‘Topes Host Over 100 Participants for Youth Baseball Clinic

The Albuquerque Isotopes hosted 112 participants in their first of two annual Youth Baseball Clinics on Saturday morning at Isotopes Park.

Follow an opening reception from the Isotopes team, Manager Lorenzo Bundy, hitting coach John Valentin, pitching coach Glenn Dishman, strength and conditioning coach Brandon McDaniel; pitchers Stephen Fife, Blake Johnson, Derrick Loop, Scott Rice, Will Savage, Cole St. Clair; infielders Joe Becker and Tyler Henson, and outfielders Jerry Sands and Brian Cavazos-Galvez offered one-on-one instructions to kids ages 5-15 on a variety of baseball fundamentals.

Clinic participants were divided into groups and rotated through a series of stations including; throwing, bullpen, outfield, conditioning, infield, and hitting. Each station ran nearly 30 minutes to provide ample opportunity for each participant to fully take part in all of the baseball action.

After each group had a chance to try each station, those in attendance were served lunch courtesy of McDonald’s in the picnic pavilion. ‘Topes players and coaches concluded the clinic by spending time with the participants and signing autographs.

Free Youth Baseball Clinic at Bowen Field

Jays players and staff to teach the game to all kids 6-16 on July 28

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All kids ages 6-16 are invited to come to Bowen Field with the Bluefield Blue Jays players and staff on Saturday, July 28th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a free baseball clinic. Signing up for the event takes place at 9:30 a.m. the day of the clinic for no cost. After learning about the game from the pros, all participants will receive a hot dog and a drink after the clinic.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Bluefield Blue Jays. Click here to view the original story.

Connecticut Tigers Assist Local “Non-Profit”

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NORWICH- The Connecticut Tigers will be partnering with “Bikes For Kids” in hosting a bike drive prior to and during the game on Saturday, July 21st between Tigers and the Lowell Spinners, the New York-Penn League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox at 7:05 PM. The gates will open at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 21.

Bikes For Kids is a Connecticut-based non-profit organization that provides bicycles and equipment to children and families in need. The organization focuses its donations locally in Connecticut, but has also given bicycles and equipment to Haiti, Africa and various causes from around the United States.

Bikes For Kids was founded by the late Chuck Graeb in 1989. Graeb founded the organization on the idea that “every child should be able to experience the enjoyment of owning and riding their own bicycle.” Upon Graeb’s passing in 2009, current president David Fowler assumed leadership of the organization. “We put people on wheels that would either be walking or not really going anywhere at all,” said Fowler.

Representatives from Bikes For Kids will have a table set up on the concourse behind the press box during the game collecting new to slightly-used bikes, new helmets and other new or slightly-used equipment.

The organization reached 13,000 bicycles donated in November of 2011 and has already collected 700 bikes in the 2012 calendar year. With the assistance of the Tigers and the bike drive at Dodd Stadium, Bikes For Kids hopes to surpass a total of 14,000 bicycles donated by the end of the month.

The Connecticut Tigers are the Class-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and play in the New York-Penn League. The Tigers saw a 23% increase in attendance in 2011 (the 4th highest in Minor League Baseball), and are entering their 3rd season at Dodd Stadium. The Box Office is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition, tickets can be purchased over the phone at (860) 887-7962. For more information go online to cttigers.com.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Connecticut Tigers. Click here to view the original story.

Collection for a Cause, $1 Tickets

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The Hudson Valley Renegades are teaming up with local non-profits for “Collection for a Cause” days throughout the 2012 season. On the selected days, the Renegades are asking fans to donate the selected items in exchange for $1 General Admission Tickets.

Monday, July 30: Elant – organization is asking for the following items; Word Search, Crosswords, Puzzle Books, Large Print Hardcover Books Nail Polish, White Tube Socks, Playing Cards, CD’s and DVD’s (new), $5 Gift Cards for Walmart or Target..

Thursday, August 9: Gifts From the Heart For Downs: – organization is asking for unused/gently used sneakers that are used to support wishes for those with Downs.

Wednesday, August 22: ARCS – organization in need of Toiletries/Personal Hygiene Products.

Tuesday, August 28: Ronald McDonald House Charities -The Ronald McDonald House will be accepting gift cards from food, office supplies, home improvement stores, etc. to help their families in need.

Items may be dropped off at the Hudson Valley Renegades Ticket Office in exchange for a $1 General Admission Tickets for the “Collection For A Cause” selected date.

For questions, contact the Renegades Ticket Office at 845-838-0094.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Hudson Valley Renegades. Click here to view the original story.

Syracuse Chiefs to host Breast Cancer Awareness Night on Friday, July 20

Event will raise money for the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY

Syracuse, NY- The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, are proud to announce the club will host its second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Alliance Bank Stadium on Friday, July 20, when the Chiefs host the Norfolk Tides. All money raised from the event will be donated to the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of Central New York, which gives $250,000 worth of grants to SUNY Upstate Medical every year for breast cancer research.

All fans are invited to attend a “Pink Cocktail Party” in Alliance Bank Stadium’s Hank Sauer Room with Carol M. Baldwin and her son, actor Billy Baldwin. Admission to the party is $50 per person and includes dinner, a game ticket, and parking pass. The Baldwin mother-son duo will throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch as well.

“As an organization, we’re glad to support such a worthy cause like the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of Central New York,” Chiefs General Manager John Simone said. “Hopefully, even if it’s only in small way, we can contribute to finding a cure.”

In keeping with the theme of Breast Cancer Awareness Night, Chiefs players and coaches will don pink and black jerseys and hats for the 7:00pm game with the Tides. Some players will also wear pink batting gloves and use pink bats and mitts. Additionally, Alliance Bank Stadium’s Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Awareness merchandise cart will be set up, as it is for every Chiefs home game, to sell Pink bracelets, t-shirts, flip-flops, lanyards, and rings.

“The most important part of the fund is that 100% of the money that we raise locally stays locally and goes to research so that we can find a cure,” said Laurence Segal, a Chiefs employee and Carol M. Baldwin Fund volunteer.

Last year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Alliance Bank Stadium raised $6,000 for breast cancer research. In total, the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY has fundraised more than $7 million for research.

“The Baldwin Family and the Simone Family are coming together with two passions,” said Elizabeth Baldwin, executive director of the fund. “One is baseball and the other is finding the cure for breast cancer, so that together we will find a cure.”

For more information on Breast Cancer Awareness Night, contact Laurence Segal with the Chiefs at 315-474-7833. Tickets to the “Pink Cocktail Party” and all Syracuse Chiefs home games, can be purchased in person at the Chiefs ticket office at Alliance Bank Stadium, by calling 315-474-7833, or online at SyracuseChiefs.com.

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

Marauders Reward Commitment to Reading

Enjoy the summer with books, baseball and pizza

Bradenton-MaraudersThe Bradenton Marauders have launched the Marauders Reading Scores Program to get Manatee County children reading this summer. Manatee County elementary school students that read four books and complete a Reading Scores card provided by the Marauders can redeem the card for a free ticket to a Marauders game and a coupon for one free 10-inch small cheese pizza from Papa John’s.

The Marauders Reading Scores Program is presented by Papa John’s Pizza, the Bradenton Herald, the Manatee Education Foundation, and the School District of Manatee County. Reading Scores cards are available at McKechnie Field, the front desk at Pirate City, and Manatee County libraries.

Manatee-Cnty-SchoolsEach time a child reads a book, he or she can color in one base on their Marauders Reading Scores card, write the book’s title in the assigned space under the base, and have a parent or guardian sign the form. After reading their fourth book of the summer, home plate can be colored in and the card is ready to be exchanged. Turn the card in at the McKechnie Field box office for a free Marauders ticket to any non-Wednesday game and a coupon for a free small chesse pizza from Papa John’s.

The Marauders Reading Scores program is part of the Bradenton Marauders’ commitment to making a positive impact in their local community. Helping children learn not only to read, but to enjoy reading, is important to improving educational success. Marty the Marauder and several Marauders players visited the Manatee County Central Library in Bradenton Monday to promote childhood reading.

“Reading is the building block of learning,” Marauders pitcher Jason Townsend said. “Everything starts with reading.”

Fellow pitcher Kenn Kasparek echoed Townsend’s sentiments.

“Read to succeed isn’t just a saying,” Kasparek said. “Reading enhances your hunger for knowledge.”

For more information about the Marauders Reading Scores Program, call 941-747-3031 or email MaraudersInfo@Pirates.com.

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

Team Urges Kids To “Hit The Books”

COLCHESTER, VT – At the Burnham Memorial Library in Colchester on June 28th, Vermont Lake Monster pitchers’ Kurt Wunderlich and Tucker Healy read to approximately 50 kids, promoting reading among children with the Lake Monsters ‘Hit the Books’ program sponsored by Price Chopper.

“It is so wonderful for the players to take time out of their schedules to read to children in different communities.” Youth Service Librarian Hannah Peters said. “I think it is important for the players to read to the kids too as it reminds them about the importance of education while pursuing your dream of being a professional athlete or any other vocation. The connection to literacy is an essential component to the program.”

Both pitchers believe that reading is an important activity for kids- Wunderlich saying that when kids read “they get to use their imagination… because sometimes they don’t have pictures.” Healy agreed with his teammate’s sentiments, saying that the “[kids’] vocabulary can grow from reading… [learning new words] and how those go together with other words and sentences.”

The ‘Hit the Books’ program, which is open to kids in kindergarten through eighth grade, calls for kids to read four books and send in an entry by August 1st. In return, the child will receive a ticket for a Lake Monsters baseball game this summer for their efforts. There is also an on-field recognition ceremony for all the kids who participated in the program on the September 1st game against the Tri-City ValleyCats.

For more information on the ‘Hit the Books’ program call the Lake Monsters at 802-655-4200. Forms may be mailed to the Lake Monsters at 1 King Street Ferry Dock, Burlington, Vermont 05401.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Vermont Lake Monsters. Click here to view the original story.

BVCHC hosts Childhood Obesity Awareness Clinic at McCoy

Pawtucket-Red-SoxThis past Saturday, June 23rd Blackstone Valley Community Health Care of Pawtucket, Rhode Island hosted children from surrounding community organizations such as Hockymock YMCA and Boy’s Town New England, among others, to attend a private baseball skills session. The theme of the day was ‘Get Active’ as BVCHC has joined in the fight against the epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States.

According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the percentage of children 6-11 who are obese in this country has risen from 7% in 1980 to nearly 20% in 2008. Similarly, in the adolescent 12-19 age group the number has risen from 5% to 18%. Healthy eating and physical activity are essential to lowering these percentages and keeping the children of this country healthy and ready for bright futures.

Hockomock-YMCA-logoOn the 23rd the children were greeted at McCoy Stadium with complimentary PawSox t-shirts commemorating that day and were soon ushered onto the field where PawSox players greeted and took them through stations that worked on pitching, fielding, and hitting skills. Pitcher Alex Wilson took up in the visitor’s bullpen to teach the basics on different pitch grips and wind-up mechanics. Infielder Tony Thomas went over some basic batting stances and how to “squish the bug” with your back foot and use the core for a powerful swing. Finally infielder Jon Hee took out a fungo bat, hit the participants some grounders and reminded everyone to look the ball all the way into their gloves.

Boys-Town-New-England-logoAfter the physical part of the camp was over the players took the time to sign anything and everything for the kids including t-shirts, bats, balls, and gloves. To wrap things up the kids were fed a healthy lunch of salad, grilled chicken, baked potato, corn on the cob and watermelon. Every child who participated was also encouraged to come back for the game at 6:05pm that evening when the Pawtucket Red Sox hosted the Louisville Bats. Two reserved box seats were presented to each child, again, courtesy of BVCHC.

Blackstone Valley Community Health Care was inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move’ campaign that has similar interests in raising a generation of healthy kids. You can find more information about this movement at www.letsmove.gov. Please also visit Blackstone Valley Community Health Care’s website www.blackstonechc.org.

PawSox BVCHC 2012
PawSox infielder, Jon Hee instructs the kids at the Blackstone Valley Community Health Care Clinic.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Pawtucket Red Sox.  Click here to view the original story.

PawSox Wives Strike Out Hunger Food Drive, July 16

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The Pawtucket Red Sox Wives are having a Food Drive on Monday, July 16. Bring 2 boxes of pasta to the game and receive an Autograph Action Photo of a PawSox Player.

For more information, call (401)724-7300.

Click Here For More Information

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Pawtucket Red Sox. Click here to view the original story.

Saturday is Prostate Cancer Awareness Night

All-Star Luis Gonzalez among honored guests

The Yakima Bears will host Prostate Cancer Awareness Night during a 7:05 game against the Tri-City Dust Devils at Yakima County Stadium on Saturday. The event is sponsored by Washington Hematology-Oncology and will feature some special appearances and a fireworks extravaganza.

The Bears parent club, the Arizona Diamondbacks will be sending former Major League All-Star Luis Gonzalez to the game along with team President and CEO Derrick Hall. Gonzalez, whose 19-year Major League career was highlighted by a game-winning hit for the Diamondbacks in game seven of the 2001 World Series, will sign autographs on the concourse from 6:15 to 6:45 that evening. Hall, who has been team president since 2006, will speak to the audience before the game about his own battle with prostate cancer last year.

Following the game, there will be a fireworks show courtesy of the night’s sponsor, Dr. Al Brady of Washington Hematology-Oncology.

Single game tickets are available at the downtown Bears office at 17 N. 3rd Street, Suite 101, by calling (509) 457-5151, and online at yakimabears.com.

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

Legends David Barry awarded the Boy Scouts North Star Award

The award is given for distinguished service by a non-registered Boy Scouts supporter.

Lexington Legends Box Office Manager recently was presented the Boy Scouts of America North Star Award from the Blue Grass Council BSA.
Lexington Legends Box Office Manager recently was presented the Boy Scouts of America North Star Award from the Blue Grass Council BSA.

LEXINGTON, KY – On Saturday, June 16 the Blue Grass Council of the Boy Scouts of America presented David Barry, the Lexington Legends Box Office Manager, with the North Star Award. The North Star Award is a high-level award presented by councils on the behalf of the National Court of Honor for non-registered volunteers who have made a significant contribution to Scouting. This is the first time the North Star Award has been presented by the Blue Grass Council to a local citizen. David has been a member of the Lexington Legends Front Office staff since 2003 working in various positions within the Legends Box Office. David has been the main contact for the Blue Grass Council of the Boy Scouts of America and has organized the highly popular Boy Scout Campouts at Whitaker Bank Ballpark since 2005. David has also helped raise funds for the Friends of Scouting campaign and coordinated various Big L appearances at camps and other events.

“David has been a valuable member of the Legends team for almost a decade now, and as evident by this award his great work extends far beyond Whitaker Bank Ballpark. All Legends staff members are encouraged to be active participants in our community and with causes that are important to them. No one exemplifies that any more than David, and we’re thrilled for him to receive the North Star Award.” Seth Poteat, General Manager of the Lexington Legends.

David is an avid outdoorsman and was with Troop 71 in Middletown, KY from 1990 to 1997, earning the Eagle Scout Award in 1997.

To learn more about the Blue Grass Council of the Boy Scouts of America, visit their website at www.bgbsa.org/.

To learn more about the North Star Award, visit the Boy Scouts of America website at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards_Central/NorthStar.aspx.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lexington Legends. Click here to view the original story.

Join the Senators to Bowl for Kids’ Sake

Bowl with your favorite player in first ever bowling event

Harrisburg, PA – What could be more fun than bowling with your favorite Harrisburg Senators player, nothing! The good news for all of you bowlers and just people that enjoy bowling, you’re in luck! On Sunday, July 22, the Senators are Bowling For Kids’ Sake.

Following the game that day against New Britain at 2:00 p.m., the Senators head to the Red Crown Bowling Center.  The bowling event takes place from 7:00 p.m. to approximately 9:00 p.m.  Each participant bowls two games with a player or member of the coaching staff.  The cost is $40 per person, $100 for a team of three or $130 for a team of four. The cost includes your shoe rental, two games of bowling, food, and drinks. The event benefits the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region.

In addition to the bowling, a raffle will take place throughout the event. Each raffle ticket is $2 or a baseball bat length for $20.  The list of items is growing and all of the proceeds benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region.

This event will sell out quickly, so be sure to purchase your tickets quickly for this unique opportunity to spend time bowling with your favorite player!  Tickets are available online here or by phoning the Harrisburg Senators at 717-231-4444 and asking for Emily Winslow.

Tickets for Senators’ games are available on game days 10:00 a.m. until the end of the game, and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until the end of the game. Box office hours on non-game days are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available via telephone during the same hours as the box office hours. Tickets are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online at www.senatorsbaseball.com.

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

BCBS to “Drive Out Colon Cancer” on Sunday

Fans can enjoy a post-game frisbee toss in the outfield at Fluor Field

The Drive will wear blue jerseys and wrist bands during the game.
The Drive will wear blue jerseys and wrist bands during the game.

Hey Drive fans – Loving your colon could save your life! Find out how at the “Drive Out Colon Cancer” game sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina on June 24 at 4:05 p.m. Hear live interviews with colon cancer experts, visit an “Ask-a-doctor” station, meet colon cancer survivors, sign a pledge card to get screened and register to win a great prize!

Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in South Carolina and nationally. But it doesn’t have to be. Colon cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented through regular screening. Screening allows doctors to remove polyps – precancerous growths on the inside lining of the colon – before they become cancerous. Screening should begin at age 50, or earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors.

Stop by to learn how to prevent colon cancer and hit a home run for a healthy life! For more information on our statewide efforts to wipe out colon cancer, visit www.loveyourcolon.org.

To purchase tickets to Sunday’s game, simply call the Fluor Field Box Office at (864) 240-4528 or log onto GreenvilleDrive.com.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Greenville Drive. Click here to view the original story.

Little Leaguers benefit from visits of P-Rays Little League Caravan

P-Rays mascot, Roscoe the Rooster, entertains kids at a recent June 6 "Little League Caravan" visit to Narrows, VA (Brandon Grose)
P-Rays mascot, Roscoe the Rooster, entertains kids at a recent June 6 “Little League Caravan” visit to Narrows, VA (Brandon Grose)

In an effort to raise awareness about the Princeton Rays, as well as reach out to the region’s children and parents, P-Rays’ staff members have been spotted in many area youth ballparks this spring. The team has been doing this annually each spring since 2007 to promote the beginning of the season as a part of their annual Little League Caravan. The 2011 version of the caravan concluded with stops that included Narrows, VA on June 6, along Baileysville, WV and Alderson, WV on June 9.

With the 2012 season almost underway, the recent stops have reminded fans that a fresh, new outcropping of players are set to come to Princeton for another great year of baseball in the city.

The Little League caravans are put in place to inspire the area’s young players to pursue the sport of baseball and continue their journey through the amateur ranks. Seeing the Rays personnel and receiving memorabilia adds excitement to an otherwise already enjoyable day of playing baseball. “The kids get inspired when they see the Rays,” said Baileysville Little League parent Brandon Hall.

Alderson Little League player Bryson Ormsbee said he wanted to suit up for the Rays one day. “Yes [I would],” said Ormsbee. “And I want to play first base.” He listed his favorite player as Yankees Shortstop Derek Jeter.

Covering communities in all directions and youth leagues of all ages, the Rays also promoted their annual youth baseball camp that has been a mainstay for young ballplayers for sixteen years. The camp allows Little Leaguers ages 7 to 15 to interact with the Princeton Rays players, while gaining valuable baseball instruction in the process. It takes place on Saturday, July 28 from 9:30 A.M.- 1:00 P.M.

To get more immediate and breaking information year-round on Princeton Rays Professional Baseball as it occurs, do not forget that the P-Rays are now on Facebook. Be sure to check out and “like” our Facebook section on our website at www.princetonrays.net. Don’t miss your opportunity to sign up for this free service! ANOTHER FREE OPPORTUNITY for you to keep up with your P-Rays is to follow the team on “Twitter” at @princetonrays or by accessing www.twitter.com/princetonrays.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Princeton Rays. Click here to view the original story.

Deatils announced for P-Rays 16th annual Youth Baseball Clinic

A long-time favorite, the 16th annual Princeton Rays Youth Baseball Clinic will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at Hunnicutt Field in Princeton, WV, home of the Princeton Rays. The clinic is open to boys and girls ages 7 to 15.

Instructors for the clinic will be 2012 P-Rays’ manager Michael Johns, his coaching staff, and several P-Rays’ players. Kids will be instructed in all facets of baseball and an autograph session will follow the clinic. Each attendee will receive a clinic tee-shirt and free admission to the P-Rays’ home game that evening (July 28) versus the Bluefield Blue Jays. Fee for the clinic is $30.00 per participant and all participants registered and paid in full by July 18, 2012 will receive their shirts on the day of the clinic. The clinic has had the same two corporate sponsors for the entire 16 years, Newberry Ford, and The Lewis Agency of Princeton.

Even now, kids can already register for the clinic. Persons needing more information on the clinic or wanting to request a registration form are asked to contact the P-Rays’ front office either by e-mail at princetonrays@frontier.com or by telephone at (304) 487-2000. The Princeton Rays are the Appalachian League minor league baseball affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.

To get more immediate and breaking information year-round on Princeton Rays Professional Baseball as it occurs, do not forget that the P-Rays are now on Facebook. Be sure to check out and “like” our Facebook section on our website at www.princetonrays.net. Don’t miss your opportunity to sign up for this free service! ANOTHER FREE OPPORTUNITY for you to keep up with your P-Rays is to follow the team on “Twitter” at @princetonrays or by accessing www.twitter.com/princetonrays.

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