Spokane Indians Earn Prestigious WSRA Recycler of the Year Award

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SPOKANE, Wash. – On November 2nd, the Spokane Indians were recognized for their Zero Waste Campaign during the 2019 calendar year, receiving the Washington State Recycling Association (WSRA) Recycler of the Year Award, in the Business Generator category. The WSRA presents annual Recycler of the Year (ROY) awards to spotlight individuals, businesses, government agencies and community organizations that are making outstanding contributions to strengthening and expanding recycling and waste prevention practices across the state.

“We’re honored to receive this award and to continue building on our responsibility as an environmental leader,” said Senior Vice President Otto Klein. “We recognize that we have the opportunity to impact the community through our efforts at Avista Stadium and this award is a testament to the work that we’ve done and will continue to do.”

The Indians were nominated by Kris Major, Education Coordinator for the City of Spokane’s Solid Waste Department. “Striving towards zero waste is difficult for any business, let alone one that deals with the public in the numbers that the Spokane Indians do. This recognition is well-deserved and the organization’s hard work and commitment to sustainability can be an inspiration to us all and a model for others to follow,” said Major.

In 2019, the Indians announced their commitment to becoming a zero waste facility with the Zero Waste Campaign. 60 zero waste stations were installed throughout Avista Stadium and an investment was made in compostable items, including beer cups, Pepsi cups (including lids and straws) and utensils. In 2019 alone, the Indians increased traditional recycling by 29% and diverted 12 tons of compostable materials from the waste stream, which equates to 28% of total waste. The compostable materials collected at the stadium were then transferred to a local facility, where they were processed into a healthy, soil building compost, used in agriculture, landscape, turf, and garden applications. A portion of that compost was eventually brought back and used in flower beds at Avista Stadium, creating a closed-loop system.

“We understand the importance of doing our part to protect the environment and resources for future generations,” said Klein. “With the help of our local partners and staff who work tirelessly every day, the Zero Waste Campaign is the next chapter for how we are striving to take care of the place we all call home.”

The Spokane Indians would like to thank the presenting partner of the Zero Waste Campaign, Spokane County Regional Solid Waste, and major contributors: the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Wittkopf Landscape Supply, Sunshine Disposal & Recycling, and Barr-Tech.

Hometown Hero: Kim Elkins

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SPOKANE, Wash. – When school districts started to close as a response to the COVID-19 outbreaks in mid-March, many faced the issue of continuing to provide meals for students in need. With the help of her team, Kim Elkins, the Nutrition Director for the Mead School District, made it her mission to provide kids in the district a dish of normalcy by continuing to provide breakfast and lunch. The district, comprised of seven elementary and one middle schools, set out to serve cold meals at 16 different locations that families could take home to heat up for the kids. Between March and August, a total of 238,044 breakfasts and lunches were served to the community. With help from Assistant Director of Nutrition Services, Mark Oswalt and their team, Kim coordinated with the transportation department to deliver meals from the school’s warehouses to the distribution sites. They’d be set up for 30 minute windows so that kids from more rural areas would have access without far drives. Several school bus drivers helped distribute the meals, some even dressing up in themed outfits to bring some fun to the pickup. The kids loved it and some would follow suit and dress up in themes as well. As the 2020-2021 school year starts, the Spokane Indians are excited to feature Kim as a Hometown Hero for the impact she has made on our community, especially over the past six months. Kim’s efforts helped ensure that kids were still being fed. The Spokane Indians had the chance to chat with Kim to find out more on this important project and the work that went into making it such a success.

SI: How long have you served as the Nutrition Director with the Mead School District? What is your favorite part of the job?

KE: Eight years, the best part is working with a great team that cares immensely about making sure kids are fed well-balanced meals that support learning.

SI: What was your particular role in implementing the meal pickup program?

KE: I coordinated the change from the normal serving model to one we had never implemented before. This included an overhaul of staff responsibilities, procurement of available supplies and food, communication with district and community members, transportation of meals, and implementing staff safety protocols. COVID-19 changed functions of every nutrition program. All school nutrition professionals in the area were happy to accept the challenge to ensure kids were fed during closures.

SI: What were some of the biggest challenges that you faced to successfully implement this program?

KE: Building the airplane in the air! Different aspects of staffing may have been one of the biggest challenges. We needed to create a new type of work environment that made our available staff feel safe while producing meals for our community with continually evolving health and safety recommendations. With schools across the nation facing similar obstacles, it was a challenge finding food and packaging supplies to keep our program running smoothly. There was undoubtedly a lot of coordination that made this successful.

SI: Who were the key players along the way?

KE: Mark Oswalt, Assistant Director of Nutrition Services; Brian Liberg, Director of Transportation; Jolene Andres, Executive Assistant for the Superintendent Communication Expert; and our nutrition and transportation team members. It was inspiring to see people from other school departments pitch in to feed kids.

SI: 238,044 meals served for breakfast and lunch is an incredible amount, how does that compare to typical numbers for the school district?

KE: Typically, we serve 6,000 meals per day that is spread across 13 buildings with 45 staff. With the meal pickup program, we were producing meals out of 2 kitchens with staff who assembled and then helped hand out meals with our bus drivers.

SI: Now that the 2020-2021 school year has begun, what plans does your team have in place moving forward?

KE: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the extension of free summer meals through December 31st. We are excited to offer free breakfast and lunch to our students attending school in person starting September 14th. We are also offering free weekly meal kits for families whose children are choosing full online learning and hybrid learners for non-in person school days. It is a big challenge to operate our meal programs in the schools in addition to a “to go” meal program. But again, our team has stepped up and are working to make sure it happens knowing how important food is for student learning.

SI: Outside of your work with the school district, what hobbies do you have?

KE: I ride my three horses in endurance races and on local trails, garden, and cook.

SI: What is your favorite quote?

KE: “Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it’s a day you’ve had everything to do and you’ve done it.” – Margaret Thatcher

About the Spokane Indians – The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play at Avista Stadium. The Spokane Indians Team Store is available for online orders and curbside pickup.

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Hometown Hero: Stacy Kitchens

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SPOKANE, Wash. – The COVID-19 pandemic has created several stress factors in hospitals as protocols change, capacity is reached, and employees are susceptible to contracting the virus. It’s essential that leaders in healthcare continue to be positive and supportive for coworkers and patients alike. The Spokane Indians were excited to be able to meet Hometown Hero, Stacy Kitchens. Stacy is an Emergency Room RN (registered nurse) at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital. She has a reputation of treating others like family. Stacy has been an integral person in the emergency room through her leadership, adaptability, and willingness to help others through challenging times.

SI: How long have you worked for MultiCare? What is your current role?

SK: I started at Deaconess Hospital in 2005 as a phlebotomist while I was working my way through nursing school. I then started out as a new graduate RN in the Emergency Room in 2008 and have never left. I currently am a Charge Nurse there.

SI: How have your day-to-day duties changed during this pandemic?

SK: My duties at work have definitely changed during this pandemic. I wear a mask for the entire twelve hours of my shift. I also wear eye protectant if I am around any patient for more than 15 minutes. As a nurse I have always been trained on proper use of personal protection equipment and the specialized equipment we use when taking care of COVID positive patients or patients being tested for COVID. Now I just use the equipment much more often and feel very comfortable and confident doing so.

SI: What inspired you to become a nurse?

SK: I was intrigued by the idea of nursing. I thought it would be fun to help take care of people and make a difference in their lives so I decided to volunteer at a local emergency room and absolutely loved it. It was fascinating to me. I loved the excitement of the emergency room and the opportunity to help make people feel better in difficult situations.

SI: What is a piece of advice that you would give anyone looking to pursue a career in healthcare?

SK: I would say you should absolutely do it. While going to school or researching different careers in the medical field, you should volunteer or take an entry level job in a hospital or medical setting so you can find your fit. Healthcare has so many different opportunities for you to find what you’re truly passionate about.

SI: are some hobbies that you enjoy when you aren’t working?

SK: My absolute favorite thing to do when I am not working is being on my boat with my family. We love traveling to different lakes in the amazing PNW. My husband and I are teaching our kids how to surf and are loving every minute on the water.

SI: What is your favorite quote?

SK: You become what you believe, so believe in yourself.

The Spokane Indians would like to thank Stacy and all healthcare workers for making sacrifices and taking care of people in need. To submit nominations for future Hometown Hero’s, visit: https://www.milb.com/spokane/community/hometownhero

About the Spokane Indians

The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play at Avista Stadium. The Spokane Indians Team Store is open for online orders and curbside pickup.

Spokane Indians and Second Harvest Work Together to Help Feed Community Members

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SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane Indians are pleased to announce they have made a donation to Second Harvest that will provide free food for 17,000 meals to people in need in the community. Since March, Second Harvest has distributed, on average, 924,000 pounds of free food per week to help people facing hunger in 26 counties in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. That’s 55% more than before the COVID-19 crisis.

“Our food bank network is on the front lines of an extraordinary battle against hunger as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re grateful for the Spokane Indians and the generous people in our community who supported their efforts to help fill nutritional gaps for our neighbors in need,” said Jason Clark, president and CEO of Second Harvest. “This donation will do more than get food to where it’s needed most. It also will bring hope to local people who are facing so many uncertainties right now.”

Specifically, the Indians raised funds to support Second Harvest’s new Wolff Family Child Hunger Solution Center with a Spring Jersey Auction and two Ballpark Dinner To-Go meals at Avista Stadium. For every meal purchased, the Spokane Indians made a monetary donation to Second Harvest. While placing orders for the family meals online, fans also have the opportunity to make additional donations to Second Harvest.

“Simply put, Indians fans have responded once again” said Otto Klein, Senior Vice President of the Indians. “The generosity of the community is alive and well and we’re proud to do everything we can during this difficult time.”

Both organizations will continue to work together this summer as the Indians plan more Ballpark Dinner To-Go events. June 17th from 4:00 – 6:00PM marks the next family dinner available for curbside pickup at Avista Stadium. Each meal feeds a family of four and includes eight chicken strips, four Indians dogs, over one pound of fries, family size popcorn, four ice cream sandwiches, and a package of Sour Patch Kids for $40 plus tax. For more information or to order a Ballpark Dinner To-Go CLICK HERE.

Spokane Indians Open 2020 Game Day Job Application

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SPOKANE, Wash. – Do you want to spend your summer working with the most energetic and friendly customer service team in Spokane? If your answer is yes, then look no further. The Spokane Indians are looking for game day team members of all ages to fill a wide variety of positions at Avista Stadium.

Our Goal is to provide affordable family entertainment and excellent customer service to every guest who walks through our gates. Do you have what it takes to help create the best fan experience in baseball?

There’s a wide variety of positions available, with over half of these opportunities in concessions. These positions range from concessions cashiers (21+) to food preps. Each team member is critical in providing the best experience to our guests.

CLICK HERE to learn more about available opportunities and to apply.

Most positions require working game days, plan ahead and click here to take a look at our 2020 schedule. Opening day is June 17th, with customer service training beginning in mid-May.

For more information, please contact [email protected]

About the Spokane Indians

The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate for the Texas Rangers. Avista Stadium is home to the $5 Kids Bench Seat courtesy of MultiCare. Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE. The Spokane Indians Team Store is open M-F 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and 10:00 AM on all game days. CLICK HERE to reserve your seats today.

 

MLBPAA Brings Legends For Youth Baseball Clinic Series to Spokane

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Colorado Springs, Colo. – Local youth will have an opportunity to play with their big league heroes at the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) Legends for Youth baseball clinic series on Wednesday, September 25th, 2019. In conjunction with the Spokane Indians, the free clinic features former Major League Baseball players who will teach baseball skills, drills and life lessons, concluding with an autograph session and baseball giveaways for children in attendance.

Players attending* include seven-year MLB veteran Kevin Stocker, alongside Gonzaga Athletic Hall of Fame member Mike Davey and former Spokane Indian Robert Strampe.

Clinic details:

• Avista Stadium, home of the Spokane Indians
  602 North Havana Street, Spokane, WA 99202
• Time: Clinic check-in beginning at 4:30 p.m. with instruction running from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• To register, visit baseballalumni.com. Registration is required.

For more information, please contact Nikki Warner, Director of Communications, at (719) 477-1870, ext. 105 or visit www.baseballalumni.com.

*Clinicians subject to change.

About The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA)

MLBPAA was founded in 1982 with the mission of promoting baseball, raising money for charity and protecting the dignity of the game through its Alumni players. The MLBPAA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO with a membership of more than 8,600, of which approximately 6,100 are Alumni and active players. Alumni players find the MLBPAA to be a vital tool to become involved in charity and community philanthropy. Follow @MLBPAA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates.

About Legends for Youth Clinics

MLBPAA’s Legends for Youth clinics impact more than 19,000 children each year, allowing them the unique opportunity to interact with and learn from players who have left a lasting impact on the game of baseball. The MLBPAA has reached children across America and internationally in Australia, Canada, China, Cuba, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, the United Kingdom and Venezuela, through the Legends for Youth clinic series. To donate to this program, visit baseballalumni.com/donate. The official hashtag of the Legends for Youth clinic series is #LFYClinic.

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

Bring School Supplies to Avista Stadium Today and Receive a $5 Ticket to the Game

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SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane Indians and Ambetter by Coordinated Care will be accepting School Supplies for local foster children today at Avista Stadium. Each fan who brings school supplies will have the opportunity to purchase a bench seat to today’s game for just $5!

There is a growing crisis in Washington’s foster care system, as there are currently more children entering foster care than the present number of foster homes can handle and the need for more homes is urgent. Sadly, due to the shortage of homes, children end up being moved to other counties in the state if there is not a local foster home available to care for them.

Fostering WA works hard to ensure that there are foster homes available in all communities across eastern Washington to be able to provide care for children when they need out of home care. Fostering ID provides the same services in Idaho. Both Fostering WA & Fostering ID are a program of Family & Resource Training Center based out of Eastern Washington University’s College of Social Sciences.

Coordinated Care and Fostering WA believe that our youth deserve to be safe and cared for in the community in which they live. Whether you are able to provide care for one child or a sibling set, families are needed.

To find out more about how to support foster youth, contact fosteringwa@ewu.edu or 877.620.5748.

Sunday’s game is Back to School Day & Lawton Team Photo Giveaway presented by Ambetter by Coordinated Care and KISS 98.1. First pitch is at 5:09 PM and the gates open at 4:00 PM. For tickets, contact the Spokane Indians Ticket Office at (509) 343-6886.

About the Spokane Indians

The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate for the Texas Rangers. Avista Stadium is home to the $5 Kids Bench Seat courtesy of MultiCare. Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE. The Spokane Indians Team Store is open M-F 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and 10:00 AM to the end of the game on all game days.

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

Spokane Indians and Banner Bank Team Up to Help Local Students Attend College

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SPOKANE, Wash. – For the fourteenth consecutive year, Banner Bank and the Spokane Indians will team up to reward deserving high school seniors with college scholarships. Five area students will be selected to receive a $500 scholarship based on achievement in leadership, community involvement, scholarship, and character.

“Hard work and dedication deserve to be rewarded-that’s why we are pleased to again partner with the Spokane Indians to award five deserving students with college scholarships,” said Keith Weathermon, Banner Bank Senior Vice President.

Any high school senior in the graduating class of 2019 attending a high school within Spokane County and Kootenai County and/or a member of one of the six (6) regional tribes (the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, the Colville Tribe, the Kalispel Tribe, the Kootenai Tribe, the Nez Perce Tribe, and the Spokane Tribe) is eligible for this scholarship. Applications for the scholarship are due to the Spokane Indians office by Friday, May 3rd, 2019. CLICK HERE for more info and to apply.

“It’s gratifying for us to know that as an organization we’ve had a direct impact on education for over a decade,” said Indians Senior Vice President Otto Klein. “We love celebrating great students in our community.”

Students interested in receiving a Banner Bank Scholarship application should contact their school’s scholarship coordinator or email Darby Moore at dmoore@spokaneindians.com for more information.

About the Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate for the Texas Rangers. Avista Stadium is home to the $5 Bench Seat courtesy of Multicare. CLICK HERE to reserve your seats today. Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE. The Spokane Indians Team Store is open M-F 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and 10:00 AM on all game days.

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

The Redband Rally Continues: Indians’ Staff Spends Day with Spokane Tribal Fisheries

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

Spokane, WASH. – Not even the offseason can stop the Spokane Indians historic Redband Rally Campaign.  Last month, the Spokane Indians Baseball front office staff spent the day on Lake Roosevelt and its tributaries with biologists from the Spokane Tribal Fisheries Department to learn more about protecting the native Redband Trout.

Four fisheries research vessels, including the newest boat to the fleet called the “Big Dawg” which features the Indians baseball historic Redband logo, spent the day up and down the river gill netting and electrofishing invasive Northern Pike. Northern Pike, the primary threat to Redband Trout, were illegally introduced into the watershed years ago and have proven destructive to the ecosystem. Additionally, Indians staff participated in their long term Sturgeon Research Project (since 1995) and Water Quality Monitoring Project.

“Anytime we can assist in protecting the Redband, we have interest,” said Indians Senior VP Otto Klein. “Not only do we owe it to our partners on this project, but also to the general health of all species in the river.”

2017 was the inaugural season of the Spokane Indians Redband Rally Campaign presented by the City of Spokane.  In addition to a new alternate brand and team mascot, the campaign raises money for the native Redband Trout habitat while highlighting the City’s efforts to clean the Spokane River.

Citizens can help protect the Redband Trout and the rest of the native inhabitants of the Spokane River by donating to the Redband Rally Fund. The fund, which is administered by the Inland Northwest Community Foundation, raises money for local organizations to conserve and protect the Spokane River and its native Redband Trout.

Click here to donate to the Redband Rally Fund

To help promote the Redband Rally Campaign throughout the 2017 season, the Spokane Indians Baseball Club unveiled a new mascot at Avista Stadium named “Ribby the Redband Trout” and distributed free Redband Headbands for fans to wear during the game. Along with Ribby, Indians players wore special Redband Jerseys for six games throughout season. While the Redband Jerseys were available through an online auction during the month of September, there are multiple new Redband merchandise items currently for sale at the Spokane Indians Team Store. $5 from each piece of Redband merchandise sold will be donated to the Redband Rally Campaign.

Click here to look at the Redband Merchandise at the Spokane Indians Team Store

The Spokane Indians Baseball Club is the Short Season Class ‘A’ Affiliate of the Texas Rangers. For more information, please visit SpokaneIndians.com or call (509) 343-OTTO (6886).

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

Spokane Indians’ Staff Helps Install Youth Baseball Field at Glover Park

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

Spokane, WASH. – The off-season for the Spokane Indians Baseball Club remained busy this week as the front office staff was out in full force refurbishing a youth baseball field at Glover Park. In partnership with the KXLY 4 News Extreme Team lead by Mark Peterson , the baseball diamond located at Glover Park was identified as needed help from the community.  This presented an opportunity the Indians couldn’t resist.

The KXLY Extreme Team completely refurbished the old Peaceful Valley Community Center which sits adjacent to the park and has now been renamed the Recovery Cafe. While fully mobilized with construction equipment and volunteers, the idea of working on the baseball field at the same time was introduced. With permission from the Spokane Tribe of Indians and recommendation to work with a state historical archaeologist, a plan was established to add top soil and dugouts to the site without disturbing any of the ground.

“We want to promote baseball at all levels and it starts with having a safe place to play,” said Indians Senior VP Otto Klein. “Not only is it a beautiful setting, it has deep meaning to the community and our partners at the Spokane Tribe that makes it a perfect project to work on.”

Glover Field was renamed in 1917 and dedicated to James N. Glover, a founding father of the city of Spokane. The park is currently one of 87 parks operated by the City of Spokane Parks Department. It also has deep meaning to the Spokane Tribe of Indians as it often served as an encampment for the tribe throughout history. A state tribal archaeologist was on hand during the process to make sure no land or artifacts were disturbed.

“The City of Spokane Parks Department oversees 2,000 acres of developed parkland in the City of Spokane,” said Carl Strong, Assistant Director of Park Operations. “This is a historic area and we’re proud to see help from the community to make it even better.”

Spokane Youth Sports Association (SYSA), which provides sports activities for all youth, will add the field to its spring baseball line-up and start scheduling regular practices and games.

“Adding another youth baseball field in this community is huge for us,” said SYSA Executive Director Phil Helean. “We have a shortage of fields compared to other communities our size, so adding one more is a step in the right direction.”

The Spokane Indians Baseball Club is the Short Season Class ‘A’ Affiliate of the Texas Rangers. For more information, please visit SpokaneIndians.com or call (509) 343-OTTO (6886).

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

Redband Jerseys Are Up For Auction

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

Spokane, WASH. – The Redband Jersey Auction has moved online and it’s now time to get your bids in for these authentic game-worn jerseys! The Redband Jerseys were worn six times by the Spokane Indians throughout the 2017 season in honor of the new Redband Rally Campaign that raises money for the native Redband Trout habitat.

The City of Spokane is the presenting sponsor of the campaign in an effort to bring awareness to the huge investment the city and its citizens have made in Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) tanks to help collect untreated water from entering the Spokane River.

Click here to bid on the Redband Jersey Auction

Part of the proceeds from the jersey auction will go directly to the Redband Rally Fund. The fund, which is professionally administered by the Inland Northwest Community Foundation, raises money for local organizations to conserve and protect the Spokane River and its native Redband Trout.

The auction will be open until October 1st at 5:00 PM.

Click here to bid on the Redband Jersey Auction

While the Redband Jerseys are only available through the auction, there are multiple new Redband items currently for sale at the Spokane Indians Team Store. $5 from all Redband merchandise sold will be donated to the Redband Rally Campaign.

New merchandise items for sale include:

RedbandSizeSwag

Adjustable Hat for Release 2

Fishing Shirt Blue Background

Redband Polo blue background

Redband-Waves-Navy
Reband-Light-Blue-Trout

The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class ‘A’ Affiliate of the Texas Rangers. For more information, please visit SpokaneIndians.com or call (509) 343-OTTO (6886).

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

Spokane Indians and Banner Bank Team Up to Help Local Students Attend College

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

SPOKANE, WA – For the twelfth consecutive year, Banner Bank and the Spokane Indians will team up to reward deserving high school seniors with college scholarships. Five area students will be selected to receive a $500 scholarship based on achievement in leadership, community involvement, scholarship, and character.

“Banner Bank is pleased to continue their scholarship program with the Spokane Indians and reward local students for their hard work and commitment to further education,” said Kirk Quillin, Banner Bank Senior Vice President.

Area high school students in Kootenai and Spokane Counties are encouraged to apply. Applications for the scholarship are due to the Spokane Indians office by Friday, May 12th, 2017. CLICK HERE for more info and to apply.

“We love having the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of area students,” said Indians Senior Vice President, Otto Klein. “Last year we helped five outstanding students attend college and we are looking forward to helping a new group in 2017.”

Students interested in receiving a Banner Bank Scholarship application should contact their school’s scholarship coordinator or email Darby Moore at dmoore@spokaneindians.com for more information.

About the Indians

The Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate for the Texas Rangers. Ticket packages for the 2017 season are now available for purchase. CLICK HERE to reserve your seats today. For more information, please visit spokaneindians.com or call (509) 343-6886.

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

Spokane County Fair & Expo Center and the Spokane Indians Team Up for Wildfire Relief

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

SPOKANE, WA – The Spokane County Fair & Expo Center and the Spokane Indians baseball team have teamed up to help support the firefighting efforts in the region. Firefighters from all over the state have been using the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center and parking areas of Avista Stadium as a staging area while they work to contain the fires that started last week.

“We are pleased to be able to work together with the Spokane Indians and use our combined resources to aid these firefighters,” said Rich Hartzell, Director of the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center. “Both parties have made concerted efforts to help during this busy time of year in order to protect the safety of our community.”

The baseball team’s Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, August 27 was originally scheduled to have post-game fireworks, but the area typically used for the promotion is being utilized by the Incident Management Teams as a base camp to fight wildfires near Spokane.

“We want to thank the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center and the Spokane Indians for being such great hosts,” said Matt Ugaldea, Unit Leader Pacific Northwest Incident Management Team 11. “They have been very accommodating and allowed us to concentrate our efforts on fighting the area’s fires.”

In lieu of the post-game fireworks on Saturday, the Spokane Indians, the Spokesman-Review, and KHQ will make a donation to local wildfire victims.

“We felt it was important for the team to step up and help those affected by the recent wildfires,” said Chris Duff, General Manager for the Spokane Indians. “It has been inspiring to see our community rally together in support of those in need.”

For more information, please contact the Indians at (509) 535-2922 or mail@spokaneindians.com.

About the Indians

The Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate for the Texas Rangers. For more information, please visit www.spokaneindians.com or call (509) 343-6886 (OTTO).

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

Pitch for the Cure Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Indians partner with Susan G. Komen for tenth consecutive season

spokaneindians_2015-05-05

Spokane, WA – The Spokane Indians are excited to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Pitch for the Cure Breast Cancer Walk, presented by Mike’s Hard Lemonade, this August! Click here to register!

Sunday, August 2nd, at Avista Stadium, will mark the tenth anniversary of this fun summer event. The short one-mile walk around Avista Stadium in support for Breast Cancer finishes with participants being recognized on the field during a special ceremony before the 3:30pm game. Indians players will wear pink jerseys and hats – to be auctioned – in the game against the Eugene Emeralds. The Susan G. Komen Eastern Washington affiliate will once again be the primary beneficiary of the day’s festivities.

“This is the tenth anniversary of the Pitch for the Cure – that’s an entire decade of raising awareness in the Spokane community…it’s fantastic,” said Randy Schwaegler, President of Komen’s Eastern Washington affiliate Board. “The event keeps growing every year, and the support is non-stop. This is why we come out every year – to give those who fight another reason for tomorrow.”

The cost for the walk is $25 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under. Participants will receive a special edition 10th anniversary T-shirt, a donation in their name to the Susan G. Komen Eastern Washington affiliate, and a ticket to the Spokane Indians baseball game that afternoon.

Last year, the Spokane Indians donated a total of $9,000 to the Susan G. Komen Eastern Washington affiliate. In the ten year partnership, the Spokane Indians have donated over $40,000 to the Komen Foundation. Seventy-five percent of all funds donated to the Susan G. Komen Eastern Washington affiliate stays local and is given back to help those with breast cancer in Eastern Washington.

Deadline for early registration is Friday, July 17th, with a late fee of $5 after this date. Participants have until the day of event to sign-up. Packet pick-up is scheduled for Friday, July 31st from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Spokane Indians Team Store located at Avista Stadium (602 N. Havana) and the day of the walk starting at 2:30 PM at Avista Stadium.

In addition to Mike’s Hard Lemonade, supporting sponsors for this year’s Pitch for the Cure include Coordinated Care, Ezell’s Famous Chicken, Inland Imaging, Itron, The Odom Corporation, Pepsi, Randi L. Johnson Attorney at Law, Rockwood Health System, Window World, and KXLY-AM 920.

Click here to register online, or click here to download a printable registration form. For more information on the Pitch for the Cure, please contact Walk Director Elise Rooney at (509) 343-6811, or email at erooney@spokaneindians.com.

 

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Spokane Indians. Click here to view the original story.

Spokane Indians Kick Off Reading Challenge

Molina Healthcare proud to sponsor learning program

The Spokane Indians Front Office Staff inform children and OTTO the Mascot about the Reading Challenge presented by Molina Healthcare. (James Snook)
The Spokane Indians Front Office Staff inform children and OTTO the Mascot about the Reading Challenge presented by Molina Healthcare. (James Snook)

SPOKANE, Wash – The Spokane Indians are excited to announce the Spokane Indians Reading Challenge, presented by Molina Healthcare. The reading challenge will encourage and empower local children to learn through reading. The challenge started today at Sheridan Elementary!

Click here to see a photo gallery!

“The Spokane Indians are always working on new ways to give back to the community,” said Otto Klein, the Indians Senior Vice President. “With the help of Molina Healthcare, we were able to bring the Reading Challenge to life.”

Each child at Sheridan Elementary will be given a reading log to keep track of their progress. For every 150 minutes read, each child can earn a new prize as they make their way around the bases:

  • 150 Minutes (1st Base): An autographed OTTO or Doris baseball card
  • 300 Minutes (2nd Base): A free book courtesy of Molina Healthcare
  • 450 Minutes (3rd Base): Special edition Spokane Indians bookmark
  • 600 Minutes (Home Run): Two tickets to a Spokane Indians game

The challenge will run for six weeks, ending on Friday, May 29th. If each child reads just 20 minutes five days a week, they will hit a home run! The classroom with the most minutes logged will win a pizza party with OTTO the Mascot!

“It’s important for kids to begin living a healthy lifestyle at a young age,” said Erica Newton, Community Engagement Coordinator for Molina Healthcare. “Molina Healthcare promotes the exercise of both the body and mind that will ultimately lead to a healthy lifestyle.”

About the Indians

The Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate for the Texas Rangers. Ticket Packages and Group Areas for the 2015 Spokane Indians season are now available! Click here to view the 2015 schedule. For more information, please visit www.spokaneindians.com or call (509) 343-6886 (OTTO). Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE!

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Spokane Indians. Click here to view the original story.