Barons, Children’s of Alabama Launch Babe Ruff’s Kids Club

A portion of the sign up fee benefits Children’s of Alabama

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The Birmingham Barons have announced a partnership with Children’s of Alabama as the title sponsor for the new 2013 kids club at Regions Field, called ‘Babe Ruff’s Kids Club’. A portion of the sign up fee benefits Children’s of Alabama. All members of Babe Ruff’s Kids Club will receive:

  • A Babe Ruff’s Kids’ Club T-Shirt
  • An official membership card and inclusion in the Kids Club Newsletter.
  • Special Kids Club Only prices at the Barons Team Store.
  • A Barons Goodie Bag, which includes items from preferred vendors including a Children’s of Alabama stress ball.
  • Inclusion in special Kids Club events at each Sunday home game.
  • Free Admission to all 11 Sunday home games during the 2013 season.

“Children’s of Alabama is delighted to welcome the Birmingham Barons to the neighborhood,” said Garland Stansell, Chief Communications Officer for Children’s of Alabama. “We are excited about the proximity of Regions Field to our campus and are equally excited to continue our long-time partnership with the Barons.  Babe Ruff’s Kids Club seems the perfect fit with our child and family-centered mission.”

“The Barons are excited to partner with Children’s of Alabama on this venture,” said Barons General Manager Jonathan Nelson. “The Barons have always been dedicated to providing the most affordable family entertainment in Birmingham and the kids club is an integral part of that goal. We look forward to providing families with a first class entertainment experience at Regions Field this season.”

To register visit Barons.com, fill out the registration form located on the kid’s club page and bring it to Regions Field. Fans can also contact Steve Bayko at sbayko@barons.com or by phone at 205-988-3200.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Birmingham Barons. Click here to view the original story.

Rock Cats to Host Welcome Home Player Dinner for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center

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The New Britain Rock Cats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, has announced its “Welcome Home Dinner” will take place on Tuesday, April 2 at Hawks Landing Country Club in Southington.  Fans will have the opportunity to have dinner with the players before the 2013 season starts.  A team autograph session will take place at 5:00pm and dinner will be served at 6:00 pm with each table featuring a player or coach.  The Rock Cats Foundation along with the New Britain Elks Lodge #957, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and Gordon Bonetti Florist will sponsor the annual “meet the team” event, as the club arrives from spring training.  Individual tickets are only $35 for adults and $25 for children (12 and under), with the proceeds benefiting the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.  Tickets are on sale at the box office or by calling the Rock Cats at 860-224-8383 ext 22.  Tables and event sponsorship opportunities are available for local businesses.  Tickets are sold on a first come first serve basis. This popular event is expected to sell out.

The Annual “Rock Cats Welcome Home Dinner” serves as an occasion to celebrate the arrival of spring and the start of another professional baseball season in Connecticut.  Members of the Rock Cats organization- players, coaches, front office personnel and Rocky, (the team’s popular mascot)- will be present at this festive dinner.  As in the past, Rock Cats players will meet and greet all those in attendance, while also expressing their collective appreciation for the tremendous support the community has extended to this franchise for more than three decades.

Proceeds from the “Rock Cats Welcome Home Dinner” will benefit the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, which is dedicated to improving the physical and emotional health of children through family-centered care, research, education and advocacy.  “This unique event provides the public a unique opportunity to spend an evening with the players they will be rooting for this season while benefiting a wonderful cause in the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center,” Rock Cats President John Willi said.

The Rock Cats open their 31st season on April 4 in Richmond, Virginia and return to the Hardware City a week later on Thursday, April 11 (6:05) for the home opener against the Red Sox affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the New Britain Rock Cats. Click here to view the original story.

Scout Patch Design Contest Underway

Deadline For Patch Submissions Is April 8

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Wilmington, DE – The Wilmington Blue Rocks are pleased to announce the implementation of the 2013 Scout Patch Design Contest for their Boy and Girl Scout Sleepovers in August at Frawley Stadium. The winning scout will receive a prize pack and the winning patch will be given to all scouts participating in the sleepover. Deadline for submissions is April 8, 2013.

Scouts can submit their designs via mail to the Wilmington Blue Rocks, c/o Scout Sleepover, 801 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington DE 19801. For any questions regarding the Scout Sleepover, or the design contest, call Stefani Rash at 302-472-5718 or email her at srash@bluerocks.com.

The 2013 season marks the 14th year of the scout sleepover program with the Blue Rocks. Sleepover dates are June 28th for the Girl Scouts and August 17th for the Boy Scouts.

The Blue Rocks begin their 2013 season on April 5th in Myrtle Beach. After a six-game road trip, the Rocks return to Wilmington for the home opener on Friday, April 12 at 7:05 p.m. Group tickets and mini plans for the 2013 campaign are on sale now by visiting bluerocks.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Click here to view the original story.

Swing For the Cure – Put Your Photo On a Jersey

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PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Chiefs and the Illinois Cancer Care Foundation are offering fans the opportunity to put their own image on a jersey number for the specialty jerseys the Chiefs will wear during the Swing for the Cure event on Saturday, May 18.

Fans can send in a photo that will be placed on a number on the back of a jersey in one inch by one inch segments. All submitted photos are guaranteed to be on at least one jersey. The cost to submit a photograph is $25 and every person who submits a photo will be entered into a drawing to win one of the jerseys. The maximum order per person is five photographs. The jerseys will be worn on Saturday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. as the Chiefs host the Clinton LumberKings. All jerseys will be auctioned off during the game and all proceeds will benefit the Illinois CancerCare foundation.

To submit a photo, download the Jersey Form or email ChiefsJerseyPhotos@gmail.com. The deadline for submitting a photo is Friday, April 26. The May 18 game also features a post-game Fireworks show and a Pitch-In For Charity Tennis Ball Toss which will also benefit the Illinois CancerCare Foundation.

Illinois CancerCare, P.C. is a comprehensive practice treating patients with cancer and blood diseases. The focus is to provide state-of-the-art treatments for its patients in the fight against these diseases while staying on the leading edge of breakthrough research and medicines. Illinois CancerCare is central Illinois’ largest network of cancer care specialists with 90-120 open clinical cancer research trials being conducted at any given time. Currently Illinois CancerCare has 17 physicians, more than 230 staff members and 13 clinic locations throughout central and western Illinois. For more information call 309-243-3000 or visit illinoiscancercare.com.

The Illinois CancerCare Foundation is committed to supporting research, education and awareness of a disease that affects 1 in 3 people. The Foundation funds clinical research trials, regardless of the level of federal funding available. A goal of the Illinois CancerCare Foundation is to expand the number of patients enrolling in clinical trials in order to discover better treatment and therapy options and ultimately cures for many types of cancer. Funds are also used to help support cancer education, awareness, and patient comfort care through special programs that reach patients in need. For more information visit illinoiscancercare.com.

 

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

Drillers Starting Make-A-Difference Mondays Program

Kids and families in need to attend selected Monday games free of charge

McElroy Make-A-Difference Mondays will provide nights out at ONEOK Field in downtown Tulsa for needy kids and families this season.
McElroy Make-A-Difference Mondays will provide nights out at ONEOK Field in downtown Tulsa for needy kids and families this season.

Monday evening games will take on a special meaning this season at ONEOK Field. The Tulsa Drillers Foundation has announced a partnership with McElroy Manufacturing that will feature a new program titled “McElroy Make-A-Difference Mondays.”

The six Monday night games of the 2013 season will give Tulsa area children and families in need the opportunity to attend games at no cost. McElroy Manufacturing, through its partnership, will provide complimentary Drillers Dogs and soft drinks for all kids and parents that attend a Monday game as part of the program.

“We are excited to be able to offer this program,” said Drillers General Manager Mike Melega. “Many of us grew up attending games with our parents and grandparents, and the memories can last a lifetime, yet we realize that there are many young fans that may never get the chance to attend a game at ONEOK Field. With the help of McElroy and other companies, we can now give these kids an opportunity to enjoy an evening out and a chance to experience downtown Tulsa and make memories of their own.”

ONEOK, Tulsa Federal Credit Union and Clinical Profusion Systems have also joined the Tulsa Drillers Foundation in the Make-A-Difference program as ticket sponsors. Any company or individual interested in helping to underwrite tickets for those in need can contact Kara Biden with the Drillers at (918)744-5901.

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

2013 Grant Beneficiaries Announced

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, will award a total of $85,700 in cash grants to 20 non-profit organizations during Thursday’s sold-out Phillies Winter Banquet featuring 1,100 guests at the Sands Events Center. Since debuting in 2007, IronPigs Charities has contributed a total in excess of $550,000 in cash grants and $215,000 in in-kind donations to dozens of local non-profit entities.

“Without question, this is the most rewarding night of the year for our organization,” remarked IronPigs Charities President Kurt Landes. “Make no mistake; these contributions would not be possible without the loyal support of our fans and business partners. We are truly humbled by the generous backing that IronPigs Charities receives and we look forward to continuing to make a tangible impact in our wonderful community.”

IronPigs-Charities-LogoOne of the annual highlights of the Winter Banquet event is the distribution of grants to local non-profit organizations. In fact, over $280,000 has been distributed at this event alone since debuting in 2008.

The 2013 beneficiaries along with a brief synopsis of their benefitting programs are listed below:

  • Allentown School District Foundation: An after-school intra-district middle school baseball program will be started in Allentown School District. At current, the Allentown School District does not have a baseball program at the middle school level. This program will allow for dozens of 6th, 7th and 8th graders to play baseball.
  • Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem: Mind, Body and Soul are the three components of the Triple Play program. The multi-faceted program is designed to help young people become healthy and active while forming new relationships.
  • Boys and Girls Club of Easton: The Triple Play program consisting of the Mind, Body & Soul components, addresses a need for low-income youth to get more structured exercise in sports, explore healthy nutrition and learn social skills.
  • Community Bike Works: Children participate in a three month “Earn a Bike” program in which they receive instruction on bike mechanics, bike safety, employment skills and business concepts. At the successful conclusion of the program they earn a bike and a helmet.
  • Easton Police Athletic League: New uniforms and equipment will be purchased for the Easton Police Athletic League’s wrestling program. This program serves 50 youth from the Easton area.
  • Family YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg & Vicinity: The Family YMCA Summer Youth Basketball League serves boys and girls ages 8 to 18. This program supports 80 youth and focuses on low income families.
  • Friends of the Allentown Parks: The Queen of the Court will give girls in the city of Allentown the opportunity to play basketball. Nearly 100 girls are expected to participate in the four week program.
  • Lehigh County Conference of Churches: The Aspires mentoring program addresses the health and wellness of at-risk youth in the Allentown School District. The IronPigs Charities grant will fund ten weeks of recreational and educational group activities.
  • Lehigh County Youth Association: LCYA serves over 100 youth who participate in a variety of sports, including baseball. The IronPigs Charities grant will provide new catchers equipment, a pitching machine, new bases as well as field maintenance equipment.
  • Lehigh Valley Zoo: The Lehigh Valley Zoo’s Wildlife & Wellness Program is a nature inspired health and fitness after-school program to benefit primarily disadvantaged, school-age youth in our community.
  • Lower Macungie Youth Association: After receiving a 2012 grant for field maintenance related items, Lower Macungie Youth Association will now receive funding for a storage shed for the items that were purchased last year.
  • Mikayla’s Voice: This June, Mikayla’s Voice will be hosting a one-of-a-kind triathlon for children with and without disabilities. Children with physical disabilities will participate in all three phases of a triathlon with a little help from their friends.
  • Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley: Their mission is to provide an all-inclusive baseball program for children with various special needs. The IronPigs Charities grant will provide uniforms and equipment for the nearly 300 players in the league.
  • Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley: Golden Dippers Ice Cream Parties will take place at the Children’s Hospital at Lehigh Valley Health Network for children battling cancer who are hospitalized. Additionally, PCFLV will celebrate the end of chemotherapy treatments with a Last Round of Chemo party.
  • Sacred Heart Hospital: An afternoon program of health and wellness will provide over 400 low-income youth with fitness activities, healthy snacks, fresh fruits and vegetables and a backpack giveaway filled with school supplies.
  • Salvation Army: The Breaking Barriers Fitness Camp will teach youngsters how to get fit, how the body works and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Each child will receive a personalized workout routine after the instructional sessions.
  • Special Olympics Lehigh County: A full course of track and field events will be setup for over 500 Special Olympics Athletes at Whitehall High School.
  • Valley Youth House: Valley Youth House will be building “Pigtown” as the fifth element of the adventure course at Camp Fowler. Throughout the year nearly 850 youth will participate in the adventure course.
  • YWCA of Bethlehem: The YWCA will give over 50 girls the opportunity to learn the game of golf. Held at Southmoore Golf Course and Wedgewood Golf Course, the young women will learn the necessary skills needed to play in tournaments throughout the area.

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., manager Charlie Manuel along with Dave Brundage (IronPigs manager), C Erik Kratz and INF Kevin Frandsen headline the sold-out 2013 Phillies Winter Banquet presented by The Air Products Foundation, Coca-Cola and the Lehigh Valley Health Network to be held on Thursday at the brand-new Sands Events Center in Bethlehem. Other Phillies dignitaries include Benny Looper (Asst. GM), Joe Jordan (Dir., Player Development) and Steve Noworyta (Asst. Dir., Player Development).

The Phillies Winter Banquet beneficiary, IronPigs Charities, is a recognized 501(c) (3) non-profit organization on the state and federal level.

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

Missions & Five Star Cleaners Help Stop Hunger

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This summer the San Antonio Food bank will be feeding 7,000 children every day over 11 weeks during the summer at 150 feeding sites. These kids need your help, and we can make it easy for you!

Five Star Cleaners and Your San Antonio Missions invite you and your neighbors to join us in our Five for 5 summer food drive. It runs now through August 17th. We are asking you to bring 5 cans of food to any of the 18 convenient Five Star Cleaners locations.

Bring in five cans of food (and if you would include a jar of peanut butter in a plastic container it would be outstanding), and receive:

• A $5.00 off coupon for any future dry cleaning order
• Two free tickets voucher to select San Antonio Missions game.”
• $10 off two tickets voucher to a future San Antonio Scorpions game

But wait! There is more!

On Sunday, July 15th…if you bring 2 cans of food here to the ballpark, we’ll give you a voucher for BUY ONE TICKET, GET ONE TICKET FREE for that night’s game against the Midland Rockhounds.

So, jump our team and be a part of Five for 5. You’ll be glad you did, and you can take pride in knowing that you are helping San Antonio’s under-privileged children.

Learn more by visiting myfivestarcleaners.com

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

Mud Hens players score smiles with local kids!

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The Hens have won six straight games on the field, but off the field the team has been winning, too. On Monday, 8/13, Audy Ciriaco read to Latino children at the TMC Migrant Seasonal Head Start in Millbury, in support of the Books 4 Buddies program. Later that day, Thad Weber, Adam Wilk and Danny Dorn made a visit to Toledo Children’s Hospital. PHOTOS

Founded by 14-year-old Touré McCord II, Books 4 Buddies encourages children and teenagers, especially boys, to read for pleasure and personal development. A native of the Dominican Republic, Ciriaco read two Spanish language books to the children & assisted with a free book distribution for the children and their families.

Later that day, pitchers Thad Weber, Adam Wilk and infielder Danny Dorn made a visit to Toledo Children’s Hospital. They played air hockey & foosball with some of the patients and handed out autographed baseballs. They were even spotted hanging out with some chipmunks!

“The Mud Hens feel it’s important to have a strong presence off the playing field as well,” says Cheri Pastula, manager of community relations. “The players really enjoy interacting with children and we are thrilled to have to have them makes visits likes this throughout the community.”

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

Cutters banquet raises over $4,000 for YWCA

Phillies pitcher Justin DeFratus (left) was one of the featured guests at the Cutters Hot Stove event.
Phillies pitcher Justin DeFratus (left) was one of the featured guests at the Cutters Hot Stove event.

With a star-studded guest list and a jam-packed Genetti Ballroom, the Williamsport Crosscutters 7th Annual Hot Stove Banquet was a great success while raising over $4,000 for charity.

On a snowy winter night in Williamsport, Phillies pitcher Justin DeFratus, 2-time Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain, local hero Tom O’Malley & Phillies front office personnel entertained attendees with stories and answered audience questions.

The night, presented by HB Rentals, Woodlands Bank, WRAK Radio and the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, was also highlighted by live and Chinese auctions that featured a wealth of sports memorabilia including a bat signed by Phillies all-star first baseman Ryan Howard, baseballs signed by Phils catcher Carlos Ruiz, pitcher Cole Hamels, hall-of-famers Rod Carew, Dave Winfield and many others.

Other highlights of the event included the induction of Lou Hunsinger, Jr. into the Bowman Field Hall of Fame. Hunsinger, the President of the Bowman Field Commission and longtime baseball historian was part of a group that helped salvage hundreds of historic baseball photos in danger of being lost to posterity from the files of The Grit newspaper and publishing company. Through those efforts, the Grit Baseball Photograph Collection was donated to the James. V. Brown Library and subsequently inventoried, organized and cataloged.

A portion of the proceeds from the evening were donated to YWCA of Northcentral PA whose mission is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. At the conclusion of the festivities, the YWCA was presented with a check for $4,075.

The Crosscutters 15th anniversary season opens on June 18 at Historic Bowman Field. Season tickets, bonus books and group packages are currently available and can be purchased online at ww.crosscutters.com or by calling the Cutters at (570) 326-3389.

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

66ers Launch Hit The Books Reading Campaign

Sixers Alongside Rotolo Chevrolet Give Local School Students the Chance to Earn Money for Their Classroom Through No-Cost Reading Program

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San Bernardino, CA– The Inland Empire 66ers are on a mission to visit area elementary schools in the upcoming months to promote the importance of reading, through their Hit the Books Reading Program presented by Rotolo Chevrolet. The organization’s community relations team, alongside lovable mascot Bernie, will hold assemblies at participating schools which will culminate in each student receiving a baseball themed bookmark. When the student reaches the reading requirement, they will earn two free tickets to a selected 66ers game.

66ers Community Groups Manager, Kelsey Beckenbach stated, “We realize the importance of touching these students lives in a positive aspect. It’s a very special treat for Bernie and 66ers staff members to come to their school just for them. Kids hold on to those memories for a long time and we hope that it’ll further their interest in reading beyond finishing the bookmark.”

Mike Caposio, General Manager of Rotolo Chevrolet noted of their sponsorship, “We here at Rotolo Chevrolet always strive to be involved in the community and what better way to be involved than by helping to promote the importance of reading.”

The selected 66ers games in which the students will be invited are the first four Sundays of the 2013 season (April 7, April 21, May 12 and May 19). Three monetary donations will be made to the schools with the highest representation throughout the four days. The school with the most students and teachers attending these games will receive a donation of $1,500. The two schools in second and third will receive a donation of $1,000 each. For more information on the Inland Empire 66ers 2013 education initiatives, contact Kelsey Beckenbach at 909-495-7658.

The 2013 season will kick off on Thursday April 4, 2013 at San Manuel Stadium when the 66ers take on the Modesto Nuts. Inland Empire fans can now purchase season ticket and group packages for the 2013 season. Tickets can be purchased by calling 909-888-9922. Additional information is available online at www.66ers.com. For more information on the Inland Empire 66ers please contact Joey Seymour, Director of Ticket Operations and Media Relations, at 909-495-7638.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Inland Empire 66ers. Click here to view the original story.

Boy/Girl Scout Night

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Tickets to our scout nights are open to any level of scouting, both boys and girls. Tickets start at just $5 for a General Admission tickets and $7 for a Reserved Grandstand ticket (adults and children included). Ticket packages are also available for the night starting at $12. All troops that sell more than 25 tickets will have the opportunity to take a group photo on the field after the game.

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                      $12 Package Includes:

                                           – (1) General Admission Ticket

                                           – (1) Renegades Cap

                                           – Pre-Game Parade on the Field

 

 

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

Shorebirds Honor Contest Winner

Kassidy McConaghy wins 2013 Hit the Books Bookmark Contest

Kassidy McConaghy (middle) is the winner of the 2013 Hit the Books Bookmark Contest
Kassidy McConaghy (middle) is the winner of the 2013 Hit the Books Bookmark Contest

Salisbury, Md. – The Delmarva Shorebirds named Kassidy McConaghy of Milford Middle School the winner of the 2013 Hit the Books Bookmark Contest on Tuesday. Sherman and Shorebirds staff members presented Kassidy with her award during lunch hour at Milford Middle School.

McConaghy’s winning bookmark design will be distributed to all participating students in the Hit the Books program. Over 40,000 students from over 100 schools are involved in this years program.

The Hit the Books Program, sponsored by Dr. James M. Crouse at The Brace Place, is an initiative to encourage reading outside the classroom. Students that read four or more books outside the classroom receive two free Shorebirds tickets.

“Kassidy’s design demonstrated her outstanding creative and artistic talents,” said Shawn Schoolcraft, Director of Community Relations for the Shorebirds. “Her bookmark captured the true meaning of the program and we’re proud to distribute her winning design throughout the community.”

Sherman the Shorebird will be making appearances to select participating Hit the Books school over the next two months to encourage students to read.

For more information about the program, contact Shawn Schoolcraft at 410-219-3112 ext. 168.

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

66ers Partner with Joe Baca Foundation to Host Free Baseball Clinic & Little League Sign-Up

San Manuel Stadium Will Be Site of Open Baseball Clinic

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San Bernardino, CA– The Inland Empire 66ers and the Joe Baca Foundation will be hosting a free baseball clinic at San Manuel Stadium on January 12, 2013 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. The festivities will also include the District 43 little league sign-ups. This will be the first year that this event has been put on, all in an effort to encourage little league participation as well as a fun and educational clinic for baseball and softball players ages 4 – 18. Participants in the clinic do not have to sign up for little league. This is an open clinic for all children.

This event will mark the first community function that the Inland Empire 66ers are holding in 2013. The team’s mascot, Bernie, will make an appearance and there will be inflatables set up for children to play in. Children of all levels will be able to participate in the clinic and enjoy drills that are based on their individual skill levels.

66ers Community Relations Manager, Kelsey Beckenbach-English stated, “The 66ers and local little leagues have had a strong partnership since the team was known as the Spirit and played their games at Fiscalini Field. Every year, we assist local teams and leagues in their fundraising efforts and we hope that with this free community event, we will be able to assist in the increase of participation for their 2013 season.”

The Joe Baca Foundation’s mission is to “build a better future…for our children.” These types of clinics allow them to meet their goal of emphasizing physical health and teaching the basic fundamentals of baseball to under-served youth in our communities.

The little league sign-ups for District 43 as well as several other Inland Empire little league districts, will take place from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information on this exciting day, please contact Inland Empire 66ers Community Relations Manager, Kelsey Beckenbach-English at 909-495-7658 or via e-mail at kelsey@66ers.com.

More information can be found by visiting www.district43.org or www.facebook.com/district43.

The 2013 season will kick off on Thursday April 4, 2013 at San Manuel Stadium when the 66ers take on the Modesto Nuts. Inland Empire fans can now purchase season ticket and group packages for the 2013 season. Tickets can be purchased by calling 909-888-9922. Additional information is available online at www.66ers.com. For more information on the Inland Empire 66ers please contact Joey Seymour, Director of Ticket Operations and Media Relations, at 909-495-7638.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Inland Empire 66ers. Click here to view the original story.

Lexington Legends donations top $800,000 for the 2012 season

The Lexington Legends announced donations for the 2012 season totaling $800,629.43 to a variety of non-profit organizations serving Central Kentucky. The Ivy Walls Charitable Giving Foundation Fund at Bluegrass Community Foundation, in cooperation with the Legends and business sponsors, presented checks to organization representatives today in the Kentucky Ale Taproom at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

Ivy Walls Management is a Lexington-based organization that manages the operation of Minor League Baseball teams, including the Legends.

In its 12-year history, the Legends organization has donated more than $11 million to the region.

“It’s a pleasure to work with the representatives of these organizations all year round,” said Legends Director of Community Relations and Special Events Sarah Bosso. “We’re looking forward to another great year in 2013.”

“The Legends have always made community involvement a high priority,” added Legends President/COO Andy Shea. “This event is a nice celebration that brings our business partners together with the organizations that we are proud to support.”

Among organizations receiving funds were:

Autism Society of the Bluegrass: Autism Awareness Night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark was sponsored by Eastern Kentucky University, which purchased special caps worn by Legends players in that night’s game. The caps were auctioned after the game to support the Autism Society.

Boy Scouts of America Bluegrass Council: Sponsored by Windstream, a $25 donation was made to the Boy Scouts for every double or triple by a Legends player during home games.

Bluegrass Military Affairs Coalition (BMAC) Kentucky Wounded Warriors: The Legends supported BMAC with an auction of autographed baseballs and equipment on Military Appreciation Night July 28.

Breast Cancer Research and Awareness: Sleep Outfitters donated five dollars for every strikeout recorded by Legends’ pitchers during home games. The total donated was divided among three organizations: The Pink Connection, which serves breast cancer patients on a personal basis by reducing or eliminating barriers to screening, diagnosis, and treatment; The Markey Cancer Center, established in 1983 as a Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Susan G. Komen For the Cure, the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. The Legends and Sleep Outfitters also hold an annual dinner, with proceeds going to those same three breast cancer charities. In addition, pink jerseys worn by Legends players in that night’s game are sold through a silent auction.

Folds of Honor: For every run the Legends scored at home in 2012, Kentucky Eagle donated $10 to the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides scholarships and other assistance to spouses and dependents of military personnel who were killed or disabled in military operations.

Kentucky Children’s Hospital: For every stolen base by a Legends’ player during a home game, Insight donated $10 to Kentucky Children’s Hospital, which provides advanced care for children, including specialized emergency transport and Level III Care at the Neonatal ICU.

LexArts: LexArts, Lexington’s cultural development, advocacy and fund raising organization, was a beneficiary of the 2012 Whitaker Insurance Group W.I.G. 5K run/walk held at Whitaker Bank Ballpark August 25.

P.A.W.S.: Sponsored by IncrediPet, two “Bark in the Park” nights were held during the 2012 season, on which dog owners were invited to bring their dogs to a Legends game. The “admission” price for dogs was a donation to the Paris Animal Welfare Society (P.A.W.S.)

Salvation Army: The Whitaker Bank Piggy Bank stationed on the concourse gave Legends’ fans an opportunity to make donations to the Salvation Army.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation: The volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers was another beneficiary of the 2012 Whitaker Insurance Group W.I.G. 5K run/walk held at Whitaker Bank Ballpark August 25.

St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Program: At the end of every baseball season, the Legends hold a silent auction for the home jerseys worn during the season with proceeds going to the St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Program.

United Way of the Bluegrass: The United Way was the beneficiary of the LexMark Softball Invitational in July. The Legends also worked with United Way on ticket giveaways to United Way donors, listed below.

In-kind donations

The Legends also make substantial in-kind donations throughout the year to many groups and organizations, including a long-standing relationship with United Way of the Bluegrass. Donors to the annual United Way of the Bluegrass campaign receive two free box seat tickets to a Legends home game. In the 2012 season, more than 38,000 box seat tickets were given to United Way donors.

In-kind projects were also associated with YMCA of Central Kentucky, Lexington Clinic, American Diabetes Association, Bluegrass Regional Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board, DanceBlue, a student-run philanthropy at the University of Kentucky, and Hit the Books, a joint effort between the Legends and Chick-Fil-A to encourage Central Kentucky students to read.

Our visit to Feed My Starving Children

The Kane County Cougars front office staff has been fortunate to send their staff to do a 2-hour shift at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora, which is about 20 minutes from their ballpark in Geneva. FMSC is a non-profit Christian organization that relies on volunteers to hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children. Those meals go to nearly 70 countries around the world.

The photo below shows how many meals Cougars staff packed during their shift. FMSC has several locations. It’s an incredibly fun atmosphere. Everyone has a role in the packing process – some are pouring the ingredients into the bag, others are weighing the items, others are boxing up the meals and placing the boxes in their warehouse. Upbeat music is playing the entire time and it really builds up a sense of camaraderie among our staff who are offering their time. We’d encourage any other minor league team to see if they are close to a FMSC, and have their staff and players volunteer to help.

Oftentimes during the busy portion of the season, it’s tough for our staff to simply be around each other, outside of the ballpark. These monthly initiatives we’ve set up really build team morale among our staff. More importantly, the giving of our time for these causes and seeing the impact we can make in the community (and in the case of FMSC, the world), it’s incredibly rewarding.