VALLEYCATS PARTNER WITH SLIDIN’ DIRTY ON HOME RUN DERBY TO BENEFIT THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION

TROY, NY – The Tri-City ValleyCats have partnered with local restaurant Slidin’ Dirty to host the ‘Slidin’ Dirty Derby,’ a home run derby contest featuring multiple fundraising opportunities to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

The charitable home run derby will take place prior to the New York-Penn League All-Star Game on Tuesday, August 15 at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy. There will be eight participants, and the event will be timed similar to the MLB Home Run Derby.

One of the derby spots will be auctioned off online to one lucky fan, and that person will join six of the top home run hitters in the New York-Penn League, along with Slidin’ Dirty employee Josh Goodbred.

Slidin’ Dirty will donate $10 for each home run hit during the contest, and 60 on-field passes will be sold online for fans to stand in the outfield and catch the balls not hit over the fence. Fans must have a ticket to the New York-Penn League All-Star Game to be eligible.

All of the proceeds from the Slidin’ Dirty Derby will benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which funds an aggressive agenda aimed at developing improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s disease.

To bid on a spot in the derby, or purchase an on-field pass, visit tcvalleycats.com/allstargame

The New York-Penn League All-Star Game will feature some of the top talent in short-season professional baseball, many of whom will reach the major league level. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. for the All-Star Game festivities, and tickets are available online at tcvalleycats.com/allstargame, by phone at 518-629-CATS (2287), or at the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium Box Office.

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

Hometown Heroes Celebration Night at Fifth Third Field

The Dayton Dragons and the Dayton Development Coalition will host the second of two Hometown Heroes™ Celebration Nights Saturday, August 5 at Fifth Third Field when the Dragons play the Lansing Lugnuts at 7:07 p.m.

“Hometown Heroes™ Celebration Nights represent something truly special about the Dayton Region,” said Jeff Hoagland, DDC President and CEO. “Our desire to thank those who serve our country, combined with a true American pastime, has created an incredible night dedicated to our Hometown Heroes. We want to thank them for their service and let them know, no matter where they are stationed, Dayton will always welcome them home.”

The Celebration Nights are the highlight of the year-long Hometown Heroes™ program, which honors our community’s service men and women affiliated with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Springfield, Ohio Air National Guard Base. The DDC and the Dragons, with the generous support of local businesses, began the program 14 years ago as a way for the community to support the thousands of military families in the region.

Colonel Adam Willis, the commander of the Air Force Reserves 445th Airlift Wing. and Colonel Bradley McDonald, the Wright-Patt installation and 88th Air Base Wing commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base., will throw out a first pitch.

Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to help welcome home members of the Air Force who have recently returned home from deployment, as well as recognize Selected Exceptional Airmen. In addition, Colonel McDonald will also swear in 15 new Air Force recruits during the game.

The Association of Defense Communities recently recognized Dayton as a Great American Defense Community, in part for the Hometown Heroes™ programs at the Dragons, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton Art Institute, and Dayton Air Show. Hometown HeroesTM, working in close partnership with Dayton Hoopla/First Four events, UD & WSU Men’s Basketball, and the Fraze Pavilion, offers year-long events honoring our military community.

During the national anthem, which will be performed by Air Force Band of Flight/MSgt Alyson Jones, the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard will present the colors.

On the plaza, there will be a Security Forces Humvee, an Air Force Recruit Van, and the 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron will showcase equipment used on evacuation missions. The Dragons Entertainment staff will hand out mini flags, and fans can sign “Thank You” cards to send to troops overseas.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, 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

The Dayton Development Coalition (DDC) is the leading economic development organization for the 14-county Dayton region. Working closely with public and private regional partners, its mission is to retain, expand and recruit jobs. The DDC and the Dayton region ranked as the nation’s top metro for its size for economic development in 2008, 2009 and 2012 and runner-up in 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2015. With the State’s largest single-site employer in its backyard, the DDC also focuses on advocating for the critical missions at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and supporting the work of the United States Air Force. The DDC was ranked as America’s top military community, and was presented with the 2015 Community Excellence Award from the Association of Defense Communities. It was designated as one of the ADC’s Great American Defense Communities in 2016 – a testament to the collaborative efforts in support of Wright-Patt, America’s #1 Air Force Base as ranked by the Air Force Times (2014). For any questions regarding the DDC, contact Shannon Joyce Neal at (937) 231-5436.

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

Tampa Yankees Announce HOPE Week 2017

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Yankees will participate in HOPE Week (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) from Tuesday, August 8th through Saturday, August 12th, 2017.

HOPE Week is a community program, created by the New York Yankees in 2009, designed to bring to light five remarkable stories intended to inspire individuals into action in their own communities. The initiative is based on the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than the recipient of the gesture. Visit www.hopeweek.com for more information.

Throughout HOPE Week, the Tampa Yankees will reach out to individuals, families and organizations worthy of recognition and support, surprising honorees with a day celebrating their accomplishments.

Tuesday, August 8th – The Tampa Yankees will attend the Lighthouse Center for Creative Learning (a school for children with autism) and hang out with kids, including playing catch and reading, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Students and families from the center are invited to attend the 7:00 p.m. game vs. the Clearwater Threshers and take the field with the T-Yanks as part of the Baseball Buddies Program.

The Lighthouse Center for Creative Learning has been “helping students find their way for more than 15 years!” For more information, visit www.come2lighthouse.com.

Wednesday, August 9th – The Tampa Yankees will visit A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay and hang out with the kids, playing games from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

“A Kid’s Place provides residential services to children from birth to age 18, who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment and to provide a variety of services which meet the social, educational, medical, and psychological needs of the child.” – www.akidsplacetb.org.

Thursday, August 10th – The Tampa Yankees plan to visit Trinity Café and assist in serving lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Trinity Café opened in 2001. Its mission is “to restore a sense of dignity to the homeless & hungry while serving a nutritious meal. We faithfully treat all of God’s children with dignity, compassion, love, and respect.” – www.trinitycafe.org.

Friday, August 11th – The Make-A-Wish Foundation will attend the 7:00 p.m. game between the Tampa Yankees and St. Lucie Mets and accept donations. The foundation will also participate in the Baseball Buddies Program, giving kids the opportunity to go on the field and meet players. A representative from the Make-A-Wish Foundation will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. More information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation can be found at www.wish.org.

Saturday, August 12th – HOPE Week will conclude with the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s “Cut for a Cure” campaign as well as “Blue’s Back to School Party.”

Tampa Yankees players, staff and fans will be able to help pediatric cancer research by having their heads shaved, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Pediatric cancer survivors will be on hand to shave the heads of participants and will then get to participate in the Baseball Buddies program prior to the 6:30 p.m. game vs. the St. Lucie Mets. Click here for more information and to donate to “Cut for a Cure.”

Fans are also invited to join Blue for a back-to-school party. The first 1,000 kids 14-and-younger will receive a T-Yanks drawstring bag, courtesy of OneMain Financial. The night will end with a post-game fireworks show.

To purchase single game tickets, fans can visit the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office or go online to www.tybaseball.com. Tickets start at $5 for upper reserved seating, $8 for lower reserved seating, and parking is always free.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single-A Advanced Affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information, call (813) 673-3055 or visit www.tybaseball.com.

Baby Cakes host peanut allergy-friendly game

It’s hard to imagine a baseball game without peanuts, but in a new collaboration between Minor League Baseball and AUVI-Q (epinephrine injection, USP), fans that suffer from peanut allergies can enjoy America’s national pastime with less concern.

The New Orleans Baby Cakes will host a “Peanut-Free Game Day” on Thursday, August 24 when they face the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. To make the ballpark safer to sufferers of peanut allergies, the peanut free-game will feature no in-park sales of peanuts or products containing peanut ingredients.

As one of the most common food allergies, peanut sensitivity can lead to reactions ranging from mild irritation to anaphylactic shock, with peanut allergies becoming more prevalent in children.

“With peanut allergies on the rise, AUVI-Q will support our overarching commitment to our fans,” said David Wright, Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer for Minor League Baseball. “We hope that all families, regardless of existing allergies, can experience a Minor League Baseball game to its fullest during designated peanut-free nights.”

“We’re proud to support MiLB to help provide a safer environment for those who suffer from severe peanut allergies to enjoy one of our nation’s favorite pastimes,” said Dr. Eric Edwards, a life-threatening allergy sufferer and co-inventor of AUVI-Q. “AUVI-Q is committed to providing information and resources to help educate the public about life-threatening allergies and encourage a community of inclusion and acceptance.”

AUVI-Q is an FDA-approved prescription medicine used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in people who are at risk for or have a history of serious allergic reactions. AUVI-Q is the first and only EAI with an auto-retractable needle and includes innovative features such as voice instructions. AUVI-Q is not a substitute for emergency medical treatment.

Potomac Nationals, MiLB, & AUVI-Q Partner on “Peanut-Free Day” at Pfitzner Stadium on 8/10/17

Woodbridge, VA—In conjunction with Minor League Baseball and AUVI-Q, the Potomac Nationals are excited to announce a “Peanut-Free Day” at Pfitzner Stadium on Thursday, August 10th. The game between the P-Nats and Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Chicago Cubs) will help fans that suffer from peanut allergies enjoy America’s national pastime with less concern.

Per the release here from Minor League Baseball, AUVI-Q has been named the “Official Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EAI) of Minor League Baseball. The partnership includes participating clubs, including the Potomac Nationals, hosting peanut-free games at their respective ballpark.

On “Peanut-Free Day” at Pfitzner Stadium, 8/10/17, gates will open at 11:00am, while first pitch is scheduled for 12:05pm.

The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Carolina League affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Potomac Nationals have claimed five Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, 2010, and 2014) and nine CL Northern Division Championships. Sponsorship opportunities for the P-Nats’ 2017 season and beyond are available, as well as all-inclusive corporate outings to watch the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz. For more information on Potomac Nationals 2017 single game tickets, season tickets, mini plans, group outings, and picnic packages, visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the Potomac Nationals’ Extreme Custom Collision Ticket Office at 703-590-2311.

— Potomac Nationals —

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

Celebrate at the Pride Party in Hensville Park, Aug. 24

Join us on Thursday, August 24, for the first ever pregame Pride Party in Hensville Park. The pregame event will feature live entertainment on the Hensville Park stage. It’s part of our Holy Toledo Thursday celebrations presented by Toledo.com.

ENTERTAINMENT

Kids with Knives – Hensville Park stage – 5:30 to 7 p.m.

PRIDE T-SHIRTS

Mud Hens Pride t-shirts will be available for sale during the Pride Party in Hensville Park.

The Mud Hens will take on the Clippers on Thursday, August 24 at 6:35 p.m.

GAME TICKET ($12) – BUY TICKETS

What you get:

  • August 24 Mud Hens game ticket

Click the links to check out the menus and make reservations:

NINE at Hensville: ninehensville.com | Chef Tony has put together a menu that he describes as “traditional Americana” where he uses local ingredients from area farms and producers to create made-from-scratch dishes with a modern taste and composition. NINE is housed in the former Folger Butcher Shop, a historic 1865 building. Exposed brick, reclaimed wood and handcrafted tables give NINE a casual vibe that fits a fun, downtown, neighborhood restaurant.

Fleetwood’s Tap Room: fleetwoodshensville.com | Have a drink at Hensville’s new craft beer bar, located on the first floor of the Fleetwood Building across the street from Fifth Third Field. Fleetwood’s Tap Room features 48 beers on draft, a wide selection of whiskeys, an eclectic menu, and an outstanding outdoor patio that overlooks Hensville Park.

BirdCage Bar & Grill: birdcagebarandgrill.com | The BirdCage Bar and Grill is located on the Club Level at Fifth Third Field and provides incredible views of the on-field action! Your ticket to the Mud Hens game gives you entry to the BirdCage, where you and your guests will enjoy a great dining experience created by Chef Tony House, featuring a display of hand-carved meats, antipasti, classic salad, and seasonal entrees.

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

Dragons and Vectren Present 2017 “Community All-Stars”

The Dragons and Vectren will honor Juliann Price during the unique “Community All-Stars” program on Friday, August 4, at 7:07 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons at Fifth Third Field.

The Dayton community is a great place to live, work and play. But what makes Dayton truly great are the people that call Dayton home. We have great people and great organizations in our community that do incredible things each and every day. Throughout the season, the Dragons and Vectren will honor five “All-Stars” with a special inning break tribute in recognition of their service.

Juliann’s Story

Normally, most of us scroll through our Facebook feed just to see if anything out there is interesting enough to get us to stop for a moment. But last summer, Juliann Price stumbled across a Facebook post that was more than interesting. It immediately altered the course of her life.

Juliann saw a post from her friend telling the story of Barbara Perlman. Barbara was in need of a kidney transplant and was running low on time. The call to action was simple enough, just get your blood tested to see if you’d be a potential match.

Most people would’ve felt something for Barbara’s story, but quickly gone back about their day. After all, who would give one of their kidneys to a complete stranger they’ve never met? Juliann felt something different when she saw the post, however. She was compelled to get the blood test and see if she could help.

“Something just spoke to me,” Juliann said. “I had never thought about doing anything like this before, but when I found out about her need, I just made up my mind on the spot and never turned back. I was going to help, whether it was her or someone else down the road.”

As it would turn out, Juliann was enough of a match with Barbara that they sent her to New York City for further testing last August. Those follow-up tests showed a match of 4.3 on a scale of 5, which was more than enough to go through with the transplant operation.

So on November 10, 2016, Juliann was wheeled into surgery where she gave up 1 of her 2 kidneys to allow Barbara a chance to continue living a normal life.

The surgery was very successful, and both ladies are living normal lives. They have also become great friends. The pair talk nearly every day on the phone and plan to reunite once again on November 10, 2017…a date they jokingly refer to as their “Kidney-versary.”

For showing us all what it means to truly help a fellow human being in their time of need, Juliann has been selected as a Dragons Community All Star.

The Dragons Community All Star program, made possible by the generous support of Vectren, showcases amazing citizens and organizations that have gone above the call of duty to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley all summer long. To nominate someone or learn more, visit daytondragons.com/communityallstar.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, 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.

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

Scrappers Sock Out Hunger on August 11

Dr. James LaPolla, Jr. DPM and the Howland Health & Wellness Committee will be sponsoring a sock giveaway on Friday, August 11 when the Scrappers take on the Staten Island Yankees at Eastwood Field. The first 1,000 fans will receive a pair of Scrappers branded socks. Anyone who brings in a canned food donation will also receive a free ticket voucher for an upcoming Scrappers game. All donations will go directly to the Bolindale food pantry inside of The Boldindale Christian Church (2749 Fairview Ave. SE, Warren, OH 44484).

The food pantry at The Bolindale Christian Church serves 60-70 families twice a month. According to the 2008-2013 U.S. Census Bureau, 31.2% of the residents of Bolindale live below the poverty level and 54.3% are receiving food stamps.

The Bolindale community is also a focus of the Creating Healthy Communities initiative spearheaded by the Trumbull County Combined Health District. Grant monies were used to purchase additional lighting to improve the safety and visibility of the park and upgrades have been made to the park by repairing playground equipment and adding several pickleball courts.

The goal of the Howland Health and Wellness Committee is to promote healthier lifestyles and workplaces in the township. The Township has received the Healthy Ohio Healthy Community award from the Ohio Department of Health in 2015 and 2016. For information regarding the committee contact Township trustee Dr. James LaPolla at james.lapolla@howlandtownship.org.

There will also be a post-game firework show following the game on August 11.

Buy August 11 Tickets

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

Blue Jays Bowling Tournament Raises $12,820

DUNEDIN-FL, The Dunedin Blue Jays 2017 Charity Bowling Tournament sponsored by Achieva Credit Union raised $12,820 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay. 250 local baseball fans participated in the event, joining the entire Dunedin Blue Jays team at Maple Lanes Countryside Bowling Alley in Clearwater for a day of bowling, raffles, silent auctions, and prizes during the team’s fourth annual tournament. Since 2014, the event has raised over $35,000 to support the well-being of local families through Ronald McDonald House Charities.

“The Blue Jays are incredibly grateful for the support of Achieva and the many other sponsors of the event, our players for dedicating their time to helping the local community, and most of all for the two hundred and fifty fans who helped make this year’s event a success,” Kathi Beckman, the Blue Jays Manager of Community Relations, said following the event.

This year’s event set a new record for total dollars raised, surpassing the $11,339 raised during the team’s 2016 bowling tournament. Over $4,500 of the final $12,820 total was raised by the participants of the bowling tournament, each contributing $25 for two games of bowling, a catered lunch, and the opportunity to meet and greet the Blue Jays team. 40 local businesses from the Dunedin area contributed as Lane Sponsors at the event, raising $4000 of the total. The event’s silent auction, which included packages donated by local businesses as well as apparel and memorabilia donated by teams throughout the Toronto organization, raised over $2,400. A 50/50 raffle and Opportunity To Win raffles combined to raise just under $1000.

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

Tides to renovate youth field in the fall

The Norfolk Tides today announced the return of a contest in which a local youth field will be renovated by Tides groundskeepers and front office staff. Proudly presented by Orkin, this field makeover will include an upgrade to the playing surface and an improvement to existing dugouts, with the recipient of the makeover being determined by a fan vote on the Tides’ Facebook page.

“We’re thrilled to be able to add an additional field renovation to our schedule this year” said Tides General Manager Joe Gregory. “We’ve had such phenomenal success with this program in the spring that we decided to add another field makeover in the fall, and our entire organization is looking forward to helping out another worthy community.”

Those interested in having the Tides make over their facility should submit a picture of their field to Heather McKeating at HMckeating@norfolktides.com. Along with the photo, fans are asked to include a brief description of why their league’s field should receive this enhancement. The deadline to submit this information is August 18, with online voting taking place on the Tides’ Facebook page from August 21-25.

2017 is the sixth year the Tides have renovated a local youth field. Since the program was introduced in 2012, the Tides have renovated nine local fields: Ocean View Little League (Norfolk), 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) and Surry County Pony Baseball (Surry).

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, and those wishing to make a donation directly to the Youth Baseball Fund can do so via norfolkides.com under the “community” section.

Volunteers from Safelite AutoGlass will join the Tides staff in assisting with the field renovation efforts, which will take place in late September.

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

Randy Rogers Joins Lineup for Reckless Kelly Celebrity Softball Jam

ROUND ROCK, TX – Look Out Yonder and fans will see a new addition to the musical lineup for the 9th annual Reckless Kelly Celebrity Softball Jam. Texas crooner Randy Rogers will be Actin’ Crazy when he takes the stage at Dell Diamond, joining Wade Bowen, Roger Creager, Cody Canada & the Departed and the boys of Reckless Kelly.

Rogers has been performing with the Randy Rogers Band for the past 15 years, steadily building a following that has expanded beyond their Texas roots. Their newest album Nothing Shines Like Neon is a collection that showcases the band’s taut musicianship as well as Rogers’ earnest vocals and insightful songwriting. In 2015, Rogers teamed up with fellow Jam performer Bowen on the critically acclaimed album Hold My Beer Vol. 1.

The Reckless Kelly Celebrity Softball Jam combines an athleticism-optional and antic-filled softball game with hours of live, musical entertainment on two stages.

The event will kick off at 1 p.m. with the softball game featuring former major leaguers Josh Beckett, Norm Charlton, Brooks Kieschnick and Glenn Wilson along with former Longhorns and NFL players Quan Cosby and Kasey Studdard. Following the game, fans will be invited onto the outfield for a concert featuring 20+ acts.

KGSR’s Andy Langer will once again take over the mic alongside fellow media stars Addie Broyles, Anne Hudson, Brendan Anthony, Charlie Hodge, Eric Raines, Bob Ballou and Ricky Doyle.

All proceeds from the event will benefit The Nolan Ryan Foundation and the Reckless Kelly Charitable Youth Foundation, with a focus on supporting youth sports programs in Central Texas. Since its inception, the Reckless Kelly Celebrity Softball Jam has raised over $350,000 for area youth leagues, including the funding of a $150,000 renovation of Mabson Field in East Austin, TX.

Tickets for the 9th Annual RKCSJ are on sale now for just $20 and can be purchased online at RKCSJ.org. Tickets will go up to $25 on September 1.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit RKCSJ.org. For up to the minute event info, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Florida State League/Miami Marlins Scholarship Winners Announced

FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 1, 2017) – The Fort Myers Miracle, Advanced-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, are proud to announce Mason Wilbanks as their 2017 Florida State League/Miami Marlins Scholarship Award winner. This is the eighteenth (18) straight year for the program, and it is funded by the Miami Marlins and the Florida State League. Each scholarship has a monetary value of $1,500 and is presented to a student employee, child or grandchild of an employee. A total of 216 scholarships have been awarded to qualified applicants since the inception of the program.

“This program is intended to encourage and reward our college summer interns by reinforcing to them that education is key to success in life with or without baseball,” stated Miracle Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Ben Hemmen. “We thank the Miami Marlins for providing a generous contribution to the Florida State League scholarship program and hope to see this partnership continued for many years to come.”

A rising senior at Florida Gulf Coast University, Mason came to Hammond Stadium each day with a smile on his face and a willingness to help the team in every way possible throughout the summer. He has been a part of the intern team since 2015 when he worked during the Twins’ Spring Training season. The native of Fleming Beach, Florida and graduate of Fleming Beach High School is expected to graduate from FGCU in the spring of 2018 with a degree in Business Management with a Sports Concentration.

“I am blessed and grateful for the opportunities the Fort Myers Miracle have given me,” said Wilbanks. “I would like to thank the Florida State League and the Miracle for selecting me for such a prestigious award. It has truly been a beneficial experience that will be useful as I pursue future endeavors.”

All winners were guests at Marlins Park on July 30, 2017 and were recognized in an on-field pregame introduction before the Miami Marlins took on the Cincinnati Reds. Wilbanks was joined by the following 2017 winners from around the Florida State League:

Bradenton Marauders: Joseph Schneider

Charlotte Stone Crabs: Mackenna Stella Radunz

Clearwater Threshers: Cameron Soltau

Daytona Tortugas: Cameron Wood/Anderson Rathbun

Dunedin Blue Jays: Kelsey McIntosh

Fort Myers Miracle: Mason Wilbanks

Jupiter Hammerheads: Feliciano Grimaldo

Lakeland Flying Tigers: Lexi Hicks

Palm Beach Cardinals: Kyle Nagy

St. Lucie Mets: Mario Pietroluongo

Tampa Yankees: Lyndsay Kane

To stay up to date on upcoming promotional nights, follow the Miracle online at Miraclebaseball.com or through social media; Twitter: @MiracleBaseball, Instagram: fortmyersmiracle, Facebook: Fort Myers Miracle, Snapchat: ftmyersmiracle. To purchase tickets, visit MiracleBaseball.com/tickets. For information or questions regarding the 2017 25th Anniversary Season, call the Miracle offices at (239) 768-4210.

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

Drive and Blood Connection Team Up on Friday

The Greenville Drive and The Blood Connection are teaming up to host a blood drive at Fluor Field on Friday, August 4th between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM. The Blood Connection buses will be set up at the Main Street gate.

Those who donate will receive complimentary rewards, including a Drive/Blood Connection t-shirt, a pair of vouchers good for any Sunday-Thursday Drive home game in 2017, and a hot dog plate with chips and a drink.

Every time you donate blood, you could save up to three lives, so come on out to Fluor Field on June 9th to support The Blood Connection.

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

Florida State League Announces Annual Scholarship Winners

Tampa, FL. – The Tampa Yankees, in conjunction with the Florida State League and the Miami Marlins, are pleased to announce Lyndsay Kane as their 2017 scholarship award winner. The Florida State League Scholarship committee award 12 individuals with educational scholarships. The committee approved the awards after a review of the applications submitted by all the Florida State League teams.

Lyndsay Kane is currently enrolled at the University of South Florida where she is pursuing a degree in Nursing and has a 3.7 GPA. She previously attended Palm Harbor University in the medical magnet program for High School and then went to St. Petersburg College for one year. This is Lyndsay’s 5th season working the Tampa Yankees.

Lyndsay was honored at the Tampa Yankees home game on July 15th at George M. Steinbrenner Field. In addition, she was introduced during a pre-game ceremony at the Miami Marlins game on Sunday, July 30th along with the other Florida State League teams’ award winners.

The Miami Marlins/Florida State League scholarship program is awarded to students that are an employee of, or the child or grandchild of an employee of the participating club and must be at least a high school junior by the 2018 fall term. The Miami Marlins have sponsored this program for the past seventeen years and have contributed over $160,000 to the Florida State Program.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single-A Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information on the Tampa Yankees visit www.tybaseball.com or call (813) 673-3055.

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

Brian Elliot Jr. to Celebrate His Anthem Home Runs for Life on August 2

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 13-year old Brian Elliot Jr. during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, August 2, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons at Fifth Third Field.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region who are battling serious medical conditions with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each honoree gets to take a lap around the bases at Fifth Third Field during a sold-out Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

Brian’s Story

From the moment Brian was born, he had difficulties digesting formula. His pediatrician was concerned he wasn’t getting the appropriate nutrition he needed to thrive. The hospital ran some routine tests and quickly diagnosed Brian with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. An inherited condition, it affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive fluids. These secreted fluids are normally thin and slippery. But in cystic fibrosis, the secretions become thick and sticky, which can prevent the release of digestive enzymes that allow the body to break down food and absorb vital nutrients, among other things.

When Brian was younger, he was in the hospital for severe complications a few times. Four years ago, Brian had a surgical procedure to provide him with a feeding tube that helps his digestive issues. Since then, he has done well gaining weight and receiving adequate nutrition. In addition, Brian has a daily routine that includes breathing treatments and a special vest he wears that vibrates to assist in breaking up any thick mucus in his lungs.

Brian has a form of cystic fibrosis that allows him to participate in many of the activities he loves. He loves gym class at school and playing baseball like his favorite team, the Cincinnati Reds. From the outside, you would never know that Brian has breathing and digestive challenges.

Brian is now 13 years old and will be in eighth grade at Urbana Junior High in the fall. He doesn’t allow cystic fibrosis to keep him down. “It’s scary sometimes, but I never give up and keep fighting. It doesn’t hold me back,” Brian said. One day, Brian would like to be a police officer so he can help better his community.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Brian’s life, including his parents Kenny and Melissa, siblings Dylan and Madalene, Dr. Wolf, and his entire medical support team. Please join us in cheering on Brian as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on August 2.dayton dragons

More Information:  The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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