“The Nine” – Coach Bob Braddy changed the game in Mississippi 

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

Named for the number Jackie Robinson wore during his only season playing in MiLB with the Triple-A Montreal Royals in 1946, “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. The Nine will 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.

The rich history of baseball stretches generations in Mississippi, and the organization will tap into that history using this unique platform to tell those stories and create beneficial activations.

From the legendary stories of the speed of James Thomas Bell, better known as “Cool Papa Bell,” to the power-hitting prowess of Luke Easter, Mississippi has produced some of the greatest baseball players we’ve ever seen. Mississippi is also the home of the Hank Aaron Baseball Academy, an enduring legacy of one of the game’s greatest players.

As part of “The Nine” activation, Trustmark Park will host a part of a two-day tournament, May 7-8, for ages 6 – 17, with a field of travel and recreational / city league teams. In addition, the Aaron-Andrews qualifying event will include youth teams from the under-served communities, with the winning teams receiving a free entry into the Hank Aaron Championship that occurs October 14 – 16 in Jackson at the Hank Aaron Sports Academy and Trustmark Park.

The M-Braves will also pay tribute to the Negro Leagues and don 1938 Atlanta Black Crackers home uniforms during a game this season. The club was a member of the Southern Negro League and eventually the Negro American League.

Mississippi has the best college baseball in the country. The passion is evidenced by consistently high rankings and the historic Mississippi State national championship in 2021. But you can’t tell the college baseball story in Mississippi without maybe the most impressive of all.

The story of Bob Braddy.

Braddy is from Florence, Mississippi. He attended Jackson State University and while playing for the Tigers, Braddy was named All-Conference pitcher in 1962 and 1963 under coach Joe Gilliam Sr. He returned to the university in 1973 to become the head baseball coach. He turned Jackson State into a powerhouse during his tenure from 1973-to 2000. Braddy went 824-546, setting the coaching victories record for the Southwestern Athletic Conference, winning 12 SWAC titles.

To repeat, Braddy won TWELVE SWAC titles.

Braddy was named the SWAC coach of the year eight times, coached eight players who made the Major Leagues, and, along the way, had some legendary experiences, which have been recounted, since his career ended. His 1978 team went 52-12, a Jackson State and SWAC record for most wins. In addition, Braddy led the Tigers to three NCAA tournament appearances, two NCAA play-in games, and four NAIA tournaments.

“Baseball’s provided me so many opportunities to meet individuals. It’s just unbelievable,” he said in an article before his induction into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016.

Hall of Fame slugger Frank Robinson came to Jackson to do a clinic and stayed at Braddy’s house. After that, Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda became a regular for a while.

Braddy was relentless. He wrote different people in the Major Leagues – players, coaches – and asked them to come down, speak at a banquet, and do a clinic. Tommy Lasorda was one of them, and he never thought he would hear back. But Lasorda came down four times to help raise money for the program. He even bought the team a tractor to drag the field with. They named it the Tommy Lasordamobile.

Braddy finished coaching in 2001, but he wasn’t finished at Jackson State. He became the Tigers’ athletic director, and the university named the baseball field after him in 2009 in honor of his 34 years in service. Of Braddy’s 52 players who signed pro contracts, two were first-round draft choices, and eight made it to the big leagues. Curt Ford, Dave Clark, and Wes Chamberlain were big-league outfielders in the 1980s and 1990s.

Braddy was the first African-American to be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003, the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. He was also inducted into the JSU Sports Hall of Fame in 1985 and the SWAC Hall of Fame in 2005.

Jackson State went 24-0 in SWAC play last season; they were one out from winning the SWAC tournament championship in 2021 but fell short. The Tigers, led by head coach Omar Johnson, were picked first in the 2022 preseason SWAC poll.

The 81-year-old Braddy is still involved with baseball and serves his community.

Here are some of Mississippi’s Black baseball pioneers.

George “Boomer” Scott (Greenville)

A three-time American League All-Star in 1966, 1975, and 1977, George Scott is one of Mississippi’s great power hitters. He hit over 20 homers in six of his 14 major league seasons, tying the great Reggie Jackson in 1975 with a league-best 36 homers. He was also a career .268 hitter who earned two Gold Glove Awards with his defense.

James “Cool Papa” Bell (Sessums)

Though statistics were not meticulously maintained for most of Bell’s career, it’s clear that he was one of the best players in the history of Negro league baseball. We know he was an eight-time All-Star and finished his 24-year career with a .341 average. His speed on the basepaths and in the outfield was legendary.

A 19-year- old Bell got his nickname in 1922 when he displayed calmness and finesse as a lefty pitcher with the St. Louis Stars. His switch-hitting/base-running catapulted him to Cooperstown in 1974. He batted .343 in a storied Negro Leagues career with St. Louis, Pittsburgh Crawfords, Homestead Grays, and others.

Luke Easter (Jonestown)

Easter, a 6’4″/240-pound giant, was once called “the greatest home run hitter since Babe Ruth.” He starred on the 1948 Homestead Grays, which defeated the Birmingham Black Barons, with 17-year-old Willie Mays in the 1948 post-season. Easter hit .274, 93 homers, 340 RBI with Cleveland, MLB; 269 homers in 13 minor league seasons; and .402, 14 homers, 80 RBI, 80-game 1948-49 Puerto Rico season for Mayagüez.

Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd (Meridian)

Oil Can Boyd got his nickname from “rot-gutter whiskey” via a Meridian moonshiner. He attended Jackson State University before his 10-year MLB career with Boston, Montreal, and Texas. Boyd was 16-10 for the 1986 Red Sox and pitched in the World Series versus the Mets.

Ellis Burks (Vicksburg)

Burks’s 18-year MLB career with Boston, Chicago White Sox, Colorado, San Francisco, and Cleveland included three years (1987-89) as Oil Can Boyd’s teammate. Burks received a World Series ring after his final (2004) season with Boston. He hit .291, with 352 home runs and 1,206 RBI in the majors.

For more biographies and information about “The Nine,” click HERE.

Photos courtesy of Jackson State University and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

M-Braves Join “The Nine”, A New Initiative To Celebrate, Engage, And Welcome Black Fans

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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

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.

M-Braves to host Job Fair on Saturday, January 29

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PEARL – The Mississippi Braves will hold a job fair for part-time/seasonal positions for the 2022 season on Saturday, January 29, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The job fair will take place inside Trustmark Park’s Farm Bureau Grill. M-Braves staff members will conduct open interviews on a first-come, first-serve basis for seasonal, part-time positions.

Applicants should be energetic, friendly, dependable, and ready to contribute to the family atmosphere of Trustmark Park. The M-Braves will play 69 home games in 2022, with Opening Day set for Friday, April 8, vs. Montgomery at 6:35 pm.

Attendees will have the chance to interview for a variety of positions, including:

Food & Beverage:

  • Restaurant Manager
  • Concession Stand Manager
  • Bartender
  • Catering Food Prep
  • Concession Stand Attendant
  • Concession Stand Cook
  • Dishwasher
  • Host/Hostesses
  • Kitchen Prep Staff
  • Line Cooks
  • Restaurant Wait Staff
  • Suite Attendants
  • Warehouse Attendant

Stadium Operations:

  • Customer Service Representative
  • Grounds Crew
  • Merchandise Store Attendant
  • Usher
  • Gate Attendant
  • Bag Checker

Ticket Operations:

  • Ticket Seller
  • Ticket Taker

Production & Promotions:

  • Technical Operator
  • Camera Operator
  • Mascot
  • Promotions Team
  • Video Board Operators
  • Video Production Crew

Press Box Operations:

  • Official Scorer
  • Datacaster

These jobs are all paid and include the opportunity to work many of the team’s 69 home games and other special events between March and September. In addition, all applicants are required to attend the M-Braves Job Fair.

All applicants must be at least 16 years of age and work nights, weekends, and holidays. The Mississippi Braves are an equal opportunity employer. For more information on careers with the M-Braves, click HERE.

The 2022 game schedule is HERE, so Season tickets, Flex Plans, Group Outings, and Sponsorship Opportunities are available now by calling 888-BRAVES4.

M-Braves, MDPS hosting First Responder & Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, 9/11

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PEARL, MS – On Saturday, September 11, the Mississippi Braves, in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, and commissioner Sean Tindell, will remember and honor the bravery of American citizens and first responders on the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with special pregame events, videos, and patriotic post-game fireworks.

All first responders, active-duty and retired military, and Mississippi Department of Public Safety employees will receive two complimentary tickets to the 6:05 pm game against the Montgomery Biscuits. The tickets will be available at the Trustmark Park box office by simply presenting your work ID or law enforcement badge.

“This will be the first time in team history the M-Braves have had a home game at Trustmark Park on September 11,” added Pete Laven, vice president, and general manager of the Mississippi Braves. “As an organization, we want to pay our respects to all of those that lost their lives on that day 20 years ago and honor them and our local first responders through our national pastime.”

Before the first pitch, the Mississippi Highway Patrol Honor Guard will present the evening’s colors, and the 172nd Airlift Wing of the Mississippi Air National Guard will perform a pregame flyover.

The first-place Mississippi Braves are playing their final homestand of the regular season this week through Sunday. For tickets and more information on promotions, or postseason ticket, fans can visit mississippibraves.com or call 888-BRAVES4.

M-Braves, Humana hosting Food Drive at Trustmark Park, Sept. 7-10

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PEARL, MS – In partnership with the Mississippi Braves, Humana will be hosting a canned Food Drive benefiting the VA Food Pantry from Tuesday, September 7 through Friday, September 10 at Trustmark Park. Any fan that donates 2-or-more canned goods at the Trustmark Park Box Office between 10 am-3 pm will receive a $3 Field Level ticket for the September 11th game against the Montgomery Biscuits.

The Mississippi Braves will host their final homestand, September 7-12, against the Montgomery Biscuits at Trustmark Park. The homestand will feature the last Thirsty Thursday of 2021, Drew Waters MVP Statue Giveaway, Kid’s Backpack Giveaway presented by the Mississippi Department of Health, First Responders, and Military Appreciation Night on September 11, and Post-Game Fireworks presented by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and Commissioner Sean Tindell. For a complete list of promotions and to purchase tickets, visit mississippibraves.com, or call 888-BRAVES4.

For any more questions on the Humana Food Drive, please contact Garrett Butler at 601-664-7630 or [email protected].

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is committed to helping our millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health. Our successful history in care delivery and health plan administration is helping us create a new kind of integrated care with the power to improve health and well-being and lower costs. Our efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.

M-Braves to host Autism Awareness Day on Sunday at Trustmark Park

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PEARL, MS – The Mississippi Braves have partnered with William Carey University to help raise awareness and funds for the fight against Autism this Sunday, July 22, when the M-Braves host the Biloxi Shuckers at 2:05 pm.

Mississippi Braves players and coaches will wear special Autism Awareness jerseys, featuring the Braves logo across the chest with Autism Awareness puzzle pieces. A silent auction will be held at Trustmark Park beginning when gates open at 1:00 pm for fans to bid on each player and coach’s jersey. The current M-Braves roster features 11 of the Atlanta Braves top 30 prospects, including 2019 first-round selections Shea Langeliers and Braden Shewmake. Immediately following the game, players will autograph their jerseys for the auction winners. In addition, the jerseys will be signed by the player that wears them. The silent auction will end after the last out of the 6th inning.

Proceeds to the jersey auction will benefit TEAAM, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Mississippians with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, Developmental Disabilities, or Specific Learning Disabilities by cultivating and enhancing family and community supports.

“TEAAM has been honored to support the autism community now for more than two decades,” added Dr. Mark H. Yeager, executive director of TEAAM Autism. “We have just completed our 21st summer of providing summer camp fun for youth and adults with autism. Over those years we have seen numerous families benefit from what we see as our mission, providing community-based experiences and access to recreational events such as this event partnering with the Mississippi Braves! It is partnerships such as these with William Carey University and the Mississippi Braves that allow us to continue to grow the opportunities for individuals and their families. And of course, we are honored to have both Mississippi teams on the field for our day in the sun!”

The M-Braves and William Carey University aim to create an environment that will allow families dealing with Autism to enjoy a day at Trustmark Park while raising awareness for Autism, a disorder that affects one in 59 American children. Sunday is also Family Fun Day, with post-game kids run the bases after the game.

“William Carey University is proud to support the efforts of Dr. Yeager, our faculty member and coordinator of our special education department, and his TEAAM organization in all of the work they do in the field of autism,” said Ben Burnett, Ph.D., executive vice president at WCU. “He has dedicated his entire career to serving those with special needs and WCU is proud to have him teaching and leading on our campus.”

For tickets to Sunday’s game and information on upcoming promotions, visit mississippibraves.com, or call 888-BRAVES4.

M-Braves partner with MS Food Network for “Strike Out Hunger” Nights at Trustmark Park

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PEARL, MS – The Mississippi Braves and Mississippi Food Network are partnering for the first of two “Strike Out Hunger” Nights on Tuesday, May 18, at Trustmark Park.

Fans bringing non-perishable food items to Mississippi Food Network representatives outside the Trustmark Park main gate, or box office, will receive a $3 Field Level Ticket voucher. The first pitch is set for 6:35 pm as the M-Braves take on the Chattanooga Lookouts and begin a 12-game homestand. Mem

“We are once again thrilled to partner with the Mississippi Food Network for Strike Out Hunger Night at Trustmark Park,” said Mississippi Braves vice president and general manager Pete Laven. “Our fans always come through for this drive, and we know they will again this time. The ticket discount is just an added incentive.”

The second “Strike Out Hunger” Night is scheduled for Tuesday, August 10 against Biloxi.

The Braves will return to Trustmark Park for 12 games in 13 days, May 18-30, against the Chattanooga Lookouts and Montgomery Biscuits. The homestand will feature the return of Bark in the Park, two Post-Game Fireworks Shows, and two great giveaways. On Friday, May 21, the first 1,000 fans receive a Dansby Swanson replica jersey, courtesy of the Mississippi Forestry Commission. On Friday, May 28, the Braves will wear throwback Jackson Generals jerseys, and the first 1,000 fans will get a replica Generals cap, courtesy of NCADD.

For tickets and more information, be sure to visit mississippibraves.com, or call 888-BRAVES4.

M-Braves to continue $5 Ticket Program for military, veterans and first responders

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PEARL – The Mississippi Braves are proud to announce the continuation of a program that offers discounted tickets to our local first responders, military, and veterans. All members and veterans of all branches of the U.S. military and first responders/emergency personnel will receive $5 Diamond Level tickets ($10 discount) to all Mississippi Braves home games in 2021 when presenting a valid ID at the box office. This expanded discount on tickets for all home games at Trustmark Park to our local heroes is an extension of AMR First Responders Day each Wednesday, in which a complimentary Field Level ticket is offered.

“The M-Braves want to say thank you to all members of our armed forces and first responders/emergency personnel for their service and sacrifice,” said Mississippi Braves Vice President and General Manager Pete Laven. “Recognizing these exemplary citizens by providing them a fun ballpark experience is something which the Braves and AMR are very proud of. We look forward to seeing these local heroes and their friends and family at Trustmark Park this season.”

The discount is not available for tickets ordered online, and purchases must be made at the Trustmark Park box office.

Fans may begin securing their single-game tickets for each of the 60 games at Trustmark Park on Thursday at 2:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased at mississippibraves.com by calling 888-BRAVES4 or stopping by the Trustmark Park box office Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.

Opening Day for the Mississippi Braves is Tuesday, May 4 at 6:35 pm against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Trustmark Park. Fans can guarantee their seat with 2021 season tickets. Also currently available are flex plans, group tickets, suite nights, and sponsorship opportunities. View ticket options HERE. For more information, fans are encouraged to visit mississippibraves.com or call 888-BRAVES4.

Braves Bookworms Reading Program Returns for 2021

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PEARL, MS — The Mississippi Braves and Whataburger are pleased to announce the Braves Bookworms Reading Program’s return in 2021. The program is designed to encourage and enhance literacy among Central Mississippi youth through partnerships with local schools. The program is entirely free for students and educators. Click HERE for our Reading Program Central and fun educational resources.

Braves Bookworms strives to make reading fun by bringing the exciting experience from Trustmark Park into the classroom. All students from Pre-K through 8th grade are invited to participate. Braves Bookworms incentivizes students to read outside the classroom by rewarding them for reaching specific goals set by their teachers. The program is designed to run for four weeks.

Schools participating will have the opportunity to have Mississippi Braves mascots and staff present a Braves Bookworm Kickoff Pep Rally virtually. From January to March 2020, the M-Braves visited over 30 schools. The pep rally encourages participation and communicates the importance of reading.

Students participating in the program will receive an M-Braves bookmark. Once the objectives are complete, the bookmark becomes a voucher that students can exchange for (2) tickets to any 2021 Mississippi Braves home game! Vouchers may be exchanged at the Trustmark Park box office, based on availability! They must reach goals set by educators while they “Read Around the Bases,” creating a customizable incentive-based program to encourage children to read.To register for the program, download and fill out this FORM and send it to Darius Green at [email protected] or by mail (1 Braves Way, Pearl, MS 39208), fax (601-936-3567). Once we receive your enrollment form, a member of the M-Braves front office will contact you regarding program materials. Contact the Braves with any questions you might have at 601-932-8788.

Opening Day for the Mississippi Braves is set for Tuesday, May 4 at 6:35 pm against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Trustmark Park. Fans can guarantee their seat with 2021 season tickets. Also currently available are flex plans, group tickets suite nights, and sponsorship opportunities. View ticket options HERE. Individual game tickets will go on sale to the general public in April. For more information, fans are encouraged to visit milb.com/mississippi/tickets or call 601-9328788.**

ABOUT THE MISSISSIPPI BRAVES:**
Based in Pearl, MS since 2005, the Mississippi Braves are the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Since the inaugural season, there have been 150 M-Braves go on to play in Major League Baseball, including Brian McCann, Jeff Francoeur, Freddie Freeman, Craig Kimbrel, Andrelton Simmons, Dansby Swanson, Ozzie Albies, Max Fried, Mike Soroka, Austin Riley, Ian Anderson, Cristian Pache, and Ronald Acuña Jr. The M-Braves are owned and operated by the Atlanta Braves, the longest continuously operated franchise in Major League Baseball.

M-Braves to Host Job Fair on Saturday, March 20th

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

 

PEARL – The Mississippi Braves will hold a job fair for part-time/seasonal positions for the 2021 season on Saturday, March 20, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The job fair will take place inside Trustmark Park’s Farm Bureau Grill. M-Braves staff members will conduct open interviews on a first-come, first-serve basis for seasonal, part-time positions.

Applicants should be energetic, friendly, dependable, and ready to contribute to the family atmosphere of Trustmark Park.

Attendees will have the chance to interview for a variety of positions, including:

Food & Beverage:
• Restaurant Manager
• Concession Stand Manager
• Bartender
• Catering Food Prep
• Concession Stand Attendant
• Concession Stand Cook
• Dishwasher
• Host/Hostesses
• Kitchen Prep Staff
• Line Cooks
• Restaurant Wait Staff
• Suite Attendants

Stadium Operations:
• Customer Service Representative
• Grounds Crew
• Merchandise Store Attendant
• Money Audit Staff
• Security
• Usher

Ticket Operations:
• Ticket Seller
• Ticket Taker

Production & Promotions:
• Technical Operator
• Camera Operator
• Mascot
• Promotions Team
• Video Board Operators
• Video Production Crew

These jobs are all paid and include the opportunity to work many of the team’s 60 home games and other special events between March and September. All applicants are required to attend the M-Braves Job Fair. Applicants are encouraged to submit an application online via the link below. Masks will be required for all attendees, and the M-Braves will enforce all social distancing guidelines.

Visit our EMPLOYMENT AND JOB FAIR page for more information and to apply online.

All applicants must be at least 16 years of age and able to work nights, weekends, and some holidays. The Mississippi Braves are an equal opportunity employer.

The 2021 game schedule is here, so season tickets, flex plans, group outings, and sponsorship opportunities are available now by calling 888-BRAVES4.

M-Braves Present Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute With $5,000 Grant From The Atlanta Braves Foundation

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PEARL – In conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, the Mississippi Braves are joining together with the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute in their extraordinary effort to empower the youth of color in central Mississippi through education and community activation. In keeping with the mission of the Atlanta Braves Foundation to support youth-serving programs in our community, a grant for $5,000 was presented to the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute at Trustmark Park on Friday, September 11.

“Along with our parent club, the Atlanta Braves, we are proud to partner with the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute in their mission to impact the lives and future careers of the youth in central Mississippi,” added Pete Laven, Mississippi Braves vice president and general manager. “In the spirit of Medgar and Myrlie Evers, the M-Braves look forward to participating in the Institute’s efforts in providing equitable environments in our community.”

The Evers Youth Empowerment Scholars program (E.Y.E.S.) is about providing Mississippi youth of color with education, training, character development, and team-building skills that will empower them to become actively engaged in their communities. Program components include academic training, community service, and physical activity. These activities instill within our youth, honor, confidence, hope, forgiveness, and responsibility. Values we want to see all of our youth embody each day.

“The Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute is excited and appreciative to begin a relationship with the Atlanta and Mississippi Braves,” said Reena Evers-Everette, executive director of the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute and daughter Medgar and Myrlie Evers. “This gift will help support our ongoing efforts for justice and healing, enhancing our organization’s abilities to support communities through our youth empowerment initiatives. Now especially, with elevated conversations about racism and demands for change, it is inspiring to have the Atlanta and Mississippi Braves support our mission.”

About the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute:
Medgar and Myrlie Evers are widely regarded as two of the most outstanding leaders of the civil rights movement. Medgar Evers was a pioneering visionary for civil rights in the 1950s and early 1960s in Mississippi. From the beginning, Myrlie Evers worked alongside her husband, Medgar. In the years following his assassination, she continued the pioneering work they began together in 1998. She founded the Medgar Evers Institute, with the initial goal of preserving and advancing the legacy of Medgar Evers’ life’s work. Anticipating the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Medgar Evers on June 12, 1963, and recognizing the international leadership role of Myrlie Evers, the Institute’s board of directors changed the organization’s name to the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute.

About the Atlanta Braves Grant Program:
Each year, the Atlanta Braves Foundation grants funds to youth-serving organizations that focus on health, education, and recreation; and whose plans for the requested funds will have a significant impact upon the individuals served by the requesting organization.

“Although great strides in the field of human relations have been made, we cannot let up now!”
~ Medgar Evers, April 1961

M-Braves Partnering With MiLB To Launch CommUNITY First Campaign

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For every $10 donated, the M-Braves will donate one ticket to a future home game to a local hero

PEARL, April 28, 2020 – The Mississippi Braves today announced they are joining MiLB CommUNITY First, a new national initiative developed by Minor League Baseball, in conjunction with Feeding America® and Mississippi Food Network to raise funds for local food banks and to honor individuals risking their lives on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

M-Braves fans are encouraged to visit MiLB.com/CommUNITYFirstthrough May 31 to donate. Once on the site, fans can choose their donation amount and the Mississippi Braves as the recipient of their donation to direct funds to the central Mississippi community. For every $10 donated, the M-Braves will donate one ticket to a future home game this season or in 2021 to a local hero of the pandemic.

“The central Mississippi community is known for rallying around those that are in need. The M-Braves, together with our fans, look forward to partnering with MiLB CommUNITY First, Feeding America and our friends at the Mississippi Food Network on this important initiative.”

School closures, rising unemployment and rising poverty due to quarantine and extended stay-at-home orders have disproportionately impacted people already at risk of hunger and could result in an estimated additional 17.1 million people experiencing food insecurity in the next six months, according to Feeding America. As the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a network of more than 200 affiliates, Feeding America has projected a $1.4 billion shortfall in the next six months alone.

In response, contributions from Mississippi Braves fans and Minor League Baseball will help ensure families and individuals across the country most impacted by the pandemic are fed and cared for during these uncertain times. Join the national campaign by donating and selecting MISSISSIPPI BRAVES at MiLB.com/CommUNITYFirst and use #MiLBCommUNITYFirst on social media to show your support.

 

M-Braves Holding National Anthem and Mascot Auditions Saturday, March 7th

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PEARL, MS — The Mississippi Braves are once again looking for local talent to perform at games this season. Auditions for the National Anthem and mascots will be held Saturday, March 7 at Trustmark Park, from 10 am to 2 pm. Individuals or groups may participate.

WHAT: National Anthem and Mascot Auditions
WHEN: Saturday, March 7 from 10 am-2 pm
WHERE: Trustmark Park

“We are excited to be having our annual National Anthem tryouts for the upcoming season,” said Mississippi Braves promotions and entertainment manager Ali Nerini. “We are looking for individuals who will represent the M-Braves in performing a powerful rendition of our National Anthem.”

National Anthem Auditions: 
Candidates will perform over the stadium PA system. Come prepared with a traditional rendition of the National Anthem. The chosen singers will perform at M-Braves’ home games during the 2020 season. Choirs and larger groups are welcome to audition to deliver the National Anthem. Participants will be judged on a cappella and acoustic instrumental renditions only, as no electric or amplified instruments can be utilized for game day performances. All singers who would like to sing the anthem in 2020, including those who have sung at an M-Braves game in the past, are required to attend this audition. Video audition tapes will not be accepted.

“Our mascots are an important part of the experience at Trustmark Park,” added Nerini. “We will be looking for energetic, fun-loving people who love nothing more than bringing smiles to fans’ faces!”

Mascot Auditions:
The Braves are looking for energetic, friendly and enthusiastic individuals to fulfill this position. A suit will not be provided for your audition, so bring your own or be prepared to audition without a suit. Come prepared with a 30-second routine of your choice as well as being ready for an improv performance.
Auditions will take place inside Trustmark Park, and participants will enter through the main gate. Local celebrities and Braves staff will judge the auditions. There is no appointment necessary, and performers will audition in the order in which they arrive. The tryout is open to all area performers and musicians, allowing Braves fans the unique chance to be a valuable part of the game-day atmosphere. Also, any tryout participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the audition.

The 2020 season begins on Thursday, April 9, when the M-Braves host the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. 2020 season tickets, group outings, and sponsorship are on sale through the Mississippi Braves front office. For more information on membership packages, call 888-BRAVES4 or visit mississippibraves.com.

 

M-Braves to host Job Fair on Saturday, Feb. 15

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

 

PEARL, MS – Visit Trustmark Park’s Farm Bureau Grill, Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 am to 3 pm for the M-Braves’ 2020 Job Fair. M-Braves staff members will conduct open interviews on a first-come, first-serve basis for seasonal, part-time positions.

Applicants should be energetic, friendly, dependable and ready to contribute to the family atmosphere of Trustmark Park.

“We pride ourselves on providing the best guest experience in all of Minor League Baseball,” said Mississippi Braves vice president and general manager Pete Laven. “These interviews provide individuals an opportunity to join the M-Braves family, help us serve our fans, and make some additional money during the summer months.”

Attendees will have the chance to interview for a variety of positions, including:

Food & Beverage 
Bartender
Catering Food Prep
Concession Stand Attendant
Concession Stand Cook
Dishwasher
Host/Hostesses
Kitchen Prep Staff
Line Cooks
Restaurant Wait Staff
Suite Attendants

Stadium Operations:
Bat Boy
Clean Up / Custodial
Fun Zone Attendants
Grounds Crew
Merchandise Store Attendant
Money Audit Staff
Parking Attendant
Usher

Ticket Operations:
Ticket Seller
Ticket Taker

Production & Promotions:
Camera Operator
Mascot
Promotions Team
PA Announcer
Video Board Operators
Video Production Crew

Press Box:
Pitch Clock/Trackman Operators

These jobs are all paid and include the opportunity to work many of the team’s 70 home games and other special events between March and September. All applicants are required to attend the M-Braves Job Fair. Applicants are encouraged to submit an application online via the link below.

SUBMIT ONLINE APPLICATION

All applicants must be at least 16 years of age and able to work nights, weekends, and some holidays.

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

M-Braves launch Braves Bookworms Reading Program

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

 

PEARL, MS – The Mississippi Braves are pleased to announce the implementation of the Braves Bookworms Reading Program. The program was created to encourage and enhance literacy among the youth of Central Mississippi. The program is entirely free for students and educators.

Braves Bookworms is designed to help promote a lifelong love of reading and baseball in children through a partnership with local schools. All students from Pre-K through 8th grade are invited to participate. Braves Bookworms incentivizes students to read outside the classroom by rewarding them for reaching specific goals set by their teachers. The program is designed to run for four weeks, beginning in January, 2020.

Schools participating will have the opportunity to invite Mississippi Braves mascots and staff to present a Braves Bookworm Kickoff Pep Rally at the school to encourage participation and communicate the importance of reading. These Pep Rallies will be scheduled on a first-come first-served basis to schools within 30 miles of Trustmark Park.

Students participating in the program will receive an M-Braves bookmark. Once the students’ objectives are complete from your teacher, the bookmark becomes a ticket voucher that can be exchanged for an actual ticket at the Trustmark Park for a 2020 Mississippi Braves home game between April 9 – June 15! They are required to reach goals set by educators while they “Read Around the Bases,” creating a customizable incentive-based program to encourage children to read. Specific Reading Program dates will be set to recognize students for completing the program with a pregame ceremony and parade around the field.

To sign your school up for the program, fill out the ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM and send it back to the Braves either by mail, fax, or email. Once we receive your enrollment, we will contact you regarding our game dates, Reading Pep Rally as well as delivery of your program materials. Please contact the Braves by calling 888-BRAVES4 or emailing us at mississippibraves@braves.com.

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