A League of Her Own

 

The Fresno Grizzlies are proud to announce a new initiative to support and encourage girls in the sports industry-whether on the field or in the front office. Through the overarching initiative “A League of Her Own,” we aim to provide real and meaningful experiences for girls to participate in sports. The Grizzlies will implement this new mission through three unique programs: Summer Shadow Program, Women in Sports Speaker Series and a Girls’ Baseball Clinic.

This summer, the Fresno Grizzlies will kick off the Summer Shadow Program. This program aims to give young girls a meaningful opportunity to explore their options for a career in the sports industry. There will be two week-long cohorts from June 15-20 and July 13-18. Up to five young women between the ages of 14-18 and who are currently enrolled in high school will be selected for each cohort. The selected participants will rotate through each department within the Fresno Grizzlies’ front office and game day operations. At the end of the week program, each girl will be recognized during a pre-game, on field ceremony. To apply for the program, click here.

Another program that the Grizzlies will kick off this summer is the Women in Sports Speaker Series. The series aims to give young women inspiration to follow their sports dreams through role models already in the industry. The program will take place one Sunday a month, prior to a Grizzlies home game. Speakers will highlight local women who have pioneered a career in the sports industry, whether on-field or in the front office. There will be a free pre-game forum with purchase of any ticket to the game.

Finally, the Grizzlies are partnering with the Visalia Rawhide to provide two back-to-back weekends of Girls’ Clinics for the Central Valley. Both clinics will provide young women with the opportunity to learn baseball fundamentals from each team’s own players. The Grizzlies clinic will highlight keynote speaker Ila Borders; who is the first woman to pitch and win a game on a professional men’s baseball team. The Grizzlies clinic will also be free for young women ages 5 – 12 and will take place Saturday, May 23 from 8 am to 1 pm at Chukchansi Park. To register for the clinic, click here.

The Grizzlies support and encourage all girls and women who aspire to pursue a career in the sports industry to be involved in this new initiative. If you would like to learn more information about the programs listed, please click here.

 

#Growlifornia

 

ABOUT THE FRESNO GRIZZLIES

The Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals, are a member of the 16-team Pacific Coast League (PCL) and one of 30 clubs in the world playing the highest level of Minor League Baseball. The team plays at Chukchansi Park in Downtown Fresno, which is also a year-round community venue, hosting a myriad of other special events beyond Grizzlies’ games, such as concerts, festivals, high school baseball and over 100 non-profit community events every year. The Grizzlies enter the 2020 season – their 23rd in Fresno – on the momentum of the fifth championship in 10 years by their big league affiliate. The team celebrated their own PCL title in 2015.

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

Registration Open for OKC Dodgers Rookie League 2020 Season

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Area youth baseball players can register now to participate in the upcoming third season of the Oklahoma City Dodgers Rookie League, as well as sign up for hitting clinics to be held Jan. 18-19 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The OKC Dodgers Rookie League is a youth baseball league formed in 2018 in partnership with Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation to help increase youth baseball participation in the community, as well as foster an environment that emphasizes leadership, teamwork and sportsmanship.

The league consists of four baseball divisions to accommodate boys and girls in multiple skill levels and age groups. Teams compete in divisions of 4U T-Ball, 6U T-Ball, 8U Coach Pitch and 10U Kid Pitch. Practices will be held once per week starting March 23. Game play begins April 4 and runs through June 13.

New for 2020, two OKC Dodgers Rookie League Hitting Clinics will take place Jan. 18-19 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Participants will learn the fundamentals of baseball and have the opportunity to hit in the batting cages used by OKC Dodgers players. A clinic for 4U and 6U participants will take place from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18. A clinic for 8U and 10U participants will take place from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19. OKC Parks and Rec staff will be on hand both days to assist with clinic and season registration.

The cost to attend is $20 and can be applied toward the participant’s OKC Dodgers Rookie League registration fees. If the participant is already registered for the 2020 Rookie League season, the clinic is free to attend. Registration is available now at okcdodgers.com/rookieleague. Spots are limited, so early registration is encouraged.

“Through the Rookie League, we are directly impacting the Oklahoma City community by providing opportunities for area youth to participate in baseball and to help grow the game we know and love,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “We are proud to partner with OKC Parks and Rec to help our youth learn valuable lessons such as teamwork and sportsmanship, while having fun and being active. The Rookie League continues to expand each year and we look forward to opening 2020 with our new hitting clinics later this month.”

The OKC Dodgers Rookie League originally formed in 2018 when the OKC Dodgers partnered with Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation to provide resources and help reduce costs in order to make baseball more accessible to area youth.

The OKC Dodgers Rookie League has already experienced substantial growth. Starting with more than 200 players in 2018, participation quickly grew by 40 percent in 2019 during the league’s second season. Rookie League players hailed from throughout Oklahoma City last season, representing 52 of the 74 zip codes in the metro area.

The OKC Dodgers provide jerseys, hats, belts and equipment for each team. Registration fees for 4U and 6U participants are $35 and for 8U and 10U participants are $55 to help cover operation expenses such as umpires and field maintenance.

The OKC Dodgers Rookie League season schedule consists of seven games played at Wheeler Park, located at 1120 S. Western Ave. in Oklahoma City.

An on-field parade for OKC Dodgers Rookie League participants will be held prior to an OKC Dodgers game at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in May and closing ceremonies will take place at the ballpark in June.

The deadline to register is Feb. 24 and players can register online or find more information about the OKC Dodgers Rookie League at okcdodgers.com/rookieleague. A limited number of complimentary baseball bat/baseball combo packs are available to registrants, so early registration is encouraged.

Individuals interested in coaching or volunteering for the OKC Dodgers Rookie League can email ryan.hill@okc.gov or call (405) 297-2477.

Season ticket and group packages for the OKC Dodgers’ 2020 season are available now for purchase as the team’s home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14 against Nashville. Visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182 for more information.

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

Steve Jeltz Baseball Clinic at Rip It Batting Cages to Benefit Baseballtown Charities

 

(Reading, PA) – The Reading Fightin Phils announced on Thursday that former R-Phils and Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Steve Jeltz will be hosting a special baseball clinic at Rip It Batting Cages on Saturday, February 1st to benefit Baseballtown Charities.

The three-hour clinic will include instruction on hitting, infield, baserunning, and the mental approach to the game, as well as free autographs and photos with Steve Jeltz.

Jeltz played eight years in Major League Baseball from 1983-90, spending seven of those seasons with the Phillies. Primarily a shortstop, Jeltz saw time at six different positions throughout his Major League career. Jeltz was a ninth round draft pick of the Phillies in 1980, and was a member of the R-Phils in 1982.

Since then, Jeltz has become a renowned baseball instructor, teaching kids the mental side of the game as well as the importance of having fun on the field. Guest instructors at the clinic will include the 2020 King of Baseballtown Greg Edge, a former Spring Training teammate of Jeltz’s and an R-Phils shortstop in the late ’80s.

The clinic will benefit Baseballtown Charities, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization which was founded to keep baseball alive in Reading, allowing the area’s youth to benefit from the many life lessons the game teaches. Parents can register their child to participate in the clinic for $60 per player. Groups of four or more players who register together can sign up for a discounted rate of $50 per player.

To register for the Steve Jeltz Baseball Clinic, please email Roberto Sanchez at ripitbattingcages@gmail.com.

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

San Jose Giants Release 2019 Community Report

The San Jose Giants released today their 2019 Community Report. The report serves as an overview of the organization’s community outreach, charitable fundraising efforts, youth development, in-stadium service and community events hosted at Municipal Stadium as well as a ‘thank you’ to all fans, partners, players and staff members.

“We are extremely blessed to open the Excite Ballpark gates to the best fans and partners in all of Minor League Baseball. The passion and loyalty displayed by our community is the inspiration behind every San Jose Giants home game and community event.,” said Daniel Orum, San Jose Giants President and CEO. “We are eager to continue the momentum next year and are working hard to bring an even better experience to Excite Ballpark in 2020.”

 

The 2019 Community Report demonstrates the club’s activity in the community and overall pledge to giving back both inside and outside the stadium’s gates. Highlights of the report include information about Giants player and mascot appearances, staff volunteer efforts, Excite Credit Union Hometown Heroes, special fundraising programs, Minor League Baseball community initiatives, in-stadium service, San Jose Giants baseball and more. For the complete 2019 San Jose Giants Community Report, click on the link below.

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.

View 2019 Community Report

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

Keys Win Matt Minker Community Service Award

FREDERICK, MD -The Frederick Keys are excited to announce that they have been named the winner of the Carolina League’s Matt Minker Community Service Award. This award is given out to the team that best demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within its community.

It marks the first time that the Keys have received this award as an organization after the Minker Award became a team honor in 2014. When it was an individual award, Jacob Julius brought home the honor in 2013.

“We are thrilled to be recognized with the Minker award,” said Keys Director of Marketing Erin Lawson. “Building long-lasting community partnerships is a hallmark of Frederick Keys baseball. We look forward to expanding our footprint throughout Frederick County and beyond in the years to come through community programs, donations, appearances and other initiatives.

The Keys were recognized for their efforts in 2019 thanks in large part to charitable giving, donations and strong community programs. Over the last year, the Keys have donated more than $10,000 through the team’s charitable foundation-Frederick Keys Care. Beneficiaries included the YMCA, Heartly House, Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP), Advocates for Homeless Families, Blessings in a Backpack and Sophie and Madigan’s Playground. Over the last three years, close to $50,000 has been raised for Keys Care through the team’s Charity Golf Classic, Mystery Ball, 50/50 raffles and more.

In 2019, the Keys made donations to over 500 different organizations. These included game tickets, suites, marketing booths, jerseys, hats and autographed memorabilia. Combined, these donations were valued at just over $47,000. The Keys also hosted a Toys for Tots Drive and worked with Orioles Advocates on the Cardboard 2 Leather Program as well as the United Way’s Stuff the Bus program. To go with this, non-profit groups raised $14,500 through the Keys Pack the Park program and over $30,000 through the Charity Concession Program.

Strong community programs remained a staple of Keys baseball in 2019, with the Keys distributing 58,000 summer reading bookmarks to libraries in seven counties. Students who completed their library’s summer reading program could then come to a Keys game. Young fans were honored for their scholastic achievements through the team’s Report Card Program and were challenged to be active for 60 minutes a day leading up to Family Fitness Weekend.

The Keys worked hand-in-hand with non-profit groups during the United Way’s annual Day of Action, Make a Difference Thursday and hosted several charity softball games to raise money for the Police Activities League and for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Specific games also raised awareness for the American Cancer Society, Heartly House and the Frederick Arts Council. These games also involved the team wearing a special hat or jersey which raised money for each organization.

Keys players were active in the community this year, attending over 80 events in the Frederick community and surrounding areas along with Keys mascot Keyote. Keys players participated in a pre-game softball game with Challenger Little League, made sign language videos with students from the Maryland School of the Deaf and served as camp counselors for the team’s baseball camp. Individually, Cameron Bishop was named the winner of the Orioles prestigious Elrod Hendricks Minor League Community Service Award.

A link to the entire schedule for the Keys 2020 season is available here. Fireworks dates and a full Keys promotional schedule for 2020 will be announced at a later date. To stay tuned for the latest team news and for ticket information fans can visit frederickkeys.com and follow the team on Twitter (@frederickkeys), Facebook and Instagram (@frederickkeys.com).

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

MLBPAA Brings Legends For Youth Baseball Clinic Series to Spokane

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Local youth will have an opportunity to play with their big league heroes at the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) Legends for Youth baseball clinic series on Wednesday, September 25th, 2019. In conjunction with the Spokane Indians, the free clinic features former Major League Baseball players who will teach baseball skills, drills and life lessons, concluding with an autograph session and baseball giveaways for children in attendance.

Players attending* include seven-year MLB veteran Kevin Stocker, alongside Gonzaga Athletic Hall of Fame member Mike Davey and former Spokane Indian Robert Strampe.

Clinic details:

• Avista Stadium, home of the Spokane Indians
  602 North Havana Street, Spokane, WA 99202
• Time: Clinic check-in beginning at 4:30 p.m. with instruction running from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• To register, visit baseballalumni.com. Registration is required.

For more information, please contact Nikki Warner, Director of Communications, at (719) 477-1870, ext. 105 or visit www.baseballalumni.com.

*Clinicians subject to change.

About The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA)

MLBPAA was founded in 1982 with the mission of promoting baseball, raising money for charity and protecting the dignity of the game through its Alumni players. The MLBPAA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO with a membership of more than 8,600, of which approximately 6,100 are Alumni and active players. Alumni players find the MLBPAA to be a vital tool to become involved in charity and community philanthropy. Follow @MLBPAA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates.

About Legends for Youth Clinics

MLBPAA’s Legends for Youth clinics impact more than 19,000 children each year, allowing them the unique opportunity to interact with and learn from players who have left a lasting impact on the game of baseball. The MLBPAA has reached children across America and internationally in Australia, Canada, China, Cuba, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, the United Kingdom and Venezuela, through the Legends for Youth clinic series. To donate to this program, visit baseballalumni.com/donate. The official hashtag of the Legends for Youth clinic series is #LFYClinic.

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

Owen Tabbed as Indy’s Pirates Community Commitment Award Winner

 

INDIANAPOLIS – Representing the Indianapolis Indians with class both on and off the field, utilityman Hunter Owen will be honored in an on-field ceremony at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park on Wednesday, September 18, prior to the Pirates hosting the Seattle Mariners at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Evansville, Ind. native and Indiana State University product has been selected as Indy’s 2019 Pirates Community Commitment Award winner.

Owen led all Indians players by dedicating a combined 15 volunteer service hours to the Altoona, Pa. and Indianapolis communities. One honoree is chosen from every affiliate in the Pirates farm system each season.

In Indianapolis, Owen devoted off-the-field hours to Make-a-Wish and the Indianapolis Kiwanis Luncheon, where he was a guest panelist. Owen, 25, also dedicated his time to youth clinics, meet-and-greets with young Indians fans and autograph signings. In Altoona, he volunteered at the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society.

Instituted in 2008, the Pirates Community Commitment Program (PCCP) helps each player in the Pirates organization understand the personal and professional growth opportunities linked to community service, as they are viewed as role models or potential leaders.

To purchase season tickets, contact the Victory Field Box Office at (317) 269-3545 or Tickets@IndyIndians.com.

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

Free Coaching Workshops At Blue Wahoos Stadium

Register Now!

Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities (RBI) Pensacola and the Positive Coaching Alliance will host a pair of free two-hour workshops for local coaches at Blue Wahoos Stadium in September, bringing advice from top athletes and coaches nationwide to help local coaches from all sports develop new skills to lead their athletes.

Coaches and parents of athletes are invited to attend either of the free sessions, one held on Thursday, September 12 from 7:00-9:00 PM at the Better Homes and Gardens Main Street Properties Lounge at Blue Wahoos Stadium with the second held on Saturday, September 14 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM in the same location.

RBI Pensacola is a local chapter of the nationwide Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities program designed to help provide young people from underserved areas with the opportunity to play baseball and achieve academic success. In Pensacola, they provide both baseball and softball programs, helping increase participation in the sports among under-served youth, encourage academic achievement, promote greater inclusion of minority communities in the games, and teach young athletes the value of teamwork.

The Positive Coaching Alliance has led over 20,000 workshops for leaders, coaches, parents, and athletes nationwide, reaching over 19 million youth since 1998. Using their Double-Goal pedagogy, they focus on using positive reinforcement and the importance of teaching life lessons to produce better athletes and better people.

Register now!

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

2019 Bluefield Blue Jays Baseball Camp

Registration is now open for our 2019 Bluefield Blue Jays Baseball Camp.

Youth (ages 6-13 years old) are invited to our annual Blue Jays Camp here at Bowen Field on the 13th of July. Campers will be working with the players from the Blue Jays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Lunch will also be provided to all campers.

Please see the link below to access the registration forum and contact us at (304) 324-1326 for any questions or concerns.

http://www.milb.com/documents/3/3/6/308016336/2019_Blue_Jays_Baseball_Camp.pdf

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

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Registration for 2019 Meijer Baseball Academy Now Open

SOUTH BEND, IN – With the 2019 Midwest League season underway, the South Bend Cubs players and coaches are preparing for the 2019 Meijer Baseball Academy at Four Winds Field this July. The organization will welcome young baseball players of all skill levels to participate in the Academy for two three-day sessions that run from July 10 through July 12, and again from July 24 until July 26.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The two academy training sessions are to help keep the camp sizes more concise and to allow more one-on-one interaction with the South Bend players and coaches. Registration is open to children from 6 to 12 years of age. Instruction from players and coaches will be based on the age and skill level of each participant. Throughout the three-day experience, participants will learn about hitting, pitching, fielding (infield and outfield), catching, and base running.

The registration fee for one, three-day session is $125.00 per child. All attendees will receive a Meijer Baseball Academy t-shirt, a South Bend Cubs hat, lunch after each day of camp, and four (4) tickets to a South Bend Cubs game where all academy campers will participate in a pre-game recognition on the field.

Check-in for the first day of each session will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET. Camps will run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., with lunch at 11:50 a.m. Do not delay in registering, there is a limit of only 85 kids per session with the registration deadline set for June 10. To sign up, download the application and wavier form available here and email it to Marketing@SouthBendCubs.com. Payments can be mailed or dropped off at the South Bend Cubs main office at Four Winds Field. Registration is not complete until payment has been received.

About the South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs are the Class A minor league affiliate of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 31 seasons, the team has won five Midwest League titles, most recently in 2005, and has captured 12 division titles. In 2019, the South Bend Cubs will host the Midwest League All-Star Game. In June 2017, Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, was voted Best Class A ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest. In 2015 the team was named Ballpark Digest’s Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President’s Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose principal shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill.

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

Scrappers Set To Host 2019 Youth Camp

NILES, OH – The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are excited to announce that they have partnered with Vlad Pediatrics to host a three-day Youth Baseball Camp July 30 through August 1.

The Scrappers Youth Camp provides kids ages 8-13 a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from some of the very best players in Minor League Baseball. All exercises and instruction will be taught by Scrappers players and coaching staff, and will focus on baseball fundamentals, sportsmanship and healthy competition. Boys and girls of all ability levels are encouraged to participate and learn from the Scrappers players and coaches in a small group setting.

Camp registration includes instruction each day from 9am until 12pm, a ticket to the Thursday, August 1st Scrappers game against the Aberdeen IronBirds, on field recognition prior to the August 1st game, a camp t-shirt, and a lunch the final day of camp. To ensure that your child receives individualized attention, the Youth Baseball Camp has been limited to 100 campers and early registration is highly encouraged. The 2019 Scrappers Youth Baseball Camp is $100 per child.

To register for the 2019 Scrappers Youth Baseball Camp, click here or call (330) 505-0000.

The Scrappers Home Opener is set for Sunday, June 16 at 6:35pm against the Batavia Muckdogs. Ticket memberships and ticket packages can be purchased now at mvscrappers.com, the Chevy All Stars Box Office at Eastwood Field or by calling (330) 505-0000.

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

BlueClaws Charities Announces 2018 Grant Recipients

BlueClaws Charities announced the 39 different organizations to receive a grant as part of their 2018 grant distribution.

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LAKEWOOD, NJ – BlueClaws Charities completed their 10th annual grant distribution by handing out grants to 39 area organizations, it was announced on Monday.

BlueClaws Charities Community Partner organizations, all 501c3s that work with the BlueClaws throughout the year, were eligible to apply for a grant and all organizations that applied for a grant received one.

Each applicant was asked to detail a specific use for the grant, with the requirement that all money received from BlueClaws Charities stays in Ocean & Monmouth Counties. A complete list can be found below.

“We are very proud to be support such a wide variety of local organizations that do tremendous work as part of the non-profit community around the Jersey Shore,” said Jim DeAngelis, BlueClaws Charities Executive Director. “These organizations are on the ground working with the underserved in our communities, doing spectacular work.

“Further, it is important that all of the grant money donated by BlueClaws Charities stays here in Ocean and Monmouth Counties,” said DeAngelis. ” It is an honor for BlueClaws Charities to be able to assist these great groups doing their work in our local community.”

The following organizations received grants:

– ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia – to subsidize the cost of services for people living with ALS who reside in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
– Alzheimer’s Association – to provide services to people living with Alzheimer’s and their families.
– The Arc, Ocean County Chapter – to provide funding to the Arc programs that support 1,500 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in residential, vocational, and recreation services throughout the community.
– The Ashley Lauren Foundation – to assist children with cancer and their families through direct family financial assistance.
– Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Ocean County – to continue community mentorship programs in Ocean County.
– Boy Scouts of America, Jersey Shore Council – to provide direct support to the Scoutreach Cub Scout pack at the Clark Elementary School in Lakewood.
– The Brodie Fund – to continue their mission of offering financial assistance to families that have pets fighting cancer.
– Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey – to help defray the cost of criminal background checks completed on all volunteers prior to assignments.
– Cheer Dream Scoliosis Foundation – to enhance the equipment for their special needs team.
– David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation – to offer financial assistance and wellness services to families affected by a cancer diagnosis.
– Dottie’s House – to provide essential counseling to families to become self-sufficient in their futures.
– Easterseals New Jersey – to teach individuals living with disabilities and special needs and their families about health, nutrition, and exercise education.
– Exit 82 Theatre Company – to assist in their 2019 production season.
– Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore – to fund the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s outreach program in Ocean County.
– Go 4 The Goal – to support the Kart 4 Kids, a kart stocked with snacks, gift cards, toys, activities, and electronics to entice kids of all ages.
– Guidinglight House – to provide funding for program services for homeless female veterans.
– HABcore, Inc – to help fund the supportive services program component of HABcore’s Rapid Re-Housing Program in Ocean County.
– JAR of Hope – to fund research in the hope of eliminating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
– Kids Need More – to enhance the lives of children and their families dealing with a diagnosis of cancer or life threatening illness.
– LADACIN Network – to support their Child Care and Preschool Program which integrate children with and without disabilities.
– Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund – to provide funds to assist in aiding and assistant wounded warriors and their families.
– The Mya Lin Terry Foundation – to support their Holiday Gifting Campaign to benefit pediatric cancer warriors.
– Northern Ocean County Habitat for Humanity – to provide necessary repairs and modifications to a senior’s home through their Aging in Place program.
– Ocean County Family Support Organization – to offset the costs of trips for their Youth Partnerships Program.
– Ocean County Shrine Club – to expand and upgrade the hospital’s Walk-in and Urgent Pediatric Fracture Clinic.
– Ocean County YMCA – to support kids, families, and seniors through the Y-Cares Financial Assistance Program such that they will be able to benefit from membership regardless of their financial resources.
– Ocean’s Harbor House – to replace aging computers in their Emergency Youth Shelter.
– Ocean Partnership for Children – to provide needed equipment for the agency’s consulting psychiatrist to use with the youth being seen, as well as to provide books, sensory materials, and toys for the waiting room and psychiatrist’s meeting space.
– Piece of the Puzzle – to produce a Corner Cafe vocational curriculum for students with autism.
– Parents of Autistic Children – to provide a challenger sports league designed to offer a socialization opportunity between disabled students along with typically developing peers from across Ocean and Monmouth Counties.
– Probation Association of New Jersey Education Fund – to enhance education training opportunities through the operation of their annual training conference.
– Raising Hope for Others – to offset the cost of their August fundraiser.
– RJM Sportsgroup – to help raise money for scholarships for students who belong to the Jackson School District.
– The Salvation Army of Ocean County – to help fund their weekly soup kitchen meal, which serves 50-100 meals each week.
– Seabrook Village – to provide scholarships to eligible student employees who graduate high school and are participating in a form of higher education.
– Society for Prevention of Teen Suicide – support Ocean County Youth Council programming for the 2018-19 academic year by engaging youth ambassadors in the prevention process and working on suicide prevention projects.
– The TEARS Foundation – to provide assistance to families who have lost a child due to pregnancy or infant loss in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
– Tom Giannattasio Jr. Memorial Fund – to provide scholarships to graduating seniors residing in Brick Township.
– United Way of Monmouth & Ocean Counties – to purchase warm clothing for low-income children.

Money is raised for BlueClaws Charities throughout the year including through a nightly 50/50 raffle at all BlueClaws home games, special jersey auctions, and events like the Nine and Dine golf outing.

BlueClaws Charities, in addition to this grant program, supports hundreds local organizations and fundraising events with gift package donations, golf outing hole-in-one sponsorships, and specialty organizations such as OCEAN, Inc., a federal program that assists the less fortunate in the community. The “Tickets for Kids Program,” another BlueClaws Charities initiative, donates over 2,000 tickets to under-served youths in Lakewood and elsewhere in Ocean County.

Other events hosted by BlueClaws Charities include a Challenger Clinic for the developmentally disabled, a food & toy drive during the holiday season, a school supply drive leading into the fall, and baseball camps for the underserved in conjunction with the MLB Players Association.

Organizations that would like to become Community Partners can call Jim DeAngelis at 732-901-7000 ext 114. Space in the program, which includes both fundraising and promotional opportunities, is limited and those interested are encouraged to contact the BlueClaws as soon as possible.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. In 2018, the team debuted a brand-new nine-hole Family Mini Golf Course, Biergarten, and Home Run Pavilion (boardwalk game area) as part of a major renovation to FirstEnergy Park.

2019 ticket packages and group outings are currently on sale by calling 732-901-7000 option 3 or online at BlueClaws.com.

– BlueClaws –

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

Riders support numerous local non-profits in October

FRISCO, Texas (Nov. 6, 2018) – Though the 2018 baseball season has ended, the RoughRiders Foundation stayed extremely productive during the month of October.

“There’s no offseason when it comes to the work we do with the RoughRiders Foundation,” said Breon Dennis, Executive Director of the RoughRiders Foundation. “We are constantly seeking ways to get involved with the great people of North Texas and our body of work in October was no exception.”

Below is a recap of the Foundation’s activity in October:

* Casino Night (October 13): The Foundation raised more than $6,000 at its annual VIP event thanks to the generous support of the team’s Founder’s members, suiteholders and corporate partners.
* Frisco Family Services (October 16): Riders staff helped sort through donated items and assisted in restocking shelves at the facility.

* StreetSide Showers (October 17): Staff made and distributed hygiene kits, while also helping pass out lunches.

* RoughRiders Baseball Academy (October 21): During the latest clinic for kids, Halloween candy was collected and donated to Soldier’s Angels Treats for Troops.
* National Breast Cancer Foundation (October 24): Riders employees helped make HOPE kits that will be sent out to patients who are battling breast cancer.

* RoughRiders Fall Festival (October 27): More than 2,000 cans of food were collected and donated to North Texas Food Bank as part of the team’s annual event.

In addition to its involvement in community activities, the RoughRiders also hosted the following events to help support various non-profit organizations:

* Red River Celebrity Softball Game (October 4), benefitting the Toby Keith Foundation, the Roger Clemens Foundation and the Just Keep Livin Foundation.
* The Ticket Dinger Derby (October 26), benefitting Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

* Light The Night Walk (October 28), supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

If you would like the RoughRiders to volunteer with your organization, please email community@ridersbaseball.com. For more information on the RoughRiders Foundation, click here.

The 2019 season begins April 4 at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Ticket memberships and group hospitality packages are now on sale. The promotional calendar will be unveiled in early 2019 with single-game tickets going on sale soon after. For more information, visit RidersBaseball.com or call (972) 731-9200.

About the RoughRiders

The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 14 seasons (2005-2018). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg. Since then, the new ownership group, together with the City of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise enhancements, investing over $8 million in a wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including a state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, InTouch Grille, Riders Outpost Team Store and the world’s largest water feature in a sports facility, the massive Choctaw Lazy River. These enhancements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco Ballpark Digest’s prestigious “Best Ballpark Renovation” award for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016). More than 140 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Adrian Gonzalez, Ian Kinsler and Neftali Feliz, as well as current Rangers stars Elvis Andrus, Rougned Odor and Nomar Mazara. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders and Dr Pepper Ballpark, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact Ryan Rouillard at RRouillard@RidersBaseball.com.

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

Blue Rocks Win Carolina League’s Matt Minker Award For Community Service

Wilmington, DE– The Wilmington Blue Rocks were honored by the Carolina League this week for the fifth consecutive season with the Matt Minker Community Service Award. The team was selected by a league-wide vote of club executives and owners.

“I could not be more proud of everyone within the Blue Rocks’ organization,” said managing partner Dave Heller. “I am especially pleased for my partner and friend Clark Minker, since the community service award bears his late father’s name. I am delighted for everyone with the Blue Rocks who worked so hard to earn this tremendous team accolade. We take enormous pride in our work helping families within Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, southern Jersey and Maryland’s north shore, and this award is a nice recognition of those efforts.”

The Minker Award is earned by the Carolina League club which best demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support, and leadership within its community. The award is named after the Blue Rocks’ founder, Matt Minker, who owned the club until his death in 2007. Minker, whose construction company built Frawley Stadium, remains the team’s honorary president.

The Blue Rocks participated in numerous school programs, charitable endeavors and hospital visits. The team works with area schools to promote academic achievement (DSEA Rocky’s Reading Challenge), citizenship (Grotto Pizza Outstanding Student Program) and overall knowledge (Discover Baseball and Education Day). The club also hosts three youth camps each summer, teaching local kids how to play the game of baseball.

The team helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for good causes such as Habitat for Humanity, Fight for the Gold, Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware, Special Olympics Delaware, Food Bank of Delaware and many other charities through partnerships with local businesses such as Chase and Food Lion. Several times during the season, the team’s players and mascot also visited local hospitals, brightening the spirits of patients and their families.

“Matt Minker was instrumental in laying the foundation for the Blue Rocks founding and later success,” said Blue Rocks director of community affairs Kevin Linton. “It is fitting that this award recognizes his life’s work and we are thrilled as an organization to honor his legacy for a fifth consecutive season by earning this recognition.”

 

As the Carolina League’s recipient of the Matt Minker Award, the Blue Rocks received the 10-team league’s nomination for the John Henry Moss Community Service Award, given out by Minor League Baseball at its annual Winter Meetings, to be held this December in Las Vegas.

The Blue Rocks recently announced a two-year extension of their Player Development Contract to remain the Advanced-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Season seats for the 2019 season will be available on October 18, mini plans go on sale November 1, and groups packages are available for purchase November 8. For more information, please go to BlueRocks.com.

www.bluerocks.com

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

Riders Foundation busy in community during August

FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 12, 2018) – The RoughRiders Foundation logged more than 200 volunteer hours during the month of August, registering another busy month working with the North Texas community.

“Each month, it seems we take another step forward and that was certainly the case in August,” said Breon Dennis, Executive Director of the RoughRiders Foundation. “It gives me immense pride to see our players and staff contribute to this great community as much as they have been lately.

Here’s a full breakdown of how the Riders got involved in the community throughout August.

* Play Ball event (August 5): In conjunction with Minor League Baseball, Riders catcher Jose Trevino and Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney helped run a clinic for kids, encouraging them to maintain an active lifestyle.

* Habit for Humanity (August 8): Staff members painted the exterior of a home and assisted with other construction projects.

* Frisco Fastpacs (August 15): Volunteers sorted and inventoried more than 10,000 goods to be packaged and sent to schools throughout Frisco ISD.

* Children’s Health visit (August 17): Riders President & General Manager Andy Milovich, and players Wes Benjamin, Tyler Davis, Ryne Slack and Jose Trevino spent the morning playing with kids at Children’s Medical Center’s Dallas campus.

* Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery (August 21): Riders representatives helped clean headstones throughout the complex to benefit veterans and their families

* Keeper of the Game clinic (August 25): Riders players Tyler Davis and Ryne Slack helped with the Keeper of the Game Foundation’s special needs clinic at Dr Pepper Ballpark.

* Children’s Health visit (August 29): Riders players Wes Benjamin, Tyler Davis and Jose Trevino spent their morning with kids at the Children’s Medical Center campus in Plano.

For more information on how the RoughRiders Foundation is making a difference in North Texas, click here. If you would like the RoughRiders to volunteer with your organization, please contact Breon Dennis at (972) 334-1978 or breon@ridersbaseball.com.

The 2019 season begins April 4 at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Ticketing information will be distributed soon. For more information, visit RidersBaseball.com.

About the RoughRiders

The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 14 seasons (2005-2018). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg. Since then, the new ownership group, together with the City of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise enhancements, investing over $8 million in a wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including a state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, InTouch Grille, Riders Outpost Team Store and the world’s largest water feature in a sports facility, the massive Choctaw Lazy River. These enhancements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco Ballpark Digest’s prestigious “Best Ballpark Renovation” award for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016). More than 140 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Adrian Gonzalez, Ian Kinsler and Neftali Feliz, as well as current Rangers stars Elvis Andrus, Rougned Odor and Nomar Mazara. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders and Dr Pepper Ballpark, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact Ryan Rouillard at RRouillard@RidersBaseball.com.

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