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.

Faith Night and Meet the Team Headline Next Homestand

FREDERICK, MD – The Frederick Keys welcome the Fayetteville Woodpeckers back to Nymeo Field for one last time from Friday, August 16-Sunday, August 18. Two fireworks shows are scheduled to go with Faith Night and the final Meet the Team event of the season. For tickets, fans can visit frederickkeys.com or call 301-815-9939.

Friday’s contest is at 7:00 p.m. with gates opening one hour beforehand. The first 1,000 fans will receive a rally towel giveaway presented by Potomac Edison. Fireworks follow the game, while there are just five fireworks shows left during the 2019 campaign.

Friday’s contest is at 7:00 p.m. with gates opening one hour beforehand. The first 1,000 fans will receive a rally towel giveaway presented by Potomac Edison. Fireworks follow the game, while there are just five fireworks shows left during the 2019 campaign.

Faith Night returns to Nymeo Field on Saturday. Before first pitch at 6:00 p.m. fans can enjoy a special pregame concert from 3:30-5 p.m. from the Waterboyz for Jesus. Church groups can purchase discounted tickets to the game by calling 301-815-9940. After the game there is a fireworks show presented by Saint John’s Catholic Prep.

The series concludes on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for one last chance to Meet the Team. From 12:00-12:30, those who come to the game can go down to the field for a meet and greet and autograph session with Keys players and coaches. During that time, fans can also have a catch in the outfield as part of Sunday Funday courtesy of Dogtopia of Frederick.

To go with this, it is the final Summer Reading Day of the year presented by Catoctin Wildlife Preserve. Participants who completed their local library’s summer reading program are invited to come out to the game, while a pregame parade begins at 12:30.

The Keys have two homestands left, with the Potomac Nationals visiting from August 20-22 and from August 30-September 2. Highlights include Fort Detrick Night sponsored by En-Net Services, Art in the Park Night on Friday, August 30 benefiting the Frederick Arts Council, Wrestling Night with Jake “The Snake” Roberts on Saturday, August 31, a Baby Shark Picnic on Sunday, September 1 and Fan Appreciation Day on Labor Day. Three fireworks shows also remain. For tickets, fans can visit frederickkeys.com or call 301-815-9939.

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

Pelicans partner with WMBF to help local schools

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (August 12, 2019) – With the summer drawing to an end and school starting back soon, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans are partnering with WMBF News for the annual School Tools Drive. Fans who donate school supplies will receive a free drink ticket good for the final Pelicans game of the 2019 season.

Drink tickets are good for a 12oz. draft beer or regular soda between 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 22 and will run from the time gates open until 8:00 p.m. Donations can be dropped off at the Box Office at TicketReturn.Com Field. All donations will benefit local students in need.

“The School Tools Drive with WMBF has become an annual event for us,” stated Pelican’s General Manager, Ryan Moore. “We are excited to continue the partnership and to help local students as they head back to the classroom.”

A list of suggested supplies include:

  • Pencils (wooden or mechanical)
  • Dry Erase Markers
  • Composition Notebooks
  • Three Ring Binders
  • 2 Pocket Folders
  • Notebook Paper
  • Crayons

Gates will open at 5:30pm for a 7:05pm first pitch as the Pelicans will look to close their last regular season game with a win against the Carolina Mudcats (Brewers affiliate). For more information please visit www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com or call 843-918-6000.

ABOUT THE PELICANS: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are the Class A–Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and play their home games at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Since being acquired by a group led by Chuck Greenberg during the 2006 season, the Pelicans have repeatedly set team attendance records and become known as one of Minor League Baseball’s most innovative and creative franchises. The team and its employees have been dedicated to making a difference in the Myrtle Beach community, specifically giving back over $2 million in donations, fundraising proceeds, in–kind services and community service since launching the Pelicans Play It Forward Community Initiative in 2013. TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark has ranked in the top eight in all of Minor League Baseball by Stadium Journey in six of the last seven seasons. The same publication also placed the Pelicans in the Top 100 Stadium Experiences and the best in the Carolina League for six of the past seven seasons. In June 2017, the Pelicans won the 2017 TripAdvisor.com Certificate of Excellence award. On the field, the team has won four Mills Cup Championships, including claims to back–to–back titles in 1999 and 2000, and again in 2015 and 2016. The Pelicans have made 11 postseason appearances behind 13 half–season Southern Division championships, including the first half of the 2015 season, second half of 2016 and first half of 2017. For more information on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, please contact the Pelicans at (843) 918–6000 or email Info@MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

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Birds renew partnership with Axelrod & Associates and Make-A-Wish Foundation

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 29, 2019) – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, in partnership with Axelrod & Associates, P.A., are glad to announce the renewal of the home run promotion which benefits the South Carolina Make-A-Wish Foundation. For every home run hit by a Pelicans player in a 2019 game at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark, Axelrod & Associates will donate $100 to the South Carolina Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“Come out and support Make-A-Wish and the Pelicans,” Managing Attorney Stuart Axelrod said. “Got baseball?”

Additionally, the GotAxelrod.com billboard in right-centerfield returns, which includes a caricature of Mr. Stuart M. Axelrod extending a glove to make a catch. If a home run ball by a Pelicans player goes through the cutout hole in the glove then one lucky fan in attendance will be chosen at random to win $100,000. Fans must be present at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark to win. The winner will be selected based on the tickets scanned at the gates prior to the first pitch.

The Pelicans’ 2019 season kicks off on April 4 against the Lynchburg Hillcats. Season tickets are available now. For more information or to purchase tickets visit myrtlebeachpelicans.com or call 843-918-6000.

ABOUT THE PELICANS: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are the Class A–Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and play their home games at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Since being acquired by a group led by Chuck Greenberg during the 2006 season, the Pelicans have repeatedly set team attendance records and become known as one of Minor League Baseball’s most innovative and creative franchises. The team and its employees have been dedicated to making a difference in the Myrtle Beach community, specifically giving back over $2 million in donations, fundraising proceeds, in–kind services and community service since launching the Pelicans Play It Forward Community Initiative in 2013. TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark has ranked in the top eight in all of Minor League Baseball by Stadium Journey in six of the last seven seasons. The same publication also placed the Pelicans in the Top 100 Stadium Experiences and the best in the Carolina League for six of the past seven seasons. In June 2017, the Pelicans won the 2017 TripAdvisor.com Certificate of Excellence award. On the field, the team has won four Mills Cup Championships, including claims to back–to–back titles in 1999 and 2000, and again in 2015 and 2016. The Pelicans have made 11 postseason appearances behind 13 half–season Southern Division championships, including the first half of the 2015 season, second half of 2016 and first half of 2017. For more information on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, please contact the Pelicans at (843) 918–6000 or email Info@MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

Pelicans to host first-annual charity fishing derby

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (MARCH 14, 2019) – On Monday, May 6, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, in conjunction with Murrells Inlet Fishing Charters and Wahoo’s Fish House, will hold the first-annual Pelicans Community Fund Fishing Derby. All funds raised through the event will benefit the Pelicans Community Fund, which annually supports over 200 local charities. Since the initiation of the fund in 2013, the Pelicans have given back at least $250,000 per year to the Grand Strand for a total of more than $2.2 million.

A limited number of charters are available for this exclusive event. Entry into the derby is $1,200 and includes a four-hour fishing trip for four people, an after-party at Wahoo’s Fish House, breakfast, an event shirt and a gift bag. A limited number of after-party passes will be released at a later date.

“Even without a marquee fundraising event, the Pelicans Community Fund has allowed us to give back a substantial amount to the Grand Strand area,” stated Pelicans General Manager Ryan Moore. “While $2.2 million in six years is great, we want to do more. A signature event such as the Pelicans Community Fund Fishing Derby will allow us to do just that. Additionally, it’s a really unique event that we believe will be a lot of fun for everyone involved.”

Those wishing to participate in the event can reserve a spot by calling the Pelicans Front Office at 843-918-6000.

The Pelicans’ 2019 season kicks off on April 4 against the Lynchburg Hillcats. Season tickets are available now. For more information or to purchase tickets visit myrtlebeachpelicans.com or call 843-918-6000.

ABOUT THE PELICANS: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are the Class A–Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and play their home games at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Since being acquired by a group led by Chuck Greenberg during the 2006 season, the Pelicans have repeatedly set team attendance records and become known as one of Minor League Baseball’s most innovative and creative franchises. The team and its employees have been dedicated to making a difference in the Myrtle Beach community, specifically giving back over $2 million in donations, fundraising proceeds, in–kind services and community service since launching the Pelicans Play It Forward Community Initiative in 2013. TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark has ranked in the top eight in all of Minor League Baseball by Stadium Journey in six of the last seven seasons. The same publication also placed the Pelicans in the Top 100 Stadium Experiences and the best in the Carolina League for six of the past seven seasons. In June 2017, the Pelicans won the 2017 TripAdvisor.com Certificate of Excellence award. On the field, the team has won four Mills Cup Championships, including claims to back–to–back titles in 1999 and 2000, and again in 2015 and 2016. The Pelicans have made 11 postseason appearances behind 13 half–season Southern Division championships, including the first half of the 2015 season, second half of 2016 and first half of 2017. For more information on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, please contact the Pelicans at (843) 918–6000 or email Info@MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

Pelicans unveil Community Heroes Card Set members

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 1, 2019) – During Hurricane Florence’s devastation of the Atlantic coast of the United States and in the aftermath, stories began to emerge of heroism and selflessness by the people of this country. All along the Grand Strand, there were countless individuals that helped others, volunteered their time and worked to rebuild the beautiful beaches in the coastal regions of South Carolina. This season, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans are recognizing 24 of these wonderful stories in which individuals gave their time to their communities, with a Hurricane Florence Community Heroes Card Set.

The card set will be given away to the first 1,000 fans through the gates of the Pelicans’ game on Saturday, April 6 against the Lynchburg Hillcats. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch.

The 24 honorees are as follows:

Scott Mann

Scott Mann is a host on the Wave 104.1 radio station. Wave 104.1 was up and running as Scott weathered the storm on air providing accurate information to the local community.

Chris Choe

Chris Choe is an Horry County police officer stationed in the south precinct. Chris worked countless days and hours patrolling neighborhoods to make sure residents were safe during and after the storm. He even worked river patrol while waiting for the flood waters to subside.

Chris Aranda

Chris Aranda is a retired veteran who serves as the Veteran Outreach Program Specialist for the Myrtle Beach Veteran Center. During Hurricane Florence, Chris visited shelters across the Grand Strand, searching for veterans and their families that were in need of help.

Ron Dozler

Ron Dozler, Pastor of Calvary Chapel, led teams from multiple states to help the Socastee community recover after Hurricane Florence. Pastor Ron shared information and updates from the church radio station WXMB. His congregation helped feed over 10,000 meals to those affected by the hurricane, as well as work on various reconstruction projects in the community.

Todd & Michelle Wood

When Hurricane Florence and the subsequent floods hit, Todd and Michelle coordinated hundreds of volunteers to help those in need. Todd and Michelle created the website disasterhelp.me which allowed homeowners to sign up and ask for assistance with anything they might need after the hurricane.

Jaret Hucks

When hundreds of families lost their homes and belongings to Hurricane Florence, Jaret and his staff stepped up. Jaret opened the doors of his 70-room Midtown Motel out of the kindness of his heart to homeless flood victims.

Larry Nowak

When Hurricane Florence and the subsequent flooding affected Myrtle Beach, Larry opened his bowling alley for free to those who had been displaced from their homes. Larry served meals and provided some entertainment during the time schools were closed.

Beth Kohlmann

Beth is a volunteer with South Strand Helping Hand. Beth began selflessly assisting the entire county with daily urgent needs during the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

Abby Wood

Abby is a 3rd grader at Ocean Bay Elementary School and was one of the hundreds of Horry County students who used their time when schools were closed to help their community. She could be found filling sandbags, helping sort food and supply donations for flood victims, or serving a hot meal.

Amy Van Schoick

Amy collected and distributed clothes to people who desperately needed them since the flooding. She helped people find furniture, appliances and pretty much anything they needed.

Tina Corley

When Hurricane Florence hit, Tina went from hotel to hotel begging them to open their doors to flood victims. Everyone told her no, but Tina found Jaret’s Midtown Motel. Once Midtown was full, Tina spent every day making sure their needs were met. After the storm, Tina spent months and days making sure each family was placed after the storm.

Wendy Naramore

Wendy helped during the storm by collecting donated food and delivering it to the right place no matter the distance. If someone had a need and Wendy didn’t have it, she purchased it with her own money: blankets, diapers, food and so much more.

Tim Irving

Tim Irving is the Director of Citizens Helping in Natural Disasters (CHIND) and a member of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). Tim and his organization have been instrumental in the rescue and safety of the Hurricane/Flood areas in North and South Carolina.

Leila & Connor Bandari

Leila and Connor, siblings from Waterway Elementary, held a bake sale to raise money to give care packages to kids whose families had lost everything in the flood. They packed 94 bags with a stuffed animal, coloring book, crayons and a puzzle.

Ashley Todd

Ashley helped form the collective volunteer group One Neighbor To Another and has been selflessly dedicated to assisting and providing meals to the Socastee area flood victims. Ashley has helped and protected so many families since the flood and has done this with her own money and limited donations.

Linda Messer

Linda helped form the volunteer group One Neighbor to Another. Linda has been helping those in the Rosewood neighborhood every week since the hurricane, sometimes even more than once.

Steve & Lori Roekle

Steve and Lori single-handedly organized a supply drive in the Highlands neighborhood. Their neighborhood drive collected four vehicle loads of supplies, which they delivered to the shelter for flood victims. The two also helped during Christmas time as they delivered over 300 toys to the shelter for the children of flood victims so they could have a Merry Christmas.

Joe Falcone

While others evacuated, Joe stayed home and patrolled neighborhoods, looking for house damage, flooding and suspicious activity. He patrolled several times each day until home owners could return.

Taylor Newell

Taylor is the Public Information Officer for the City of Conway. She spent countless hours updating the people of Conway on road closures, flood damage and places for residents to get help.

Adam Dellinger

Adam is the program director and morning show co-host on 107.9 The Gator. Adam and many members of The Gator team, worked extended hours during Hurricane Florence to provide listeners with pertinent information about evacuation and subsequent flooding.

Carolina Forest Varsity Girls Soccer Team

The CFHS varsity girls soccer team heard students from Socastee High were going to be affected by the rising water and wanted to do something to help their community. The players requested to help as a team, and came together to fill sand bags.

Jason Hurdich

Jason, a professor of American Sign Language at Clemson, volunteered with Horry County Emergency Management to make ASL videos during Hurricane Florence. Through Jason’s videos, the deaf community was able to receive proper instructions on evacuation and preparing their houses for flood waters. Jason did all of this on his own time to make sure that everyone was able to stay safe.

Nicole Young-Cline

Nicole and her family went above and beyond after Hurricane Florence, filling sandbags for days and taking food to volunteers. She helped run a collection drive through her speech therapy center, and updated patients and people in the community through her center’s Facebook page.

The Szyszkowski Family

When the Szyszkowski’s first heard about the families who were relocated at the Midtown Motel, Ashley, along with her daughters Caroline and Katherine donated 100 bars of soap from their family business, Ash’s Practical Magic.

In addition to being recognized in the Community Heroes Card Set, these individuals will be recognized on the field prior to the April-6 game.

Single-game tickets will be available on March 14 with the first Thirsty Thursday of the season as part of the Season Kick-Off Party. The event includes live music from Julio Navarro, $1.00 Bud and Bud Light drafts, $2.00 craft drafts, and 1/2 price Duplin Winery wines from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Admission is free, and all fans are welcome to attend.

The Pelicans’ 2019 season kicks off on April 4 against the Lynchburg Hillcats. Season tickets are available now. For more information or to purchase tickets visit myrtlebeachpelicans.com or call 843-918-6000.

ABOUT THE PELICANS: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are the Class A–Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and play their home games at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Since being acquired by a group led by Chuck Greenberg during the 2006 season, the Pelicans have repeatedly set team attendance records and become known as one of Minor League Baseball’s most innovative and creative franchises. The team and its employees have been dedicated to making a difference in the Myrtle Beach community, specifically giving back over $2 million in donations, fundraising proceeds, in–kind services and community service since launching the Pelicans Play It Forward Community Initiative in 2013. TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark has ranked in the top eight in all of Minor League Baseball by Stadium Journey in six of the last seven seasons. The same publication also placed the Pelicans in the Top 100 Stadium Experiences and the best in the Carolina League for six of the past seven seasons. In June 2017, the Pelicans won the 2017 TripAdvisor.com Certificate of Excellence award. On the field, the team has won four Mills Cup Championships, including claims to back–to–back titles in 1999 and 2000, and again in 2015 and 2016. The Pelicans have made 11 postseason appearances behind 13 half–season Southern Division championships, including the first half of the 2015 season, second half of 2016 and first half of 2017. For more information on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, please contact the Pelicans at (843) 918–6000 or email Info@MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

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

Hurricane Florence Benefit Concert Raises Over $128,000 for Local Relief

Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune announced this morning that $128,324.36 was raised through the Hurricane Florence Benefit Concert held last month at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. The proceeds will be shared between the Eastern South Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Waccamaw Community Foundation with each organization receiving $64,162.18. A recap video of the concert, including artist interviews, is available here.

At a press conference earlier today, Mayor Bethune stated, “We rise by lifting others up, and that was the whole purpose of the Hurricane Florence Benefit Concert. It was an incredible event that will forever change the lives of many of our neighbors throughout the county. Now as we approach the holiday season, it truly is a joy to celebrate this time of year by being able to give back.”

The benefit concert, which featured Darius Rucker, Michael Ray, Carly Pearce, Love and Theft, Chris Bryant, Josh Phillips, The Davisson Brothers Band, The Swon Brothers and more, was pulled together in less than six weeks. Additionally, all of the talent, and much of the time, efforts, and resources to execute the event were donated.

“The Hurricane Florence Benefit Concert came together very quickly thanks to a group of very dedicated people,” stated Mayor Bethune. “This team not only created a great event, but while we were planning it we formed some lifelong friendships for which I am very grateful.”

The host committee for the benefit concert was comprised of Ryan Moore and Kristin Call (Myrtle Beach Pelicans), Amie Lee (Palmetto Event Productions), Adam Dellinger and Jimmy Feuger (iHeart Media/Gator 107.9), Ed Piotrowski and members of WPDE ABC 15 and the CW21, The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, VisitMyrtleBeach.com, Southern Entertainment, Whirlwind Creative, Carolina Country Music Fest, Mayor Bethune, and the City of Myrtle Beach.

The majority of the funds were raised through ticket sales, sponsorship, and concession sales. Additional donations came in through a text to donate campaign which is still active. If you would like to donate to local relief efforts text REDCROSS to 90999.

The Waccamaw Community Foundation will be distributing their allocation of the funds through a grant process and will be vetting all non-profit applications. Only non-profit organizations helping flood relief efforts in Horry County are eligible to receive these funds. To learn more about the Waccamaw Community Foundation click here.

The Eastern South Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross will be deploying their allocation of funds to help with a number of flood related efforts. Such efforts include providing financial assistance to families with destroyed and majorly damaged homes, offering mental and spiritual help to all affected residents free of charge, providing clean-up kits, and more. To learn more about the Eastern SC Chapter of the American Red Cross click here.

Blue Rocks Announce Holiday Card Contest Winner

The Wilmington Blue Rocks are excited to announce the winner of the 17th Annual Holiday Card Contest. Over 1,000 entries were received, but unfortunately, there could be just one winner. After a tough decision process, Rocky Bluewinkle, Mr. Celery, Rubble and the rest of the Holiday Card Contest Committee decided that the overall winner was Izzy Nelson, a 5th Grader from Assumption B.V.M. School in West Grove, PA. Izzy’s artwork will be featured on the cover of the Wilmington Blue Rocks Holiday Card. Izzy will be rewarded with a ceremonial first pitch and 10 tickets to a 2019 Blue Rocks game.

The Blue Rocks also selected honorable mention recipients, whose artwork will be displayed on the back of the Holiday Card. Those garnering honorable mentions honors are:

Italia Fortebuono
Loomis Elementary School
Broomall, PA

Jaxon Morales
St. Elizabeth School
Wilmington, DE

Charlotte Munger
Assumption B.V.M. School
West Grove, PA

Evilyn Seeney
Mannington Twp School
Salem, NJ

Robert Vella
St. Edmond’s Academy
Wilmington, DE

The Wilmington Blue Rocks would like to thank all those who entered. Entries were received from students in Kindergarten thru 5th grade from Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey.

Each entrant will be rewarded with 2 tickets to a Blue Rocks game in 2019 as a thank you for participating. The tickets will be mailed to the participating teachers by March.

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, mini plans and group packages for the 2019 season are available now at BlueRocks.com.

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

Blue Rocks Staff Volunteer in Harvey Hanna Coat Drive

The Wilmington Blue Rocks front office was out in the community on Thursday as they participated in Operation Warm at Warner Elementary School in Wilmington. The event, which was presented by Harvery Hanna and The Delaware Kids Fund, provided local children with brand new winter jackets.

Kids would walk into the school’s cafeteria, introduce themselves to a volunteer from the community and then get the opportunity to pick out a jacket of their choice courtesy of Operation Warm. They then received a kindness coin and signed a giant thank you poster for the generous folks at Harvey Hanna.

“It was an awesome event,” said Blue Rocks Director of Merchandise Jim Beck. “The kids were so grateful and it was just a terrific opportunity to speak with them, get to know them a little bit and then play a very small part in putting a smile on their faces. We want to thank both Operation Warm and Harvey Hanna for giving our organization a chance to be involved.”

Operation Warm provides warmth, confidence and hope to children in need through the gift of brand new winter coats. The organization believes a brand new coat is more than a coat. Through serving millions of children in need across North America, it has seen that a brand new coat offers a child physical and emotional warmth, confidence to socialize and succeed, and hope of a brighter future. For more information on the organization their website is OperationWarm.org.

The Blue Rocks were honored by the Carolina League in 2018 with the Matt Minker Community Service Award. The award goes to the 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 in 2018 and 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 organization also 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.

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, mini plans and group packages for the 2019 season are available now at BlueRocks.com.

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

Contribute to the Annual Toys for Tots Drive!

FREDERICK, MD-The Frederick Keys are excited to announce their continued partnership with the Toys for Tots Program. Entering the seventh straight year where the Keys and Toys for Tots have worked together, fans are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys in November and December. These gifts are then handed out to less fortunate children on Christmas Day.

“It is important that the holiday season is a special time for local children,” said Keys Director of Marketing, Erin Lawson. “We’ve been impressed at the community’s support each year and we can’t wait for another great turnout in 2018.”

The collection period for Toys for Tots is underway and runs through Friday, December 14. To make a donation, fans can visit the Nymeo Field main office (adjacent to the stadium main gates) during normal business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) Monday-Friday. Anyone who contributes a new, unwrapped toy receives a Keys hat and two tickets to a game in 2019. Fans can also bring toys to the annual Keys Holiday Event on Saturday, December 1 which runs from 10 a.m-1 p.m. Prize packs will be limited to one per person.

Nymeo Field has frequently been one of the top collection sites in Frederick County. A program that began in 1947, there are more than 150 Marine reserve sites as wells as more than 800 local Toys for Tots programs across the country. In 2016 nearly 50,000 toys were collected in Frederick County and almost $30,000 was raised.

Planning for the 2019 Frederick Keys season is underway, which includes the Carolina League All-Star Classic on Tuesday, June 18 presented by Visit Frederick. The Keys schedule for next season is available by clicking here, while fans can buy/renew ticket plans for the 2019 season by calling 301-815-9900. To follow Keys offseason news, events and more, fans can visit frederickkeys.com.

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

Rocky Bluewinkle Goes Trick-or-Treating With Local Kids

Wilmington, DE – On a night where kids walk around getting candy for free, Halloween is a highlight on any household’s calendar. Yet the Wilmington Blue Rocks wanted to up the ante, so they sent their mascot to tag along for some trick-or-treating with the Giles family on Wednesday evening.

Rocky Bluewinkle helped collect candy in Wilmington with youngsters Nolan and Mason. Rocky dressed in his Star Wars jersey with light saber in hand. Meanwhile, his young pals went as a baseball player and a shark. The Giles won a social media contest run by the Blue Rocks in October.

Parents Ken and Kelly accompanied the trio on their candy quest and said it was a night to cherish.

“We were the talk of the neighborhood,” Kelly said. “Almost every house got so excited and grabbed their cameras–children and adults alike.”

The young mom said this was a memory her young sons will carry with them for the rest of their life. A night they’ll tell their kids about: ‘When I was a kid I took a seven-foot blue moose mascot with me door-to-door looking for candy.’

“I mean who doesn’t love Rocky?” Kelly said. “He made the night a great one and we can’t wait to come visit him again (for Opening Night) on April 4. It was a tremendous experience.”

The Blue Rocks make community outreach a priority. The team has won five consecutive Matt Minker Awards, which goes to the club that best demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support, and leadership within its community in the Carolina League. The award is named after the Blue Rocks’ founder, who owned the club until his death in 2007. Minker, whose construction company built Frawley Stadium, is still the team’s honorary president.

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 and mini plans for the 2019 season are on sale now, while groups packages will be available for purchase November 8. The season starts on Thursday, April 4. 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.

Special Guest Appearance by Darius Rucker for Hurricane Florence Benefit Concert

Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune announced this morning that Darius Rucker will have a special guest appearance during the upcoming Hurricane Florence Benefit Concert. Rucker, originally from Charleston, South Carolina is a singer/songwriter known as the frontman of the musical group Hootie & the Blowfish who transitioned to a solo country artist in 2008.

The concert, which will take place on Sunday, November 11 at TicketReturn.Com Field, also features Michael Ray, Carly Pearce, Love and Theft, Chris Bryant, Josh Phillips, The Davisson Brothers Band, The Swon Brothers, and The Blue Dogs.  Additional artist announcements are expected in the coming days. Tickets for the event begin at $50 and are available at myrtlebeachpelicans.com/concert.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Area Recovery Council through the Waccamaw Community Foundation to support disaster relief efforts in Horry and Georgetown counties, as well as the Eastern South Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross to support disaster relief efforts in the counties of Horry, Florence, Darlington, Marlboro, Dillon, and Marion.  To learn more about the Waccamaw Community Foundation click here.  To learn more about the Eastern SC Chapter of the American Red Cross click here.

Dash’s Aveyard named Women in Baseball Scholarship recipient

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Nov. 1, 2018) – Minor League Baseball and the Women in Baseball Leadership Committee announced on Thursday that Jessica Aveyard, who has served as the Director of Entertainment for the Winston-Salem Dash since August of 2016, has been named one of four recipients of the Women in Baseball Leadership Event Scholarship.

The award includes registration to the Baseball Winter Meetings, which will be held from December 9-13, in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The Women in Baseball Leadership Event was established in 2008 at the Baseball Winter Meetings, providing a platform for female executives in Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball the opportunity to network with their peers, obtain guidance on career development and enhance their professional skills.

“Jessica’s genuine excitement and passion is infectious and she plays a major role in our organization’s success,” said Dash President C.J. Johnson. “We are thrilled that Minor League Baseball has recognized her performance and provided her with this unique opportunity.”

With Jessica leading the entertainment crew on a game-to-game basis, the Dash have provided an exciting, family-friendly experience at BB&T Ballpark for the largest audience in the Carolina League. For each of the team’s home games the past two years, Jessica was responsible for creating a game log of sponsored reads for the public address announcer, organizing skits for in-game breaks, managing the Dash Pack (the team’s on-field entertainment staff), choreographing MiLB.tv’s gameday production and managing marquees for BB&T Ballpark’s outfield LED and in-stadium scoreboard.

On top of that, Jessica spearheaded several public relations initiatives, including a partnership with the Vs. Cancer Foundation that helped raise thousands of dollars in donations for cancer research.

Along with her daily duties, Jessica also served as the director for seven Dash home games broadcasted on NBC Sports Chicago, the Chicago White Sox cable rights holder. For these seven contests, Jessica was responsible for coordinating countdowns to commercial breaks with the NBC Sports crew, handling technical issues and directing shots, all while managing her regular duties as the Director of Entertainment. This year marked the first season in which the network carried Dash games.

Prior to joining the Dash, Jessica played a key front office role for the Dayton Dragons (Low-A, Cincinnati), one of the most successful teams in Minor League Baseball. With the Dragons, Jessica was an Entertainment Assistant and a part of the on-field entertainment staff known as the “Green Team.” Due to her efforts, Jessica was a part of a staff that helped the Dragons sell out Fifth Third Field each night of her nine-year tenure with the club.

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.

Pelicans Announce Ticket Fundraiser for Local Flood Victims

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (October 12, 2018) – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans have partnered with WPDE News 15 and The Sun News on a ticket sales fundraiser to benefit local flood victims. Tickets for Saturday, April 6 on are on sale now at myrtlebeachpelicans.com.  A portion of all online tickets purchased using the promo code “HELP” will benefit the Waccamaw Community Foundation. Tickets for the game will be on sale through the month of October.

“Our area has experienced unprecedented levels of flooding. As a member of the Grand Strand community we want to help, and a ticket fundraiser is one of our more effective ways of generating funds for this cause,” stated Pelicans General Manager Ryan Moore. “This is the first time we have opened single game tickets sales so far in advance. In doing so, it allows us to generate much needed dollars now for the Waccamaw Community Foundation.”

In recognition of his efforts throughout not only Hurricane Florence and her flooding, but during any weather related event, the Pelicans will honor WPDE Chief Meteorologist Ed Piotrowski with his very own bobblehead. The bobblehead will be distributed along with the Community Heroes Card Set to the first 1,000 fans through the gates on April 6.

“Ed is a long-standing member of this community,” said Moore. “His wealth of knowledge and straight forward dissemination of the facts during weather events is what makes him such a reliable source. This community is fortunate to have such a dedicated citizen and we are delighted to honor him in this way.”

In addition to the fundraiser and bobblehead giveaway, the Pelicans will be highlighting members of the community who have gone above and beyond to help those in need. The club is designing a Community Heroes Card Set that will be given away to the first 1,000 fans on April 6. If you know someone who helped you, a friend, a neighbor, or a stranger during Hurricane Florence and the subsequent flooding the Pelicans ask that you submit their name and story at myrtlebeachpelicans.com  for a chance to be included in the Community Heroes Card Set.

To purchase tickets visit myrtlebeachpelicans.com/help. For more information please call the Pelicans Front Office at 843-918-6000.