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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RiverDogs Introduce First Ever RiverDogs Youth Travel Baseball Team

 

CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston RiverDogs are for the first time introducing a youth travel team program affiliated with the team, the New York Yankees’ Class-A South Atlantic League affiliate. The program will kick off with its first open tryout and information session, to be held on Saturday, Jan. 11 at the West Ashley High School baseball field. Check-in will start at 9:00 a.m., and the tryout will begin at 10:00a.m. Players who are eligible to participate in 9u through 12u programs are invited.

The program will be led by RiverDogs director of community outreach Chris Singleton, formerly a minor league outfielder with the Chicago Cubs. Through Chris’ leadership, the RiverDogs’ youth travel teams will function differently than most other area travel baseball programs. In joining the RiverDogs’ teams, players will learn and play competitive baseball at a high level, but an equally important part of the program will be exposing players to RiverDogs initiatives of philanthropy and community outreach.

“I’m excited to begin this youth baseball program because it focuses not just on baseball, but will give kids a path to make a significant impact in the community,” Singleton said. “The RiverDogs are looking forward to teaching both on field skills and life skills by requiring every player and coach to continually engage in philanthropic activities throughout the season.”

In addition to tournament play – which will largely be regional-focused – team members will have access to one-of-a-kind experiences, such as interaction with the RiverDogs team and playing time on the field at Riley Park.

For more information, contact Chris Singleton directly at 843-577-3647 or csingleton@riverdogs.com.

–RIVERDOGS–

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

Pinstripe Pals: Little League program returns in 2020

 

MOOSIC, PA (December 20, 2019) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, in partnership with Maines Food and Party Warehouse, will once again offering the Pinstripe Pals program, supporting area youth softball and baseball leagues. Applications are being accepted now and 10 youth leagues will be chosen to receive a sponsorship from The SWB Pinstripes Foundation and a gift card from Maines.

Pinstripe Pals heads for year six in 2020. Each of the ten leagues selected will receive a $500 sponsorship to help pay for costly supplies, such as uniforms and equipment, as well as a $500 gift card to Maines Food and Party Warehouse, which can be used to help teams pay for items for concessions, thus raising more money for their respective league.

Click here to print the application.

Each league selected will have the opportunity to participate in a pre-game parade at PNC Field before a RailRiders home game and the opportunity for RailRiders assistance with league fundraising. Selected leagues will have a photo of their choice placed in the GuideRail game day program on your league’s night and one of the teams in each league will serve as the “Field of Dreams” club on that night and take the field with our players.

League representatives are encouraged to fill out the Pinstripe Pals application form and submit a 500 word essay describing why their league should be chosen. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 21, 2020.

Completed applications can be emailed to Jordan Maydole at jmaydole@swbrailriders.com, faxed to 570-963-6564 or mailed to:
SWB RailRiders
Attn: Pinstripe Pals
235 Montage Mountain Rd.
Moosic, PA 18507

For more information on the Pinstripe Pals program, presented by Maines Food and Party Warehouse, please contact Jordan Maydole or Robby Judge at 570-969-2255. The 2020 season opens on April 9 at PNC Field against the Buffalo Bisons.

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

Timber Rattlers Release 2019 Charity Report

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI – It was a good year for the various charities supported by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Charity Fund. The Rattlers have released a brief report on their charitable works during 2019 as they prepare for 2020.

The main fundraisers for the 2019 Timber Rattlers were the seven jersey auctions held during the 2019 season. The auctions included team-worn jerseys based on promotions for the Udder Tuggers, Los Cascabeles, Military Appreciation, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Brewers, Star WarsTM, and Wisconsin Brats. These auctions raised almost $18,000 for local charities.

The Timber Rattlers are finalizing their jersey designs for the 2020 season and will unveil those designs as Opening Night for next season gets closer.

The annual Charity Golf Outing which was held on June 3, 2019 was another significant fundraiser. Nearly 100 area golfers plus Timber Rattlers players, coaches, and front office personnel collected over $8,500 for the Timber Rattlers Charity Foundation through the golf and raffles that were held after the outing. The 2020 Charity Golf Outing is scheduled for Monday, June 1 at Shamrock Heights Golf Course in Shawano.

The team was also involved in programs like Whiffer’s Fitness Program and Fang’s Reading Club. The reading club is an incentive-based program that allows schools in Northeastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula to get children from Kindergarten through fifth grade involved in reading. The fitness program helped to get kids in the Fox Cities to get and stay active.

Mascots Whiffer & Fang got into the charitable spirit on their birthdays, too. Whiffer’s Birthday in March coincided with the team’s individual tickets on sale date and a Help for the Homeless Drive that collected hygiene products for area homeless shelters. Fang’s Birthday in August collected 410 pounds in non-perishable food items as part of the Cans for Cake food drive.

The Timber Rattlers front offices also tended to their on-site garden to grow and harvest over 400 pounds of food in the Greenstone Farm Credit Services Ballpark Garden at Neuroscience Group Field. The fresh vegetables were taken to St. Joe’s Food Pantry.

Some of the charities helped by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2019 included Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Fox Valley Veterans Council, Children’s Cancer Family Foundation of Northeast Wisconsin, St. Joe’s Food Pantry, Freedom Food Pantry, Lupus Foundation, Farm Aid, and Miracle League of the Fox Valley.

Additionally, over 2000 hats were presented to area Little League programs. Numerous other charities received over 10,000 ticket vouchers to be used in their own fundraisers by the Rattlers.

The team established the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Fund with the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley Region in 2016 to benefit the team’s charitable works.

Thank you to everyone who assisted in our charitable works in 2019. We could not have accomplished this without the support of the players, coaches, and community. We look forward to 2020.

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

Free STEM-Based OKC Dodgers MVP Program Enters Fourth Year

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Third- and fourth-grade teachers throughout the state of Oklahoma are eligible to sign up to participate in the Oklahoma City Dodgers MVP Program: Encouraging STEM Education, thanks to partners Devon Energy and Olsson as the program enters its fourth year.

The free OKC Dodgers MVP Program encourages third- and fourth-grade students and teachers to participate in STEM curriculum focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Participating students are then rewarded for their STEM achievements inside and outside of the classroom.

This marks the second straight year the program is being offered statewide across Oklahoma and teachers have until March 31 to register to participate for 2020.

“The OKC Dodgers MVP Program continues to grow and evolve thanks to our partners Devon Energy and Olsson,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “STEM-based learning is critical to youth education across our state and the MVP Program gives us the opportunity to provide unique classroom resources to teachers, while motivating positive outcomes for students.”

The program experienced rapid growth over its first three years and impacted more than 7,200 third- and fourth-grade students in 2019.

Participation in the MVP Program was initially only open to Oklahoma City Public Schools in 2017. After a successful start, the program expanded in 2018 to include additional metro-area classrooms in the Mid-Del, Putnam City, Edmond and Norman school districts.

In 2019, program participation expanded statewide for the first time and was used in more than 330 classrooms across Oklahoma. On the first day of registration for 2019, more teachers signed up to participate than during the entire first year of the program.

Participating teachers have found a variety of ways to integrate the program into their classrooms.

“I use the Dodgers MVP Program to promote good citizenship and improve classroom behavior,” said Tracey Brauer, a fourth-grade teacher at West Field Elementary in Edmond. “It has been a great help and kids love it.”

Gayla Walker teaches fourth grade at West Elementary in Weatherford.

“Our fourth-graders attend a monthly STEAM class where they get to explore and create while doing a variety of activities,” Walker said. “We look for characteristics such as cooperation, collaboration, ingenuity, critical thinking and problem solving.”

The OKC Dodgers MVP Program culminates each summer with MVP Field Day at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – an exclusive event for participating MVP students and teachers, as well as their families, featuring STEM activities and appearances by OKC Dodgers players.

Participating teachers receive all necessary MVP Program materials free of charge, as well as tickets to an OKC Dodgers game honoring MVP participants and an exclusive MVP baseball hat.

All students participating in the MVP Program will receive tickets to an OKC Dodgers game honoring MVP participants and also receive an exclusive MVP baseball hat. Select students are rewarded with unique Dodgers experiences such as throwing the ceremonial first pitch and delivering the game’s lineup card.

For additional information about the OKC Dodgers MVP Program, or to register as a participating teacher for 2020, visit okcdodgers.com/mvp or email mvp@okcdodgers.com.

Season ticket and group packages for the OKC Dodgers’ 2020 baseball season are available now for purchase. Visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182 for more information.

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

Gwinnett Stripers Accepting Grant Applications for 2020

 

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Gwinnett Stripers, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves Foundation, are now accepting applications for the 2020 Stripers Grant Program. The program will award a $2,500 grant to a different nonprofit organization each month from May through August.

Each month will focus on a different category of nonprofit organizations, all fitting within the Atlanta Braves Foundation’s pillars of “Live, Learn, Play, and Serve.” The four categories are:

  • May: Military programs
  • June: Health and wellness programs
  • July: Service-oriented programs
  • August: Youth programs

Interested nonprofit organizations may apply online at GoStripers.com/grants through March 1. Organizations deemed qualified will be contacted by the Stripers to provide supporting documents by March 23. One organization will be selected by the Stripers as the recipient of a $2,500 grant each month and will be recognized during a Stripers game at Coolray Field.

The Stripers have partnered with the Atlanta Braves Foundation to award grants to nonprofits since 2009, totaling $185,000 in donations over 11 seasons. After awarding $1,000 grants from 2009 to 2018, the Stripers increased the total to $2,500 in 2019, donating to four organizations: Operation Homefront, Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett, Mending the Gap Inc., and Spectrum Autism Support Group.

“The Stripers Grant Program is central to our goal of making a lasting impact in Gwinnett County,” said Stripers Vice President and General Manager Adam English. “We look forward to continued success in improving our community through support of local nonprofit organizations and their essential missions.”

For more information on the Grant Program and all other Stripers community initiatives, visit GoStripers.com/community.

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

 

Learning Curve: RailRiders seeking interns

 

MOOSIC, PA (December 10, 2019) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are accepting resumes for their 2020 internship program. The team is seeking interns in a variety of areas and will offer both paid and for-credit positions.

The RailRiders are offering internships in the following areas/ fields: Client/Corporate Services, Community Relations, Game/ Business Operations, Media Relations, Ticket Sales and Video/ Promotions.

More information regarding these internships is available on www.swbrailriders.com. Resumes can be sent to the proper department supervisor as listed online for further review. Interviews will be set by each department head at their own discretion.

The RailRiders will hold their annual job fairs on January 18 and 22 at PNC Field for seasonal employment. Internship interviews will not be conducted during these job fairs.
For more information on the 2019 RailRiders internship program and available positions, please visit swbrailriders.com or call (570) 969-BALL.

The 2020 season begins at PNC Field on April 9 and the RailRiders will host the Keystone Mid Summer Classic on July 14 and 15, featuring the Triple-A All-Star Game presented by the Lackawanna County Visitor’s Bureau.

Local Program Recipient of Phillies Charities, Inc. Grant

 

The Philadelphia Phillies recently announced that their charity arm, Phillies, Charities, Inc., has awarded a $15,000 grant to Favors Forward Foundation of Lycoming County.

The mission of Favors Forward Foundation is to provide a network of volunteers uniting their time, talent, and treasures to serve children and adults in Lycoming County facing life-changing hardships. The focus is individuals and families that are NOT receiving ongoing assistance from other agencies and organizations. The organization requires clients to complete a contract that they will “Pay it Forward” once they are back on their feet and able to do so.

“Each year, Phillies Charities reaches out to us to provide information about worthy charities in our area,” said Sarah Budd the Crosscutters Director of Ticket Operations & Community Relations. “We are elated they chose to recognize and support Favors Forward, an organization that helps so many in need in our community.”

Representatives from the Favors Forward Foundation, accompanied by Crosscutters representatives, were in attendance on Tuesday, December 3 at the Phillies Charities, Inc. Holiday Giving Party at Citizens Bank Park. At that event they, and other award recipients, were recognized and saluted by the Phillies for their charitable efforts.

In the past year, more than $1.2 million was awarded by Phillies Charities, Inc. to charitable organizations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and near the Phillies spring training and minor league affiliates. Phillies Charities, Inc. serves as the fundraising arm of the Phillies organization and awards grants to a variety of charitable organizations each year. For more information on Phillies Charities, Inc. please visit www.phillies.com/community.

The Crosscutters 2020 home opener is Friday, June 19 against the State College Spikes.

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

Cougars Announce New Classroom Appreciation Grant, Improvements to Reading Club Program

Additional scholarships and rewards for Reading Club participants will begin in 2020

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have announced multiple improvements to the Cougars Reading Club as well as a new Ozzie and Annie Classroom Appreciation 1K Grant. This is the first announcement of several enhancements the Cougars will be making ahead of their 30th anniversary season. Additional announcements regarding capital improvements, a 30th-anniversary logo reveal and the 30th-anniversary team will be made starting in mid-January.

Prior to the 2020 season, Ozzie and Annie Reading Scholarships were awarded to six local students for the lasting impact their involvement with the Cougars Reading Club has made in their everyday lives. Moving forward, the Cougars will now be awarding 10 total scholarships at $500 each in an effort to expand the appreciation for student involvement and assist with continuing their education.

Each student that participates in the Cougars Reading Club receives multiple rewards including a Golden Ticket. Beginning with the 2020 season, all Reading Club participants who present their Golden Ticket at the box office will be awarded two complimentary tickets for all June-September games, which doubles the ticket reward from previous seasons, ensuring even more family fun throughout the summer.

New for the 2020 season is the Ozzie and Annie Classroom Appreciation 1K Grant. This program will award one teacher’s classroom with a $1,000 grant to show appreciation for their participation in the Cougars Reading Club. Cougars mascots and goodwill ambassadors, Ozzie and Annie T. Cougar, will present the check to the winning teacher and their classroom. Additional details regarding the Classroom Appreciation Grant will be announced soon.

Teachers that are interested in registering their school or classroom in the Cougars Reading Club can visit kccougars.com for more information.

The Cougars Reading Club is an eight-week incentive program that runs between the months of January and March. Students from Pre-K through 8th grade are eligible to participate as long as their school is a member of the Reading Club Program. Students that complete a reading home run are rewarded with a complimentary ticket to an April or May Cougars game, a hot dog and soft drink, official Cougars Reading Club souvenir and bookmark as well as the opportunity to participate in a pre-game on-field parade led by Ozzie and Annie.

Your Cougars 30th anniversary season kicks off on Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 PM against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. For updates on all the festivities, including ticket and promotion specials, follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 180 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez, Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras.

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

Aces, 1868 FC, Reno Rodeo Foundation Partner on Denim Drive

 

The Reno Aces, Reno 1868 FC, and Reno Rodeo Foundation have teamed up this holiday season. The clubs will be donating over 500 toys to the foundation’s Denim Drive on Wednesday, December 4, at 10 a.m. in the rotunda at Greater Nevada Field.

The donation was made possible by JAKKS Pacific, Inc., a leading United States toy manufacturing company who generously donated thousands of toys for the Aces and Reno 1868 FC to distribute to children in Northern Nevada during the holiday season.

The toys will be distributed throughout 14 Northern Nevada counties in partnership with the State of Nevada Division of Child & Family Services. The Reno Rodeo Foundation will be bringing multiple trucks to Greater Nevada Field for transport of the toys.

“We are thrilled to be able to help bring a little extra joy to the kids we serve through the Denim Drive,” Executive Director of the Reno Rodeo Foundation Clara Andriola said. “They’ve endured the unimaginable, but we hope a new toy makes their holiday a little brighter and sends the message that their community cares about them.”

Since 2006, The Denim Drive has provided the comfort of things like new clothing, new teddy bears, and new rolling back-packs to abused, neglected and abandoned children who have experienced the worst. Overall, the Reno Rodeo Foundation’s Denim Drive has provided comfort to over 40,000 infants, children, and teens with these essentials. For more information, visit https://www.renorodeofoundation.org/denim-drive/

“The Reno Aces are extremely privileged to call the city of Reno home and the opportunity we have to give back to the community through the Denim Drive is exciting,” Aces General Manager Emily Jaenson said. “We understand the Reno Rodeo Foundation’s Denim Drive spreads so much joy every year to children in need and we are immensely thankful for the opportunity to be involved.”

“Reno 1868 FC really enjoys working with the Reno Rodeo Foundation,” said 1868 FC General Manager Doug Raftery. “We are thrilled to participate in such a great drive put on by a great organization. We are grateful that through the Reno Rodeo Foundation, we can help those in need not just in Reno, but across our home of Northern Nevada.”

Reno Aces General Manager Emily Jaenson, Reno 1868 FC General Manager Doug Raftery, and Executive Director of the Reno Rodeo Foundation Clara Andriola will be in attendance on Wednesday for further comment.

For more information on the Aces or 1868 FC all offseason long, fans can visit the teams’ websites at renoaces.com or reno1868fc.com.

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

Indians to Offer Employee Donation Match Program

 

INDIANAPOLIS – In honor of Giving Tuesday, the Indianapolis Indians have announced a new Employee Donation Match Program. As of December 3, 2019, all full-time Indians employees are eligible to donate up to $500 annually with a one-to-one match from Indianapolis Indians Charities.

Earlier this offseason, the team announced the creation of Indianapolis Indians Charities, its new 501(C)(3) organization focused on uplifting Central Indiana youth and families through partnerships with local nonprofits who work in youth development, family success, education and neighborhood development. Rolling out in early 2020, fans will be able to donate directly to Indianapolis Indians Charities to support its efforts around Central Indiana youth and families.

This season was the third consecutive year the Tribe set a franchise record for total charitable giving, highlighted by a total contribution of $583,623 to Central Indiana organizations. The front office also set a record for staff volunteer hours, giving back through 1,486 hours of volunteer service projects.

Tickets for the 2020 season of Indianapolis Indians baseball are on sale now in full- and half-season plans, plus mini and flex plans. Groups can also purchase tickets for the new Elements Financial Club, a social VIP space scheduled to open in time for Opening Night on Thursday, April 9. Single-game tickets go on sale March 1.

For more on the Indianapolis Indians, contact the Victory Field Box Office at (317) 269-3545 or visit IndyIndians.com.

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

M-Braves launch Braves Bookworms Reading Program

 

PEARL, MS – The Mississippi Braves are pleased to announce the implementation of the Braves Bookworms Reading Program. The program was created to encourage and enhance literacy among the youth of Central Mississippi. The program is entirely free for students and educators.

Braves Bookworms is designed to help promote a lifelong love of reading and baseball in children through a partnership with local schools. All students from Pre-K through 8th grade are invited to participate. Braves Bookworms incentivizes students to read outside the classroom by rewarding them for reaching specific goals set by their teachers. The program is designed to run for four weeks, beginning in January, 2020.

Schools participating will have the opportunity to invite Mississippi Braves mascots and staff to present a Braves Bookworm Kickoff Pep Rally at the school to encourage participation and communicate the importance of reading. These Pep Rallies will be scheduled on a first-come first-served basis to schools within 30 miles of Trustmark Park.

Students participating in the program will receive an M-Braves bookmark. Once the students’ objectives are complete from your teacher, the bookmark becomes a ticket voucher that can be exchanged for an actual ticket at the Trustmark Park for a 2020 Mississippi Braves home game between April 9 – June 15! They are required to reach goals set by educators while they “Read Around the Bases,” creating a customizable incentive-based program to encourage children to read. Specific Reading Program dates will be set to recognize students for completing the program with a pregame ceremony and parade around the field.

To sign your school up for the program, fill out the ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM and send it back to the Braves either by mail, fax, or email. Once we receive your enrollment, we will contact you regarding our game dates, Reading Pep Rally as well as delivery of your program materials. Please contact the Braves by calling 888-BRAVES4 or emailing us at mississippibraves@braves.com.

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

Giving Thanks: Student luncheon a success

 

MOOSIC, PA (November 21, 2019) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and their charitable arm, the SWB Pinstripes Foundation, hosted the first of two holiday luncheons on Wednesday, November 20, at PNC Field in the Geisinger Champions Club. Over 230 middle and high school-aged Life Skills and Special Education students from across Northeastern Pennsylvania were in attendance along with their teachers and class aides.

“We were absolutely thrilled with the turnout,” said Jordan Maydole, the RailRiders Director of Community Relations. “We had a great group from nine different local schools. After a delicious lunch prepared by Legends, students made Thanksgiving-themed crafts, met with our mascot CHAMP and received a gift card to the team store. The day was free of charge to these students and their teachers thanks to donations to the SWB Pinstripes Foundation.”

“Many of the students we met today and even several of the teachers,” Maydole continued, “had never been on a class field trip before or had ever visited PNC Field. I can’t tell you how special it was to see them all enjoying a good meal, getting their CHAMP dolls and RailRiders hats in the team store, taking pics with CHAMP, and getting to escape from the classroom for an afternoon!”

A second holiday luncheon will be held on December 12 for elementary and early middle school-aged children and will feature appearances by Santa and CHAMP.

Donations to help fund these and other initiatives through the SWB Pinstripes Foundation can be made by clicking here.

For more information on the SWB Pinstripes Foundation, please contact Jordan Maydole or Amy Miller in the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-BALL or visit swbrailriders.com.

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

West End Christian Community Center Named Banquet Charity

 

The Williamsport Crosscutters have announced that the West End Christian Community Center of Williamsport has been chosen as the charity beneficiary for the 14th Annual Hot Stove Banquet to be held on Wednesday, January 15 in the Grand Ballroom of the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport. The event is presented in part by Panda Patriot Power, River Valley Transit, WRAK 1400AM, and the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.

The West End Christian Community Center’s mission is to provide services and programs to help meet the communities social, emotional and spiritual needs. The charity serves over 3,000 people annually through programs such as its soup kitchen, which serves over 13,000 meals per year and Shoe Express, providing over 500 pairs of new shoes annually to needy children.

“We are so thankful to be chosen as the beneficiary for the 2020 Hot Stove Banquet,” said WECCC’s Executive Director Todd Penman. “As close neighbors in Williamsport, it will be wonderful working as partners with the Crosscutters, resulting in more ability to help the community through the programs and services at the West End Christian Community Center.”

 

Special guests for the banquet include Phillies legend Greg Luzinski and ESPN baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian.

Luzinski played eleven seasons in Philadelphia (1970-1980) before finishing his career with the Chicago White Sox. He was a 4-time NL All-Star with Philadelphia (1975-1978) and was a member of the Phillies first World Series championship team in 1980.

Kurkjian, has covered baseball since 1978 and has been a baseball writer, reporter, analyst and host at ESPN since 1998. He has been a regular on Baseball Tonight and SportsCenter. Kurkjian has been part of ESPN’s coverage of the MLB Little League Classic the last three years at Williamsport’s BB&T Ballpark.

The evening will consist of a full-course dinner, live and silent auctions of sports memorabilia along with interviews and question and answer segments with the special guests. Other highlights of the event include the inductions of the latest members to the Bowman Field Hall of Fame and the Lycoming County Sports Walk.

The ballroom doors open at 5:30 PM with the dinner and entertainment portion of the event kicking off at 6:30 PM. A limited autograph session will take place at the close of evening.

Tickets are $59 per person and can be purchased by calling the Cutters offices at (570) 326-3389 or ordering online at the link below. This event is a sell-out every year, so fans are encouraged to purchase tickets now. Business sponsorships for the event are also available.

The Crosscutters 2020 home opener is scheduled for Friday, June 19 as Williamsport hosts the rival State College Spikes.

Purchase Hot Stove Banquet Tickets HERE

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

SWB Pinstripes Foundation hosting holiday luncheons at PNC Field

 

MOOSIC, PA (November 19, 2019) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and their charitable arm, the SWB Pinstripes Foundation, will host two luncheons this holiday season. The first, a Thanksgiving meal, is slated for Wednesday, November 20, at 11:30 AM in the Geisinger Champions Club at PNC Field and will serve 200 middle and high school-aged Life Skills and Special Education students from across Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“We are pleased to welcome these students, their teachers and aides to PNC Field for a Thanksgiving lunch,” said Jordan Maydole, the RailRiders Director of Community Relations. “After lunch, the children will create a Thankgiving-themed craft to prepare for the upcoming holiday and get pictures with our mascot, CHAMP. We expect a great crowd and hope to create impactful meaning and memories along the way.”

These luncheons are free for the students and staff in attendance and made possible through donations to the SWB Pinstripes Foundation over the last year. A second holiday lunch will be held on December 12 for elementary and early middle school-aged children and will feature appearances by Santa and CHAMP. Students in attendance at either luncheon will also receive a $25 gift card to the RailRiders team store.

“The SWB Pinstripes Foundation remains firm in the commitment to the underserved and underprivileged in our area,” said Amy Miller, the manager of the SWB Pinstripes Foundation. “To provide these free holiday meals and to continue our outreach in the community, we rely on the generosity of our donors. We are still accepting donations to support our next event and encourage those who can get involved to be a part of what we are doing here in NEPA.”

For more information on the SWB Pinstripes Foundation, please contact Jordan Maydole or Amy Miller in the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-BALL or visit swbrailriders.com.

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