OceanFirst Foundation Donates $38,000 Through Home Runs for Heroes

 

LAKEWOOD, NJ – OceanFirst Foundation donated $38,000 to area non-profit organizations and military-based programs through the 2019 Home Runs for Heroes Program. The program is a partnership between the BlueClaws, OceanFirst Foundation, and Townsquare Media.

“We are honored to once again partner with the OceanFirst Foundation for this amazing program,” said BlueClaws Team President Joe Ricciutti. “Our men and women of the military, both veterans and active, risk their lives to keep us safe here at home. This program is a great way to give back and we thank OceanFirst Foundation for their support.”

“The 2019 season was a great success and we’re delighted that BlueClaws home runs resulted in $38,000 of donations by OceanFirst Foundation. This brings our eleven year total awarded through Home Runs for Heroes to $376,000. We thank the BlueClaws organization and Townsquare Media for giving us the opportunity to work together to bring much needed relief to local military families with special needs,” said Katherine Durante, Executive Director of OceanFirst Foundation.

Home Runs for Heroes grants provide financial support to charities that meet the emergency basic needs of veterans and local service men and women – active and retired – and their families during difficult times. Non-profits were paired with each inning of the game and each BlueClaws home run hit at FirstEnergy Park meant a $1,000 donation to the charity (or charities) corresponding with the inning in which the home run was hit.

The program has now completed 11 seasons and raised $376,000 towards different organizations. See the full 2019 donation table below:

Organization Inning Home Runs Total
Cape May Coast Guard 1st 1 $1,000
American National Red Cross / GI Go Fund 2nd 3 $3,000
Deborah Heart & Lung Hospital Foundation / Vetgroup 3rd 3 $3,000
Chariot Riders / National Guard State Family Readiness Council 4th 1 $1,000
Army Emergency Relief / Navy Marine Corps. Relief Society 5th 5 $5,000
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Southern NJ / Catholic Charities (Trenton) 6th 1 $1,000
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8867 (Brick) / Operations 1st Response 7th 2 $2,000
Lt. Dennis Zilinski II Memorial Fund 8th 3 $3,000
Citizens Veteran Advisory Committee 9th + Extras 4 $4,000

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. The team will open their 20th season at FirstEnergy Park on Thursday, April 16th. 2020 ticket packages are currently available by calling 732-901-7000 option 2 or online at BlueClaws.com/Tickets.

Since its founding in 1902, OceanFirst Bank has built a solid reputation and legacy as a good neighbor and responsible corporate citizen. The Bank’s strong commitment to helping families, organizations, schools and communities throughout central and southern New Jersey meet their financial needs has spanned several generations, reaching new heights in 1996 with the creation of OceanFirst Foundation. The Foundation provides grants to organizations that meet community needs within the OceanFirst market. Since its inception, OceanFirst Foundation has contributed in excess of 7,500 grants totaling more than $39 million to over 900 local charities throughout central and southern New Jersey.

– BlueClaws / OceanFirst –

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

Blue Wahoos to host annual Soul Bowl showcase of youth football

Get tickets now!

The 28th annual Soul Bowl, a full day showcase of area youth football and family-fun activities, will again be played at Blue Wahoos Stadium on Oct. 12 in partnership with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and the Southern Youth Sports Association.

The event features the SYSA Tigers and East Pensacola-Magee Field Rattlers competing in five different age division games, along with the possibility of two games against another area youth team. Gates will open on at 8 a.m. that day. The first game will begin at 9 a.m. featuring the youngest age group, followed by oldest age division in the final game.

Age divisions are 6-under, 8-under, 10-under, 12-under, 14-under. The festival of football and community spirit has been presented for the past several years by Troy Rafferty and the Levin-Papantonio Law Firm.

In addition to watching exciting football, it will also be Public Safety Day outside the bayfront stadium.

Area police, fire department and emergency personnel will be gathered in the area along Reus Street to show the public various First Responders demonstrations important in their jobs.

Tickets are now on sale with a discount for advance purchase. The general admission ticket is $7 for all ages, $9 on Oct. 12. It is a full-day, one price ticket, so buying early saves money. Children 2-under will be admitted free. Re-entry will be allowed by showing the ticket.

To purchase tickets in advance, use this link. The box office at Blue Wahoos Stadium will be open on Oct. 12 as well for tickets.

Just outside the stadium, a fun-for-the-family, tailgate experience will occur, including a row of vendors offering a variety of Soul Food and other delights. On the stadium concourse, the third base side concessions will offer food items from Fish & Hits Pub and Hook, Line & Sinker storefronts, which will include traditional fare of burgers, hot dogs, fries, chips, popcorn, sodas and other items plus some of the specialty offerings.

There will be music and a stadium announcer to help entertain fans and keep the atmosphere lively. This is the eighth year the Soul Bowl has been held at Blue Wahoos Stadium and provided another way for the community to enjoy the waterfront stadium and its amenities.

This event has annually becoming a community gathering venue to enjoy youth football, family spirit and friendships. Blue Wahoos team owner Quint Studer, along with Escambia County commissioner Lumon May, work throughout the year to help make the Soul Bowl a special experience for the kids.

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

MVDSA Buddy Walk coming to Fifth Third Field on Saturday, Sept. 28

Dayton, Ohio – Fifth Third Field will host the 17th Annual Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association Buddy Walk® on Saturday, September 28th from 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon. The Buddy Walk®, which raises awareness and promotes inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome, will take place at Fifth Third Field for the seventh consecutive year. Online registration is open to the public for $5.00. Individuals with Down syndrome can register for free to include a Buddy Walk® shirt. Limited sizes of event shirts will be available for sale on event day. Every dollar benefits the MVDSA.

Fifth Third Field will open its gates for day-of registration starting at 8:30 a.m. on September 28th. Donations will also be accepted at the registration table.

Activities at the ballpark begin at 8:30 a.m. The Dragons Zone will be open with face painters and a photo booth. Dragons mascots Heater and Gem will roam the concourse and take pictures with those in attendance. The walk around Fifth Third Field begins at 10 a.m., with the post-walk fun continuing until 12:00 noon when raffle prize and silent auction winners will be announced.

More information is available at ds-stride.org/daytonbuddywalk

The Buddy Walk® was established by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Today, the Buddy Walk® program is supported nationally by NDSS and organized at the local level by the Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association (MVDSA).

ABOUT THE MVDSA

The Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association is a network of parents, health care providers, volunteers, family members, and community supporters providing help and support to people throughout the Miami Valley with Down Syndrome. Through the generous support of the community, the MVDSA is able to develop programs and services that will help to enhance the quality of life for individuals with Down Syndrome. For more information, visit their website at http://www.mvdsa.org/

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

SC Veterans Upstate Salute at Fluor Field on November 10th

The Drive are excited to team up with fellow Upstate Veterans Alliance partners GE, Michelin and Prisma Health for the fourth annual SC Veterans Upstate Salute! You’re invited to join us in this free celebration on Sunday, November 10th at Fluor Field, as we will honor our local veterans with a night full of entertainment.

The Fluor Field gates will open at 3:00. Highlights of the evening include a concert from Darryl Worley, a 21-gun salute, parachuters, an aerial flyover and opportunities to meet community agencies supporting veterans and their families. The night will conclude with a spectacular fireworks show. The concession stands at Fluor Field will be open throughout the evening.

Admission for the SC Veterans Upstate Salute is complimentary, and we hope you’ll join us as we help celebrate our nation’s veterans!

CLICK HERE TO REDEEM YOUR COMPLIMENTARY TICKET

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

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MLBPAA Brings Legends For Youth Baseball Clinic Series to Spokane

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.

Tribe Unveil New Indianapolis Indians Charities

 

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians today announced the formation of Indianapolis Indians Charities, a new nonprofit organization dedicated to helping youth and families grow stronger together, learn more and live healthier lives.

It will support organizations across Central Indiana who serve in youth development, family success, education and neighborhood development. Established in 1902, the Indianapolis Indians will formalize their community outreach efforts for the first time in franchise history.

“The Indianapolis Indians are proud to create a new organization devoted specifically to amplifying our efforts to give back to the community,” said Indianapolis Indians Chairman and CEO Bruce Schumacher. “We take pride in our reputation as a longstanding grassroots partner, and we look forward to going deeper with new and existing relationships.”

The new organization’s first project is a field renovation at Forest Manor Park on the near eastside of Indianapolis on Friday, September 27. Plans include a complete rebuild of the large baseball diamond and refurbishment of the youth and softball diamonds. Four community entities use the diamonds at Forest Manor Park-Indy Parks, Indianapolis Public Schools, RBI Indianapolis and The BASE Indianapolis.

“Indianapolis Indians Charities provides us an opportunity to support youth and urban baseball programs in new ways,” said Indianapolis Indians President and General Manager Randy Lewandowski. “The Charities board is finalizing plans on new initiatives supporting our partners both at Victory Field and in the community. We’re excited for 2020 and beyond.”

The organization’s board of directors include from the Indianapolis Indians: Schumacher (Board President), Lewandowski (Board Vice President), Assistant General Manager – Corporate Sales and Marketing Joel Zawacki, and Director of Merchandise Mark Schumacher. Other board members include Strada Education Network CEO Bill Hansen and Indy Parks Director Linda Broadfoot.

“The Indianapolis Indians have been a key part of the Indianapolis community for many years, and I am gratified to play a role in the organization’s renewed and deepened commitment to youth and families around Central Indiana,” said Hansen. “I look forward to being part of the board charged with determining where the Indians can make the most impact in improving the lives of our fellow community members.”

“Partnerships are key to thriving communities, making today’s announcement even more valuable,” said Broadfoot. “The support from the Indianapolis Indians to Indy Parks is incredibly supportive of our mission and purpose—creating places and spaces that inspire. We are ecstatic about working with the Indians to beautify Forest Manor Park.”

For more on Indianapolis Indians Charities, visit IndyIndians.com/Charities.

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

College Prep Night coming Wednesday to Fifth Third Field

 

Dayton, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons and Fifth Third Bank will hold College Prep Night, a free educational event for prospective college students, at Fifth Third Field on Wednesday, September 25 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

College Prep Night is a one-stop college resource event to guide prospective college students and their parents through the process of planning an educational path. High school students can talk to representatives from colleges and universities from all over the nation, those who RSVP before the event will get exclusive access to raffle tickets that they can use to enter to win college-themed raffle prizes.

More than 1,000 students and their guests attend and more than 80 colleges and universities participate in this free event. Among the colleges scheduled to appear are Ohio State University, Cornell University, Ball State University, University of Dayton, Miami (OH) University, Northern Kentucky University, Xavier University, University of Toledo, Wright State University, Mount St. Joseph University, Edison State Community College, Sinclair Community College, Kettering College, United States Navy, Ohio Army National Guard, Modern College of Design, and many more schools from around the country. Representatives will be on hand to answer whatever questions that students might have about college life at each particular school. CollegeAdvantage will also be on site to provide information.

“We know that life is filled with big decisions, including whether to further one’s education,” said Doug Compton, senior vice president and Dayton city executive for Fifth Third Bank. “It is an honor for us to introduce and connect so many families to colleges and universities across our region at College Prep Night and to make people aware of the financial tools available to help them fund their educational goals,” he said.

College-themed raffle prizes will be given away after the event to lucky college-bound students. Raffle prizes include a Smart TV, Echo Dot, Keurig, $100 gift card, and more. To be eligible to enter to win these prizes, parents or students must RSVP before noon on the day of the event at www.daytondragons.com/collegeprep and must attend the event, although they do not have to be present when the winners’ names are pulled at the conclusion of the event.

To learn more about College Prep Night, please visit www.daytondragons.com/collegeprep.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio and the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, an Ohio-chartered bank. As of June 30, 2019, Fifth Third had $169 billion in assets and operated 1,207 full-service Banking Centers and 2,551 ATMs with Fifth Third branding in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina. In total, Fifth Third provides its customers with access to approximately 53,000 fee-free ATMs across the United States. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Wealth & Asset Management. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of June 30, 2019, had $399 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $46 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations through its Trust and Registered Investment Advisory businesses. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858. Deposit and Credit products are offered by Fifth Third Bank. Member FDIC.

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

Dinner Under the Stars Supports Baseballtown Charities

 

(Reading, PA) – America’s Classic Ballpark hosted the fourth annual Diamonds & Dreams Dinner Under the Stars on Thursday night, with all proceeds from tickets sold donated directly to Baseballtown Charities.

In 2002, the R-Phils established Baseballtown Charities, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded to keep baseball alive in Reading, so children can benefit from the many life lessons the game teaches. Since that time, Baseballtown Charities has been a part of many projects throughout the community.

The Dream League was formed to give those with physical and mental disabilities the chance to enjoy the game of baseball. Teams play on a custom-designed turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assistive devices while helping to prevent injuries. The Dream League was created to allow anyone with physical or cognitive disabilities to play baseball, and there are no age requirements or barriers to participate.

In addition to the Dream League, Baseballtown Charities’ key projects have included the opening of Gordon Hoodak Stadium, Baer Park, and Oakbrook Park, and the creation of the Rip It for Life program, which provides local children and adolescents the opportunity and instruction to grow as players, and as people.

Thursday’s Dinner Under the Stars event welcomed attendees with a cocktail hour on the diamond, featuring Stockertown Beverage, Sly Fox Brewing Company, St. Boniface Brewing Company, and Adelphia Seafood.

President of Baseballtown Charities Chuck Domino, Fightin Phils General Manager/Vice President of Baseballtown Charities Scott Hunsicker, and Executive Director of Baseballtown Charities Tonya Petrunak presented opening remarks, and recognized Dream League/Rip It for Life players and contributors in attendance.

With tables strewn across the outfield grass, attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner featuring the work of local chefs Tim Twiford (Redners Market), Josenoly Capitle (Crowne Plaza), Brad Fisher (Berkshire Country Club), and George Zeppos (Willoughby’s on Park). A variety of desserts were provided by Cakes & Candies by Maryellen, Sweet Ride Ice Cream, and Sweet Street Desserts. The Uptown Band performed to a sea of guests adorned in white, as part of the night’s “Beisbol Blanco” theme.

The event also gave a spotlight to families who have been positively affected by the endeavors of Baseballtown Charities. Guests had the opportunity to hear the uplifting stories of Melissa Noyes and her son Ryan, and Miriam Feliciano.

To donate to Baseballtown Charities, visit https://one.bidal.net/baseballtown. For more information on Baseballtown Charities and the Dream League, visit www.baseballtown.org.

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

Chukars Celebrating Jerseys For Charity Program

 

Idaho Falls, ID – The Idaho Falls Chukars at 4 PM on Friday will be presenting the funds raised by the Jerseys For Charity program inside the front office at Melaleuca Field. This year the Chukars donned six different special jerseys in support of community charities.

The East Idaho Public Health Department Mammogram Voucher Program, EIRMC Auxiliary, the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket, Mountain View Charity, the John L Scott Foundation, YMCA STEM Scholarship Fund, Haven, and City of Refuge are the programs supported by the money raised from these jerseys. These programs are sponsored by East Idaho Regional Medical Center, Idaho Potato Commission, Teton Cancer Institute, John L Scott Real Estate, Elevation Labs and the International Institute of Massage Therapy respectively. Representatives from these charities will be at Melaleuca Field to collect the money raised by the jersey auctions for their specific charities.

Following the presentation, members of the Chukars front office will head over to Buffalo Wild Wings at Snake River Landing to display the Pioneer League Championship Trophy. Fans can take a photo with the trophy from 5-7 PM and there will be order forms available for 2019 Pioneer League Championship T-Shirts.

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

Owen Tabbed as Indy’s Pirates Community Commitment Award Winner

 

INDIANAPOLIS – Representing the Indianapolis Indians with class both on and off the field, utilityman Hunter Owen will be honored in an on-field ceremony at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park on Wednesday, September 18, prior to the Pirates hosting the Seattle Mariners at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Evansville, Ind. native and Indiana State University product has been selected as Indy’s 2019 Pirates Community Commitment Award winner.

Owen led all Indians players by dedicating a combined 15 volunteer service hours to the Altoona, Pa. and Indianapolis communities. One honoree is chosen from every affiliate in the Pirates farm system each season.

In Indianapolis, Owen devoted off-the-field hours to Make-a-Wish and the Indianapolis Kiwanis Luncheon, where he was a guest panelist. Owen, 25, also dedicated his time to youth clinics, meet-and-greets with young Indians fans and autograph signings. In Altoona, he volunteered at the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society.

Instituted in 2008, the Pirates Community Commitment Program (PCCP) helps each player in the Pirates organization understand the personal and professional growth opportunities linked to community service, as they are viewed as role models or potential leaders.

To purchase season tickets, contact the Victory Field Box Office at (317) 269-3545 or Tickets@IndyIndians.com.

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

Spikes, WHVL, NFFF to host 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

 

The State College Spikes are proud to partner with WHVL-TV and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) to host the inaugural Central Pennsylvania 9/11 Stair Climb. The event will be held on Saturday, September 28 at the home of the Spikes, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, which is located on the campus of Penn State University.

The Central Pennsylvania 9/11 Stair Climb is open to the community and participants may register as an individual or as part of team. The cost is $30 per individual or team member. All climbers receive a commemorative shirt and a name badge of the firefighter they are honoring. Anyone interested in participating may register by visiting http://events.firehero.org/whvl or www.whvl.com, and there are no restrictions on who may climb.

All proceeds from the Central Pennsylvania 9/11 Stair Climb will go to the NFFF. The NFFF funds programs to support the families of your local fallen firefighters and the FDNY Counseling Services Unit. For more information about the about the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climbs and the NFFF, fans can log on to www.firehero.org.

“When firefighters, EMS or police perish in the line of duty it has a great impact on our communities and across the country,” said Penny Hain, General Manager of WHVL. “We wanted to find a way to honor the folks that we have lost while helping the loved ones, friends and co-workers they left behind.” 
“We are honored to host this event and cannot wait to welcome all of the climbers to our ballpark to pay homage to the heroes who put their lives on the line,” said Spikes General Manager Scott Walker. “Medlar Field at Lubrano Park has always been and will always be a place for our community to come together, and we are looking forward to continuing that tradition with the Central Pennsylvania 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on September 28.”

The activities begin on the day of the event with climber check-in at 8:00 a.m. followed by opening ceremonies at 9:00 a.m. Climbing will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the participants will climb the equivalent of 110 stories to symbolize the number of floors in each of the Twin Towers. Following the climb, participants and volunteers will treated to an after party beginning at 1:30 p.m.

For more information, contact WHVL at 814-234-9485 or visit www.whvl.com.

 

West Bend Mutual & Senz Insurance Donate $1,500 to Stateline CF

 

BELOIT, WI – On August 20, 2019, West Bend Mutual and Senz Insurance donated $1,500 to the Beloit Stateline Community Foundation for the Snappers hitting 30 home runs at Pohlman Field in the 2019 season.

The check was accompanied with a presentation during the game on Aug. 20th when the Snappers played the Burlington Bees. Snappers General Manager Jeff Gray, Sheryl Bell of West Bend Mutual, and Mark Senz, Dennis Senz, & Pete Marino of Senz Insurance were all on hand to donate the check to the Stateline Community Foundation.

“West Bend Mutual, Senz Insurance, and Stateline Community Foundation are great partners that have continued to support the Beloit Snappers throughout our history, and we are very grateful to have them as partners. They do a tremendous job of supporting the Snappers on and off the field and help strengthen the Stateline community,” said Jeff Gray talking about the partnership with the Snappers.

This strong, long-lasting bond has been in effect since 2007 and the group continues to make positive strides not only at Pohlman Field, but within our local community.

As another season has officially wrapped up, the Beloit Snappers are looking forward to the 2020 season and continuing the incredible experience of professional baseball right here in Beloit with terrific partners like West Bend Mutual, Senz Insurance, and Stateline Community Foundation.

Lastly, the Snappers would like to thank West Bend Mutual, Senz Insurance, and Stateline Community Foundation for their continuous support of Beloit Snappers professional baseball.

The Beloit Snappers are a member of the Midwest League and have been the Single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. For more ticket information, contact the Snappers office at (608) 362-2272 or visit our website, www.snappersbaseball.com

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

Season In Review | Ems Go Above And Beyond To Benefit Local Community

 

With another season of Emeralds baseball now officially in the rear-view mirror, we’re taking a look back at some of the special moments and memories created during the 2019 season. Today, we reflect on all the good that the Emeralds imparted throughout the Eugene/Springfield community.

Over the past decade, the Ems have made a concerted effort to ingrain the organization within the fabric of Eugene/Springfield through countless community efforts and initiatives. With almost too many donations, drives and events to keep track of, let’s go by the numbers to see exactly how the Emeralds made a positive impact in Lane County during the past season.

$7,451: Dollars raised to benefit local nonprofits through Good Karma Monday.

Good Karma Monday, presented by Yogi, is a weekly ticket promotion created in recent years with the goal of supporting local nonprofit organizations and initiatives. During every Good Karma Monday throughout the 2019 season, fans were able to purchase discounted box seat tickets ($10) with 50% of ticket sales directly benefitting a local nonprofit organization. All told, the Ems raised a combined $7,451 that together benefitted the Pearl Buck Center, Relief Nursery, A Family For Every Child, and Womenspace.

7: Community focus nights.

The Ems aim to use their influence to shine light on causes and efforts that are near and dear to the organization. During the 2019 season, a total of seven (7) different home games were used to highlight important (local) causes, efforts, and personalities: PRIDE, Climate Change, First Responders Appreciation, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), League Of Her Own (Lois Youngen – former AAGPBL Player), Suicide Prevention, and Military Appreciation.

5: Community events.

Even when there aren’t ballgames happening at PK Park, the Emeralds are often still playing their part in helping support the local community. All told, the Emeralds hosted five (5) separate non-gameday events during the 2019 season to support local nonprofits and organizations: American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Eugene Police’s National Night Out, Eugene Food Truck Fest benefitting Eugene Mission, Wham Bam Kendall Jam Car Show benefitting Relief Nursery, and the Boys and Girls Club‘s Field of Dreams.

$3,500: Dollars raised through specialty jersey sales during the 2019 season.

Every year, the Emeralds front office collaborates to design one-of-a-kind, specialty jerseys to be worn on a select night during the season. During each specialty jersey game, fans in attendance can bid on the game-worn jerseys via a silent auction, and the auction winners receive their jersey directly from the corresponding player immediately following the game.

Below, you can find the corresponding nonprofit beneficiary for each specialty jersey worn by the Ems this past season.

PRIDE – HIV Alliance

Climate Change – Our Children’s Trust

Star Wars – Children’s Miracle Network

Black Panther – Ems Community Fund

3: Collection drives hosted to benefit nonprofit organizations.

The Emeralds hosted three separate community collection drives during the past season: a book drive benefitting United Way, a cat/dog items drive benefitting Greenhill Humane Society, and a new socks/underwear drive benefitting Eugene Mission.

6,500: Tickets donated to local elementary school students and teachers through Sluggo’s Home Run Reading Challenge, presented by Oregon Medical Group and Wildish.

Year after year, Sluggo and the Emeralds staff spend the spring visiting countless Lane County schools in an effort to encourage reading among children. Participating schools and teachers decide on a reasonable reading goal for their students’ respective reading levels. Once the individual goal is reached by a student, they automatically receive two free tickets to one of the Emeralds Reading Program Redemption games.

This year, the Emeralds hosted a total of eleven (11) Reading Program Nights with more than 6,500 total tickets donated to local elementary school students and teachers.

6: Monarcas games at PK Park this past season.

Starting in 2018, the Emeralds proudly joined “Copa de la Diversión,” or “Fun Cup,” a season-long event series specifically designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate most with participating teams’ local U.S. Hispanic/Latino communities. As such, the Emeralds created their own unique identity as Los Monarcas de Eugene, using the Monarch butterfly as a subtle and beautiful symbol for the migrant community. Every Sunday home game, the Emeralds transformed into los Monarcas by donning specially designed uniforms while also incorporating Latin-themed food, music, and decorations all throughout PK Park.

$6,850: Dollars raised through the 50/50 raffle for Eugene Little League and Boys & Girls Club.

25: Emeralds player outings and efforts within the community totaling more than 175 hours of volunteer work.

5: Days Emeralds players hosted baseball clinics during the season.

1: Guide dogs that the Emeralds helped train this season.

Last but not least, fans at PK Park likely noticed a new four-legged friend roaming the concourse during the 2019 season. Vegas, the Emeralds service dog in-training, joined the organization earlier this year under the direction of Anne Culhane, the team’s Director of Community Relations. Since his arrival, Vegas has been a (rapidly growing) staple at the Ems office and at PK Park, and thanks to Culhane’s guidance he’s also continued to take major steps towards his goal of one day becoming a service dog.

To learn more about The Joys of Living Assistance Dogs visit joydogs.org.

Stay up to date with the Emeralds by following the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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

Tides looking for Youth Field Makeover nominations

The Norfolk Tides are looking for nominations for our annual Youth Field Makeover Project.

The field makeover includes an upgrade to the playing surface from our groundscrew and front office staff. To nominate a field, send a photo of the field and a brief description by email to John Rogerson at JRogerson@norfolktides.com. Nominations are due by September 17th, and there will then be a contest on the Tides Facebook page to determine the recipient of the makeover.

Since the inaugural renovation in 2012, the Tides have renovated 13 fields in the Hampton Roads community: Smithfield Recreation Association (Smithfield), Bennett’s Creek Little League (Suffolk), Phoebus Little League (Hampton), Shore Little League (Nassawadox), Cradock Little League (Portsmouth), Little Creek National (Norfolk), Gloucester Youth Baseball (Gloucester), Surry County Pony Baseball (Surry), Deer Park Youth Field (Newport News) and Eason’s Crossroads Ballpark (Gates, NC), Churchland Little League (Portsmouth), Thalia/Malibu Rec (Virginia Beach) and Ocean View Little League (Norfolk).

The project is made possible thanks to the Tides Youth Baseball Fund, a program established by the Tides in 1990 as a way to raise money for youth baseball and softball programs in Hampton Roads. In addition to assisting with field renovations, the Youth Baseball Fund also helps local teams and leagues with travel expenses. The Youth Baseball Fund is partially financed by scoreboard announcements at Harbor Park throughout the season.

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

Free Coaching Workshops At Blue Wahoos Stadium

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Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities (RBI) Pensacola and the Positive Coaching Alliance will host a pair of free two-hour workshops for local coaches at Blue Wahoos Stadium in September, bringing advice from top athletes and coaches nationwide to help local coaches from all sports develop new skills to lead their athletes.

Coaches and parents of athletes are invited to attend either of the free sessions, one held on Thursday, September 12 from 7:00-9:00 PM at the Better Homes and Gardens Main Street Properties Lounge at Blue Wahoos Stadium with the second held on Saturday, September 14 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM in the same location.

RBI Pensacola is a local chapter of the nationwide Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities program designed to help provide young people from underserved areas with the opportunity to play baseball and achieve academic success. In Pensacola, they provide both baseball and softball programs, helping increase participation in the sports among under-served youth, encourage academic achievement, promote greater inclusion of minority communities in the games, and teach young athletes the value of teamwork.

The Positive Coaching Alliance has led over 20,000 workshops for leaders, coaches, parents, and athletes nationwide, reaching over 19 million youth since 1998. Using their Double-Goal pedagogy, they focus on using positive reinforcement and the importance of teaching life lessons to produce better athletes and better people.

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