The Stockton Ports held their fourth annual breast cancer awareness night on August 27 at Banner Island Ballpark. This was the most successful “Pink with the Ports” event that the Ports have hosted since beginning the fundraiser in 2007. With over 4,100 fans in attendance for the night’s game, support for St. Joseph’s was overwhelming.
This event hit close to home with the Ports this year. Becki Scarsone, wife of Ports manager Steve Scarsone, is a recent breast cancer survivor, and has early self-detection and the overwhelming love and support of family and friends to thank for her recovery. The goal of the “Pink with the Ports” event was to raise as much money possible for St. Joseph’s Foundation Breast Health Services. The Ports also wanted to stress the importance of catching cancer early, and that doing self-exams could make all of the difference.
Prior to the game against the San Jose Giants, the Ports hosted a “Bombs 4 Bombs Home-Run-a-thon” to help raise even more money for St. Joseph’s. This event was a first for the Ports. Both teams gathered on the field to participate in a friendly home run competition. Each team consisted of about 15 people, and everyone was thrown 10 pitches each. Pledges were made by fans and Ports Alumni prior to the event, so every home run hit earned money for St. Joseph’s Medical Center. Former Oakland Athletics hall-of-famer Rickey Henderson participated in the event, and dance team members from the University of the Pacific were on the field dressed in pink dance tops cheering on both teams.
One dollar from every ticket sold to that night’s game was donated to the foundation’s breast health services. Ports players and coaches also wore special pink jerseys, belts, and socks. The jerseys were auctioned off after the game and that money was also given to St. Joseph’s. Another unique fundraiser that the Ports hosted weeks leading up to Pink Night consisted of selling pink paper baseballs for $1. Messages were written on the baseballs and were made into a “Pink Wall” that was displayed at the front of the ballpark on “Pink Night”. Ports players and coaches also donated memorabilia that was used in a raffle to benefit St. Joseph’s.
