Shorebirds to Support Veterans with 4th of July Game

SALISBURY, Md. — The Delmarva Shorebirds, Class-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, will host a home game this year on the 4th of July. The Shorebirds will host the Lakewood BlueClaws with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 PM. The team will wear special Patriotic jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game with the proceeds benefitting the Department of Maryland VFW Military Assistance Program. This program does many things including bringing wounded warriors from 5 area military hospitals and their families to Ocean City every June for a nice getaway. The program also helps military personnel with housing and financial management.

The Patriotic jerseys that the Shorebirds will wear will resemble an American Flag and will include military camouflage in the design. The auction set for the Patriotic jerseys on Tuesday, July 4th will be ran by Operation We Care. There will be information tables for Operation We Care where fans can give donations and receive more information about their organization.

Operation We Care is a local, all volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to supporting our military and first responders. Operation We Care has been sending care packages & supporting our military, law enforcement, and Fire/EMS departments since 2007.

“Operation We Care is a great organization that helps out the people that work so hard to protect our freedom. We are really excited to partner with them this season,” said Chris Bitters, Shorebirds General Manager. “Come on out to the game on July 4th at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium as we celebrate our country’s independence with baseball, fireworks, and helping out the ones that fought so hard for our freedom.”

The Shorebirds will host the Lakewood Blue Claws, affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, on Tuesday, July 4th with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 PM. Gates will open at 5:00 PM. After the game, the Patriotic jerseys will be awarded to the person with the highest bid and the Shorebirds will host their largest fireworks show of the season. Tickets can be purchased on www.theshorebirds.com, by calling 410-219-3112, or by stopping by the Shorebirds box office.
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The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class “A” Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Shorebirds are owned by
7th Inning Stretch, LLC, the same company that owns the Stockton Ports of the California League and the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League.

The Shorebirds celebrated their 20th season in 2015, and have entertained nearly five million fans since beginning play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md. in 1996. The team has captured South Atlantic League titles in 1997 and 2000 while successfully hosting the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in 1999 and 2011.

For more information on the Shorebirds, call 410-219-3112 or visit theshorebirds.com.

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

Perdue Farms, Delmarva Shorebirds Launch ‘2017 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva’

SALISBURY, Md. (Monday, April 24, 2017) – As part of a company commitment to fight hunger in our communities, Perdue Farms and the Delmarva Shorebirds announce the launch of the annual season-long “2017 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva” in partnership with the region’s three food banks.

To jumpstart the challenge, the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation – the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms – has issued a $15,000 challenge grant to the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank, the Food Bank of Delaware and the Eastern Shore Branch of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.

The campaign provides the forum to continue the awareness and community engagement in hunger relief that began with Perdue’s sponsorship of the 2011 South Atlantic League “Perdue Strike Out Hunger All-Star Game promotions. Since then, the Shorebirds, their fans and the food banks have embraced the challenge to provide more than 700 meal equivalents for those in need on Delmarva.

“At Perdue Farms, we believe that in a country as rich as ours, no one should have to go hungry. The Strike Out Hunger Challenge has provided a wonderful forum to raise awareness about those struggling with hunger on Delmarva,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Foundation. “We are proud to be part of this unique collaborative partnership for the greater good of the Delmarva community.”

As Jimmy Sweet, assistant general manager of the Delmarva Shorebirds, said, “The Shorebirds look forward to working again with Perdue this season to bring awareness to hunger relief in our communities and improve the quality of life for our neighbors. Since 2011, we have made major strides together to keep hunger top of mind, while generating hundreds of thousands of meals to help the hungry.”

How The ‘Challenge’ Works

The first $10,000 of the Foundation’s challenge grant will be divided equally among the three Delmarva food banks as a challenge to involve the Delmarva community in the regional fight against hunger. Each food bank must raise the equivalent of 10,000 meals in order to claim its share of the $10,000 challenge grant. Any combination of pounds of food collected, funds collected and donated, or volunteer efforts from the Shorebirds’ home opener on Wednesday, April 13, through the final game of the regular season at home on Tuesday, Sept. 4, will count toward each food bank’s challenge goal.

Perdue has also committed to donate $10 for each time a Shorebirds’ pitcher strikes out an opposing batter (up to $5,000). The $5,000 will be split equally between the three food banks.

Shorebirds Plan Promotions To Support Strike Out Hunger

The Shorebirds plan a variety of promotions to generate interest in the Strike Out Hunger Challenge at their 70 home games.

The Shorebirds have designated the season’s 11 Sunday home games as “Strike Out Hunger Sundays.” If fans bring two non-perishable food items to the stadium they can receive an upper reserved ticket to that day’s game for $3. Food collected from the 11 Sunday home games will be distributed equally among the three food banks.

In addition, food donation barrels will be located at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, making it easy for fans to help by bringing food items to the game or just stopping by the stadium.

If you, or your organization, would like to get involved in the 2017 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva, contact the Delmarva Shorebirds at 410-219-3112 or one of the three participating food banks: Maryland (410) 742-0050, Delaware (302) 424-3301 or Virginia (757) 787-2557.

About Perdue Farms
Perdue Farms is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for everyone we touch through innovative food and agricultural products. Since our beginning on Arthur Perdue’s farm in 1920, to our expansion into agribusiness and the introduction of the PERDUE® brand of chicken and turkey under Frank Perdue, and continuing with our third generation of leadership with Chairman Jim Perdue, we’ve remained family owned and family operated. We are the parent company of Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness. Through our PERDUE®, PERDUE® SIMPLY SMART®, PERDUE® HARVESTLAND®, COLEMAN PREMIUM® and COLEMAN ORGANIC® food brands; agricultural products and services; and stewardship and corporate responsibility programs, we are working to become the most-trusted name in food and agricultural products. Learn more about Perdue Farms at www.perduefarms.com.

About The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation
The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. As part of our belief in supporting the communities where and with whom we do business, the Foundation provides grants on behalf of Perdue Farms in communities where large numbers of our associates live and work. At Perdue Farms, we believe in responsible food and agriculture.®

Caption: Perdue Farms and the Delmarva Shorebirds joined food bank representatives to launch the 2017 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Hunger at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Friday, April 14. From left are Charmin Horton, branch manager of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Mike Hooks with the Maryland Food Bank, Chris Bitters, general manager of the Shorebirds, Steve Evans, president of Perdue Foods, and Chad Robinson, Milford branch manager of the Food Bank of Delaware.

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

Baysox Seek Military Hero Nominations

BOWIE, Md. – The Bowie Baysox are seeking Military Hero Nominations to be used in the Military Heroes Card Set being given away during the game Friday, July 21. Fans living in the area who know active or retired members of the Armed Forced are encouraged to fill out the nomination form on www.baysox.com.

During Military Heroes Appreciation Night Friday, July 21, the Baysox will distribute a 20-30 card set to the first 1,000 fans ages 18 and older featuring active and retired members of the Armed Forces received through the nomination process. The cards will feature photographs and information about their military careers. The Baysox will honor these veterans and/or their families in special ceremonies before and during the game. Baysox fans living in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. region who have family or friends in the military can help the Baysox honor their service by nominating them for this special card set.

“We are very excited to bring this promotion back for a fourth season,” said Baysox Assistant General Manager Phil Wrye. “With our stadium’s proximity to so many military bases, there are numerous men and women who deserve special recognition for their service to our country. This card set giveaway is another great way to honor local Military Heroes.”

In order for a nomination to be considered, all information in the online form must be completely filled out. The Bowie Baysox will make every attempt to select an even number of nominations from each branch of the service, while also attempting to include Military Heroes that have served in different decades. These are subject to the information received during the nomination process.

Nominations will only be accepted through the online form on www.baysox.com and all nominations must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Friday, Apr. 21. Following that deadline, the Baysox staff will randomly select 20-30 nominations to be included in the Military Heroes Card Set.

Military Heroes (or their families/relatives) that are included in the Baseball Card Set will be invited to attend the Bowie Baysox game on July 21 at 7:05 p.m. to take part in ceremonies before and during the game. Each selected nominee will receive four Box Seat Tickets to the game and will also receive additional instructions prior to the game date.

Questions about the nomination process can be directed via email to info@baysox.com. The nomination form can be found online at: http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20170328&content_id=72248234&fext=.jsp&sid=t418&vkey=.

The 2017 Bowie Baysox season is presented by Money One Federal Credit Union. The Baysox 2017 home opener will be Thursday, April 13 against the Harrisburg Senators at 6:35 p.m. Don’t miss out as the team prepares to celebrate its 25th Season. Baysox season tickets plans are available at www.baysoxshop.com.

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

Tides to renovate Surry County youth field

After nearly 7,500 votes were cast on the Norfolk Tides Facebook page, Surry County Pony Baseball has won a contest in which the Tides organization will renovate their baseball field. This field makeover will include an upgrade to the playing surface and an improvement to existing dugouts, with the renovations taking place in mid-April.

Surry County Pony Baseball received nearly 2,000 votes to win the contest, which consisted of nine local youth fields. Tides groundskeepers and front office staff will visit Surry to assist in renovating their field.

“We’re thrilled to offer our assistance to the people of Surry, as they demonstrated a remarkable amount of support for this contest” said Tides General Manager Joe Gregory. “The number of votes cast shows how important youth baseball is to families in the Surry community, and our entire organization can’t wait to get started.”

2017 is the sixth consecutive year in which the Tides are renovating a field in Hampton Roads. Over the first five years of the program, the Tides have renovated eight 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) and Gloucester Youth Baseball (Gloucester).

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, with the exact date of the renovation being announced at a later date.

The Tides will play their first game of 2017 at Harbor Park on Friday, March 31st in an Exhibition Game against the Baltimore Orioles. Norfolk will then open its regular season on Thursday, April 6th with a 7:05 contest at Charlotte before kicking off the home portion of its schedule on Monday, April 10th with a 6:35 game vs. Gwinnett.

Season Tickets, group tickets, picnics and patios are currently available for the 2017 season. For pricing and additional information, visit the Harbor Park box office or call (757) 622-2222.

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

Good Grades Mean Great Seats at a 2017 Keys Game

FREDERICK, MD -Students who get good grades can look forward to an exciting treat this season. The Frederick Keys are launching the Report Card Program, sponsored by Miss Utility. During the month of April, K-12 students who bring in a report card showing an “A” or a letter grade improvement will receive two FREE tickets to a Keys game.

“We are always excited to award students for their academic achievements,” said Keys Assistant General Manager for Marketing, Bridget McCabe. “This incentive will encourage youngsters of all ages to hit the books and be the best they can be in the classroom.”

Students will have 14 games to choose from, while an entire list of redeemable dates is available here. To participate, youth need to bring their report card to the Nymeo Field box office on the day of the game they wish to attend. Youngsters can then choose any seat, based on availability. There is a limit of two tickets per report card, per transaction. This offer is not valid online or over the phone.

Some of the days students can choose from are Opening Day (April 6), Kids Takeover Day (April 8), Daniel Tiger appearance (April 12), Mystery Bobblehead Giveaway (April 21), Meet the Team (April 23), Mighty Ducks Night (April 28), Star Wars Day (April 29) and the Candy Drop/Halfway to Halloween Day (April 30).

The 2017 season begins on Thursday, April 6 against the Carolina Mudcats at Nymeo Field. A full promotional schedule can be found here. Single game tickets go on sale on Friday, March 31, while ticket plans are currently available. Any fan who purchases or renews a ticket plan can choose between a Jonathan Schoop bobblehead or a Dylan Bundy gnome. For ticket information fans can call 301-815-9900 or visit frederickkeys.com.

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

Shorebirds Celebrate Hit the Books Bookmark Contest Winner

 (David Maull- Indian River School District)

SALISBURY, Md. — The Delmarva Shorebirds, Class A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, along with Dr. James M. Crouse at The Brace Place, presenting sponsor of the Hit the Books program, honored Carley Topper of Selbyville Middle School for winning the 2017 Hit the Books Bookmark Design Contest.

Her winning design was featured on bookmarks that were distributed to over 50,000 students at 100 area schools that participate in the Hit the Books program.

Hit the Books encourages elementary and middle school students on the Delmarva Peninsula to read outside of their regular classroom assignments. Students that complete their reading goals receive two free ticket vouchers to a Shorebirds home game during the 2017 season.

Topper’s winning design features a Shorebirds player at bat while an opposing player pitches the ball. In the outfield, Sherman joins a great crowd for the game. It also shows the Dr. James M. Crouse at The Brace Place logo in the background. For her efforts, she was rewarded with a surprise visit at school from Sherman and representatives from the Delmarva Shorebirds and The Brace Place on Tuesday, January 17. She will also get the opportunity to throw out a first pitch before her school’s Hit the Books date at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium this spring.

“Her design was absolutely fantastic. Carley showed just how much fun baseball is, all in one picture,” Kathy Damato, Shorebirds Community Relations Manager, said. “We look forward to rewarding all the kids who go through with the program with a great time at a Shorebirds game this spring.”

The initiative, which is one of the biggest and longest-running reading programs in the region, officially kicked off on Tuesday, Jan. 17 and will run through Feb. 24.

“Reading books is a great pastime of mine and it is extremely important for young people to recognize the importance of reading,” Dr. James M. Crouse said. “Our partnership with the Shorebirds Hit the Books program is a perfect fit for us at The Brace Place.”

Participating schools will be notified in March about their game date at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in 2017, and students will be honored as part of a pregame parade around the field. For more information, contact the Delmarva
Shorebirds at 410-219-3112.

Season ticket and group outing packages are currently on sale for the 2017 season. The Shorebirds offer full season tickets, half season tickets, a 22-game plan and a 12-game plan along with a number of opportunities for groups to enjoy a night out at the ballpark. To secure your seat(s), call 410-219-3112.

Delmarva Shorebirds
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The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class “A” Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Shorebirds are owned by
7th Inning Stretch, LLC, the same company that owns the Stockton Ports of the California League and the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League.

The Shorebirds celebrated their 20th season in 2015, and have entertained nearly five million fans since beginning play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md. in 1996. The team has captured South Atlantic League titles in 1997 and 2000 while successfully hosting the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in 1999 and 2011.

For more information on the Shorebirds, call 410-219-3112 or visit theshorebirds.com

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

Tides to continue youth field renovation project

Members of the Tides organization helped renovate the Gloucester Youth Baseball field in 2016.

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. 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.

“Our entire organization looks forward to this project each year” said Tides General Manager Joe Gregory. “We’ve been able to extend a helping hand to many outstanding communities, and it’s a great feeling to know that we’ve made a difference in the baseball experience for so many children across Hampton Roads.”

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 February 13, with online voting taking place on the Tides’ Facebook page from February 20 to February 24.

2017 is the sixth consecutive year in which the Tides are renovating a local youth field. Over the first five years of the program, the Tides have renovated eight 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) and Gloucester Youth Baseball (Gloucester).

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 April.

The Tides will play their first game of 2017 at Harbor Park on Friday, March 31st in an Exhibition Game against the Baltimore Orioles. Norfolk will then open its regular season on Thursday, April 6th with a 7:05 contest at Charlotte before kicking off the home portion of its schedule on Monday, April 10th with a 6:35 game vs. Gwinnett.

Season Tickets, group tickets, picnics and patios are currently available for the 2017 season. For pricing and additional information, visit the Harbor Park box office or call (757) 622-2222.

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

Shorebirds to Host Inaugural Cards for Troops Event

SALISBURY, Md. — The Delmarva Shorebirds are excited to announce an inaugural event this holiday season called Cards for Troops. Cards for Troops is replacing the Cookies with Claus Event the Shorebirds have hosted in previous years. Cards for Troops will be at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Saturday, December 10th from 9:00 AM to noon. The event will also include an area for guests to send well wishes to soldiers overseas, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a toy drive for Brooke’s Toy Closet at Peninsula Regional Medical Center.

Guests will have the opportunity to create a card for a soldier that is serving in the Armed Forces for the United States of America overseas. Cards will be sent to soldiers through Jeff Merritt from Minuteman Press, with Operation We Care. A template for the cards to the troops will be provided. Families are encouraged to include contact info so the troops can write back to them. The purpose of the cards are to thank the troops that are serving the United States who aren’t able to be home with their families for the holidays. Also, a Harley Davidson flag will be available for folks to share messages as well.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to interact and take pictures with families. Complimentary cookies, coffee, tea, and other treats will be provided.

Guests who donate a new unwrapped toy for Brooke’s Toy Closet will receive a raffle ticket. Door prizes consisting of Bird Bucks, Box Seat Vouchers, an authentic Shorebirds jersey, gift cards from local businesses, and a Shorebirds Birthday Party package during the 2017 season will be given away. The winners will be contacted by phone on Monday, December 12th. Brooke’s Toy Closet was started in 2014 by Brooke Mulford, a local girl who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer, in 2009, when she was four years old. The closet is a special cabinet filled with toys, coloring books and other goodies that PRMC’s Emergency Department and Pediatrics Unit can give to children who are hospitalized. The recipients of these gifts will be able to use them when they’re in the hospital, and take them home to enjoy when they are feeling better.

Season ticket and group outing packages are currently on sale for the 2017 season. The Shorebirds offer full season tickets, half season tickets, a 22-game plan and a 12-game plan along with a number of opportunities for groups to enjoy a night out at the ballpark. To secure your seat(s), call 410-219-3112.

Delmarva Shorebirds
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The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class “A” Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Shorebirds are owned by
7th Inning Stretch, LLC, the same company that owns the Stockton Ports of the California League and the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League.

The Shorebirds will celebrate their 22nd season in 2017, and have entertained nearly five million fans since beginning play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md. in 1996. The team has captured South Atlantic League titles in 1997 and 2000 while successfully hosting the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in 1999 and 2011.

For more information on the Shorebirds, call 410-219-3112 or visit theshorebirds.com.

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

Baysox Accepting Nominations, Donations for Holiday Hope

BOWIE, Md – The Bowie Baysox announce today that Louie’s Holiday Hope Project returns to brighten the holiday season for local families in need this year. Beginning now and continuing through the month of November, the team will be accepting nominations for families that need assistance this holiday season. The Baysox will also be collecting gently used coats, new socks and other warm clothing to be donated to area families.

Louie’s Holiday Hope Project began in 2007 and aided dozens of area families and children last year. This year, the team is proud to partner with Prince George’s County Fire/EMS department, the Bowie Police Department and Bowie Youth & Family Services to help as many families as possible.

“There are some area families that go through tough circumstances around the holiday season,” said Baysox Marketing Director Brandan Kaiser. “The Baysox are honored to be able to assist them through Louie’s Holiday Hope Project.”

“We are happy to continue our partnership with the Louie’s Holiday Hope Project,” said Shawna Lindberg, Clinical Supervisor at Bowie Youth & Family Services. “We have witnessed this wonderful work, which has impacted so many Bowie families in need. This project has made it possible for parents to provide their families a special meal or gifts for the holiday season.”

To ensure that the program reaches as many families as possible, the Baysox welcome help from fans. Members of the community can nominate families that need assistance by e-mailing info@baysox.com. Submissions should include your name and daytime phone number. The team will not be able to help everyone that is nominated, but will consider as many options as possible. A Baysox staff member may contact the submitter for additional details or clarification, but all submissions remain confidential. Nominations must be received by Friday, Dec. 2, at 5 p.m.

Prince George’s Stadium will also serve as a collection point for warm clothes and sock donations in conjunction with Louie’s Holiday Hope Project. The team invites fans to bring gently used winter coats, new socks and other warm clothing to the Baysox front office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, November 28) to donate to local families in need.

The Baysox encourage other local groups and organizations to participate in Louie’s Holiday Hope Project. Local organizations that would like to make a contribution to the program can e-mail info@baysox.com or call the Baysox front office at (301) 805-6000. More information about the program is also available on our website.

The Bowie Baysox season is presented by Money One Federal Credit Union. The Baysox season has ended, but the team will return in 2017 to celebrate its 25th Season. The team’s 2017 home opener will be Thursday, April 14 against the Harrisburg Senators at 6:35 p.m. To keep up with Baysox news during the offseason, visit baysox.com

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

Toys for Tots Drive to Begin November 1

FREDERICK, Md. -With the holiday season right around the corner, the Frederick Keys are partnering with Toys for Tots. For the fifth straight year, the team will assist the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program by collecting new, unwrapped toys in November and December. These gifts are then given as Christmas presents to underprivileged children.

Nymeo Field collections begin on Tuesday, November 1. Fans who wish to make a donation can drop off toys from 9-5p.m Monday through Friday in the main office. Anyone who participates will receive a Keys hat and two tickets to a 2017 home game.

“Each year it’s amazing to watch how many members of the community come by the stadium to drop off toys for less fortunate kids,” said Keys Director of Marketing Bridget McCabe. “Since we started collecting, donations have been through the roof and we’re excited to continue that trend this holiday season.”

Over the last few years, Nymeo Field has been among the top Toys for Tots collection destinations in Frederick County. Since being approved as an official activity of the Marine Corps in 1995, Toys for Tots has distributed over 512 million toys to more than 237 million less fortunate children.

The Frederick Keys kickoff their 2017 season on Thursday, April 6 at Nymeo Field against the Carolina Mudcats. For ticket information and the latest offseason news, fans can call 301-815-9900 or visit frederickkeys.com.

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

Delmarva’s Largest Safe & Free Trick-or-Treat Event is Back for 10th Year

SALISBURY, Md. (October 18, 2016) – The 10th annual Trick-or-Treat Street, Delmarva’s largest safe and free trick-or-treating event, returns to Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury on Sunday, October 23, 2016 from Noon to 3:00 PM. The event is hosted by local radio stations Froggy 99.9, Q105, KISS 95.9, and Magic 98.9 in partnership with Delmarva Dental Services, Easter Seals Children’s Therapy Services, Farmer’s Bank of Willards, Sherwood of Salisbury, and Spicer Brothers Construction, Inc.

Families and children under 12 are invited to come out in costume for a fun and safe trick-or-treating experience in a non-threatening environment. Candy is provided for the trick-or-treaters courtesy of Candy Kitchen. Children are welcome to bring their own pumpkin to collect goodies; however, some bags are available courtesy of Easter Seals.

In addition to the free trick-or-treating and candy area, the event will also host a free fall-themed photo area, moon bounce, and other family-friendly activities. A Dunkin’ Donuts Community Cruiser vehicle will also be on-site during the event offering samples of their hot and iced coffees.

Trick-or-Treat Street was first created by station employees as a way to provide Delmarva residents with a safe, family-friendly outlet for Halloween fun. The free event has grown to almost 5,000 annual participants.

For more event information, please visit www.froggy999.com.

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About iHeartMedia Salisbury-Ocean City

iHeartMedia Salisbury-Ocean City owns and operates WWFG, WQHQ, WKZP, WSBY, WTGM and WJDY. With over a quarter of a billion monthly listeners in the U.S. and over 85 million social followers, iHeartMedia has the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America. It serves over 150 markets through 858 owned radio stations, and the company’s radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM, HD digital radio, satellite radio, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com and on the company’s radio station websites, on the iHeartRadio mobile app, in enhanced auto dashes, on tablets and smartphones, and on gaming consoles. iHeartMedia is a division of iHeartMedia, Inc. (OTCBB: IHRT). Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.

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

3,142 Vaccinations Administered at PRMC’s Drive-Thru Flu Clinic

Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) would like to extend its thanks and gratitude to 3,142 people on Delmarva who were vaccinated against the flu during the Medical Center’s 2016 Drive-Thru Flu Clinic on October 13 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

PRMC appreciates the community making sure they “live well” through annual vaccinations against the flu. We also thank the Delmarva Shorebirds for our long-standing partnership and the use of the ballpark to host the Medical Center’s largest and best attended annual community healthcare event.

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

Drive-Thru Flu Clinic Returns Thursday Oct. 13

Peninsula Regional Medical Center’s Live Well “Drive-Thru” Flu Clinic is returning on Thursday, October 13, 2016, but as a single day event at Arthur W. Perdue (Shorebirds) Stadium at the intersection of Route 50 and Hobbs Road in Salisbury, MD. Vaccinations will be administered to individuals 13 years of age or older. A physician’s order is not necessary. A donation of $10.00 per vaccination is requested (cash only; exact amount is appreciated). This year’s shot is quadrivalent, meaning it protects against four strains of the virus.

PRMC’s Live Well Drive-Thru Flu Clinic will be held from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. only this one day, Thursday Oct. 13. Flu vaccinations are encouraged for persons over the age of 65, people with heart or lung disorders, immunosuppressant diseases or diabetes. Participants are encouraged to wear a short sleeved shirt that will provide easy access to the upper arm.

For additional information, please visit the PRMC website at www.peninsula.org and click the Drive-Thru Flu Clinic homepage story/banner. English and Spanish flu shot consents forms for PRMC’s Live Well Drive-Thru Flu Clinic are available on the site and may be filled out in advance and brought with you to the event.

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

Baysox Nominated for Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award

BOWIE, Md. – The Bowie Baysox and the Eastern League of Professional Baseball Clubs announce that the Baysox are the league’s nominee for the Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award, presented to a club for outstanding support of and engagement with the United States Armed Forces and veterans, both at the ballpark and in the community.

An overall winner is selected from among the nominees from each league by Minor League Baseball and honored at the 2016 Baseball Winter Meetings at National Harbor, Md.

Located just miles from Washington, DC and several United States military bases, including the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the Baysox take great pride in their relationship with area active military and veterans. The team hosts a number of military-themed events throughout the season in addition to nightly ticket discounts for current and former military and monthly Military Appreciation Nights that include additional ticket discounts.

One of the highlights of the Baysox promotional calendar is Navy Night, held in early August. The team donates 5,000 tickets to local Naval personnel, distributed through local MWR offices, and the Baysox also host the entire Summer Plebe Class from the Naval Academy. As their summer program comes to an end, the Naval Academy’s incoming 1,200 person freshman class gets to enjoy a Baysox game while wearing their dress white uniforms in public for the first time.

For the third consecutive season, the Baysox also honored local current and former military heroes with a special baseball card set giveaway on Friday, Aug. 26. Earlier in the season, the Baysox received nominations from friends and family for military heroes to include in the 18-card set. The team invited each military hero out to the game for special recognition as the baseball cards were distributed to fans in attendance.

Throughout the season, the Baysox also hosted special nights for the individuals and families serving at Joint Base Andrews and Fort Meade. Free tickets were distributed to the bases and men and women from the bases were recognized throughout the game. The Baysox also invite service members to perform the National Anthem and Honorary Color Guards to present the colors during games throughout the season, including Memorial Day and Independence Day.

The team’s relationship with the local military does not exist only during Baysox games. Throughout the season, the Baysox mascot Louie could be found at community military events throughout the region. The Baysox also partnered with the Travis Manion Foundation for their 9/11 Heroes 5K run in Annapolis and with the Vet Tix organization to provide free Baysox tickets to active military and their families throughout the season. For the fourth season, the Baysox also hosted the Amputee Warrior Softball Classic at Prince George’s Stadium in June. The charity softball game teamed NFL stars, including Redskins DeSean Jackson and Bashaud Breeland, with members of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team with proceeds benefitting the Connected Warrior Foundation, Yellow Ribbon Fund and WWAST.

The Baysox front office staff also got involved during the 2016 season by participating in the #22KILL push-up challenge. Prior to each home game, the Baysox front office staff did 22 push-ups to help raise awareness to the 22 military veterans, on average, who commit suicide each day. The Baysox began participating in this challenge in May and collectively, completed nearly 12,500 push-ups during the season. Videos can be found on the Baysox and 22KILL Facebook pages.

The Bowie Baysox season is presented by Money One Federal Credit Union. The Baysox season has ended, but the team will return in 2017 to celebrate its 25th Season. The team’s 2017 home opener will be Thursday, April 14 against the Harrisburg Senators at 6:35 p.m. To keep up with Baysox news during the offseason, visit baysox.com

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

Shorebirds Present Toy Donation To Brooke’s Toy Closet

Pictured: Top; Eric Sichau, Shorebirds Director of Community Relations; Ann DeMarco, PRMC Foundation Board Member; Sherman the Shorebird; Denise Billing, President – PRMC Foundation. Bottom; Joel Olive, Mojo’s Co-Owner & Executive Chef; Stacey McMichael, Fundraising Coordinator – PRMC Foundation; Kellie Noonan, Brooke Mulford Foundation Board Member; Rob Mulford, Owner – Market Street Inn & Mojo’s, Father of Brooke Mulford; Emilia Chrzaszcz, Manager at Market Street Inn; and Sharrell Callaway, Office Manager – Market Street Inn & Mojo’s.

SALISBURY, MD – The Delmarva Shorebirds are proud to announce in conjunction with partners at Market Street Inn, Mojo’s, and the Peninsula Regional Medical Center, the results of the Brooke’s Toy Closet Toy Drive, held on July 23rd at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

In total, 151 items were donated by Shorebirds fans, with the Shorebirds presenting the donation to Brooke’s Toy Closet at the Peninsula Regional Medical Center recently, along with members from Market Street Inn, Mojo’s, and the Peninsula Regional Medical Center Foundation, which oversees and maintains Brooke’s Toy Closet.

Toy Donations ranged from activity books, to stuffed animals, to interactive toys. All these items will be extremely beneficial to replenishing Brooke’s Toy Closet, and very much appreciated from members of the Peninsula Regional Medical Center Foundation and staff from the Emergency Department and Pediatrics Unit.

“This was a fantastic partnership with Market Street Inn, Mojo’s, PRMC, and the Shorebirds. All parties were extremely excited with the results.” said Shorebirds Director of Community Relations Eric Sichau. “We appreciate the support from the local community and Shorebirds fans, and encourage those to donate to the Toy Closet year round to keep it replenished.” “We look forward to continuing the Toy Drive during the 2017 Season!”

Brooke’s Toy Closet was started in 2014 by Brooke Mulford, a local girl who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer, in 2009, when she was 4 years old. The closet is a special cabinet filled with toys, coloring books and other goodies that PRMC’s Emergency Department and Pediatrics Unit can give to children who are hospitalized. The recipients of these gifts will be able to use them when they’re in the hospital, and take them home to enjoy when they are feeling better. For more information on the Peninsula Regional Medical Center Foundation and Brooke’s Toy Closet, contact the PRMC Foundation at 410-543-7140.

For more information on the Delmarva Shorebirds Community Relations efforts, contact the Shorebirds at 410-219-3112 or visit theshorebirds.com.

Delmarva Shorebirds
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The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class “A” Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Shorebirds are owned by 7th Inning Stretch, LLC, the same company that owns the Stockton Ports of the California League and the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League.

The Shorebirds celebrated their 20th season in 2015, and have entertained nearly five million fans since beginning play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md. in 1996. The team has captured South Atlantic League titles in 1997 and 2000 while successfully hosting the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in 1999 and 2011.

For more information on the Shorebirds, call 410-219-3112 or visit theshorebirds.com.

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