IronPigs announce scholarship winners

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs announced Tuesday that four gameday employees will each receive $500 towards their college education in the first season of the team’s scholarship program. To be eligible, gameday employees must work at least one full year with the team.

The winners are:

  • Avita DeMieri (Plaza Ice Cream)
  • Leah Fastenau (Jaindl Smoke Shack)
  • Samantha Ganser (Hot & Fresh Pizza)
  • Andrew Malozzi (Home Plate Ice Cream)

Avita DeMieri has worked with the IronPigs for three years for Food and Beverage at the Yuengling’s Ice Cream stand (TD Bank Plaza). DeMieri will attend the University of Pittsburgh in the fall and major in nursing.

Leah Fastenau has worked with the IronPigs for two years for Food and Beverage at the Jaindl Smoke House (Section 118). Fastenau will attend the University of Minnesota in the fall and major in special education.

Samantha Ganser has worked with the IronPigs for two years for Food and Beverage at the Hot & Fresh Pizza (Section 108). Ganser will be attend Lafayette College and major in Biochemistry.

Andrew Malozzi has worked with the IronPigs for three years for Food and Beverage at Home Plate Ice Cream (Section 113). Malozzi is attending Florida State University and majoring in Actuarial Science and Economics.

For more information regarding the IronPigs Scholarship Program, fans can call the IronPigs at 610-841-PIGS (7447) or can go online to ironpigsbaseball.com/scholarship.

The 2019 IronPigs season is the team’s 12th as the top affiliate for the Philadelphia Phillies and 12th at Coca-Cola Park. Follow the IronPigs on Twitter at @IronPigs and like them on Facebook via Facebook.com/LHVIronPigs.

The 2019 IronPigs season is presented by Capital BlueCross.

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

Tarpons to Host Back to School Splash on Saturday, August 10th

 

TAMPA Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons will host their second-annual Back to School Splash on Saturday, August 10th at George M. Steinbrenner Field, presented by BayCare. Gates will open at 5:15 p.m. and the first 1,000 kids ages 14-and-under will receive a Tarpons backpack.

The Tarpons will battle the Charlotte Stone Crabs at 6:30 p.m. Prior to the game, kids will can run the bases from 5:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Select Tarpons players will sign autographs on the concourse from 5:40 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

In addition, there will be BayCare mascots in attendance, and a Kids Zone set up on the concourse, including a dunk tank, face painter and obstacle course. After the game, fans are invited to stick around for a fireworks extravaganza, presented by Spectrum.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.tarponsbaseball.com, at the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office. Tickets start at $5 for upper reserved seating, $8 for lower reserved seating, and parking is always free.

About the Tampa Tarpons
The Tampa Tarpons are the Single-A Advanced Affiliate of the New York Yankees and a member of the Florida State League. The Tarpons play at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla. For more information about the Tampa Tarpons, call (813) 673-3055 or visit www.tarponsbaseball.com.

 

Bees Salute Readers, Bumble and (801) During Homestand

SALT LAKE CITY (July 29, 2019) – After a road trip sweep in Albuquerque the Salt Lake Bees return to Smith’s Ballpark on Tuesday, July 30 to start a seven-game homestand against the Oklahoma City Dodgers (Triple-A Los Angeles Dodgers) and the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A Miami Marlins). Below are the game times and activities happening during the homestand.

Tuesday, July 30 vs. Oklahoma City Dodgers, 7:05 p.m.

  • The final Taco Tuesday of the season with $2 Tacos.

Wednesday, July 31 vs. Oklahoma City Dodgers, 7:05 p.m.

  • Read Today Night – Over 5,000 children will attend the game free of charge as a reward for completing their summer reading goals.
  • Final Cyprus Credit Union Dollar Dog Night of 2019.

Thursday, Aug. 1 vs. Oklahoma City Dodgers, 7:05 p.m.

  • (801) Night. On 08/01 the Bees will salute all things Salt Lake City which includes wearing special ‘Jazz City Edition’ jerseys, green Jell-O and more.
  • Coors Light Thirsty Thursday with $3 drinks.

Friday, Aug. 2 vs. New Orleans Baby Cakes, 7:05 p.m.

  • First pitch from U.S. Speedskating Olympian J.R. Celski.
  • Postgame kids run presented by Bees Kids Club.

Saturday, Aug. 3 vs. New Orleans Baby Cakes, 7:05 p.m.

  • Las Abejas de Salt Lake game. The Bees will wear their alternate Spanish language identity as part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversion program.
  • Postgame kids run presented by Bees Kids Club.

Sunday, Aug. 4 vs. New Orleans Baby Cakes, 6:05 p.m.

  • Safe in the SUNday presented by University of Utah Health.

Monday, Aug. 5 vs. New Orleans Baby Cakes, 7:05 p.m.

  • Bumble’s Birthday. Bumble will celebrate his birthday at Smith’s Ballpark with visitis from his mascot friends from around Utah.
  • Smith’s Family Night. Fans can purchase four tickets and four hot dogs for $24 at www.slbees.com.

Also available is the Ford Zone at Smith’s Ballpark. The Ford Zone includes a berm ticket and all-you-can-eat hot dogs, soda, popcorn, nachos and churros for just $25. Tickets for the Ford Zone are available at www.slbees.com and are available for all remaining 2019 Bees home games subject to availability.

About the Salt Lake Bees

The Salt Lake Bees are in their 19th season as the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels and will continue to be the top affiliate of the Angels through the 2022 season. While with Los Angeles, Salt Lake owns five division championships and two trips to the Pacific Coast League Finals. Smith’s Ballpark, the home of the Bees, is consistently voted as one of the best ballparks in baseball, including a Top 10 Ballpark in the United States by Better Homes and Gardens. In 2015 the Bees were awarded the Bob Freitas Award by Baseball America as the top franchise in Triple-A. For more information visit www.slbees.com.

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

Durham Bulls Athletic Park Now Sensory Inclusive

The Durham Bulls have partnered with KultureCity to make Durham Bulls Athletic Park sensory inclusive. This new initiative will promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests and fans with a sensory issue who visit the DBAP.

The certification process entailed the staff at the DBAP being trained by leading medical professionals on how to recognize those guests and fans with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. A number of Sensory bags, equipped with noise reducing headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and a weighted lap pad will also be available to be checked out at the Lowes Foods Guest Services by guests who may feel overwhelmed by the environment. The DBAP also has a number of ‘Quiet Areas’ posted throughout the ballpark as well as an exit/re-entry policy to the stadium for fans who need a quiet space.

In addition, the Bulls have several helpful resources available online to better help prepare for a visit to the ballpark. This includes a ballpark map showing the quiet areas, a social story, and a Sensory Guide for what to expect during a visit to the DBAP, prepared with the help of Emerge Pediatric Therapy. Click here to access these resources.

“Our stadium becoming sensory inclusive is one more step our team has taken to make sure any fan, anywhere, feels comfortable and safe attending a Bulls game,” Durham Bulls Vice President Mike Birling said. “We look forward to welcoming fans and families to the DBAP who in the past might not have had the resources they needed.”

Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to over stimulation and noise, which is an enormous part of the environment in a venue like the DBAP. With its new certification, the DBAP is now better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities in having the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible when attending an event at the DBAP.

“To know that you soon will be able to see families attend a baseball game, a true community binding experience, with their loved ones who have a sensory challenge and who were not able to previously attend, is truly a heartwarming moment,” said Dr. Julian Maha, Co-Founder, KultureCity. “Our communities are what shapes our lives and to know that the DBAP is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone, no matter their ability, is included in their community is amazing.”

For Sensory Friendly Night on July 28th, presented by Emerge Pediatric Therapy, fans will also have access to a dedicated sensory room on the Suite Level designed and staffed by our partners at Emerge Pediatric Therapy for those who may need a quieter and more secure environment. To visit the Sensory Suite, fans should use the entrance for the PNC Triangle Club located on Jackie’s Landing in right field.

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

Four Winners Selected for $10,000 Grant

Four organizations have been chosen as the winners of the Durham Bulls Ballpark Project presented by Coastal Credit Union. Hillandale Sports Association, Hawfields Civitan Club, Northern Middle School and East Wake High School softball have each earned a $10,000 donation for facility renovations.

“For the second straight year we saw a highly impressive group of applications, and for the second straight year we had some very difficult decisions to make,” Durham Bulls Vice President Mike Birling said. “These four winners proved why upgrades to their facilities will be important in helping grow the sports of baseball and softball for years to come.”

Hillandale Sports Association expects to make renovations to improve the field’s drainage issues, and Hawfields Civitan Club will provide a large-scale renovation for the first time since 1975. Northern Middle School plans to provide upgrades to its joint baseball/softball field, and East Wake High School softball will resurface its infield for a safer playing surface.

Each facility will be renovated in the coming months, with a list of priorities submitted by each location. Additionally, a representative from each organization is scheduled to be honored on-field at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Tuesday, August 6.

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

July 13th is Wendy’s Foster Care Adoption Night!

Join us at the ballpark as Wendy’s and Trumbull County Children Services are teaming up for Wendy’s Foster Care Adoption Night!

To get the night going, Miss Wendy and a newly united forever family will throw out the first pitch. Afterward, get a picture with Miss Wendy, and learn about foster care adoption or becoming foster parent at the information booth just inside the front gate.

In the state of Ohio alone, there are nearly 3,000 children waiting to be adopted and more than 155,000 throughout the U.S. and Canada. Twenty-two of those kids are right here in Trumbull County. Come to the ballpark, and find out how you can make a difference in their lives. Because every child deserves a forever family.

Click here for more information on Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

Visit mvscrappers.com, the Chevy All Stars Box Office at Eastwood Field, or call (330) 505-0000 for more information on single game tickets, ticket packages, group outings, promotions and more!

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

2019 Bluefield Blue Jays Baseball Camp

Registration is now open for our 2019 Bluefield Blue Jays Baseball Camp.

Youth (ages 6-13 years old) are invited to our annual Blue Jays Camp here at Bowen Field on the 13th of July. Campers will be working with the players from the Blue Jays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Lunch will also be provided to all campers.

Please see the link below to access the registration forum and contact us at (304) 324-1326 for any questions or concerns.

http://www.milb.com/documents/3/3/6/308016336/2019_Blue_Jays_Baseball_Camp.pdf

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

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN VIBES AND UCHealth ANNOUNCE HEALTH-FOCUSED PARTNERSHIP

The Rocky Mountain Vibes and UCHealth are teaming up to improve health in the Pikes Peak region through a partnership that includes community wellness activities and health education, both in the stands and outside the newly named UCHealth Park.

 

In addition to the new stadium name, the partnership will include enhanced game-day experiences for fans along with community initiatives to encourage health and wellness. UCHealth patients also will enjoy benefits of the partnership via visits from Vibes VIPs.

 

“We’re excited to partner with UCHealth to help create a wonderful ballpark experience for our fans and to collectively enhance our positive impact throughout the Pikes Peak region,” said Rocky Mountain Vibes President and General Manager Chris Phillips. “Partnering with Memorial Hospital, the only Comprehensive Stroke Center and Level I Trauma Center in all of southern Colorado, gives us the unique ability to inform, educate and improve the overall health of Vibes fans and our broader community.”

 

Among the many events fans and the community can expect:

 

·UCHealth and the Vibes will support the statewide MANtenance campaign, aimed at spreading awareness of men’s health and encouraging preventive screenings.

·The Vibes will support UCHealth’s #Checkout initiative, encouraging Coloradans to be mindful of screen time by swapping digital connection for interpersonal connection with family and friends.

·UCHealth will have an active role in the Rocky Mountain Vibes’ annual Emergency Preparedness Day, partnering with other local community and government agencies to educate Vibes fans as to the importance of proactive safety in emergencies.

·Family-friendly events at UCHealth Park will encourage kids, youth and adults to be active.

·The Vibes will help encourage fans to “Rock Your Routine” and start or continue healthy habits.

 

“UCHealth’s mission is to improve lives, and this partnership with the Vibes enables us to advance the health of the communities we serve,” said Joel Yuhas, president and CEO of UCHealth Memorial Hospital. “We look forward to engaging with Vibes fans and others in the Pikes Peak region to promote a culture of health and wellness along with offering education to avoid illness and injuries.”

 

The health partnership is the most notable and high-profile in a line of changes the Colorado Springs ball club has undergone this offseason since the name change of the team itself.

 

On Nov. 19, the organization unveiled the new team name of the Rocky Mountain Vibes to coincide with a league change for Colorado Springs this offseason from the Triple-A Pacific Coast League to the Rookie-Advanced Pioneer League. The total rebrand for the ball club includes new colors, logos, mascot, and now, a new stadium partnership as well.

 

There will be a number of other upgrades and improvements throughout UCHealth Park for the 2019 season. These changes will include new vendors, custom furniture and seating along the concourse, new on-field promotions, and a great deal more.

 

About the Vibes

The 2019 Vibes season begins June 14 against the Orem Owlz. The home opener is scheduled for June 21 against the Grand Junction Rockies. Get the latest Rocky Mountain Vibes baseball news online at www.vibesbaseball.com, like us on Facebook or follow the team on Twitter or Instagram at @VibesBaseball.

About UCHealth

UCHealth is an innovative, nonprofit health system that delivers the highest quality medical care with an excellent patient experience. UCHealth combines Longs Peak Hospital, Yampa Valley Medical Center, Memorial Hospital Central, Memorial Hospital North, Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies, UCHealth Medical Group, Broomfield Hospital, Grandview Hospital, Pikes Peak Regional Hospital and University of Colorado Hospital into an organization dedicated to health and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. With more than 150 clinic locations, UCHealth pushes the boundaries of medicine, providing advanced treatments and clinical trials and improving health through innovation.

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

Nice Catch – Celebrating Kind Kids

Northeast Credit Union believes at the heart of every community are good people doing good things. NECU has partnered with The Portland Sea Dogs to create “Nice Catch – Celebrating Kind Kids” Initiative to recognize and celebrate kids who demonstrate compassion, empathy, and kindness toward others.

Northeast Credit Union’s Nice Catch Initiative encourages teachers, coaches, youth leaders, community members, and family members to nominate children 18 and younger who consistently exhibit acts of kindness and overall helpfulness to make their communities a better and brighter place.

Winners will experience a special game day celebration at a Portland Sea Dogs home game with 9 additional tickets to bring family and friends. Each kind kid will have a special shout out, be featured on the game-day signage, throw out a ceremonial pitch and be awarded a Northeast Credit Union swag bag of goodies.

Nomination Period:    April 1 – May 31, 2019

For Official Rules & to make Nominations visit TheLYC.com/nicecatch

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

Dragons Players and Mascots to Visit Schools Next Week

DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Dragons players and one of the team’s mascots, Heater, and staff will visit schools in four counties across the Miami Valley next week. The visits are part of the Dragons MVP program and members of the local media are invited to cover them. The players will introduce themselves to the students, answer questions, and are available for pictures. Each student will also receive a school folder and a Dragons pencil. The following schools are listed with an address, date, and time of visit:

Monday, April 15, 2019

10:00am-10:45am

Grigsby Intermediate School

100 Jamaica Rd.

Franklin, OH 45005

Phone: 937-746-8969

11:15am-12:00pm

Dayton Christian School

9391 Washington Church Rd.

Miamisburg, OH 45342

Phone: 937-291-7249

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

10:00am – 10:45am

Indian Valley Intermediate School

510 S. Xenia Dr.

Enon, OH 45323

Phone:

11:45am – 12:30pm

Concord Elementary School

3145 W. St. Rt. 718

Troy, OH 45373

Phone: 937-332-6730

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

10:00am – 10:45am

Parkwood Elementary School

1791 Wilene Dr.

Beavercreek, OH 45432

Phone:937-429-7604

11:15am – 12:00pm

Harry Russell Elementary School

123 Elementary Dr.

West Carrollton, OH 45449

Phone: 937-859-5121

Members of the media may contact schools individually at the numbers listed above if they intend to attend and cover the visits.

The Dragons MVP Program, a tool for teachers, uses the marketing power of Dayton Dragons Baseball as an educational tool for fourth and fifth grade teachers, helping them motivate and reward students for success both in and out of the classroom. The Dayton Dragons MVP Program is made possible by Ohio’s 529 Plan, Sinclair College, Panera Bread, WDTN-TV and Dayton’s CW. For more information on the Dragons MVP Program, contact the Dayton Dragons or visit www.daytondragons.com/mvp.

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

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Dragons to Recognize “Folds of Honor” Recipients During Game on April 12

Dayton, Ohio–The Dayton Dragons will recognize two local “Folds of Honor” scholarship recipients during inning breaks of the Dragons game on Friday, April 12 against the Lake County Captains at Fifth Third Field. The game will start at 7:00 p.m.

Folds of Honor is a non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of military citizens who have fallen, or been disabled, while deployed in the United States armed forces. Their educational scholarships support private education and tutoring for children in grades kindergarten through 12 in addition to higher education tuition assistance for spouses and dependents. Folds of Honor provides scholarships for elementary, middle, and high school students through the Children’s Fund as well as for those seeking a bachelor’s or certification through the Higher Education Scholarship. These scholarships can be valued up to $5,000. Since the creation of Folds of Honor, nearly $20 million of scholarships have been awarding to 20,000 recipients in all 50 states and multiple U.S. territories. Folds of Honor accepts applications for scholarships each calendar year from February 1 to April 1 for the next academic year. Applicants will be notified during the summer months of that year if they have been chosen and what dollar amount they shall receive. To learn more about this night or to make a donation to Folds of Honor, visit daytondragons.com/foldsofhonor.

This event is the first of five special Hometown Heroes spotlights at Dragons games this season. At each Hometown Heroes event, the Dragons pay tribute to all service men and women past and present. Presenting sponsors are the Dayton Development Coalition, SRC, Inc., Reynolds & Reynolds, TACG, and the Dayton Dragons. Additional tributes are scheduled for May 22, June 23, and July 11, each focused on a different aspect or organization involved in the military. The season-long celebration will wrap up with American Celebration Night on August 10, featuring post-game fireworks.

For more information on the Hometown Heroes program, please visit daytondragons.com/HometownHeroes.

Single-game tickets for all Dragons 2019 home games are available at www.daytondragons.com or by phone at (937) 228-2287.

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

Blue Wahoos Donate Team Bus To Dixon School Of Arts And Sciences

The Blue Wahoos team bus will soon be seen on the streets of Pensacola again.

On Tuesday morning, Kazoo took one last drive in his trusty bus, taking it from the stadium to the nearby Dixon School of Arts and Sciences in downtown Pensacola to be officially donated to the school.

Since 2008, the K-8 charter school has provided for at-risk youth in Pensacola, fostering creativity through a curriculum centered on a world class fine arts program and science, technology, and math. Providing transportation for their students, both to and from school and to the host of nationwide academic competitions their students compete in, was a critical need for the school.

“What an honor and privilege it was to be able to present our Blue Wahoos bus to the students and faculty of Dixon Arts and Sciences this morning,” Blue Wahoos vice president of operations Donna Kirby said. “Our hope is that Dixon will be able to use this bus to help build on their exciting curriculum. Kazoo really loved all of the hugs and high fives that the students gave him, too!”

The school’s president, Dr. Donna Curry, and students from all grades met Kazoo and the Blue Wahoos outside the school and offered a tour of the grounds, showing off the art projects, dance studio, and music hall that help students positively deal with trauma through expressing creativity.

“We were so impressed to see the extraordinary and magnificent artwork that the students have created.” Kirby said. “There is no doubt in my mind that we are going to see that talent on display in museum and art galleries at some point in the near future!”

The Blue Wahoos selected the Dixon School of Arts and Sciences to receive the bus through a social media campaign to find a new home for the bus.

“We received entries from so many worthwhile local non-profits doing great work in our community. We wish we had a bus to give to each, as Pensacola has a tremendous community of charitable organizations helping make this city great,” Kirby said. “We were proud to select the Dixon School because their mission as a school aligns closely with ours as a ballclub, and the Studer Family of Companies has a strong focus on early learning and improving educational outcomes.”

The mission of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos is to improve the quality of life for citizens of Pensacola and make it the best place to live in the world. In their seven years in the Southern League, the team has won the league’s Community Service Award four times, including in each of the past three seasons consecutively.

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

Bandits and TBK Bank Partner to Renovate Youth Field

The Quad Cities River Bandits and TBK Bank, SSB have announced an initiative to renovate youth baseball and softball fields in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas. The first project as part of this initiative will be completed this week at Northwest Park in Davenport.

The Northwest Park Babe Ruth Field will undergo a transformation on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week in order to give the young athletes playing on this field a better baseball experience. River Bandits Head Groundskeeper Andrew Marking will lead a team of volunteers from the River Bandits front office and TBK Bank team members throughout the project. Some of the planned improvements include new pitching rubbers and plates in the bullpens, re-sloping the pitching mounds, cleaning up and leveling the area around home plate, cleaning the edges of the infield, clearing the infield dirt of grass and weeds and replacing some of the sod on the field. QC Custom Tees has partnered with the program to provide t-shirts for all of the volunteers.

The field is home to the Scott County Babe Ruth League. The league gives children under the age of 18 an opportunity to play baseball in the spring prior to their summer baseball seasons. For some of the players who won’t play high school ball this represents their last chance to play organized baseball.

The River Bandits and TBK Bank will hold a press conference at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 11 at Northwest Park to unveil the renovated field. Members of the media are invited to attend and take footage of the new field. River Bandits General Manager Jacqueline Holm, TBK Bank, Midwest Division President John DeDoncker and Mike Lizak from the Scott County Babe Ruth League are scheduled to address the media at this event.

Volunteers will be working on the field Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

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

Registration for 2019 Meijer Baseball Academy Now Open

SOUTH BEND, IN – With the 2019 Midwest League season underway, the South Bend Cubs players and coaches are preparing for the 2019 Meijer Baseball Academy at Four Winds Field this July. The organization will welcome young baseball players of all skill levels to participate in the Academy for two three-day sessions that run from July 10 through July 12, and again from July 24 until July 26.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The two academy training sessions are to help keep the camp sizes more concise and to allow more one-on-one interaction with the South Bend players and coaches. Registration is open to children from 6 to 12 years of age. Instruction from players and coaches will be based on the age and skill level of each participant. Throughout the three-day experience, participants will learn about hitting, pitching, fielding (infield and outfield), catching, and base running.

The registration fee for one, three-day session is $125.00 per child. All attendees will receive a Meijer Baseball Academy t-shirt, a South Bend Cubs hat, lunch after each day of camp, and four (4) tickets to a South Bend Cubs game where all academy campers will participate in a pre-game recognition on the field.

Check-in for the first day of each session will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET. Camps will run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., with lunch at 11:50 a.m. Do not delay in registering, there is a limit of only 85 kids per session with the registration deadline set for June 10. To sign up, download the application and wavier form available here and email it to Marketing@SouthBendCubs.com. Payments can be mailed or dropped off at the South Bend Cubs main office at Four Winds Field. Registration is not complete until payment has been received.

About the South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs are the Class A minor league affiliate of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 31 seasons, the team has won five Midwest League titles, most recently in 2005, and has captured 12 division titles. In 2019, the South Bend Cubs will host the Midwest League All-Star Game. In June 2017, Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, was voted Best Class A ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest. In 2015 the team was named Ballpark Digest’s Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President’s Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose principal shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill.

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

F.I.E.L.D. Program Returns to Renovate West End Little League

The Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance, are pleased to announce the return of their F.I.E.L.D. Program. F.I.E.L.D. is a Thunder initiative that stands for Focused Initiative for Enhanced Learning and Development.

The program supports youth baseball in the area. Members of the Thunder front office, The Grand Slam We Care Foundation, Aetna Better Health of New Jersey, the City of Trenton, Isles Youth Institute and the Mercer County Improvement Authority will come together to renovate the field, paint the bleachers and dugouts, and devote efforts toward the overall beautification of the facility at West End Little League located in Trenton, NJ on Thursday, April 18 at 9 a.m.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to see our community work together and provide an opportunity for the kids at West End Little League to play on a brand new playing surface,” said Thunder GM/COO Jeff Hurley. “We at the Thunder are huge supporters of youth baseball in the Capital City and I thank the folks at Aetna Better Health of New Jersey, the Mercer County Improvement Authority, Isles Youth Inc., and DuraEdge for their contributions to this program.”

“Efforts such as this are an example of how our Mercer County home team consistently steps up to the plate for the betterment of the community,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “It is an incredible honor for me to lead this county of true winners, and I thank all the volunteers working to improve the West End Little League ballpark.”

The F.I.E.L.D. program would not be possible without the outstanding support of the Mercer County Improvement Authority and Aetna. In 1967 the Mercer County Improvement Authority (MCIA) was created under the County Improvement Authorities Law to undertake certain projects for the benefit of the residents of Mercer County. As such, programs and services are available to assist the County, municipalities, school and fire districts and not-for-profits in the areas of financing, project management, redevelopment, solid waste and recycling. For more information, visit www.MCIANJ.org.

Aetna Better Health of New Jersey, one the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, supports the F.I.E.L.D. program through a generous donation to provide materials for athletes at the West End Little League to play on a brand new field for their Opening Day on April 27. For more information visit www.aetnabetterhealth.com/NJ.

“Our students are the future of Trenton. Many of them will grow old living in Trenton. It is our job to expose them to opportunities to impact the community through service learning,” said Shenette Gray, Managing Director of Isles Youth Institute. “The Partnership with Trenton Thunder allows our young people to experience community involvement in a very hands-on way. They learn that they can be the catalyst to change the narrative of Trenton.”

Isles Youth Institute, participating for the third consecutive renovation, is a community development and environmental organization based in Trenton, New Jersey. With a mission to foster self-reliant families and healthy, sustainable communities, Isles designs and develops effective services that support this mission and share what they learn with others who can make a difference. Beyond its central New Jersey base, Isles works to influence policy and practices that support healthy, self-help agendas. For more information, visit www.isles.org. 

DuraEdge Engineered Soils will provide infield mix and other field materials in support of the F.I.E.L.D. program. With scientifically engineered solutions for every infield in the nation, DuraEdge provides materials for more than half of Major League Baseball’s teams and a host of minor league, collegiate, high school, little league and recreation facilities. For more information visit them online at www.duraedge.com.

The 2019 season will begin in Erie on Friday, April 5 at UPMC Park. Opening Night at ARM & HAMMER Park will take place on Friday, April 12 against the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox). Individual tickets are on-sale now at www.TrentonThunder.com.