Donate to Help the Elkhart FOP Little League

South Bend, Indiana (March 19, 2012) – The South Bend Silver Hawks are asking the local baseball community to join them in efforts to help the Elkhart F.O.P. Little League recover from vandalism. Last week unknown vandals broke into the park and stole about 80% of their equipment.

The Silver Hawks announced today they are initiating a donation drive to help replace the little league’s stolen equipment. Anyone who makes a $10 donation or donates new or gently used baseball equipment will receive two complimentary tickets to see the Silver Hawks play the Dayton Dragons on Saturday, April 14. People can drop off donations of bats, baseballs, helmets, gloves and other equipment at the Silver Hawks’ centerfield box office Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The little league is in particular need of catcher’s equipment and helmets, but will be grateful for any help.

“This is one of the best ways kids can spend time in the summer,” said Joe Hart, President of the Silver Hawks. “More than 150 kids and teenagers participate in the Elkhart F.O.P. Little League, but without equipment they can’t play. Their season starts in only two months, so we want to do all we can to help. The Hawks are going to donate $500 to kick off the donation drive. We’ll deliver everything we collect directly to the league, so people can bring their equipment to the Cove and know they’re making a difference for these kids.”

The South Bend Silver Hawks are a Class A minor league team affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose sole shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, IL.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the South Bend Cubs. Click here to view the original story.

Scout Patch Design Contest Returns

Submissions being accepted from local boy and girl scouts until March 23rd

Emily Miceli of Girl Scout Troop 170 was last year's winner.
Emily Miceli of Girl Scout Troop 170 was last year’s winner.

LAKEWOOD, NJ – The BlueClaws are once again looking for area boy and girl scouts to design the patch given out by the BlueClaws to scouts at BlueClaws scout nights this year.

Submissions will be accepted until March 23rd. The BlueClaws will choose the finalists and voting will occur on the BlueClaws official Facebook page or via email at scouts@blueclaws.com until March 30th at noon.

The winning scout will receive a ceremonial first pitch at their scout night in 2012, a meet and greet with a BlueClaws player, and, of course, have their patch be given out to the approximately 5,000 scouts that come out to the park this summer.

Interested scouts can download this form (click here) and fill in the circle, using 10 colors or less. The BlueClaws will adjust the patches with the proper logos.

All forms must be returned to:

Pete Walsifer
Scout Patch Contest
2 Stadium Way
Lakewood, NJ 08701

Forms must include the name of their scout pack or troop as well as the name of the scout.

Scouts that enter must be a member of a pack or troop that has booked their 2012 BlueClaws outing. The BlueClaws will host five Scout Nights in 2012, two of which (July 28th and August 11th) are Scout Night Sleepovers, where scouts camp out on the field after the game.

Last year’s winner, shown above, was Emily Miceli of Girl Scout Troop 170.

For information on bringing a scout group to FirstEnergy Park, call Pete Walsifer at 732-901-7000 ext 171 or visit BlueClaws.com/scouts.

The BlueClaws have led the South Atlantic League in attendance in all 11 years of existence and this year will become the fastest team in New Jersey and SAL history to reach 5-million fans.

Ticket packages and group outings for the upcoming season are available by calling 732-901-7000 or online at BlueClaws.com.

– BlueClaws –

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

Eastern Elementary student wins ‘Hit the Books’ contest

(WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK, Lexington, Ky.) A student at Eastern Elementary School in Scott County has won a bookmark design contest as part of the Lexington Legends/Chick-fil-A “Hit the Books” reading incentive program. A second Eastern Elementary student received honorable mention.

Fifth grade student Kim Macanang, age 10, designed the winning entry. She will receive a Legends prize pack, including Legends merchandise, a framed “Hit the Books ” poster featuring her artwork and a free membership in the 2012 Little Legends Kids Club. She also will be invited to throw a ceremonial first pitch at a designated Legends game for her school. Bookmarks featuring her artwork will be distributed to students at every school that participates in the “Hit the Books” program. More than 18,000 students from central Kentucky are expected to take part in the program, which runs through April 1.

Makayla Davis, age 11, a fifth grade student at Eastern Elementary; Jackson Gonzales, 8, a third grade student at Liberty Elementary in Lexington; and Abbi Davis, 10, a fourth grade student at Peaks Mill Elementary in Frankfort all received honorable mention for their designs. They will receive framed posters and Legends merchandise.

“The Hit the Books program has been a staple of the Legends community outreach since day one of our existence,” said Legends General Manager Seth Poteat. “I personally love every chance I get to go to all the participating schools in our community and meet the kids. The importance of childhood literacy cannot be underscored enough and this program allows us to hopefully develop readers and Legends fans for life.”

In “Hit the Books,” a baseball diamond is used to record credit for a student’s 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 one of four Legends home games – April 13, 14, 27 or 28.

The school with the most bookmarks redeemed on its designated night will win a luncheon assembly provided by the Lexington Legends and Chick-fil-A.

The 2012 season is the 12th for Legends baseball, and also marks the 12th year that the Legends have been associated with the “Hit the Books” program. About 125,000 central Kentucky students have participated.

The Legends, a class A affiliate of the Houston Astros, open the home season Thursday, April 12 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark against the Kannapolis Intimidators, an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. For more information, visit www.lexingtonlegends.com.

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The Legends were voted number one in family entertainment in 2011 by readers of the Lexington Herald-Leader.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lexington Legends. Click here to view the original story.

ValleyCats Announce Community Grounds Crew, 2nd ‘4 in 24’ Extreme Field Renovation

Cats partner with BlueShield of Northeastern New York to expand their youth field renovation initiative

SouthPaw and volunteers renovate Westland Hills in Albany during 2011 '4 in 24' program.
SouthPaw and volunteers renovate Westland Hills in Albany during 2011 ‘4 in 24’ program.

TROY, NY- As the Tri-City ValleyCats, Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, prepare to enter their 11th-season in the Capital Region, they’ve announced that they will be teaming up with BlueShield of Northeastern New York to create the Community Grounds Crew. This crew will lead the 2nd ever ‘4 in 24’ Program and also assist in renovating numerous other youth fields from April through September.The ‘4 in 24’ renovations will take place in early April, with work scheduled around the clock. In order to bring the selected fields to game ready conditions, each one will have new sod placed in their infield while also seeing their pitcher’s mound and homeplate areas re-built.

“The entire ValleyCats staff is thrilled to continue the ‘4 in 24’ program in 2012, while expanding our outreach by introducing the Community Grounds Crew. This program will allow us the opportunity to continue our efforts in providing safe fields of play for the youth of the Capital Region,” said ValleyCats Vice President/General Manager Rick Murphy.

The ‘Cats are no strangers to undertaking field renovation projects. It has been an annual tradition since the program began with the restoration of a little league field in South Troy in 2003. Each year since, the ValleyCats organization has reinforced their mission to provide safe and well-maintained fields for youth sports organizations throughout the Capital Region. This task was expanded with the first-ever ‘4 in 24’ program in April of 2011. That project saw fields in Albany, Ballston Spa, Schenectady, and Scotia restored with crews working around the clock.

With the help of BlueShield of Northeastern New York, the ValleyCats will once again expand this mission further in 2012 by creating the Community Grounds Crew. As the presenting partner in this initiative, BlueShield will be a critical contributor to help give back to the youth of the Capital Region.

“We are thrilled to partner with the ValleyCats to restore four local baseball diamonds, so the children of our community can enjoy one of our country’s national past times,” Brian O’Grady, vice president, BlueShield of Northeastern New York, said. “Our company takes pride in the thought of kids playing catch or running the bases with friends, because they will be taking time out of their day to engage in healthy activities – and as we all know – Healthy Changes Everything.”

These projects will also be supported by the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation. Contributions to the foundation have come from past events such as the Capital Region Craft Brewers Festival, hosted by the ValleyCats and Brown’s Brewing Company, and the Corporate Cup Tournaments which have included teams from local and regional businesses.

Leagues interested in having their field considered for this project must complete an application that can be found on the Community Grounds Crew page of the ValleyCats website. The deadline for ‘4 in 24’ submissions is March 9th with the chosen fields announced on Friday, March 16th.

The leagues who are not selected for the ‘4 in 24’ project will remain in consideration for the Community Grounds Crew program, which will accept and evaluate applications on an on-going basis through September of 2012.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Tri-City ValleyCats. Click here to view the original story.

C’s In The Community

The Canadians and Bob Brown Bear were busy in our local community this past week

VancouverCanadians_2012-02-20

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium – Vancouver, BC) – From diamonds to dining, it was another busy week for Vancouver Canadians mascot Bob Brown Bear who made stops at Mission Possible as well as registration day out at Trout Lake Little League.

Mission Possible was founded over 20 years ago and has become one of Canada’s most respected street-level initiatives helping a number of local families in need with both compassion and a loving heart on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Bob Brown Bear’s presence at Mission Possible brought a number of smiles to young children’s faces as they enjoyed a warm meal along with their families. The Vancouver Canadians wish to congratulate everyone associated with this effort for a job well done.

Our mascot was also happy to hand out high-fives and a few hugs out at the registration for Trout Lake Little League’s upcoming season.

Since 1953, Trout lake Little League has been giving local children the opportunity to play organized baseball. With divisions for kids four through 12, Trout Lake Little League is based out of John Hendry Park (Vancouver) and is a league run completely by local volunteers.

The Canadians were proud to be out making new friends within the league and wish to thank the organizing committee for allowing us the chance to share in the excitement of the upcoming season.

Discovered in 2008, Bob Brown Bear has become one of the most recognizable faces on the Vancouver sports circuit making nearly 1,000 community appearances. If you would like to have the official mascot of the Vancouver Canadians at your upcoming event, feel free to contact us at 604.872.5232 to learn more about Bob Brown Bear’s availability.

The Vancouver Canadians return to Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium on Wednesday, June 20th to face the Tri-City Dust Devils in a re-match of last season’s Northwest League Championship. Tickets to Vancouver Canadians Baseball are available by calling 604.872.5232, or by visiting the Vancouver Canadians Box Office located at 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver, B.C.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Vancouver Canadians. Click here to view the original story.

“An unforgettable moment”

Local kids steal the show at 2nd Annual Scotiabank Hot Stove Luncheon

Scotiabank's David Poole gives a high-five to a future baseball star. (Paul Yates)
Scotiabank’s David Poole gives a high-five to a future baseball star. (Paul Yates)

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium – Vancouver, BC) – When nearly 30 young, bright-eyed children began running through the aisles at the 2nd Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation Hot Stove Luncheon, the show had officially been stolen.

Friday afternoon, the Canadians hosted their annual Hot Stove Luncheon which featured Toronto Blue Jays President and CEO Paul Beeston who was overwhelmed by the support shown by the sold out crowd all tucked inside the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in downtown Vancouver.

“I’m speechless,” said Beeston who’s keynote address tipped largely toward his organization’s support of the Vancouver Canadians.

“What Jake, Jeff and Andy have done here in Vancouver is unbelievable. The way Vancouver has supported this team is something that should become a blueprint for other teams at any level of baseball”.

The afternoon program kicked off with Canadians owner Jake Kerr giving the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation membership his ‘State of the Franchise’ address which included his praise to the Toronto Blue Jays for delivering on their promise to make Vancouver a Northwest League Champion.

Kerr was followed by longtime friend and co-owner Jeff Mooney who gripped the sold out venue with a stirring story and introduction of the newly-formed Vancouver Canadians Baseball League, a 28-team, eight-game season built for kids between the ages of 5-10. Mooney announced that the Canadians through their Foundation would support nearly 300 local children in need each summer.

Included in the commitment is league fees, transportation, food and all equipment covered by both the Canadians and a host of corporate sponsors including Scotiabank, BC Hydro and The Sports Exchange. A number of local supporters also worked to give these children a summer to remember including Al DeGenova and the Mooney Family. Jeff Mooney and Suzanne Bolton donated $50,000.00 toward the Foundation to kick-off the afternoon.

Just before Mooney wrapped up his request to help support the VCBF, he trotted out 28 bright-eyed, excited children in full uniform all there to give our guests a high-five and ask for their support this summer.

Smiles filled the room as the kids from The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Vancouver dazzled with plenty of energy to spare and high-fives to go around to each and every guest. It was one of the most talked about elements of the afternoon.

The stage then became Paul Beeston’s who promised to keep building back in Toronto and committed to tell the story of the Vancouver Canadians who had ‘blown him away’ with what they had been able to accomplish within the community.

The afternoon wrapped up with a Live Auction that exceeded the hopes of the Canadians organization thanks to the generous support of our membership.

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club, Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation and Scotiabank would like to thank each and every person associated with the Foundation for a fantastic afternoon that ensured more than 300 children from our own community got the chance to play baseball this coming summer.

For more information, please visit our Foundation page right here at canadiansbaseball.com
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Vancouver Canadians. Click here to view the original story.

Louie Honors Reading Program Poster Winners

The Baysox lovable mascot Louie made visits to two local schools last week to congratulate some very special students. Louie wanted to congratulate the winners of the annual poster contest that kicks off the Read and Hit a Home Run Reading Program.

Caroline Kerr of Crofton Middle School in Crofton, Md. and Caroline Cooney of Whitehall Elementary School in Bowie, Md., each received special visits from Louie to receive their prizes.

Louie would also like to congratulate Southern Maryland winner Myles Williams of William B. Wade Elementary School in Waldorf, Md., who has moved out of the area and was unable to claim his prize.

The students’ poster designs were selected as the winner for all schools in their respective regions. Caroline Kerr was the winner in Anne Arundel, Howard and Queen Anne’s counties and Caroline Cooney was the winner in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.

Louie surprised the winners during special school assemblies, rewarding them with a framed poster of the design, 12 Baysox tickets and a collection of Baysox gear. The students also get a chance to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the Baysox Reading Night game for their county.

Prince George’s County winner Caroline Cooney’s parents were told ahead of time that their daughter was the winner and they were on hand for the presentation. “I am so proud of Caroline,” said Julie Cooney. “She loves drawing and to have something she has done selected is beyond words. I am so excited.”

Caroline Kerr’s Language Arts teacher Diane Wagner was thrilled that her student was the one selected to be the Anne Arundel County winner. “Caroline is an exemplary student, the kind of student that I wish I had 30 of,” Wagner said. “She is a straight A student, she is involved in athletics and she is well-liked. I can’t think of a more deserving young lady.”

The Baysox would like to thank Read and Hit a Home Run Reading Program sponsor Educational Systems Federal Credit Union for their support of the program. This is the eighth year that Educational Systems Federal Credit Union has sponsored the reading program.

In all, 224 schools are registered to participate in the reading program this year. Any student in participating schools who reads at least four books is rewarded with a free ticket to a Baysox game. Louie will be visiting students throughout the weeks leading up to the season to show them how fun reading can be.

Cutters banquet raises $4,500 for charity

Bresnahan inducted into Bowman Field Hall of Fame

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. (left) is interviewed during the Cutters Hot Stove festivities.
Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. (left) is interviewed during the Cutters Hot Stove festivities.

With a star-studded guest list and a jam-packed Genetti Ballroom, the Williamsport Crosscutters 6th Annual Hot Stove Dinner & Auction with the Phillies was a great success while raising $4,500 for charity.

On a cold winter night in Williamsport, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, Jr, former Phillie Andy Tracy, former Phillies GM Ed Wade and others entertained attendees with stories and answered audience questions.

Tracy, who will manage the Crosscutters in 2012, discussed his excitement about his first year as a manager this summer in Williamsport and helping young players advance through the Phillies farm system. In talking about ending his playing days after the 2011 season, he remarked, “I was ready to enter the next phase of my baseball career.”

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 third baseman Placido Polanco, baseballs signed by Phils catcher Carlos Ruiz, hall-of-famers Goose Gossage, Rod Carew, Jim Rice and many others.

Other highlights of the event included the induction of Dave Bresnahan into the Bowman Field Hall of Fame. Bresnahan played for the Double-A Williamsport Bills in 1987 and gained national and worldwide notoriety for his trick play that involved using a potato instead of a baseball in a game that season against the Reading Phillies.

At the event, Bresnahan entertained the audience by describing in detail the trick play and it’s planning. The play was ruled illegal and Bresnahan was released by the parent Cleveland Indians the next day. He made numerous TV and radio appearances across the nation in the days, weeks and years following the stunt which has been dubbed “The Great Potato Caper”.

A portion of the proceeds from the evening were donated to Andrew’s Special Kids Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to “Provide special needs children with every opportunity in life which will enable them to reach their full potential by providing them with adaptive equipment, special education opportunities, safety equipment, therapies and financial assistance for out of state travel.”

At the conclusion of the festivities, Dean & Amy Kriebel the founders of the charity along with their son Andrew, accepted a check for $4,500 to help the charity and its mission.

The Crosscutters 2012 season opens on June 18. Season tickets, bonus books and group packages are currently available and can be purchased online at www.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.

BayBears, BMW of Mobile Team-Up for Charity

MobileBayBears_2012-01-19

In honor of Black History Month, the Mobile BayBears, The Hank Aaron Childhood Home and Museum and BMW of Mobile have joined forces for a greater cause.

For the entire month of February, with each vehicle sold, BMW of Mobile will make a donation to the Hank Aaron Childhood Home and Museum. “This is our way of giving back to the community and celebrate Black History Month,” BMW of Mobile general manager Lloyd Steeves said. “We are honored to partner with the Hank Aaron Childhood Home and Museum and support their efforts in assisting our at-risk youth.”

The Hank Aaron Childhood Home and Museum, through its partnership with the Mobile County Public School System and Boys and Girls Clubs of South Alabama, provide at-risk in our community a historic look at the life and career of Hank Aaron, which hopefully inspires them to chase their dreams.

“We are very thankful for the support of BMW of Mobile during Black History Month,” BayBears President/COO Bill Shanahan said. “This donation will further our efforts in impacting the lives of children in our community.”

For more information, please contact Lloyd Steeves (BMW of Mobile) at (251) 476-2550 or Bill Shanahan (BayBears Charities) at (251) 479-2327.

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

Farrell/Monsters Team To Give Back

Two $5,000 Scholarships Through Folds of Honor Foundation

BURLINGTON, VT — Farrell Distributing and the Vermont Lake Monsters teamed up to raise money during the 2011 season to give back to those who gave so much for us. Now through Budweiser’s Folds of Honor Foundation, Farrell Distributing and the Lake Monsters will be giving away two (2) $5,000 scholarships to eligible applicants.

The mission of the Folds of Honor Foundation includes “giving back to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country through scholarships and other programs”, according to the Foundation’s website.

The website also states that “the unique scholarships awarded by the Folds of Honor Foundation are intended to offset the rising costs of post-secondary tuition and fees, textbooks, room and board, course-required tools, approved tutoring, and other school-related expenses. Scholarships can be used immediately, or can be held with the Foundation on behalf of young children until their time of enrollment.”

“Once we learned of the Folds of Honor Foundation it was clear we wanted to do more to support our nation’s heroes and establish a scholarship” said David J Farrell, President of Farrell Distributing. ” Our partnership with the Vermont Lake Monsters provided a perfect vehicle to build awareness and raise money for these honorable families.”

“It is an honor to team up with Farrell Distributing and the Folds of Honor Foundation to say thank you to those who have risked so much for us,” said Lake Monsters General Manager, Nate Cloutier. “It is a nice feeling knowing that there are organizations out there that can help these families realize their dreams and put a smile on their face.”

Interested individuals should complete and submit either an immediate or future-use application as appropriate, as well as satisfactory evidence that they qualify according to the existing eligibility requirements.

For more information and eligibility information, please visit the Folds of Honor Foundation website at www.foldsofhonor.org/scholarships.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Vermont Lake Monsters. Click here to view the original story.

RiverDogs Wrap Up 2nd “Inning” of Reading Initiative

The Charleston RiverDogs and the Charleston County School District have completed the second inning of their “Reading and Running With the RiverDogs” program, which emphasizes the fun and benefits in daily reading and exercise activities.

In the program’s second year, the number of participating schools has increased from nine to twelve local elementary schools. Participating schools for the 2011-2012 school year are Burns, Chicora, Goodwin, Mary Ford, Mitchell, Dunston, Hursey, Sanders-Clyde, North Charleston, Pinehurst, Memminger and James Simons elementary schools.

“The program is an excellent way for children to learn about the importance of reading and exercising, while associating the two with Charlie T. RiverDog” said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. “The RiverDogs are pleased to have this direct association with the Charleston County School District, and we hope to continue to increase participation each year.”

Two third-grade classes from each school participate in the program, which consists of four six-week “innings” with first, second and third place ribbons awarded in each individual class after the completion of each inning and at the conclusion of the program. After an inning is finished, the class with the most points in each school holds the school’s trophy and bragging rights until the next winner is determined after the following inning.

Children receive points each time they reach a designated reading or fitness goal. One point is awarded for every 20 minutes a child spends reading and for every 20 minutes exercising, while two points are awarded if the exercise is done for the good of another (washing a car, raking leaves, walking a neighbor’s dog, and the like).

Each child’s points log must be accumulated outside of class and class assignments. Parents must sign off on the kids’ reading/exercising log. In order to further help the effort, Charlie will visit the kids each inning to pump them up about exercising and reading, and RiverDogs’ staff members will read to the classes during each inning. At the end of each inning and the entire program, Charlie will hand out prizes for the children’s hard work.

Charlie visits M.C. Hursey Elementary School in North Charleston, SC. (photo courtesy of the Charleston RiverDogs)

Staten Islanders Take the Plunge

The 5th Annual Staten Island Polar Bear Plunge was held on December 4th 2011 at the Great Kills Beach.  While the sun was shining and the temperature sat at a brisk 53 degrees, the water in the Atlantic Ocean still ran shivers down your spine.

This event was a fundraiser to raise money for the Special Olympics of New York that serves more than 30,000 athletes across all 5 New York boroughs. While the crowd varied from the youngest plunger of 11 years old, to high school participants, adults, athletes, college students and community volunteers, more than 700 people took the plunge at noon into the icy ocean.  Some participants dipped their toes in while others fully submerged and continued to splash around in the water after the initial plunge was over.

Among the participants were Jill Wright of the Staten Island Yankees who did not wear a wetsuit for fear of cheating and made sure to dive into the ocean like a true sport and supporter of the Special Olympics. While Jill was the only brave heart of the Staten Island Yankees to take the plunge, other volunteers helped take pictures, run registration, and set up and break down the event. Volunteers included: Michael Kitlas, John DeLuca, Heidi Silber, Matt Magnani, Ryan Woodley, Chris Anderson, Kerry Haley and of course, Scooter the Holy Cow.

The event was expected to raise over $100,000 and fun was had by all.

Taking the plunge, in action!
Local high schools participants along with Scooter, Plunge Bear and Chicken

Suns Collecting Toys For Tots

HagerstownSuns_2011-11-16

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – The Hagerstown Suns will once again partner with the Marine Corps Reserve to be an official drop-off location for Toys For Tots this holiday season.

Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be made in the Suns front office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays before December 22. These gifts will be distributed to local social welfare agencies and churches to distribute to needy children on Christmas Day.

The Toys For Tots program only accepts new, unwrapped toys.

Toys for Tots is the Marine Corps’ premier community action program. Annually, an average of 15,000,000 toys is distributed to needy children over the holidays. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium and are a Class “A” affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Opening Day will be in Hagerstown April 5, 2012 against the West Virginia Power. Season tickets, mini-plans, and group packages with the Suns are now on sale. For more information, call 301-791-6266, or visit www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Hagerstown Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.

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

Drillers Announce Anti-Bullying Program with TPS

Hornsby to Visit Elementary Schools with Anti-Bullying Program

Hornsby is joined by Andre'a Murrell of Williams, Jacqueline Gallegos of The Parent Child Center, Dr. Keith Ballard the Superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools and Heather Johnson of the Tulsa Metro Chamber to announce an Anti-Bullying program that will be presented at TPS Elementary Schools. (Rob Gardenhire)
Hornsby is joined by Andre’a Murrell of Williams, Jacqueline Gallegos of The Parent Child Center, Dr. Keith Ballard the Superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools and Heather Johnson of the Tulsa Metro Chamber to announce an Anti-Bullying program that will be presented at TPS Elementary Schools. (Rob Gardenhire)

The Tulsa Drillers and the Tulsa Public Schools jointly announced today that the baseball club is joining the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s Partners In Education program to deliver an anti-bullying curriculum to elementary schools in the district.

The Drillers mascot, Hornsby, will visit children in grades K-6, accompanied by The Parent Child Center of Tulsa’s “Kids on the Block” puppets. These child-sized puppets, accompanied by performer Jacqueline Gallegos, will present a bully awareness skit. Kids on the Block are frequent visitors to classrooms to teach children how to protect themselves in difficult situations, including bullying, “stranger danger” and physical abuse.

“The Tulsa Drillers take sportsmanship behavior very seriously, both on and off the field,” said Mike Melega, general manager of the Tulsa Drillers. “We think it is important to educate students early about healthy responses to bullying, and how to recognize it. Hornsby will be a great advocate for students as he makes his way into elementary schools with the Kids on the Block.”

“TPS is thankful to the Tulsa Drillers and the Tulsa Chamber for helping us to shed light on bullying in our schools,” said Dr. Keith Ballad, superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools. “Our teachers and principals are always on the look-out for bullying behavior, as it takes many different forms. As vigilant as we are, however, the sad fact is that we have to equip students to be supportive of each other and to seek help before trouble escalates. Our goal is to create a safe learning environment for all students.”

Bullying is a problem of national proportions, as the spotlight has been cast recently on a number of high-profile incidents. Recent research has shown that over 20 percent of students feel unsafe at school due to direct or observed teasing, threats, bullying and other stressors.

Studies have also shown that children who have been identified as a bully by age eight are six times more likely to have a criminal conviction by age 24. Children who are bullies may continue to be bullies as adults, and are more prone to becoming child and spouse abusers.

At TPS, reported instances of bullying have increased in recent years, in part due to better tracking. During the 2010-11 school year, the TPS board strengthened its policy on bullying, and the district has invested heavily in staff development for teachers and administrators to aid in their awareness of bullying behaviors.

Schools interested in learning more about the Anti-Bullying Program, can contact Jacqueline Gallegos with The Parent Child Center of Tulsa at (918) 699-0550.

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

ROCKY AIDS IN GIRLS SCOUT’S GOLD AWARD PROGRAM

Surprises Students With Visit To Holy Angels School

Rocky Bluewinkle and director of community relations Kevin Linton performed to the delight of all those in attendance. (Lisa Zimmerman)
Rocky Bluewinkle and director of community relations Kevin Linton performed to the delight of all those in attendance. (Lisa Zimmerman)

Newark, DE – As a prelude to the 2012 Rocky’s Reading Challenge, Blue Rocks mascot Rocky Bluewinkle surprised the kindergarten through fourth grade students at Holy Angels School in Newark. Rocky entertained the children by acting out his favorite story, “Rocky at the Bat”, a varied rendition from the original story, “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer.Rocky surprised the students because he was assisting his friend, Hannah Zimmerman, who was working on the completion of her Gold Award project, sponsored by the Girl Scout Council. Her Read-A-Thon project included creating both a bulletin board in the hallway and a reading corner in the library at Holy Angels School. To cap off the project, Zimmerman designed a program similar to Rocky’s Reading Challenge, where kids need to read a minimum of 10 books over a four-week period.

Zimmerman is currently a sophomore at Saint Mark’s High School in Newark and is an alumna of the Holy Angels School.

Information will be coming soon regarding the 2012 Rocky’s Reading Challenge and school visitation. We look forward to having each and every school participate this year. For more information on the program, e-mail communityrelations@bluerocks.com.

For 2012 Blue Rocks ticket information, please call 302-888-BLUE or visit bluerocks.com. Season tickets are on sale now. CLICK HERE for more information on season tickets. CLICK HERE to view a PDF of the Blue Rocks’ 2012 schedule.

Blue Rocks Baseball = AffordaFUNability!
www.bluerocks.com

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