Twins Reach Out To Blue Wahoos, Help Out Community In Time Of Need

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In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sally on Sept. 16, the Minnesota Twins reached out to their Double-A affiliate in Pensacola.

A $10,000 donation was on the way to help the community.

Dave St. Peter, the Twins president, contacted Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer last week, following the hurricane’s destructive wrath in the Pensacola area.

“He said, ‘We want to do something, can you find out how we can help.’ And so, I started thinking of the right way,” Studer said. “Instead of saying, ‘Oh we have stadium damage, send the money here,’ I wanted to find out what’s the best way to contribute .

“I did some digging and what I kept hearing is the United Way of West Florida seems to be the right place, because they will make sure it is utilized in the best way.”

Studer connected the Twins with Laura Gilliam, president and chief executive officer of the United Way of West Florida. Alex Hassan, the Twins’ director of player development finalized the contribution.

In a thank you note to St. Peter, Gilliam wrote, “We are grateful for this generous donation from the Minnesota Twins. It will be put to good use to help individuals in our community recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sally.”

The effects of Hurricane Sally on the Pensacola community have been extensive. The eyewall of the slow-moving category two hurricane sat over the community overnight, dumping over two feet of rain and subjecting buildings, trees, and structures to sustained winds that reached 100 miles per hour.

Power was knocked out for hundreds of thousands of citizens and damage totals to homes and businesses are still being calculated. Early estimates place the damage totals well over $30 million and parts of the community remain without power a week after the storm.

Studer said two of the first people to contact him last week, once the storm has passed, were Major League Baseball’s executive office and the Twins executive office, which is directed by team owner Jim Pohlad.

“Both of them asked if there was anything we need,” Studer said. “Mr. Pohlad and the whole Twins organization, they are just so community oriented. It’s the same way in Minneapolis when you look at all the great things they do in their city.

Johnny TinCap Joins Fight Against Breast Cancer, Teams with Rival

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FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Fort Wayne TinCaps mascot Johnny TinCap is joining the fight against breast cancer. As part of the American Cancer Society’s “Real Men Wear Pink of Fort Wayne” campaign, Johnny is raising money and awareness to help save lives from breast cancer.

For an added incentive, Johnny is competing against the South Bend Cubs’ mascot, Stu, to see who can raise more money. Johnny and Stu have agreed that whoever comes up short in their challenge will have to wear the opposing team’s gear for a day with proof shared on social media.

Neither Johnny nor Stu could be reached for comment. However, through a team spokesperson, Johnny said, “Everyone knows my favorite colors are TinCaps green and red, but for October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’ll be rocking pink. That’s because breast cancer affects everyone, not just women. The American Cancer Society is helping people take steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer or find it early, when it’s easier to treat. I’m glad my friend Stu is teaming up with me to support this important cause.”

Johnny TinCap is one of 11 Fort Wayne area community leaders fundraising for the American Cancer Society (ACS). Donations will be counted through Nov. 2.

The ACS says it’s in need of help now more than ever. Since February, mammograms have declined by 87%, which can delay an important diagnosis for women. COVID-19 will likely reduce the American Cancer Society’s ability to fund cancer research by 50% in 2020 if current trends continue.

In addition to more than 240,000 women, the ACS notes that thousands of men also are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States every year.

Despite the 2020 Minor League Baseball season being lost, the TinCaps have remained committed to community service. Through “IN This Together” t-shirt sales, the team donated $10,000 to the Parkview Foundations in August as a way of expressing appreciation for healthcare workers during the fight against COVID-19. In a similar fashion, the TinCaps have rallied their fans to donate meals to local healthcare workers. Meanwhile, Parkview Field has also served as a food distribution site for Community Harvest Food Bank and Aging & In-Home Services. The ballpark continues to host other events for non-profits as well.

TENNESSEE SMOKIES ANNOUNCE 2020 YOUTH CAMP REGISTRATION

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SEVIERVILLE – The Tennessee Smokies have announced that the club will host a two day youth baseball camp specifically designed for 7-12 year olds on October 24 and 25, 2020. The camp will be led by former professional Major League Baseball Player and 2009 Chicago Cubs organization Pitcher of the Year, Casey Coleman.

Focus will be on ‘learning the game.’ Campers will take part in drills on pitching, hitting, fielding, base running, and the fundamentals of baseball. Participants can also look forward to individual drills and advice, batting inside of the Smokies Performance Center with the state-of-the-art HitTrax Data and Capture Simulation System, as well as playing baseball games on the field of Smokies Stadium.

“We are eager to host this great opportunity for local young athletes,” said Tennessee Smokies General Manager Tim Volk. “Involvement in this camp can extremely benefit each player’s skills and give them a once in a lifetime experience at Smokies Stadium.”

The fee to register is $125, and is good for both days of the camp. An official camp t-shirt and lunch will be provided.

For more information and to register for the Smokies Youth Camp taking place at Smokies Stadium, visit smokiesbaseball.com/youthcamp or contact [email protected].

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES

The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com

Non-Profit Hero of the Week: Least Of These

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — In 2019, over 1 million pounds of food came through the Least Of These food pantry and into the hands of Christian County residents.

During the COVID-19 pandemic this year, that number has only increased.

Least Of These is the only full-service food pantry serving Christian County—one of the fastest growing counties in Missouri—and the cities of Nixa and Ozark, serving over 850 families a month in a normal year.

But due to the impacts of COVID-19, this year has seen an increase of 32% in families requesting assistance. That increased need has increased the pantry’s food distribution by 116% over last year.

The staff at Least Of These, which is now working with far less help than at the beginning of the pandemic due to many National Guard volunteers being recalled, has continued to meet demands for hundreds of people who often must choose between paying for food or paying for rent and utilities. And that’s why they’re this week’s Non-Profit Heroes award winner, presented by American National Insurance.

You can view all of our Non-Profit Heroes at springfieldcardinals.com/heroes.

“Least Of These continues to serve the most vulnerable in our community amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” Least Of These Executive Director Kristy Carter said. “The way our clients receive food is different right now, but the amount of food and the support each family feels when dealing with us has not changed. It is our commitment to continue to serve families in need in Christian County.’

“We have created and are following an emergency response plan to help those who are faced with food insecurity. As these times are scary and unknown, we will continue to provide food and hopefully remove that fear and anxiety.”

But as the fall and winter months approach, Least Of These continues to need the help of an ever-caring Southwest Missouri community to ensure that its families receive the resources they need.

“The past couple of weeks have demonstrated that it will be difficult to raise the necessary funding to continue to provide food for families faced with food insecurity in Christian County,” Carter said. “In one day alone this week, we served 266 Christian County families and we expect those numbers to continue to increase significantly as we rapidly approach the holidays.”

Least Of These began in 1998 as a community outreach project of a Nixa-based church. Over the past two decades they have grown from providing food assistance to seven families to over 10,000.

How can you get involved?

Volunteers are such a big part of what make all of our Non-Profit Heroes, presented by American National Insurance, so great. Least Of These relies on generous food and monetary donations from the community to provide assistance to struggling families. And they also rely on volunteers.

To get involved with Least Of These, visit leastofthesefoodpantry.org.

For more on what Least of These is doing for Christian County on a daily basis, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/leastofthese.

Least Of These, Inc. is the only full-service food pantry serving Christian County. We feed around 900 families a…

Posted by Least of These, Inc. on Friday, September 18, 2020

FredNats to Unveil New History Wall Inside Ballpark on Saturday, October 3rd

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The Fredericksburg Baseball History Wall Has Been Developed in Conjunction with Germanna Community College, the Fredericksburg Area Museum & Dovetail Cultural Resource Group

FREDERICKSBURG, VA – The Fredericksburg Nationals are excited to unveil their newest element of their ballpark to fans. Located behind the batter’s eye on the centerfield concourse, the “History of Baseball in Fredericksburg” Wall presented by Germanna Community College will be 80 feet long and 12 feet high showcasing some of Fredericksburg’s richest history ranging from the civil war to the present, including some lesser known baseball factoids.

Fans will be invited to the ballpark on Saturday, Oct. 3 to see the History of Baseball in Fredericksburg Wall for themselves followed by a free showing of a movie that is to be determined by a fan vote. Gates will open at 5 p.m. to the first 1,000 fans in order to properly social distance. A ceremony to “unveil” the Wall and hear about the project will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. prior to the movie showing at 7 p.m.

The following is a sample of one panel of the display which shows the historical and educational elements of the Wall:

“The Fredericksburg Nationals are thrilled to introduce this unique element into the ballpark for baseball and history fans to enjoy.” Team Treasurer Seth Silber stated, “This project brings together the rich history of Fredericksburg and the rich history of our national pastime into one incredible display that will stand the test of time. It was only possible through the support, talents, and creativity of three incredible community partners, Germanna Community College, the Fredericksburg Area Museum, and Dovetail Cultural Resource Group – all of whom had the vision to help bring this dream to reality.”

“Baseball has mirrored social change in America and, at times, even played an important role, as it did when Jackie Robinson broke the game’s color line 73 years ago,” said Germanna President, Janet Gullickson. “We’re proud to be part of this five-year project chronicling the history of baseball in our area, along with the FredNats, Dovetail and the Fredericksburg Area Museum. And we are very happy to be working with the City and the Silber family. “

FAM President and CEO Sara Poore added: “The Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM) is very excited to have participated in the creation of the History Wall in the FredNats ballpark. What a fun project it has been. The dedication and commitment to the history of our community has been a priority to the Silber family’s relocation of the team to Fredericksburg, as evidenced by the History Pavilion. We look forward to a History Day event in Spring 2021 where the Fredericksburg Museums Council, which includes Fredericksburg Area Museum, The George Washington Foundation, Washington Heritage Museums, James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, and Gari Melchers Home & Studio, will have an opportunity to engage the public with hands- on activities that will further share the history of Fredericksburg.”

In addition to the history wall, the FAM’s future exhibition Playball! America’s Pastime will open in the museum in January. This exhibit will complement the History Wall with artifacts and stories that illustrate Fredericksburg’s long history with the game of baseball –from soldiers to sandlots to the gleaming ballfields of today!

“Dovetail Cultural Resource Group (Dovetail) is utterly thrilled to be a part of the team bringing the history of Fredericksburg baseball to the community,” Dovetail President Kerri Barile said. We began researching this topic back in 2013 when the City considered entering into a previous agreement to bring a team to town. The little bit of research we did blew us away. When the Fredericksburg Nationals began to explore Fredericksburg as their new home, Dovetail knew two things: the FredNats would be an incredible piece of our baseball story and we wanted to be a part of their adventure.”

“The teamwork on this project was incredible,” Barile said. “Dovetail took the lead on the research with FAM then creating a beautiful and monumental exhibit. Germanna backed the studies throughout the project and contributed the breathtaking History Minute videos that will be shown during the games. The FredNats, Seth Silber in particular, were the project glue. The guidance, support, and enthusiasm they provided throughout the project was infectious, and they kept the work on track despite the delays in our opening due to COVID. We hope we have succeeded in making their vision a reality!” said Barile from Dovetail.

Barile said the exhibit and videos track the legacy of baseball in the area as:

  • Union and Confederate soldiers watching each other play baseball games across the Rappahannock River. Abner Doubleday, who, according to baseball mythology, invented the game, was an officer in the Union camp and was said to have organized games there in Falmouth.
  • The beginnings of baseball teams and leagues in Fredericksburg in 1866, as troops who learned the game during the war brought it home to friends and families when hostilities ceased.
  • The world’s eyes turned to Fredericksburg in February of 1936 when Hall of Fame Washington Senators pitcher Walter Johnson recreated George Washington’s legendary silver dollar throw across the Rappahannock. In a brilliant publicity stunt, Johnson was brought to town and more than 4,000 people turned out to watch, with 90 radio stations across the country broadcasting the event live.

To view the previously released Fredericksburg Baseball History Minutes, use the following links.

The Fredericksburg Nationals are the high A affiliate of the Washington Nationals in the Carolina league. The FredNats brand new, state of the art stadium facility is located at Celebrate Virginia South on Carl D. Silver Parkway near the Fredericksburg Expo & Convention Center in Fredericksburg, VA. Stay up to date with the progress of the new ballpark facility and the team online at www.frednats.com and follow the Fredericksburg Nationals on Facebook (@FXBGNats), on Twitter (@FXBGNats), and on Instagram (@fxbgnats).

Calfee Park to host free Halloween Bash on October 23 and 24

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PULASKI, Va. – Calfee Park will host two nights of Halloween fun on Friday October 23 and Saturday October 24 with a free Halloween Bash presented by Shelor Motor Mile Growing the Future, Tru Harvest Farms, and Calfee Park Baseball. Both events are open to the public and free.

Gates open at 4:30pm each night for trick or treating with local businesses, games, costume contests, and pumpkin painting. Friday night’s activities will conclude with a 6:30pm screening of the Wizard of Oz on the videoboard, and Saturday evening will feature a showing of Hocus Pocus. Free popcorn will be provided during each movie.

The first 250 kids each night will receive a free pumpkin presented by Shelor Motor Mile. The event will cap at 1,000 people each night, and attendees will be asked to comply with social distancing requirements. Calf-E’s Kitchen will be open with full concessions for purchase each night.

If you have any questions about the Calfee Park Halloween Bash or are a local business looking to set up a booth for trick or treating, please contact Melissa Epperly at (540) 250-1732 or [email protected].

 

Tulsa County Election Board Names ONEOK Field Early-Voting Location

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The Tulsa County Election Board has announced that ONEOK Field will be used as the early voting location for the November 3rd election. ONEOK Field is normally home to the Tulsa Drillers, but it will open for three different periods for Tulsa County voters to complete ballots for the November election.

Throughout the country, several stadiums and arenas have been chosen as voting locations to help provide safe facilities for voters during the COVID pandemic.

The Tulsa County Election Board will be conducting in-person, early voting at ONEOK Field on Thursday and Friday October 29 and 30 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday October 31 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The election board is anticipating record-breaking voter participation for this three-day early voting period.

“We are pleased to announce that we will be partnering with ONEOK Field, home of the Tulsa Drillers in downtown Tulsa, as our chosen location for in-person, early voting,” said Election Board Secretary Gwen Freeman.

“The ONEOK Field location will enable Tulsa County voters to vote at a large, centrally-located venue where our staff and resources can be combined to ensure the success of our early voting teams and to assist in the implementation of CDC guidelines. These guidelines includes adequate room for large crowds and social distancing in a covered but open-air facility that helps prevent the spread of COVID. The venue is ADA compliant, has ample available parking areas, is easily accessible by public transportation and is a well-known and familiar location.”

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to ONEOK Field management and the Tulsa Drillers team for offering the voters of Tulsa County the use of their location for this event,” said Freeman.

The election board is encouraging voters to wear masks and social distance while voting.

Freeman added that since the election board we will be utilizing all available staff members to facilitate early voting at one large site, the Tulsa County Election Board will not be available for early voting but will be open for other business, including in-person absentee ballot drop-off. Absentee ballots cannot be dropped off at ONEOK Field.

It is the first time that ONEOK Field has been utilized as a voting place. It joins other sports venues in large markets that are being used in this election, including Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and the Toyota Center in Houston.

“We are thrilled to be able to make ONEOK Field available for early voting and to help provide a safe, outdoor, polling location for all voters, including those with health concerns,” said Drillers President Mike Melega. “It’s a simple, yet impactful, way that the Drillers organization can give back to a Tulsa community that has always been there for us.”

Quick facts for early in-person voting for the November 2020 Presidential Election

Location: ONEOK Field (201 N Elgin Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120)

Dates and times: Thursday, October 29, 2020 8am-6pm
Friday, October 30, 2020 8am-6pm
Saturday, October 31, 2020 9am-2pm

CANNON BALLERS HONOR HEROES THROUGH FIELD OF HONOR®

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(KANNAPOLIS, NC) – In a tribute of those whose actions made them heroes in our lives, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers bring their inaugural Field of Honor® display to Atrium Health Ballpark.

It is appropriate to honor our heroes with a display of the flag that they honored through their service and sacrifice. The Field of Honor® display of United States flags bring volunteers, residents, and visitors together as hundreds of flags are posted. This inspiring and memorable panorama of red, white, and blue is hard to describe, but once experienced it is not to be forgotten.

Each 3-foot by 5-foot flag comes with its own story and displays a tag identifying both the flag honoree and the person who sponsored the flag. Flags may be purchased to honor the memory of a veteran or current service member from any branch of service. The purchaser will be permitted to take home the flag following the conclusion of the event. This living display of heroism flies as a patriotic tribute to the strength and unity of Americans, and honors all those who are serving, have served, and have made the supreme sacrifice for our nation’s security and freedom.

The Field of Honor® will fly starting November 2nd thru November 11th. The Cannon Ballers will host an Opening Ceremony for the placing of the first flag on November 2nd at 12:00pm at Gate #1 (West Ave). The field will then be open to the public 24 hours a day for viewing and observation. Each evening, “Taps” will be played at sunset. A Closing Ceremony will be held on November 11th at 11:00AM inside of Atrium Health Ballpark with guest speakers, musical tributes, and the reading of the names of the veterans honored on the field. All ceremonies pending social distancing standards and the mandates from the Office of the Governor.

Flags are available for purchase for $40 at the Cannon Baller team store or online at www.kcballers.com. Cash, check, or credit/debit card are available.

For more information on the Field of Honor®, visit www.kcballers.com or call 704-932-3267. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to contact Ryan Pegarsch at 704-935-1529 or [email protected].

About Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers are a Minor League Baseball team of the South Atlantic League and the Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Currently located in Kannapolis, North Carolina, the team was established in 1995 as the Piedmont Phillies until 1996 when they changed their name to the Piedmont Boll Weevils.

What is Field of Honor®?
The Field of Honor® program is part of a national movement that started out as a way to commemorate the lives lost on September 11, 2001 and was founded by the Colonial Flag Foundation.

In just a short amount of time, the concept has grown and communities like ours across America are turning to Field of Honor® tributes to raise money and awareness for a growing array of causes. The Field of Honor® is a community project of remembrance, and an expression of humanity and patriotism.

Spokane Indians in the Negro Leagues

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SPOKANE, Wash. – The Negro Leagues were founded by baseball luminary Rube Foster in 1920 and ran until the 1960s. After struggling through the Great Depression, the Negro Leagues reached their zenith in the late 1930s and early 1940s with legendary players like Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige thrilling fans across the country. Finally in 1947, Jackie Robinson officially integrated the sport with the Brooklyn Dodgers and opened the door for other black players to join affiliated baseball, including six that spent time with the Spokane Indians.

Choo Choo Coleman: Clarence “Choo Choo” Coleman earned the nickname as a child for his fleet-footedness that was likened to that of a speeding train. A tremendous high school athlete, Coleman signed with the Florida State League’s Orlando C.B.’s following his graduation but received limited playing time and left the team the following year to join the Negro Leagues’ Indianapolis Clowns on a barnstorming tour of the country. He returned home to play for the Orlando Dodgers in 1959 and reached the big leagues two years later with Philadelphia after being selected by the Phillies in the Rule 5 draft. Coleman struggled with the Phillies in a brief trial and returned to Triple-A with the Spokane Indians where he produced career-highs in nearly every offensive category (.288, 13 HR, 45 RBI, .868 OPS). He was on the move again the following season after being selected by the New York Mets in the expansion draft and performed admirably for a 120-loss squad (.250, 6 HR, 17 RBI in 55 games). Coleman spent parts of two more seasons with the Mets before retiring from organized baseball following the 1969 season.

Nap Gulley: A member of the Negro League Wall of Fame, Nap Gulley was a talented pitcher that also played in the outfield for the Kansas City Monarchs, Chicago American Giants, Birmingham Black Barons, and Cleveland Buckeyes. He won the Negro League World Series with Cleveland in 1945 and threw a no-hitter against a team of combined major and minor league all-stars the following season. Nap joined the Spokane Indians, who were part of the Class B Northwest League at the time, at the age of 30 in 1955 and had a terrific season, posting a .361 average with 18 home runs in 127 games. Gulley played his last season of organized baseball the following season with the Salinas Packers of the California League.

David Hoskins: A top Negro League pitcher and dangerous hitter at the plate, Hoskins teamed up with Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and Buck Leonard to form one of baseball’s most fearsome lineups for the Homestead Grays. Hoskins’ talent drew the attention of MLB teams and he earned a tryout for the Red Sox and Braves along with Jackie Robinson and Sam Jethroe in 1945 (Hoskins was unfortunately unable to attend due to injury). He spent two more years in the Negro Leagues before becoming the first black player in the Class-A Central League with the Grand Rapids Jets in 1949, dealing with racial taunts from the stands and fastballs aimed at his head from opposing pitchers. Despite the adversity, Hoskins hit .393 and showed that he was more than capable of competing against white players. After returning to the Negro Leagues for a season with the Louisville Buckeyes, Hoskins signed with the Dallas Eagles and became the first black player in the Texas League in 1952. He was once again the subject of taunts and death threats but it didn’t affect his performance on the field, where he went 22-10 with a 2.12 ERA. Hoskins reached the majors in 1953 with the Cleveland Indians and held his own with a 9-3 record and 3.99 ERA. The highlight of that season came on August 21 when Hoskins matched up against Satchel Paige–the first time two African-American pitchers faced off in an MLB game. Despite his strong showing, Hoskins made just 14 appearances for the Indians the next season in what would be his final year in the big leagues. Hoskins bounced around the minor leagues after that, landing with the Spokane Indians in 1959 where he went 2-2 with a 2.47 ERA in eight games. He would pitch one more season in the minors before retiring to his farm in Michigan.

Don Newcombe: Newcombe spent two years with the Negro League’s Newark Eagles before embarking on an historic MLB career with the Dodgers, Reds, and Indians. The towering right-hander was named Rookie of the Year for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949 after finishing 17-8 with a 3.17 ERA and league-leading five shutouts, also becoming the first black pitcher to start a World Series game that same year. He earned All-Star nods the next two seasons (leading the league in strikeouts in 1951) before serving in the Korean War from 1952-53. He struggled in his return to Brooklyn the following season but rebounded with 20 wins and a World Series title in 1955. Newcombe had a season for the ages in 1956, posting a 0.989 WHIP and winning 27 games to earn league MVP and baseball’s first-ever Cy Young Award (which was awarded to only one pitcher in all of baseball at the time). “Newk” spent two more seasons with the Dodgers before finishing out his big league career with the Reds (1958-60) and Indians (1960). He signed with the Dodgers and attempted a big league comeback with the Spokane Indians in 1961 (where he was teammates with fellow Negro League alum Curt Roberts) but struggled to a 4.96 ERA over 25 games. Newcombe, always a good hitter for a pitcher, wrapped up his playing career as a first baseman/outfielder alongside Larry Doby for Japan’s Chunichi Dragons in 1962.

Curt Roberts: A slick-fielding second baseman and shortstop, Roberts opened his career with a Kansas City Monarchs team that featured Negro League luminaries Elston Howard, Buck O’Neil, and Satchel Paige. He played for the Monarchs from 1947-50 before spending the next three seasons with the Western League’s Denver Bears after signing with the Boston Braves. Roberts reached the majors with Pittsburgh in 1954 (Denver became a Pittsburgh affiliate in 1952), becoming the first black player to suit up for the Pirates. He spent three seasons in the Steel City and his Spanish fluency is credited with helping a young Roberto Clemente adjust to life in the big leagues. Roberts struggled to hit with the Pirates and never returned to the majors after 1956, spending the next seven seasons in the minors including 1960-61 with Spokane; hitting .290 and .307 while continuing to provide solid defense up the middle. He would spend two seasons in the minor leagues before retiring in 1963.

Herbert Simpson: An important part of minor league baseball’s integration on the West Coast, Simpson started his career with the Homestead Grays before being drafted for WWII. After serving for four years in Germany, Simpson returned to play for the Seattle Steelheads, Harlem Globetrotters, and Chicago American Giants before becoming the first black player in the Western International League with the Spokane Indians in 1952. The Indians went 91-64 that season with Simpson hitting .282 at the plate while spending time at first base and in the outfield. Simpson joined the Albuquerque Dukes the followng season and became the first black player in the West Texas-New Mexico League. He starred with the Dukes for three seasons, hitting .344 in 1952 and .372 in 1953, before retiring from the sport in 1954.

About the Spokane Indians

The Spokane Indians are the High-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies located in Spokane, Washington, and were named the 2021 MiLB Organization of the Year. Avista Stadium is home to the $5 Kids Bench Seat courtesy of MultiCare. Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE. The Spokane Indians office and team store hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.


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Nashville Sounds Announce Virtual 5K Presented by First Horizon

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The Nashville Sounds Postseason Run presented by First Horizon is now open for registration to participants around the world. The virtual 5K (3.1 miles) run will start on Tuesday, September 29 and end at the conclusion of the 2020 World Series. Registration options can be found at www.nashvillesounds.com/run.

For $40, all participants will be able to submit times throughout MLB’s postseason and in return receive the official run t-shirt, official run hat, finisher medal, a downloadable finisher’s certificate, and an invite to a post-run gathering at Germantown’s Bar with a Ballpark, Third and Home, on Saturday, October 31.

Runners will participate in one of the following age brackets with winners recognized from each:

Male Runners

  • 14 and under
  • 15-19
  • 20-29
  • 30-39
  • 40-49
  • 50-59
  • 60-69
  • 70+

Female Runners

  • 14 and under
  • 15-19
  • 20-29
  • 30-39
  • 40-49
  • 50-59
  • 60-69
  • 70+

The Nashville Sounds will provide course maps around the city of Nashville, playlists, and prizes for registered participants throughout the race period.

In addition to receiving an invite to the post-run gathering, all participants will be able to use their finisher’s certificate for one complimentary Michelob Ultra (21 and older) or Pepsi fountain soda (under 21) at Third and Home during the month of October.

The Nashville Sounds are the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play at First Horizon Park. The 2021 Minor League Baseball Schedule will be announced at a later date.

Blue Wahoos’ Employees Available To Lend A Hand At Local Non-Profits

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In their season without baseball, the Blue Wahoos were still able to spend the summer bringing the community into the ballpark.

Through varied events, the Wahoos worked to provide an outlet for families in the community to enjoy a safe, affordable night out while most other entertainment options were limited due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. All-in-all, the team held over 130 community events during the months they would have been playing baseball in a regular year.

With school back in session, the team transitioning into their would-be off-season, and many of the restrictions lifted across the community, the Blue Wahoos are again pivoting to help the community in new ways.

Beginning this week, the Blue Wahoos have made their staff available to help local non-profit organizations across Pensacola.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to meet our mission to make a difference in our community by reaching out area non-profit organizations,” said Anna Striano, the Blue Wahoos merchandise manager and community relations coordinator, who is directing efforts for staff help to area organizations.

“Everybody has been so appreciative of what we have been doing here at the stadium with our events and we’re so thankful for the support of our community. This is an opportunity for us to reach out and take it a step further and give people the help they are needing now.”

Area non-profits who would like to request volunteer help from the Blue Wahoos can do so by clicking this link. Through the link, registered 501c(3) non-profit organizations can supply the dates help is needed, a description of the project volunteers will help complete, and the number of helpers needed.

“Our mission as an organization is to help improve the quality of life in our community, and this is a great direct opportunity to do that,” team president Jonathan Griffith said. “A Minor League Baseball team has people on its staff with such varied skills, from groundskeeping to sales to website building to graphic design to event planning. We’re confident we can help find a staff member with the right skills to help local organizations no matter the project.”

The volunteer effort meets a quest by team owners Quint and Rishy Studer when they announced their decision in April to maintain full employment for the front office staff. The Blue Wahoos are among just a small handful of professional sports franchises at any level that did not reduce their staff during the ongoing pandemic.

“Quint and Rishy kept all of us on, and in return, the plan has been for us to help if we can with non-profit agencies,” said Striano. “If we have available hours, we can offer our staff to do whatever a non-profit organization might need. Whatever we can do to ease some of the burden that the COVID situation has created for them. We know that a lot of non-profits have probably been hit really hard. Lay offs have affected numerous local non-profits and the pandemic has made it difficult to find needed volunteers.”

Thanks to the commitment by the Studers, all front office employees, trainees, and interns kept their jobs for the season.

“It has been incredible to watch (the Studers) lay out and live out the mission they set for the organization,” Striano said. “In Minor League Baseball, and this being a smaller business industry, you get to know a lot of people working with other teams. Watching many of my friends in this industry be furloughed or lose their job entirely was heartbreaking and made me incredibly grateful for the opportunities we have here. It’s special to be with the Blue Wahoos.”

Non-Profit Hero of the Week: SeniorAge

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — From the very beginning of COVID-19’s impact in the United States and around the world, the most vulnerable population has been our seniors.

Suddenly, people couldn’t hug—or even visit—their parents or grandparents. Couldn’t offer them help on a daily basis.

Here in Southwest Missouri, SeniorAge filled that void in a big way. And they’re this week’s Non-Profit Heroes award winner, presented by American National Insurance.

Since 1973, SeniorAge has been serving thousands upon thousands of seniors in 17 counties in our region, primarily serving those aged 60 years and older and serving based on need—not income. The work they do plays a key role in a senior’s ability to remain independent and live at home.

In a normal year, part of that work includes serving over 1 million meals to seniors through home delivery and in their dining rooms.

But when COVID-19 hit and transitioned into a worldwide pandemic that reached us here in Missouri, SeniorAge was forced to close its senior centers to the public.

Yet the rate of meals and the volume of help only increased.

“From the beginning of the COVID interruption in mid-March when many organizations were forced to close their operations to the public, SeniorAge worked diligently to ensure seniors in our 17-county service area continued to receive meals and services that kept them safe in their homes,” SeniorAge Marketing Director Juli Jordan said.

Since the shutdown began back in March, SeniorAge has provided over 750,000 meals to seniors at no cost—maintaining home delivery and instituting a no-contact drive-thru program.

“Our home-delivered meal program nearly doubled in volume to serve vulnerable seniors who could not get out for groceries and food,” Jordan said. “And our telephone reassurance program saw an increase in customers who wanted a friendly phone call and wellness check. Seniors have come to trust us for guidance, information, and direction.”

SeniorAge’s telephone reassurance program exists purely for joy and wellbeing. Seniors receive a friendly phone call from a caring staff member to check on their personal well-being and to provide a kind ear just to listen and talk.

“During a time of social distancing, seniors can often feel isolated and forgotten about,” one Non-Profit Heroes nominator wrote. “The telephone reassurance program is similar to having a best friend to talk to when times are tough.”

SeniorAge staff have made over 26,000 wellness calls to local seniors, completed nearly 5,000 tax returns at no charge, distributed over 1,100 farmers market vouchers, and provided over 42,000 units of “information and assistance” to help guide seniors through these difficult times.

They also started a text and e-mail alert program to ensure safety and inform about possible COVID-related scams, created new virtual counseling and online wellness videos, and provided transportation trips through carGO to those who needed help getting to health centers.

The farmers market vouchers alone account for over $65,000 of fresh food from local farmers for seniors.

And they’ve done all of this while maintaining their full pre-pandemic staff.

“We all follow alongside our CEO Starr Kohler, who has empowered us with the confidence and resources we all need to be successful,” Jordan said. “Every employee has moved through this pandemic with compassion, courage, and an eagerness to deliver winning service at a time when so many felt alone and scared.’

“The way we operate now is a little different than six months ago, but we look forward to the day when we can safely reopen our doors to allow seniors to enjoy meals, activities, and programs among friends in one of our 36 activity centers. Until then, we will continue to do what it takes to ensure safety and security at home.”

To keep track of all of our Non-Profit Heroes, presented by American National Insurance, visit springfieldcardinals.com/heroes.

Do you want to get involved?

Volunteers are such a big part of what make all of our Non-Profit Heroes, presented by American National Insurance, so great. To get involved with SeniorAge, visit senioragemo.com/contact.

For more on what SeniorAge is doing for our region on a daily basis, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/senioragemo.

SeniorAge is located at 1735 S. Fort Ave. in Springfield, Missouri.

Chihuahuas to Host Virtual 9-1-5K Presented by Texas Gas Service

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

EL PASO – September 15, 2020 – The El Paso Chihuahuas announced today their first virtual race, the 9-1-5K presented by Texas Gas Service. Named after El Paso’s area code “915”, registration for the virtual 5K run/walk will begin today (9/15) and conclude on September 30 and will benefit the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) relief efforts.

Registration is $30 per person with proceeds benefiting the El Paso Chihuahuas Foundation. Included in the fee is a participation tee shirt and one $9 voucher for a future Monday-Wednesday 2021 Chihuahuas game. For each entry sold, one voucher will be also donated to a frontline worker who has been helping those affected by COVID-19.

Participants will have one week to complete the 5K starting on Thursday, October 1 and ending on Thursday, October 8. Each participant may choose to walk, jog, and/or run and the 5K may take place outdoors, indoors, on a treadmill, etc. Each participant’s distance must be logged using any step app on any device (not included in the entry fee and is at participant’s own cost) and a photo of the distance must be submitted to info@epchihuahuas.com with the headline “9-1-5K Completed.”

Participants are also encouraged to take photos and tag @epchihuahuas on social media with the hashtag “#EP915K” for a chance to be featured on the respective Chihuahuas accounts.

Availability is limited and the event is expected to sell out. Fans may register HERE. Additional online fees may apply. Tee shirts will be mailed and/or available for pick up on a future date.

The El Paso Chihuahuas Foundation was established in 2014 to create a positive financial and cultural impact on families and children in the community through creative programs and events.

For more information, visit epchihuahuas.com, text (915) 533-BASE or email info@epchihuahuas.com.

Iowa Cubs to Host Naturalization Ceremony at Principal Park

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

On Thursday, September 17 — Constitution Day — the United States Citizenship and Immigration services, Des Moines Field Office, will hold a naturalization ceremony with the Southern District of Iowa, Des Moines Federal court, on the field at Principal Park.

The ceremony for 75 candidates — representing 32 different countries — will begin at 11 a.m.

The public is invited to attend the free event — which replaces the traditional July 4 pre-game ceremony as the Iowa Cubs 2020 season was canceled. Per the City of Des Moines guidelines, masks will be required for attendees.The Iowa Cubs first hosted a citizenship ceremony in 2009. It is now an annual event, with 327 new citizens welcomed during the first 11 years. [Earlier this summer, Principal Park hosted an informal Citizenship Week, June 22-26, when 487 new citizens were naturalized in a drive-thru process outside the stadium.]

The nation observes Constitution Day and Citizenship Day as part of Constitution Week. The commemoration honors the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. Iowa schools were the first to recognize Constitution Day, in 1911. Nationwide observance began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day.” Citizenship Day began in 1952, based on a law signed by President Harry Truman, and in 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed the first Constitution Week.

Former and Current Owners of the Visalia Rawhide Baseball Club Team up to Donate $250,000 to the Visalia and Tulare County Community

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

VISALIA, CA- The former and current owners of the Visalia Rawhide have jointly contributed $250,000 to establish the Visalia Rawhide Charitable Fund at the Central Valley Community Foundation to serve the community where Visalia Rawhide fans live, work and play.

“The Visalia community provided great support over our 18 years with the Rawhide ballclub,” said Tom Seidler, former Rawhide co-owner and President of Top of the Third, Inc. “We are excited to have the opportunity to give back to the community during this time of great need, in partnership with the Rawhide and the Sigal family. I can’t think of a better way to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Rawhide championship than this effort to help many families in need through these two grants.”

To support families with childcare costs, food, distance learning supplies, and other essential services, an initial grant from the new fund of $50,000 has been donated to First 5 which supports six family resource centers, including the Visalia Family Resource Center. During the COVID pandemic, family resource centers in Tulare County are experiencing, on average, a 50% increase in the number of calls for assistance, many from families that have never sought help before.

A second $50,000 grant will help fund The Healthy Harvest Program in Tulare County. The local ag industry is essential and has continued the food production we all rely upon. This new program expands messaging to the Valley’s food production industry about coronavirus safety. It will provide access to testing, house workers who need to self-isolate and provide food and transportation to make quarantine possible. These are essential steps to stop the spread of the virus throughout the community.

“It takes all of us coming together to make a difference in this national crisis”, said Sam Sigal, current co-owner of the Rawhide and Vice President of First Pitch Entertainment, LLC. “ The Healthy Harvest Program is a partnership that brings together state, federal, industry, and philanthropic dollars.” Among the agencies that support The Healthy Harvest Program are the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Tulare County, and the Tulare Farm Bureau.

“It is an honor to team up with the Central Valley Community Foundation, The Family Resource Centers, and the Healthy Harvest Program, said Sam. “Although professional baseball is in a pause due to the pandemic, we look forward to many enjoyable seasons in the years ahead. For now, the health of the people of Visalia and the surrounding area is our focus.”

In April, at the beginning of the pandemic, the Sigal family donated over $30,000 to support Central Valley non-profits. In collaboration with the Central Valley Community Foundation, support was directed to emergency relief funds, food bank distribution efforts and local hospitals.

“The Visalia Rawhide has been an iconic presence in Tulare County by tipping its hat to the Ag industry that propels our community. And by stepping up to help financially support our Healthy Harvest program, the Community Care Coalition in Tulare County can bring much needed supportive services to our farmworkers and their families affected by COVID-19,” said Coalition Co-Chairs Rosemary Caso, Executive Director of United Way Tulare County and Francena Martinez, Division Manager, Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency. “We applaud their efforts in making sure this critical program is available to those that need it.”

For more information about the efforts of the Central Valley Community Foundation in the fight against the Coronavirus, contact Hannah McAbee ([email protected])

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The Visalia Rawhide are a professional baseball team in the Class A Advanced California League and are the only professional sports team in Tulare and Kings counties. The team has been an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2007 and will be celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Minor League Baseball in Visalia in 2021. The Rawhide look to continue their reputation for hosting competitive baseball while providing affordable family entertainment and defending the 2019 California League Championship. For more information, please contact the Visalia Rawhide Front Office at 559.732.4433, visit us online at rawhidebaseball.com, or follow us on Facebook (TheRawhide), Instagram (@VisaliaRawhide), and Twitter (@VisaliaRawhide).