Cookies with Claus–Over 100 Toys Collected for Toys for Tots!

The Delmarva Shorebirds would like to announce that at the Cookies with Claus event with the help of Santa and Sherman, Toys for Tots was able to collect over 100 toys which will be distributed to needy children around the Delmarva Peninsula this holiday season.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a non-profit organization whose goal is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

Hank Aaron Stadium turns into doctors office with flu shots

The Mobile BayBears and the Mobile County Health Department joined together to help the community on Wednesday as the parking lot of Hank Aaron Stadium to into a doctor’s office for people wishing to receive flu shots.

Lines began forming before the gates opened at 7:30 a.m. and by 11:30, nearly 1,600 shots were given out to the public.

“We had such a great turnout and we couldn’t be more pleased with its success,” Monica Knight, Director of Disease Control for the Mobile Department of Public Health said. “We would like to thank the BayBears for all of their help in making this a successful event.”

Blue Rocks Donate Nearly Half a Million for Local Causes

The Wilmington Blue Rocks proudly announce that the 2009 season saw the team, in tandem with its marketing partners and fans, donate and raise $424,000 worth of contributions to local charities, schools and community organizations. The sum represents a collective of many different types of contributions with the majority coming from monetary and ticket donations.

“We take pride in being able to contribute at this level to youth and charitable organizations in the greater Wilmington area,” said Blue Rocks general manager Chris Kemple. “I’m certain that we could not have done this without assistance from our 2009 marketing partners and fans that also played a large role in raising these funds.”

Blue Rocks concessionaire, Centerplate, allows community organizations the opportunity to volunteer at the concession stands during home games in return for a percentage of the money received at each stand. Thanks to this program almost $74,000 was given back to community organizations.

The Blue Rocks continue to support local youth baseball and donated over $1,600 as well as used baseball equipment to local Little League organizations.

Game-worn memorabilia auctions saw an increase in frequency and dollar amounts, helping to raise over $6,300. On April 19, the Blue Rocks wore purple hats to raise money for the Bernadette Farrell Memorial Fund as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Night. The Rocks sported pink jerseys on May 29 to benefit the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.

The Rocks wore camouflage hats on May 30 and August 1 to raise money for Delaware Boots on the Ground and USO Delaware. On July 3, Wilmington donned patriotic jerseys to support United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware (UCP). The Rocks wore Red hats on June 25 to raise funds for the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula. The Rocks also sported gold jerseys on Aug. 13 for Elvis Night to benefit the local chapter of the American Lung Association. Blue Rocks players went beyond the laundry too, donating game-worn cleats and batting gloves that were auctioned off for charity.

Almost 60,000 tickets were distributed to area schools over the course of the season. Mascot Rocky Bluewinkle led the charge to promote literacy with

his Reading Challenge, presented by the Delaware State Education Association. The Blue Rocks worked with local schools to reward kids who met their reading goal. In 2009, over 150 area schools were awarded a total of 57,000 tickets. Along with Rocky’s Reading Challenge the Blue Rocks donated over 2,500 tickets through programs like the IFS Outstanding Students Program, which allows teachers to reward students who display excellence in behavior and performance in the classroom.

The team also donated over 8,000 tickets to community organizations throughout the 2009 campaign with 6,000 going to local fundraisers, 1,000 donated to the USO Delaware to use for their soldiers and staff, and the remainder finding a number of other local non-profit organizations in need. Those same non-profit groups received another $2,000 worth of free/discounted video board advertising and concourse tables to promote themselves and their worthy events.

The Blue Rocks organized special events to collect money and goods for those less fortunate. Before the season, the team held a gift drive for kids at the Mary Campbell Center. The team also offered ticket discounts to fans that donated items to the Food Bank of Delaware. The Blue Rocks Charity Golf Classic, held at Deerfield Golf and Tennis Club on Aug. 17, raised over $1,500 for UCP and CHILD, Inc. in one day.

Community appearances proved a regular item on the team’s calendar. Mascot Rocky Bluewinkle and numerous Blue Rocks players visited A.I. duPont Hospital for Children at least once a month throughout the season in addition to other appearances. Rocky logged over 60 community service hours at schools and charitable events as well. Rocks’ players put in over 20 hours despite their grueling 140-game schedule over five-plus months time. The Blue Rocks visited schools and community organizations throughout the Delaware Valley, tallying over 40 hours of their time throughout the season.

The K’s for Kids Program presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware (BCBSDE) completed its fourth season with great success. BCBSDE donated $10 to a local charity for every home game strikeout the Blue Rocks pitching staff recorded. Thanks to this program, BCBSDE presented Girls on the Run a check for $5,000 before the Blue Rocks game on Sept. 2.

Challenger Little League returned for its annual day of baseball on May 12. Teams from the league were able to play their games on Judy Johnson Field before the Rocks’ contest later that night in a tradition that has spanned over a decade.

During the last homestand of the regular season, the Wilmington police department collected donations for the daughter of a slain Georgetown police officer Chad Spicer. The generosity of Blue Rocks fans contributed over $5,000 to Aubrey Spicer’s trust fund.

Blue Rocks players (left to right) Clint Robinson, Adrian Ortiz and Ryan Eigsti joined with Rocky Bluewinkle for a visit at A.I. duPont Hospital during the season. (Brad Glazier)

Gwinnett Braves Donate Over $150,000 to Local Non-Profits During Inaugural Season

During the Gwinnett Braves inaugural season, the team donated over $150,000 to local non-profits as a result of fundraisers completed during the team’s season. The G-Braves showcased the groups during a pre-game presentation on Saturday, September 5 when the team took on the Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox) at 6:00 p.m.

“Gwinnett County is known for its strong sense of community and since our team arrived, we have been wholeheartedly welcomed into this close-knit population,” said Gwinnett Braves General Manager Bruce Baldwin. “It is only right that we give back to the people that not only brought us here, but also to the people that continue to make Gwinnett County our home.”

Volunteers from Exodus Outreach, Collins Hill High School (Band Boosters, Spirit Club, Takedown Club and Lacrosse), St. Monica’s Knights of Columbus and Grayson Takedown Club worked with ARAMARK, the food and beverage provider at Gwinnett Stadium, to staff select concession stands throughout the season. In return, the groups earned a portion of that stand’s profit. Heading into the final weekend of the season the groups raised a combined $142,204.75 for their efforts.

In addition to the concession fundraiser, the Gwinnett Braves partnered with local non-profits to hold 50/50 raffles at each weekend game. Combined the 50/50 raffles resulted in over $7,000 for the following groups:
233rd Seabee Battalion
American Diabetes Association
Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends
Autism Speaks
Beta Sigma Phi
Caminar Latino
Children’s Miracle Network
Children’s Restoration Network
Family Promise of Gwinnett
Foster Children’s Foundation
Gwinnett Ballet Theater
Gwinnett Choral Guild
Gwinnett County Special Olympics
Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity
Gwinnett Humane Society
Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation
Happy Tails
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
March of Dimes
Metro Atlanta YMCA
Operation Homefront
The Hope Clinic
Toys for Tots

Every season, the Gwinnett Braves players and coaches combine to make one special gift to a local charity. This year, the team will donate the funds necessary to build a portable bocce court for the Gwinnett County Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics 50/50 Raffle at Coolray Field

Inaugural Float for the Fund Raises Over $2,475

Thanks to the help of local celebrities the Inaugural Shorebirds Float for the Fund was a huge success. On Sunday, August 23 beginning at 5pm WBOC Meteorologist Dennis Ketterer, Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton, Sheriff Mike Lewis, Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt, District States Attorney Davis Ruark and the B95.3 & 101.7’s Karen Stevenson began serving delicious rootbeer floats made up of Georgeo’s Vanilla ice cream and MUG Rootbeer to hundreds of fans, and when it was all said and done over 1,500 floats were dished out to some very happy Shorebird Fans.

Here are some of the stats of the day: 495 commemorative cups sold at $5 apiece, 74 gallons of icecream, 104 2-liters of MUG rootbeer and hours of hard work from our celebrity scoopers. All of this help raised $2,475 for the Shorebirds Community Fund, a newly founded fund through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, which will be used by the Shorebirds to assist in local youth sports programs.

The Shorebirds would like to thank everyone who helped in support of the event and we look forward to doing it again next season!

Monsters/Local Patrons “Share The Experience”

For the last three months, the Vermont Lake Monsters have reached out to their community partners inviting donations that have, in turn, brought thousands of children to historic Centennial Field to enjoy a Lake Monsters game and the family fun environment.

The “Share the Experience” program represents yet another way the Lake Monsters strive to place a focus on the Burlington community, as well the State of Vermont. Joining the “Hit the Books,” “Outstanding Students,” and countless other programs, this collaborative effort can be a powerful step in touching lives throughout the area.

Thus far in 2009, the LakeMonsters have allocated over $6,000 in donated tickets to various youth groups throughout the state and have hosted over 1,200 children at Centennial Field.

“Thank you so much for this opportunity,” activities coordinator for Essex CHIPS and TeenCenter, Diana Neidecker, said. “Our kids had a great time!”

Lake Monster’s director of community relations and promotions, Denny Madigan, added: “It’s great that a professional sports organization can do so much for the community, especially helping out kids who may not have ever had an opportunity to enjoy the LakeMonsters experience.”

Charleston RiverDogs Donate $25,000 For Research to Fight Blindness

The Charleston RiverDogs again made a sizeable donation to the Medical University of South Carolina’s Storm Eye Institute for research to fight blindness.

The $25,000 donation comes primarily from the RiverDogs’ 10th Annual “Kindness Beats Blindness” auction that was held on June 20.  Money also came from the 5th Annual Hot Stove Banquet & Silent Auction on January 30 that featured Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry and the 4th Annual “Fun Is Good” Golf Tournament on May 19.

The ceremonial check was presented Wednesday night prior to the RiverDogs game with the Delmarva Shorebirds.

“We thank the RiverDogs and their fabulous fans for the gift of $25,000 to support eye research at Storm Eye Institute,” said Toni McHugh, the Institute’s Director of Development.  “This gift is very significant, and the money will be used toward the quest to save and restore sight.”

“The entire RiverDogs family remains overwhelmed by the continued support from the Charleston community for this worthy cause,” said General Manager Dave Echols.  “We are able to continue offering unique items for the auction that appeal to everyone as the event grows each year.”

Blindness became the RiverDogs’ primary charity when RiverDogs president Mike Veeck’s daughter, Rebecca, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa several years ago.  Veeck and his wife, Libby, have dedicated themselves and most of their charitable efforts toward fighting blindness.

“As an ophthalmologist, I want to provide hope to patients like Rebecca and their families,” said Dr. M. Edward Wilson, Director of the Storm Eye Institute.  “The research at Storm Eye Institute, made possible by donations like this, is the hope.  Our researchers are committed to finding cures and treatments for these blinding eye diseases and making it possible for people like Rebecca to see again.”

“The generosity of the Charleston RiverDogs organization enables Storm Eye Institute to develop new treatments for a variety of eye diseases such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa,” said Dr. Craig Crosson, Director of Research at Storm Eye Institute.

Ports Thank Supporters for Book Giveaway aid

The Stockton Ports were proud to add to their efforts to promote literacy through baseball, by welcoming acclaimed author Larry Tye to Banner Island Ballpark on Thursday, June 18, to discuss his latest book about Negro Leagues star Satchel Paige, “Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend.”

The Ports and Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce hosted the appearance in support of the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Summer Reading Program, The Library & Literacy Foundation for San Joaquin County, and The Friends of the Stockton Public Library.

The Stockton Ports would like to thank the following people for their generous support. Without them, the Ports would not have been able to give away 350 copies of the new biography, “Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend” by acclaimed author Larry Tye to fans at the June 18 game.

•The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce
•Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Summer Reading Program
•Library & Literacy Foundation for San Joaquin County
•The Friends of the Stockton Public Library Stockton Sports Commission
•United Way of San Joaquin County in honor of Gordon Medlin
•Comcast
•Goldstrand Planning Group
•California Water Service Company
•Humphrey’s College
•Stockton Delta Rotary
•F&M Bank
•Servicemaster Building Maintenance
•Mayor Ann Johnston
•Doug Wilhoit, Frank Ferral, and Mikki Gilbert Melvin Boles
•John & Francesca Vera
•Andy & Carol Prokop in memory of Gordon Medlin
•Bill Loyko & Susan Mora Loyko
•William Murray
•Gary Gillis
•Stephen Barney
•San Joaquin Sheriff Stephan Moore
•Marilyn Bewley

…and all of the fans and community members that supported this event in hopes of raising literacy awareness and the history and story of Satchel Paige and the Negro Leagues.

“We are very proud to be able to work with the Mayor, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, and so many other groups to present this event,” said Ports President and General Manager Pat Filippone. “Satchel Paige and the Negro Leagues are an important part of baseball history, and we are excited to be able to share such a well-researched book with so many children.

Save Our Shriners Event a Success

The SeaWolves partnered with the “Save Our Shriners” Hospital of Erie organization on Sunday at Jerry Uht Park and helped to generate the largest single-day fundraising event for this worthy cause.

On Sunday as the ‘Wolves battled the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Erie fans showed their generosity in helping the battle to save the Erie Shriners Hospital for Children.

Over $2,300 was raised through ticket redemptions, 50/50, Chinese Auction for autographed items, autographed jersey silent auction, merchandise and donations.

“We are so happy that the SeaWolves plShriners-hospital-for-childayers, coaches and front office staff were able to help with the efforts to save the Shriners Hospital,” SeaWolves Team President/General Manager John Frey said, “The fact that we were able to generate the largest single-day event speaks volumes of our fans and the Erie community in rallying behind this cause.”

The day could also not have been pulled off without the help of the Erie SeaWolves Booster Club who helped staff the event and sell 50/50 tickets.

Isotopes Players and Orbit Visit Tingley Hospital

Albuquerque Isotopes outfielder Dee Brown and relief pitcher Dwayne Pollok joined Orbit for a special visit to Carrie Tingley Children’s Hospital on May 27.

During their time there, the players toured rooms throughout the hospital’s Inpatient Unit, visiting with patients as well as signing autographs.

Orbit, Dee Brown and Dwane Pollok take a photo with a young fan and his father.

Students get math lesson at ball park

Tuesday was a picture perfect day for a baseball game. The stands at Victory Field were nearly full for a rare 11 a.m. game. That’s because an estimated 13,000 students from across the state were invited to share in the fun.

St. Joan of Arc advanced math students scored a homerun getting to come to Victory Field but, they couldn’t just kick back, they had to compute.

“We have to write down their name and write what they do, like, if they get on base or if they get an out,” said seventh grader, Shani Ayers.

Brent Kahl is a St. Joan of Arc volunteer. He comes every other week to help students with advanced math activities. He’s been using an online curriculum designed by the Indianapolis Indians. The program is called, “Baseball in Education.”

“It’s a great way, I think, to put math in a real world setting and get a lot of fun out of it too,” said Kahl.

Indians Director of Marketing and Communications Chris Herndon said, “We make sure it meets the Indiana standards. There’s math activities and science activities — all that pertain to baseball.”

The Indians have partnered with the Indianapolis Public School District. The team donates thousands of tickets to the students each year. IUPUI is also a partner and underwrites tickets for students across the state.

But the most important numbers Tuesday: Indians 5, Syracuse 4.

Click on the play button to watch the report that aired on the local TV station:

This story by Leslie Olsen and the accompanying video first appeared on www.wishtv.com (Channel 8 CBS affiliate in Indianapolis, IN).  Click here for the original story

Bees Take Baseball to Shriners Hospital for Children

Salt Lake Bees players Terry Evans, Adam Pavkovich and Brandon Wood left Spring Mobile Ballpark in the dust Wednesday morning for a visit with patients at Shriners Hospital for Children.

A temporary home to nearly 20 children with special orthopedic needs, today’s Shriners’ patients ranged from those with spinal cord injuries, broken bones and missing limbs. The Bees players brought in their own rehabilitation for the children, playing catch, shooting hoops, playing ping pong and just plain chatting it up. The near two hour visit was a positive for both the players and the patients. “It was a great opportunity to come up here today. I had fun getting to know the children and their families,” said Wood.

Outfielder Terry Evans knows that “it’s easy for people to lose perspective of the struggles that some have to go through. Anything that we can do to brighten a kid’s day and help them forget they’re in a hospital or about to have surgery or whatever, we’re happy to do it.”

The players took photos and left autographed photos with the children.

Brandon Wood enjoyed visiting with patients at Shriners Hospital.

A Field of Dreams for Middle School Clubs

On Tuesday afternoon, two local middle school teams from Prince William County took to the field to live out one of their lifelong dreams of one day playing their favorite game on a professional baseball field.

That dream was realized when St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School took on Manassas Christian School in front of hundreds of family and friends from G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium, the home of the defending Carolina League champion Potomac Nationals.

As an added bonus, the participating players got to watch some of their favorite P-Nats players prior to their game as the Nationals hosted the Salem Red Sox in a Business Persons’ special that featured an 11:00 a.m. start time.

Aquinas jumped out to an early lead scoring a 1st inning run and the score would remain 1-0 until the bottom half of the 4th. The bats then came alive for Manassas Christian as they scored eight times in that frame and wound up pulling away with an 8-2 victory over their neighbors from Woodbridge.

In the end, the final score wasn’t the most important set of numbers that were posted on the scoreboard. As part of a fundraiser set up by each institution, the players involved sold a total of 250 tickets (125 each) to their loved ones so that they could share in the experience of seeing their sons and daughters play our national pastime on the same field where future Nationals’ all-stars are born.

The Potomac Nationals offer several ticket deals that accommodate groups of 20 or more. P-Nats Ticket Fundraisers are an excellent way to generate revenue for your non-profit organization. Organizations such as Little Leagues, civic organizations, churches, schools and charities will enjoy great benefits such as: video board and public address recognition, group names printed on tickets, and at least 50% profit on each ticket sold. For more information, call (703) 590-2311.

Regardless of the outcome, both teams were happy to play their favorite game at Pfitzner Stadium. (Potomac Nationals)