THE INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS JOIN NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY FOR FIELD DAY

SAN BERNARDINO – The Inland Empire 66ers organization, including staff and players, joined North Park Elementary School on May 26, 2017, in an abundance of outdoor activities for their annual end of the year Field Day event.

After the elementary school endured a tragic event this April, the 66ers made it a priority to offer any support that they could to the school and its students. “It was important for us as an organization and a team to offer to help put some fun and excitement back in to the school day for these students,” explained Ryan English, Assistant General Manager.

After short discussion with the San Bernardino Unified School District, and the North Park Elementary staff, there was no hesitation that Field Day would serve as the best event for the 66ers organization to get involved with. Field Day, consisted of numerous outdoor activities for the students to participate in. Activities included dodgeball, tug-of-war, basketball, volleyball, tetherball, hockey, and many others outdoor games.

The 66ers staff and full team, including all players and coaching staff, split up and to participate in any, and all games with the students. “For us to go out there was great, I think we had just as much fun as they did,” 66ers infielder Jake Yacinich explained, “they had smiles on their faces, and for us to be able to do that is really good for us, as well as good for them.”

Not only did the staff and players get to enjoy their time with North Park Elementary, but the 66ers beloved mascots Bernie and Slick attended, as well as the mascots from the neighboring teams, The Lake Elsinore Storm and The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. “It was a great for us to come together as a minor league baseball community for these kids, the mascots were the stars of the show,” said 66ers general manager Joe Hudson.

The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino baseball team are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, serving the Inland Empire community with family friendly entertainment.

AquaSox Reading Program Receives Honor

Everett, WA – The Everett AquaSox received the 2016-2017 Spirit of the Community Award from the Everett PTSA Council during their 2016-2017 Awards Recognition Banquet at Everett Community College on May 25, 2017. The AquaSox were recognized for their contributions to the students in the Everett School District. Kellie Howard, Community Relations & Merchandise Manager was on hand to accept the award for the organization from Everett PTSA Council President, Angela Steck and Program Chair, Denise Constantineau. “During my two years with the AquaSox I have had the privilege to kick off our Hit a Home Run in Reading Program and truly see the kids’ eyes light up when they find out they can see an AquaSox game and Webbly all by reading books!” Kellie shared.

Hit a Home Run in Reading Program presented by SoundTransit is a 4-week program that starts in the Spring months and in 2016 over 60 elementary schools and over 27,000 students in Snohomish County participated in this free program. The program kicks off at each school with a special appearance by Webbly and celebrates the reading program awards. In 2017 prizes included a student designed bookmark featuring artwork from four different students, free admission to the Woodland Park Zoo, a personal Alfy’s Pizza, discounted Port of Subs kid’s meal and a ticket to an AquaSox game with their school. Schools are invited to attend select games during our Opening Week where they are recognized during a pre-game on-field parade.

Since 2009 over 200,000 students have participated in the ‘Hit a Home Run Reading’ program. General Manager, Danny Tetzlaff said “We are very honored to have our ‘Hit A Home Run Reading’ program recognized. Using AquaSox baseball to encourage student to read is a real homerun!” The first ‘Hit a Home Run Reading’ program Night is Opening Night June 15 against the Hillsboro Hops.

Group tickets, family outings and ticket packages are currently available and selling fast for all games for the 2017 season. To purchase your tickets for Opening Night our office at (425) 258-3673 or visit AquaSox.com for more information.

Wings of Hope event set for Aug. 13

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Sharing Kindess

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

About Villa of Hope

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

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

Deadline for $5000 scholarships extended to June 14th

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The South Bend Cubs have extended the deadline for scholarships reserved for college bound high school seniors to June 14, 2017. Up to $25,000 will be awarded to softball and baseball players from 11 counties surrounding Four Winds Field in South Bend.

“We make no small plans here at Four Winds Field. Nor should the young men and in this region who compete in high school softball and baseball,” commented Andrew T, Berlin, Chmn./Owner of the South Bend Cubs. “These are for any senior softball or baseball player who intends to continue his or her education full time after high school – whether they continue playing ball in college or not.”

In 2016, The South Bend Cubs awarded five scholarships worth $5,000 each to high school seniors from Edwardsburg, MI, Bremen, LaPorte, South Bend and Walkerton, IN. Two of the recipients were softball players, three were baseball players.

Applications for the 2017 South Bend Cubs Scholarships will be accepted until the close of business at the 1st Source Bank Performance Center at Four Winds Field on June 14, 2017. Up to five (5) $5,000 scholarships will be granted. A full set of rules, eligibility requirements and an application form can be found online at www.1stSourceBankPerformanceCenter.com.

“We want to make sure people understand two things about these scholarships that are very important,” added Joe Hart, President of the South Bend Cubs. “These are not just baseball scholarships. We hope to see as many softball applicants as baseball. And we want people to know that we’re doing our part to build a new baseball and softball dynasty in this region. That’s what the 1st Source Bank Performance Center here at Four Winds Field is all about-year-round professional pitching, conditioning, fielding and at-bat training with professional instructors.

About the South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs are the Class A minor league affiliate of the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 29 seasons, the team has won five Midwest League titles, most recently in 2005, and has captured 12 division titles. 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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bookmarks to be honored at BB&T Ballpark

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (May 22, 2017) – The Winston-Salem Dash are proud to announce that Bookmarks is the 2017 Charity Partner. The Dash will honor Bookmarks on Monday, May 29, during their 2 p.m. game against the Down East Wood Ducks at BB&T Ballpark.

Bookmarks is a literary arts nonprofit organization that fosters a love of reading and writing in the community. Their programming connects readers with authors and books and is achieved through the largest annual book festival in North and South Carolina, an Authors in Schools program, which reaches 7,500 students annually, and year-round events in their gathering space and nonprofit independent bookstore. Visit bookmarksnc.org for more information.

The Dash’s Charity Partner benefits from the proceeds of the club’s Commemorative Brick Program, through which fans can purchase engraved bricks that are installed outside of BB&T Ballpark’s main gates beyond right-center field. Bookmarks will also receive deliverables equivalent to a Dominant-level partner to spread its message to Dash fans all season long. Here is a list of the Dash’s past charity partners:

2010: Brenner Children’s Hospital
2011: Centers for Exceptional Children
2012: Ronald McDonald House of Winston-Salem
2013: Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County
2014: Senior Services
2015: The Shalom Project of Winston-Salem
2016: Veterans Helping Veterans Heal (VHVH)

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

Generals To Host Two Baseball Camps

Jackson, Tenn. – Once again, the Jackson Generals are proud to host a pair of summer baseball camps for children throughout West Tennessee to learn from the pros! Players will serve as instructors both for the one-day Baseball Camp June 23 and for the two-day Skills Camp July 27 and 28!

Both camps will offer the opportunity to learn the game from the best, with the two-day Skills Camp giving kids more time to hone their skills! The first camp will be the morning of Thursday, June 23 from 9:00 am to noon just after the All-Star Break. For just $55, children can participate in the three-hour camp with Generals players. Also included is a sack lunch, a camp t-shirt, an autograph session and a free general admission ticket to that night’s game versus Jacksonville!

The two-day Skills Camp will take place Thursday, July 27 and Friday, July 28 at The Ballpark! Children ages 9 to 14 will take part in more advanced drills over two days, with the sessions going from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Included in the experience is an exclusive camp t-shirt, an autograph session, a sack lunch both days along with both a ticket and food passport for the July 28 game versus Mobile! Skills Camp is just $130 for the first child, and $120 for any additional camper. Teams of nine or more can get the group rate of only $60 per camper!

Registration for both camps is open now. Fill out forms for the one-day Baseball Camp or the two-day Skills Camp and return them to The Ballpark at Jackson. For more information, contact Kate Lentz with the Generals at klentz@jacksongeneralsbaseball.com or by calling the team at (731) 988.5299.

Make sure to get your tickets now to see the 20th season of professional baseball in Jackson, and the first for the team as an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks! Call the team at (731) 988.5299, stop by The Ballpark or go online to jacksongeneralsbaseball.com to secure your seats now!

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

Scrappes Host Youth Baseball Camp July 11-13

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are excited to announce that they have partnered with Vlad Pediatrics to host a three-day Youth Baseball Camp July 11-13.

The Scrappers Youth Camp provides kids ages 8-13 year olds a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from some of the very best players in Minor League Baseball. All exercises and instruction will be taught by Scrappers players and coaching staff, and will focus on baseball fundamentals, sportsmanship and healthy competition. Boys and girls of all ability levels are encouraged to participate and learn from the Scrappers players and coaches in a small group setting.

Camp registration includes instruction each day from 9 am until 12pm, a ticket to the Thursday, July 13 Scrappers game vs. the Brooklyn Cyclones, on field recognition prior to the July 13th game, a camp t-shirt, and lunch the final day of camp. To ensure that your child receives individualized attention, the Youth Baseball Camp has been limited to 100 campers and early registration is highly encouraged. The Scrappers Youth Baseball Camp is only $100 per child and forms can be found on the Scrappers website or at the Eastwood Field Box Office. You can also register online.

The Scrappers open the 2017 season at Eastwood Field on June 21 vs. the Auburn Doubledays. Single game tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at mvscrappers.com, at the Mr. Rooter Box Office at Eastwood Field or by calling 330-505-0000.

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

Chiefs Partner with PNC for Pre-K Day

PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Chiefs and corporate partner PNC Bank are teaming up with the Heart of Illinois United Way’s Success By 6 program to reward Pre-K children who took part in the Homer’s Pups Reading Program with a free ticket to the Sunday May 21 2:00 p.m. Chiefs game and a pre-game Street Fest outside Dozer Park.

Homer’s Pups Reading Program is in its fourth year as an off-shoot of Homer’s Reading Program and provides benefits for children under the age of six who are in the early stages of developing reading skills. The program has over 3500 kids enrolled for the 2017 season. They earn prizes by reading their way around the bases and the home run prize is a free ticket to the Sunday, May 21 game against the Beloit Snappers.

      “One of the earliest indicators of a child’s future success is the number of words he or she hears prior to kindergarten,” said Brian Ray, PNC regional president for Central Illinois. “Today with the Chiefs we are celebrating the success of the children who have reached their reading goals and we encourage family togetherness especially when they include reading.”

This is the fourth year of the partnership between the Chiefs and PNC for the Homer’s Pups Reading Program and the third year for the PNC Mobile Learning Adventure to be part of the Street Fest outside Dozer Park prior to the game. The Mobile Learning Adventure encourages family participation and focuses on education for preschool children. This year the Mobile Learning Adventure provides families with educational DVD’s created by Sesame Workshop and children are able to take home a photo of them dressed up as what they would like to be when they grow up. The Street Fest, which on Oak Street is free and runs from Noon – 3:00 p.m. on May 21, also includes Barnyard Discoveries and inflatable activities from Fun on the Run for families.

“Days like the PNC Pre-K Day are some of the most rewarding days we have at the ballpark all summer,” said Chiefs President Rocky Vonachen. “Seeing these young kids running around, getting player autographs, taking photos with Homer and the Super Heroes, playing on the inflatables, having fun with their families and knowing they earned it by reading is what being part of this great community is all about and we couldn’t do it without great corporate partners like PNC.”

The game on the 21st begins at 2:00 p.m. with gates opening at 1:00 p.m. There will be an appearance by PBS character Natuue Cat and a player poster giveaway to the first 1000 fans presented by the PJStar and CityLink. Fans can play catch on the field after the game and Chiefs players will sign autographs for fans 12 and under from 1:10 – 1:30. After the game, kids 12 and under can run the bases. Kids 12 and under get $5 tickets and a free hot dog, chips and soda. Tickets are available online at www.peoriachiefs.com or at the Dozer Park Box Office (open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com

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

Girl Scout Day is Sunday, May 21st

The Drive’s homestand concludes on Sunday, May 21st with Girl Scout Day at Fluor Field at 4:05 PM, and the Drive are teaming up with the Girl Scouts of South Carolina Mountains to Midlands for an exciting day.

Girl Scouts will participate in a pregame parade around Fluor Field, and when the gates open, there will be an on-field bridging ceremony in which Girl Scouts receive a commemorative patch from this special day. During the game, Girl Scouts will take part in the Education Adventure Challenge that teaches the importance of healthy living by combining Scout practices with the game of baseball.

Stick around after the game for Kids Run the Bases presented by BlueCross BlueShield!

To purchase tickets for the game, stop by the Main Street Box Office, call (864) 240-4528 or CLICK HERE.

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

Sign Up Today For BlueClaws Youth Baseball Camp

Sign up today for the BlueClaws Youth Baseball Camp, presented by Stop & Shop.

—

LAKEWOOD, NJ – Learn the game from BlueClaws players themselves as part of the BlueClaws Youth Baseball Camp at FirstEnergy Park, presented by Stop & Shop. The BlueClaws will hold three sessions this summer, a two-day session, a three-day session, and a four-day session.

Camp each day runs from 9 am – 12 pm and includes lunch from 12 pm – 12:30 pm, an autograph session with BlueClaws players on the last day of camp, BlueClaws merchandise, and one ticket to a BlueClaws game.

The camp will cover all aspects of the game, with emphasis on hitting, base running, fielding, throwing, pitching, and position work. The objective of the camp is to instill the fundamentals of baseball, promote good sportsmanship, and create an enjoyable learning atmosphere for all.

2017 Youth Baseball Camp Sessions
Session 1: July 12-14 ($140)
Session 2: July 27-28 ($99)
Session 3: August 15-18 ($190)

BlueClaws Youth Baseball Camp sessions typically sell out and those interested are encouraged to book their spot as soon as possible.

How to Sign Up: Sign up online by clicking here, or call Kevin McNellis at 732-901-7000 ext 164.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. They have led the South Atlantic League and New Jersey in attendance in all 16 years of existence. To order tickets to any 2017 BlueClaws home game, call 732-901-7000 option 2 or click here to order online.

– BlueClaws –

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

Krispy Kreme, Missoulian team up with Osprey on Dugout Team Program

The Missoula Osprey, Krispy Kreme and the Missoulian announced their partnership today to bring youth sports teams to Ogren Park Allegiance Field as part of the Dugout Team program.

A Krispy Kreme/Missoulian Dugout Team is any youth sports team in the Missoula area that wishes to take part in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of being on the field with the Missoula Osprey.

The players from the youth team are to be in uniform (if possible) to be recognized by the crowd prior to an Osprey home game. Each youngster will run with an Osprey player to their position during player introductions and stay on the field for the National Anthem.

Due to the popularity of the program and having only 38 home games, space is limited. Each Krispy Kreme/Missoulian Dugout Team chosen will receive up to 20 complimentary reserved tickets to the assigned game. Those tickets can be used by the team’s players and coaches. Additional tickets for family and friends can be purchased as a group in advance, based on availability.

“Taking the field with a professional baseball player is definitely one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities,” said Osprey Vice President/General Manager Jeff Griffin. “With the help of Krispy Kreme and the Missoulian, we are pleased to continue another of our many community-based programs.”

Requests to be a Krispy Kreme/Missoulian Dugout Team should come from the coach of each team by contacting Griffin at 406-543-3300 or via email at jgriffin@missoulaosprey.com.

Coaches will need to provide the name of their team and contact information for either themselves or a team representative when making their request to become a Krispy Kreme/Missoulian Dugout Team.

The Osprey also announced today that fans will have the opportunity to purchase the world-famous Krispy Kreme donuts in the ballpark this summer, an exciting addition to the already expansive concession options.

The Osprey will open their home season on Friday, June 23 against the Great Falls Voyagers.

Bees to Host Prevention Dimensions Kids Day

SALT LAKE CITY (May 8, 2017) – On Tuesday, May 9, the Salt Lake Bees and the Utah State Office of Education will host more than 12,000 students for Prevention Dimensions Kids Day, with free admission courtesy of Med One Capital and Questar.

The Bees will face the Omaha Storm Chasers at 10:35 a.m. at Smith’s Ballpark.

The fifth and sixth grade students attending the 15th annual event will be treated to an on field opening ceremony where Bees General Manager Marc Amicone will declare the day as Prevention Dimensions Kids Day in Utah, which promotes drug and alcohol prevention.

The National Anthem will be sung by Vienna Wolfgram, while a flag presentation will feature children from Eagle Bay Elementary, Lake Ridge Elementary School, Newman Elementary School, Nibley Elementary School, and Antelope Elementary School.

Attendees are also encouraged to bring a canned food donation for the Utah Food Bank as part of the program.

Prevention Dimensions is Utah’s Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities curriculum, which supports the Utah State Office of Education pre-kindergarten through 12th grade health core. The program strives to give students a strong foundation of effective violence and substance abuse prevention skills. The program began in 1982 as a joint effort between the Utah State Division of Substance Abuse, Utah State Department of Health, Utah State Office of Education and Utah State PTA.

Prevention Dimensions Kids Day is part of the Bees organization’s ongoing commitment to community outreach, health and wellness and youth development.

Finales Announced: “Dancing with the Students” comes to Crawford Middle School via the Legends

Update: Finales for both classes of Dancing with the Students at Crawford Middle School have been set for Tuesday, May 16, 2017 from 1:13pm-2:00pm and 2:08pm-2:55pm.  Two-time Dancing with the Lexington Stars Champion and President & CEO of the Lexington Legends Andy Shea will be serving as the Guest Judge for the finales. Media is welcome to attend the finales for photographs and interviews with students.  

From the original release in March:

(WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK) Lexington, KY – Students at Crawford Middle School will put on their dancing shoes and take a new approach to Physical Education as well as Arts and Humanities curriculum through a new community partnership with the not for profit “Dancing with the Students,” based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dancing with the Students comes to Lexington via Lexington Legends Secretary and Principal Sue Martinelli Shea, as she founded the non-profit organization in 2005. The students involved will be at the sixth, seventh and eighth grade levels and will compete in a 10 weeks of dance class; 9 weeks of instruction with the 10th week culminating in a grand finale competition. The students will be taught by Arthur Murray trained dancer teacher Rae Mickelwait and will learn four dances: Waltz, Tango, Merengue, and Swing. “My dream is to have these talented students dance at Whitaker Bank Ballpark during a Legends’ game this summer” says Martinelli Shea. “Mickelwait was also Andy’s dance partner for Dancing with the Stars-Lexington, so it’s wonderful to have this community partnership come full circle!”

Andy Shea, President and CEO of the Lexington Legends, is just as vested in this partnership as his Mother. “I am so proud and honored of what my Mother has created and her ambition to begin Dancing with The Students classes in Lexington. There are so many life lessons that are learned through ballroom dancing and not to mention, it’s so much fun!”

This partnership would not have been possible without the support of Crawford Middle School Principal Mike Jones. Jones readily accepted by stating “I’m excited about this new and unique partnership with “Dancing with the Students.” Some of our Crawford Middle School students are going to be given the opportunity to learn four different ballroom dances as well as the etiquette that goes along with this art form. The 10-week program will be incorporated into 2 different Physical Education classes. The movement requirements used in dance can be found in PE as well as Arts and Humanities curriculum. I want to personally thank Andy Shea and Sue Martinelli Shea for allowing us to partner with the program. We hope to build it to include more students in the future.”

For more information, about Dancing with the Students, visit www.dancingwiththestudents.org or contact Sarah Bosso at sbosso@lexingtonlegends.com or 859 422-7855.

The Legends, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and a member of the South Atlantic League, will return home to Whitaker Bank Ballpark against the Greensboro Grasshoppers, an affiliate of the Miami Marlins, on May 10, 2017 at 12:35pm. For ticket information, call (859) 422-7867 or visit lexingtonlegends.com.

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

Rattlers and Elite Smiles Dental Make an Oral Health Challenge to Children 12 and Younger

GRAND CHUTE, WI – Elite Smiles Dental and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers want your children to have healthy teeth and gums. That is why they are asking children 12 years of age and younger to take the Oral Health Challenge. Each participant who successfully completes the challenge will receive two free tickets to a Timber Rattlers game.

Here is how the challenge works:

Once a participant has turned in a completed form, the participant will receive two reserved seat tickets to one of four Oral Health Days at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Those days are Thursday, May 18; Monday, June 12; Monday, July 24; and Tuesday, August 8.

Completed forms will be accepted until August 1, 2017.

Challengers may also want to come to the game on Friday, June 9 when the Rattlers and Elite Smiles Dental will be giving away a toothbrush holder to the first 1,000 fans. Game time is 7:05pm.

Partial season and group ticket packages are currently available for the 2017 season. Tickets packages are available online, over the phone at (920) 733-4152 or (800) WI-TIMBER, and in person. Individual game tickets for this season are also on sale now.   Groups of 20 or more may order tickets over the phone or in person. The Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium Box Office is open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and from 10:00am to 3:00pm on Saturdays.

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