San Jose Giants 2015 Summer Camp Sessions

Three camp sessions scheduled at Municipal Stadium

San-Jose-GiantsThe San Jose Giants announced today three sessions for their ninth annual Summer Camps at Municipal Stadium. The organization will offer one camp in June, July and August, giving families a variety of dates throughout the summer to get their kids involved. Session 1 will take place June 15 – June 18, Session 2 July 27 – July 30 and Session 3 August 3 – August 6. All camp sessions will run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM each day and focus on developing baseball skills for boys and girls ages 7 through 14.

The San Jose Giants understand the value of individual instruction and are committed to having numerous coaches on-hand. Camp participants will receive the most personal interaction and focused attention possible as all camps will maintain a 10:1 camper to coach ratio. The coaching staff will be led by John Rally, the San Jose Giants Corporate Partnerships and Youth Development Program Manager.

“With another baseball season nearly upon us, I am eager to get out on the field this summer to help develop young athletes’ baseball skills while teaching them to apply those lessons to their lives off the field,” said Rally. “Municipal Stadium has helped produce a number of homegrown champions over the years. My hope is that these camp sessions will assist our participants in realizing and furthering their dreams of someday playing here in a Giants uniform.”

During each session, campers will work on all fundamentals of the game with a focus on baserunning, hitting, catching, fielding and throwing mechanics. Each session costs $295 per camp prior to May 1. Following May 1, the cost to register will increase to $315 per camp. Included in the registration price, each camp participant will receive tickets for the entire family to a designated San Jose Giants game, Summer Camp T-Shirt, lunch provided each day, and over 20 hours of baseball instruction! To learn more about the San Jose Giants Summer Camps visit sjgiants.com, call (408) 380-4501, or email JohnRally@sjgiants.com.

Registration and payment for San Jose Giants Summer Camps will take place through sjgiants.com.

Click here to begin registration and payment. Please note that registering your child is not complete until both the form and payment have been completed.

First pitch for the 2015 San Jose Giants home opener will take place Thursday, April 16 against the Bakersfield Blaze. San Jose’s 2015 season begins on Thursday, April 9 in Lancaster. The Giants will host games at Municipal Stadium on Mother’s Day (May 10), Memorial Day (May 25), Father’s Day (June 21) and Independence Day (July 4). For more information on the 2015 season and ticket packages please visit sjgiants.com or call (408) 297-1435.

2015 San Jose Giants Summer Camps

This article originally appeared on the official website of the San Jose Giants . Click here to view the original story.

IronPigs Seeking Little League Field Nominations

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Submissions Due by Friday, March 13 at 12 p.m.

Lehigh-Valley-IronPigsThe IronPigs are currently seeking nominations for local little league fields that need field renovations this spring. Please email Dana DeFilippo at ddefilippo@ironpigsbaseball.com with your contact information by Friday, March 13 at 12 p.m. to garner consideration. Please submit a photo of your field as well as a brief synopsis of why your league is deserving of a makeover for 2015.

The winning youth little league organization will receive a complete infield renovation from IronPigs head groundskeeper Ryan Hills and members of the IronPigs front office staff! The IronPigs will assist in all facets of this renovation in an effort to get your league ready for the upcoming season.

The IronPigs’ front office staff takes pride in being active in the community with over 550 hours dedicated to community events and service for non-profits in 2014. This past year, the entire IronPigs staff renovated the East Side Memorial Little League field in Allentown.

For more information, please contact Dana DeFilippo at ddefilippo@ironpigsbaseball.com or call (610) 841-1213.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Click here to view the original story.

2015 Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship

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Application deadline is Friday, April 17.

ApplicCedar-Rapids-Kernelsations are being accepted through The Kernels Foundation for the fifth annual Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship.

Nick Adenhart was a bright young pitcher who played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2006, and was a rising star in the Los Angeles Angels organization. Only hours after Nick’s 2009 season debut on the mound for the Angels, a drunk driver tragically killed him on April 9, 2009 at age 22.

Nick’s family would like to honor him by awarding a $1,000 scholarship in his memory. The Kernels Foundation is privileged to administer the scholarship on behalf of Nick’s family.

The deadline for submitting applications for this scholarship is Friday, April 17, 2015. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior from an area high school and attend a two or four-year accredited college or university and take 12 or more hours per semester. The applicant must have played an organized sport in the last two years, must be a great teammate, must demonstrate hard work and determination, and must have a clear vision of their career goal.

Scholarship applications are available through area schools guidance offices, or may be downloaded from the Kernels website by clicking here.

For more information, please contact Doug Nelson at 319-363-3887 or email at doug@kernels.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Cedar Rapids Kernels . Click here to view the original story.

Sign-up for 2015 Youth Baseball Camp!

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Learn from the Pro’s This Summer at Coca-Cola Park

Lehigh-Valley-IronPigsSign-ups are now underway for the 2015 Youth Baseball Camp presented by Capital BlueCross! Make sure to sign up early because each camp is limited to 110 children and each is expected to sell out.

The camps will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for all days of the session. Boys and girls of all skill levels will have the chance to learn baseball and fundamentals from the future stars of the Philadelphia Phillies. Each day, members of the IronPigs coaching staff and select IronPigs players will teach the basics of the game and help all campers become better ballplayers!

In addition to meeting and playing with IronPigs players, each camper will receive a daily lunch, two tickets to a selected IronPigs game during the camp (Camp #1, June 17; Camp #2, June 30; Camp #3, July 23), on-field recognition prior to the IronPigs game and an official IronPigs Fantasy Camp T-shirt!

2015 Camp Dates:

For more information, please contact Hannah Ishida at (610) 841-1228 or hishida@ironpigsbaseball.com. 2015 Youth Baseball Camp is presented by Capital BlueCross.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Click here to view the original story.

Gwinnett Braves Award January Grant to The Path Project

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Organization receives $1,000 “I Have a Dream” themed grant

Gwinnett BravesThe Gwinnett Braves have announced the recipient of their $1,000 grant for the month of January. The Path Project, Inc. has been awarded the “I Have a Dream” themed grant, aimed at funding an organization that grants wishes, dreams and opportunities for the youth, elderly, injured or sick.

Path-ProjectThe Path Project offers academic, social and spiritual development for at-risk youth living in mobile home communities in Gwinnett and surrounding counties. The non-profit organization works to help those students close the achievement gap, graduate from high school, become productive members of society and find the right path for their lives. The outreach ministry currently operates five community centers in five mobile home parks, serving approximately 450 children each week.

The community centers run by The Path Project provide preschool programs, after-school programs, summer camps, soccer teams and mentoring services. Certified teachers and youth development specialists oversee the centers, run the programs, communicate with parents and schools, as well as lead volunteers. The $1,000 grant awarded by the Gwinnett Braves will be used for literacy and educational enrichment through field trips and the purchase of books and school supplies.

“On behalf of the staff, volunteers, students and families of Gwinnett County that are part of The Path Project, I wish to say thank you to the Gwinnett Braves organization for their generous grant of $1,000,” said Jim Hollandsworth, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Path Project. “This grant will go directly to academic endeavors that are part of our after-school and literacy programs that serve hundreds of children and teenagers living in Gwinnett County. We are honored to partner with the Gwinnett Braves to help these young people find the right path for their lives.”

About The Path Project, Inc.: The Path Project is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization formed in 2009 by Jim and Melinda Hollandsworth as an outreach ministry of Graystone Church in Grayson, GA. What started as a once-a-week homework help program at the Gwinnett Estates mobile home park soon grew to a four-day-a-week, after-school program that included preschool, mentoring and soccer activities. The Path Project expanded in 2012 to serve other mobile home communities in Gwinnett, Walton and Newton counties, including Valley Brook in Stone Mountain, Bay Creek in Loganville and Riverside Estates in Covington. For more information, visit their website at www.path-project.org.

For more information on the Gwinnett Braves Grant Program, including details on how your organization can apply for future grants, call Community Relations Coordinator Alison Atkins at 678-277-0346 or email Alison.Atkins@braves.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Gwinnett Braves. Click here to view the original story.

 

Fluor Field Hosts Complimentary Coaching Clinic on February 5th

Drive Manager Darren Fenster leads the clinic from 6:00-8:30 PM

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The Greenville Drive have announced they will hold a complimentary coaching clinic led by Drive Manager Darren Fenster on Thursday, February 5th from 6:00-8:30 PM in the home clubhouse at Fluor Field.

The clinic is available for coaches at all levels of baseball, including little league, middle and high school, and travel baseball.
Fenster will cover a wide array of topics during the interactive forum, ranging from individual skills such as hitting, throwing, and fielding to team fundamentals such as cutoffs, relays and rundowns. Fenster will provide insight on a general approach to coaching, while also touching on practice organization and how to keep players engaged while getting the most out of their time on the field.

Additionally, those in attendance will have the unique opportunity to experience exactly how the Drive coaching staff employs this approach to their daily work during the 2015 season.

“With the amazing support that the Greenville and entire Upstate communities give us throughout the course of the season, I wanted to find a creative way to give back to the very people who make our days at Fluor Field so rewarding,” said Fenster. “I couldn’t think of a better way to do so than by putting together a coaching clinic that will benefit the next generation of players through this generation of coaches.

“Baseball has given me a platform as a coach that I truly value, and I take a great sense of responsibility to share my passion for and knowledge of the game with as many others who want to listen. To do this in the place I’ve called home for parts of the past few years is a special opportunity.”
Fenster has accumulated a wealth of experience during his time as a player and coach at both the college and professional levels. He was a two-time All-American shortstop at Rutgers University before spending five seasons in the Kansas City Royals system from 2000-2004, and he received an invite to major league spring training during his time with the Royals.

Following his playing career, Fenster returned to his alma mater and spent six seasons on the staff of the Scarlet Knights, serving under legendary coach Fred Hill, who earlier this month was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He also spent a season as an assistant coach for the Orleans Cardinals in the Cape Cod League in 2008.

In 2013, Fenster created Coaching Your Kids, an initiative that shares his love and understanding of the game to the baseball community of coaches, players, and fans in general through camps and clinics in addition to media forums such as Twitter (@CoachYourKids), print magazines, and online blogs and podcasts.

He joined the professional coaching ranks in 2012 as the Drive’s hitting coach before getting his first managing opportunity with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox in 2013, leading the club to the league championship series. The 2015 season will be Fenster’s second piloting the Drive.

“We are thrilled to give back to the local coaching community with this clinic at Fluor Field,” said Drive General Manager Eric Jarinko. “Darren Fenster is a terrific coach as well as being an outstanding person, and his passion for the game and his ability to connect with players of all ages and ability levels are second to none. He truly is a great ambassador for both the Greenville Drive and the game of baseball, and we couldn’t be happier to have him on board for this coaching clinic and the 2015 season at Fluor Field.”

The clinic is complimentary, but registration is required as space is limited. Coaches interested in registering for the clinic can do so by clicking here.
For additional info, please contact Cameron White, the Drive’s Media Relations Manager, at cameron@greenvilledrive.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Greenville Drive. Click here to view the original story.

 

 

Scout for fun at Fifth Third Field this summer

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Toledo-Mud-HensCalling all Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops! Back by popular demand, the Toledo Mud Hens are hosting Scout Experience Nights during the 2015 season. This is a great opportunity for scouts to watch the world famous Mud Hens in action, meet boys and girls from other troops, and have a sleepover at the ballpark!

Scout Experience Nights for Boy Scouts will be held on: May 23, June 6, June 19, July 17, July 18 and August 15. Scout Experience Nights for Girl Scouts will be held on: June 20 and August 8.

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MORE INFO ON 2015 SCOUT NIGHTS

Tickets are $10, which includes a pregame Scout Parade on the field, a ticket to the Mud Hens game as well as an awesome postgame fireworks display! Add a picnic snack voucher for $5, redeemable at the game for a hot dog, chips and soft drink. Add the sleepover adventure for $8, which includes running the bases following the fireworks, building a tent, rolling out the sleeping bag and enjoying a family-friendly movie on the video board during an overnight stay at Fifth Third Field.

Girl_ScoutsOther options include an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for $8 and Scout Night t-shirts: $12 for youth and $15 for adults.

With limited availability and the growing popularity of these events, you’ll want to make your reservations early! Call the Scout Line directly at 419-725-9292 or send an email to scouts@mudhens.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Toldeo Mud Hens. Click here to view the original story.

IronPigs Charities Announce Record-Setting Donations

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Grants Were Awarded during Thursday’s Phillies Winter Banquet

Lehigh-Valley-IronPigsIronPigs Charities, presented by The Air Production Foundation, a non-profit organization striving to provide educational and recreational opportunities for children in the Greater Lehigh Valley area, awarded a record-breaking 101,897.45 in cash grants to 22 non-profit organizations during Thursday’s Phillies Winter Banquet at the Sands Events Center. Since debuting in 2008, IronPigs Charities has contributed a total in excess of $750,000 in cash grants to dozens of local non-profit entities. Between the IronPigs Charities organization and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the total all-time cash distribution is nearing $1.1-million.

“The Phillies Winter Banquet, coupled with the opportunity to make meaningful donations to so many deserving local organizations, is truly the highlight of our year,” remarked IronPigs Charities President Kurt Landes. “It’s genuinely humbling to be in such a position to be able to impact our community in such a significant manner. And, the best is yet to come.”

The 2015 beneficiaries are listed below:

  • Allentown School District Foundation
  • Boy Scouts of America, Minsi Trails Council
  • Boys and Girls Club of Allentown
  • Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem
  • Boys and Girls Club of Easton
  • Center for Vision Loss
  • Community Bike Works
  • East Side Memorial Little League
  • East Side Youth Center
  • Easton Area Police Athletic League
  • Friends of Allentown Parks
  • Girl Scouts of Eastern PA
  • Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living
  • Lower Macungie Athletics
  • Mikayla’s Voice
  • Miracle League of Lehigh Valley
  • Northeast Ministry
  • Sacred Heart Hospital
  • Wildlands Conservancy
  • YMCA of Bethlehem
  • YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg & Vicinity
  • Youth Education in the Arts

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., manager Ryne Sandberg along with OF Ben Revere, INF/OF Darin Ruf and RHP David Buchanan headlined the 2015 Phillies Winter Banquet presented by The Air Products Foundation, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Service Electric Cable TV & Communications and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. Other Phillies dignitaries included broadcaster Tom McCarthy, Assistant General Manager Scott Proefrock and Assistant Director of Player Develoment Steve Noworyta.

The Phillies Winter Banquet beneficiary, IronPigs Charities, is a recognized 501(c) (3) non-profit organization on the state and federal level. The annual Phillies Winter Banquet is IronPigs Charities’ flagship event and all of the money raised at the event directly benefits IronPigs Charities.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Click here to view the original story.

“Hit The Books” Bookmark Contest Winners

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Overall Bookmark Contest Winner will be announced February 4

Omaha-Storm-Chasers-2014The highlight of the Storm Chasers “Hit The Books” Literacy Program, the 2015 Bookmark Contest Winners have been announced out of more than 10,000 submissions. This year’s “Hit The Books” Program saw the most schools participating in its history at 52, reaching 16,583 students.

The “Hit The Books” literacy program, presented by Nebraska Educational Savings Trust, has encouraged area elementary students that reading is an essential skill to have since 2007. Teachers at each school determine four different reading goals for the program. Students who “round the bases” receive four different prizes, including the grand prize of a ticket to a 2015 Storm Chasers game.

“Hit The Books” students can also participate in the Bookmark Contest, with a winner announced for each grade level. The overall winner, whose bookmark is distributed as a prize to all students, will be one of these grade level winners selected by the Storm Chasers:

  • Kindergarten: Kara Salton – Black Elk Elementary
  • 1st Grade: Nathan Russell – Wheeler Elementary
  • 2nd Grade: Blake G. – Black Elk Elementary
  • 3rd Grade: Giuliana Gagliolo – Reeder Elementary
  • 4th Grade: Callie Kirchner – Reagan Elementary
  • 5th Grade: Jenna Christensen – Reagan Elementary
  • 6th Grade: Nick Brickman – Patriot Elementary

The announcement/presentation for the overall Bookmark Contest winner is planned for February 4.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Omaha Storm Chasers. Click here to view the original story.

Bandits, Genesis plan Community Day Saturday, Jan. 31, at 9 a.m.

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Ballpark to host 500 free flu shots, youth activities, team’s annual job fair, national anthem tryouts

Quad-Cities-River-BanditsThe Quad Cities River Bandits and Genesis Health System are inviting the Quad Cities community to join their team to protect the community from seasonal influenza, and to build a lineup that will make another memorable season for guests at Modern Woodmen Park. Community Day on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 31, will include 500 free vaccinations to protect against seasonal influenza, the River Bandits’ annual job fair, and auditions for national anthem singers.

“We hope people who haven’t yet gotten a flu shots this year will take this pitch out of the park,” said Ken Croken, vice president of marketing and corporate communications, Genesis Health System. “We know it has already been an active flu season locally and nationally, but the only real protection is a flu shot, and it isn’t too late to get that protection. And at this event, it will be free.”

The Genesis Flu-Free Quad Cities program – which the River Bandits and Main Street Amusements supported as part of a $50,000 donation to the Genesis Health Services Foundation in November – has provided flu shots to about 48,000 Quad Cities adults and children since the fall and protected thousands more indirectly. Nearly 9,000 elementary school children received free flu shots at their schools this fall.

“The River Bandits and Main Street Amusements have been proud to partner with Genesis Health System to make the family-friendly fun of Modern Woodmen Park become a positive and lasting impact for our community with programs such as Genesis Flu-Free Quad Cities,” said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. “Community Day continues our strong partnership to provide fun, health and wellness to entire Quad Cities region.”

The doors will open for all Community Day events at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. All events will be on the suite level of Modern Woodmen Park. Information about each event are listed below.

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
500 free flu shots and Genesis events

Complications from seasonal influenza can be fatal for as many as 30,000 nationally in a single year. The youngest, the oldest and those with chronic conditions are at highest risk for serious complications. Each person who receives seasonal influenza vaccinations is believed to protect five people around them, including higher-risk individuals.

Genesis will also host a throwing clinic to prevent injuries in young baseball and softball players; free blood pressure checks; and a jump analysis for kids.

9:00 a.m. – noon
2015 Modern Woodmen Park Job Fair

The Quad Cities River Bandits, Main Street Amusements and Professional Sports Catering, the food and beverage provider at Modern Woodmen Park, are seeking outgoing, hard-working, fun-loving, friendly people to assist fans and be a part of the team that will help make another memorable season for guests at the ballpark.

The River Bandits, Main Street Amusements and Professional Sports Catering will host a job fair on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. to noon at Modern Woodmen Park to fill the ballpark’s game day staff and food and beverage positions. Interested individuals can fill out an application and be interviewed on the suite level during the job fair.

Listed below are the positions that the River Bandits, Main Street Amusements and Professional Sports Catering need filled:

Amusements
Amusements and kids zone workers (includes work on non-game days)

Box Office & Ticketing
Box Office Intern
Box Office Employees
Ticket Takers

Ballpark Hospitality
Ushers
Parking Attendant

Concessions
Kitchen Staff
Gameday supervisors
Warehouse Employees
Seat Vendors
Attendants
Cooks
Cashiers
Bartenders

Field/Stadium Maintenance
Field/Grounds Crew
Custodial Host (Mornings)
Custodial Host (Game Ops)

Merchandise
Retail Store Employees

Promotions
“Street Team” in-game entertainment staff

Video Production
Video production interns

The River Bandits, Main Street Amusements and Professional Sports Catering are equal opportunity employers; women, minorities and U.S. veterans are encouraged to apply.

9:00 a.m. – noon
2015 River Bandits National Anthem and Talent Auditions

The River Bandits will hold tryouts on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. to noon for individuals and groups, including National Anthem singers, to perform and entertain fans with their talents prior to home games during the 2015 season.

National Anthem and other pre-game performance tryouts will take place in the Budweiser Champions Club at Modern Woodmen Park. Registration is first come, first served. Talents can range anywhere from singing, dancing, and comedy to miming, juggling or magic.

Everyone participating in the tryouts will perform their talent for a panel of River Bandits staff and local judges. Those talented enough to entertain crowds at River Bandits games this summer will be included in the show during the 2015 season.

9:00 a.m. – noon
Ticket plans, Kids Club and more on sale

Fans may learn about ticket plans and group outings, and purchase or renew ticket packages for the 2015 season. For children ages 14 and under, the River Bandits will offer another one-day special on 2015 Kids Club memberships. Normally $30 per child 14 and under, a membership will be $25 at Modern Woodmen Park on Saturday, Jan. 31. A Kids Club Membership includes a free bleacher ticket good for all River Bandits 2015 regular season home games, a membership card, a T-shirt, a 10 percent discount off purchases in the team store, an email newsletter with exclusive special offers and much more.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Quad Cities River Bandits. Click here to view the original story.

Bully Busters Anti-Bullying Program Returns

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Elementary School Assembly Program Expands to Wake and Orange Counties

Durham-BullsThe Durham Bulls have announced the return of the successful anti-bullying program “Bully Busters,” which debuted in February of 2014. The initiative, in which the Bulls provide free school assemblies to raise awareness for a priority issue in elementary schools, will again travel to schools throughout Durham County, while expanding this year to Wake and Orange counties as well. ARS Rescue Rooter has partnered with the Bulls to present the program in its second year.

Using beloved mascot Wool E. Bull as the driving force, each interactive assembly engages students in recognizing bullying behavior and exploring what to do should they witness or experience bullying. At the conclusion of the 20-minute presentation, students are asked to take the “Bully Buster Pledge” at home with their families, and students who do so will be rewarded with two complimentary tickets to a select Durham Bulls game this spring. Additionally, the Bulls provide teachers and students with take-home activity books, further reinforcing the anti-bullying message.

In its inaugural campaign, the program reached over 10,000 students throughout Durham County. The success from 2014 has prompted growth into Wake and Orange counties in 2015, nearly tripling the number of schools the Bulls will visit in the initiative’s second year.

“We’re thrilled to bring back this extremely successful program for 2015,” Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said. “In our first year we reached a large number of students for a very pertinent, meaningful issue, and we’re excited to grow Bully Busters even further throughout the Triangle.”

Bully Busters, presented by ARS Rescue Rooter, will run from mid-January through the end of March. School administrators seeking more information about booking a Bully Busters assembly can do so by visiting the Bully Busters webpage.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Durham Bulls. Click here to view the original story.

NEST, Storm Chasers Present 13th Annual Essay Contest

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Students in 7th and 8th grade write about “Why I Want to Go to College”

Omaha-Storm-Chasers-2014The Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST) and the Omaha Storm Chasers have officially kicked off the 13th-annual “Why I Want to Go to College” essay contest, Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg announced today.

Students in 7th and 8th grade both in and outside the state of Nebraska may send their entries until the March 27 deadline. Essays must be 750 words or less, describing the student’s educational goals and dreams for the future. Entries must be typed, double-spaced on 8 1/2 by 11″ paper and must be the student’s original work. Each entry must be accompanied with the required cover sheet found here:

http://treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/scholarships/essay/college/2015/2015writingContestCoverSheet.pdf.

Judging will be conducted by faculty and students in the College of Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The essay contest awards 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts, as well as Out-of-State, with winners earning prizes of $2,000, $1,000 and $500 toward a NEST College Savings Plan.

All winners from Nebraska, which will be notified in early May, receive four box seat tickets and earn recognition prior to the Storm Chasers game on May 10 against the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Each winning student will get an opportunity to meet Nebraska State Treasurer Stenberg during the visit.

For complete rules and information on the Essay Contest, visit the Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office website here:

http://treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/scholarships/essay/college/2015/.

Entries must be postmarked by March 27 and sent to:

Omaha Storm Chasers

Attn: Andrea Stava

12356 Ballpark Way

Papillion, NE 68046

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Omaha Storm Chasers. Click here to view the original story.

Tides to renovate local youth field

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4th year of field makeover contest

Norfolk-TidesThe Norfolk Tides today announced the return of a contest in which a local youth field will be renovated by Tides groundskeepers and front office staff. Proudly presented by Goodwill, this field makeover will include an upgrade to the playing surface and an improvement to existing dugouts, with the recipient of the makeover being determined by a fan vote on the Tides’ Facebook page.

“This project has become a yearly highlight for our entire front office staff” said Tides General Manager Joe Gregory. “We’re excited to offer our resources to these worthy organizations, as they provide a home for children to learn the game of baseball while serving as an environment conducive to fitness and fun.”

Goodwill2Those interested in having the Tides makeover their facility should submit a picture of their field to Heather McKeating at HMckeating@norfolktides.com. Along with the photo, fans are asked to include a brief description of why their league should receive this enhancement. The deadline to submit this information is February 6, with online voting taking place on the Tides’ Facebook page from February 16 to February 20.

2015 is the fourth year in which the Tides will be renovating a local youth field. Over the first three years of the program, the Tides have helped renovate six local fields – Ocean View Little League (Norfolk), Smithfield Recreation Association (Smithfield), Bennett’s Creek Little League (Suffolk), Phoebus Little League (Hampton), Shore Little League (Nassawadox) and Cradock Little League (Portsmouth).

In addition to the field makeover, the Tides will be hosting a youth baseball groundskeeper seminar on Wednesday, February 11 at Harbor Park from 5-8 pm. The event will allow two members per youth league the opportunity to tour the Harbor Park playing surface alongside Tides groundskeepers Kenny Magner and Derek Trueblood. This free seminar will then feature dinner at Hits at the Park Restaurant followed by a question and answer session designed to help youth baseball leagues prepare their fields each year. Those interested must RSVP by February 4 to Heather McKeating at HMckeating@norfolktides.com.

“Goodwill is proud to support this amazing community giveback effort for a second consecutive year” said Danielle Cronin, Community Relations Manager for Goodwill. “As a nonprofit, we strengthen families and communities throughout Hampton Roads with our job training programs and career development services. The leadership and staff at Goodwill look forward to being a part of the field renovation – it’s just one more way we can give back to our local community.”

The project is made possible thanks to Goodwill and the Tides Youth Baseball Fund, a program established by the Tides in 1990 as a way to raise money for youth baseball and softball programs in Hampton Roads. In addition to assisting with field renovations, the Youth Baseball Fund also helps local teams and leagues with travel expenses. Those wishing to make a donation directly to the Youth Baseball Fund can do so by clicking here.

The Tides open their 2015 regular season with a nine-game road trip beginning Thursday, April 9, with the home opener slated for Saturday, April 18 vs. Durham at 7:05 pm. Season tickets, group tickets, picnics and patios are currently available for the 2015 season. For pricing and additional information, stop by the Harbor Park Box Office, visit norfolktides.com or call (757) 622-2222.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Norfolk Tides. Click here to view the original story.

Hit The Books bookmark contest winner honored

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Berlin Intermediate’s Emily Sandt draws winning design

Delmarva-Shorebirds-2010The Delmarva Shorebirds, class “A” affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and Dr. James M. Crouse at The Brace Place, presenting sponsor of the Hit the Books program, honored Emily Sandt of Berlin Intermediate School for winning the 2015 Hit the Books Bookmark Design Contest. Her winning design was distributed to all participating students on the Delmarva Peninsula.

The Hit the Books initiative officially kicks off January 20 and will continue through February 27.

The program encourages elementary and middle school students on the Delmarva Peninsula to read outside of their regular classroom assignments. Students that complete their reading goals receive two free tickets to a Shorebirds home game during the 2015 season.

Sandt’s winning design featured a drawing of Sherman the Shorebird on a baseball field with airplanes flying overhead encouraging students to “Read, Read, Read.”

“Her design perfectly illustrated the goal of the program, to get students to read beyond the classroom,” said Shawn Schoolcraft, Director of Marketing and Community Relations. “We look forward to seeing the kids realize the fruits of their labor at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium this spring.”

In 2015, over 40,000 students from over 100 local schools are participating in the “Hit The Books” program, which is the largest non-school funded reading program on the Delmarva Peninsula.

“Reading books is a favorite pastime of mine and I love to see young people reading books,” said Dr. James M. Crouse at The Brace Place. “Our sponsorship of the Shorebirds ‘Hit the Books’ program is a perfect fit for us at The Brace Place.”

Participating schools will be notified in March about their game date at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium, and students will be honored as part of a pregame parade around the field. For more information, contact the Delmarva Shorebirds at 410-219-3112.

Season ticket and group outing packages are currently on sale for the 2015 season. The Shorebirds offer full season tickets, half season tickets, a 22-game plan and a 12-game plan along with a number of opportunities for groups to enjoy a night out at the ballpark. To secure your seat(s), call 410-219-3112.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Delmarva Shorebirds. Click here to view the original story.

Pinstripe Pals Program Launches

RailRiders Seek to Sponsor Local Youth Baseball Teams

Scranton-W-B-RailRiders-logoThe Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) love baseball, families and NEPA. In 2015, they will combine all three loves into the Pinstripe Pals, presented by Maines Food & Party Warehouse. A youth baseball sponsorship initiative, the Pinstripe Pals program includes a $500 sponsorship from the RailRiders and a $500 gift card to Maines Food & Party Warehouse for each selected league.

The program is open to Little League districts 16, 17, 18, 29, 31 and 32 along with Cal Ripken district five. Other benefits include:

  • The chance for each selected league to be honored at a RailRiders game with a pre-game parade on the field.
  • The league’s ability to choose a photo for the cover of the GuideRail cover for that league’s game.
  • A mascot appearance and giveaways for the league’s opening ceremonies.
  • One of the league’s teams can serve as the “Field of Dreams” squad that takes PNC Field with the RailRiders.

For consideration, a league representative should fill out a form found on the RailRiders website and mail it along with a 500-word essay describing why the RailRiders should choose his/her league. The completed forms and essays should be sent to SWB RailRiders, Attn: Pinstripe Pals, 235 Montage Mountain Rd., Moosic, PA 18507.

Please note that the sponsorship preferably includes a team within each selected league adopts the nickname “RailRiders” and uses the RailRiders logo on team jerseys/shirts.

“The holiday season might be over but giving is a year-round activity for the RailRiders,” said RailRiders community relations director Rachel Mark. “We started this program today to benefit NEPA’s baseball stars and fans of tomorrow.”

The RailRiders open their 2015 season at home on April 9 against the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals). For more information please call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Click here to view the original story.