Elmore Sports Group, Bowie State University Form Partnership to Promote Diversity in Minor League Baseball

 

San Antonio – The Elmore Sports Group, owners of the San Antonio Missions, have partnered with Bowie State University to diversify the front office staffs of its teams. The partnership is the first of its kind for Maryland’s oldest historically black university and is designed to create a college-to-career pipeline for students with an interest in a career in sport management.

Two seniors in Bowie State’s sport management program landed paid, nine-month internships with the Elmore Sports Group, which are providing them with valuable hands-on experience in their field. Dionte Johnson is a sales and game-day operations intern with the Missions while Danielle Lang has been hired as a sales/social media intern with the Inland Empire 66ers in San Bernardino, California.

“I want to own a sports facility, so starting at the bottom will teach me how everything operates, and once I know how to operate the building, I’ll be able to own the building,” said Johnson. “I’ll work my way up. Stadium operations is what I want to do. Working here gives me the opportunity to learn.”

Elmore Sports Group, a family-owned company that owns several Minor League Baseball teams and other sports clubs, has a track record of hiring collegiate interns as full-time employees. The company anticipates hosting more Bowie State interns who are ready to turn their classroom knowledge into real-world experience.

“I’d like to be able to have jobs set for our graduates in the industry, and the new relationship with Elmore Sports Group is definitely leading us in that direction,” said Dr. Joseph Spears, coordinator of Bowie State’s sport management program. “We are looking forward to working with the Elmore Sports Group over the long term in the recruiting, retention and preparation of our students.”

All Bowie State sport management students complete full-semester internships for credits during the final semester of their senior year to complete the bachelor’s degree program; in fact, about 15 students are working in industry internships each semester. While many of the graduates do find successful careers in sport management, partnerships, like the budding relationship with Elmore Sports Group, will smooth the transition for students looking to enter the field directly after graduation.

“The Elmore Sports Group is proud to partner with a great institution like Bowie State,” said DG Elmore, president of Elmore Sports Group. “Bowie State has a history of producing outstanding students who are ready to make an impact in the world of sports management. As MiLB and Elmore Sports Group seek to build diversity into the front office of Minor League teams, we hope that this partnership serves as a model for other clubs.”

 

About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.

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

Recognizing National Women In Sports Day

 

In honor of National Women in Sports Day (February 6th), the BlueClaws would like to highlight the outstanding female employees on our staff.

JoAnne Bell is in her 7th season as the BlueClaws Front Office Manager. JoAnne is in charge of everything related to making the office run smoothly. In addition, she helps with BlueClaws Charities events and the BlueClaws community relations efforts, and host family program. She is also in her first season being a part of Minor League Baseball’s LIFT (Leaders Inspiring Future Talent) program mentoring women all over the country working in the industry.

“It is a joy to come to work everyday and work with such a great staff. The women here are awesome. No matter what ages are (it is a wide range) we can work together and accomplish so much,” she said. “This is a dream for me to be here working in baseball and better yet since I am now a Phillies Phan, Here is to another great year.

Jamie Bertram began her career with the BlueClaws in 2011 and returned in 2014. She is now the team’s Vice President of Promotions & Entertainment, responsible for Promotions, Production, Entertainment, Community Involvement, and Marketing Internship Program. Her goal is to ensure when fans come to the ballpark they leave with nothing but great memories with their friends and family. She was named a “Phenomenal Woman Under 40″ by the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore in 2017.

” ‘Behind every successful WOMAN is a tribe of other successful WOMEN, who have her back.’ – Unknown. We have very talented women not only in our office but across all of Minor League Baseball. I am lucky to be part of such an amazing community of women in the sports industry,” she said. “We all have something in common, empowering and lifting each other to make a difference and be the best version of ourselves. When women support each other, incredible things happen!” ,

Annette Clark will start her 16th season with the BlueClaws this year. Currently the Accounting and Human Resources Manager, her responsibilities include payables, receivables, payroll and all human resources for the team. Annette previously served as a buyer for a national jewelry chain.

“I love that the front office is my second family with a lively and fun atmosphere. But the thing I enjoy the most is game day when you can feel the energy and excitement from our fans all around the ballpark,” she said.

Emily Gresco joined the BlueClaws this spring as a Marketing & Merchandise Intern from Temple University. She grew up in Manalapan.

“Growing up both my parents were teachers and I always thought that I would become one as well. But being a three-sport athlete showed me my love for sports and brought a desire to work in the industry,” she said. “It has been really fun and enjoyable being able to intern with the BlueClaws so far. Everyone is so caring and passionate about what they do and I am so happy I have been given the opportunity to be a part of this organization.”

Gianna Fiocco, from Lacey, joined the BlueClaws thorugh their Spring Internship Program in 2019 and is in her first season as a Marketing & Promotions Assistant.

“Working in the sports industry, and particularly for the BlueClaws has been an incredible experience for me,” she said. “I love being able to contribute to the fun experience that we provide for our fans at every game. Not only do I have the opportunity to work behind the scenes for the team, but I also get to work with an amazing group of women who continually support each other in a male-dominated industry.”

Kristina Poetsch started with the BlueClaws as an intern in January 2019. She became a member of the gameday staff during the 2019 season and is now working as a Ticket Operations Assistant. As a recent graduate from Montclair State University, Kristina will be assisting the Sales Department with ticket sales and various projects in preparation for the upcoming 20th season.

“Even though I’ve been a sports fan my entire life, I never considered working in sports until a few years ago when I switched majors. I’m excited to be a part of the continuously growing group of women working in the sports industry. Being a small part of this organization has been more than a dream come true and I don’t take any of it for granted. I’m looking forward to a fun season!”

Kathryn Raso is entering her 4th season with the BlueClaws. She joined the BlueClaws staff in 2017 as the Director of Concessions and also serves a Mentor through the Minor League Baseball LIFT (Leaders Inspiring Future Talent) Program. In her time away from work, Kathryn stays active with her home-based business Pink Zebra, as a volunteer for the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, and as a soccer coach for the Toms River Futbol Club (TRFC).

“It’s been a great experience being a part of the team here and I hope all young women can grow up to be involved in an organization like this one, providing great experiences and a sense of accomplishment,” she said. “Just walking through the gates here gives you a sense of family and community.”

Kayla Reilly is back and entering her 11th season with the BlueClaws. Kayla was hired in 2007 at the ripe age of 16 as a member of our part-time game day staff in the Kids Zone. Kayla briefly left the Jersey Shore to work for the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center in 2017, but recently found home calling her name. She is now the team’s Director of Events and Operations and directly oversees all functions of non-baseball events at FirstEnergy Park as well as overseeing the same group of 100+ game day staff that she was once a part of!

“I went to school to be a teacher, so I am still wondering how I ended up doing this crazy thing they call ‘working in sports,’ ” she said. “Super thankful for every single female (and male too!) that has shown me how important it is for us to have a voice in a male dominated industry and to fight for a seat at the table.”

Jess Szewczyk, joined the BlueClaws in 2019 as a Creative Services Assistant and she is now in her first year as the team’s Digital Marketing & Design Manager.

“I love being able to come in to work everyday and flex my creative muscles! There’s nothing as exciting (and nerve-wracking) as seeing my BlueClaws graphics go up on a billboard on a busy highway or to see a piece of BlueClaws social content get a lot of comments online. I’ve grown so much during my time with the BlueClaws – both professionally, personally, and creatively. And I think I bring a lot of GIRL POWER to the team!”

Jamie Wagner (not pictured) joined the Ticket Sales Team in October of 2019.

“The decision to come to the Jersey Shore and join the BlueClaws family was an easy one, from the first introduction to the team to seeing firsthand the BlueClaws impact within the community, I knew that this was where I wanted to grow my career in Sports,” she said. “I’m very proud to be the only woman currently on the sales team, and I consider myself lucky that I get to be in this office everyday surrounded by and constantly inspired by the amazing women that work here.”

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment.

2020 ticket packages and group outings are currently on sale by clicking here.

– BlueClaws –

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

Blue Wahoos Join National Girls And Women In Sports Day Celebration

 

 

Wednesday, February 5th is the 34th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day, dedicated to honoring the achievements of women in sports, and the Blue Wahoos are celebrating being led by a front office in which women are well-represented.

Both the Vice President of Operations and the Chief Financial Officer, two of the most influential voices in the organization, are women. In total, five departments are headed by women. Two – both Finance and Human Resources – are staffed entirely by women.

“My priority is promoting good people. My intention isn’t to promote or hire men or women specifically,” Wahoos’ CFO Amber McClure shared on her all-female department.

In recent years, Minor League Baseball has focused efforts on encouraging teams to increase gender diversity in hiring. The Women in Baseball Leadership Committee was founded in 2008 and numerous programs emphasizing professional development and mentorship have grown out of their efforts. Among these programs is the Women in Baseball LIFT (Leaders Inspiring Future Talent) Mentorship Program, which pairs women new to the industry with mentors with years of experience in Minor League Baseball. Two women with the Wahoos are honored to be LIFT mentors: Merchandise manager Anna Striano and Vice President of Operations Donna Kirby.

“This is my fifth year in Minor League Baseball, and I would say it’s just an inspiring time to be a woman in sports,” Striano said. “I noticed a major increase in the number of women at the Winter Meetings in 2019 just compared to the year before.”

On her experience with the Wahoos, she added, “Just about every woman in the front office has been recognized for their contributions to the organization. We feel like our work is actually being valued, and that’s empowering.”

One of the younger front office leaders is group sales manager Bailie Tate.

“There are so many women in management positions here that it feels like we’ve at least achieved equality within the organization,” said Tate, who began her career with the Wahoos as an intern in 2017 and has earned multiple promotions to now lead the department. “Every year I’ve worked here I’ve been promoted, and I’ve never felt like the standard was different for me.”

Throughout the day on Wednesday, the Wahoos will be honoring these women and others whose strengths and diverse perspectives make the organization successful. You can follow along and get to know these valued team members on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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

TinCaps Holding National Anthem Auditions for 2020 Season

Register for Tryouts at Parkview Field on Feb. 18, 20, and 22

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne TinCaps are set to host auditions to perform the National Anthem before a game at Parkview Field during the 2020 season.

Singers, instrumentalists, and groups are welcomed to try out. Auditions will be held at Parkview Field on Tuesday, Feb. 18 (4-6 p.m.), Thursday, Feb. 20 (4-6 p.m.), and Saturday, Feb. 22 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.). Those interested in trying out MUST schedule a tryout time in advance by contacting Sarah Kendall at 260-407-2808 or kendall@tincaps.com.

Note: In recent years, all tryout spots have been filled within 24-48 hours. Therefore, if interested in auditioning, schedule a tryout slot as quickly as possible.

Keep in mind, not everyone who tries out will earn an opportunity to perform before a game. Tryout participants will be evaluated by TinCaps staff members and local musicians.

Those who are selected to perform the National Anthem at one of the team’s 70 scheduled regular season games will receive four tickets to the game at which they perform. (Click here for the team’s 2020 schedule.)

Opening Day 2020 at Parkview Field is Monday, April 13 (6:05 p.m.) when the TinCaps host the Cincinnati Reds-affiliated Dayton Dragons.

2020 TinCaps National Anthem Audition Key Details

– When: Tuesday, Feb. 18 (4-6 p.m.), Thursday, Feb. 20 (4-6 p.m.), Saturday, Feb. 22 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.)

– Where: Parkview Field’s Suite Level Lounge

– Who to Contact to Schedule Tryout: Sarah Kendall (kendall@tincaps.com, 260-407-2808)

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

2020 Military Trading Card Nominations Open

San Jose Giants Open 2020 Military Trading          Card Set Nominations

Nominations for Operation: Care and Comfort’s Custom Card Set being taken through March 1

San Jose, CA– Today the San Jose Giants announced and opened nominations for the ninth annual Military Trading Card Set, presented by Operation: Care and Comfort. The trading card set will be comprised of fan nominations of current and former military personnel. Nominations will be accepted through Sunday, March 1. Fans can nominate their hero or heroes on sjgiants.com. A photo of the nominee, in military uniform, must accompany all submissions and be sent to community@sjgiants.com.

Selected recipients will receive their very own trading cards along with the complete trading card sets-all complimentary thanks to Operation: Care and Comfort. The cards will feature the honoree’s name, photo and service seal on the front of the card and a personal bio on the back. Honorees will be recognized during the Ninth Annual Salute to the Military Night presented by Operation: Care and Comfort on Saturday, April 18. The first 1,000 fans in attendance on Salute to the Military Night also receive the commemorative trading card set.

Previous military trading card sets have included honorees from every branch of the military spanning multiple generations. Notable individuals from past sets include former San Francisco Giants Manager, Bruce Bochy’s father Gus Bochy, the “Say Hey Kid” Willie Mays, and the founder of the Lone Survivor Foundation Marcus Luttrell along with many other heroic men and women.

“We can think of no better way to kick off the 2020 season than with the annual Salute to the Military Night alongside our good friends from Operation: Care and Comfort,” said Matt Alongi, San Jose Giants Vice President of Marketing. “The opportunity to honor these heroes and share their respective stories and sacrifices made to preserve our freedom through the Trading Card set is truly a privilege.”

“Operation: Care and Comfort is proud to open nominations for the ninth edition of the Military Trading Card Set with the San Jose Giants,” said Julie DeMaria, Operation: Care and Comfort President and Co-Founder. “The Military Trading Card Set sheds a light on the stories of courageous servicewomen and servicemen and we are excited to continue this meaningful program as an extension of Operation: Care and Comfort’s mission to honor those who have served or are currently serving our country.”

The San Jose Giants Ninth Annual Salute to the Military Night is on Saturday, April 18 at Municipal Stadium. Selected Military Trading Card set nominees will be notified by the San Jose Giants on a later date. The San Jose Giants 2020 Opening Night is Friday, April 17 at Excite Ballpark against the Lake Elsinore Storm. Ticket packages are on sale now. For more information, visit sjgiants.com or call 408.297.1435.

SUBMIT NOMINATION

OPERATION: CARE AND COMFORT

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

CareSource Continues Partnership with Dragons to Salute Area Veterans

 

Dayton, Ohio–CareSource, a nonprofit multistate health plan, is partnering with the Dayton Dragons for the second year in a row for the CareSource Veteran Salute. The program is an extension of CareSource’s commitment to improve the lives of veterans and their families through innovative programs and partnerships to support their health and well-being.

CareSource’s Veteran Salute is open to any living military veteran in the Miami Valley. Five veterans will be selected from entries submitted between February 4, 2020 and June 30, 2020. Selected honorees will be recognized at a Dayton Dragons home game during an inning break at Day Air Ballpark, April through August 2020.

Each veteran will receive VIP treatment during their night, including pregame activities, in-game recognition, seating in a luxury suite at the ballpark, a special gift and more.

“At CareSource, we lead with heart. We see our service members, past and present, as the heartbeat of our nation and we are proud to partner with the Dayton Dragons to recognize our local veterans. This program is a way to bring their amazing stories of service to audiences across the region and thank all veterans for their valuable contributions,” said Rachel Goodspeed, Director of Veteran Relations and Outreach.

“The Dragons are excited to once again partner with CareSource to honor local veterans,” said Robert Murphy, Dragons President & General Manager. “We look forward to continuing to recognize these individuals who have served our country and sharing their stories with our fans at Day Air Ballpark in 2020.”

A look back to our veterans who were recognized during the 2019 season through CareSource’s Veteran Salute Program:

Robert Looper – U.S. Marine Corp, Korean War Veteran. Robert Looper joined the Marine Corps after graduating high school in 1949, and was sent to Korea once the Korean War began. Looper and his brigade survived negative 40-degree temperatures in the Taebaek Mountains, where 15,000 Marines fought over 200,000 Chinese. Looper participated in every single major battle in Korea and was also a Prisoner of War for 17 days before escaping. Looper was awarded the Purple Heart for his time in Korea.

Daniel and Nicole Powers – U.S. Air Force, Desert Storm Veterans. Husband and wife Daniel and Nicole Powers are no strangers to the military. Both joined the U.S. Air Force in college, and met while deployed in Iraq in 2006. Nicole was deployed multiple places including Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Iraq. During Daniel’s almost six years of deployment overseas, Daniel was an intelligence collector, where he would visit towns and gather human intelligence from local shops and people. Both have been deployed a number of times, and have over 40 years of combined service in the U.S. military.

John Brown – U.S. Army, World War II, Korean War, & Vietnam War Veteran. John Brown joined the Army when he was 18 years old, and is a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. During his career, Brown was stationed in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for reviewing and preparing the daily summary of intelligence that was presented to the high-level staff, including President Nixon. Brown had top-secret clearance in the Counterintelligence Corp for most of his service career, and served in the Army for almost 30 years.

Gene Camp – U.S. Marines, Vietnam War Veteran. Gene Camp joined the Marines in 1968 and was sent to fight in the Vietnam War. On his last patrol before he was scheduled to go back home to the U.S., Camp’s battalion was ambushed and Camp was severely injured in an explosion. Camp was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1973 and was awarded three Purple Hearts for his time in Vietnam and has over 17 years of service.

Ed Damron – U.S. Army, Vietnam War Veteran. Ed Damron enlisted with the United States Army in September of 1970 at the age of 23 and was sent to fight in the Vietnam War. On September 6, 1971, Damron’s helicopter went down in the middle of a North Vietnamese Army (NVA) base camp with 5,000 enemy soldiers. Damron saved the lives of his helicopter pilot and gunner and hid in the enemy camp for over three hours before help arrived. Because of his heroic actions on that day, Damron was awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star, and later was awarded the Bronze Star.

Nominations for CareSource’s Veteran Salute program are open to the public. Any living military veteran from the Miami Valley is eligible to be nominated. To nominate a veteran, go to www.daytondragons.com/veteransalute

About CareSource

CareSource is a nonprofit, multistate health plan recognized as a national leader in managed care. Founded in 1989, CareSource administers one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care plans and offers a lifetime of access to care through health insurance, including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare Advantage and a dual-eligible program.

Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, CareSource serves nearly 2 million members in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. CareSource understands the challenges consumers face navigating the health system and is transforming health care with industry-leading programs that improve the health and well-being of our members.

For more, visit caresource.com, follow @caresource on Twitter, or like CareSource on Facebook.

About the Dayton Dragons

The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Day Air Ballpark in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75.

Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, season tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

Missions to Host Job Fair on Saturday, February 15

 

San Antonio – The San Antonio Missions and their catering service, Diamond Creations, will host a job fair on Saturday, February 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Nelson Wolff Stadium.

The Missions are looking to fill numerous 2020 seasonal positions in the following categories: bat boys/clubhouse attendants (ages 16-20 only), ticket office employees, production team members (film crew/camera operators), game operations crew, team store associates, seasonal grounds crew assistant, fun zone attendants, parking attendants, receptionists, hosts, and hostesses.

The club will also be looking to hire a Clubhouse Assistant (ages 18-25). This person is responsible for assisting the Clubhouse Manager with set up and cleaning of the clubhouse and dugout on a daily basis when the Missions are in town. This includes assisting with laundry, errands, and special requests from the players, transport of the team to and from the hotel, and coordinating equipment transfers to and from the airport.

The facilities team is hiring cleaning crew members for both their day crew (4 p.m.-12 a.m.) and their overnight crew (10 p.m.-6 a.m.).

Diamond Creations will be taking applications for the following hourly positions: concession stand attendants/cashiers, cooks, dishwashers, kitchen preparation staff, picnic area attendants, runners, suite/patio servers and warehouse. Please have your ID, SS card, TABC and Food Handlers Card ready when interviewing.

All interested candidates can apply at the Missions’ Administrative Office on the first base side of Wolff Stadium. Please enter the stadium on the first base/Hwy 90 side.

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

Drillers to Host Job Fair on February 15

Do you know someone who is looking for a fun, part-time summer job? Would you like to earn some extra money by working evenings & weekends at one of the coolest places in Tulsa? If so, come out and bring a friend to ONEOK Field on Saturday, February 15 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.(noon) for the 2020 Tulsa Drillers Job Fair.

A variety of Game Day positions are available, and on-site interviews will be conducted to fill all openings. Attendees are encouraged to bring a completed Gameday Application to the Job Fair to save time.

Interviews will be conducted for a number of part-time positions including:

  • Ushers
  • Merchandise
  • Suites Attendants & Servers
  • Promo Team Members
  • Hornsby’s Hangout Attendants
  • Porters
  • Ticket Takers
  • Parking
  • Cleanup
  • Cooks
  • Food/Beverage Hawkers
  • Servers
  • Concession Stand Leads
  • Concession Stand Attendants
  • Concession Support/Maintenance Warehouse

All new employees will earn a minimum of $8.25 per hour and are eligible to work most all Drillers games and other special events at ONEOK Field, beginning in March.

Again, please bring a completed Gameday Application for this event and we look forward to seeing you on February 15!

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

Jumbo Shrimp open registration for February 20 National Anthem auditions

 

2020 NATIONAL ANTHEM REGISTRATION FORM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp prepare to open their schedule of 70 home games on April 15, the club is inviting the talent of Northeast Florida to audition to perform the National Anthem before a Jumbo Shrimp home game this season. Individuals and groups can now register for the February 20 National Anthem auditions, to be held at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

National Anthem auditions will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 20 – rain or shine – at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Interested individuals and groups may schedule an audition time by completing a registration form emailing it to director of promotions & special events David Ratz at david@jaxshrimp.com or faxing to (904) 358-2845.

Individuals or groups who performed during the 2019 Jumbo Shrimp season are not required to audition if they are interested in performing again in 2020. Such individuals or groups should still complete and email the registration form, indicating a past performance at a Jumbo Shrimp game.

“We always enjoy listening to local individuals and groups perform to have an opportunity to open each Jumbo Shrimp game in the 2020 season,” said Jumbo Shrimp executive vice president/general manager Harold Craw. “Jumbo Shrimp games at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville are community events, and we are excited to build another extraordinary lineup of local talent that will be among the highlights of each night of Affordable Family Fun.”

The Jumbo Shrimp’s full promotional schedule will be announced at a later date. Fans can secure tickets to these great dates by booking a season ticket package, mini plan or group outing – beginning at 24 people – by calling the Jumbo Shrimp’s front office at 904-358-2846.

UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp’s 2020 Home Opening Day is Wednesday, April 15 against the Biloxi Shuckers at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Season tickets, mini plans and group outings are on sale now. Visit www.jaxshrimp.com or call 904-358-2846 to secure yours today.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League’s Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by General Manager Harold Craw. The club added its second Promotional Trophy in three years following the 2019 season. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.

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

National Anthem Auditions at Queen City Q on February 18

 

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) — The Charlotte Knights and Queen City Q — the team’s Official BBQ — are once again teaming up to host the club’s annual National Anthem auditions on Tuesday, February 18. For the seventh consecutive season, the auditions will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Queen City Q in Uptown Charlotte. The auditions are free of charge and are open to the public. Performers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Contestants will be required to pre-register before February 18 and will be given a specific time to perform that evening.

Anyone interested in auditioning at Queen City Q on February 18 should fill out an online registration form: http://bit.ly/KnightsNationalAnthemAuditions_2020.

Each individual will be given a maximum of two minutes to perform his or her best rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” on stage at Queen City Q. All in-person auditions will be given priority when selecting National Anthem performers for the upcoming 2020 season. Individuals with instruments are more than welcome to audition, but will need to bring their own equipment. Queen City Q is located at 225 E. 6th Street, Charlotte, NC 28101.

The Knights and Queen City Q recently renewed their partnership. Queen City Q has been prominently featured at BB&T Ballpark since April 11, 2014 — the opening of the team’s Uptown Charlotte home. The Knights and Queen City Q will now continue their partnership for another three seasons (through 2022).

“We have enjoyed a tremendous relationship with the Knights over the past six seasons and look forward to the next three seasons,” said Bryan Meredith, Managing Partner of Queen City Q.

Season memberships, as well as the Triple Play Plan, are available now by phone at 704-274-8282, online at CharlotteKnights.com, or in person at the BB&T Ballpark Ticket Office. Single-game tickets for all home games this season will go on sale to the general public in person at BB&T Ballpark beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8 (online and by phone at 12 p.m. noon on February 8).

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

Yard Goats to Hold Job Fair on February 22nd

Yard Goats to Hold Job Fair on Saturday, February 22nd at Dunkin’ Donuts Park from 10:00AM until 1:00PM

Baseball Club looking for upbeat, fan-friendly individuals to work at Dunkin’ Donuts Park this upcoming season

Hartford, Conn- The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced it will be holding its annual job fair at Dunkin’ Donuts Park (1214 Main Street, Hartford) on Saturday, February 22nd from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM. The Yard Goats are seeking applicants to fill a wide range of game day positions and looking for upbeat, fan-friendly individuals to help make the fourth season in Hartford another huge success. Dunkin’ Donuts Park attracted over one-million fans over its first three seasons in Hartford. Last season, the Yard Goats drew a franchise record 414,946 fans, including 51 sellouts, and led the entire Eastern League in total attendance for the second straight year.

Personnel from both the Yard Goats and their food and beverage provider, Professional Sports Catering, will be on hand to speak with and receive applications from all job-seekers. Combined, the two organizations will staff an average of 300 positions each year that include: ushers, ticket takers, box office personnel, merchandising, housekeeping, grounds crew, concessions, kitchen personnel, and catering.

“We are looking for individuals that would like to join us in helping enhance the fan experience with outstanding customer service at Dunkin’ Donuts Park,” Yard Goats General Manager Mike Abramson said. “There is so much excitement leading into our fourth season downtown and we can’t wait to get our new employees ready for Opening Night on April 9th.”

Individual Tickets for all home games will go on sale this Friday, February 7th. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets in person only, beginning at 10:00 AM at the Click It or Ticket Box Office at Dunkin’ Donuts Park. The first 50 fans to purchase tickets in person will receive a $25 Dunkin’ gift card. Tickets can be ordered over the phone beginning at 12:00pm, and online at www.yardgoatsbaseball.com. This will be the first opportunity for fans to purchase tickets for Opening Night, Thursday, April 9th (7:10 PM), as the Hartford Yard Goats host the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston affiliate). The Yard Goats will play 70 home games at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in 2020. The promotional schedule, with weekly fireworks shows, never-before-seen entertainment acts, and premium collectible giveaways will be announced on Wednesday.

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

Registration Now Open For 2020 National Anthem Tryouts

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Registration is now open online for the 10th annual Oklahoma City Dodgers National Anthem Tryouts. The OKC Dodgers will host open auditions Saturday, March 28 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark for musical performers to sing or play “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Dodgers home games throughout the 2020 baseball season.

National Anthem Tryouts will take place from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. March 28 in conjunction with OKC Dodgers Fan Fest. The tryouts will be held on the ballpark’s outer Johnny Bench Plaza, located at the corner of South Mickey Mantle and Reno Avenues.

“Our National Anthem Tryouts bring out many talented performers each spring and pairing the auditions with our annual Fan Fest has become an exciting way to kick off our season,” Oklahoma City Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “This is the 10th straight year we have held auditions in front of a live audience, and the second straight year at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. We look forward to previewing what these skilled individuals and groups will showcase throughout the upcoming baseball season.”

The first 125 people to register online will have a guaranteed audition. The tryouts will be open to the public and registration begins today online at: okcdodgers.com/anthemtryouts. Registration slots typically fill well in advance of the event each year, so interested performers are encouraged to register early. The auditions draw a wide variety of performers from the Oklahoma City area, as well as from across the state of Oklahoma and even a handful from surrounding states.

Performers will take the stage to audition in front of a live audience and a judging panel consisting of city officials, community leaders and OKC Dodgers front office staff. Winners will be selected based on voice quality, creative style and stage presence.

Winners will perform the national anthem at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark throughout the upcoming 70-game home schedule. The grand prize winner will have the opportunity to perform as part of the OKC Dodgers’ Independence Day celebration July 3.

Those who do not register online will still have a chance to audition on a standby basis the day of the event. If the tryouts run ahead of schedule, or if a performer does not show up for a scheduled time, those in the standby line will be chosen to audition. Standby performers are encouraged to arrive early and will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the day.

Additional details about 2020 OKC Dodgers Fan Fest will be released soon. For more information about OKC Dodgers National Anthem Tryouts, 2020 season ticket packages or group outings, call (405) 218-2182 or visit okcdodgers.com.

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

Jumbo Shrimp kick off Negro Leagues Centennial Celebration with High School Heritage Classic

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As part of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp’s salute to Black History Month and the Negro Leagues’ Centennial Celebration, the club is hosting the inaugural High School Heritage Classic exhibition game presented by Rubenstein Law Firm at 11:05 a.m. on Thursday, February 13 between historic Duval County Public Schools rivals William M. Raines High School and Jean Ribault High School at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

Raines and Ribault student-athletes will wear customized Jacksonville Red Caps uniforms in a tribute to the Negro Leagues team that resided in Jacksonville from 1938-42. The exhibition contest, coincides with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s commencement of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Negro Leagues, will also feature historical references to Negro Leagues players and teams throughout the game. The winning team will earn the inaugural A. Philip Randolph Cup, commemorating the civil rights activist who moved to Jacksonville in 1891.

“I am so proud to bring this one-of-a-kind game to celebrate the rich history of the Negro Leagues in Jacksonville and honoring the many Negro Leagues players who laid the foundation for our entire industry,” said Jumbo Shrimp executive vice president/general manager Harold Craw. “I want to thank the students and faculty of both Raines and Ribault High Schools for kicking off the Jumbo Shrimp’s year-long commitment to commemorate the Centennial Celebration of the Negro Leagues. We encourage all fans to learn about the extraordinary Negro Leagues players who complete the history of the sport we all love.”

Tickets for the High School Heritage Classic are $5 for reserved seats and $10 for 121 Financial Crustacean Corner seats and a limited number of seats in the PNC Home Plate Club. They can be purchased in-person at the Jumbo Shrimp box office at 301 A Philip Randolph Blvd or online by clicking here.

UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp’s 2020 Home Opening Day is Wednesday, April 15 against the Biloxi Shuckers at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Season tickets, mini plans and group outings are on sale now. Visit www.jaxshrimp.com or call 904-358-2846 to secure yours today.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League’s Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by General Manager Harold Craw. The club added its second Promotional Trophy in three years following the 2019 season. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.

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

Celebrate a Veteran with Customized Jerseys on Military Appreciation Night

 

(Reading, PA) – The Reading Fightin Phils will celebrate and honor veterans and active duty military at FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, July 2nd, when R-Phils players will wear custom jerseys featuring the names of current and former military members.

The first 25 groups who purchase 20 or more tickets to the July 2nd game will have the chance to choose any veteran or active duty military member’s last name to place on the back of an R-Phils jersey, for no additional cost.

Each Fightins player will be wearing one of these custom jerseys during the game, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m.

A special post-game jersey exchange will take place, with the 25 military honorees or their families receiving their individual game-worn jersey from the R-Phils player on the field.

The night will feature free tickets for all active military and veterans, and a ceremony will take place to honor those who have served prior to the game, thanks to Savage 61 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and 830 AM WEEU. Fans will also be treated to post-game fireworks.

Groups are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible, as this opportunity is limited to only 25 honorees. For ticket information, and to book a group outing for the chance to salute and honor your favorite veteran or military member, call or text 610-370-BALL, email Nick Mayer at nmayer@fightins.com, or submit an online reservation at https://www.milb.com/reading/forms/military-night.

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

Keys National Anthem Auditions Around the Corner

 

FREDERICK, MD -Local area singers and musicians can begin preparing for the 2020 Frederick Keys National Anthem auditions. Taking place on Tuesday, March 3, auditions are once again set to take place at the FSK Mall in Center Court from 5-8 p.m.

“You get so excited for the game when you have a great rendition of the national anthem beforehand,” said Keys Director of Public Relations and Broadcasting, Geoff Arnold. “Each year at Keys games I am impressed by the awesome talent in our community and I can’t wait to see what is out there in 2020.”

Individuals or groups who want to participate in this year’s auditions must pre-register by visiting frederickkeys.com. The participation form is available here and can also be found by clicking on the national anthem panel located on the main homepage.

National anthem forms MUST be submitted to Dani Fox by email, mail, fax or by dropping off at the Keys main office. To email Dani or for any additional questions, reach out to DFox@frederickkeys.com or call 301-662-0013.

March 3 is the ONLY day national anthem auditions will take place this year. Due to a large pool of tryout candidates, those who cannot make the auditions will not be able to perform in 2020. Video/audio links in place of an in-person tryout will not be accepted.

Once again, performers will be evaluated by a panel of judges from Key 103, 106.9 The Eagle as well as members of the Keys staff. Tryout results will be posted on the club’s social media platforms. Those who are selected to sing will be contacted to set up a date.

General rules/guidelines about the audition process:

-Tryouts occur on a first-come-first-serve basis

-Participants can either sing or play an instrument, but each individual gets only ONE audition

-Participants will sing/play the first verse of the national anthem in its entirety (“O say can you see to “and the home of the brave”)

-No musical accompaniment is provided

-No other songs may be performed at the tryout

-Solo acts and groups are equally encouraged to tryout

-Although there are no age restrictions for singing the national anthem at a Keys game, those who audition need to be comfortable singing in front of a large crowd

The Keys season begins on Thursday, April 9. A link to the entire schedule for the Keys 2020 season is available here and fireworks shows are scheduled for Friday and Saturday night home games and other select days during the season. Ticket plans are currently available, with plans including the choice of a John Means bobblehead or a Keys pennant. Fans can stay tuned to the latest team news by following the team on Twitter (@frederickkeys), Facebook and Instagram (@frederickkeys).

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