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Top Five Black Players in Columbia History

February 4, 2022

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

To celebrate Black History Month, the Columbia Fireflies are joining MLB in naming the top five black players to play baseball in the Midlands region. Columbia has a decorated baseball history that first saw professional baseball in the late 1800’s. The first Major League team to make an official relationship

To celebrate Black History Month, the Columbia Fireflies are joining MLB in naming the top five black players to play baseball in the Midlands region. Columbia has a decorated baseball history that first saw professional baseball in the late 1800’s. The first Major League team to make an official relationship with Columbia was the Cincinnati Reds, who announced their affiliation with the city in 1954.

Across the expansive list of players, this is the group that stands out over the rest.

5.) Our countdown starts with Ron Washington. While Washington didn’t play in Columbia, many people don’t know Washington for his eight-year Major League career in the middle infield, they know him for his time as a Manager and coach. His coaching career began with the Capital City Bombers, where he manned the helm in 1993 and 1994. Washington led the Bombers to 123 wins across those two seasons before getting an offer from the Oakland Athletics to help out their Major League staff during the start of the Moneyball era. Washington is credited as teaching Scott Hatteberg how to play first base after Billy Beane signed him. The Louisiana native began his Major League coaching career in 2007 with the Texas Rangers. In parts of eight seasons with the Rangers, Washington led the club to the World Series in 2010-11 and to a third playoff berth in 2012. He would finish his managerial career with a 664-611 record after resigning from his post with the Rangers in 2014. In 2016, he made his return to coaching in Major League Baseball, this time as a third-base coach for the Atlanta Braves. Washington was finally able to win his first World Series when the Braves took home the title in 2021.

4.) Next up, the first former player in Columbia to make the list is Mo Bruce. While Bruce never played in the Majors, he had a profound impact on the last championship season in Soda City. The middle infielder played for the Capital City Bombers in the 1998 campaign and led the League with a .341 average in 126 games. Hickory’s Jimmy Terrell was second in the league with a .337 clip. Bruce wasn’t selected until the 54th round of the 1994 draft, but he did more than provide an elite average for Capital City. He also clubbed 15 homers and drove in a team-high 74 RBI on Capital City’s chase for the South Atlantic League crown. Over the course of his career, Bruce spent six seasons in the minors, including two in AAA. He held a career average of .289 and had 38 total homers. His input was a big reason why Baseball America ranked that Bombers’ team first overall in the last 1998 power ranking they put out that season. Bruce also had an intangible that added to the team’s success: his veteran presence. A lot of guys in that line-up viewed Bruce as a third coach on the field. Bruce was a year or two older than most of the other players on that roster. That magical season at Capital City Stadium is where Bruce put together his top power and average numbers to help culminate in a ring, and that’s why he clocks in at number four in our list.

3.) Simeon Woods-Richardson is the only pitcher in the top-five, but Woods-Richardson has established himself, not only as one of the top pitchers in Columbia history, but one of the top young, exciting prospects in all of baseball, all before his 22nd birthday. Prior to the 2021 season, Baseball America ranked the righty as the 60th-best prospect in baseball. The magazine gives credit to his control of all four of his pitches and most believe he will make his Major League debut some time this season. He wasn’t ignored by the other top publication in baseball scouting. MLB.com Pipeline called Woods-Richardson the 87th-best prospect in baseball prior to the 2021 season. In Columbia, the Sugar Land, Texas native racked up strikeouts at an incredible rate. He started all 20 of his appearances for the Fireflies, punching out 97 batters in 78.1 frames. That’s 11.15 K/9 IP! His overall numbers have been hampered by a lot of the hype around him that has led to Woods-Richardson being involved in two blockbuster trades in the last three seasons. First, he was traded with LHP Anthony Kay for All-Star Marcus Stroman in 2019. Next the wheels brought him to Minnesota where he was traded with SS Austin Martin for All-Star Jose Berrios. While Woods-Richardson has had to adapt to playing in three different farm systems, his talent was recognized when he was selected to pitch in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and was awarded a silver medal for his participation with team USA. Simeon Woods-Richardson’s career is far from over, but what he’s accomplished already is enough for him to end up at number three on this list!

2.) Our next candidate never played baseball professionally in the Midlands, but it would be a crime to leave someone so impactful off our list. Larry Doby was born in Sumter, less than 50 miles from Segra Park. When Doby was young, his family moved to New Jersey, where he would eventually play for the Negro League Newark Eagles from 1942-1944. Like many others in that era, Doby stepped away from baseball to join the war effort at the peak of World War II. The star ballplayer joined the Navy and when he came back to the states in 1946, he played again for the Newark Eagles. He didn’t stick to baseball though, Doby broke the color barrier in the ABL, a precursor to today’s NBA and then he helped the Eagles win a championship in 1946 before the Cleveland Indians signed him in 1947. Later that season, Doby followed Jackie Robinson to become the second black player in Major League Baseball. He broke the color barrier in the American League, and then followed it with plenty of accolades. The next year, on his way to winning a World Series with the Indians, Doby became the first African American to hit a homer in a World Series game. Then, in 1952, on another run that saw Cleveland finish second in the American League, Doby became the first black player to lead a league in homers. He hit 32 homers in the campaign, beating teammate Luke Easter by a single homer for the league lead. Over the course of Doby’s career, he played in seven All-Star games and tallied five-100 RBI seasons and eight-20 home run seasons. Doby was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1998. His impact on the game of baseball will never be forgotten.

1.) Now it’s time for our top spot on the list. There are plenty of people who had incredible careers in Columbia and beyond, but when you combine the impact a player had in the Midlands with a Major League impact, you have to hand the top award to Frank Robinson who spent parts of two summers playing for the Columbia Reds in 1954-55. During his time in Columbia, The Judge paced the 1954 team with a .336 average and 25 homers in 132 games. In 1955 he added 12 more homers in 80 games before getting the call straight to the majors in 1956 where he won the National League Rookie of the Year award as a 20-year-old. After a decade with the Reds, Robinson was traded to the Orioles during the 1965 campaign. In his first season on the East Coast, Robinson won the AL Triple Crown, blasting 49 homers to pair with a .316 average and 122 RBI. That season, Robinson won the AL MVP award, four years after he won the NL MVP award with the Reds, thus becoming the first player to win the MVP for both leagues. The slugger also tallied a World Series MVP in 1966. He was the heart of the Orioles lineup that won three AL Pennants from 1969-71. All-in-all, Robinson was a 14-time All-Star and has the most walk-off hits (26) in Major League history. Robinson’s 586 homers are the 10th-most all-time. Robinson wasn’t done there though. After his playing days ended in Cleveland, Robinson became the manager for the Indians, making his way as the first black manager in Major League Baseball. He would manage for the Giants, Orioles, Expos and Nationals before retiring and took home the hardware for the 1989 American League Manager of the Year. Robinson truly was one of the all-time greats, and that’s why he leads our list of top black players to come through Columbia.

Tagged as : Carolina League, Columbia Fireflies, Diversity/Inclusion, Honoring History, Kansas City Royals, South Carolina { }

Minor League Baseball Announces “The Nine,” a New Initiative to Celebrate, Engage and Welcome Black Fans

February 1, 2022

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 1, 2022 — Minor League Baseball® (MiLB™) today announced the launch of “The Nine,” a new, Black-community focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous Black baseball pioneers made on the sport, provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation, further diversify the business of baseball, and embrace millions of passionate fans throughout MiLB’s 120 communities nationwide.

Named for the number Jackie Robinson wore during his only season playing in MiLB with the Triple-A Montreal Royals in 1946, The Nine will connect MiLB teams’ existing, Black-community focused development efforts with new national programming and future special events in a coordinated and centralized campaign. The new inclusion initiative follows MiLB’s Copa de la Diversión Latino fan engagement platform introduced in 2017 that included 76 MiLB teams in 2021.

The Nine will recognize and honor numerous Black pioneers and trailblazing civil rights leaders in all 120 MiLB communities, ensuring the heroes of the past and their contributions continue to be celebrated through ceremonies and events at MiLB ballparks and in the community. Recent tributes and celebrations have included Negro Leagues commemorative games honoring the Austin Black Senators in Round Rock (TX), the Bradenton (FL) Nine Devils, and Page Fence Giants near Lansing (MI). Additional tribute games are being planned for the 2022 season and beyond.

“The Nine will shine bright spotlights on these successful initiatives and transform them into national campaigns reaching more fans and communities, further showcasing our teams’ commitment to representing, honoring, and welcoming all fans to MiLB’s unique brand of fun,” said Kurt Hunzeker, MLB’s Vice President of Minor League Business Operations. “The Nine is just the latest example of MiLB teams being true community champions.”

In addition to player- and team-related content, The Nine will focus heavily on creating new opportunities for youth participation among young Black boys and girls, particularly in communities where youth baseball and softball programming is either nonexistent or difficult to access.

Central to this youth-focused push is a planned expansion of Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Program throughout MiLB’s national footprint. New competitions in MLB’s Pitch, Hit & Run and Junior Home Run Derby event series will also debut in MiLB markets beginning in 2022.

MiLB teams will continue to build relationships with local Black-owned and operated businesses, local artists and entertainers in an effort to embrace Black culture and make MiLB ballparks a hub for culturally relevant concerts, shows, and community events.

With several MiLB teams having a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in their community, opportunities will be provided for those schools to start internship and mentorship programs with their local team, creating opportunities for on-the-job experience for students prior to entering the job market. Additionally, MiLB recently partnered with TeamWork Online to create a more inclusive virtual job fair and ongoing talent pipeline that aims to recruit and position qualified and ready-for-hire candidates from across the country for potential management- and executive-level roles within MiLB team front offices.

Tagged as : Carolina League, Columbia Fireflies, Diversity/Inclusion, Honoring History, Kansas City Royals, Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI), South Carolina, Supporting the Community, Youth Sports { }

Fireflies in Search of 2022 National Anthem Performers

January 28, 2022

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Fireflies announced today that they are seeking singers and musicians of all ages to perform The Star-Spangled Banner before Fireflies home games this upcoming season. Fans are invited to audition live to be anthem performers on certain designated days in February. Soloists and groups are both welcome to audition. Auditions are held by reservations only.

National Anthem auditions will take place in the Club Lounge at Segra Park Saturday, February 12, Wednesday, February 16 and Thursday, February 17. Those interested in auditioning and learning about specific audition times that are available must call or email Devin Johnson at 803-888-3013 or [email protected] to set up an audition time. Walk-ups are not welcome; auditions must be scheduled with Devin in advance. National Anthem auditioners under the age of 18 must be accompanied to auditions by a parent or guardian.

Performance groups of more than 15 people are welcome to perform the National Anthem prior to a Fireflies game but will see a different audition process. If a band or group larger than 15 people would like to perform, they must contact Halle Wade at 803-888-3007 or [email protected] to audition.

The Fireflies will play 66 home games in 2022. Limited performance dates are available throughout the season, and not all who audition are guaranteed a scheduled game date. Those who have previously performed the anthem at Segra Park are required to audition again. A Fireflies representative will reach out to those selected to perform in late February, after the conclusion of the audition process. Those who are selected to perform will receive four complimentary tickets to the game for the night of their performance.

Opening Night for the Fireflies 2022 campaign is slated for Friday, April 8 at 7:05 pm vs the Augusta GreenJackets, an Atlanta Braves affiliate. For more information on the Fireflies upcoming 2022 season or events happening at Segra Park, visit ColumbiaFireflies.com.

Tagged as : Arts Appreciation, Carolina League, Columbia Fireflies, Contests/Competitions/Auditions, Kansas City Royals, South Carolina { }

Fireflies Seasonal Job Fair Postponed to January 29

January 19, 2022

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

COLUMBIA, SC –The Columbia Fireflies have postponed their seasonal Job Fair, originally schedule for this upcoming Saturday, to next Saturday, January 29 from 10 am to 2 pm at Segra Park. The reason for the postponement is to ensure the safety of all Fireflies staff members and job fair attendees due to the incoming inclement weather forecasted to hit the Midlands this weekend. The Fireflies are looking to fill approximately 300 seasonal and part-time positions at the Job Fair for the upcoming baseball season which kicks off at Segra Park on April 8.

“The safety of our staff, and those attending the job fair, is our top priority which is why we have decided to postpone the event,” said Team President Brad Shank. “Our game day team is such an important part of providing our fans with a fantastic experience at Segra Park and we cannot wait to meet all potential new Fireflies team members at the Job Fair January 29.”

The Fireflies will be hiring for positions in the following departments:

· Ballpark Operations
· Food and Beverage
· Ticketing
· Marketing
· Merchandise
· Fan Engagement

New applicants are encouraged to apply online prior to the Job Fair. The Fireflies Game Day Seasonal Employment Application can be found online here.

Returning Segra Park Employees should contact Fireflies HR Manager, Katie Maroney, informing her of their desire to return in 2022. Fireflies HR can be reached via email at [email protected].

Applicants who are unable to attend the job fair should also reach out to Fireflies HR at [email protected] upon submission of their online application.

The Columbia Fireflies are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to equal treatment of all applicants and employees without regard to race, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, physical or mental disability or other basis protected by law.

Tagged as : Carolina League, Columbia Fireflies, Employment Opportunities, Kansas City Royals, South Carolina { }

Internship Fair Takes Place at Segra Park January 19

January 11, 2022

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Fireflies will be hosting a pair of internship fairs Wednesday, January 19 from 9:30 am-11:30 am and 2:30 pm-4:30 pm. The team will take resumes for internships to be filled during the 2022 season at the fairs. After reviewing the resumes, the Fireflies will contact applicants the week following the fair.

Both sessions are drop-in sessions. All college students searching for internships are able to visit the fair without an appointment for either session. Students should come prepared with resumes and dressed professionally for interviews.

The internship programs with the Fireflies are built to satisfy any university credit requirements that may be needed to graduate. Non-students can also apply for the learning experience.

There are two classes of internship that need to be filled: entry level and a limited number of specialized internships.

The entry level internships available include:

· Promo Team
· Stadium Operations
· Food and Beverage
· Concessions and Commissary
· Catering

The Specialized internships available are:

· TV Broadcast
· Sports Turf
· Premium Suites
· Food and Beverage
· Ticketing
· Promotions

If you can’t make it to the internship fair, but would still like to join the Fireflies team, the internships are posted here.

For more information about the 2022 Fireflies season, visit ColumbiaFireflies.com.

Tagged as : Carolina League, Children's Health and Development, Columbia Fireflies, Education/Teacher Support, Kansas City Royals, South Carolina { }

Fireflies Host Annual Job Fair January 22

January 10, 2022

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

COLUMBIA, SC – COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Fireflies will be hosting a job fair at Segra Park Saturday, January 22 from 10 am to 2 pm. The team is looking to fill approximately 300 seasonal and part-time positions for the upcoming season.

“Seasonal and part-time workers are a critical part of our game day operations at Segra Park,” said President Brad Shank. “Our game day team is such an important part of providing our fans with a fantastic experience every time they come through the gates.”

The Fireflies will be hiring positions in the following departments:

· Ballpark Operations

· Food and Beverage

· Ticketing

· Marketing

· Merchandise

· Fan Engagement

New applicants are encouraged to download an application at ColumbiaFireflies.com (found under the ‘About Us’ and ‘Employment’ tabs) and bring it with them to the job fair.

Returning applicants are encouraged to download the returning employee application, which can also be found at ColumbiaFireflies.com (under the ‘About Us’ and ‘Employment’ tabs), and bring it with them to the job fair.

Anyone who is unable to attend the job fair is encouraged to scan and email his or her application to [email protected].

The Columbia Fireflies are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to equal treatment of all applicants and employees without regard to race, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, physical or mental disability or other basis protected by law.

Tagged as : Carolina League, Columbia Fireflies, Employment Opportunities, Kansas City Royals, South Carolina { }

Submit Your Favorite Teacher for a Neon Apple Award

July 30, 2021

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Fireflies are partnering with T-Mobile to present the first ever Neon Apple Awards. Three Midlands teachers, one elementary, one middle and one high school teacher, will be selected to win the honor on Teacher Appreciation Night presented by T-Mobile at Segra Park August 12. The Fireflies are asking fans to nominate their favorite teachers in the Midlands for the award.

Winning teachers will be recognized during the game and will receive two complimentary tickets to the August 12 game at Segra Park plus a monetary donation from T-Mobile to go towards classroom supplies needed for the upcoming school year.

“Teachers are a critical piece of the very fabric of our community and we are proud to partner with T-Mobile on presenting the first ever Neon Apple Awards,” said Fireflies Director of Marketing Ashlie DeCarlo. “This is a great opportunity to honor our classroom heroes at Segra Park and we are looking forward to.”

Fans can submit nominations for their favorite teacher online here. Nominations for the award must be submitted by end of day Sunday, August 8. Winners will be contacted by a Fireflies staff member on Monday, August 9.

Any teacher who attends the game on August 12 will be able to show their school ID at Guest Services to receive a gift from the Fireflies for their contributions to their students and our community. For tickets to the Fireflies game August 12 against the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, please visit FirefliesTickets.com.

Tagged as : Carolina League, Columbia Fireflies, Education/Teacher Support, Kansas City Royals, Public Recognition/Celebrations/Events, South Carolina { }

Pride Night on tap for Thursday, June 24

June 22, 2021

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies’ inaugural Pride Night will be on Thursday, June 24 at Segra Park.

Pride Night – now two years in the making after the cancellation of the 2020 season – is a night of inclusion, celebration and reaffirmation that Segra Park is a welcoming place for all people.

“Segra Park was built by our community and for our community… our entire community,” said Fireflies team President John Katz. “Columbia has a robust, active LBGTQ+ community and the Fireflies have many fans within that community. Columbia Fireflies baseball is truly ‘Fun for ALL.’”

The Fireflies have partnered on Pride Night with five local Pride Partner organizations that do amazing work in the community. SC Pride, South Carolina Black Pride, the Harriet Hancock Center, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (Columbia Center) and PALSS – Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services.

“Events like Pride Night at Fireflies really help to bring awareness of LGBT issues to more mainstream — and often under-represented — audiences,” said SC Pride President Jeff March. “It’s important that our allies — no matter who they are — step up to help show that LGBT issues are human issues. We are your friends, your neighbors, your coworkers, and we are as much a part of every facet of society as anyone else.”

Each of the five Pride Partners will have a table on the stadium concourse to share information about their programs and goals; they will also be distributing one of five exclusive Fireflies Pride buttons to fans. Please be sure to visit all five tables to collect the entire series. All buttons are free and quantities are limited.

“Harriet Hancock Center is so proud to be a part of an event that supports the LGBTQ community,” said Harriet Hancock Center Board President Kimmah Dozier-Burt. “Pride Night with the Fireflies offers the community a much-needed opportunity to reconnect, celebrate Pride together, and to collectively root for the home team!”

The Fireflies will be auctioning off a full set of custom Fireflies Pride jerseys during the game, with 100% of the proceeds being donated evenly to each of our five Pride Partners.

The Fireflies will also be selling their Pride t-shirts and caps throughout the day and will be donating 20% of the net proceeds to our Pride Partners.

“We are excited to be a part of this beautiful historic moment,” said South Carolina Black Pride President and CEO Darius Jones. “Celebrating Pride Month with the Columbia Fireflies at Segra Park is not just beautiful but historic too. It proves that SC has come a long way, and it brings visibility to LGBTQ+ athletics.”

In addition to the fundraising opportunities above, the Kansas City Royals have also pledged to donate an additional $1,000 to each of our Pride Partners to help further their work in our community.

Billy Bean, who serves at MLB as Vice-President & Special Assistant to the Commissioner, has sent a welcome video to Fireflies fans to kick off the Pride Night festivities. As a senior advisor to Commissioner Manfred, his role focuses on player education, LGBTQ inclusion, and social justice initiatives. Bean played in the Major Leagues from 1987-1995 and, in 1999, was just the second Major Leaguer to come out publicly as gay.

“I’m incredibly proud of the Columbia Fireflies for the comprehensive effort they’re making to reach out and support their LGBTQ fans,” said Bean. “Pride Night on June 24th is going to be a great day at Segra Park. I truly appreciate the inclusive message the club is setting for all of minor league baseball.”

Tickets for Pride Night on June 24 are available here.

Season ticket memberships for the 2021 season are still available for purchase. Memberships start as low as $70. Partial plans are now available to purchase in the Bullpen Boxes. To reserve your seats, contact the Fireflies Box Office at 803-726-4487 or visit The Fireflies Box Office at Segra Park.

For more information about the upcoming Fireflies season or other events at Segra Park, visit www.ColumbiaFireflies.com.

Tagged as : Carolina League, Charity Auctions/Raffles, Columbia Fireflies, Diversity/Inclusion, Kansas City Royals, Public Recognition/Celebrations/Events, South Carolina { }

First Responder ‘Hero of the Inning’ Nominations Open

June 9, 2021

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Fireflies are hosting First Responders Night sponsored by T-Mobile on Thursday, June 17 at 7:05pm. During the game, the Fireflies will honor eight local first responders and are looking for fans to nominate their favorite first responder for in-game recognition online here. Those selected as “Heroes of the Inning” will be contacted directly by a Fireflies representative.

Nominations are open to any EMS, firefighter or police officer to be recognized in-between innings. When submitting nominations, please have a photo of the honoree and a short bio available. Honorees chosen will be given two free tickets to Thursday night’s game.

Similar nominations will be made available later in the season for frontline works and teachers.

For tickets and more information about upcoming Columbia Fireflies games, visit ColumbiaFireflies.com.

Tagged as : Carolina League, Columbia Fireflies, First Responders, Kansas City Royals, Public Recognition/Celebrations/Events, South Carolina { }

The Fireflies Play Host to Early Juneteenth Event

June 7, 2021

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Fireflies today announced that they will host an early Juneteenth event, showing Black Panther on the videoboard June 12 at 7:30 pm. The event is a free community event presented by the Columbia office of Ogletree Deakins.

Black Panther is a 2018 film starring South Carolina-native Chadwick Boseman as King T’Challa of Wakanda. The story picks up as T’Challa becomes the king of Wakanda and fights to keep the nation a secret from the outside world while battling demons from the country’s past. The Ryan Coogler film won three Oscars along with countless other awards from the Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA Awards. Boseman lost his battle with cancer in August of 2020.

According to the Columbia Office’s Juneteenth Event Committee, “As part of our firm’s initiative to bring attention to Juneteenth across our more than 40 offices throughout the United States, we are excited that the Columbia office can partner with our neighbors at Segra Park to provide a free public showing of Black Panther. We hope that, in addition to a nice night out for a great movie at the ballpark, we can bring attention to the Juneteenth holiday, one of, if not the, oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.”

“Juneteenth is a celebration recognizing the end of slavery in the United States,” said Fireflies team President John Katz. “We are excited to partner with our neighbors at Ogletree Deakins to open the ballpark for the screening of Black Panther – a powerful film telling the story of a Black superhero committed to preserving freedom and independence.”

Gates for the event open at 6:30 pm and show time is at 7:30 pm. Concession stands will be open at the ballpark. Segra Park is a cashless facility, but all major credit cards will be accepted.

“The Fireflies Juneteenth celebration continues on June 19 and June 20 at Segra Park,” added Katz. “Our Negro League Celebration will honor the legacy of the trailblazers of the game, and will feature the Newark Eagles (Fireflies) vs the Chattanooga Choo Choos (GreenJackets).”

Segra Park operates under a Clear Bag Policy. Bags that are not clear will not be permitted into the stadium. The Fireflies Clear Bag Policy closely matches those already in place at all NFL stadiums and many NCAA sporting events. This policy also closely matches the policy in place for all Gamecock sporting events and concerts at Colonial Life Arena, with minor adjustments for families. The Clear Bag Policy is in place to provide a safer environment at events and should significantly expedite fan entry into Segra Park.

Each fan is allowed to bring one clear bag into Segra Park that conform to the following restrictions:

  • Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″ — A logo no larger than 4.5″ x 3.4″ can be displayed on one side of a permissible clear bag
  • One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
  • Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″ — approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap
  • Medically necessary items (after proper inspection and tagging)

Fans can reserve their free tickets by going to FirefliesTickets.com.

Tagged as : Carolina League, Columbia Fireflies, Honoring History, Kansas City Royals, South Carolina { }

Fireflies Team Up with Prisma Health on In-Game Vaccination Site

May 21, 2021

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Fireflies today announced that they have partnered with Prisma Health to administer COVID-19 vaccinations at Segra Park during the 2021 baseball season.

Fans who wish to be vaccinated can get their first shot at a Fireflies game on Friday, May 28 or Saturday, May 29. The vaccine will be administered inside the ballpark, along the concourse by the Crescent Patio in right field, to all fans wishing to receive the vaccines.

The Pfizer vaccine being deployed by Prisma Health has been approved for all South Carolinians ages 12 and over.

Fans do not need to pre-register to get their first shot; walk-up appointments will be accepted. Vaccines can be administered by Prisma Health clinical staff at any point from the opening of gates on each night until the vaccination site shuts down at the end of the seventh inning.

“This is a great opportunity for fans that may not yet have gotten their vaccination to get theirs in a very unique, festive atmosphere,” said Fireflies team President John Katz. “Our thanks go out to Prisma Health for affording our fans who wish to get a vaccine the opportunity to do so at Segra Park. The Fireflies have chipped in great added benefits – including a free ticket for participating fans to receive their second doses three weeks later.”

Dr. Rick Scott, the chair of the Prisma Health Vaccine Task Force, said, “The Prisma Health team is dedicated to caring for our community during this pandemic and every day. Throughout the entire COVID-19 response, we are proud of everything that our team members, nurses, and physicians have given to help our community. We also are proud of our partnerships with organizations like the Fireflies who are helping us get shot in the arms of our community but there is much left to do!”

Every fan who receives the vaccine at the game on May 28 or 29 will get a free Fireflies hat and a ticket voucher to attend the June 18 or 19 Fireflies game, where they can obtain their second-dose to become fully vaccinated.

Tickets for the May 28 and 29 games are on sale now and can be purchased online at FirefliesTickets.com.

Tagged as : Carolina League, Columbia Fireflies, COVID-19, Hospitals/Medical Research, Kansas City Royals, Promoting Health/Fitness, South Carolina, Ticket Donations, Vaccinations { }

Fireflies Search for 2021 National Anthem Performers

April 9, 2021

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies today announced that fans can now audition to perform the National Anthem for Fireflies regular season home games in 2021. The Fireflies are seeking soloists and groups of all ages to perform the Anthem.

Auditions will not be in-person in 2021, as they have been in years past, to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Instead, those interested in auditioning can submit their audition tape online at ColumbiaFireflies.com. Those who have performed in the past must audition again.

Audition tapes must be submitted online via ColumbiaFireflies.com by the end of the day on Sunday, April 18**th**.

The Fireflies host 60 home games between May 11 and September 16. Performances during the season are not guaranteed to everyone that auditions. Those that are selected to perform will receive four complimentary tickets to the game for the night of their performance. If anyone has any questions or concerns, they may email Halle West at [email protected].

For more information about the upcoming 2021 season, visit ColumbiaFireflies.com.

Tagged as : Arts Appreciation, Carolina League, Columbia Fireflies, Contests/Competitions/Auditions, Kansas City Royals, South Carolina { }

Fireflies to Host MLB Youth Skills Competition & Home Run Derby

March 31, 2021

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies today announced that they will host two Major League Baseball Youth Competitions at Segra Park in April: The Pitch, Hit and Run Competition and the Jr. Home Run Derby. Both competitions are the official youth competitions of Major League Baseball and are a fun and exciting way for youth players to showcase their abilities locally, regionally and nationally.

The Pitch Hit and Run presented by MLB Network Competition will take place Sunday, April 18 and the Major League Baseball Jr. Home Run Derby will take place Sunday, April 25. Both competitions will be open to children under 14-years-old and registration is free for both events.

Children can participate in both events but must register separately for both individual events. Children who are not registered for the event through the official MLB registration link will not be eligible to advance to the regional competition.

The Pitch Hit and Run Competition presented by MLB Network Competition will be divided between boys and girls and further divided into four age divisions: 7-8 years old, 9-10 years old, 11-12 years old and 13-14 years old. Winners of the local competition held at Segra Park in each gender and age range will have the opportunity to advance through three levels of competition, ultimately culminating in the Finals during the Major League Baseball World Series.

Participants can register for the Pitch, Hit and Run online here. All participants should bring age verification, such as a copy of a birth certificate or something similar, to the competition.

The Major League Baseball Jr. Home Run Derby divides boys and girls into two age divisions, 12 and under and 14 and under. Champions from both divisions will move through a Regional Level prior to having an opportunity to compete at the finals during MLB All-Star Week.

Participants can register for the Jr. Home Run Derby online here. All participants should bring age verification, such as a copy of a birth certificate or something similar, to the competition.

Each event will begin at 11am on their respective day. Participants will be put into 30-minute time slots throughout the day in order to limit the number of people on-field and in the ballpark at one time. All participants who have registered for the event will be contacted one week prior to the event to select what time slot would work best for them. Each 30-minute time slot will be limited to 10 kids.

Families are invited to watch their child participate in the competitions but will not be allowed on field. Non-participants will be required to wear masks at all times and are expected to practice social distancing both when seated and when walking on the concourse.

For questions about either event, please contact Nick Spano by email at [email protected].

Tagged as : Carolina League, Children's Health and Development, Columbia Fireflies, Contests/Competitions/Auditions, Kansas City Royals, South Carolina, Youth Sports { }

Fireflies to Host Job Fair March 20

March 8, 2021

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies will host a job fair to fill seasonal gameday positions that remain open for the 2021 season. The job fair will take place at Segra Park on Saturday, March 20 beginning at 1pm and concluding at 4pm.

Gameday positions that remain open for hiring for the 2021 season include:

· Parking Staff

· Ushers

· Ticketing Staff

o Box Office Staff

o Ticket Scanners

· Cleaning Crew Staff

· Kids Zone Attendants

· Merchandise/Team Store Staff

· Grounds Crew Staff

· Video Production Team

· Food and Beverage Staff

o Cashiers

o Runners

o Cooks

o Dish Washers

o Bartenders

o Picnic Attendants

o Kitchen Staff

Interviews will take place on the spot for the above positions. Everyone interested in applying is encouraged to attend.

To limit person-to-person contact, applicants are encouraged to fill out an application online in advance of the job fair. The online part time seasonal employment application can be found on ColumbiaFireflies.com under the employment tab. Applications will be available on site during the job fair for those unable to fill out their application in advance.

Applications will not be distributed or accepted at the Fireflies front office. Everyone interested in applying must attend the job fair or fill out an application online.

Returning employees do not need to attend the job fair but will need to fill out the online employment application.

All interviews will be conducted outside at Segra Park and the event will go on rain or shine. All those who attend the fair will be expected to wear a facial covering at all times and the event will follow all social distancing protocols. Hand sanitizing stations will be placed around the concourse.

Columbia Fireflies is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age (as required by law), physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law. This policy applies to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, compensation, promotion, discipline and termination.

For more information about the Columbia Fireflies and the 2021 season, visit columbiafireflies.com.

Tagged as : Carolina League, Columbia Fireflies, Employment Opportunities, Kansas City Royals, South Carolina { }

Fireflies to Host Holiday Themed Virtual 5K; Mason’s Jingle Jog

November 24, 2020

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

A portion of Race proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies are hosting a virtual holiday 5K Wednesday, December 9 through Wednesday, December 16 for fans looking to stay active this winter. The 3.1-mile race can be walked, jogged or run, and fans of all ages and athletic abilities are encouraged to participate. The race is entirely virtual and can be completed anywhere at any time between December 9-16.

Race entry fees for Mason’s Jingle Jog are $40 per person and includes a special holiday Fireflies dry-fit race shirt, entry to the race, a donation to the Salvation Army and a prize for the top male and female finishers in each of the four age brackets. The divisions will be under 18, 19-25, 26-35 and 36+. All shirts will be mailed to runners; shipping is also included in the entry fee.

Runners will track their time by joining the race group on the Strava app. Once you download the app, you can sign into the race and the app will track your time and distance and submit it to the Fireflies upon completion of your 5K. After registering for the race, runners will be sent direct access to the race group as well as instructions on how to download Strava and join the group.

”This is a great virtual event to promote fitness and our community’s great holiday spirit of giving,” said Fireflies team President John Katz. “The Salvation Army does such amazing work in our region, and we’re excited to continue our support.”

To sign-up for the race, visit the race registration page here. Registration orders placed before December 2nd will receive their race shirts the week of December 9th. Registration orders placed after the 2nd will receive their shirt after the race. For more information about this event and other upcoming events at Segra Park and in the Midlands Community, visit ColumbiaFireflies.com.

Tagged as : Columbia Fireflies, New York Mets, Promoting Health/Fitness, Salvation Army, South Atlantic League, South Carolina { }

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Welcome to clubphilanthropy.com!

Minor League Baseball clubs have been actively involved in their communities for many years. For the first time, their activities and contributions will be chronicled on this site.

Clubs don’t publicize all of their activity, so these stories represent a mere fraction of the contributions MiLB clubs make to their communities every year.

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    • Top Five Black Players in Columbia History
    • Minor League Baseball Announces “The Nine,” a New Initiative to Celebrate, Engage and Welcome Black Fans
    • Fireflies in Search of 2022 National Anthem Performers
    • Fireflies Seasonal Job Fair Postponed to January 29
    • Internship Fair Takes Place at Segra Park January 19
    • Fireflies Host Annual Job Fair January 22
    • Submit Your Favorite Teacher for a Neon Apple Award
    • Pride Night on tap for Thursday, June 24
    • First Responder ‘Hero of the Inning’ Nominations Open
    • The Fireflies Play Host to Early Juneteenth Event
    • Fireflies Team Up with Prisma Health on In-Game Vaccination Site
    • Fireflies Search for 2021 National Anthem Performers
    • Fireflies to Host MLB Youth Skills Competition & Home Run Derby
    • Fireflies to Host Job Fair March 20
    • Fireflies to Host Holiday Themed Virtual 5K; Mason’s Jingle Jog
    • Live Baseball & Movie Screening in Honor of 100th Anniversary Celebration of Negro Leagues
    • SC Philharmonic Dining Experience Comes to Segra Park
    • Fireflies Launch "We Are Fireflies" Jersey Campaign
    • Throwback Columbia Shirsey Pre-Sale to Benefit Columbia Urban League
    • Fireflies T-Shirts Result in Donation for "Peace of Mind"
    • Columbia Fireflies Join Minor League Baseball's CommUNITY First Campaign
    • Fireflies Seek 2020 National Anthem Performers
    • Fireflies Now Accepting Nominations for Fourth Annual Military Hero Card Set
    • Fireflies to Host Job Fair January 11
    • Mason in Search of a Trick-or-Treating Partner
    • Mason in Search of Friend to go Trick-or-Treating With
    • Minor League Teams Across Carolinas Unite For Storm Relief
    • 'Pack the Park for Midlands Gives' Raises $9,000 for Local Non-Profits
    • Fireflies and BUSH'S Beans Are Teaming Up Against Hunger
    • Fireflies Launch Campaign to Retire SC Veteran Medical Debt
    • Fireflies Seek Candidates for 2nd Annual Military Baseball Card Set
    • Columbia Fireflies to Donate to The Miracle League of Columbia on Giving Tuesday
    • Fireflies Reading Program Receives National Recognition
    • Fireflies Seek Candidates for Military Baseball Card Set
    • Trick-Or-Treat with Mason this Halloween!
    • Fireflies Launch Food Drive Fridays to Aid Harvest Hope Food Bank
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