TinCaps to Wear Vera Bradley-Designed Jerseys for Turn the Park Pink

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – For the first time ever, the TinCaps will wear pink jerseys designed by Vera Bradley for the team’s annual Turn the Park Pink Night on Saturday, June 17 (7:05 pm), when they host the Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds) at Parkview Field.

 

The “modern medley”-patterned pink jerseys are designed by Vera Bradley Senior Graphic Designer Alexandria Baker, a TinCaps fan and Fort Wayne native who went to the University of St. Francis.

“We’re thrilled to be partnered with Vera Bradley and the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer,” said TinCaps Vice President Michael Limmer. “Not only do the jerseys look great, but most importantly they’ll be helping to save lives.”

The jerseys are currently being auctioned off online at TinCapsJersey.com and will be available for fans to bid on through the bottom of the sixth inning on the night of the game. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. (Fans don’t need to be in attendance at the game to win the online auction.)

Currently, the TinCaps’ roster features nine of the San Diego Padres’ top 30 prospects, including shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. , who ESPN.com ranks as one of the 50 best prospects in all of baseball.

Turn the Park Pink Night at Parkview Field also will feature Postgame Fireworks, presented by Auto–Owners Insurance, and a performance by the world-renowned QuickChange act.

Tickets for the TinCaps’ Turn the Park Pink Night are available at TinCapsTickets.com, by calling 260-482-6400, and at the Parkview Field Ticket Office.

About the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer

The Foundation is celebrating its 20th year of funding the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research Laboratories at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Since 1998, the Foundation has played an integral role in changing the face of breast cancer research by supporting more than 30 labs and more than 35 researchers and clinicians who are leading major advancements in drug therapies and setting a world-wide standard. To date, the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer has raised $28.1 million. The Foundation receives funding through national events, generous gifts from Vera Bradley (Nasdaq:VRA), and through donations on verabradley.org.

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

Cast a spell at Harry Potter 20th Anniversary Night

Calling all wizards and muggles! Fifth Third Field magically turns into Diagon Alley on Friday, July 14 as the Toledo Mud Hens celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Harry Potter series. The fun will leave you completely spellbound!

Mud Hens players and coaches will wear “Wizard Games” theme night jerseys which will be sold at a silent auction during the game. Look for the auction tables on the main concourse. Bids will be accepted through the end of the sixth inning. Proceeds benefit Family House and Helping Hens fund.

Tweet from @MudHens: We solemnly swear that we are up to no good. Harry Potter 20th Anniversary ‘Wizard Jerseys’: Friday, 7/14. ��� pic.twitter.com/D5cW3C4sXf

Accio, jersey! Good news, you can now pre-order your very own ‘Wizard Games’ jersey. Jerseys will ship late-July/early-August once they arrive in our warehouse. This is the only way to guarantee getting a jersey for yourself or any fan in your life. Quantities are extremely limited to head on over to the online Swamp Shop to pre-order yours today!

Join us for the pregame Wizard Party prior to the Friday, July 14 game! No muggles are allowed in this muggle-themed party that will include a magical buffet, Quidditch activities in Hensville Park, a costume contest, Harry Potter trivia, and a magic show! Tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for kids, which includes your Mud Hens game ticket and all of the activities. Wands will also be available for purchase at the party.

BUFFET MENU:

  • Dragon Fire Roasted Chicken Breast
  • Basilisk Burgers
  • Gillyweed Salad
  • Ron’s Red Head Potatoes
  • Golden Snitchos
  • Chocolate Frog Chip Cookies
  • Polyjuice Potion Punch
  • Luna’s Lemonade & Gillywater

Look for our very own Platform 9 ¾ on the main concourse for a unique photo opportunity for Mud Hens fans: don’t forget your wand, cape and broomstick!

GAME TICKET ($15) – BUY TICKETS

What you get:

  • July 14 Mud Hens game ticket
  • Postgame fireworks

Planning on entering our wizarding world? Let us know by clicking here!

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

Carnival to Benefit Hannah’s Vision, Inc.

A carnival to benefit the Hannah’s Vision, Inc. nonprofit organization (501c3 application in process) is going to be held Thursday, June 1st through Sunday, June 4th at Eastwood Field / Mahoning Valley Scrappers park. The carnival will have fireworks, rides, a variety of food vendors, multiple live bands, entertainers and craftsman performing throughout the event and more! Niles Police will be onsite for security, and this will be a family-friendly event with no alcohol.

Hours and bands schedule:

Thursday June 1st – 6pm to 11pm (music by County Mayo and Taylor Borton)

Friday June 2nd – 6pm to 12am (music by Highland Rose and John Dante and the Inferno)

Saturday June 3rd – 6pm to 12am (music by The Rage and Anger the Ant)

Sunday June 4th – 1pm to 11pm (music by The Acoustic Jones, K Street, Taylor Borton and The Black Wolf and The Thief)

Throughout the weekend: Clowns – Balloon animals – Ukulele duo – Daily 50/50 raffle (winner need not be present to win) – Animal Charity – Legacy Dog Rescue of Ohio – Dunking Booth

Saturday night Fireworks!

Sunday matinee – Open at 1pm with bands performing throughout the afternoon and evening.

Free glow-in-the-dark purple glasses to all (subject to quantity available of 5,000 for weekend).

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

Mudcats to offer free admission to military personnel on Memorial Day

ZEBULON, N.C. – The Carolina Mudcats, the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, are excited to announce that admission for all active and retired military personnel will be free for Monday’s Memorial Day game between the Mudcats and Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Five County Stadium.

The Mudcats will also offer $5.00 tickets to the families of active and retired military personnel for Monday’s 2:00 p.m. matinée day game in Zebulon. A valid military ID will be required to receive the special offer.

Interested military personnel looking to take advantage of the free ticket offer should call (919) 269-CATS (2287) or visit the Five County Stadium Box Office for further details.

The Mudcats players and staff will wear patriotic themed game jerseys during Monday’s Memorial Day game. The game worn jerseys will later be auctioned off online at auctions.carolinamudcats.com with the net proceeds benefiting Hire Heroes USA.

Monday’s game will be the final game of Carolina’s four game home stand and the series finale between the Mudcats (Brewers) and visiting Pelicans (Chicago Cubs).

The Carolina Mudcats are the proud new Carolina League, Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. First established in 1991, the two-time Southern League Champion Mudcats are in their 27th consecutive season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C.

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

Potomac Nationals to Host Annual Military Appreciation Night at Pfitzner Stadium on Saturday, June 3rd

Military Appreciation Night with the P-Nats at The Pfitz is also sponsored by: First Command Financial Services, Little Caesars, and Honor Brewing Company.

The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a military-themed camo t-shirt giveaway presented by: Little Caesars, the Official Pizza Partner of the Potomac Nationals.

Post-game fireworks will be sponsored by: WTOP followed by Kids Run the Bases presented by: Glory Days Grill.

On Military Appreciation Night, apparatus from various military installations will be located outside the gates of Pfitzner Stadium for fans to explore.

The evening of recognizing and thanking all active and retired United States military members will get underway with a special pre-game ceremony which includes a guest speaker coordinated by First Command Financial Services to pay tribute to military personnel on hand.

In addition to an honorary color guard organized by Reality Realty and a sprawling big American Flag presentation from CAMMO (Center for American Military Music Opportunities) Kids, there will be a special rendition of the National Anthem from a Reality Realty partner to show appreciation for the service men and women in the Northern Virginia region.

The P-Nats will wear custom commemorative Military Appreciation jerseys, presented by Reality Realty, which will be auctioned off on Sunday, August 27th during P-Nats Fan Appreciation Day after being autographed by the team. All proceeds from the auction on 8/27 will benefit Reality Realty’s non-profit organizations of choice, theHeroes Alliance Network and The American Veterans Ball. The P-Nats’ special camo jerseys feature a logo that combined the logos of the Heroes Alliance Network and The American Veterans Ball.

Complimentary tickets for active and retired military members and their families will be available in advance of Military Appreciation Night at The Pfitz but the tickets must be secured before the evening of Military Appreciation Night with the P-Nats.

For free tickets in advance of Military Appreciation Night, active and retired military members are encouraged to contact Potomac Nationals Group Sales Executive, Alec Manriquez by calling 703-590-2311 ext. 221 or by emailing amanriquez@potomacnationals.com.

Additionally, the P-Nats offer military ticket discounts to active and retired military members for every home game at Pfitzner Stadium this season including Military Appreciation Night.

The night’s festivities will officially begin with an Armed Forces Softball game played on the diamond at Pfitzner Stadium.

The exhibition will feature active members of the Army and Navy as they duel to settle the age-old rivalry of which branch is mightier. However, the game will not only be played for bragging rights, but also to help raise funds and awareness for the Lorton Community Action Center.

Any patron with a ticket to the P-Nats’ Military Appreciation Game on 6/3 may enter The Pfitz to watch the Armed Forces Softball Game for free. The Army vs. Navy softball standoff will begin at 3:00pm.

If any fan on hand for the Armed Forces Softball Game wants to receive the Military Appreciation Night giveaway, they must return to the main entrance for the scheduled gate time of 5:00pm.

A 50/50 raffle will benefit the Lorton Community Action Center during the game.

“P-Nats Military Appreciation Night 2017 will be the most sprawling evening of honoring the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces our franchise has ever hosted thanks to the amazing support from our corporate partners and the military members themselves who will be on hand as our guests,” said Potomac Nationals General Manager of Sales, Bryan Holland.

“In such a military-rich community and region as a whole, this is truly a night to look forward to as the Potomac Nationals will pay tribute to the dedicated people who make invaluable sacrifices to allow every American to have the freedoms we enjoy on a daily basis.”

“On behalf of the entire Potomac Nationals’ organization, we look forward to personally thanking these courageous souls for the commitment they have made and continue to make towards keeping our nation a safe and free place to prosper as Americans,” said Holland.

The P-Nats encourage all active and retired military members to attend Military Appreciation Night, and acknowledge that Military Appreciation Night would not be possible without the unbelievable support from the club’s corporate partners including title sponsor of Military Appreciation Night with the P-Nats, Reality Realty.

“It’s Reality Realty’s fourth year partnering with the P-Nats to honor our local military heroes. This year we are raising funds for H.O.M.E., an organization embarking on a mission to support veteran children’s attendance at Camp Connected Youth Leadership Camp and the Heroes Alliance Foundation which supports local community heroes,” says Reality Realty Professionals Owner and former Marine, Samuel Cachola.

“We’re excited beyond words to be supporting local organizations making a difference in our veterans’ lives as well as their families. Making a difference in the lives of those who serve us daily is what we are all about at Reality Realty,” said Cachola.

Head to www.iwannagohome.org for more information on H.O.M.E.

Long-term supporter of the Potomac Nationals, Honor Brewing Company shares the P-Nats’ passion for honoring our local military heroes.

“Our goals at Honor are very simple. We honor those who serve our country while giving back. It’s not always about money, it’s about giving of oneself and understanding these men, women, and their families have volunteered to serve our country,” said Honor Brewing Company Partner, David Keuhner.

“My family and my business partners’ families have served over 100 years of service to our country and now it’s time to do more. We look at craft beer as a way to raise a glass in their honor while celebrating their commitment, loyalty and courage for serving country. It’s our way of saying Thank You and Never Forgetting.”

“We are proud to partner with the Potomac Nationals on their annual Military Appreciation Night as a means to give back to our region’s heroes,” said Keuhner.

For more information about advance complimentary tickets for Military Appreciation Night, please contact Manriquez or P-Nats Group Sales Executive, Taylor Cockerille, by e-mail at tcockerille@potomacnationals.com, or by phone at 703-590-2311 ext. 313.

About Reality Realty Professionals
Reality Realty agents strive to weave the standard real-estate knowledge expected by our client’s into their wants/needs, lives, goals, and overall well-being. The application of this principle ensures the full integration of clients into the process, while remaining rooted in our clients’ life goals. Visit Reality Realty Professionals at www.realityrealtypros.com.

About First Command Financial Services
First Command’s mission, coaching those who serve in their pursuit of financial security, hasn’t really changed since the inception of the company that would become First Command back in 1958. The focus continues to be on building trusting Client-Advisor relationships by meeting face-to-face with service members, federal employees, and their families to learn what important to them, helping them establish meaningful and specific goals that reflect their values, and then constructing comprehensive financial plans for protecting their loved ones and pursuing their goals.

About Little Caesars
Little Caesars is the Official Pizza Partner of the Potomac Nationals. With locations in Woodbridge, Dale City, and Manassas, Little Caesar’s offers $5 Hot-n-Ready pizzas, a Deep, Deep Dish Pizza, Italian Cheese Bread, Crazy Bread, and a $5 lunch combo. Little Caesars uses freshly-shredded cheese, farm-fresh tomato sauce, and made-from-scratch dough. P-Nats fans can redeem their P-Nats ticket stub for a free order of Crazy Bread at any location in Prince William County. Visit them online at www.littlecaesars.com.

About Honor Brewing Company
Yes, we are brewers. And absolutely we are patriots. But before that, we are veterans, and family members of service members who paid that ultimate price. Honor Brewing Company brings all those aspects together, adding endless respect and remembrance to the simple enjoyment of fine beer.

A GLASS RAISED OF HONOR IS ALWAYS A GLASS RAISED IN HONOR.

Our mission is straightforward: Brew great beer. Honor American heroes.

About Heroes Alliance
The Heroes Alliance was founded in Tampa in 2005 and has expanded throughout the United States. Our non-profit team of costumed volunteers are ready to make appearances at community and children-oriented charity events, from helping local law enforcement with community functions to visiting sick children in the hospital to brighten their spirits. Whatever it may be, the Heroes Alliance is here to help with a unique role among charity groups in bringing a “real-life” superhero experience to children and families. Visit them online at www.heroesalliance.org.

About The American Veterans Ball
The Salute to The American Veterans Ball was created to provide “all” Veterans of “all” the Armed forces an opportunity to participate in an annual service ball similar to our active components. The most common denominator that we’d discovered was that once veterans transitioned out of their respective service components, there were often times an immediate disconnection came about with such a traditional and customary event of shared comradeship. Despite this disconnection, they still live out the values and way of life instilled in them as patriotic veterans. An evening to reignite, connect with, and to celebrate our patriotism with our fellow brothers and sisters through thus unique event helps for years to come. Please join us in celebration in Saluting our past, present, and future Veterans. Learn more online at www.americanveteransball.org.

The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Carolina League affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Potomac Nationals have claimed five Carolina League Championship titles (1982, 1989, 2008, 2010, and 2014) and nine CL Northern Division Championships. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2017 season and beyond are available, as well as corporate outings for the 2017 season to watch the future stars of the Washington Nationals at The Pfitz. For more information on Potomac Nationals 2017 season tickets, mini plans, group outings, and picnic packages, visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the Potomac Nationals Ticket office at 703-590-2311.

— Potomac Nationals –

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

Tampa Yankees to “Strike Out Cancer” on Saturday, June 3rd

Tampa, Fla. – The Tampa Yankees team up with BayCare for “Strike Out Cancer Night” on Saturday, June 3rd, in support of cancer awareness and research. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and the T-Yanks take on the Jupiter Hammerheads at 6:30 p.m. After the game, fans are invited to stay for a fireworks show, presented by Avis and AIG.

Players and coaches will wear custom “Strike Out Cancer Night” uniforms. Five select jerseys will be auctioned online at www.tampayankees.milbauctions.com; all others will be entered in a silent auction and available for bid at the game. All proceeds from the jersey auction will benefit cancer awareness and research at BayCare.

“BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 14 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care.” – www.baycare.org.

To purchase tickets for “Strike Out Cancer Night,” fans can visit the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office or by clicking here. Tickets start at $5 for upper reserved seating, $8 for lower reserved seating, and parking is always free.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single-A Advanced Affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information, call (813) 673-3055 or visit www.tybaseball.com.

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

TinCaps Continue Tradition with Military Appreciation Night

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps once again have partnered with the OmniSource Corporation and Steel Dynamics Inc. to welcome military personnel to Parkview Field for Military Appreciation Night on Tuesday, June 27, when the team hosts the South Bend Cubs (Chicago Cubs) at 7:05 p.m.

Complimentary tickets are currently available for military families-both active and veteran-to enjoy the game on June 27, thanks to the generosity of the OmniSource Corporation and Steel Dynamics Inc., and caring individual donors.

 

“It’s an honor to provide military families the appreciation they deserve on this special night,” said TinCaps President, Mike Nutter. “This gives us an opportunity to give back to the men and women, and their loved ones, who’ve done so much for this country. We’re proud to have partners in the OmniSource Corporation and Steel Dynamics Inc. to help us host this night.”

 

“The men and women of our OmniSource and SDI family are proud and honored to be a part of this celebration for our courageous United States military heroes,” said Russ Rinn, President & COO of the OmniSource Corporation. “We all know that because of them, we live in freedom.”

 

The TinCaps also have continued their partnerships with multiple military organizations offering military personnel in attendance the chance to visit kiosks highlighting many of the support organizations and offerings available to military-active and veteran-in the area.

 

For this game, TinCaps players will be wearing red, white, and blue jerseys designed by Rebekah Frey, a student at the University of St. Francis. The TinCaps also will wear these jerseys on the Fourth of July. On Independence Day, the jerseys will be auctioned off on TinCapsJersey.com, with proceeds being donated to Honor Flight Northeast Indiana.

 

Military personnel and their family who are eligible to request tickets to Military Appreciation Night can visit TinCapsMilitary.com for more information. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Those with questions can contact Aron Brecht of the TinCaps at 260-407-2809 or Brecht@TinCaps.com.

 

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

Wings of Hope event set for Aug. 13

Rochester Community Baseball, the Rochester Red Wings, Sharing Kindness, Inc., and Villa of Hope held a press conference to announce a new initiative, “Wings of Hope” to raise awareness of suicide risk factors, suicide prevention and community resources for treatment. A special day at the ballpark has been scheduled for Sunday, August 13.

Dan Mason, General Manager of the Rochester Red Wings and Villa of Hope President and CEO, Christina Gullo was joined on May 24 by Red Wings players Jason Wheeler, John Ryan Murphy, D.J. Baxendale, ByungHo Park, Trevor Hildenberger, and Alan Busenitz. Wheeler spoke on behalf of his teammates and shared his experience demonstrating the importance of this partnership.

Jason Wheeler and his family know the effect suicide has on a family, “Mental illness and suicide have personally affected me and my family. We lost my 16 year-old brother-in-law Jeremy, almost eight months ago. Since this tragedy, we have been astonished at not only how common mental illness and suicide are, but also how unable we are as a society to speak about them because of the strong stigma associated with these issues. As a family, we are working towards eliminating stigma surrounding suicide, and changing the perception in our communities that mental illness is different from any other illness. We feel very fortunate to be partnering with the Red Wings and Villa of Hope to help raise mental health awareness, improve education, and start an ongoing conversation about suicide, both in the Rochester community and nationwide.”

Dan Mason, General Manager of the Rochester Red Wings shares, “We are fortunate to have great players on our team but even more fortunate that these young men are outstanding citizens who want to make a difference in the lives of other people. It is atypical for a minor league baseball player to sponsor a promotion for his team and we are thrilled that Jason is partnering with us and our friends at the Villa of Hope to help raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention and mental health. This is a very personal matter for he and his family and everyone at Rochester Community Baseball applauds and supports him for using his status as a professional baseball player to raise awareness and funding for such an important topic in our society today. ”

Five months ago, Villa of Hope moved into its new, larger Behavioral Health (Mental Health and Chemical Dependency) Outpatient Clinic at Water Tower Park in response to the rapidly growing need in the Rochester area. Christina Gullo, President and CEO of Villa of Hope states, “Twelve percent of children under the age of 18 have considered suicide in the past year and seven percent attempted it. S uicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24. As a community we need to have the resources for parents and kids to find help before these become life-altering or life-threatening events.”

Special Red Wings jerseys, hats, socks and Minnesota Twins collectibles will be available for auction at the Sunday, August 13th game at 1:35 p.m. All proceeds of the auction will benefit Villa of Hope and Sharing Kindness, Inc. That game is a designated “Kids Club Day” and will include sports entertainer “BirdZerk!” and a chance for kids to run the bases with Spikes and Mittsy after the game.

About Sharing Kindess

Sharing Kindness is a newly-formed non-profit, started by the Walters family after the death by suicide of their 16 year old son Jeremy, in October of 2016. It is dedicated to overcoming the stigma surrounding mental illness, depression and suicide. Sharing Kindness is about having the courage and compassion to start and sustain the conversation in our communities about these issues that have traditionally been so difficult to talk about. We are currently developing and helping fund various awareness and education programs in the lower and outer towns of Cape Cod, MA, an area plagued with higher than average rates of suicide, with special focus on our schools.

About Villa of Hope

Through a network of high quality programs and services, Villa of Hope specializes in helping at-risk youth overcome emotional and behavioral challenges and build lifelong strengths. The Villa’s community-based, residential and educational programs address mental health needs, trauma-informed care, life-skills development, and chemical dependency. Founded in 1942, today Villa of Hope serves more than 3,000 young people and their families annually.

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

SMOKIES WILL HOST TENTH ANNUAL SALUTE TO HEROES NIGHT

SEVIERVILLE – The Tennessee Smokies will host their tenth annual Salute to Heroes Night presented by the Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union on Saturday, May 27. The game is set for a 7:00 p.m. first pitch, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m.

Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and a special pre-game tribute honoring the brave men and women of our armed forces will begin at 6 p.m. The pre-game ceremony will consist of highlighting Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for the purpose of raising awareness and directing attention to local resources, a flyover, live rendition of the service branch medley, three-volley salute, enlistment oath ceremony, and much more.

Free tickets will be provided to all past and present military members, courtesy of LaborExchange and Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network. Each veteran, active duty service member, or reserve or guard member will be able to receive up to four free tickets, and additional tickets may be purchased at a discounted rate. Military members will need to provide a form of military identification (DD214, military ID, veteran ID, etc.) in order to receive their free tickets for Saturday’s game at the designated military ticket table in front of the will call booth outside of the stadium.

“I don’t think we could ever say thank you enough to those who protect our country,” stated Smokies President and COO Chris Allen. “This night allows us to show recognition to all of our military heroes as well as local heroes around our community. This is a special night, and we look forward to this every year as we will say thank you to all of our veterans, and raise awareness for PTSD throughout the night.”

Military themed jerseys will be worn by the team for Salute To Heroes Night, as they will be auctioned off throughout the game benefiting Remote Area Medical. The jersey auction will be available for bidding beginning on Thursday, May 25 at 10:00 a.m. through Saturday, May 27 at 8:30 p.m. Fans can place their bid on the special jerseys by using the following link: http://smokies.milbauctions.com/gallery.cfm

Limited edition “Honor Those Who Serve” T-shirts will be for sale in the GoTeez Locker Room with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1078’s efforts related to PTSD awareness and support.

The Smokies will be sporting batting helmets that will honor the memories of former local soldiers who took their own lives due to severe PTSD symptoms resulting from their time in the military. These soldiers will be commemorated with initials on the backs of the Smokies’ helmets.

A patriotic themed fireworks show will light up the sky following the game. The fireworks display is a part of the Summer Fireworks Series, presented by Coors Light and Pepsi which will feature post-game fireworks following every Friday and Saturday game through July 29.

The Smokies return home to Smokies Stadium on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 against the Biloxi Shuckers. The full schedule for this season and information regarding single-game tickets, season tickets, and mini plans can be found online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com

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

Veterans and Military Appreciation Night on June 3

TICKETS

The Clearwater Threshers will present Veterans and Military Appreciation Night with superstar wrestler Sgt. Slaughter and post-game fireworks on Saturday, June 3, at Spectrum Field. The evening is presented by Bosley and Bratch, Lawyers for Veterans. The night will also feature a hero card set giveaway, on-field ceremonies, military vehicles and equipment on display, a silent auction, and vendors on the concourse.

Professional wrestling star Sgt. Slaughter will be participating in the pregame program, and available for autographs on the concourse. Sgt. Slaughter rose to stardom in the WWE in the 1980s and 90s with his enthusiastic brand of American patriotism and his “Cobra Clutch” finishing move. Sgt. Slaughter is currently a member of the WWE Ambassador program.

The Threshers solicited nominations of local military personnel, both active and veteran, to be featured in a baseball card set of heroes that will be given away to guests as they enter the ballpark. A total of 1,000 card sets will be distributed, courtesy of Bosley and Bratch. Heroes selected for the card set, or their representatives, will be honored on the field prior to the game.

The evening will also include parachute jumpers, a swearing-in ceremony for recruits, and a silent auction fundraiser. Threshers players and coaches will be wearing special camouflage jerseys that will be included in the silent auction; winners will meet the players on-field after the game to receive their autographed jersey.

Veterans and Military Appreciation Night is in its seventh year at Spectrum Field. Representatives from the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard will be on-hand for the event. Many veterans groups and support organizations will also participate.

Returning for a second year is a softball tournament in the afternoon of Veterans and Military Appreciation Night. Four teams from the USCG Air Station Clearwater, USCG Sector St. Petersburg, VETSports Tampa, and a team of veterans from several branches will play three games starting at 1 p.m. Tickets are available for the afternoon softball games and include admission for the Threshers game and food from the Hot Corner Café.

The gates for the public will open at 5 p.m. on June 3 for the 6:15 p.m. game against the Charlotte Stone Crabs, followed by a post-game fireworks display. A portion of the proceeds from the day will benefit two local charities, the Haley House Fund and the Injured Warriors Fund. For ticket information, visit the Spectrum Field ticket office or call 727-467-4457.

TICKETS

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

Lexington Legends Partner with Robbie Ross Jr.’s Mission 108

WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK (Lexington, KY) – The Lexington Legends are proud to partner with Robbie and Brittany Ross through their non-profit foundation Mission 108, a Human Rights organization focused on helping survivors of Human Trafficking and extreme poverty throughout the globe.

Robbie Ross Jr., a Lexington native and graduate of Lexington Christian Academy, is a current professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox organization. Robbie and his wife Brittany started Mission 108 in 2012 while working with underserved communities in Lexington. While traveling and exploring different cultures as an MLB family, they experienced firsthand the impact that modern day slavery and extreme poverty has on people throughout the globe. Robbie and Brittany realized that their mission needed to be centered on empowering the vulnerable and serving those affected by Human Trafficking.

Mission 108 came to the Legends through the Community Organization of the Night program, a free opportunity the Legends offer to non-profits throughout the region at every Legends home game, to provide a platform for those organizations to inform the public about their cause and good works. Mission 108 will be the Community Organization of the Night on Sunday, May 28, 2017.

In addition to hosting an informational table in the concourse, participating in a pregame on-field interview and on air radio interview during the game, the Lexington Legends and Mission 108 are holding a Mystery Autograph Baseball Grab Bag Event in the concourse during the Legends game on May 28, 2017 at 2:05pm when the Legends take on Tim Tebow and the Columbia Fireflies.

Autographed Baseballs will be available for $30.00 each and in unmarked numbered bags. Fans participating in the Grab Bag Event will have a chance at over 60 different baseballs autographed by Major League Baseball Players, Top Prospects in the Royals and Nationals organizations, former UK Basketball and Football players and Legends 2017 Team signed balls.  In order to participate in the Mystery Autograph Baseball Grab Bag Event, fans must have a ticket to the May 28, 2017 Legends game.

“Mission 108 is excited to combine our love for baseball with our passion for anti-human trafficking at this event. Funds raised from this mystery ball event go directly to those affected. It will be a great time, and we hope to see all of you there. Thank you for your support” states Brittany Ross, co-founder of Mission 108.

For more information, about Mission 108 visit www.mission108.com or about the Mystery Ball Grab Bag Event and Legends Community Organization of the Night, contact Jillian Waitkus at jwaitkus@lexingtonlegends.com or 859 422-7847. The Legends, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and a member of the South Atlantic League, return to Whitaker Bank Ballpark to face off against the Hickory Crawdads, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers, on May 23, 2017 at 7:05pm. For ticket information, call (859) 422-7867 or visit lexingtonlegends.com.

Senators Ranked Seventh amongst 162 Minor League Baseball Teams in Charitable Giving in 2016

Recently, Minor League Baseball Charities sent out a report that ranked the Harrisburg Senators 7th amongst the 162 Minor League Baseball teams for the 2016 calendar year in total charitable giving. The Senators contributed over $880,000 directly back into the Central PA community in 2016 which comes mostly in the form of direct monetary contributions and in-kind donations.

The Senators give in various ways including the proceeds from the annual Hot Stove Dinner in February and the in-season charity dinner in August. Also included are the proceeds from the many special event jersey auctions and raffles, fundraiser tickets sold to non-profit organizations, ticket and merchandise donations, and in-person appearances by front office staff and players.

In 2016, the Senators front office staff and players made over 230 appearances. Last year, the team wore six specialty jerseys which were auctioned and raffled with the proceeds going to charity. Additionally, over $82,000 was donated through fundraisers. The Senators made in-kind donations of tickets and merchandise to organizations throughout central Pennsylvania totaling $697,358.

“We are extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish in recent years in terms of our community involvement and charitable giving,” said Harrisburg Senators’ President Kevin Kulp. “It’s a big part of our mission. We take our summertime platform in this community very seriously. While we always strive to provide affordable family entertainment, being a part of this community and being able to give back is a big part of who we are.”

“We want to use our platform to raise awareness for local non-profit organizations and help them raise necessary funds so that they can continue their good work. Our staff works tireless hours doing what we do and I think that one of the most rewarding aspects of our jobs is knowing that we are fighting the good fight and we ARE making a difference. $880,000 for us is a good number and one in which we are extremely proud.”

The goal in 2017 is to hit the million-dollar mark in charitable donations and the team is off and running. Organized by Senators Community Relations Coordinator, Blair Jewell, the Senators have already made over 130 appearances and recently had the entire team going to the Central PA Food Bank on Wednesday, April 5. While at the Food Bank, the team put together over 150 boxes of food for families. Manager Matt LeCroy, along with several players and staff members, have already made the first of several appearances this season to the Penn State Children’s Hospital. They played bingo with kids, answered questions and learned about the youngsters during their visit.

“It means a lot to our patients and families when the Senators take time out of their schedules to come in and visit,” said Sarah Miller, Child Life Support Associate at Penn State Children’s Hospital. “There are always plenty of smiles to go around when they stop by!”

The Senators look forward to continuing to raise money for local non-profit organizations. The players and front office staff will continue to make appearances throughout the season. The Senators not only work with charitable organizations in the community, but also aid organizations through ballpark promotions.

Some examples of season long in-park community initiatives include free parking when fans donate clothes to Community Aid on Thursday nights. On Monday nights, members and former members of the armed forces receive free tickets and their families receive half price tickets. Each game the Senators spotlight a different community organization as part of the “Community Organization of the Game” program which allows a non-profit organization to come to the ballpark and provide information to Senators fans about them. Every game you come to the ballpark there is likely a group in attendance that is making money as part of their easy fundraiser program where organizations can make as much as $4 per ticket sold.

This is the 31st season of Harrisburg Senators baseball since returning to the Eastern League in 1987 and while the Senators organization will continuously strive to provide quality entertainment at an affordable price, the team will also continue to strive to make a difference in the community.

If you have any questions or would like further information about the Harrisburg Senators charitable donations, please contact Blair Jewell at 717-231-4444 or via email at bjewell@senatorsbaseball.com.

The Senators box office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available via telephone during the same hours as the box office hours. Tickets are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online at www.senatorsbaseball.com. You can find the Senators on Facebook at facebook.com/senatorsbaseball or @hbgsenators on Twitter.

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

Baysox and Local Community Team to Strike Out Hunger Saturday, May 20th

The Bowie Baysox have partnered with their local business community to “Strike Out Hunger” in an attempt to raise both money and supplies for local food banks in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties. Baysox fans coming to Saturday, May 20th‘s game against Binghamton at 6:35 p.m. can be a part of the effort.

“We want to find new ways to use our product as a way to benefit those that are in need in our community” Director of Broadcasting Adam Pohl said. “A huge thank you to all in our business community who have come together to benefit our local food banks through Baysox Baseball.”

Fans can purchase a suite ticket for $50 which includes an All-You-Can-Eat All-American Buffet and tickets in our Potomac Room for the game and following fireworks show. To purchase call Emily Reder at 301-464-4890 or online at ereder@baysox.com. Partial proceeds from suite ticket will benefit local food banks.

You can also donate in the form of food. Bring a canned food donation to the Strike Out Hunger Table outside the stadium on the front pad and receive a FREE Baysox promotional item.

“It’s an honor to be a part of local businesses teaming with the Baysox to help our local food banks,” Suzanne Frost of B&P Environmental said. “There is a major need to help our banks in the summer and we hope to bring some help their way.”

There will also be a stadium-wide raffle that fans can participate in that will also raise funds. All proceeds from the raffle will go to local food banks.

All monies and canned food donations will go to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank (Prince George’s County) and the Maryland Food Bank (Anne Arundel County).

The Baysox are at home this upcoming weekend with fireworks following games on Friday, May 19th and Saturday, May 20th. For tickets, contact the Baysox at 301-805-6000 or purchase online at baysox.com.

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

Marauders Partner with Jake Taraska Foundation

Bradenton, Fla. – The Bradenton Marauders will raise funds and awareness for the battle against cancer on Friday, May 12. The team has partnered with the Jake Taraska Foundation, a Sarasota-based charity helping those afflicted with pediatric cancer. JTF founder Jake Taraska is a pediatric cancer survivor. The Marauders host the Palm Beach Cardinals at 6:30 p.m. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.

The Jake Taraska Foundation is a 501(c)3 non profit organization that is committed to provide hope and smiles to all families who are affected with pediatric cancer. The goal of the foundation is to encourage and uplift the children and the family who are going through pediatric cancer. Every dollar that is donated to the Jake Taraska Foundation goes directly to helping kids and their families. Jake Taraska uses his passion for sports to help children take their minds off of their daily struggles with pediatric cancer. JTF has teamed up with the Bradenton Marauders to raise money and awareness to strike out pediatric cancer.

“Baseball is a game near and dear to my heart,” Taraska said. “I’m excited to partner with the Marauders to continue my life’s mission of helping pediatric cancer patients and their families.”

The Marauders will wear white jerseys with purple sleeves symbolic of the fight against pediatric cancer. The letters and numbers on the jerseys will feature the multi-colored ribbons associated with other various forms of cancer. The jerseys will be available for silent auction to raise money for JTF. Winning bidders will be invited onto the field post-game to receive the jersey and have it autographed by the player or coach that wore it.

“Cancer has affected everyone at some time or another,” Marauders General Manager Rachelle Madrigal said. “We all know someone that has had their life altered or tragically cut short because of cancer. We are proud to be partnering with a local charity that has done such tremendous work for children and their families in the fight against pediatric cancer.”

The LECOM Park box office hours are Tuesday-Friday non-gamedays from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. On gamedays the box office will be open on weekdays from 11:00 a.m. until the end of the game and on Saturdays from 3:30 until the end of the game. The box office will open two hours prior to Sunday games and 10:30 a.m. games.

For more information about the Bradenton Marauders, please call 941-747-3031, visit www.BradentonMarauders.com, or email MaraudersInfo@pirates.com.

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

Star Wars jersey auction benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern NC

The Mudcats will pay homage to Princess Leia with special Star Wars game jerseys on Friday, May 5. The jerseys are available via online auction with the net proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina.

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