Dragons to Recognize “Community All Stars” Recipient During Game on May 22

 

Dayton, Ohio — The Dayton Dragons will recognize Culture Works as a “Community All-Stars” recipient during a special inning break of the Dragons game on Sunday, May 22nd against the Quad Cities River Bandits at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. The game will start at 1:05 p.m.

The Dragons Community All-Stars Program honors individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley. They could be firefighters or police officers, doctors or good Samaritans. It could be a first responder or a volunteer. The Dragons are going to highlight these Community All-Stars at games all summer long.

From its first days as the Dayton Performing Arts Fund in 1974, Culture Works has been central to the success of the arts in Dayton. While Culture Works means many things to the arts community, their two main roles are funding and marketing the wide range of arts in our area.

The success of a world class arts culture like Dayton’s does not happen without someone tending to it, and that’s where Culture Works steps in. Lisa Hanson, the President and CEO of Culture Works, and her team are much like gardeners, ensuring that the programs, projects, artists, performers, and creators in their care all have what they need to grow.

Culture Works has developed partnerships with private citizens, government entities and support from the business community to build a fundraising arm that allows Dayton artists to succeed. One of the best ways to see that success is when artists not only grow but choose to remain in Dayton for the duration of their career instead of taking their talents to another city.

For all their efforts in building up and supporting the world-class arts we enjoy here in the Dayton region, Culture Works is being honored as a Dragons Community All Star.

If you want to learn more about how you can help support Culture Works check out their website here. (https://cultureworks.org/)

If you know other great individuals or organizations that are going above and beyond for our community, tell us about them! You can nominate an All-Star by telling us about them here. (https://www.milb.com/dayton/community/cas )

This event is the first of five special Community All-Stars spotlights at Dragons games this season. Community All-Stars is presented Flying Ace Express Carwash. Additional tributes are scheduled for June 2, July 22, August 10, and September 1 each focused on a different individual or organization who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley.

The Dragons play at beautiful, downtown Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District and are scheduled to play 53 more home games during the regular season. Game times are 7:05 p.m. for Tuesday through Saturday games and 1:05 p.m. on Sundays. No Monday games are scheduled at this time. Gates open one hour prior to game time. Single-game tickets for all Dragons 2021 home games are available atwww.daytondragons.com or by phone at (937) 228-2287.

 

Ben Hemmelgarn, 16-year-old cancer survivor, will celebrate his Anthem Home Run for Life at a Dragons Game

Dayton, Ohio—Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ohio and the Dayton Dragons will host 16-year-old Ben Hemmelgarn during the iconic Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, May 18, at 7:05 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the Quad Cities River Bandits at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

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 Day Air Ballpark during a Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

Ben will also have the chance to throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the Dragons game. A couple of Dayton Dragons and Cincinnati Reds players have special messages that will be shown in game after the Home Run for Life lap.

Ben’s Story

In December of 2018, Ben Hemmelgarn was a 7th grader experiencing extreme chest pain. Doctors prescribed him with an­tibiotics for what seemed like pneumonia. Several weeks later, he was still having a sharpness in his side, and a CT scan highlighted a lump on the right side of his chest.

A biopsy confirmed Ben had Ewing Sarcoma, a type of bone or soft tissue cancer that occurs in young children. Ben underwent six rounds of chemotherapy where he experienced a loss of taste and smell, hair loss, mouth sores, and numbness in his hands and feet.

After months of chemotherapy, an MRI scan showed that the tu­mor did shrink, but surgery was required to remove the remaining mass. The operation was successful however left Ben weak – it required doctors to also remove his fourth rib.

Through September of 2019, his chemo treatments continued to ensure the cancer would not return. The ‘End of Treatment’ scans in October of 2019 confirmed that Ben was cancer free!

Today, Ben is a sophomore at Coldwater High School. Ben plays second base for the Cavaliers Baseball team, and recently earned his driver’s license. After reflecting on his journey, he believes his perseverance was the driving force in his battle with cancer. He says “You can’t beat the person who never gives up…and I always try to be that person”

Join us Wednesday, May 18, to celebrate Ben’s Home Run for Life during the Dragons game.

To learn more about Anthem Home Run for Life, please visit www.daytondragons.com/hrfl.

Culture Works Weekend Coming to Day Air Ballpark

Dayton, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons are excited to host a Culture Works Weekend at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. Thursday, May 19 to Sunday, May 22 will be dedicated to helping support the annual Culture Works campaign.

Dragons mascots Heater and Gem are co-chairs of the annual Culture Works campaign. Earlier in March, the Dragons hosted the Kickoff Culture Works Party at Day Air Ballpark. The event featured Heater, Gem, live artists, musicians, and a photo booth. Guests were made up of arts organization leaders, board members, donors, and staff.

The weekend will include Culture Works performers singing the national anthem during the events. There will also be Culture Works first pitches, inning break performances, plaza performances, radio interviews and TV interviews.

Culture Works Performers

· K12 and TEJAS

· Ben Baugham Chalk Art

· Elyse Schmidt, WSU Vocal Student

· Dwyer Irish Dance

· Rachael Watts, WSU Vocal Grad

· Tatum Jackson, WSU Vocal Student

· And more!

The Dragons will be donating a portion of ticket sales this weekend to Culture Works as part of the event. Tickets can be purchased here.

Additionally, the Dragons Foundation 50/50 raffle is going to be a rolling jackpot all week long from May 17 – May 22 and will support Culture Works. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to one lucky winner and the other 50% goes directly to Culture Works. Fans can actually get 50/50 raffle tickets right now through the online portal at http://www.daytondragons5050.com/.

For more Culture Works information, go to https://cultureworks.org/

“Culture Works is the funding, advocacy, and service organization that passionately inspires, supports, and sustains arts and culture in the Dayton Region. As the united arts fund and arts service agency for the Dayton Region, Culture Works believes that creating and maintaining a vibrant and attractive community filled with quality arts brings measurable and immeasurable value to our citizens. From providing inspiring educational opportunities for our children, to attracting and retaining employees in our region, to adding beauty and entertainment to our lives, arts and culture reflect all the best and most beautiful parts of who we are.”

Dayton Dragons Blood Drive Scheduled for May 27

*Dayton, Ohio – *The Dayton Dragons and Community Blood Center are teaming up for a blood drive on Friday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Day Air Ballpark Plaza. Everyone who registers to donate will receive a Community Blood Center T-Shirt and Dragons Gear.

Donate from May 1 – July 2 to save lives and collect an exclusive t-shirt while supplies last. Receive an exclusive water bottle by donating to save lives from July 4 – August 31.

Everyone who registers to donate on May 27 will be automatically entered into a drawing to win four tickets to see the Reds game and a Cole Swindell concert on September 3. Hit a double by registering for the July 22 Community Blood Center Blood Drive at Day Air Ballpark and get double the chances to win. The winner will be chosen on August 29.

There is a maximum of two entries per donor. Double red donations are counted as two donations.

Appointments are encouraged. Schedule online today at www.DonorTime.com or call (937) 461-3220.

Blood donation requirements: Donors are required to provide a photo ID that includes their full name. Past Community Blood Center donors are also asked to bring their CBC donor ID card. Donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 years old with parental consent: form available at www.givingblood.org or at CBC branch & blood drive locations), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds (you may have to weigh more, depending on your height), and be in good physical health.

The Dragons play at beautiful, downtown Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. May and June games start at 7:05 p.m. for Tuesday through Saturday games and 1:05 p.m. for Sunday games. Gates open one hour prior to game time. Single-game tickets for all Dragons 2022 home games are available at www.daytondragons.com or by phone at (937) 228-2287.

Five High School Games to Take Place over the Next Week at Day Air Ballpark Sponsored by Bob Ross Auto Group

Dayton, Ohio – Five high school baseball games will be hosted at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District over the next week to wrap up the Dragons “High School Baseball Showcase,” presented by Bob Ross Auto Group. Games will take place on Sunday, May 8th, Tuesday, May 10, Wednesday, May 11, and Saturday, May 14.

May 8, 7:00PM: Bradford vs Spencerville

May 10, 4:30PM: Covington vs Twin Valley South (Rescheduled from April 9)

May 10, 7:00PM: Franklin-Monroe vs Arcanum

May 11, 7:00PM: Lima Bath vs Houston

May 14, 7:00PM: Greenon vs Xenia

Bradford vs. Spencerville

Covington vs. Twin Valley South

Covington has a very young team that consists of six underclassmen, led by Jensen Wagoner, Kody Nelson and Jake Dilley. Wagoner and Nelson were also All-League selections last season.

Twin Valley South has two all-conference players returning in Gage Miller (first team) and Grant Ulrich (second team). Miller led Lebanon in wins (6), strikeouts (84) and ERA (3.42) last season. He was also tied for third on the team in runs scored (22). Ulrich led the team in batting average (.405), runs scored (28), and RBI (25) while finishing second in ERA (3.50) in 2021. Kasey Blair was also a key offensive contributor that returns, placing third on the team last season in runs (22) and RBI (19).

Franklin-Monroe vs. Arcanum

Lima Bath vs. Houston

Lima Bath is led by six seniors in Austin Williams, Wyatt Maley, Hunter Hensley, Carter Parlapiano, Keagan Cox and Ty Sibert. Parlapiano is leading the team with a .422 batting average, followed by Quentin Collins hitting .381, Joel Rasor hitting .380, and Williams hitting .333.

Greenon vs. Xenia

The public is welcome to attend. Prior to the first game of each day, gates will open 30 minutes ahead of time. High schools may provide their own public address announcers, broadcasters, cheer squads, and national anthem singers. Participating schools sell Dragons tickets to help raise money for their programs.

2022 High School Baseball Schedule – All Games Played at Day Air Ballpark

April 15, 4:30PM: Versailles vs Wyoming

April 15, 7:00PM: Bethel vs Fort Loramie

April 16, 12:00PM: Preble Shawnee vs Dixie

April 16, 3:30PM: Blanchester vs Clinton-Massie

April 16, 7:00PM: Indian Hill vs Middletown

April 23, 7:00PM: Bishop Fenwick vs Northwestern

April 26, 4:30PM: Carroll vs Alter

April 26, 7:00PM: Eaton vs Tri-County North

April 27, 4:30PM: Mechanicsburg vs West Liberty-Salem

April 27, 7:00PM: Spencerville vs Lima Perry

April 28, 4:30PM: Sidney vs Washington

April 28, 7:00PM: Valley View vs Springboro

April 30, 1:00PM: Fort Loramie vs Lincolnviwew

April 30, 3:30PM: Springfield Shawnee vs National Trail

May 1, 4:00PM: Reading vs Ross

May 1, 7:00PM: Northmont vs Wayne (Rescheduled from April 13)

May 8, 7:00PM: Bradford vs Spencerville

May 10, 4:30PM: Covington vs Twin Valley South (Rescheduled from April 9)

May 10, 7:00PM: Franklin-Monroe vs Arcanum

May 11, 7:00PM: Lima Bath vs Houston

May 14, 7:00PM: Greenon vs Xenia

See online: https://www.milb.com/dayton/events/highschoolbaseballprogram

Epilepsy Foundation’s Walk to END EPILEPSY® Series and 2.6-Million-Mile Challenge at Day Air Ballpark on Saturday

Dayton, Ohio — The Epilepsy Foundation will kick off its Walk to END EPILEPSY® series in Ohio with an in-person event on Saturday, May 7 at Day Air Ball Park.

The Epilepsy Foundation’s Walk to END EPILEPSY® series is a platform to create awareness, share stories, help educate others, and raise funds for the more than 129,000 Ohioans living with epilepsy. In addition, the Epilepsy Foundation is hosting the 2.6-Million-Mile Challenge Walk Your Way.

“This year’s Walk to END EPILEPSY® is back, and it’s better than ever,” said Dr. Crystal Hagans, Executive Director of Epilepsy Foundation Ohio. “Safety is our priority, so we are offering different ways that people can participate in our community. We invite everyone to join with friends, family, and colleagues to celebrate one another in person at Day Air Ball Park or opt to make the walk on their own as part of the 2.6-Million-Mile Challenge. No matter where people are, each step and fundraising dollar counts.”

Epilepsy can affect anyone. Over a lifetime, one in 10 people will have a seizure, and one in 26 will be diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite its prevalence, epilepsy receives 10 times less funding than other brain disorders.

The Walk to END EPILEPSY Ohio-Dayton in-person event is taking place in accordance with CDC, state and local health guidelines. For those who are not able to walk in person, they can register as a Walk Your Way participant and decide how to complete the Walk. All participants will log their miles by hitting the streets, trails, and treadmills on their own or with their team to help reach the 2.6-Million-Mile-Challenge goal. It doesn’t matter whether they stroll, saunter, or power-walk, they can complete their walk whenever, wherever while others in their community do the same.

No matter how people choose to participate, everyone’s support will be recognized and celebrated. The Epilepsy Foundation is hosting a virtual livestream celebration on June 4 for all Walk participants. For more information, or to register for the Walk to END EPILEPSY Ohio-Dayton visit: https://donate.epilepsy.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=966

About Epilepsy

According to the World Health Organization, epilepsy is the most common serious brain disorder worldwide with no age, racial, social class, national or geographic boundaries. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) estimates that 3.4 million people in the United States are affected by epilepsy. It is the underlying tendency of the brain to produce seizures which are sudden abnormal bursts of electrical energy that disrupt brain functions.

About the Epilepsy Foundation

With a network of partners throughout the United States, the Epilepsy Foundation is leading the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy. The Foundation connects people to treatment, support and resources; leads advocacy efforts; funds innovative research and the training of specialists; and educates the public about epilepsy and seizure first aid. For more than five decades, the Epilepsy Foundation has shone a light on epilepsy to promote awareness and understanding, and to advocate for laws that matter to people with epilepsy, while also funding epilepsy research and supporting epilepsy investigators and specialists in their early careers. In partnership with the CDC, the Epilepsy Foundation has helped to improve access to care for people with epilepsy, expanded its digital reach and online resources in homes across the country, and trained more than 600,000 people in seizure recognition and first aid. The Epilepsy Foundation continues to focus on serving the epilepsy community through advocacy, education, direct services and research for new therapies. To learn more visit epilepsy.com or call 1.800.332.1000. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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Dragons Players and Mascots to Visit Schools This Week

Dayton, Ohio—The Dayton Dragons MVP program will be visiting schools in five counties across the Miami Valley next week with the Dragons mascot and fun games to get students excited about this program. The visits are part of the Dragons MVP program and members of the local media are invited to cover them. Each student will also receive a school folder and a Dragons pencil. The following schools are listed with an address, date, and time of visit:

These visits took place today:

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

9:00 AM

Kenton Elementary

731 E. Home Road, Springfield, OH 45503

(937) 505-4210

10:30 AM

Charles Huber Elementary

8895 Emeraldgate Drive, Dayton, OH 45424

(937) 237-6375

These visits are scheduled:

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

9:15 AM

Cookson Elementary

921 Mystic Lane, Troy, OH 45373

(937) 332-6740

11:00 AM

Valley Elementary

3601 Jonathon Drive, Beavercreek, OH 45434

(937) 429-7597

Thursday, May 5, 2022

9:00 AM

Pennyroyal Elementary

4203 Pennyroyal Road, Franklin, OH 45005

(937) 743-8660

10:15 AM

Incarnation Catholic School

45 Williamsburg Lane, Centerville, OH 45459

(937) 433-1051

Members of the media may contact schools individually at the numbers listed above if they intend to attend and cover the visits.

The Dragons MVP Program, a tool for teachers, uses the marketing power of Dayton Dragons Baseball as an educational tool for fourth and fifth grade teachers, helping them motivate and reward students for success both in and out of the classroom. The Dayton Dragons MVP Program is made possible by Ohio’s 529 Plan, Energy Optimizers, Raising Cane’s, Sinclair College, WDTN and Dayton’s CW. For more information on the Dragons MVP Program, contact the Dayton Dragons or visit www.daytondragons.com/mvp.

Dragons to Recognize “Hometown Heroes” Honoree During Game on April 22

Dayton, Ohio — The Dayton Dragons will recognize the Miami Valley Young Marines as a “Hometown Heroes” honoree during a special inning break of the Dragons game on Friday, April 22 against the West Michigan Whitecaps at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. The game will start at 7:05p.m.

The Dayton Dragons shine the spotlight on the military, past and present, through the Hometown Heroes program. This program hosts military families at every Dragons game, recognizing outstanding military organizations and individuals.

Young Marines is a national non-profit education and service program for boys and girls, ages eight through high school. The organization promotes mental, moral, and physical development of its members, upholding the Marine Corps’ core values, as well as the Young Marines’ core values of leadership, discipline, and teamwork.

The Miami Valley unit participates year-round in community projects and events that focus on character building and leadership. Their mission is to nurture and develop its members into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

One of their major initiatives is called “Drill Heroes,” a drill competition held to raise money to complete the Miami Valley Veterans Museum. With multiple age-based competitions, this event brings friends, families, co-workers, and other members of the community together to compete in the largest knockout drill competition ever assembled.

Furthermore, the unit has partnered with Wreaths Across America to lay remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s heroes at the Dayton Memorial Park Cemetery. This local unit has also been awarded the Fulcrum Shield Award for excellence in youth anti-drug programs from the Department of Defense twice – a distinction that no other unit has achieved.

The Miami Valley Marines are always looking for new members, volunteers, education opportunities, and donations. For more information about the Miami Valley Young Marines and how you can support their mission, visit miamivalleyyoungmarines.com.

This is the first of five special Hometown Heroes events at Dragons games this season. Additional tributes are scheduled for May 17, June 12, July 4, and August 13. The Dayton Dragons Hometown Heroes program is made possible by the generous support of the Dayton Development Coalition, Reynolds & Reynolds, and the Dayton Dragons. For more information, please visit daytondragons.com/hometownheroes.

REGISTRATION UNDERWAY FOR DRAGONS 5K

Dayton, Ohio – Registration is underway for the 12th annual Dragons 5K on Saturday, July 16, 2022 starting at 8:00 a.m. at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District with options to participate in-person or virtually. The event began in 2011 and has become a local tradition as one of the Miami Valley’s largest races with over 2,000 runners and walkers participating annually.

The Dragons 5K will continue offering a virtual option for those that prefer that method. Participants that sign up for the virtual option can complete the race on their own time, and then input their time online by July 16.

All race participants (including virtual) will receive a swag bag that includes a Dragons 5K T-shirt, Dragons 5K medal, Dragons hat, and four (4) lawn tickets to a future Dragons game. If participants sign up for the race in the first 30 days, they will receive two additional Dragons stadium tickets.

The registration fee is $30 for ages 18 and up and $20 for ages 17 and under. For the virtual race option, there is an additional charge of $10 for swag bag shipping. Fans can sign-up today to reserve their spot at www.daytondragons.com/dragons5ksignup.

The race will begin at 8:00 a.m. and participants may choose to run or walk the course. Baby strollers are permitted. The course will move through downtown Dayton and end back at Day Air Ballpark.

The top three male and female finishers will receive a specially-engraved baseball bat. The top three male and female runners in each age group will be awarded a Dragons Den e-gift card. Also, top finishing groups will receive great group prizes with the grand prize being a luxury suite at a Dragons game in 2023.

There will be fruit and water provided for participants after the race. Results will be provided to fans following the completion of the race. The winners of the top overall, individual age group, and group category will receive a notification from the Dragons via email by Monday, July 18. You can learn more about the Dragons 5K event at www.daytondragons.com/dragons5k.

The 2022 Dragons 5K is being presented by Orthopedic Associates. As the regional leader in comprehensive orthopedic care, our passion is helping Dayton’s families get back to doing what they love. We are proud to be the trusted orthopedic provider serving your Dayton Dragons for more than a decade. Learn more at www.BonesFixed.com_._

For more information on the Dragons 5K, go to http://www.daytondragons.com/dragons5k.

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CareSource Continues Veteran Salute Program with Dayton Dragons

 

DAYTON, OHIO – CareSource, a nonprofit multistate health plan, is continuing their commitment partnering with the Dayton Dragons for the third year in a row for the CareSource Veteran Salute. The program is an extension of CareSource’s commitment to improve the lives of complex populations including veterans and their families through innovative programs and partnerships to support their health and well-being.

CareSource’s Veteran Salute is open to any living military veteran in the Miami Valley. Five veterans will be selected from entries submitted between April 1 and June 30, 2022. Selected honorees will be recognized at a Dayton Dragons home game during an inning break at Day Air Ballpark, April through August 2022.

Each veteran will receive VIP treatment during their night, including pregame activities, in-game recognition, seating in a luxury suite at the ballpark, a special gift and more.

“CareSource is proud to continue our third year of the Veteran Salute program to honor local veterans across the region and bring their stories of service to a wider Dayton audience,” said Ramsey Sulayman, Director of Veteran Programs, CareSource.

Since 2019, CareSource and the Dayton Dragons have honored 15 local veterans and their families with a special experience at the ballpark.

“The Dragons are excited to once again partner with CareSource to honor local veterans,” said Robert Murphy, Dragons President & General Manager. “We look forward to continuing to recognize these individuals who have served our country and sharing their stories with our fans at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District in 2022.”

Nominations for CareSource’s Veteran Salute program are open to the public. Any living military veteran from the Miami Valley is eligible to be nominated. To nominate a veteran, go to www.daytondragons.com/veteransalute

About CareSource

CareSource is a nonprofit, multi-state health plan recognized as a national leader in managed care. Founded in 1989, CareSource administers one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care plans and offered a lifetime of access to care through health insurance, including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare Advantage and dual-eligible programs. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, CareSource serves 2 million members in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. CareSource understands the challenges consumers face navigating the health system and is transforming health care with industry-leading programs that improve the health and well-being of our members.

For more, visit www.caresource.com, follow @caresource on Twitter, or like CareSource on Facebook.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 66-game home schedule at beautiful Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District. 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 [email protected], or on the web at daytondragons.com.

Bats Outfielder Rey Volunteers at Youth Clinic

DAYTONA, FLORIDA — Just before departing for Spring Training, Louisville Bats outfielder Brian Rey volunteered at a youth baseball clinic in Daytona.

Rey worked with the youth ballplayers on fundamentals during the camp on March 2, but when he addressed the group after the workout, he stressed the importance of having fun while learning baseball.

“As you guys learn this game some of this could get frustrating,” Rey told the youth players. “(Eventually) you will get the hang of it, I promise…but the number one thing for you guys right now is to have fun.”

[WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE]

Rey made his Triple-A debut with the Bats on Sept. 29 last season and logged five hits with three RBIs in four games. Following the regular season, he starred in the Winter League in Puerto Rico, hitting .362 with a .455 OBP in 14 games for the Indios De Mayaguez

Lookouts & The Bessie Smith Cultural Center Announce Negro League Appreciation Weekend

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Chattanooga Lookouts and the Bessie Smith Cultural Center announce Negro League Appreciation Weekend at AT&T Field in partnership with Food City and TVFCU. This two-day celebration will take place on Friday, May 27, and Saturday, May 28 during the Lookouts games against the Birmingham Barons. On Friday night the team will shoot off postgame fireworks and on Saturday the team will give out commemorative seat cushions to the first 1,000 fans in attendance.

“We are excited and incredibly thankful for Food City and TVFCU for their support of this historic weekend at AT&T Field,” said Paula Wilkes, President of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. “It is important to honor the incredible legacy of the Negro Leagues and be able to share their story with the Chattanooga community.”

On Negro League Appreciation Weekend, the Lookouts will wear Chattanooga Choo-Choos jerseys to honor the minor league Negro League team that played at Engel Stadium from 1940 – 1946. The Barons will don the jerseys of the Birmingham Black Barons who were members of the inaugural Negro Southern League in 1920.

The two games between the Choo-Choos and the Black Barons will also feature appearances from former Negro League players. On each night the Negro League alumni will be honored and available for autographs during the game.

Tickets for Negro League Appreciation Weekend are on sale now at Lookouts.com! The rest of the Lookouts 2022 promotional slate will be released on Wednesday, March 16. For more information on how to secure your seats to the season’s best games, including the team’s home opener on April 12, call the Lookouts’ ticket office at 423-267-4TIX.

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About the Chattanooga Lookouts

The Chattanooga Lookouts, a founding member of the Southern League in 1885, are the 2015 & 2017 Southern League Champions and the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The Lookouts play their home games at AT&T Field, located on Hawk Hill in downtown Chattanooga. For more information, keep up with the Lookouts year-round at www.lookouts.com, or by following us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Chattanooga Lookouts), Twitter (@ChattLookouts), and Instagram.

Job Fair Feb. 26 at Slugger Field

 

The Louisville Bats are hosting a job fair for game-day positions for the 2022 baseball season! Earn some extra cash or pick up College credit while spending your summer at the ballpark with our exciting game-day opportunities!

The job fair will be hosted at Louisville Slugger Field on Saturday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Hall of Fame. Hiring managers for available positions will be on-site for the event and are looking for qualified candidates to work across a variety of positions this summer.

The available positions include but are not limited to:

  • Bat Boys
  • Ushers
  • Game-Day Promo Team (Pepsi Squad)
  • Concessions positions with Centerplate

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CLICK HERE FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF AVAILABLE POSITIONS

(Attendees are asked to park in the East Parking Lot to enter the ballpark for the Job Fair)

Deadline Extended for National Anthem Tryouts

 

DAYTON, OHIO – A traditional sign that baseball season is just around the corner in the Miami Valley is National Anthem Tryouts, presented by the Dayton Daily News. Auditions for this summer’s national anthem performers are VIRTUAL on the Dragons website.

Audition videos, which are being accepted in lieu of in-person auditions this year, should be uploaded at www.daytondragons.com/nationalanthem.

Finalists will perform the national anthem at Dragons games throughout the season, with the grand prize winner performing on Opening Day 2022 before the Dragons host the Fort Wayne TinCaps on Friday, April 8 at 7:05 PM.

In addition, 25 national anthem finalists will be selected to not only sing to a sold-out crowd at Day Air Ballpark, but also to the entire Miami Valley region! These individuals or groups will perform LIVE on the Dragons television broadcast for 25 games during the 2022 season – games are broadcast on WDTN’s Dayton CW.

Because of the overwhelming interest, the Dragons have extended the deadline to apply. The NEW deadline is Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

The Dayton Dragons reserve the right to change performance details throughout the season to ensure health and safety has been met for all performers, fans, and staff.

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The Nine: 5 Impactful Players In Louisville Franchise History

 

LOUISVILLE, KY – As part of The Nine outreach initiative, Minor League Baseball teams are featuring a list of standout players from each team’s all-time franchise history. Below are five impactful Louisville alumni and several highlights from their tenure with the team:

1. Deion Sanders

Best Louisville Season (2001): 19 games, .459 average, 10 XBH, 6 SB, .494 OBP
Career Highlights: 4x finished 2nd in NL in stolen bases, led NL in triples in 1992

Sanders, better known as “Primetime,” starred in both the National Football League and Major League Baseball during his pro career. The former Bats outfielder scored the franchise’s first ever run at Louisville Slugger Field during the 2000 season and went on to hit at an impressive .459 clip during the 2001 campaign.

2. Billy Hamilton

Best Louisville Season (2013): 123 games, .256 average, 28 XBH, 41 RBI, 75 SB
Career Highlights: 2014 NL Rookie of the Month (June), 2014 Baseball America Major League All-Rookie Team

Speedster Hamilton stole a Minor League Baseball record-setting 155 bases in 2012 prior to his full season with the Bats in 2013. He continued his impressive pace with 75 additional steals for Louisville in 2013, which finished as nearly double the next-closest amount by any International League player that year. Hamilton ultimately earned both Mid and Postseason All-Star selections with the Bats and was named a Futures Game selection for the second straight year.

3. Hunter Greene

Best Louisville Season (2021): 14 starts, 4.13 ERA, 79 SO/65.1IP
Career Highlights: Selected second overall by Cincinnati in 2017, Rated Top 5 prospect in Reds system by Baseball American from 2018-22, 3x Top 100 prospect by BA

Greene burst onto the scene with a 100+ MPH fastball that dazzled scouts at showcases and flummoxed opponents on the diamond. He dominated at the Double-A level to open the 2021 season to rank second in all of Minor League Baseball in both wins and strikeouts en route to his first promotion to the Triple-A level. He unleashed a 104 MPH pitch against the Omaha Storm Chasers in his debut and went on to cap his first Triple-A stint with 79 strikeouts over 65.1 innings of work.

4. Dmitri Young

Best Louisville Season (1996): 122 games, .333 average, 54 XBH, 90 R, 16 SB
Career Highlights: Member of 1995 Louisville Redbirds American Association Championship team, 2003 AL All-Star, 2007 NL All-Star, 2007 NL Comeback Player of the Year

Nicknamed “the Meat Hook,” Young was a member of the Louisville Redbirds 1995 American Association championship team before becoming a standout and both mid and postseason All-Star with Louisville during the 1996 campaign. Following several productive years in the Majors between St. Louis, Cincinnati and Detroit, Young earned his second and final MLB All-Star selection of his career in 2007 by boasting a .320 average and 51 extra-base hits over 136 games with Washington.

5. Didi Gregorius

Best Louisville Season (2012): 48 games, .243 average, 25 R, 19 XBH, .981 FPCT
Career Highlights: 2018 AL Player of the Month (April), AL Player of the Week (2018), 2016 Yankees Heart and Hustle Award

The slick-fielding Gregorius converted 209 of his 2013 chances in the field between shortstop and second base with the Bats in 2012, registering a solid .981 fielding percentage while holding down the middle infield for Louisville. He went on to fill the huge shoes of Hall of Famer Derek Jeter at shortstop for the New York Yankees and was rewarded with the team’s Heart and Hustle Award for the 2016 campaign.