Pride Night on tap for Thursday, June 24

 

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies’ inaugural Pride Night will be on Thursday, June 24 at Segra Park.

Pride Night – now two years in the making after the cancellation of the 2020 season – is a night of inclusion, celebration and reaffirmation that Segra Park is a welcoming place for all people.

“Segra Park was built by our community and for our community… our entire community,” said Fireflies team President John Katz. “Columbia has a robust, active LBGTQ+ community and the Fireflies have many fans within that community. Columbia Fireflies baseball is truly ‘Fun for ALL.’”

The Fireflies have partnered on Pride Night with five local Pride Partner organizations that do amazing work in the community. SC Pride, South Carolina Black Pride, the Harriet Hancock Center, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (Columbia Center) and PALSS – Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services.

“Events like Pride Night at Fireflies really help to bring awareness of LGBT issues to more mainstream — and often under-represented — audiences,” said SC Pride President Jeff March. “It’s important that our allies — no matter who they are — step up to help show that LGBT issues are human issues. We are your friends, your neighbors, your coworkers, and we are as much a part of every facet of society as anyone else.”

Each of the five Pride Partners will have a table on the stadium concourse to share information about their programs and goals; they will also be distributing one of five exclusive Fireflies Pride buttons to fans. Please be sure to visit all five tables to collect the entire series. All buttons are free and quantities are limited.

“Harriet Hancock Center is so proud to be a part of an event that supports the LGBTQ community,” said Harriet Hancock Center Board President Kimmah Dozier-Burt. “Pride Night with the Fireflies offers the community a much-needed opportunity to reconnect, celebrate Pride together, and to collectively root for the home team!”

The Fireflies will be auctioning off a full set of custom Fireflies Pride jerseys during the game, with 100% of the proceeds being donated evenly to each of our five Pride Partners.

The Fireflies will also be selling their Pride t-shirts and caps throughout the day and will be donating 20% of the net proceeds to our Pride Partners.

“We are excited to be a part of this beautiful historic moment,” said South Carolina Black Pride President and CEO Darius Jones. “Celebrating Pride Month with the Columbia Fireflies at Segra Park is not just beautiful but historic too. It proves that SC has come a long way, and it brings visibility to LGBTQ+ athletics.”

In addition to the fundraising opportunities above, the Kansas City Royals have also pledged to donate an additional $1,000 to each of our Pride Partners to help further their work in our community.

Billy Bean, who serves at MLB as Vice-President & Special Assistant to the Commissioner, has sent a welcome video to Fireflies fans to kick off the Pride Night festivities. As a senior advisor to Commissioner Manfred, his role focuses on player education, LGBTQ inclusion, and social justice initiatives. Bean played in the Major Leagues from 1987-1995 and, in 1999, was just the second Major Leaguer to come out publicly as gay.

“I’m incredibly proud of the Columbia Fireflies for the comprehensive effort they’re making to reach out and support their LGBTQ fans,” said Bean. “Pride Night on June 24th is going to be a great day at Segra Park. I truly appreciate the inclusive message the club is setting for all of minor league baseball.”

Tickets for Pride Night on June 24 are available here.

Season ticket memberships for the 2021 season are still available for purchase. Memberships start as low as $70. Partial plans are now available to purchase in the Bullpen Boxes. To reserve your seats, contact the Fireflies Box Office at 803-726-4487 or visit The Fireflies Box Office at Segra Park.

For more information about the upcoming Fireflies season or other events at Segra Park, visit www.ColumbiaFireflies.com.

PRIDE Night Returns To PK Park On June 25

 

PRIDE Night returns to PK Park on June 25 as the Emeralds celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community on a night that will include a PRIDE flag giveaway for fans and a game-worn Emeralds PRIDE jersey auction benefitting the Matthew Shepard Foundation. The special evening is proudly sponsored by our friends at Kendall Auto Group and KLCC NPR.

PRIDE Night is nothing new to PK Park. In 2019, the Emeralds became the first-ever affiliated Minor League Baseball organization to don PRIDE jerseys in-game**,** a landmark moment that hadn’t even occurred to Emeralds General Manager Allan Benavides at the time.

“We weren’t aware that we would be the first [affiliated] team,” he told MiLB.com. “It wasn’t a factor. We thought it was important that as an organization, we were committed to doing a PRIDE night. We had some people in the community give us some ideas on what we could do and how we should do it properly.”

The evening was also highlighted by a pregame Q&A panel with activist Candace Gingrich, a raffle of the game-worn jerseys that benefitted the HIV Alliance, and every Emeralds gameday employee decked out in PRIDE merchandise.

Asked to reflect back on that night in an interview with the Washington Post earlier this month, Benavides recalled, “there were a lot of people in the stadium who felt comfortable holding hands, hugging each other. A lot of people wearing PRIDE colors. Just very comfortable, and that continued. It wasn’t just that one game.”

On June 5, the San Francisco Giants, the Major League affiliate of the Eugene Emeralds, became the first-ever Major League franchise to sport PRIDE jerseys in-game.

This year’s PRIDE Night will be highlighted by an Emeralds PRIDE flag giveaway thanks to Kendall Auto Group. On June 25, the first 1,000 fans that enter the home plate gate at PK Park will receive a free Emeralds PRIDE flag.

 

Additionally, the Emeralds will once again don specially designed Emeralds PRIDE jerseys on June 25. The game-worn Emeralds PRIDE jerseys will be available for sale via online auction. Information regarding the online jersey auction will be available later in the week at www.EmeraldsBaseball.com.

Proceeds from the Emeralds PRIDE jersey auction will benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation, a nonprofit founded by the parents of the foundation’s namesake, Dennis and Judy Shepard.

The foundation was established following the death of Matthew Shepard who, as a 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming, was brutally attacked and tied to a fence in a field where he was left to die. Matthew tragically succumbed to his wounds, but his memory lives on through the foundation his parents created using education, outreach, and advocacy programs to inspire individuals, organizations, and communities to embrace the dignity and equality of all people.

Tickets to Eugene Emeralds home games are available for purchase at www.EmeraldsBaseball.com or by calling (541) 342-5367.

Stay up to date with the Emeralds by following the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

BlueClaws Baseball Is For Everyone – Team to Host Second Pride Night on June 4th

 

JERSEY SHORE, NJ – BlueClaws baseball is for everyone! That continues to be the team’s message as the BlueClaws prepare for their second Pride Night, to be held on June 4th.

The BlueClaws held their first Pride Night, presented by Coca-Cola, in 2019 in front of a capacity, sold-out crowd at FirstEnergy Park. While their second Pride Night in 2020 was cancelled by the pandemic, the team remains undeterred and excited for Pride Night 2021.

“We consider ourselves to be a very open and inclusive organization and proud member of the community,” said BlueClaws Team President Joe Ricciutti. “We want to show the LGBT community that they are, and always will be, welcome at BlueClaws games!”

“It seems so simple–players should be judged on their athletic ability–not by who they love or how they identify. Unfortunately, the sports world can often be the deepest, darkest place in the closet. That’s why Garden State Equality is proud to partner with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws on their annual Pride Night–an evening that sends a message of positivity to LGBTQ people and their families,” said Christian Fuscarino, executive director of Garden State Equality. You have to imagine how inspiring it is for all those young kids sitting in the stands—who might be gay or transgender—when they look up and see their home team saying: ‘It’s okay to be who you are. We support you.’ That’s life changing.”

Pride Night includes a BlueClaws Pride Night cap giveaway for the first 1,500 fans that will be handed out beginning when the gates open at 6:00 pm. First pitch against the Brooklyn Cyclones, affiliate of the New York Mets, is at 7:05 pm and fans are encouraged to stay for post-game fireworks.

Order Tickets: Order tickets online by clicking here.

The BlueClaws will also be wearing special jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game.

Before the game, the BlueClaws will run a panel discussion with Christian Fuscarino of Garden State Equality and Joe Votruba of NJ 101.5 on the 1,857-square foot video board.

Aziza Callahan, a Garden State Equality member, will sing the National Anthem.

“BlueClaws games are about a fun night out with your friends, family, and colleagues. It’s about relaxing, laughing, and having a great time together. This notion has nothing to do with sexual orientation, race, gender, or economic status. It’s a universal notion of affordable, wholesome entertainment. It’s nice to be able to celebrate that with the community.”

Additional resources will be made available for fans at the game. Those interested in attending the night or partnering with the BlueClaws are encouraged to email [email protected].

Tickets are currently available in reserve seating pods, Lawn pods on the two outfield grass berms, concourse picnic tables, and concourse high-top tables around the ballpark. Tickets to Pride Night and all remaining BlueClaws home games can be purchased at BlueClaws.com.

-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-

BlueClaws Charities Suite Raffle Winners Announced

JERSEY SHORE, NJ – BlueClaws Charities drew their seven Luxury Suite Raffle winners on Monday. Each winner earns a 10-game share of a 2021 BlueClaws Luxury Suite.

The seven winners (in order of drawing) are:

  • Mark Zrebiec of Little Egg Harbor
  • Erica Kelly of Barnegat
  • Melissa Lauer of Jackson
  • Scott Feirstein of Hazlet
  • Larry Casele of Pine Beach
  • Thomas O’Hara of Tinton Falls
  • Jim Schatzle of Colts Neck

You can watch the drawing in the player below.

Those looking to support BlueClaws Charities can do so by purchasing a fan cutout that will be displayed during BlueClaws games this season.

Cutouts are just $35 and proceeds will benefit BlueClaws Charities. Additionally, fans will be able to keep their cutouts at the conclusion of the season.

To book your cutout, click here.

-BlueClaws Charities-

Gwinnett Stripers to Honor Frontline Workers with Specialty Jersey

 

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers, in partnership with Northside Hospital, are hosting Salute to Frontline Workers on Friday, May 28 vs. Memphis. The 7:05 p.m. game will honor the doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, foodservice workers, municipal workers, and other essential employees who have kept us safe, fed, and going during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

On that night, the Stripers will wear specialty jerseys featuring the names of local (Gwinnett and surrounding counties) frontline workers. Now through March 26, the Stripers will accept name submissions for inclusion on the jersey via an online form at GoStripers.com. The final jersey design will be unveiled prior to the game on May 28.

Each game-worn jersey will be made available for purchase in an online auction at GoStripers.com starting May 27. Proceeds will benefit Northside Gwinnett Foundation.

“It is our privilege to partner with Northside Hospital to recognize our local frontline and essential workers that have guided us through this difficult year,” said Stripers Vice President and General Manager Adam English. “We feel honored to welcome them to Coolray Field for a relaxing night of Stripers baseball and a display of our gratitude and appreciation.”

Salute to Frontline Workers, presented by Northside Hospital, is one of 10 Fireworks Fridays at Coolray Field in 2021. All Friday home games feature a spectacular post-game fireworks display. The Stripers’ full 2021 Promotional Schedule will be released in the coming weeks. To be among the first to see the schedule of giveaways, theme nights, and special events planned for this season, sign up for the Stripers Newsletter at GoStripers.com/newsletter.

Season ticket memberships are available now online at GoStripers.com/memberships and limited individual game tickets will be available to the public closer to Opening Night.

Timber Rattlers to Hold Jersey Auction for Charity Starting March 15

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers never got on the field in 2020 and never had a chance to wear the Brewers Sunday jerseys that were picked out for them. There will be new Brewers Sunday jerseys for the 2021 Timber Rattlers and that left the never-worn jerseys sitting in the team offices. These pieces of a season that never happened won’t be around our offices much longer because there will be a Charity Auction starting Monday, March 15 at 9:00am. You will be able to win one of the jerseys up for bid and help raise money for Timber Rattlers Give Back.

Additionally, the Timber Rattlers have partnered with Live Source to give fans a much easier on-line auction experience this season. Fans should download the Live Source app from The App Store on Apple phones or from Google Play on Android phones for the best results. Please visit LiveSourceApp.com for more information.

Potential bidders may also continue to participate through the web by using their browser. The Brewers Sunday Jersey auction may be accessed at this link.

There will be 42 jerseys up for bid beginning March 15 at 9:00am. All jerseys have an official Milwaukee Brewers 50th Anniversary Season patch and a starting bid of $85. There are three different closing times on the auctions on Sunday, March 21. The closing times are 6:30pm for group one, 6:45pm for group two, and 7:00pm for group three. This will allow fans to bid on a different jersey of the same size if they miss out on a winning bid in a previous group.

There will be fourteen jerseys in group one with one size 44, three size 46, seven size 48, and three size 50. Group two has fourteen jerseys with four size 46, seven size 48, and three size 50. Group three also has fourteen jerseys with four size 46, six size 48, three size 50, and one size 54.

Timber Rattlers Give Back is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2019 to provide financial support and raise awareness of charitable causes in the Fox Valley community in the areas of educations, youth sports, and basic needs.

The jerseys will be shipped to the winners the week of Monday, March 22.

Keep that Live Source app on your phone because the Timber Rattlers will have several more jersey auctions during the 2021 season. The team will announce the jerseys and the dates for the auctions closer to Opening Night.

Fireflies Launch “We Are Fireflies” Jersey Campaign

 

Columbia, S.C. – The Columbia Fireflies today announced the launch of the “We Are Fireflies” jersey campaign. Fans, season ticket and suite members, partners and Fireflies supporters across the Midlands and the country can have their names on a jersey that the Fireflies will wear on the first Saturday home game of the 2021 season.

”This is a great way for the community to join forces with the Fireflies as we launch this innovative initiative,” said Fireflies team president John Katz. “It represents an opportunity to support the team, support a fantastic non-profit in Homeless No More, and to represent you, your family or loved ones by adding a name or several names to the jersey. It’s a great win-win proposition.”

The jerseys are white with a block text “Fireflies” logo on the front and jersey numbers on the back with no name plate. The sleeves are colored blue with a yellow stripe and include the Fireflies bug logo on the right shoulder. The entire body of the jersey will be filled with the names of those who purchase the opportunity through the campaign.

Fans can purchase packages to add their name to the jersey starting at just $30. The $30 package gets one name on the jersey, a Palmetto Citizens FCU All-Star seat ticket for the game and a $5 donation to Homeless No More. There is a total of eight different packages, ranging from $30-$2,500, with varying tickets and hospitality, exclusive experiences and increased donations based on package selection.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Columbia Fireflies and are thankful for all they do in the community,” said Elizabeth Blake Dudek, Director of Development for Homeless No More. “We are honored to have them on our team as we end family homelessness!”

The jerseys worn during the game will be auctioned off during the game, with proceeds benefitting Homeless No More. The auction will be held both online and in-park. Players will autograph the jersey after the game and present it to the winning bidder on the field at Segra Park immediately after the game and prior to the fireworks; online winners will have their jersey shipped to them.

More information on the “We Are Fireflies” jersey campaign, and the various package options, can be found by clicking here. Packages can be purchased online here.

The Idaho Falls Chukars have donated 1,100 pounds of food and nearly $2,000 to the Community Food Basket.

 

IDAHO FALLS — The future of Chukars baseball is still up in the air, but one thing is certain — giving back to the community is one of their top priorities.

The Idaho Falls Chukars have donated 1,100 pounds of food and nearly $2,000 to the Community Food Basket over the past few weeks through a raffle and food drive.

“We have put a lot of effort into supporting the community that chooses to support us every summer,” Kevin Greene, team president and general manager, said in a news release. “We will continue to find ways to support those around us during these difficult and unprecedented times.”

On Tuesday, Elmore Sports Group, owners of the Chukars, donated $3,297 to benefit local communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including almost $500 to the Community Food Basket in Idaho Falls.

The seven minor league baseball teams within the Elmore Sports Group, the Chukars, Amarillo Sod Poodles, San Antonio Missions, Rocky Mountain Vibes, Inland Empire 66ers, Eugene Emeralds and Lynchburg Hillcats, each donated a bobblehead, team cap and a player-signed item, which were raffled to fans across the country. Fans purchased raffle tickets for $2 and the money was split between each city’s local food bank.

Other donations were brought in during the Chukars food drive they held three weeks ago in their parking lot at Melaleuca Field. During the food drive — where safety precautions were taken — they held their own raffle and gave away a Chukars jersey.

Chukars spokesman Chris Hall said The United Steelworkers played a huge role in the food drive by donating $1,000.

United Steelworkers presenting a check to the Community Food Basket. | Courtesy Idaho Falls Chukars

“We realized that everything we do here requires the community to support us, and it seemed selfish to not, in turn, do something for the community when people are going through hard times,” Hall told EastIdahoNews.com.

If organizations from around the community want to approach the Chukars with ideas of how they can continue to use their platform to help the community, call Hall at (208) 522-8363.

Hooks Launch Auction Benefitting Hospitality and Tourism Employees

 

CORPUS CHRISTI – The Hooks are calling on the baseball community to support those in the hospitality, tourism and service industries through a game-worn jersey auction that began today.

A handful of select game-worn jerseys dating to 2014 will be sold at auction to benefit Visit Corpus Christi’s Visit CC Cares Program, which is designed to help employees in the hospitality, tourism and service industries who have experienced financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances. The Visit CC Cares Program recently launched the COVID-19 Coronavirus Hospitality Emergency Fund Campaign to provide one-time emergency funding to those directly impacted by the current pandemic.

“The hospitality, tourism and service industries have been dramatically impacted due to COVID-19,” said JD Davis, Hooks Director of Marketing. “When we started discussing ways our fans could make an impact through a jersey auction, Visit CC Cares was at the top of our list. It was important for us when deciding how to distribute the funds that through the Visit CC Cares Program, the donations go directly to the employees affected.”

Among the game-worn jerseys are Houston Astros players George Springer and Jose Urquidy (2019 Raspas), a signed Collin McHugh Coastal Bend jersey and a signed home Hooks jersey by current Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Colin Moran. A full list of available jerseys is below.

The auction is now live at cchooks.com/auction, closing Sunday, May 24 at 1 p.m. CT. Proceeds will directly support Visit CC Cares. A $9.95 domestic shipping and handling fee will apply.

Funds for the Visit CC Cares Program are raised through donations to the Corpus Christi CVB Heritage Society, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. Learn more about Visit CC Cares here.

GAME-WORN JERSEYS AVAILABLE AT AUCTION:

George Springer (2019 Raspas)

Jose Urquidy (2019 Raspas)

Seth Beer (2019 Raspas)

Cristian Javier (2019 Raspas)

Collin McHugh (2019 Coastal Bend, signed)

Willy Collado (2019 Coastal Bend, signed)

Ryan Engels (2019 Coastal Bend, signed)

Tim Lamonte (2019 Coastal Bend, signed)

Jake Meyers (2019 Dia de los Hooks)

Teoscar Hernández (2014 road gray, signed)

Colin Moran (2014 road gray, signed)

Doug Brocail (2014 road gray, signed)

Framber Valdez (2017 Christmas, signed)

Brandon Bailey (2019 pink, signed)

Granden Goetzman (2019 pink, signed)

Justin Ferrell (2019 pink, signed)

Bill Murphy (2018 pink, signed)

Omar Lopez (2018 Blue Ghosts)

Jorge De Leon (2014 home white)

Matt Heidenreich (2014 home white)

Curve organize online raffles and auctions for COVID-19 relief

Proceeds to fund The Society of St. Vincent de Paul to help those in need

CURVE, Pa. – The Altoona Curve, Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, are hosting a series of online raffles through the end of April to raise money for COVID-19 relief. Several pieces of Curve memorabilia are up for grabs with the funds aiding The Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Schedule of raffle and auction items:

  • Cole Tucker autographed BP jersey auction (April 21-30)
  • Andy Van Slyke autographed baseball raffle (April 21-22)
  • Ballpark Experience raffle – Loco seat visit and goody bag (valid for any 2020 or 2021 home game) (April 23-24)
  • 2017 championship team autographed, uncut card set raffle (April 25-26)
  • Ballpark Experience raffle – four tickets and watch fireworks from the field (valid for any 2020 or 2021 home firework date) (April 27-28)
  • Gerrit Cole autographed program raffle (April 29-30)

The LiveSource app will host each raffle and auction. Instructions for how to download the app and view the items can be found here. Raffle items can be won for as little as $3, the cost of a single digital raffle ticket. Additional chances can be purchased at the buyer’s discretion. Each raffle and auction item closes at 9 p.m. on the last date of each event.

St. Vincent de Paul has put major fundraising programs on hold but continues to operate their Kitchen and Food Distribution Program during the pandemic to help feed those in need.

The Altoona Curve, 2010 and 2017 Eastern League Champions, have been the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1999. The Stockyard Team Store is open online 24/7/365 at AltoonaCurve.com.

Celebrity guests, prize giveaways with Wes McElroy and Parney to raise funds for local COVID-19 support

 

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels and Sports Radio 910 The Fan have partnered for the “Bring It Home Funn-raiser,” which will take place on Thursday from 2-6 p.m., in an effort to bring the Richmond community closer together and to help those fighting on the front lines against COVID-19 in the region. The radio fundraiser will include celebrity guests and prize giveaways.

Following Flying Squirrels’ VP & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell’s 500 Bases of Love fundraiser on Thursday morning, he will join Wes McElroy from 2-6 p.m. on Sports Radio 910 The Fan and on FM at 105.1. Throughout the program, listeners are encouraged to make donations at TheFanRichmond.com.

Each $11 donation, in honor of the Flying Squirrels’ 11th season in Richmond, will enter the donor for a chance to be a “Squirrels Player for a Day.” The prize winner will attend a Flying Squirrels game and receive a jersey and a hat, take batting practice on the field, shag fly balls in the outfield, have a special autograph and photo session with players, sit in the dugout before the game and meet with the media afterwards (must be 18 or older to win).

There will be other prize giveaways throughout the show, including:

  • Help set off fireworks at a Flying Squirrels game
  • Throw out a ceremonial first pitch
  • Dinner & drinks with McElroy and Parney at Hurley’s Tavern with three invited guests (must be 21 or older)
  • Pizza party for 15 people at your home or office with Nutzy
  • 2019 Eastern League All-Star Game jersey
  • Matt Cain autographed baseball
  • Michael Robinson autographed football and a Meet & Greet in the studio at Sports Radio 910 The Fan
  • Three pairs of VCU basketball tickets with gift cards to Home Team Grill for a pre- or post-game meal

The show will feature special celebrity guests, including:

  • Former MLB manager Bruce Bochy
  • Six-time MLB All-Star Will Clark
  • ESPN commentator Karl Ravech
  • Former NASCAR driver Elliott Sadler
  • VCU men’s basketball head coach Mike Rhoades
  • University of Richmond men’s basketball head coach Chris Mooney
  • Richmond Kickers sporting director & head coach Darren Sawatzky
  • Richmond Raceway track president Dennis Bickmeier
  • VCU Vice President & Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin
  • Flying Squirrels president & managing general partner Lou DiBella
  • VCU baseball head coach Shawn Stiffler
  • Former MLB pitcher & co-owner of Center of the Universe Brewing Company Chris Ray
  • Former Flying Squirrels pitcher Daryl Maday

Donations can be made beginning at noon on Thursday at TheFanRichmond.com. The show can be heard at on Sports Radio 910 The Fan, on FM at 105.1, online at TheFanRichmond.com or on the Radio.com app.

In an effort to practice safe social distancing and best ensure the health and of the Flying Squirrels family, the team’s front offices and team store are currently closed. Fans looking to reach out to the Flying Squirrels front office can find information here and are encouraged to interact on social media through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Woodpeckers 2019 Community and Charitable Giving Report

 

Since it’s inception in March of 2019, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers Fund has implemented the Fayetteville Woodpeckers’ desire to make a tangible impact on the Greater Fayetteville community through their official team charity. Investing over $71,000 in charitable giving, in-kind donations, and volunteer hours in their inaugural season, the Woodpeckers set out to establish a winning record not only in baseball games, but in their commitment to helping the community surrounding Segra Stadium.

The core program of this initiative, The Community Leaders Program, emphasizes a focus on youth sports and military causes. With the volunteerism and funds contributed by the Woodpeckers’ 2019 Community Leaders Corporate Partners (Segra, AEVEX, ASUS, Walsingham Group, Inc., and CarolinasDentist), we were able to accomplish the following projects below in 2019.

Youth Sports

  • Sponsored uniforms for 21 youth baseball and softball teams throughout Cumberland County, including the Buddy Baseball Program for special needs children.
  • Purchased and installed a new scoreboard for the Buddy Baseball Program at their home field in Massey Hill. The previous scoreboard was damaged during Hurricane Matthew.
  • Provided new Nike PG3 basketball shoes for both Men’s and Women’s varsity basketball teams at E.E. Smith High School.

Military

  • Funded 50 scholarships for military children to attend summer camp at Rick’s Place. Rick’s Place is a veteran owned 50-acre park just outside Fort Bragg that provides support for active duty and veteran soldiers and their families. In addition, the Woodpeckers provided all 250 campers with a t-shirt to wear during the duration of camp.
  • In conjunction with the USO of North Carolina and with the help of over 70 volunteers from our corporate partners, the Bird Bath Kits initiative was launched. Over 1,000 Bird Bath Kits, which included various personal care hygiene items, were packed at Segra Stadium and then delivered to elementary and middle schools on Fort Bragg as part of our back to school project.
  • Purchased a new irrigation system to benefit the community garden established for veterans therapy at Rick’s Place. This garden has a variety of flowers, vegetables, and herbs that veterans and their families are able to plant, tend, and harvest free of charge.

Other 2019 Charitable Initiatives: 
Paint the Park Purple, Alzheimer’s Awareness Night – On Saturday, July 27th, 2019, the Woodpeckers partnered with McKee Homes to host Alzheimer’s Awareness Night at Segra Stadium. The team wore custom purple jerseys that were auctioned off in-game, raising over $8,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association of Eastern North Carolina. The first 2,000 fans through the gates that night receieved custom purple Woodpeckers shirts to wear during the game, while awareness/educational videos played throughout the evening.
Fayetteville Woodpeckers Fund Jersey Auctions – The Woodpeckers held two other impactful jersey auctions that benefited the club’s charity in 2019. The first was a Patriotic jersey for our Independence Day Celebration game on July 3rd and the second was our end-of-season Inaugural home jersey set. These funds were used to help with the above Fayetteville Woodpeckers Fund initiatives.
Falcon Children’s Home Christmas Initiative – The Woodpeckers purchased 120 toys for children (infant to 19 years old) to open during the annual Falcon Children’s Home Christmas Party in December.
Childhood Cancer Awareness, Hailey Keller’s Home Run for Life & Jacob Moore’s Woodpecker for a Day – The Woodpeckers were honored to have Hailey and Jacob be a part of our Inaugural season. Hailey celebrated her five year anniversary of being cancer free by hitting a “home run” and running the bases during one of our inning breaks to a standing ovation. Jacob signed a one-day contract and enjoyed a full day of team training and fun as an honorary Woodpecker. Jacob has defied the odds and continues to fight while living with terminal neuroblastoma.

In addition to the above, the club fulfilled over 200 in-kind donations to organizations throughout Fayetteville and the surrounding communities. Our favorite red-cockaded woodpecker Bunker also made over 100 appearances throughout the region, putting a smile on the face of children and keeping our fans in good spirits!

 

‘All Abilities’ Night features sign language jersey auction

 

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Air Products are teaming up to host Batting for People of All Abilities on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:05 p.m. Before the game, 5,000 fans 18 and older will receive a rally towel courtesy of Air Products.

MORE: Get Tickets for ‘Batting for People of All Abilities’ Night

The night will recognize people of all abilities. A pre-game basic sign language training will be available for fans. The game will be stopped to provide an opportunity for Aiden Gowarty, son of an Air Products employee, to go to home plate and hit a home run for people of all abilities. Plans for the evening also include the National Anthem signed as well as the 7th inning stretch. There will also be a “silent inning” eliminating any music or sound effects in the stadium.

During the game, the IronPigs will be wearing jerseys with “IronPigs” spelled out in American Sign Language and the evening will be capped off with an ASL jersey auction.

‘Dads To Hold “Miracle of Hickory” Weekend

Team Will Wear Specialty Miracle Jerseys

Hickory, NC- The Crawdads are excited to announce “Miracle of Hickory” weekend, presented by WHKY 1290AM & 102.3FM, which will take place on Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th.

The ‘Dads will wear specialty jerseys during both games as the team honors the emergency hospital constructed to treat the polio crisis of 1944 that would become known as the “Miracle of Hickory”. The jerseys are purple in honor of the March of Dimes, which was originally established during World War II to help fight the polio epidemic.

In June of 1944, the Catawba Valley was hit with one of the worst polio outbreaks in the country. At the time there were no established hospitals in the area to treat patients so building a facility became critical. In just 54 hours a hospital was constructed and began admitting patients, most of which were children who are most susceptible to the illness.

The community came together to construct buildings, paint, clear debris, dig water trenches and donate food. WHKY helped to spread the word of needed hospital supplies such as beds, washing machines, and office supplies.

Hundreds of doctors and nurses, who were known as the “Angels of Mercy”, were sent by the American Red Cross and other volunteer organizations to help treat the patients. Over the course of nine months, the Hickory Emergency Infantile Paralysis Hospital treated 454 children for polio. The March of Dimes deemed the hospital and its remarkably low death rate the “Miracle of Hickory” on its posters nationwide.

The hospital no longer exists but its site is about a mile from LP Frans Stadium. The Hickory Music Factory, the armory and Jaycee Park were constructed on the grounds of the former hospital. The City of Hickory recently renamed the Jaycee Park to Miracle of Hickory Park and began a renovation project on the property. A mural was also painted this winter on the side of a building on 1st Avenue NW in downtown Hickory to commemorate the Miracle of Hickory.

The Saturday date will feature a special firework show as the City of Hickory celebrates its 150th anniversary.

The Miracle of Hickory jerseys will be auctioned off via the Live Source app throughout the weekend. The proceeds of the auction will be donated to the Miracle of Hickory Foundation. Artifacts from the hospital will also be on the concourse on Saturday.

Wings celebrate Negro Leagues 100th Anniversary June 19

Red Wings to wear throwback Rochester American Giants jerseys

The Rochester Red Wings are joining Minor League Baseball in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Negro Leagues baseball on Friday, June 19 at Frontier Field.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

The Rochester American Giants – a minor league team affiliated with the Negro Leagues – called the Flower City home in the 1940’s. The Wings will honor that team by wearing replica jerseys. The jerseys will be auctioned off using the LiveSource mobile app with proceeds benefitting the “They Stepped Up To The Plate” Foundation – a local non-profit led by Honeoye Falls resident Jeff Klein and his family whose mission is to spread the stories of former Negro League players.

“We look forward to the opportunity to educate and inform our fans about the Rochester American Giants and many of the other great players and teams from the Negro Leagues as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues,” said Red Wings General Manager Dan Mason. “Our fans will have the incredible opportunity to meet and hear from some former Negro League Players as well as check out an incredible traveling display of Negro League photos and artifacts. We are fortunate to be working with Jeff Klein and his family on this event and we look forward to helping raise some funding for the ‘They Stepped Up to the Plate’ Foundation so that they can continue to educate fans in our community about these great men who played in the Negro Leagues.”

The night will also feature appearances from Ernest Fann, who was a catcher for the Raleigh Tigers, and Ike Walker, a Rochester resident who was a catcher on the 1963 Satchel Paige All-Star Team. Both men will be available on the Frontier Field concourse before the game for a meet-and-greet and will take part in a pre-game interview on the field.

The discussion will also include Sean Gibson – the great grandson of Josh Gibson, one of the most prolific Negro League players of all time. Sean is the executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation and will have a traveling Negro Leagues display that will be available for fans to check out on the concourse during the game.

The night will conclude with a post-game fireworks show.