New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation Announces 2018 Scholarship Contest

The Class-A Short-Season New York-Penn League and its member clubs, including the Williamsport Crosscutters, are proud to announce that the league’s philanthropic arm, the NYPL Charitable Foundation, will once again award over $10,000 in scholarships this summer to deserving high school graduates from the league’s 14 markets.

Now in its tenth year, the 2018 NYPL Scholarship Contest is open to any graduating senior from a public or private high school within the league’s footprint. Any student who has been accepted at a two- or four-year college or university, vocational school, or technical education institution is eligible. Applicants will be judged based on academic performance, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and the impact their local NYPL club and Minor League Baseball have had on their lives.

The scholarship contest will consist of two stages – a local round and a league round. In the local stage, students will apply directly to their local NYPL team, with one applicant chosen by each of the 14 teams to advance to the league/final round. The 14 finalists will then be judged by league representatives. Three applicants will be selected to receive the top prize of a $2,500 scholarship. All other finalists will receive a $250 book award.

“The New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation and our 14 member clubs are pleased to have the opportunity to assist outstanding high school seniors within our league’s footprint for the tenth consecutive season,” said Ben J. Hayes, President of the New York-Penn League. “This program will again recognize those seniors who not only meet and exceed traditional scholarship criteria, but demonstrate the positive community impact and lifelong memories fostered by their local NYPL clubs throughout the year.”

Area high school seniors interested in entering the 2018 Scholarship Contest can obtain the official application using the link below or by visiting the Williamsport crosscutters offices at BB&T Ballpark during regular business hours.

The deadline to submit applications to the nearest NYPL team is June 4, 2018. Each club’s winner, including the three $2,500 scholarship recipients, will be selected in mid-July.

The New York-Penn League and its 14 member clubs created the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, a 501(c) (3) charitable organization, in 2003. The mission of the Foundation is to provide focus and support for the collective and individual charitable and community efforts of the New York-Penn League, its Clubs, and their staff.

CLICK HERE to download application

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

Tortugas Partner with Blossoms Workforce Academy

DAYTONA BEACH, FL –The Daytona Tortugas are partnering with the Blossoms Workforce Academy for the 2018 season, as announced Tuesday afternoon. Blossoms Workforce Academy was founded with a mission to develop a workforce that has been empowered with knowledge, skills and ethical work practice to promote the best interests of local healthcare providers and general businesses within Volusia County and to the wider State of Florida,and will be sponsoring all mound visits at Jackie Robinson Ballpark during the 2018 season.

 

“Blossoms Workforce Academy is very excited to partner with the Daytona Tortugas for the 2018 season. Because our mission is identical to the Tortugas in giving back to the community, promoting diversity, and stressing the importance of education and learning. Blossoms’ partnership with the Tortugas was a no-brainer. We look forward to our partnership in creating an atmospheric community for togetherness, where everybody has an opportunity to learn and grow,” said Blossoms CEO Paul Sturdgess.

 

Blossoms teaches CPR and AED training, provides CNA test prep and scheduling, and teaches customer service and management skills to all members of the community, among other services.

 

“We’re very happy to partner with a company like Blossoms Workforce Academy,” said Tortugas president Ryan Keur. “The services that they provide, and the way they are able to help so many in our community, align with our organizational goals.”

 

The Tortugas hope the mound visits will be one-sided when the season begins this Thursday, April 5th, against the Florida Fire Frogs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM with fireworks to follow the final out. To purchase your tickets, call the Tortugas at (386) 257-3172 or visit daytonatortugas.com.

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

Legends Announce Whitaker Bank Ballpark to be Tobacco Free

WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK (Lexington, KY) – The Lexington Legends announced today that Whitaker Bank Ballpark, along with all city-owned and operated ball fields, will be tobacco free. In conjunction with Tobacco Free Kentucky and the City of Lexington, the news was announced at Media Day at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

“Almost 15 years ago, Lexington became the first city in the state to enact a smoke-free ordinance. The results were almost immediate, with fewer smoking related emergency room visits and a better quality of life. This new tobacco-free policy at Whitaker Bank Ballpark and our city-owned and operated ball fields is a logical next step,” said the honorable Jim Gray, Mayor of Lexington.

Whitaker Bank Ballpark will be a smoke free environment for the first time in the stadium’s history. Baseball and tobacco have gone hand in hand for decades, with chew being the most noticeable tobacco product, but new initiatives, led by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, are trying to change that. Extended use of tobacco products including cigarettes, chew, snuff and other products have been proven to have long-term negative health effects.

“Lexington is once again taking the lead on health when it comes to protecting residents from the dangers of tobacco use,” said Ben Chandler, President and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. “By making all city ball fields tobacco-free, including Whitaker Bank Ballpark, Mayor Gray and Andy Shea are sending a powerful message to young baseball players looking to emulate their hometown baseball idols: tobacco use is unsafe, unhealthy, and not at all cool.”

Lexington has been on the forefront of enacting tobacco-free legislation in the state of Kentucky, with Whitaker Bank Ballpark and the Legends taking the next step of prohibiting tobacco products inside the gates. Previous smoking areas, such as behind the bleachers in left field, will no longer be designated smoking areas. There will also be no smoking on the suite level. All types of tobacco products such as cigarettes and vapes, are not allowed.

“We are very proud to be one of the first Minor League Baseball facilities in the country to go tobacco-free. Being one of the premiere family entertainment options in the region, we felt this move had to be made. We are honored to lead the way in making the Central Kentucky community a healthier and happier place to live,” said Legends President/CEO, Andy Shea.

Fans will be able to smoke outside the facility on the first base side, behind the Stables, in the fenced in area.

About the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky

Funded by an endowment, the mission of the nonpartisan Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is to address the unmet health needs of Kentuckians by developing and influencing policy, improving access to care, reducing health risks and disparities, and promoting health equity. Since the Foundation opened its doors in 2001, it has invested more than $27 million in health policy research, advocacy, and demonstration project grants across the Commonwealth Follow the Foundation on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, and visit www.healthy-ky.org.

About the Lexington Legends

The Legends, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and member of the South Atlantic League, kickoff the 2018 season at Whitaker Bank Ballpark against the Charleston RiverDogs, an affiliate of the New York Yankees, on Opening Day – April 5, 2018. For ticket information, call (859) 422-7867 or visit LexingtonLegends.com. All individual game tickets are now on sale.

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

TicketReturn.Com Field hosts March for Babies

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (April 2, 2018) – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans will host the March of Dimes’ March for Babies beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 21 from TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.

March for Babies is a walking event that brings together individuals, families, friends and corporate teams to raise money to help the March of Dimes lead the fight for the health of all moms and babies.

Registration for the event starts at 8:30 a.m. at Gate 1 (down the right field line) at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. The three-mile walk circumvents both the ballpark and Broadway at the Beach, with other festivities set to take place at TicketReturn.Com Field.

The March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies, working in support of moms at every stage from preconception to post-delivery by funding research, programs and education. Money raised from the organization’s March for Babies will be a lifeline for the nearly four million babies born in the United States each year.

For more information about the March for Babies event, contact Coleen Sweatt, Development Manager, at 843-698-0873 or csweatt@marchofdimes.org.

The 2018 season will be the 20th season for the Pelicans franchise and fourth as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For tickets visit MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/tickets, call (843) 918-6000, or visit the Pelicans Box Office.

ABOUT THE PELICANS: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and play their home games at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The park has ranked in the top eight in all of Minor League Baseball by Stadium Journey in six of the last seven seasons. The same publication also placed the Pelicans in the Top 100 Stadium Experiences and the best in the Carolina League for six of the past seven seasons as well. In June 2017, TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark won the 2017 TripAdvisor.com Certificate of Excellence award. The Pelicans have won four Mills Cup Championships, including claims to back-to-back titles in 1999 and 2000, and again in 2015 and 2016. The Pelicans have made 11 postseason appearances behind 13 half-season Southern Division championships, including the first half of the 2015 season, second half of 2016 and first half of 2017. For more information on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, please contact the Pelicans at (843) 918-6000 or emailing Info@MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

Kernels Kids Heroes card set nominations closed

Cedar Rapids, IA – The Kernels are proud to announce that we have collected all the nominations for the 2018 Kids Heroes Baseball card set and nominations for this year’s card set are now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted a hero for this year’s set!

We still encourage all fans to attend our Kids Heroes Night on Friday, June 15th at 6:35 PM as the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a free set of Ronald McDonald House Kids Heroes Baseball Cards, sponsored by McDonalds. Gates open at 5:30 PM.

With the strong interest in our first Kids Heroes Baseball Cards sets, the Kernels plan to continue this annual tradition by releasing a second Kids Heroes Set for the 2019 season. Nominations for this set will open in mid-January of 2019.

Trustmark Park to become smoke-free in 2018

PEARL, MS – The Mississippi Braves have announced plans for a smoke-free Trustmark Park in 2018.

This initiative will be implemented with the support of Merit Health and The Mississippi Tobacco Quitline.

The smoke-free policy will prohibit smoking in the ballpark, including electronic devices and will apply to all Mississippi Braves staff, players and fans.

Trustmark Park becoming a smoke-free ballpark is part of a movement by the M-Braves to help exemplify a healthy environment and create a positive model for our youth to follow.

If you find you are ready to quit smoking, help is available. Merit Health and the MS Tobacco Quitline can provide resources to assist anyone that is ready to stop using tobacco.

Merit Health, a network of 9 hospitals and over 25 primary care clinics throughout the state of Mississippi, can provide medical assistance for smoking cessation. To schedule an appointment with a primary care provider near you, call 844-MSMERIT.

The Mississippi Tobacco Quitline is a telephone & online support service for any Mississippian who is ready to quit tobacco. If you or a friend or family member is ready to stop using tobacco, the Tobacco Quitline staff is available to help. Many Mississippians have contacted the Tobacco Quitline to take advantage of professional help to learn to be tobacco free. Information, referrals, and support are confidential, and support sessions are designed on a schedule that is convenient to the caller. You can reach the MS Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUITNOW). Services are free of charge.

The Mississippi Braves are the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and will open their 14th season on Thursday, April 5 against the Tennessee Smokies at Trustmark Park. Since the inaugural 2005 season, over 125 M-Braves have gone on to Major League Baseball. The M-Braves have made postseason play four times and went on to win the Southern League Championship in 2008. Stop by Trustmark Park or call 888-BRAVES4 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. For the latest news and updates, visit mississippibraves.com or connect with @mbraves on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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

PawSox Announce Fundraiser with Emerson College to Benefit The Tomorrow Fund

Today Emerson College and the Pawtucket Red Sox have announced a joint project to benefit the Tomorrow Fund.

Department of Communication Studies Professor Cathryn Edelstein’s Nonprofit Fundraising Campaign class is partnering with the PawSox to host a game and activities entitled: “A Paw-fect Day for a Better Tomorrow.” The special game will take place on Sunday, April 22, with festivities starting at 10am. Tickets include breakfast, interactive entertainment, a tour of McCoy Stadium, a ticket to the game, and a $5 credit toward lunch.

“Emerson College students collaborating with the PawSox to benefit The Tomorrow Fund kids with cancer is a win-win-win!” said Professor Edelstein. “This year I’m so pleased we are working to not only raise money for The Tomorrow Fund, but help spread awareness about the incredible assistance they provide for kids with cancer and their families.”

“We are honored to work with these community minded students who are gaining invaluable experience in the world of philanthropy,” said Dr. Charles Steinberg, President of the Pawsox and Director of Sports Communication at Emerson College, “not only do we hope this experience is rewarding for them, we hope it will benefit the Tomorrow Fund- an organization we love deeply and admire so much.”

Up to 75 individuals attending the event can experience what it is like to hit a ball in a professional field, at our Home Run Derby which starts at 10:30am. Those who sign up will have the chance to participate to see who hit a ball the furthest. After purchasing tickets you can sign up for the derby at https://goo.gl/forms/VBZKcUrj3805Wx8n1.

Tickets for students are $15, and General Admission tickets are $25; tickets are on sale now at https://tinyurl.com/ybaynllx.

About the Tomorrow Fund 

The Tomorrow Fund is a non-profit organization located in Rhode Island. It provides daily financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their families who are treated in The Tomorrow Fund Clinic at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, RI. Kids can come from anywhere in the world. To date, more than 2,000 children and their families have received financial and emotional support from The Tomorrow Fund.

About Hasbro Hospital 

A division of Rhode Island Hospital, Hasbro Children’s Hospital is the region’s premier provider of pediatric clinical care. The hospital offers a broad spectrum of both routine care and specialty programs not available elsewhere. Hasbro Children’s has the only pediatric emergency department, Level 1 Trauma Center, pediatric critical care teams, and 24-hour ambulance in the region. Their approach to pediatric medicine makes parents, who know their children best, an essential part of the care team.

 

 

About Emerson College

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, opposite the historic Boston Common and in the heart of the city’s Theatre District, Emerson College educates individuals who will solve problems and change the world through engaged leadership

 

in communication and the arts, a mission informed by liberal learning. The College has approximately 3,780 undergraduates and 670 graduate students from across the United States and 50 countries. Supported by state of the art facilities and a renowned faculty, students participate in more than 90 student organizations and performance group. Emerson is known for its experiential learning programs at Emerson Los Angeles, located in Hollywood, and at its beautifully restored 14thcentury castle in the Netherlands. Additionally, there are opportunities to study in DC, London, China, the Czech Republic, Spain, Austria, Greece, France, Ireland, Mexico, Cuba, England, and South Africa. The College has an active network of 37,000 alumni who hold leadership positions in communication and the arts.

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

Legends Announce Partnership with UK HealthCare for Sensory Friendly Kits and Days at Whitaker Bank Ballpark

WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK (Lexington, KY) – The Lexington Legends are proud to announce Sensory Friendly Days on Sunday, May 13 and Monday, June 11, 2018 in partnership with UK HealthCare. Along with special considerations around the ballpark before the games, the Legends will have Friendly Access Sensory Safety Kits provided by Life Is Washable Inc. available throughout the entirety of the season.

On the days of May 13 and June 11, fans with sensory sensitivities and their families will be able to enter the ballpark at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 13 and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 11 to take part in pre-game festivities they previously may have had to skip. There will be no loud music or public address announcements made during this time. Legends players will be available for autographs and the Toyota Triple Play Zone will be open, also. Legends mascots, Big L and Pee Wee will be on hand, but will not approach children. Instead, they will allow the children to come up to them for autographs and photographs as desired. When gates open for the public at 12:30 p.m. (Sunday, May 13) and 6:00 p.m. (Monday, June 11), children and their families can make their way to Guest Services to pick up one of the thirty Sensory Safety Kits for the remainder of their time at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

“This new partnership with UK HealthCare opens Legends games to children and adults who normally would not be able to attend due to sensory sensitivities,” said Legends President/CEO Andy Shea. “We always want to strive to make our games as accessible as possible and this is a huge step towards that. Families can come out and enjoy a game utilizing the new Sensory Safety Kits that will be available all season long.”

Included in the Friendly Access Sensory Safety Kits provided by Life is Washable Inc. and sponsored by UK HealthCare, are stickers, a wrist band, ID card, communication card, a sensory toy, anti-glare glasses, earmuffs and tissues. At the end of each night, fans will return the kits to Guest Services so they can be sanitized, restocked, and ready for the next event. With the partnership with UK HealthCare, there are certain items provided that the child can keep after the game.

“We are thrilled to join the Legends’ efforts to provide an opportunity for more of Kentucky’s kids to enjoy America’s favorite pastime. The sensory kits will allow children who would otherwise not be able to attend a baseball game due to loud noises and other environmental factors to enjoy a fun day at the ballpark, making lifelong memories,” said Scottie Day, Interim Chair, UK Department of Pediatrics.

Previously, minor league hockey teams have done similar nights, but the Legends are ensuring that fans can enjoy games for the entirety of the season by utilizing the Friendly Access Sensory Safety Kits. Thirty kits will be stocked in Guest Services to start the 2018 season, as interest and demand dictates, more kits can and will be added to inventory for fan use.

For more information about Sensory Friendly Day, contact Sarah Bosso at sbosso@lexingtonlegends.com or 859-422-7855. The Legends, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and a member of the South Atlantic League, kickoff the 2018 season at Whitaker Bank Ballpark against the Charleston RiverDogs, an affiliate of the New York Yankees, on Opening Day – April 5, 2018. For ticket information, call (859) 422-7867 or visit LexingtonLegends.com.

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

Cougars Rank #6 in Charitable Giving Among All MiLB Teams

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have been ranked #6 among all 160 Minor League Baseball (MiLB) for their charitable giving throughout the 2017 season, per the MiLB Charities Report which was released last week by the league. Collectively, MiLB clubs reported nearly $40 million in cash and in-kind donations, the highest in MiLB Charities history.

“When you find yourself ranked #6 out of #160 that is special, no matter the category,” said Cougars owner Dr. Bob Froehlich. “Then when you realize the category in is charitable giving among all of Minor League Baseball, it becomes so special that no words can describe how proud we are of what our Foundation has meant to Kane County.”

Of the nearly $40 million, the Cougars contributed $949,926 among their various charitable campaigns throughout the season. The Cougars charitable giving is highlighted by many different programs throughout the year including the Al Mueller Memorial Scholarship Fund which awards local college students working to further their education, Paramount Fence Home Runs for Charity program, the Cougars Reading Club, as well as the Cougars Summer Reading Program, the Highland Salutes program supports both active duty military and veterans along with participation in MiLB’s inaugural “Es Divertido Ser Un Fan” initiative that aimed to connect Hispanic/Latino baseball fans with their local teams.

Click here to view the full MiLB Charities Report.

Moving towards the 2018 season, the Cougars are pledging to increase their charitable giving via the new history-making “A Million Smiles Campaign.” Announced on Monday, the Cougars are the first MiLB team to set a charity fundraising goal of this magnitude. Each dollar donated throughout the season will provide a much-needed smile for those in need. Fans are encouraged to participate in the charitable giving campaign throughout the year by purchasing 50/50 raffle tickets with proceeds benefitting various local charities, participating in the Pitch In for Charity promotion on fireworks nights, purchasing a Legacy Brick to be displayed at the main entrance of the ballpark, registering for the 7th Annual Cougars 5K on May 19 or selecting the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. as their favorite charity on AmazonSmiles.

For more information about A Million Smiles campaign, visit www.kccougars.com.

The Cougars 2018 season begins on Thursday, April 5 at 6:30 PM against the Clinton LumberKings. For more information, including the full schedule of theme nights, entertainment acts and giveaways scheduled, visit kccougars.com.

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates on tickets and promotions.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 161 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

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

Cougars Partner with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK ® to Help Moms In Need

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have announced that Northwestern Medicine Field will serve as a donation drop-off site for the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Movers for Moms® program through Friday, May 11.

Thousands of mothers across the country are overlooked each Mother’s Day due to circumstances that force them to live in shelters as a result of domestic abuse or homelessness. That’s where TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® steps in to ensure that these women receive the love and appreciation they deserve this Mother’s Day. Donations collected through the Movers for Moms® program will be provided to women staying Lazarus House in St. Charles, Ill.

Fans are encouraged to bring donations of the following essential care items: body spray, soaps, hair styling products, towels, make-up brushes, pajamas, large tote bags and umbrellas.

Click here for a full list of much-needed items.

A donation bin is located inside the atrium of the Cougars front office at Northwestern Medicine Field for fans that would like to drop off donation during regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For every two items donated to the Movers for Mom® program, fans will receive one (1) undated reserved seat ticket voucher valid for a 2018 regular season Cougars game. There is a maximum of 10 complimentary ticket vouchers per fan. Donations will be accepted through Friday, May 11.

For more information about the Movers for Moms® program, visit twomenandatruck.com/moversformoms.

The 2018 season of Cougars baseball begins on Thursday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. against the Clinton LumberKings. For more information, including a full 2018 schedule, visit kccougars.com.

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the up to date promotional information.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 161 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

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

Fluor Field Hosts Blood Drive on Thursday, April 5th

The Greenville Drive and The Blood Connection are teaming up again in 2018 to hold blood drives at Fluor Field. The first blood drive of the season is scheduled for Thursday, April 5th. The Blood Connection buses will be set up outside the Main Street gates between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

Fans who stop by Fluor Field and donate blood will receive a ticket voucher to a 2018 Drive game at Fluor Field, subject to availability, and a Blood Connection t-shirt. They will also be provided with a hot dog, chips and a drink after donating.

One lucky fan from The Blood Connection’s blood drives on April 5th at Fluor Field and April 6th at select locations will receive a Red Sox VIP Experience, which includes two pavilion reserved tickets to a Red Sox game, two nights in a Boston hotel, a VIP tour of Fenway Park, and a $500 airfare voucher.

For more information on The Blood Connection and donating blood, CLICK HERE.

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

Pelicans to host Horry County Special Olympics Spring Games on April 18

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 28, 2018) – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans will host the Horry County Special Olympics Spring Games on Wednesday, April 18, at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. Approximately 400 Special Olympic athletes from across Horry County will be joined with 400 “buddies” and volunteers to compete in various events. Athletes may also earn the opportunity to enter South Carolina’s Summer Games, held from May 11-13 in Columbia.

“The Special Olympics Spring Games gives athletes all over Horry with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to compete, receive medals and celebrate the bravery they have to be successful at anything,” said Horry County Special Olympics Area Director Erik Karney. “They show us every day that they are the true “heroes” in life, with their smiles of joy and determination to be the best they can be.”

Gates open to the ballpark at 8:30 a.m., and registration for all athletes and buddies will be at Gate 1, located near right field. Volunteers will register at Gate 2, down the first base line. The Horry County community is encouraged to join the Pelicans’ pep rally to welcome the athletes into the ballpark. The Games are open to the public at no charge, and all community members are welcome to cheer on the athletes and lend their support.

The day begins with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run at Myrtle Beach’s Fire Training Facility at 8:45 a.m. The torch will be lit on the field at 9:45 a.m., marking the third year the Games are being held at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.

Events begin at 10:00 a.m., with athletes competing in the softball and tennis throws on the outfield grass, the 100m and 50m runs and walks on the outfield warning track and the young athletes’ events in foul territory down the left field line.

Members of the Special Olympics Youth Athletes (ages 2-7) will also take part in the festivities at the ballpark. Entertainment throughout the day, which concludes at 1:30 p.m., includes Olympic Town with a DJ, inflatables and local mascots.

In addition to the Horry County Spring Games, the Pelicans will also hold their annual Special Olympics Night on Saturday, April 21. The Birds will sport commemorative jerseys designed by Angelita Ponce of North Myrtle Beach Middle School. Ponce won the club’s jersey design contest, with students from both North Myrtle Beach Middle School and Ocean Bay Middle School submitting drafts. The jerseys will be auctioned off to fans throughout the 6:05 p.m. game, with the proceeds benefitting the Horry County Special Olympics. Gates open at 5 p.m. on Special Olympics Night.

The 2018 season will be the 20th season for the Pelicans franchise and fourth as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For tickets visit MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/tickets, call (843) 918-6000, or visit the Pelicans Box Office.

ABOUT THE PELICANS: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and play their home games at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The park has ranked in the top eight in all of Minor League Baseball by Stadium Journey in six of the last seven seasons. The same publication also placed the Pelicans in the Top 100 Stadium Experiences and the best in the Carolina League for six of the past seven seasons as well. In June 2017, TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark won the 2017 TripAdvisor.com Certificate of Excellence award. The Pelicans have won four Mills Cup Championships, including claims to back-to-back titles in 1999 and 2000, and again in 2015 and 2016. The Pelicans have made 11 postseason appearances behind 13 half-season Southern Division championships, including the first half of the 2015 season, second half of 2016 and first half of 2017. For more information on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, please contact the Pelicans at (843) 918-6000 or emailing Info@MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

Bowling With The BlueClaws Returns April 15th

Bowling With The BlueClaws is back on Sunday, April 15th!

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LAKEWOOD, NJ – BlueClaws Charities is proud to announce its seventh annual Bowling With The BlueClaws fundraising event returns to Sea Girt Lanes on Sunday, April 15th. BlueClaws players will again be at the event, a great chance for kids to have a fun night out with players and Buster while raising money for a worthy cause.

The charitable bowling event takes place from 6-8pm. For just $15, participants will receive bowling shoes, a raffle ticket for a series of prizes, pizza and soda, and unlimited bowling games.

Raffles will be held throughout the night for limited edition autographed merchandise and other door prizes. In addition to prizes being given out, BlueClaws players will be there to hang out with you! All proceeds from the night will benefit BlueClaws Charities and their Community Partners.

“This has been a great event for BlueClaws Charities and the fans over the last seven years and we look forward to another great event,” said Jim DeAngelis, Executive Director of BlueClaws Charities. “Each fundraising event like Bowling With the BlueClaws benefits a wide variety of local organizations that we are proud to support and will continue to support.”

For more information or to reserve a spot, contact JoAnne Bell at 732-901-7000 ext. 100 or at jbell@blueclaws.com. Space is limited and those interested are encouraged to book early.

BlueClaws Charities, the official charity of the Lakewood BlueClaws, is a 501c3 dedicated to supporting the underpriveleged Ocean and Monmouth counties. BlueClaws Charities has donated over $250,000 over the past four years to community organizations, including donations in the form of grants to BlueClaws Charities Community Partners.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. They have led the South Atlantic League in attendance in all 16 years of existence.

Opening Day for the 2018 season is Thursday, April 12th. Tickets are available by calling 732-901-7000 option 2 or online by clicking here.

– BlueClaws –

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

Autism Awareness Day Set For April 21

ROCHESTER, NY – The Rochester Red Wings have partnered with Autism Speaks to host an Autism Awareness Day at the ballpark on April 21st when the Red Wings host the Columbus Clippers at 1:05pm.

The Red Wings and Autism Speaks aim to create an environment that will allow families dealing with Autism to enjoy a day at Frontier Field, while also raising awareness for Autism, a disorder that affects 1 in 68 American Children.

Senior Coordinator of Autism Speaks, Jessica Joanis, explained the importance of an event like this. “For the ninth year, Autism Speaks will kick-off World Autism Month in April, and begin a month-long calendar of events and activities in support of the Autism community. Local partnerships such as Autism Awareness Day with the Rochester Red Wings helps us to increase support, understanding and acceptance of people with Autism across the spectrum and throughout the life span. We hope you will join us for the game on Saturday, April 21, as we light the world blue.”

Some components of Autism Awareness Day are as follows:

• Lower volume levels throughout the stadium along with other fan-friendly adjustments
• In-game production will be altered to minimize abrupt sound effects and video board displays
• Fans are asked to refrain from bringing “noise makers” that day
• Limited number of Blue pom-poms will be available at the Autism Speaks table to substitute for noise makers
• A Safe Zone located in the PERCH will be open all game long for children in need of a quiet reprieve from the game.
• Designated Autism Aware Section, reserved exclusively for guests with family members on the Autism spectrum. Tickets available now.

To purchase tickets in an exclusive Autism Aware Section contact: Mike Ewing at (585) 454-1001 ext. 3036 or MEwing@RedWingsBaseball.com.

-Or-

Visit www.TicketReturn.com and use the login: Username: Autism18 Password: Speaks

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

Cougars Make History With “A Million Smiles Campaign”

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars charitable arm, the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. has launched a historic fundraising goal known as “A Million Smiles Campaign” for the upcoming 2018 season. Today’s announcement makes the Cougars the first team in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) to set a charity fundraising goal.

This season, the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. will work towards reaching a donation total of one million dollars, with each dollar donated providing a much needed smile for those in need. As the first campaign of its kind in the history of MiLB, President and CEO Pat O’Connor is excited to see the charitable work that the team will accomplish this season.

“I am very proud of the lengths which our Minor League Baseball teams go to give back to their local communities, as the Kane County Cougars have now publicly pledged to do at an extraordinary level. Should the Cougars reach this ambitious goal, they will certainly be one of the most charitable of Minor League Baseball’s 160 teams and I commend them for their efforts.”

As members of the Midwest League, the Cougars are building upon the tradition of giving back that has been a part of the League for the last 72 years. “I applaud the initiative being taken by the Kane County Cougars to commit to this extraordinary philanthropy,” said Dick Nussbaum, President of the Midwest League. “It is consistent with the Midwest League’s leadership in Minor League Baseball. Proceeds from each ticket sold to our four million fans each year ends up as a charitable contribution by our Clubs. The collective power of this giving is consistent with the generosity shown by those of us who live in the Midwest and the Cougars are taking this tradition of giving to another level.”

One way fans can help provide a million smiles includes purchasing 50/50 raffle tickets with proceeds benefiting various local charities including Mutual Ground, Northern Illinois Food Bank, BraveHearts for Kids and CASA Kane County. Additional opportunities to contribute include participation in the Pitch In for Charity promotion, benefiting Loaves and Fishes CARES, on fireworks nights, purchasing a Legacy Brick to be displayed at the main entrance of the ballpark, selecting the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. as your favorite charity on AmazonSmiles as well as registering for the 7th Annual Cougars 5K on May 19 with proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Illinois.

“Kane County is proud to be represented by the Cougars as they embark on this awesome charitable campaign,” said Chris Lauzen, Chairman of the Kane County Board. “The community has benefitted greatly from having a team that is passionate about reaching families beyond just the baseball field.

Additional charitable opportunities will be announced throughout the year including collection of donation items for the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Movers for Mom® program, the annual Winter Coat Drive and the Es Divertido Ser Un Fan charitable jersey auction to benefit a local Hispanic organization.

“The City of Geneva could not ask for a better representative of what this town stands for than the Kane County Cougars,” said Kevin Burns, Mayor of Geneva. “This incredible charitable initiative will benefit our community in so many positive ways. We look forward to seeing the impact the Cougars will make this season.”

The 2018 season begins on Thursday, April 5 at 6:30 PM against the Clinton LumberKings. Follow the Cougars onFacebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates on all charitable initiatives as well as tickets and promotions.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 161 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

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