Garrett Brockway Baseball Clinic set for May 9th

Burlington-Bees-2012The Burlington Bees/Garrett Brockway Memorial spring baseball camp is set for May 9th for ages 7-14 at Community Field from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. The cost is just $25 per child.

Bees players will be on hand to teach the basics of hitting, throwing, and fielding. All proceeds will benefit the Garrett Brockway Foundation.

Garrett's-PathGarrett Brockway was only 10 years old when he passed away in March of 2013. He loved to play baseball and attended many Bees games.

For more information or to print out a sign up form, please click here. If you have any questions, please contact the Bees at (319) 754-5705.

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

Sign up for the 2015 RoughRiders Baseball Academy

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Sign your kids up to learn from the pros!

Frisco-RoughRiders-2015Do your kids need to sharpen their baseball skills and want to learn from Frisco RoughRiders coaches and players? This is their chance!

The 2015 Frisco RoughRiders Baseball Academy will be held June 9-11 for children ages 9-12.

At the RoughRiders Baseball Academy, your child will get a chance to play like a big leaguer with the professionals at Dr Pepper Ballpark.

Click here for more information on the event, and click here to register your child.

For more information or to register your child, contact Kristin Russell at (972) 334-1947 or krussell@ridersbaseball.com. Spots are limited, so sign up today!

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

 

San Jose Giants 2015 Summer Camp Sessions

Three camp sessions scheduled at Municipal Stadium

San-Jose-GiantsThe San Jose Giants announced today three sessions for their ninth annual Summer Camps at Municipal Stadium. The organization will offer one camp in June, July and August, giving families a variety of dates throughout the summer to get their kids involved. Session 1 will take place June 15 – June 18, Session 2 July 27 – July 30 and Session 3 August 3 – August 6. All camp sessions will run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day and focus on developing baseball skills for boys and girls ages 7 through 14.

The San Jose Giants understand the value of individual instruction and are committed to having numerous coaches on-hand. Camp participants will receive the most personal interaction and focused attention possible as all camps will maintain a 10:1 camper to coach ratio. The coaching staff will be led by John Rally, the San Jose Giants Corporate Partnerships and Youth Development Program Manager.

“With another baseball season nearly upon us, I am eager to get out on the field this summer to help develop young athletes’ baseball skills while teaching them to apply those lessons to their lives off the field,” said Rally. “Municipal Stadium has helped produce a number of homegrown champions over the years. My hope is that these camp sessions will assist our participants in realizing and furthering their dreams of someday playing here in a Giants uniform.”

During each session, campers will work on all fundamentals of the game with a focus on baserunning, hitting, catching, fielding and throwing mechanics. Each session costs $295 per camp prior to May 1. Following May 1, the cost to register will increase to $315 per camp. Included in the registration price, each camp participant will receive tickets for the entire family to a designated San Jose Giants game, Summer Camp T-Shirt, lunch provided each day, and over 20 hours of baseball instruction! To learn more about the San Jose Giants Summer Camps visit sjgiants.com, call (408) 380-4501, or email JohnRally@sjgiants.com.

Registration and payment for San Jose Giants Summer Camps will take place through sjgiants.com.

Click here to begin registration and payment. Please note that registering your child is not complete until both the form and payment have been completed.

First pitch for the 2015 San Jose Giants home opener will take place Thursday, April 16 against the Bakersfield Blaze. San Jose’s 2015 season begins on Thursday, April 9 in Lancaster. The Giants will host games at Municipal Stadium on Mother’s Day (May 10), Memorial Day (May 25), Father’s Day (June 21) and Independence Day (July 4). For more information on the 2015 season and ticket packages please visit sjgiants.com or call (408) 297-1435.

2015 San Jose Giants Summer Camps

This article originally appeared on the official website of the San Jose Giants . Click here to view the original story.

Sign-up for 2015 Youth Baseball Camp!

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Learn from the Pro’s This Summer at Coca-Cola Park

Lehigh-Valley-IronPigsSign-ups are now underway for the 2015 Youth Baseball Camp presented by Capital BlueCross! Make sure to sign up early because each camp is limited to 110 children and each is expected to sell out.

The camps will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for all days of the session. Boys and girls of all skill levels will have the chance to learn baseball and fundamentals from the future stars of the Philadelphia Phillies. Each day, members of the IronPigs coaching staff and select IronPigs players will teach the basics of the game and help all campers become better ballplayers!

In addition to meeting and playing with IronPigs players, each camper will receive a daily lunch, two tickets to a selected IronPigs game during the camp (Camp #1, June 17; Camp #2, June 30; Camp #3, July 23), on-field recognition prior to the IronPigs game and an official IronPigs Fantasy Camp T-shirt!

2015 Camp Dates:

For more information, please contact Hannah Ishida at (610) 841-1228 or hishida@ironpigsbaseball.com. 2015 Youth Baseball Camp is presented by Capital BlueCross.

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

Fluor Field Hosts Complimentary Coaching Clinic on February 5th

Drive Manager Darren Fenster leads the clinic from 6:00-8:30 PM

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The Greenville Drive have announced they will hold a complimentary coaching clinic led by Drive Manager Darren Fenster on Thursday, February 5th from 6:00-8:30 PM in the home clubhouse at Fluor Field.

The clinic is available for coaches at all levels of baseball, including little league, middle and high school, and travel baseball.
Fenster will cover a wide array of topics during the interactive forum, ranging from individual skills such as hitting, throwing, and fielding to team fundamentals such as cutoffs, relays and rundowns. Fenster will provide insight on a general approach to coaching, while also touching on practice organization and how to keep players engaged while getting the most out of their time on the field.

Additionally, those in attendance will have the unique opportunity to experience exactly how the Drive coaching staff employs this approach to their daily work during the 2015 season.

“With the amazing support that the Greenville and entire Upstate communities give us throughout the course of the season, I wanted to find a creative way to give back to the very people who make our days at Fluor Field so rewarding,” said Fenster. “I couldn’t think of a better way to do so than by putting together a coaching clinic that will benefit the next generation of players through this generation of coaches.

“Baseball has given me a platform as a coach that I truly value, and I take a great sense of responsibility to share my passion for and knowledge of the game with as many others who want to listen. To do this in the place I’ve called home for parts of the past few years is a special opportunity.”
Fenster has accumulated a wealth of experience during his time as a player and coach at both the college and professional levels. He was a two-time All-American shortstop at Rutgers University before spending five seasons in the Kansas City Royals system from 2000-2004, and he received an invite to major league spring training during his time with the Royals.

Following his playing career, Fenster returned to his alma mater and spent six seasons on the staff of the Scarlet Knights, serving under legendary coach Fred Hill, who earlier this month was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He also spent a season as an assistant coach for the Orleans Cardinals in the Cape Cod League in 2008.

In 2013, Fenster created Coaching Your Kids, an initiative that shares his love and understanding of the game to the baseball community of coaches, players, and fans in general through camps and clinics in addition to media forums such as Twitter (@CoachYourKids), print magazines, and online blogs and podcasts.

He joined the professional coaching ranks in 2012 as the Drive’s hitting coach before getting his first managing opportunity with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox in 2013, leading the club to the league championship series. The 2015 season will be Fenster’s second piloting the Drive.

“We are thrilled to give back to the local coaching community with this clinic at Fluor Field,” said Drive General Manager Eric Jarinko. “Darren Fenster is a terrific coach as well as being an outstanding person, and his passion for the game and his ability to connect with players of all ages and ability levels are second to none. He truly is a great ambassador for both the Greenville Drive and the game of baseball, and we couldn’t be happier to have him on board for this coaching clinic and the 2015 season at Fluor Field.”

The clinic is complimentary, but registration is required as space is limited. Coaches interested in registering for the clinic can do so by clicking here.
For additional info, please contact Cameron White, the Drive’s Media Relations Manager, at cameron@greenvilledrive.com.

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

 

 

Sixth Annual Baseball Basics for Women Clinic Announced

Clinic to be held March 23

Bradenton-MaraudersThe Pittsburgh Pirates and Bradenton Marauders are accepting registrants for the sixth annual Baseball Basics for Women clinic presented in partnership with Manatee Memorial Hospital. The clinic is intended for young adult and adult women interested in learning or refining their baseball fundamentals. It will be held Monday, March 23 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at McKechnie Field.

The registration fee is $45. Pirates Major League and minor league players and coaches will instruct participants in hitting, catching, running the bases, and fielding. Each of the women will also receive a free t-shirt, a goodie bag filled with great prizes , like a free massage at Elements Massage, and a ticket to the Saturday, March 28 Spring Training game against the Blue Jays. Gecko’s Grill & Pub will provide dinner after the clinic. The Kona Bar built by NDC Construction will be open for family members and guests during the clinic and for participants during dinner. All participants will be entered in a raffle for a ceremonial first pitch opportunity for the March 28 game.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Manatee Memorial Foundation. The Manatee Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the health-related needs of the Manatee County community. Community healthcare needs and scholarships for medical education are the benefactors of the Foundation.

Registration for Baseball Basics for Women must be completed by Monday, March 2 in order to be guaranteed a t-shirt. The Baseball Basics for Women registration form can be accessed online at www.bradentonmarauders.com. For more information or to register, call Carly Paganelli at 941-747-3031 (ext. 4362) or email Carley.Paganelli@pirates.com.

Participants can receive a $5 registration discount by joining the new Lady Marauders Club. For $50, Lady Marauders receive admission to every Saturday night Bradenton Marauders home game, happy hour specials from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at Saturday games, a club T-shirt, and invitations to special pre-game events before select Saturday games. For more information on the Lady Marauders Club, call Anne Putnam at 941-747-3031 (ext. 4350) or email Anne.Putnam@Pirates.com.

For more information about the Manatee Memorial Foundation, visit www.manateememorial.com/community-information/mm-foundation-inc.

 

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

Cougars To Host Coaches Clinic On January 31

Youth baseball and softball coaches can attend free event, receive professional instruction from Cougars and Arizona Diamondbacks

Kane-County-CougarsThe Kane County Cougars will host a free Coaches Clinic on Saturday, January 31st that features professional instructors from the Cougars and Diamondbacks organizations including new Cougars manager and former Major Leaguer Mark Grudzielanek, Cougars pitching coach Doug Bochtler, Cougars hitting coach Vince Harrison and Diamondbacks hitting coordinator Chris Cron. The clinic will take place from 9-11:30 a.m. inside Fifth Third Bank’s upper deck level. Attendees are asked to RSVP by calling the Cougars at (630) 232-8811 or emailing sfreed@kanecountycougars.com. The clinic is provided free-of-charge to participants as a community service from the Cougars and Diamondbacks organizations.

Although open to the public, the clinic’s purpose is to specifically instruct coaches. Therefore, the clinic is intended for adult coaches rather than youth players. Coaches are encouraged to bring video recorders and note pads for their convenience, and will have the opportunity to visit each station and learn valuable pointers in specific areas of on-field execution, practice techniques and coaching style. Donuts and coffee will be provided for attendees.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Kane County Cougars. Click here to view the original story.

One Day High School Baseball Clinic Announced

Learn from Mickey Morandini & Dong Lien on January 17

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Lehigh-Valley-IronPigsThe IronPigs are hosting an indoor hitting and strength and conditioning clinic featuring former Major League All-Star and current IronPigs coach Mickey Morandini along with IronPigs Strength & Conditioning coach Dong Lien on Saturday, January 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at Coca-Cola Park. The clinic – available to current high school baseball players in grades 9 through 12 – costs $80 per player. Interested participants are encouraged to register by contacting Hannah Ishida at (610) 841-1228 or at hishida@ironpigsbaseball.com as space is extremely limited and the event is expected to sell out.

As an added bonus, sign-up by Friday, Jan. 9 and be entered to win one of three Mickey Morandini autographed baseballs!

The clinic will take place in Coca-Cola Park’s indoor batting cages and weight room area with players receiving hitting instruction as well as learning strength and conditioning techniques that are designed to prepare them for the upcoming baseball season as well as take their game to the next level. Players must bring their own equipment, including a water bottle. Water jugs will be provided. This event is limited to high school baseball players only.

About the instructors:

Morandini begins his fifth season on the Phillies developmental staff after spending four years as the head coach for Valparaiso (Ind.) High School. After being drafted by the Phillies out of Indiana University in the fifth round of the 1988 draft, the native of Leechburg, Pa., went on to an 11-year major league career that was highlighted by a trip to the 1993 World Series and a selection to the 1995 National League All-Star team. Morandini finished his career batting .268 with 32 home runs, 351 runs batted in and 123 stolen bases in 1,298 games – 956 (74%) of which he donned a Phillies uniform. In fact, Morandini finished his career as the Phillies’ all-time leader in most seasons (eight) as a regular starter at second base (later surpassed by Chase Utley, who recorded his ninth in 2013).

Lien is entering his second season as the IronPigs strength and conditioning coordinator and his tenth in the Phillies system. Prior to joining the IronPigs, he spent the previous six seasons in a similar post at the Major League level with the Phillies. Lien holds a Master’s from California University of Pennsylvania and was part of the Phillies’ 2009 Dick Martin Award winning training staff. Lien was born in Indonesia and resides in West Chester, Pa.

For more information or to register today, please call (610) 841-1228 or email hishida@ironpigsbaseball.com. Space is limited and the registration deadline is Wednesday, January 7, 2015 (if space remains).

The IronPigs 2015 season is presented by Capital BlueCross.

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

Brooklyn Baseball Academy

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Brooklyn-CyclonesThe Brooklyn Baseball Academy is recognized throughout New York City as one of the premier developmental baseball programs in the five boroughs. This winter, MCU Park will host a five-week program designed to develop and sharpen the fundamental skills that all of our athletes need in order to be successful on the baseball diamond. The offseason is not a time of rest for the serious baseball player. Our winter program is designed for the serious athlete in mind who wants to gain that competitive edge on the field.

The Brooklyn Baseball Academy is available starting on Monday, December 8th. There will be four different sessions per week.

  • Monday: Hitting (Swing Mechanics, Advanced Drill Work, Plate Approach, Live BP and Video Analysis)
  • Tuesday: Hitting (Swing Mechanics, Advanced Drill Work, Plate Approach, Live BP and Video Analysis)
  • Wednesday: Pitching (Mechanical Work and Drills, Grips, Pitchers Fielding Practice and Video Analysis)
  • Thursday: Open Development (Players Will Have Option to Choose What they Want to Work On)
* Each session will last one (1) hour and there will be a limit of four players per group.
** Sessions start at 5:00 PM and run through 9:00 PM each night

WHERE: The five-week Winter Baseball Developmental Program will run at MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones. The program will use the same training facilities that the professionals use every day during the Cyclones season.

WHEN: We will be training athletes ages 8 and up.

REGISTRATION: The cost per player the for the five-week program is $200 which also includes two ticket vouchers for a 2015 Brooklyn Cyclones game.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Individual Lessons

30 Minutes $50
60 Minutes $90
5 Pack of 30 Minute Lessons $230
10 Pack of 30 Minute Lessons $420

Group Lessons

Two Players $60 per player
Three Players $45 per player
Four Players $40 per player

Batting Tunnel Rentals

30 Minutes $35
60 Minutes $60

To Reserve Your Spot Contact :

Tommy Cardona

718 – 382 – 2682 / TCard@BrooklynCyclones.com

Gary Perone, Founder – Brooklyn Baseball Academy,

718 – 382 – 3608 / Gary@BrooklynCyclones.com

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

San Jose Giants Release 2014 Community Report

Report showcases organization’s impact in the South Bay

San-Jose-GiantsThe San Jose Giants released today their 2014 Community Report. The report is a complete detail of the organization’s community involvement and contributions. From expanding the team’s extensive fundraising efforts to a record number of mascot appearances and the organization’s rise from twenty-fifth in Minor League Baseball’s social media rankings to second overall, the San Jose Giants presence was felt well beyond the Municipal Stadium gates this year.

“I want to personally thank all of our fans and partners for your loyalty and passion for the San Jose Giants and our place in the community,” said Daniel Orum, San Jose Giants President and CEO. “Through the organization’s extensive work with youth sports groups, schools and regional non-profit organizations, the team has introduced baseball to millions of homes in Northern California and this year alone raised over $480,000 for charitable causes.”

The 2014 Community Report showcases the variety of charitable efforts the San Jose Giants are involved with both inside and beyond the Municipal Stadium gates. Highlights of the report include over 150 appearances made by San Jose Giants personnel, unique, community-centered evening’s at Municipal Stadium, events in partnership with the Giants Community Fund to help under served youth and in-kind donations to more than 750 local and national organizations.

For more information on the San Jose Giants and how to get your organization involved next season, call (408) 297-1435 or visit sjgiants.com.

Read 2014 San Jose Giants Community Report

This article originally appeared on the official website of the San Jose Giants. Click here to view the original story.

CHASERS IN THE COMMUNITY – 2014 Season Highlights

Largest total donation number since becoming the Storm Chasers with $558,733 in the past year

Matt Fields and Buddy Baumann visiting the VA Hospital during the 2014 season was one of the many highlights from a record-setting season for the Storm Chasers in terms of community involvement.
Matt Fields and Buddy Baumann visiting the VA Hospital during the 2014 season was one of the many highlights from a record-setting season for the Storm Chasers in terms of community involvement.

Omaha-Storm-Chasers-2014The Omaha Storm Chasers finished the 2014 season in spectacular fashion, winning the Triple-A National Championship in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history, but it was also a record-setting year for the Chasers community involvement. The charitable arm of the team, the Home Run Foundation of Greater Omaha, donated $558,733 to local charities in the past year for the largest total since becoming the Storm Chasers.

Home-Run-Foundation-of-Omaha-logo“The first four years at Werner Park have been nothing but historic on the field, but what the Storm Chasers staff takes the most pride in is the impact we have in the community we call home,” said Martie Cordaro, President and General Manager of the Omaha Storm Chasers. “To set total donation records in back-to-back years is as great of a victory as back-to-back National Championships in my eyes.”

At Werner Park, the Storm Chasers showcased 78 non-profit groups throughout the 2014 season with the Live Wise Coalition Community Organization of the Night to provide the outlet for many worthwhile causes in the Omaha Metro. This included Game Worn Jersey Auctions, which raised $14,640 for three local charities, and a highlight of Werner Park involvement with fans and staff donating more than $3,000 and 630 items to Pilger Tornado Relief over two games in late June.

Heartland-Hope-Mission-logoStaples of Omaha Storm Chasers Baseball, “Hy-Vee Canned Food Sunday” and the “McDonald’s and Huber Automotive Hurl the Pearl” contest, had strong 2014 campaigns. The Heartland Hope Mission received 5,327 canned food donations ($37,289), the most since the move to Werner Park, while “Hurl the Pearl” accumulated $15,311 for the Ronald McDonald House marking a third straight year the team has raised more than $15,000 for the promotion.

Ronald-McDonald-House-Logo-The Storm Chasers players and mascots donated their time to the community with numerous player appearances at places such as Children’s/VA Hospitals. Stormy, Casey, Vortex and the three new mascots Kernel Cobb, Cappy and Sizzle made 335 mascot appearances throughout the year which was up by more than 100 appearances compared to the 2013 season.

The front office staff donated 870 hours throughout the year, including the Storm Chasers helping struggling families during last holiday season in “Drumstick On Wheels” and Chasers FUNdamentals teaching baseball to underprivileged youth this past summer. Last month, Martie Cordaro and the Storm Chasers were named the “Community Partner of the Year” by Community 360.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Omaha Storm Chasers. Click here to view the original story.

Squirrels Nominated For John Henry Moss Community Service Award

Richmond Tabbed by Eastern League for Award in 5th Season

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Richmond-Flying-SquirrelsThe Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, are pleased to announce that the organization has been nominated by the Eastern League of Professional Baseball Clubs for the 2014 John Henry Moss Community Service Award. The league nominates just one team for the award, presented annually by Minor League Baseball.

The John Henry Moss Community Service Award is bestowed upon a club that demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within their local community and within the baseball industry.

Community impact has been a foundational focal point for the Squirrels since their inception in 2010. The Squirrels’ nomination comes following a season in which they continued to expand many of their community aims. That included the launch of the Squirrels’ new non-profit arm, Flying Squirrels Charities, created with the goal of growing opportunities for local children. The first major fundraising campaign for Flying Squirrels Charities was “Smooch-a-Pig,” which included the involvement of 10 local celebrities and benefitted “Operation Renovation.” The campaign, which endeavored to rebuild 12 little league fields for the Richmond City Department of Parks & Recreation, raised over $60,000.

“There are many awards that the Squirrels as an organization would be delighted to receive,” said Flying Squirrels’ Vice President & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell. “However, this nomination is of particular significance to us. Community service is the bedrock of the Squirrels’ organization, and it is gratifying that our sustained effort continues to have a profound impact.”

The Squirrels continue to be one of the most active teams in professional sports within their community. Among their other programs and highlights:

  • “Go Nuts for Reading Program (39,000 student participants)
  • Flying Squirrels Art Contest (5th Year)
  • Score an “A”, Score a Ticket Program
  • Kroger Squirrels Tails Kids Club (24,000 Members)
  • In-Season Youth Camps
  • Drives (Food, Books, School Supplies, Blood)
  • Mustaches for Kids Program
  • Ed Randall’s Bat for the Cure
  • Charitable Events (Turn Left Golf Classic, Hot Stove Banquet, Nutzy’s Rotary Funn Run, Squirreloween, Puritan Cleaners Coats for Kids Drive, etc.)
  • 450 Mascot Appearances Annually (Local Schools, Businesses, Non-Profits, Festivals, etc.)
  • 30 Player and Coaches Appearances During the 2014 Season (200+ Hours of Community Service)
  • Executive Speaking Engagements (100+ in 2014)
  • ASK Fun Walk & 5K (Ask Foundation – 9th Annual)
  • Camp Warrior
  • Flying Squirrels Regional Youth Baseball Tournament
  • Monetary Gifts & Gifts In-Kind ($150,000)

The John Henry Moss Community Service Award is named after the longtime, former South Atlantic League president, who founded the SAL and presided over it for a half-century (1959-2008).

The John Henry Moss Community Service Award will be presented at the Baseball Winter Meetings, which will be held in San Diego, CA, from December 7-11.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Click here to view the original story.

Shibuya recipient of Twins’ Killebrew Award

Miracle pitcher shows versatility on and off the field in 2014

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Fort-Myers-Miracle-2014In September, the Minnesota Twins announced that pitcher Tim Shibuya was selected as the Harmon Killebrew Award for Community Service recipient for the Fort Myers Miracle in 2014.

Shibuya, 25, was a 23rd round draft pick of the Twins in 2011 out of the University of California-San Diego. Shibuya participated in multiple youth baseball camps as an instructor and also appeared at numerous events in Lee and Collier County throughout the season.

“It was great having Tim join us on appearances this past season,” said Miracle Manager of Community Relations Ashley Adams. “He is a hands-on, personable and active with kids. Tim makes the time with the Miracle memorable for them and our staff too.”

On the field, Shibuya posted a 7-4 record with a 3.64 earned run average in 28 games, 10 starts. Tossing a total of 89 innings, Shibuya walked just 11 hitters and tallied 59 strikeouts. In his minor league career, Shibuya has made 74 appearances and has a career ERA at 3.62.

The Killebrew Award honors the long time Twins great and Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew. Each season, the General Manager and Field Manager of the four full-season affiliates nominate a candidate that best exemplified the compassion and spirit of Killebrew through work in the local community.

Former Miracle pitcher Logan Darnell was the recipient for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. Tony Thomas was awarded the honor for the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats and Tanner Vavra the winner for the Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Fort Myers Miracle. Click here to view the original story.

Hooks Earn Community Service Nomination

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Corpus-Christi-HooksThe Hooks have earned the Texas League’s nomination for the John H. Moss Community Service Award, presented annually to a minor league team for its commitment to charitable service and support within the community and baseball industry.

In 2014, the Hooks continued their long-standing community initiatives and took on new initiatives. Whataburger Youth Sports Day stood out as the newest addition. At every April and May Sunday game, youth baseball leagues from around South Texas received free game tickets and participated in a pre-game parade around the warning track. Over 4,100 tickets were distributed among eight organizations.

Some of the longer running programs that continued in 2014 included the Get Hooked on Reading program, the Stripes Diamond and the South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet.

“One of the telling indicators of a club’s successful integration in their community is their commitment to good works,” Texas League President Tom Kayser said. “The breadth of the Hooks giving in the greater Corpus Christi area is stunning. With the willing cooperation of the Houston Astros, the Hooks have long been known to involve their players in a wide range of wonderful causes. Additionally, the Hooks and their staff have worked with a variety of causes, organizations and institutions that has resulted in wide ranging benefits to untold numbers of area residents.”

The team’s oldest initiative is the Get Hooked on Reading program, started in 2004 and sponsored by Flint Hills Resources, which encourages children in grades one through eight to read during the summer months. The Stripes Diamond gives youth teams a chance to play at Whataburger Field. Located beyond the center field fence, the diamond has hosted over 540 squads, including 36 in 2014.

The largest off-field baseball event in the Coastal Bend, the South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet serves as the unofficial “first pitch” to high school baseball each winter. The event features recognition for high school baseball and softball players, college baseball players, pros and a lifetime achievement award recipient. Growing year after year, the annual dinner attracted over 700 attendees in 2014.

In addition to these community projects, the Hooks also participate in several fundraisers throughout the year, including AT&T Shirt off the Back Night and the Grande Grand Prize Game.

Shirt off the Back Night takes place during the final homestand of each season and postgame player jerseys are raffled off to fans, who receive one ticket upon entry with the opportunity to purchase more. The money raised from additional raffle ticket purchases is then distributed to a non-profit organization.

The Grand Prize Game, sponsored by Grande Communications, occurs once a month during the season. By purchasing a baseball for one dollar, fans have a chance to win or share $1,000 if they can chuck the ball into a wine barrel from the stands. Like Shirt off the Back Night, proceeds from this promotion also benefit a non-profit.

Each minor league may nominate one of its teams for the award and the nominees are then reviewed by the MiLB Awards Committee, with recommendations being presented to MiLB senior management for a final decision.

The community service award’s namesake, John H. Moss, founded the South Atlantic League in 1957 and served as its president for 50 years. The Grand Junction Rockies earned the inaugural honor last season.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Corpus Christi Hooks.  Click here to view the original story.

Blackmar Honored for Outstanding Community Service

Former Keys Pitcher Receives Elrod Hendricks Award

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Frederick-KeysOn Thursday, the Baltimore Orioles announced Mark Blackmar as the organization’s winner of the 2014 Elrod Hendricks Award. Given out annually since 1992, the award honors one player whose level of community involvement is worthy of special recognition and that truly stands out within the Orioles Minor League Organization. Blackmar will receive the award on Thursday night during a pregame ceremony at Camden Yards.

Blackmar, 22, becomes the third Key in as many years to win the Hendricks award. In 2013, Anthony Caronia received the award, while Trent Howard was recognized in 2012. Since 2004, seven Frederick players have been recognized with Orioles top minor league prize for community involvement.

During his time in Frederick, Blackmar visited the Frederick County libraries to read to children, spent time with fans at the Frederick Celtic Festival and served as a camp counselor at the Keys Youth Baseball Camp.

“Mark was always very eager to go out into the community and had a really positive attitude,” said Keys Promotions Manager Christine Roy. “He was friendly with everyone and was really a pleasure to work with.”

For his commitment to community service, Blackmar was honored with the Steve Bechler Award last Saturday, which recognizes the Keys player who best represents the value, character and commitment of Joel Stephens in community service.

On the same night he was recognized, Blackmar was traded to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Alejandro De Aza. Former Keys pitcher Miguel Chalas was also involved in the trade. One of the Orioles top minor league pitchers in 2014, Blackmar finished the year with the second-best ERA (3.18) among Baltimore minor leaguers. He was also tied for fourth in wins (10). The Corpus Christi, TX native ended the year with the fifth-best ERA in the Carolina League, and was third in WHIP (1.08) and batting average against (.229).

In addition to Blackmar, the Orioles will recognize former Keys Christian Walker and Tyler Wilson on Thursday night. Walker will receive the Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year award while Wilson will be recognized with the Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year award.

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