-term impact of the wish. In total, 3,411 people completed the survey.

Wish parents made up the majority of respondents with 93% of parents acknowledging that their family experienced traumatic stress due to their child’s critical illness. After their child’s wish was granted, 94% of parents recalled seeing improvements in their child’s emotional well-being, so much so that 91% of parents reported the wish gave their child a better chance of surviving their illness.

The wish alumni who completed the survey affirm the wish parents’ sentiments. 87% of alumni stated that they and their families experienced traumatic stress during their battle with a critical illness. Their wish played an integral role in counteracting the mental and emotional distress. More than 90% of the alumni agreed that the wish improved their quality of life, brought their family closer together, boosted their self-esteem and gave them hope for the future. Interestingly, 60% of the alumni indicated that they had fully recovered from their illness, helping to dispel the common misconception that children must have an end-of-life prognosis to be eligible for a wish.

Perhaps the most overwhelmingly positive feedback on the impact of a wish came from the pediatric doctors who participated in the study. More than 90% of the doctors said they witnessed their patients overcoming feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety and depression after their wish. Furthermore, 95% of the doctors reported the wish improved their patients’ emotional and physical well-being. 75% of the doctors went as far as to state that a wish could improve a child’s medical outcomes.

“At a time when families are dealing with unplanned hospital stays and uncomfortable treatments, a wish can provide children with the chance to reclaim a piece of their childhood and a sense of control,” said Dr. Shoba Sriktantan, MD, FAAP and chair of the Make-A-Wish National Medical Advisory Council. “After coming back from a wish, many of my patients exhibit a renewed sense of hope and greater compliance with their treatment, which is why I – and many of my peers – consider a wish to be an important part of a child’s treatment plan.”

To learn more about the Wish Impact Study and find out how you can get involved, visit hudson.wish.org.

About Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley

Make-A-Wish® Hudson Valley creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We seek to bring every eligible child’s wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey. Research shows children who have received a wish are able to build the physical and emotional strength needed to fight critical illnesses. Since its inception in 1986, the Hudson Valley Chapter has granted wishes to over 3,000 children in the community it serves. The Chapter’s territory spans eight counties of the Hudson Valley, including Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. The Chapter is a Better Business Bureau Wise Alliance Accredited Charity, meeting the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Additionally, a recent independent audit of the chapter reported that 73% of all funds raised go to program services. For more information about the Hudson Valley Chapter visit hudson.wish.org.

About the Hudson Valley Renegades

The Renegades are in their second season as the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They have played their home games at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. since 1994. The Renegades opened the 2022 season on Friday, April 8 at the Greenville Drive with a nine-game road trip before returning home for the home opener at The Dutch on Tuesday, April 19 against the Brooklyn Cyclones. Single-game tickets are on sale now at https://www.milb.com/hudson-valley/tickets/single-game-tickets, by phone at (845) 838-0094 or at the ticket office at The Dutch.

About Diamond Baseball Holdings

Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) is a subsidiary of Endeavor, the global sports and entertainment company. DBH was formed in 2021 to support, promote, and enhance Minor League Baseball through professional management, best practices, innovation and investment. (DiamondBaseballHoldings.com).

The Blood Connection, Columbia Fireflies Partner to Increase Blood Donation in the Midlands

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Blood Connection and the Columbia Fireflies are proud to announce a new partnership in 2022 that will encourage blood donation in the Midlands and bring baseball fun to blood donors across the region. The Columbia Fireflies will now join the Lifesaver League – a group of minor league sports teams committed to serving their community through hosting blood drives and encouraging blood donation.

“We are proud to partner with The Blood Connection as part of the Lifesaver League to encourage Fireflies fans to help our local community by donating blood at one of the Blood Drives at the ballpark this summer,” said Ashlie DeCarlo, Director of Marketing for the Columbia Fireflies. “There is a critical need for blood donations right now and just one moment out of your day can help save a life.”

The Fireflies have called Columbia home for six years and were a perfect partner for The Blood Connection as the organization begins to service more hospitals in the Midlands region. The Blood Connection is the community blood center serving the Carolinas and Georgia, and supplies blood products to Prisma Health – Richland, MUSC Columbia, and Lexington Medical Center, along with more than forty others across South Carolina.

“Our Lifesaver League partnerships are a longstanding tradition within The Blood Connection, and we are excited to enter into this venture with the Columbia Fireflies,” said Delisa English, President and CEO of The Blood Connection. “We’re looking forward to reaching more potential blood donors across the Midlands by bringing our blood donation opportunities to Fireflies fans and Segra Park. Local hospitals certainly need their donations desperately.”

The Blood Connection and the Fireflies will hold three blood drives throughout the 2022 season:

– Thursday, April 14 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

o All blood donors will receive a Raglan t-shirt, a clear bag, and two tickets to a future Fireflies game. All donors will also be entered for a chance to win a VIP Ticket package.

– Sunday, June 26 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

o All blood donors will receive a Lifesaver League hat, a Dri-Fit t-shirt, and two tickets to a future Fireflies game. All donors will also be entered for a chance to win a VIP Ticket package.

– Thursday, September 8 from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

o All blood donors will receive a Dugout mug and two free tickets to a future Fireflies game.

All donors will also be entered for a chance to win a VIP Ticket package. Potential donors can make an appointment to donate blood with the Fireflies by going to thebloodconnection.org/fireflies. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.

Home Runs For Heroes Reaches Half-Million in Donations

JERSEY SHORE, NJ – When DJ Stewart homered on Saturday onto the grass berm above the left field wall at ShoreTown Ballpark, it meant far more than the first BlueClaws home run of the year, and Stewart’s 16th professional home run. This particular blast brought OceanFirst Foundation’s donations to $500,000 in the history of the Home Runs for Heroes Program.

Home Runs for Heroes, which began in 2009, pairs military-based non-profit charities and charitable programs with each of the nine innings in a game. Each BlueClaws home run hit at ShoreTown Ballpark means a $1,000 donation for the corresponding organization(s). Since select innings have multiple organizations tied in, some home runs, including Stewart’s on Saturday, generate $2,000 in donations.

“OceanFirst Foundation is excited to be back for a 14th season of Home Runs for Heroes alongside our long-time partners – the Jersey Shore BlueClaws and Townsquare Media. This year, we have 14 amazing charity partners that serve our nation’s military heroes and veterans in times of need,” said Katherine Durante, Executive Director of the OceanFirst Foundation. “We are honored to be able to give back to our heroes through this program and wish the BlueClaws another record-breaking season!”

Stewart’s home run came in the fourth inning, raising $1,000 each for both Chariot Riders and the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund.

“On behalf of Townsquare Media and its shore radio stations (92.7 WOBM, 94.3 The Point, 105.7 The Hawk, Cat Country 96.7/104.1) as well as our Shore Sports Network we are honored to be part of this program again,” said Kevin Williams, Director of the Shore Sports Network. “Home Runs for Heroes not only provides financial support for these amazing organizations but it allows them to have a greater presence in the community so the public is aware of what they do for former and active duty military members and their families.”

Entering this year, OceanFirst Foundation had donated $499,000, including over $90,000 last year alone when the BlueClaws hit a franchise record 52 longballs at home

This year’s participating charities are as follows:

  • 1st Inning – American National Red Cross
  • 2nd Inning – Army Emergency Relief
  • 3rd Inning – Catholic Charities (Diocese of Trenton), Ma Deuce Deuce
  • 4th Inning – Chariot Riders, Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund
  • 5th Inning – Vetwork, Navy-Marine Corps Relief
  • 6th Inning – National Guard State Family Readiness Council, GI Go Fund
  • 7th Inning – Cape May Coast Guard Foundation, Jewish Federation of Southern Ocean County
  • 8th Inning – Deborah Hospital Foundation
  • 9th Inning (and Extras) – Homes for All

“Military organizations and programs are of such high importance to the BlueClaws, and we’re proud to be a part of this program,” said BlueClaws Team President Joe Ricciutti. “When the BlueClaws hit home runs here at ShoreTown Ballpark, they don’t just help our team win, but they provide material support to our military heroes. Here’s to a summer of home runs!”

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. Since their 2001 inception, they have drawn over 7.8 million fans. In 2018, the team added the Manasquan Bank Mini Golf course and boardwalk games to the offerings. They re-branded to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws heading into the 2021 season.

-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-

Tarpons partner with Curemark on Sensory Safe Suite

The Tampa Tarpons are excited to team up with Curemark, LLC this season.

Suite 4 will be available to one family per-game to experience the Tarpons game. The Curemark Suite will provide a comforting, relaxing, and less stimulating space for families with children on the autism spectrum and with special needs to experience a Tarpons game while still being fun and functional. This allows guests in the suite to decompress and enjoy baseball with their family away from the louder, hectic and often over-stimulating environment in other areas of the ballpark.

Families can request use of Suite 4 by filling out this request form.

For more information on the Curemark Sensory Safe Suite, please email [email protected].

Segra Stadium Earns Sensory Inclusive Certification

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers will offer a sensory friendly environment at Segra Stadium beginning this season. The stadium earned sensory inclusive certification in February with 50% of the Woodpeckers front office completing a training through KultureCity, a national nonprofit that advocates for sensory needs. This new initiative will promote an accommodating experience for all guests and fans with a sensory condition.

The Woodpeckers Foundation supplied $1,000 to the initiative, which included the purchase of certification, five sensory bags and one weighted lap pad. Segra Stadium will have sensory bags available for check out at the guest services table behind section 125. Included in every sensory bag are headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards. Fans will also be able to check out a weighted lap pad for use.

Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to over simulation and noise. With its new certification, Segra Stadium is now better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities in having the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible.

For more information on the Fayetteville Woodpeckers or the Woodpeckers Foundation, please visit www.fayettevillewoodpeckers.com. The Woodpeckers open their third season of play in Kannapolis on April 8th and return for their home opener on April 12th against the Salem Red Sox.