Outstanding Students Program returns in 2017

(Reading, Pa) – The Reading Fightin Phils have announced schools can register for the Capital BlueCross “Live Fearless” Outstanding Students Program this season. There is absolutely no cost to the school to participate, and in fact the school receives money through the program.

The Capital BlueCross “Live Fearless” Outstanding Student Program is a unique incentive-based program designed to recognize and reward hard-working students. Each school decides their own method of distributing the tickets to their “Outstanding Students”. Through the program, the students are given an opportunity to celebrate their achievements with their families at a designated Fightin Phils home game. Each student recognized by their school as an “Outstanding Student” receives two FREE tickets to a Fightins game, receives an Outstanding Student Medal from a Fightins player, and gets to high-five the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor and has their photo taken with him during a special pre-game Outstanding Student Ceremony.

For each free ticket that is used, and for any additional tickets that are purchased through the Capital BlueCross “Live Fearless” Outstanding Student Program, the participating school receives $1 back.

In 2016, as part of the Capital BlueCross “Live Fearless” Outstanding Student program, the Reading Fightin Phils donated $3,073 back to participating schools in the club’s surrounding community. The Fightins hope to donate even more money to schools during the 2017 program. The more schools that sign up for the Outstanding Student program, the more money that the Fightins can donate to those schools. With the funds received, schools will be able to support students’ needs and contribute to the educational process.

The Capital BlueCross “Live Fearless” Outstanding Student Program is extremely easy to sign up for, and again, it is FREE for the schools. The person that signs up can be a school teacher, administrator, or PTO/PTA representative. Schools can sign up now for the 2017 season by contacting the Fightin Phils Director of Educational Programs, Music, & Game Presentation Todd Hunsicker at 610-375-8469 x.206 or by e-mail at thunsicker@fightins.com. Dates are available in May. The program is easy to implement, and your school receives a check from the Fightin Phils.

America’s Classic Ballpark is proud to be a part of Pennsylvania’s Americana Region. Season tickets for the 2017 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter at @ReadingFightins and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/fightins.

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

Tickets available now for Let’s Move Blair County Day with the Curve

ALTOONA, Pa. – Let’s Move Blair County Day is set to take place at Peoples Natural Gas Field on April 30 as the Altoona Curve face the Harrisburg Senators. The event begins when the ballpark gates open at noon and features a free health and wellness fair during the game, which starts at 1 p.m.

Tickets are available now for company groups who wish to sit together and area residents interested in attending. Deadline for groups to purchase tickets is April 16.

The day is sponsored by Let’s Move Blair County and the Healthy Blair County Coalition, two organizations whose mission is to help residents engage in healthy eating and more physically active lives while enjoying family fun. The Let’s Move Blair County effort is aimed at reducing the community’s health risks, such as diabetes, obesity and sedentary habits.

UPMC Altoona, Nason Hospital, and Tyrone Regional Health System lead this wellness effort along with area YMCAs, recreational centers and businesses. A free health and wellness fair will be on the ballpark’s concourse level.

The day’s festivities include a trophy presentation to the businesses who participated in the Corporate Wellness Challenge, a three-month, team-oriented weight loss effort involving 38 Blair County businesses and 819 people.

For more information on how to purchase tickets, contact Corey Homan at CHoman@AltoonaCurve.com or call 814-283-3122.

The Curve open the home slate of their 2016 schedule at Peoples Natural Gas Field against the Akron RubberDucks on April 13 at 6 p.m. Single-game tickets are now on sale online at AltoonaCurve.com, by phone at 877.99.CURVE or in person at the PNG Field offices.

-CURVE-

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

Whitecaps Community Foundation to Donate 1,900 Books to Area Schools to Encourage Reading

COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The Whitecaps Community Foundation will donate 1,900 books to five Grand Rapids Public Schools this week in an effort to encourage children to read during March is Reading Month and beyond.

The books were selected by GRPS educators and will be delivered as a surprise to Brookside Elementary, Mulick Park Elementary, Ken-O-Sha Park Elementary, Cesar Chavez Elementary and Burton Elementary on Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 23. These five schools were selected to receive the free books because of their designation as high priority elementary schools in the GRPS system; many of their pupils do not have access to resources such as books. With this donation, every child at these five schools will receive one free book.

This is the second year of the book donation. Last year, the Whitecaps Community Foundation donated a book to every child at Dickinson Elementary School in Grand Rapids (300 in total).

The book donation is a part of the Whitecaps Community Foundation’s Reading Program, which helps area school children enjoy Whitecaps baseball while promoting reading. Children from area West Michigan schools who read a 15 minutes a day, during the month, can attend a Whitecaps game for free in April through June. The Foundation delivers all support materials, such as reading tracking calendars and posters, to all participating schools at no cost. Last year’s Reading Program had more than 70,000 K-6 area children participate from 268 schools. Nearly 20,000 complimentary tickets were given this season to children and their families in West Michigan.

The Whitecaps Community Foundation, the nonprofit extension of the West Michigan Whitecaps, is a 501c3 organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and their families by providing them with access to social, educational and recreational programs that will have a positive impact on their futures. With the help and generosity of community partners and members, the Whitecaps Community Foundation continues to strive to make the West Michigan area a better place to grow, learn, and thrive.

In 2016, through a combination of donations and fundraising efforts, the Whitecaps Community Foundation gave more than $555,000 to local children and their families through programs such as the reading program’s book donation and many others.

For more information on the book deliveries please contact Mickey Graham at (616) 726-7067 and for information on the Whitecaps Community Foundation, including how to volunteer and/or donate, please visit www.whitecapscommunityfoundation.org.

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

2017 Baseball Camp

The Rome Braves will host our annual Baseball Camp this year on June 13-15. The cost is $150 per camper and the camp is open to children ages 4-14. Each camper will receive:

  • Instruction by members of the 2017 Rome Braves Baseball Team and Staff
  • One ticket to the game each night of camp
  • On-field recognition prior to the June 8 game
  • Official camp t-shirt and lunch served daily
  • Certificate of Achievement

Call the Rome Braves ticket office at 706-378-5144 for more information. Be sure to register your child as soon as possible to ensure a spot. Click HERE for registration form.

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

View More

Cougars Announce 2017 Charitable Partners

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have announced a community partnership for the 2017 season in which four local organizations will receive a portion of the in-game 50/50 raffle proceeds through the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. The four organizations will be Alive Naperville (April-May), Holiday Heroes (June), Fox Valley Wildlife Center (July) and Food for Greater Elgin (August-September). In addition, through a partnership with Acres Group, the Cougars have announced that DuPage PADS will be the recipient of the charitable proceeds from this year’s Pitch-In for Charity promotion in which fans can purchase and toss numbered tennis balls at a target on the field to win a prize following select games.

Alive Naperville (alivenaperville.com) – Alive is a teen-led, teen-driven center that works to empower local youth to become leaders through after school and summer programs, classes and events that build confident and resilient teens.

Holiday Heroes (holiday-heroes.org) – In partnership with hospitals and businesses throughout the Chicagoland area, Holiday Heroes works to provide parties and celebrations for children who are suffering from critical or chronic illnesses.

Fox Valley Wildlife Center (fvwc.org) – Located in Elburn, Ill. the Fox Valley Wildlife Center serves the sick, injured or orphaned animals throughout Kane County and the surrounding areas.

Food for Greater Elgin (www.foodforgreaterelgin.org) – The largest client-choice food pantry in the areas of Elgin, South Elgin and East Dundee, Food for Greater Elgin strives to combat hunger by providing fresh and nutritious food for their clients.

DuPage PADS (dupagepads.org) – Committed to the promise of ending homelessness in the local community, DuPage PADS is the largest provider of interim and permanent housing as well as support services to assist individuals who are working towards a life of self-sufficiency.

“The Cougars organization has consistently strived to give back to our surrounding community and these initiatives allow not only our organization, but our fans to give back in multiple ways,” said owner Dr. Bob Froehlich.

Added owner Chery Froehlich, “We have been very fortunate with the support that the community has shown us for the last 27 years and it’s important that we continue to show our thanks by contributing to these wonderful organizations.”

For more information about the 2017 season, which begins on April 6 against the Clinton LumberKings, visit kccougars.com.

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the up to date promotional information.

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 152 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

***

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

Garrard student wins Hit the Books design contest

Aubree McIntosh accepts the framed poster of her winning bookmark design from the Lexington Legends’ Big L. (Lexington Legends)

  (WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK, Lexington, Ky.) Aubree McIntosh, a seventh-grade student at Garrard Middle School, was the winner of a bookmark design contest that is part of the Lexington Legends Hit the Books reading incentive program sponsored by Waffle House.

Aubree received a Legends prize pack, including Legends merchandise and a framed Hit the Books poster featuring her artwork. She also will be invited to throw a ceremonial first pitch at a 2017 Legends game. Bookmarks featuring her artwork will be distributed to students at every school that participates in the Hit the Books program. More than 48,000 students from 119 central Kentucky schools are expected to take part in the program, which runs through April 1.

                Runners-up in the bookmark design contest were Des Hanley, a fifth-grade student at Stonewall Elementary School in Lexington;  Wesley Sizemore, a third-grade student at Hazel Green Elementary in East Bernstadt; and Paisley Gay, a fifth-grade student at Stanford Elementary School.

  “Hit the Books has been an important part of the Legends’ education and community outreach programs since 2001,” said Sarah Bosso, Legends Vice President of Business Development. “The bookmark contest adds an element of fun and competition, and it’s really great to see the students do even more reading as a result of the Hit the Books program with the ticket incentive.”

            In Hit the Books, a baseball diamond is used to record credit for reading. For every book a student reads, a teacher places his or her initials on a base. When the student has all three bases and home plate initialed by the teacher, the student may bring a Hit the Books bookmark to the Legends’ box office at Whitaker Bank Ballpark to exchange it for two tickets to a Legends home game during the 2017 season.

  The 2017 season is the 17th for Legends baseball, and also marks the 17th year that the Legends have been associated with Hit the Books. About 285,000 students have participated.

  The Legends, a class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, open the home season Thursday, April 13 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark against the West Virginia Power, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. For more information, visit www.lexingtonlegends.com.

###

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

“Dancing with the Students” comes to Lexington

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 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 open the season Thursday, April 13 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark against the West Virginia Power, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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.

Hops become first Anchor Sponsor for HSD

March 10, 2017, Hillsboro, OR -The Hillsboro Hops (@HillsboroHops) and Hillsboro School District (HSD) announced a new partnership today where the Hops will help fund athletics and activities at HSD’s four high schools: Century, Glencoe, Hilhi, and Liberty, through an Anchor Sponsor arrangement. The District will offer five Anchor Sponsor spots for local businesses who want to make a difference in the lives of students by providing them greater access to extracurricular athletics and activities.

There are approximately 3,500 students participating in athletics and activities at the four high schools. Recent budget cuts have made it a challenge for the high schools fully support these students in their extracurricular endeavors, and to expand offerings to other students.

“The Hillsboro School District is so grateful for our generous community partners, and in particular the Hillsboro Hops,” said Rian Petrick, director of extracurricular programming and community outreach. “Through their willingness to partner as an Anchor Sponsor, the Hops will generate $24,000 toward extracurricular activities in our district during the 2017-18 school year. Research shows that students who participate in athletics and activities for multiple years in high school achieve graduation rates exceeding 95%. This partnership will help us stabilize existing programs and expand opportunities to enhance student engagement with the goal of improving graduation rates.”

Petrick goes on to explain that a district committee composed of various school-based personnel will oversee the distribution of funds based on general budget information and data analysis.

Hops chairman Mike McMurray adds: “The ownership of the Hillsboro Hops is proud to partner with the Hillsboro School District to provide opportunities for a well-rounded educational experience to local students. The Hops’ president KL Wombacher has made support of school athletics a key element of the team’s operation from day one, and this is an important manifestation of that commitment to our community.”

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

FSL Partners with Florida Prepaid for Second Season

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Florida State League will be partnering with the Florida Prepaid College Board for a second consecutive season, the League Office announced this week.

The Florida Prepaid College Program was created by Florida Legislature in 1987 to provide Florida families with an affordable means to save for their child’s college education. The Florida Prepaid College Board manages the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program and the Florida 529 Savings Plan.

“We are very excited to continue our great relationship with the Florida Prepaid Program. They have been great partners and we hope to continue our relationship for many years to come,” said FSL President Ken Carson.

Florida Prepaid began working with the FSL in 2015 on a five-team basis. The 2017 season will mark the second consecutive year of a league wide partnership, with all 12 teams participating in the Florida Prepaid partnership.

Florida Prepaid sponsored the league’s Baseball Buddies program in 2016. The Baseball Buddies program allowed young fans to take the field with their favorite FSL team, sing the National Anthem, and receive a complimentary ticket to the game, along with a logo baseball courtesy of the Florida Prepaid College Board.

New in 2017 is the Florida State League promotional code. By using promo code “FSL1617”, customers will receive 50% off the application fee when enrolling in a Prepaid Plan this year. Additionally, this summer, fans will have the opportunity to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a $2,500 contribution to a Florida 529 Savings Plan. The link to the website will be announced at a later date. There will also be secondary prize winners selected from those that enter the sweepstakes.

Florida Prepaid is the largest, longest running, and most successful prepaid plan in the nation with more than 1.8 million plans purchased.

“Our mission, since our founding in 1987, has been to open the door to college for more Floridians by providing easy and affordable options to save. By partnering with the Florida State League, we can reach Florida families to educate them about the importance of saving early for college,” said Kevin Thompson, Executive Director of the Florida Prepaid College Board.

For more information on the Florida State League, you can visit floridastateleague.com.

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

Cougars Donate Foundation Funds to Benefit Local Community Programs

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have announced the three local organizations that will be receiving a monetary donation on behalf of the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. in conjunction with the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. Focusing on the three pillars and areas of need in which the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation was built on, the Cougars will be donating to organizations involving children’s programs, homelessness and indigent healthcare.

“The Cougars would like to thank the Arizona Diamondbacks for their generosity,” said owner Cheryl Froehlich. “As we continue to grow our charitable initiatives through the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. we are constantly looking for additional areas where we can make a difference. This donation from the D-backs will enable us to expand our community service programs.”

In the area of children’s programs, the Cougars will be making a contribution to the Kane Excellence in Education Partnership (KEEP). The KEEP program supports and assists the academic and social emotional needs of children throughout the Kane County area. Through collaborations with districts, businesses, government agencies and education organizations, KEEP provides scholarships, educational activities, at-risk programming and necessary educational services to schools in Kane County.

To assist homeless families in the area, the Cougars will make a donation to Bridge Communities located in Glen Ellyn, Ill. The mission of Bridge Communities is to help transition homeless families into a life of self-sufficiency by providing mentoring, housing and supportive services.

Community Nurse Health Center, in LaGrange, Ill. will be receiving the final portion of the donation to help assist the healthcare needs of the local community. Since 1921, Community Nurse Health Center has served residents of the western suburbs by providing direct medical and dental care as well as health education including medical preventive services, chronic disease management, acute illness services, prenatal case management and oral health treatments for low income children and adults.

“The Kane County Cougars are a true asset to their community and share similar values to us at the Arizona Diamondbacks,” said D-backs President and CEO Derrick Hall. “We are extremely proud of their efforts and know that initiatives such as this help teach young players the importance of giving back. In doing so, it is our hope that when they do reach the Major Leagues, their approach is aligned with ours. We applaud the efforts of Dr. Bob and Cheryl Froehlich as well as the entire Cougars front office.”

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the up to date promotional information.

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 152 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

***

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

Cougars and Mueller Team Up to Provide Memorial Scholarship Fund

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars and Mueller: Certified Public Accountants have announced a new scholarship that will benefit deserving accounting college students in honor of Al Mueller, founding partner of the accounting firm Mueller & Co., LLP now known as Mueller.

Alfred “Al” E. Mueller passed away last March, but left a lasting legacy for his employees, clients and the local community through his many civic and philanthropic endeavors.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Kane County Cougars organization to launch the Al Mueller Memorial Scholarship Fund,” said David J. Nissen Managing Partner at Mueller. “Al would have been pleased to hear of these efforts to support and encourage students to pursue their education in the field of accounting and would be so honored to hear that the scholarship was in his name.”

The Al Mueller Memorial Scholarship Fund will provide five scholarships to deserving accounting college students at Mueller. Each of the honored students will receive $1000 towards their education.

“Mueller has been a tremendous supporter of the Kane County Cougars organization,” said owner Dr. Bob Froehlich. “We are thrilled to be able to contribute to the continued education of these hardworking students in honor of our dear friend Al Mueller.”

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the up to date information on tickets and promotions.

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 152 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

***

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

Valent and Spidale to host Baseball Camps

(Reading, Pa) – The Reading Fightin Phils have announced that 2016 Reading Baseball Hall of Famer Eric Valent and 2017 Reading Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee Mike Spidale will host baseball camps at FirstEnergy Stadium for youth baseball players this season. Fightin Phils players will assist Valent and Spidale in hosting the camps.

Spidale will host camps for kids ages 7-14. Valent will host camps for kids 4-8. Here are the details:

Spidale Camp for Kids Ages 7-14:

The Fightin Phils Baseball camp hosted by 2017 Reading Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee, and two-time Fightins Team MVP Mike Spidale gives kids the chance to interact and play with Fightin Phils players with three days of instruction by Fightin Phils players and leading baseball coaches from around the area. In addition to the chance to work on their baseball skills on the perfectly manicured field here at America’s Classic Ballpark, each participant will also receive a Fightins Baseball Camp T-shirt and two tickets for a Fightin Phils game. At that game, the campers will be honored on the field before the Fightins game. There will also be an autograph session with Fightin Phils players as part of the camp.

You can sign up as an individual, or you can sign up as a group. If you sign up as a group (group can be as small as two campers), not only do you receive a group discount, but you also guarantee that your group will be bundled together as they move from station to station throughout the camp. Bring the whole team, or a group of friends, and the Fightins will guarantee that you are in the same bundle of campers for the entire camp!

The Spidale Fightins camp is limited to 125 campers and boys and girls from the ages of 7-14 can attend. The camp will run from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. each day.

The first Spidale Fightins camp will be from Tuesday, June 20th through Thursday, June 22nd. Campers who attend this session will receive two tickets for the Reading Fightin Phils game on Thursday, June 22th at 7:05 p.m., and will be honored on the field prior to the Fightins game.

The second Spidale Fightins camp will be from Tuesday, August 1st through Thursday, August 3rd. Campers who attend this session will receive two tickets for the Reading Fightin Phils game on Thursday, August 3rd at 7:05 p.m., and will be honored on the field prior to the Fightins game.

Cost:    10 or more players: $70/camper
6-9 players: $80/camper
2-5 players: $90/camper
1 player: $100/camper

Valent Camp for Kids Ages 4-8:

For the seventh straight year, former major leaguer and Reading Baseball Hall of Famer Eric Valent will be hosting the Reading Fightin Phils Fun & Fundamentals Baseball Camp The camp is designed for YOUNG players to have Fun, and learn some Fundamentals. During the camp, kids will receive on-field instruction from Eric Valent and Fightin Phils players, participate in fun baseball activities followed by a medal ceremony, autograph session and pizza party lunch with Fightin Phils players. Campers will also have access to Phunland following camp as well. Each camper will receive two tickets to attend the Fightin Phils game on their final day of camp. The Valent Fun and Fundamentals Camps are one-day camps, but please feel free to sign up for both days if you would like.

The first camp will be Thursday, July 20th. Boys and girls ages of 5-8 can attend this session. The camp will run from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

The second camp will be Friday, July 21st. Boys and girls ages of 4-6 can attend this session. The camp will run from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Like the Spidale Camp, with the Valent Camp you can sign up as an individual, or you can sign up as a group. If you sign up as a group (group can be as small as two campers), not only do you receive a group discount, but you also guarantee that your group will be bundled together as they move from station to station throughout the camp. Bring the whole team, or a group of friends, and the Fightins will guarantee that you are in the same bundle of campers for the entire camp!

Cost:    10 or more players: $35/camper
6-9 players: $40/camper
2-5 players: $45/camper
1 player: $50/camper

For more information regarding the camps, parents can contact Stephen Thomas by emailing him at sthomas@fightins.com or by calling 610-375-8469 ext. 213. Parents can purchase tickets by going here: http://fightinphils.milbstore.com/store.cfm?dept_id=1390&store_id=96&parentID=1390

America’s Classic Ballpark is proud to be a part of Pennsylvania’s Americana Region. Season tickets for the 2017 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter at @ReadingFightins and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/fightins.

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

Family Campout Night Announced for August 25

For a second straight year we’ve got a FAMILY CAMPOUT NIGHT planned at Frontier Field on Friday, August 25 presented by Dunkin’ Donuts and Meyer’s RV Superstores! 

Any fan with a ticket to the game on Friday, August 25 can CAMPOUT under the stars at Frontier Field that night! Following the game we will be showing the movie “Little Big League” on the videoboards. Popcorn, soda and water will be available for purchase from one of the Red Wings concession stands before and during the movie.

 In the morning, Dunkin’ Donuts will be here with FREE coffee and donuts for all those who camped out!

Campout in Style: One lucky campout group will be upgraded to spend the night in an RV on the field, courtesy of Meyer’s RV Superstores. For your chance to spend the night in the RV, use promo code CAMPOUT when purchasing tickets online and you will automatically be registered for the upgrade experience. We’ll announce the guest upgrade before the movie begins. Don’t have a tent but want to camp out? The staff from Meyer’s will be here selling discounted tents and supplies.

In an effort to keep track of how many fans we’ll have sleeping over on August 25, please use promo code: CAMPOUT (all caps) when purchasing tickets online if you plan on staying over. To order tickets over the phone, please call Mike Ewing at (585) 454-1001 EXT. 3036.

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE HERE (Be sure to use the promo code)

We can’t think about a Campout Night without remembering TENT BOY! In the Summer of 2002, with the Wings mired in a long losing streak, Wings GM Dan Mason took to a tent in the Red Wings bullpen…

[embedded content]

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

Meijer Baseball Academy Registration Now Open

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

SOUTH BEND, IN – Four Winds Field, the home of the South Bend Cubs, will transform into a training ground for young baseball players this July when Cubs players and coaches become instructors for the 2017 Meijer Baseball Academy.

There will be two academy training sessions to help keep the camp size smaller and allow more interaction with the players and coaches. Session one will be held July 12 through July 14 and session two runs July 26 through July 28. 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 session participants will learn about hitting, pitching, fielding (infield and outfield), catching, and base running.

“This is a great opportunity for young players,” South Bend Cubs President Joe Hart said. “We’re excited to provide an opportunity for aspiring players to learn from pro ball-players within the Cubs organization.”

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.

“One of our team slogans is ‘The road to the World Series starts in South Bend,'” Hart said. “We want to bring that slogan to our Baseball Academy so hopefully one day we’ll see a few of these youngsters playing professional baseball.”

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.

To register, visit the Meijer Baseball Academy webpage and download the application form. Forms must be emailed to Marketing@SouthBendCubs.com and payment must be made at time of registration. For additional questions, call Stephen Cabe at (574) 235-9988 extension 262.

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 sole 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.

Redbirds, MLB Make Donation to Memphis Public Schools

(Roger Cotton/Memphis Redbirds)

PHOTO GALLERY

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – The Memphis Redbirds Community Fund, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, has made a donation to Pitch In For Baseball to benefit Memphis Public Schools as part of MLB’s biennial RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) Institute held this week in Memphis.

The donation will provide $25,000 worth of baseball and softball equipment to help 460 students get on the field, benefitting 24 baseball and softball teams at 16 schools in the Memphis area.

“We are very proud to be able to make this donation to Memphis Public Schools through the Redbirds Community Fund,” Redbirds President and General Manager Craig Unger said. “One of our main missions is to help better our community, and the Redbirds Community Fund is one of the leading vehicles for how we can use our position to do so. We look forward to being able to do more to benefit our community and the Mid-South as a whole.”

The week culminated today with a free PLAY BALL event at AutoZone Park, where area children were able to play on the field and have fun learning skills and celebrating the love of the game. Event participants also received a PLAY BALL t-shirt and a bat and ball set to continue the play at home.

The RBI Institute covers topics such as league operations, players’ health on and off the field (i.e., Pitch Smart, anti-bullying and drug-free lifestyles), educational programs, best practices, coaches training, league finances, equipment procurement and more.

The Redbirds have hosted an RBI site since 1998, where boys and girls ages 6 through 16 join with children from their own community to form teams which travel throughout the city to play each other. Memphis RBI began with six locations and has grown to serve 12 communities and over 1,000 participants.

The mission of the Memphis RBI program is to increase participation and interest in baseball and softball among underserved youth through instructional and competitive play, while encouraging youth to achieve academically, demonstrate good sportsmanship, and contribute positively to the community.

Pitch In For Baseball provides new and gently-used baseball and softball equipment to boys and girls in the United States and around the world who want to play ball but lack the equipment to do so. PIFB reduces barriers to play and promotes youth development by providing equipment directly to leagues, schools and organizations around the world to start, continue, and/or expand their programs. Over the past 10 years, PIFB has donated more than $5 million worth of equipment to 500,000 under-resourced kids in nearly every state and 80 different countries.

For more information on Pitch In For Baseball, visit www.pifb.org.

Schools Receiving Equipment

American Way Middle School (Baseball)

American Way Middle School (Softball)

Bellevue Middle School (Baseball)

Colonial Middle School (Baseball)

Colonial Middle School (Softball)

Grandview Heights Middle School (Baseball)

Hamilton Middle School (Baseball)

Hamilton Middle School (Softball)

Havenview Middle School (Baseball)

Havenview Middle School (Softball)

Hickory Ridge Middle School (Baseball)

Hickory Ridge Middle School (Softball)

Highland Oaks Middle School (Baseball)

Kate Bond Middle School (Softball)

Kingsbury Middle School (Softball)

Kirby Middle School (Baseball)

Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School (Baseball)

Memphis Scholars Raleigh-Egypt Middle School (Baseball)

Memphis Scholars Raleigh-Egypt Middle School (Softball)

Oakhaven Middle School (Baseball)

Oakhaven Middle School (Softball)

Raleigh-Egypt High School (Softball)

Raleigh-Egypt Middle/High School (Baseball)

Riverview Middle School (Baseball)

About the Redbirds Community Fund

The Redbirds Community Fund benefits area youth organizations by offering outreach programs, providing baseball instruction, giving opportunities for children to attend professional baseball games and to interact with professional players and personnel, providing and refurbishing area facilities for youth activities, and providing financial support to many worthy area Section 501(c)(3) organizations that effectively and efficiently serve the needs of children in the community.

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