Brian Elliot Jr. to Celebrate His Anthem Home Runs for Life on August 2

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 13-year old Brian Elliot Jr. during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, August 2, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons at Fifth Third Field.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region who are battling serious medical conditions with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each honoree gets to take a lap around the bases at Fifth Third Field during a sold-out Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

Brian’s Story

From the moment Brian was born, he had difficulties digesting formula. His pediatrician was concerned he wasn’t getting the appropriate nutrition he needed to thrive. The hospital ran some routine tests and quickly diagnosed Brian with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. An inherited condition, it affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive fluids. These secreted fluids are normally thin and slippery. But in cystic fibrosis, the secretions become thick and sticky, which can prevent the release of digestive enzymes that allow the body to break down food and absorb vital nutrients, among other things.

When Brian was younger, he was in the hospital for severe complications a few times. Four years ago, Brian had a surgical procedure to provide him with a feeding tube that helps his digestive issues. Since then, he has done well gaining weight and receiving adequate nutrition. In addition, Brian has a daily routine that includes breathing treatments and a special vest he wears that vibrates to assist in breaking up any thick mucus in his lungs.

Brian has a form of cystic fibrosis that allows him to participate in many of the activities he loves. He loves gym class at school and playing baseball like his favorite team, the Cincinnati Reds. From the outside, you would never know that Brian has breathing and digestive challenges.

Brian is now 13 years old and will be in eighth grade at Urbana Junior High in the fall. He doesn’t allow cystic fibrosis to keep him down. “It’s scary sometimes, but I never give up and keep fighting. It doesn’t hold me back,” Brian said. One day, Brian would like to be a police officer so he can help better his community.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Brian’s life, including his parents Kenny and Melissa, siblings Dylan and Madalene, Dr. Wolf, and his entire medical support team. Please join us in cheering on Brian as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on August 2.dayton dragons

More Information:  The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

Kettering Health Network Presents Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Kettering Health Network presents Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Sunday, August 6 at Fifth Third Field when the Dayton Dragons host the Lansing Lugnuts at 2:00 p.m. All Dragons players, coaches, front office and game day staff will be wearing pink sweatbands during the game.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Event will take place on the plaza where Kettering Health Network will be passing out pink rally towels. Kettering Breast Evaluation Centers will also have a booth on the plaza. In addition, the American Cancer Society will have information on the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk which is being held at Fifth Third Field on Saturday, October 21.

Breast Cancer fighter Jennifer Michaels will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Michaels had a routine mammogram done in July of 2013. Following, the mammogram, a biopsy was performed and she received a surgeon’s opinion. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in August of the same year.

Michaels stressed the importance of regular checkups and mammograms, “It’s better to catch it early then to wait for it to develop.”

Having undergone four years of treatment, Michaels continues her fight against breast cancer today. She sees Dr. Lavelle at the Kettering Cancer Center.

“Breast cancer is not discriminatory. It doesn’t matter if your family has a history of it,” Michaels explained. “It can even happen to the healthiest of people.”

As a part of a national fundraising effort, the 2017 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will take place at Fifth Third Field on Saturday, October 21 starting at 8 a.m.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

Muse Machine Named 2017 Community All-Star

The Dragons and Vectren will honor Muse Machine during the unique “Community All-Stars” program on Monday, July 24, at 7:00 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Burlington Bees at Fifth Third Field.

The Dayton community is a great place to live, work and play. But what makes Dayton truly great are the people that call Dayton home. We have great people and great organizations in our community that do incredible things each and every day. Throughout the season, the Dragons and Vectren will honor five “All-Stars” with a special inning break tribute in recognition of their service.

Muse Machine’s Story

Muse Machine is an arts education organization that uses the arts to enrich the educational experiences of children in 109 schools. The organization was founded by Suzy Bassani in 1982, after she noticed that the audience at most performances in theaters and other similar venues lacked young people

Participating schools receive multiple performances in their schools and discounted tickets to shows in Dayton and around the country. Students at Muse schools have the opportunity to audition for the organization’s productions and to attend workshops with well-known performers. Teachers from Muse-participating schools can attend year-round professional development programs offered by Muse.

Mary Campbell Zopf, the executive director of the organization since 2014, explained that the program always aims for the highest quality of work, while never forgetting about the capacity for arts to bring joy to children. “Muse Machine opens the door to artistic experiences and the power they can have on someone’s life,” said Campbell Zopf.

Later this summer, the Suzy Bassani Theater Off Third will open inside the newly renovated downtown branch of the Dayton Metro Library. This addition will make Muse Machine programming available to local children with a library card, making it easier for kids to get arts-related experiences outside of school.

Initially, the program was part of 22 schools in the Dayton area. Now in its 35th year of existence, Muse Machine serves more than 72,000 preschool through high school students in 12 counties across Central and Western Ohio, and now also in Kentucky. For more information on the program visit www.musemachine.com.

For making a difference in the community, Muse Machine has been selected as a Dragons Community All-Star. The program honors those that have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley.

The Dragons Community All-Stars Program is made possible by the generous support of Vectren. For more information or to nominate an All-Star in your life, visit daytondragons.com/communityallstar.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

Dragons and IGS Energy to Surprise Local Little League Saturday

It doesn’t get much better than baseball being played by kids. The love affair with our nation’s pastime began on little league fields across the country for so many of us. In that spirit, the Dayton Dragons and IGS Energy have a multi-year partnership to shine a spotlight on little leaguers all across our region.

The Dragons “Little Big Leagues” program, presented by IGS Energy, is a season-long program filled with amazing experiences for little leaguers and a chance for all fans to celebrate youth baseball.

IGS Energy is featuring a Little League Surprise this Saturday, July 22 from 10am-12pm. Dragons players will “surprise” Patterson Park Youth Baseball players during a baseball clinic at 1013 Irving Avenue in Dayton. In addition to the Dragons players, mascots Heater and Gem, along with members of the Green Team will be in attendance. There will be colored hairspray, balloon animals and an autograph session – fun for everyone! The baseball clinic will focus on hitters, but also outfielders, infielders, catching, and pitching.

“It doesn’t get any more American than little leaguers playing the game of baseball,” Dragons Team President Robert Murphy said. “This partnership is going to shine the spotlight on youth baseball in our region and give these kids some amazing memories they’ll keep with them for the rest of their lives.”

“We’re glad to support the Dayton Dragons, and the many ways they give back to the next generation of baseball players in the community. IGS Energy has been proud to supply natural gas and electricity to area businesses and homeowners for over 25 years, along with home protection services, and we’re honored to give back to the community through this partnership, as well,” said Brandon Childers, chief marketing and technology officer.

For more information on how little league teams and players can get involved in the Dragons “Little Big Leagues” program, presented by IGS Energy, contact the Dragons group sales department at (937) 228-2287 or visit www.daytondragons.com/IGS.

About IGS

IGS is a leading provider of retail energy supply, home services products, distributed generation such as solar and combined heat and power, and compressed natural gas services. With over 25 years of experience, the company leverages extensive in-house expertise to bring innovation to the energy industry. By embracing new technologies, supporting alternative energy resources, and encouraging energy independence, IGS is inspiring homeowners, businesses, and communities to make smart energy decisions. The company also has a community investment program which provides employees with opportunities to get involved with and give to causes that are meaningful to the company and to them personally.

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

Dragons Host Start of Warrior Weekend Thursday

The Dayton Dragons are hosting the opening event of the 2017 Team Fastrax Warrior Weekend to Remember at Fifth Third Field on Thursday, July 20 during their game with the Peoria Chiefs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Dragons fans are already familiar with Team Fastrax, the professional skydiving team that has landed in the outfield carrying the American flag prior to games on multiple occasions. The team is composed primarily of military veterans and four years ago, co-founders John and David Hart decided that they wanted to do more to honor our nation’s heroes. That is when Warrior Weekend came to fruition.

“It is important that we honor and remember our nation’s veterans and the families that have lost their loved ones,” explained co-founder David Hart. “Especially those who have been injured physically and emotionally.”

The mission of the weekend is to honor veterans, combat injured/Purple Heart recipients, and the families of fallen military members by providing life-changing experiences that facilitate new friendships and emotional healing. Each year, over 50 individuals are honored as part of the event.

The Dragons game on Thursday is just the first of several Warrior Weekend events in the Dayton area that are open to the public. Others include a car show, silent auction, balloon festival, and 5k run/walk.

“We invite everyone to come out and join us,” said John Hart, co-founder of the event. “There are many events that the general public can get involved in. Visit our website, attend, and celebrate these amazing men and women.”

Prior to the game, there will be army vehicles, motorcycles from the US Veterans Motorcycle Club, and Muddy Buddys jeeps on the plaza. On the field before the game, the jeeps will take part in a parade around the warning track, skydivers from Team Fastrax will land in center field with the American Flag, and Medal of Honor/Purple Heart Recipient Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie Adkins will throw out the first pitch. More information on Adkins’ story can be found here. Festivities will continue throughout the length of the game as well.

For more information on the schedule of events and to find out how you can get involved, visit warriorwtr.com.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com

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

MiLB, Derrick Hall Pro-State Foundation team up to educate fans about prostate cancer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. and PHOENIX — Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) and the Derrick Hall Pro-State Foundation are partnering for the second consecutive year to bring prostate cancer awareness information to millions of baseball fans across the country this Father’s Day weekend. The effort is being coordinated by Minor League Baseball Charities, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to giving back to and enhancing the communities MiLB teams call home, and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

As part of the collaboration, MiLB teams will distribute prostate cancer awareness literature, including customized brochures, and branded mini bat keychains to fans attending Father’s Day games on Sunday, June 18. In addition, each team will recognize an outstanding dad in its local community or someone who is battling or has survived prostate cancer and present him with an engraved full-size Louisville Slugger Father’s Day commemorative bat at the game, courtesy of the Derrick Hall Pro-State Foundation.

The Derrick Hall Pro-State Foundation, a certified 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in January 2013 by Arizona Diamondbacks President & CEO Derrick Hall as a comprehensive tool for those who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and their families to help them understand the challenges and choices they face.

“I am extremely grateful to Minor League Baseball for helping continue to spread awareness about the importance of prostate cancer screening and early detection,” said Hall, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011. “For the second consecutive year, the collective reach of these ballparks to men around the country has already helped many overcome the challenges of prostate cancer and will continue to save so many lives. The journey can be quite frightening but a positive state of mind is powerful medicine and hopefully this information will help those diagnosed realize that they’re not alone.”

“The Derrick Hall Pro-State Foundation initiative on Father’s Day is one of the many charitable causes that Minor League Baseball, Minor League Baseball Charities and our teams have chosen to support in our ongoing quest to be good citizens in our communities and make a lasting impact on our fans,” added Pat O’Conner, Minor League Baseball President & CEO.

For a list of Minor League Baseball games this Father’s Day weekend, visit MiLB.com/schedule. To learn more about Minor League Baseball Charities and its Charity Partners Program, visit MiLB.com.

About Minor League Baseball

Minor League Baseball, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, is the governing body for all professional baseball teams in the United States, Canada and the Dominican Republic that are affiliated with Major League Baseball® clubs through their farm systems. Fans are coming out in unprecedented numbers to this one-of-a-kind experience that can only be found at Minor League Baseball ballparks. In 2016, Minor League Baseball attracted 41.3 million fans to its ballparks to see the future stars of the sport hone their skills. From the electricity in the stands to the excitement on the field, Minor League Baseball has provided affordable family-friendly entertainment to people of all ages since its founding in 1901. For more information, visit www.MiLB.com.

Follow Minor League Baseball on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Dragons and Vectren Honor Habitat for Humanity

The Dragons and Vectren will honor Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton during the unique “Community All-Stars” program on Tuesday, June 13, during game one of a doubleheader when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons at Fifth Third Field.

The Dayton community is a great place to live, work and play. But what makes Dayton truly great are the people that call Dayton home. We have great people and great organizations in our community that do incredible things each and every day. Throughout the season, the Dragons and Vectren will honor five “All-Stars” with a special inning break tribute in recognition of their service.

Habitat for Humanity’s Story

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton helps people in need by building, renovating, and remodeling houses so that there are decent and affordable homes in safe communities where families can live and grow.

Habitat provides a “hand up, not a handout,” which promotes a partnership between Habitat, volunteers, and homeowners. The selection process for potential homeowners is extremely thorough and requires certain criteria including: a set level of income, debt-to-income ratio, current employment, and a standard of sweat equity hours which can be earned by building their own home, as well as homes of other families.

Habitat also prepares homeowners to succeed by providing them with classes focusing on money skills, home maintenance, consumer credit counseling, and legal issues, among other topics. The goal of these classes is to provide the skills and knowledge for each family to be self-supporting, active participants in their community.

Habitat teaches these families what it means to be part of a community and how being a homeowner can setup their children and future generations for success.

In 2017, Habitat for Humanity has plans scheduled to serve 25 families including 5 new home builds, 5 rebuilds, and 15 repairs.

One of these scheduled home builds will take place on the Fifth Third Field plaza from August 5-August 8 in partnership with Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors and the Dayton Dragons! Over 125 volunteers participated in last year’s plaza build. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit www.daytonhabitat.org/volunteer.

The Dragons Community All-Stars Program is made possible by the generous support of Vectren. For more information or to nominate an All-Star in your life, visit www.daytondragons.com/communityallstar.

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

Antonio and Sydnei Copher Celebrate their Anthem Home Runs for Life on June 14

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 14-year-old Antonio Copher and his 13-year old sister Sydnei for an Anthem Home Run for Life on Wednesday, June 14, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons at Fifth Third Field.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region who are battling serious medical conditions with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each honoree gets to take a lap around the bases at Fifth Third Field during a sold-out Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 14-year-old Antonio Copher and his 13-year old sister Sydnei for an Anthem Home Run for Life on Wednesday, June 14, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons at Fifth Third Field.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region who are battling serious medical conditions with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each honoree gets to take a lap around the bases at Fifth Third Field during a sold-out Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

Antonio and Sydnei’s Story

Antonio Copher is in the eighth grade, and his sister Sydnei is in the seventh grade at East Dayton Christian School. Both Copher children are very artistic and have big dreams for the future. Antonio is active in choir and plays piano. He’d like to work for a tech company in the future or pursue a career in music. Sydnei loves dance, theatre, and playing the violin, and wants to be an anesthesiologist. Staying active is important for them, but it isn’t always easy. Both Copher children were diagnosed at birth with sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder in which red blood cells (which are normally round and flexible) are sticky, hard, and shaped like crescent moons. Some of the complications associated with sickle cell may include chronic pain, susceptibility to infection, organ damage, and stroke.

Because of sickle cell, the Copher children grew up with a chronic achy feeling, mostly in their backs. They took medication every day for the pain but still had to make visits to the hospital when it became unbearable.

Sickle cell is a lifelong disease, but Antonio, Sydnei, and their family are diligent about managing their condition. They don’t make trips to the hospital nearly as much anymore, and most of their treatment can be done either at home or at the doctor’s office.

Today, Antonio and Sydnei continue to stay active, eat right, drink plenty of water, and pay close attention to what their bodies tell them. Their parents have taught them how to take ownership of their treatment and learn how to cope with their condition. “You have to fight through the worst days to get to the best days,” Sydnei explained. Antonio said, “I don’t think of myself as being different…Things happen for a reason, and you should work to prepare yourself for the future – or even the next few minutes.”

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Antonio and Sydnei’s lives, including their parents Antonio Sr. and Synthia and their specialist Dr. Dole. Please join us in cheering them on as they complete their Anthem Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on June 14.

More Information:  The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

Dragons MVP Field Day on Saturday

The Dragons MVP Program presented by Bob Evans provides thousands of area fourth and fifth grade students with “MVP Field Day” at Fifth Third Field this Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The students from Clark, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, and Warren Counties were all recognized by their teachers through the “Dragons MVP Program” as having done something extraordinary inside or outside of the classroom this school year.

The Dragons MVP Program provides students, who are recognized by their teachers, with a unique opportunity to attend this special event where they will have a chance to meet the 2017 Dayton Dragons and enjoy a day of fun activities at Fifth Third Field. Among the activities scheduled are inflatable games, carnival games, mascots, a special treat from Bob Evans, a free team poster, “baseball skills” stations with the Dragons players, and an autograph session.

FACTS ABOUT THE MVP PROGRAM

This is the 12th season for the Dragons MVP Program. More than 1,120 classrooms and 34,000 students participated during the 2017 season.

Each teacher selected five Dragons MVPs for their classroom, resulting in more than 6,000 students being recognized for their achievements in and out of the classroom.

The children selected as Dragons MVPs received a customized certificate and complimentary tickets to enjoy a Dragons game at Fifth Third Field with their families. At the game, they received a specially designed Dragons MVP ball cap. MVPs also received tickets to the “MVP Field Day” to be held at the stadium on June 3.

The Dragons MVP program presented by Bob Evans is also made possible courtesy of Sinclair College, WDTN-TV and Dayton’s CW Television.

More Information:  The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.­

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

Alex Hilgeford Celebrates Home Run for Life May 31

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 14-year-old Alex Hilgeford during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, May 31, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the South Bend Cubs at Fifth Third Field.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region who are battling serious medical conditions with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each honoree gets to take a lap around the bases at Fifth Third Field during a sold-out Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

Alex’s Story

Alex Hilgeford is an active 8th grader at St. Helen’s Catholic School. He spends his time camping, fishing, and hunting. His favorite passion is wheelchair basketball. While he sounds like a typical kid, Alex’s journey to this point has been far from typical.

In January of 2002, Alex was born with some unusual physical features. He had webbing behind both knees, a club foot, a cleft palate, and his tongue was attached to the roof of his mouth.

Alex immediately underwent testing in the neonatal intensive care unit so doctors could plan the next steps in his care. Because his symptoms were so rare, it took nearly eighteen months before Alex could be officially diagnosed with Popliteal Pterygium (Pop-la-teal Ter-ridge-e-um) syndrome.

Popliteal Pterygium syndrome is a very rare condition that affects the development of the skin and face. Individuals like Alex who have Popliteal Pterygium syndrome could be born with a host of issues such as a cleft lip, a cleft palate, and webs of skin behind their knees.

After diagnosis, Alex faced more than a dozen surgeries. The first surgery came when Alex was only three days old and continued until he was nine.

Following those surgeries, Alex still faced issues using his right leg. Dr. Albert told Alex and his family that amputating his leg and fitting him with a prosthetic was a good option to increase Alex’s mobility. So, at the age of 7, Alex made the incredibly courageous decision to go through with the amputation.

Alex’s decision has been the right choice for him, allowing him to lead an active lifestyle. He loves playing wheelchair basketball and hopes to make the 2024 Paralympics. For the past three years, he has joined the Amputee Coalition at Camp Joy, a camp that helps kids with limb loss and limb indifference enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle. He’s looking forward to the day when he can give back to the camp by volunteering as a camp counselor.

“I want kids to understand that whatever your situation, it’s not going to last forever,” Alex said. “You will come out okay on the other side. This isn’t the end of the road…It’s just a bump along the way.”

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Alex’s life, including his parents Mindy and Drew, his siblings Eric and Kate, all extended family, Dr. Albert, and his entire medical team. Please join us in cheering on Alex as he completes his Anthem Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on May 31.

More Information:  The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

Dragons Host Hometown Heroes Celebration Night at Fifth Third Field

The Dayton Dragons and the Dayton Development Coalition will hold the first of two Hometown Heroes™ Celebration Nights Saturday, May 20 at Fifth Third Field when the Dragons play the Bowling Green Hot Rods at 7:07 p.m.

“Hometown Heroes™ Celebration Nights represent something truly special about the Dayton Region,” said Jeff Hoagland, DDC President and CEO. “Our desire to thank those who serve our country, combined with a true American pastime, has created an incredible night dedicated to our Hometown Heroes. We want to thank them for their service and let them know, no matter where they are stationed, Dayton will always welcome them home.”

The Celebration Nights are the highlight of the year-long Hometown Heroes™ program, which honors our community’s service men and women affiliated with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Springfield, Ohio Air National Guard Base. The DDC and the Dragons, with the generous support of local businesses, began the program 14 years ago as a way for the community to support the thousands of military families in the region.

Colonel McDonald, the installation and 88th Air Base Wing commander, will swear in 12 new Air Force recruits during the game.

Major General William Cooley, the commander of Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and Colonel Bradley McDonald, the Wright-Patt installation and 88th Air Base Wing commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base., will throw out a first pitch.

The Association of Defense Communities recently recognized Dayton as a Great American Defense Community, in part for the Hometown Heroes™ programs at the Dragons, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton Art Institute, and Dayton Air Show. Hometown HeroesTM, working in close partnership with Dayton Hoopla/First Four events, UD & WSU Men’s Basketball, and the Fraze Pavilion, offers year-long events honoring our military community.

Staff Sergeant Kelly Perry from the Air Force Band of Flight. During the national anthem, the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard will present the colors.

On the plaza, there will be a Security Forces Humvee, an Air Force Recruit Van, and the 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron will showcase equipment used on evacuation missions. The Dragons Entertainment staff will hand out mini flags, and fans can sign “Thank You” cards to send to troops overseas.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com

The Dayton Development Coalition (DDC) is the leading economic development organization for the 14-county Dayton region. Working closely with public and private regional partners, its mission is to retain, expand and recruit jobs. The DDC and the Dayton region ranked as the nation’s top metro for its size for economic development in 2008, 2009 and 2012 and runner-up in 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2015. With the State’s largest single-site employer in its backyard, the DDC also focuses on advocating for the critical missions at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and supporting the work of the United States Air Force. The DDC was ranked as America’s top military community, and was presented with the 2015 Community Excellence Award from the Association of Defense Communities. It was designated as one of the ADC’s Great American Defense Communities in 2016 – a testament to the collaborative efforts in support of Wright-Patt, America’s #1 Air Force Base as ranked by the Air Force Times (2014). For any questions regarding the DDC, contact Shannon Joyce Neal at (937) 231-5436.

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

KHN Presents Strike Out Stroke Event

Dayton, Ohio – Abbey Hendershott, a stroke survivor, will throw out the first pitch at the Dayton Dragons game on Sunday, May 21, at 2:07 p.m. when Kettering Health Network presents the “Strike Out Stroke™” event. The Dragons will be hosting the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton. Strike Out Stroke is a registered trademark of the “Retreat and Refresh Stroke Camp.”

Hendershott experienced a stroke at her home on March 23, 2015. Despite being a nurse and recognizing the symptoms of a stroke, she initially attempted to talk herself out of the fact that she could be having one because she was only in her mid-twenties.

Hendershott’s face did not move when she smiled and went numb when she tried to laugh at a joke that her sister-in-law told. She was also experiencing numbness on the left side of her body. Her sister-in-law immediately called 911 and Hendershott was transported to Sycamore Medical Center.

After a one-day stay at that facility, she was taken to Kettering Medical Center for further evaluation and seen by Dr. Short, a neurosurgeon. Hendershott was released from the hospital three days later.

Hendershott provides a simple piece of advice to people who think they may be suffering a stroke no matter their age, “If you are having any symptoms, do not wait.”

Kettering Health Network will be on the plaza from noon-2:30 p.m. with stroke awareness and prevention information and will also be passing out various stroke awareness items.

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

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Dragons and Vectren Honor Charles Fox as “Community All-Star”

The Dragons and Vectren will honor Charles Fox during the unique “Community All-Stars” program on Friday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Quad Cities River Bandits at Fifth Third Field.

The Dayton community is a great place to live, work and play. But what makes Dayton truly great are the people that call Dayton home. We have great people and great organizations in our community that do incredible things each and every day. Throughout the season, the Dragons and Vectren will honor five “All-Stars” with a special inning break tribute in recognition of their service.

Charles’ Story

During his wife Charlotte’s battle with cancer, Charles Fox noticed the comfort she received from a soft blanket their daughter had given her. After Charlotte passed away in 2009, Charles decided he wanted to provide that same comfort to other cancer patients during their treatments. He began buying and donating blankets to the Kettering Medical Center Foundation to distribute to patients undergoing chemotherapy. Each patient receives a soft fleece blanket with love and well wishes.

Charles also established the Grammy CC Foundation of Love in dedication to Charlotte. While the foundation mainly focuses on donating blankets, they have also worked with local organizations to donate knitted hats to cancer patients.

“During her five year battle with cancer, Charlotte never gave up,” said Charles. “She persevered with grace, dignity, and tremendous courage. If Charlotte were here today, she would be so proud of the Grammy CC Foundation of Love and our efforts to help other patients with their own battles.”

The goal of the Grammy CC Foundation of Love is to provide cancer patients with gifts to let them know that they are in the hearts and prayers of others. If you want to learn more or get involved with the foundation, please visit www.grammycc.org.

For his efforts to provide comfort for cancer patients, Charles has been selected as a Dragons Community All-Star. The program honors those that have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley.

The Dragons Community All-Stars Program is made possible by the generous support of Vectren. For more information or to nominate an All-Star in your life, visit www.daytondragons.com/communityallstar.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

Tortugas Seeking Nominations for Military Heroes Card Set

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The Daytona Tortugas are seeking nominations for their first annual Military Heroes baseball card set. The card set will represent each branch of the military and honor those who are currently serving our country, veterans who have served in the past but are no longer active, and those who bravely fought for our country, but have since passed away.

The card set will be given away to the first 500 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark as part of our Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, May 27th. Nominations will be taken until Monday, May 15th.

Please email nominations to info@daytonatortugas.com

– Military Title
– First & Last Name
– Military Branch
– Years of Service
– Born
– Hometown
– Contact number person doing the nominating
– Email address person doing the nominating
– Short Bio/Resume (75 words or less)
– Photo (300 DPI, Minimum resolution of 750 pixels x 1050 pixels)

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

Help The Blue Wahoos and Whataburger Support USO Northwest Florida

PENSACOLA, Fla., – For Military Appreciation Month, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Whataburger are teaming up for a fourth year to collect donations for USO Northwest Florida. Donations will be collected during the Blue Wahoos’ home games during the month of May. The USO will deliver the items directly to the troops currently serving the United States.

Fans who donate during the drive will receive a coupon for a free Whataburger. Donations can be dropped off at the entry gates.

The Blue Wahoos, Whataburger and the USO are asking for specific items during each homestand. The dates and requested items are as follows:

May 8th-12th vs. Birmingham Barons
Individually wrapped snack items such as granola bars, trail mix, peanuts, crackers, chips, etc.

May 18th-22nd vs. Mobile BayBears
Single-serve microwavable snacks such as mac and cheese, ramen noodles, ravioli, etc.

May 30th-June 3rd vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Center supplies such as copy paper, dish soap, batteries, paper towels, etc.

All Home Games – Bottled Water and Canned Soda

ABOUT WHATABURGER:
Whataburger has focused on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dobson gave his restaurant a name he hoped to hear customers say every time they took a bite of his made-to-order burgers: “What a burger!” Within the first week, people lined up around the block for his 25 cent, 100 percent beef burgers served on five-inch buns. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 790 locations in 10 states with sales of more than $2 billion annually. Visit www.whataburger.com for more information.

Check out the company on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and follow them on their most recently launched channel, Snapchat, @WhataburgerLife.

ABOUT USO:
The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.

–www.bluewahoos.com–

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