Annual Community Events Raise Money for Ports Anchor Fund

Two very popular events for the Stockton Ports were recently held at Banner Island Ballpark. Root Beer Float Day was held on Sunday, July 10.  Not only did fans get to cool down with “bottomless” root beer floats on a hot day, but the proceeds from the event went towards the Ports Anchor Fund, which in turn helps local youth centers and youth sports.

The event was sponsored by Metro PCS and all of the root beer and ice cream was generously donated by Sunnyside Farms and Super Store Industries. Metro PCS also donated all of the mugs used for the event.

Root Beer Float Day also gives fans the opportunity to interact with their favorite Ports players. Ports pitchers Scott Deal, Mike Hart, Josh Lansford, and Rob Gilliam helped out with the event by scooping ice cream and pouring root beer for eager fans. Alongside the players, the Ports had help form radio DJ Lucas from KWIN, Dinger from the Sacramento River Cats, several Sunnyside Farms employees, and of course Splash got in on the fun as well.

The Ports were also host to two sessions of a youth baseball camp. Youth camp serves a number of purposes. First, all proceeds from the camp go to the Ports Anchor Fund. Camp also gives kids, boys and girls alike, ages 5-13 the chance to learn from the pros. Campers are able to get up close and personal with the Ports players and coaches. Youth camp is all about a fun experience for the kids, but it is also organized each year to teach young kids the fundamentals of baseball. Kids look up to the Ports players, so they always enjoy learning a few new skills from them.

Session one of baseball camp was held on June 17 & 18 and session two on July 16 & 17, both from 9 AM to 2 PM. Campers started the day with a warm-up with Ports Strength and Conditioning coach Chris Borgard. After the warm-up, the kids were broken up in to six different groups, according to age. Each station was staffed with a Ports player and the kids were taught a different skill at each one. Ports Manager Webster Garrison & Pitching Coach Craig Lefferts roamed through out each station to ensure the camp ran smoothly.

Campers learned all about outfield throwing, base running, hitting, in field throwing, and pitching. The campers also got a special treat with a visit to the clubhouse. A favorite of camp was the end-of-the-day game that they played with the Ports players. The group was divided into four different teams. Two teams in left field, two in right. Each camper had a chance at bat as well as in the outfield.

Joining Webster Garrison, Craig Lefferts and Chris Borgard was Ports Hitting Coach Brian McArn. Position players Connor Crumbliss, Leonardo Gil, Ryan Lipkin, Anthony Aliotti, Michael Choice, Rashun Dixon, and pitchers Jose Guzman, AJ Huttenlocker, Connor Hoehn, Scott Deal, and Murphy Smith all helped out.

Not only did the campers receive detailed instruction and advice from the players, they were also given a camp T-shirt, were entered in a raffle to win prizes, were given a free Ports ticket, took part in our Jr. Ports program, and were provided lunch each day of camp by Subway and Pizza Guys.

If you would like any information on any of these events, or would like to donate to the Anchor Fund, please contact Community Relations Manager Margaret Sacchet at (209) 644-1900 or msacchet@stocktonports.com.

Ports pitchers Scott Deal & Mike Hart scoop ice cream and pour root beer for fans.
Ports coaches, along with former Oakland A Rickey Henderson, and University of the Pacific baseball coaches all participating in the Home-Run-a-thon.

Ports host two successful Education Days

Education Days are two of the biggest days of the season for the Stockton Ports, Single-A Advanced affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, but this year they were bigger and better than ever. This year, the Ports Education Days were held on May 11 & May 23, both 11:05 AM day games. A total of more than 50 different schools attended the Education Days. Each child and teacher received a $6 package that included a ticket to the game, a hot dog, chips and a drink. Not only do schools use these days as an end-of-the-year field trip, but the students have a chance to interact with the players, as well as learn new things about baseball.

Before the games on May 11 & May 23, four students were chosen to ask Ports pitchers Josh Lansford, Gary Daley, Jr., AJ Huttenlocker, Chris Mederos and Scott Deal educational questions down on the field in front of the crowd. Afterwards the students were able to get autographs from the players.

During each game, students were randomly chosen to be a guest PA announcer, Radio announcer, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, as well as start the game as our Play Ball Kid and to lead the crowd in “Take me out to the Ballgame”. Stockton’s very own 6-year-old super star Kayla Talania from Creekside Elementary blew the crowd away with her version of the national anthem on May 11. Sisters Micah & Grace Ann sang for the crowd on May 23.

Clifford the Big Red Dog from Barnes and Noble was at both games, as were many local businesses promoting their education programs including Sylvan Learning Center and University of the Pacific.

“This is my first year with the Ports, so it was my first year coordinating the Education Days,” said Account Executive Peter Lopez. “With two sold out crowds, I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out. You could tell that all the kids were having a great time and were really enjoying their time at the ballpark.”

For more information on the Ports Education Days, contact (209) 644-1900.

Ports pitchers Chris Mederos, Scott Deal, Josh Lansford & AJ Huttenlocker take a picture with students from Carroll Fowler Elementary School after the pre-game educational Q&A on the field at Banner Island Ballpark.
A 6-year-old Kayla Talania belts out the national anthem during Education Day.

Ports Hit Home Run with Challenger Little League Game

The Stockton Ports and District 8 Little League hit a home run yesterday, May 12, after hosting the first Challenger Little League game at Banner Island Ballpark. Participants from the Special Children’s Sports League took to the diamond Thursday with the Stockton Ports players for what some might say the highlight of their little league careers.

“You could just tell how much fun the kids were having,” said Community Relations Manager Margaret Sacchet. “This was the first time that we have held an event like this, and it was a huge success. I think our Ports players had just as much fun as the kids did! We are already looking forward to having another game next season!”

It was the orange Tigers versus the maroon Bulldogs, but it was all friendly competition. With on-field MC ‘Hot Rod’ on the mic introducing each batter, every child had a chance at bat with help from their buddies as well as the Ports players. Pitchers Scott Deal, AJ Huttenlocker, Dan Straily, Murphy Smith, as well as position players Rashun Dixon, Michael Choice, Max Stassi, Mitch LeVier, and Myrio Richard, took part in the event and couldn’t have been happier to be involved. When AJ Huttenlocker was told that a hug from him had made a little girl’s day, he in turn said, “No, she made mine.”

At the end of the game, everyone gathered together for a big group photo and autographs from the Ports players. This gave all the parents and families the opportunity to snap a few photos of their children with the Ports and mascot Splash.

A special ‘thank you’ to Dee Dee Martinez, District 8 Little League Administrator, for helping put the event together.

Ports pitcher AJ Huttenlocker hangs out with one of his biggest fans.
Group shot with Ports mascot Splash.

Stockton Ports contribute to local Little League renovation

The Stockton Ports teamed up with the California District 8 Little League to help enrich the lives of Stockton youth through the gift of baseball. The Ports and District 8 Little League announced that Eastern Little League had been selected as the recipient of a grant that helped with field renovation.

“The 12 Little Leagues within California District 8 are extremely fortunate to have the ongoing support of the Stockton Ports,” said Dee Dee Martinez, a CA District 8 Little League Administrator. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Stockton Ports as we work together to provide a program of service to the youth of our community through our baseball and softball programs.”

The grant, worth $1,146, went to the renovation of the East Side Community Park in Stockton where the Eastern Little League plays. The Ports have worked with California District 8 Little Leagues in the past, with the League being active participants in the Ports Little League days. The grant, which was from the Player Fine Money distributed by the California League, marks the first time the Ports have partnered with the League to renovate a field. In addition to the Ports grant, We Paint donated all painting supplies and a free power washing to the renovation efforts.

“We are proud of the relationship we have established with our area little leagues and are looking forward to being able to give back to the league by improving their field for the upcoming season.” said Tim Pasisz, the Ports Director of Business Development and coordinator of the team’s youth baseball programs.

The Ports front office staff donated their time to help with the renovation on March 5. The Ports spent the morning tearing down the worn and broken fence surrounding the little league field.

“Believe it or not, tearing down this fence was a lot of work,” said Community Relations Manager Margaret Sacchet. “We are just happy that we have the opportunity to help out with projects like this. This is where it all starts for these kids. We want them to have a nice, safe field to play on. We may see them play at Banner Island Ballpark one day!”

Reading for Rewards Program Reaches Over 100 Schools

The 2011 Reading for Rewards program, presented by Wells Fargo, concluded on Friday, March 4 with the final assembly at Wilson Elementary School in Corona, California. Over the course of the reading program, Thunder visited 13 different cities and worked with over 100 local elementary schools, totaling 103 live performances. All students attending a school performance received a “Go Thunder Green” book. Additionally, schools that missed out on an assembly will receive a Reading for Rewards bookmark that the students and their parents will fill out, return to their teachers and eventually redeem for two free Storm tickets for their accomplishments. In total over 65,000 bookmarks were distributed to local students.

Over the last 11 years, the Storm has been one of the top promoters of literacy in Riverside County. “It’s been an honor to watch the reading program evolve the way that it has,” said Storm President Dave Oster. “It started as an idea to help kids stay out of trouble while promoting literacy to elementary level students. We are very proud to see what good things have come from this program.” Oster also added, “We will continue to strive to be one of the leaders in promoting the language arts as well as the Going Green Movement.”

“Go Thunder Green: Thunder’s Guide to Going Green” was produced, written and illustrated by members of the Storm front office staff at the end of the 2008 baseball season. The book contains a five stanza introduction revealing Thunder’s efforts to help the world by “Going Green” as well as a poem that details Thunder’s eight tips to help our environment. “We reached more students this year than ever before,” said Storm Director of Mascot Operations Patrick Gardenier. “On behalf of Thunder, I would like to say thank you to everyone that was involved in this year’s reading program.” Students can redeem their ticket vouchers for the following dates: Sunday, April 10, Friday, April 22, Sunday, May 8, Wednesday, May 18 and Sunday, May 22.

Stockton Ports raise close to $8,000 for St. Joseph’s Foundation Breast Health Services

The Stockton Ports held their fourth annual breast cancer awareness night on August 27 at Banner Island Ballpark. This was the most successful “Pink with the Ports” event that the Ports have hosted since beginning the fundraiser in 2007. With over 4,100 fans in attendance for the night’s game, support for St. Joseph’s was overwhelming.

This event hit close to home with the Ports this year. Becki Scarsone, wife of Ports manager Steve Scarsone, is a recent breast cancer survivor, and has early self-detection and the overwhelming love and support of family and friends to thank for her recovery. The goal of the “Pink with the Ports” event was to raise as much money possible for St. Joseph’s Foundation Breast Health Services. The Ports also wanted to stress the importance of catching cancer early, and that doing self-exams could make all of the difference.

Prior to the game against the San Jose Giants, the Ports hosted a “Bombs 4 Bombs Home-Run-a-thon” to help raise even more money for St. Joseph’s. This event was a first for the Ports. Both teams gathered on the field to participate in a friendly home run competition. Each team consisted of about 15 people, and everyone was thrown 10 pitches each. Pledges were made by fans and Ports Alumni prior to the event, so every home run hit earned money for St. Joseph’s Medical Center. Former Oakland Athletics hall-of-famer Rickey Henderson participated in the event, and dance team members from the University of the Pacific were on the field dressed in pink dance tops cheering on both teams.

One dollar from every ticket sold to that night’s game was donated to the foundation’s breast health services. Ports players and coaches also wore special pink jerseys, belts, and socks. The jerseys were auctioned off after the game and that money was also given to St. Joseph’s. Another unique fundraiser that the Ports hosted weeks leading up to Pink Night consisted of selling pink paper baseballs for $1. Messages were written on the baseballs and were made into a “Pink Wall” that was displayed at the front of the ballpark on “Pink Night”. Ports players and coaches also donated memorabilia that was used in a raffle to benefit St. Joseph’s.

Former Oakland A’s hall-of-famer Rickey Henderson participated in the Ports “Bombs 4 Bombs Home-Run-a-thon” benefitting St. Joseph’s Medical Center.
The women of St. Joseph’s raised breast cancer awareness during “Pink Night” on August 27.

American Heart Association receives support from Ports Players

Giving back and supporting local charities is important to any sports organization, and the Stockton Ports are no different.

The Stockton Ports were asked to take part in the Go Red for Women Luncheon on April 29, 2010 at The Hilton Stockton to help raise money and awareness for Go Red for Women and the American Heart Association. The luncheon provided a Healthy Lifestyle Expo & Boutique, Breakout Session, Keynote Speaker Neha Sangwan, Survivor Speaker James Niskanen, and Master of Ceremonies Jennifer Smith of News 10. The Ports players took part in the luncheon portion of the event and provided a lot of smiles and laughs for all in attendance.

The players had the responsibility of collecting donations during the lunch. But the fun part was what happened once the donations were collected. The boys were provided with red feather boas. Each person who donated received a boa from one of the players. It was a fun way to get the crowd smiling and gave them a way to interact with the Ports. Eight Ports players were involved in this wonderful event: catcher Ryan Ortiz, pitcher Kenny Smalley, pitcher Scott Deal, pitcher Trey Barham, catcher Dusty Napoleon, pitcher Paul Smyth, shortstop Grant Green, and designated hitter Kala Ka’aihue.

Stockton Ports Provide Unique Experience for Local Coaches

Wide-eyed and full of questions, local junior varsity and varsity baseball coaches at the high school level get a rare, intimate look into the life of minor league coaching.

Hours before gates open at Banner Island Ballpark, prior to a 7:05 p.m. first pitch, local coaches were able to step inside the front gates for a lesson of a lifetime. The coaches look around in awe at the ballpark, hoping their young, developing players can make it to that level one day with the help and guidance of their coaching.

Once everyone was in the ballpark, all the coaches were led down to the Ports dugout. Not just anyone gets the chance to be in a minor league dugout. It is a close, rare look at the field that only the players and coaches have the chance to experience. Once in the dugout, the men were greeted by Stockton Ports Manager Steve Scarsone.

Scarsone has been in the baseball world for a long time and had a lot of great coaching advice to give the local coaches…Don’t focus so much on the upper part, make sure your lower half does most of the work, take playing catch seriously, have them do drills, and most importantly, explain to them why. That is just some of the advice that Scarsone bestowed upon the coaches in the hour session they had in the dugout. The men asked questions and received detailed answers and examples from the seasoned coach.

After the hour talk was finished, Scarsone had to get back to batting practice with his team. The coaches weren’t finished yet, though. The men were then led behind homeplate and were able to watch a minor league batting practice up close and personal. Scarsone was still there to answer any questions that the coaches had.

In order for the coaches to attend the Ports Coaches Clinic, they had to purchase a ticket to that night’s game against the Bakersfield Blaze. So once their coaching lesson was over, their minor league experience continued with the Ports game. They were able to see all of Scarsone’s coaching advice play out right in front of them on the field.

Ports Manager Steve Scarsone talks with some of the local coaches in the Ports dugout.
Scarsone gives out more advice to the coaches on the field.

Ports 3rd Annual Hot Stove Banquet Successful

The Stockton Ports are pleased to announce that, through the generosity of the Stockton community, they were able to raise more than $7,000 at the Ports 3rd Annual Hot Stove Banquet to benefit their community fund, the Anchor Fund, which was held on February 4.

“The Hot Stove Banquet was a tremendous success, and we appreciate the support of keynote speaker Glen Kuiper, A’s Director of Player Development Keith Lieppman, Ports Manager Steve Scarsone, Ports pitcher Justin Friend, A’s Director of Scouting Eric Kubota, and all of the fans who attended,” said Ports President and General Manager Pat Filippone. “Through the generosity of Ports fans, we were able to raise money for the Anchor Fund, which will enable us to help give back to our community.”

The Anchor Fund, which aids several community projects, with a focus on youth centers and youth sports, benefits from the funds generated through the Banquet’s ticket sales, raffle and silent auction sales, and donations.

The Hot Stove Banquet, the first Ports event in 2010 to benefit the Stockton Ports Anchor Fund, provided fans with an opportunity to participate in a night of baseball, complete with a keynote address and Q &A session with Oakland Athletics TV Play-by-Play Announcer Glen Kuiper, memorabilia raffles and a silent auction. Fans also enjoyed a Q&A session with Lieppman and an address by Scarsone.

The 130 attendees enjoyed cocktails and a slideshow highlighting the 2009 season before dinner began, and they were able to purchase raffle mini-bats for items from major and minor league baseball teams from around the nation. Such items included team autographed baseballs, bobbleheads, photos, and merchandise. A silent auction was also open to fans, with autographed memorabilia from athletes such as Dallas Braden, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, Roger Clemens, Maury Wills, Duke Snider and much more. The Ports also auctioned off gift certificates to area restaurants, hotels, golf clubs and more.

Before the speakers took the podium, the Stockton Ports honored area high school stars Louie Lechich of St. Mary’s High School in Stockton and Tori Shepard of Lodi High School as the Greater Stockton Area High School Baseball and Softball Players of the Year, respectively.

Filippone was the first to address the crowd, highlighting the importance of community involvement and the Ports continuing support to the Stockton community. Filippone also stressed the value of Stockton’s affiliation with the Oakland A’s and the hope for another strong season with A’s prospects.

Lieppman was the next to speak, and discussed the strength of the A’s farm system, and the important role the Ports play in developing players for the major league level. He also opened up the floor to questions, answering fans’ queries on Barry Bonds, Dallas Braden and recently acquired prospect Michael Taylor. Scarsone was formally introduced to fans next. He encouraged fans to speak to him and get to know him during the season, and joked that he would win 2 of the first 12 games, improving on the Ports’ 1-12 start in 2009.

The event finished with Kuiper delivering his keynote address. Kuiper related some anecdotes about his past experiences with Scarsone, assuring fans that they were getting a top notch manager for the 2010 season. He also talked of his past visit to Stockton, in which he saw Dennis Eckersley make his professional debut against the Ports in 1972. Kuiper added he hoped to get to Stockton again in the 2010 season. Kuiper then opened the floor for questions. He answered questions ranging from the A’s radio and television broadcasts in 2010, to his relationship with the San Francisco Giants and his brother.

With Spring Training just around the corner, fans are close to seeing the Stockton Ports and Oakland A’s begin their search for greatness in 2010.

“Following a year in which the Ports donated approximately $35,500 and nearly $107,500 of in-kind donations, including 13,250 tickets to local non-profit organizations, charities and schools through the Anchor Fund, we definitely look forward to another successful year on and off the field,” Filippone said.

Ports President/GM Pat Filippone addresses the audience at the Ports 3rd Annual Hot Stove Banquet.
Keynote Speaker and Oakland A’s TV play-by-play announcer Glen Kuiper talks of his past experiences with new Ports manager Steve Scarsone.

Ports Thank Supporters for Book Giveaway aid

The Stockton Ports were proud to add to their efforts to promote literacy through baseball, by welcoming acclaimed author Larry Tye to Banner Island Ballpark on Thursday, June 18, to discuss his latest book about Negro Leagues star Satchel Paige, “Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend.”

The Ports and Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce hosted the appearance in support of the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Summer Reading Program, The Library & Literacy Foundation for San Joaquin County, and The Friends of the Stockton Public Library.

The Stockton Ports would like to thank the following people for their generous support. Without them, the Ports would not have been able to give away 350 copies of the new biography, “Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend” by acclaimed author Larry Tye to fans at the June 18 game.

•The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce
•Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Summer Reading Program
•Library & Literacy Foundation for San Joaquin County
•The Friends of the Stockton Public Library Stockton Sports Commission
•United Way of San Joaquin County in honor of Gordon Medlin
•Comcast
•Goldstrand Planning Group
•California Water Service Company
•Humphrey’s College
•Stockton Delta Rotary
•F&M Bank
•Servicemaster Building Maintenance
•Mayor Ann Johnston
•Doug Wilhoit, Frank Ferral, and Mikki Gilbert Melvin Boles
•John & Francesca Vera
•Andy & Carol Prokop in memory of Gordon Medlin
•Bill Loyko & Susan Mora Loyko
•William Murray
•Gary Gillis
•Stephen Barney
•San Joaquin Sheriff Stephan Moore
•Marilyn Bewley

…and all of the fans and community members that supported this event in hopes of raising literacy awareness and the history and story of Satchel Paige and the Negro Leagues.

“We are very proud to be able to work with the Mayor, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, and so many other groups to present this event,” said Ports President and General Manager Pat Filippone. “Satchel Paige and the Negro Leagues are an important part of baseball history, and we are excited to be able to share such a well-researched book with so many children.