Tortugas Announce Veterans Job Fair

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The Daytona Tortugas are pleased to announce their first Veterans Job Fair, which will take place at Jackie Robinson Ballpark as part of Memorial Day Weekend. The job fair is the first of it’s kind for Minor League Baseball.

The job fair is designed for local Veterans who are searching for a new job, career change, or just a chance to get back on their feet.

The Tortugas have partnered with CareerSource Volusia Flagler for the event, which will be held on Friday, May 25th, from 5:30-7:30 PM during Daytona’s Military Appreciation Weekend.

The jobs will range from entry-level positions to post-grad degree required positions. Any Veteran interested in attending is asked to enter at the East Gate of The Jack (by the tennis courts) to check in, and to bring plenty of resumes with them.

All attendees of the Veteran’s Job Fair will receive a free ticket to the Tortugas game, courtesy of Budweiser.

 

For any questions, or additional information, in regards to the job fair, please call the Daytona Tortugas at (386) 257-3172.

The Tortugas will be celebrating Veterans throughout Memorial Day Weekend, when they host the Dunedin Blue Jays Friday-Sunday. For tickets, you can call the Tortugas or visit daytonatortugas.com.

The Tortugas are also looking for candidates for their Hometown Hero Card Set. You can submit a Hero here.

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

Dragons Baseball Camps Set for This Summer

DAYTON, OHIO – The Dayton Dragons and IGS Energy continue their partnership to enhance the youth baseball experience all over the Dayton area in 2018. The Little Big Leagues program has been an integral part of connecting Dragons players with aspiring young baseball players over the years, and this program expands out into the community as well.

This summer, the Dragons will host two baseball camps at Fifth Third Field as part of the Little Big Leagues program, presented by IGS Energy. The camps run for two days each from 9 AM to 1 PM each day. Participants will learn baseball fundamentals from Dragons players and coaches. The experience includes player autographs, a Dragons shirt, Dragons hat, certificate of participation, a gift from IGS Energy, and four tickets to a future Dragons home game.

The dates for the camps are June 25 and 26 as well as July 30 and 31. Any youth baseball or softball player ages 7 through 14 is eligible to participate in the two-day camp. The cost is $90 for the two-days and lunch will be provided at the ballpark on the second day of the camp.

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, email dragons@daytondragons.com, 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 as well as 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.

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

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Blue Wahoos Show Gratitude with Military Mascots

Pensacola, Fla. – To kick off Military Appreciation Month, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos have unveiled five new mascots representing each branch of the United States Military. The mascots participate in an on-field race between innings during every home game at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

“We thought it would be so wonderful to honor the military and we thought we could have a lot of fun with fans rooting on who can win each night,” said team owner Quint Studer.

A blue falcon with a flight helmet represents the Air Force, the Army is depicted by a mule, a bulldog for the Marines, the Coast Guard is depicted by a bear and the Navy is a goat. The mascots represent the appreciation the Blue Wahoos have collectively as an organization for the men and women who serve our country, in particular, those assigned to our many bases around the Pensacola area.

“We started this last August, so it has been over a year in planning between design and the finished product,” said Blue Wahoos President Jonathan Griffith. “We got a lot of feedback from the military community. We wanted to make sure we represented the military right.”

The Blue Wahoos will launch a naming contest for each of the mascots later in the summer. Fans will be given the opportunity to submit creative names for each of the mascots. The names will be ceremoniously chosen to conclude the contest.

 

– Pensacola Blue Wahoos – 

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The 2018 season is underway at beautiful Blue Wahoos Stadium on Pensacola Bay. Group packages, season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets are available for the 2018 season by calling (850) 934-8444 or online. Follow the Blue Wahoos at bluewahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos, and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall

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

Dragons and Wright State to Honor Top Teacher

Dayton, Ohio – The Dragons and Wright State University’s College of Education and Human Services will honor Missy Nix as a Dragons MVP Program Top Teacher on Tuesday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Fifth Third Field.

The Dragons MVP Program Top Teacher Award honors teachers for their outstanding accomplishments in his or her classroom and community.

Missy Nix- Top Teacher Award Honoree

Missy Nix is a 4th grade teacher at Shawnee Elementary. She is a proud Wright State University alum, earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees there.

She grew up thinking she would be an accountant, but the further along she went in life, she knew she was being called to something different. That something different was a career as a teacher.

“I believe God put me in the teaching position I am in,” Missy said. “I receive strength and joy from this direction he gave me.”

Missy also knows that teaching our children is definitely a team effort. “A lot of recognition belongs to the parents of these MVPs. They have instilled the values necessary for student success academically, behaviorally, and personally.”

Of many great stories Missy has, one student sticks out from the rest. Six years ago, Missy had a student who was struggling to improve his reading level from one year to the next. That summer, Missy was determined to help him improve his reading level. Every week the pair would get together and Missy would challenge him with progressively difficult passages to read. They would even talk each day on the phone so he could read the passage out loud to her. By the end of that summer, the student had made huge strides and caught up with his peers.

Missy has been using the Dragons MVP Program since the beginning. Her favorite part of the program is being able to give her students the power to nominate their peers for recognition as a Dragons MVP winner.

For her dedication to go above and beyond for her classroom and all of the students at Shawnee Elementary, Missy Nix is being honored as a Dragons MVP Program Top Teacher. This award is made possible by Wright State University’s College of Education and Human Services.

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

Dragons Players and Mascot to Visit Schools in Two Counties This Week

DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Dragons players and one of the team’s mascots, Gem, will visit schools in Montgomery and Greene County this week. The visits are part of the Dragons MVP program and members of the local media are invited to cover them. The players will introduce themselves to the students, answer questions, and are available for pictures. 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:

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

10:00am-10:45am

Edison Elementary

228 N. Broadway St.

Dayton, OH 45402

Phone: 937-542-4540

11:15am-12:00pm

Pathway School of Discovery

173 Avondale Dr.

Dayton, OH 45404

Phone: 937-235-5498

Wednesday May 9, 2018

10:00am – 10:45am

Valley Elementary

3601 Jonathon Dr.

Dayton, OH 45434

Phone: 937-429-7597

11:15am – 12:00pm

Blairwood Elementary

1241 Blairwood Ave.

Dayton, OH 45417

Phone: 937-263-3504

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 presented by Bob Evans Farms is also made possible by CollegeAdvantage, Sinclair College, WDTN-TV and Dayton’s CW. For more information on the Dragons MVP Program, contact the Dayton Dragons or visit www.daytondragons.com/mvp.

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.

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

Dragons and Vectren Present 2018 “Community All-Stars”

Dayton, Ohio – The Dragons and Vectren will honor Olivia Velez during the unique “Community All-Stars” program on Tuesday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Cedar Rapids Kernels 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.

Olivia’s Story: “Little Girl, Big Heart”

At the age of 5, Olivia Velez’s life flipped upside down. She was uprooted from her home and sent to live with her grandma, but these moments never stopped her caring soul. She told her grandma, Tina, that she wanted to help kids in similar or worse situations. After brainstorming, they started collecting get-well-cards to send to children. These cards were full of googly eyes, funny jokes, and encouragement. Though she already brought smiles to hundreds of kids’ faces, she realized she could do more.

At the age of 7, Olivia started “Project Local Hugs”- an organization that takes donated goods and delivers them to those in need. Olivia and her grandma started collecting purses and included items like hair brushes, hand sanitizer, body wash, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Once completed, these purses are given to the local Young Women’s Christian Associate for women who are seeking a safe shelter from domestic violence or drug abuse.

Continuing to grow their organization, Olivia started collecting backpacks full of notebooks, pens and crayons to deliver to kids in situations similar to what she experienced. “It makes me feel better that I’ve done something good” Olivia said. “We should always be kind and think about others.”

As a 10-year-old, Olivia recently won the Domestic Violence Prevention Project awarded Montgomery County, and continues to shine throughout the Dayton Community. To learn more about Project Local Hugs, you can visit www.facebook.com/projectlocalhugs

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.

Fifth Third Bank Donates Dragons Tickets to over 100 Local Organizations

Dayton, Ohio-The Dayton Dragons announced today that Dragons stadium naming rights partner Fifth Third Bank has donated more than 100 Dragons season ticket packages to local charitable organizations for the 2018 season. Additionally, Fifth Third Bank has donated the use of a luxury suite at Fifth Third Field for numerous Dragons games this season to host charitable organizations serving the Dayton region.

Fifth Third Bank will donate tickets to more than 100 non-profit organizations in the Dayton area this season. Each organization will receive four tickets to 17 different Dragons games. The list of recipients includes March of Dimes, the Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics of Greater Dayton, American Heart Association, Boys & Girls Club, Pink Ribbon Girls, the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, the Alzheimer’s Association, Habitat for Humanity, Daybreak, Fisher House, and many others.

Dragons Team President, Bob Murphy, commented “Fifth Third Bank recognizes that these organizations are the heart of our region. These groups usually have small professional staffs and limited resources. These ticket packages are a great tool that they can use to recognize the amazing volunteers, thank donors, and use in other ways to support their cause.”

Fifth Third Bank’s Senior Vice President, Doug Compton, also commented, “We are proud to partner with the Dayton Dragons to provide season tickets to organizations that are serving members of our local community and are meeting some of their most important needs. We understand the value that these companies provide to our region and how impactful they are to our area.”

Fifth Third Bank has been a longtime corporate partner of the Dayton Dragons and the entire Dayton community. The Dragons are proud to work with Fifth Third Bank on this initiative.

More information: Fifth Third Bank can help provide professional banking solutions for your organization, staff, and clients. Should you need to reach out to Fifth Third Bank to inquire how they can assist your organization, please contact Mr. Scott Mumpower. Scott can be reached at Scott.Mumpower@53.com, or via phone at 937-227-6032.

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

Heater’s Recycling Bin Initiative

Dayton, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons and Montgomery County Environmental Services are once again teaming up for Heater’s RBI Program (Recycling Bin Initiative). It’s a free, fun and educational program for kids and families to learn about household recycling and its benefits to the earth. It only requires two weeks of tracking recycling to participate, but families are encouraged to keep up the good work after.

This is the 8th year for the RBI program and tens of thousands of cans, glass, cardboard and plastic have been saved from the landfill thanks for the recycling efforts of participants. The best part is, all participants will receive up to four Dragons lawn tickets for an exclusive RBI Night and be eligible to win other great prizes. Visit www.daytondragons.com/rbi to get more information and participate.

The RBI kickoff event will be after the Dragons game on Sunday, April 29 when the Dragons take on the Fort Wayne Tin Caps at 2:00 p.m. Fans can pick up a 10-gallon recycling bin (1 per household while supplies last), hang out with Curby the Cardinal and get more information on the RBI program upon leaving the game. Montgomery County Commissioner, Deborah Lieberman, will also be in attendance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and encourage the recycling efforts for the RBI program.

About Montgomery County Environmental Services

Montgomery County Environmental Services is more than 300 men and women who provide high-quality drinking water, solid waste, recycling, and wastewater reclamation services to the citizens of Montgomery County. They work to preserve public health, foster economic development, and protect the environment and our natural resources for future generations. They aim to be leaders and trusted stewards of the environment focused on service, collaboration, innovation, and financial responsibility.

Montgomery County Environmental Services also offers educational programs to local schools, community organizations and businesses that want to learn more about conservation and sustainability in the Miami Valley region.

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.

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

Dragons Players and Mascots to Visit Schools in Two Counties This Week

DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Dragons players and one of the team’s mascots, Gem, are visiting schools in two different counties across the Miami Valley this week. The visits are part of the Dragons MVP program and members of the local media are invited to cover them. The players will introduce themselves to the students, answer questions, and are available for pictures. 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:

The Dragons visited Weller Elementary, 9600 Sheehan Rd. in Dayton today.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

10:00am – 10:45am

Newton Elementary

201 N. Long St.

Pleasant Hill, OH, 45359

Phone: 937-676-3081

11:15am – 12:00pm

Hook Elementary

729 Trade Square W.

Troy, OH, 45373

Phone: 937-332-6760

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 presented by Bob Evans Farms is also made possible by CollegeAdvantage, Sinclair College, WDTN-TV and Dayton’s CW. For more information on the Dragons MVP Program, contact the Dayton Dragons or visit www.daytondragons.com/mvp.

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.

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

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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Dragons present an Anthem Home Run for Life

Dayton, Ohio — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 9-year-old JD Shope during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, April 18, 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.

JD Shope is an active third grader at Arrowood Elementary. He spends his time hanging out with his friends, watching TV, and riding his horse Mac. His favorite passion is riding rollercoasters. While he sounds like a typical kid, JD’s journey in the last year has been far from typical.

In the spring of 2017, JD began vomiting somewhat regularly – enough that his parents took him to his pediatrician for an exam. After a visit to a gastroenterologist and additional testing, what seemed like a classic case of acid reflux turned out to be much more.

Doctors recommended that JD undergo neurological imaging to look for the cause of his symptoms. On his 9th birthday, JD had a CT scan done and, unfortunately, his scan revealed an egg-sized tumor in his brain.

The initial 72 hours after JD’s diagnosis was a whirlwind. JD was scheduled for a surgery to remove the tumor as soon as possible. The surgery was more complicated than surgeons initially thought but, thankfully, they were able to remove the entire tumor and the immediate results looked great.

Following surgery, JD began physical and occupational therapy to regain his strength. Through it all, JD’s personality shined. He was always upbeat, positive, and had a great sense of humor. JD’s most recent MRI showed no new tumor growth, meaning he will not have to have chemotherapy or any other treatments at this time.

JD is looking forward to living a normal life this summer. He hopes to visit a local waterpark or two. He has big dreams of attending The Ohio State University and focusing on either veterinary studies or the culinary arts. Since his experience with a brain tumor, JD has great advice for anyone going through a scary or overwhelming medical situation, “You have to be patient, confident and strong…The doctors and nurses will take the very best care of you they can!”

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in JD’s life, including his parents Jason and Pam, siblings Marissa and Megan, Dr. Lober, and his entire medical support team. Please join us in cheering on JD as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on April 18.

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.

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

Dragons to Recognize Honor Flight Dayton Program on April 11

Dayton, Ohio-The Dayton Dragons will recognize the Honor Flight Dayton program during an inning break of their game on Wednesday, April 11 against the Lake County Captains at Fifth Third Field. The game will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday’s event is the first of four special Hometown Heroes program spotlights at Dragons games this season. At each Hometown Heroes event, the Dragons pay tribute to all service men and women past and present. Presenting sponsors are the Dayton Development Coalition and Leidos. Additional tributes are scheduled for May 8, June 24, and July 15, each focused on a different aspect or organization involved in the military. The season-long celebration will wrap up with a Celebration Night on August 18.

Many veterans and chaperones who will be participating in the scheduled April 14 Honor Flight will be in attendance at the Dragons Hometown Heroes spotlight during the game on April 11.

Honor Flight Dayton’s mission is to ensure that Dayton area veterans have the opportunity to see their national memorials in Washington, D.C. These once in a lifetime trips are provided at no cost to qualified veterans. Created in 2005, the first Honor Flight took 12 veterans on six small planes from Springfield, Ohio to D.C. Since then, thousands of veterans have been escorted to see their memorial. The program is still going strong with up to four flights per year. In 2017, year more than 440 veterans were able to enjoy this experience. This program started with WWII veterans, but now much of their impact is on Korean and Vietnam veterans.

To donate, volunteer, nominate a veteran, or learn more about Honor Flight Dayton, please visit www.honorflightdayton.org or call (937) 322-4448.

For more information on the Dragons Hometown Heroes program, go to daytondragons.com/hometownheroes.

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

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Dragons Players and Mascots to Visit Schools in Three Counties This Week

DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Dragons players and one of the team’s mascots, Gem, will visit schools in three different counties across the Miami Valley this week. The visits are part of the Dragons MVP program and members of the local media are invited to cover them. The players will introduce themselves to the students, answer questions, and are available for pictures. 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:

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

10:00am-10:45am

Cox Elementary

506 Dayton Avenue

Xenia, OH, 45385

Phone: 937-372-9201

11:15am-12:00pm

Saville Elementary

5800 Burkhardt Rd.

Dayton, OH, 45431

Phone: 937-259-6625

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

10:00am – 10:45am

Warder Park-Wayne Elementary

2820 Hillside Ave.

Springfield, OH, 45503

Phone: 937-505-4459

11:15am – 12:00pm

Snyder Park Elementary

1600 Maiden Ln.

Springfield, OH, 45504

Phone: 937-505-4430

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 presented by Bob Evans Farms is also made possible by CollegeAdvantage, Sinclair College, WDTN-TV and Dayton’s CW. For more information on the Dragons MVP Program, contact the Dayton Dragons or visit www.daytondragons.com/mvp.

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.

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

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Tortugas Partner with Blossoms Workforce Academy

DAYTONA BEACH, FL –The Daytona Tortugas are partnering with the Blossoms Workforce Academy for the 2018 season, as announced Tuesday afternoon. Blossoms Workforce Academy was founded with a mission to develop a workforce that has been empowered with knowledge, skills and ethical work practice to promote the best interests of local healthcare providers and general businesses within Volusia County and to the wider State of Florida,and will be sponsoring all mound visits at Jackie Robinson Ballpark during the 2018 season.

 

“Blossoms Workforce Academy is very excited to partner with the Daytona Tortugas for the 2018 season. Because our mission is identical to the Tortugas in giving back to the community, promoting diversity, and stressing the importance of education and learning. Blossoms’ partnership with the Tortugas was a no-brainer. We look forward to our partnership in creating an atmospheric community for togetherness, where everybody has an opportunity to learn and grow,” said Blossoms CEO Paul Sturdgess.

 

Blossoms teaches CPR and AED training, provides CNA test prep and scheduling, and teaches customer service and management skills to all members of the community, among other services.

 

“We’re very happy to partner with a company like Blossoms Workforce Academy,” said Tortugas president Ryan Keur. “The services that they provide, and the way they are able to help so many in our community, align with our organizational goals.”

 

The Tortugas hope the mound visits will be one-sided when the season begins this Thursday, April 5th, against the Florida Fire Frogs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM with fireworks to follow the final out. To purchase your tickets, call the Tortugas at (386) 257-3172 or visit daytonatortugas.com.

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

Dragons Mascots, Green Team at Area Schools

Dayton, Ohio-Opening night for the 2018 baseball season is 10 weeks away, but Dayton Dragons mascots Heater and Gem along with the Dragons Green Team are already bringing the excitement of baseball season to local elementary schools. For the sixth straight year, the Dragons entertainment team is performing assemblies at Miami Valley elementary schools. The program continues into April.

Each 30-minute interactive, fun, high-energy performance includes a visit by Heater or Gem and members of the Green Team, the Dragons signature group that facilitates skits, contests, and sing-a-longs during Dragons games at Fifth Third Field. Each assembly in 2018 focuses on “Teamwork.” The performances, typically held in the school gymnasium, include some of the same entertainment skits seen at the ballpark, plus some new material designed specifically for the schools.

All Dragons assemblies are performed free of charge for schools that sign up. Participating elementary schools on board so far stretch from Springboro to Sidney.

The assemblies provide an introduction to the Dayton Dragons School Program, an incentive-based school fundraiser that provides prizes to students and allows the schools to keep a portion of ticket sales to Dragons games.

The Dragons are providing prizes as part of the program including team merchandise, an invitation to a Donatos Pizza Party with Dragons players, and the grand prize, a Google Chromebook.

The Dragons 19th Opening Night is set for Saturday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Field against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The Dragons will officially open the 2018 Midwest League season on the road on Thursday, April 5 against the Hot Rods in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

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

Daytona Tortugas Make Donation for Giving Tuesday

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The Daytona Tortugas announced today that, in partnership with BUSH’S® Beans, they will provide a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida as part of #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration, on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely-recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports generosity and philanthropy.

This past season, Gavin LaValley was named the BUSH’S Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2017 Florida State League All-Star Game in Lakeland, Florida, after homering twice and finishing 2-for-3 with four RBI’s in a 5-2 victory for the North division. As an extension of this award, BUSH’S and the Tortugas will provide a $1,000 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

“The Tortugas are blessed to be surrounded by such great partners in Minor League Baseball and BUSH’S Beans,” said Ryan Keur, President of the Daytona Tortugas. “The commitment to our community is evident with the support of this donation and impacts many lives throughout Central Florida. The Tortugas, BUSH’S Beans and Minor League Baseball strive each day to build better communities.”

 

BUSH’S Beans sponsored 11 All-Star Game MVP awards throughout Minor League Baseball this summer. BUSH’S is making a donation to a local charitable organization chosen by each MVP Award winner’s home club.

“One of the things that attracted BUSH’S to Minor League Baseball is how the clubs and their local communities support each other,” said Mike Morris, Senior Brand Manager at Bush Brothers & Company. “We are proud to recognize the contributions of each BUSH’S MVP Award winner by giving back to his team’s local charity.”

Minor League Baseball unveiled a multi-year, strategic partnership with BUSH’S Beans last December, making it the “Official Beans of Minor League Baseball,” and a “Preferred Partner” of a number of MiLB teams, beginning in 2017. Bush Brothers & Company is the recognized brand leader in beans. The partnership was activated across a range of touch-points this year, including in-ballpark celebrations such as National Baked Bean Month in July and the integration of a variety of BUSH’S Beans products in teams’ concessions.

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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 2017, Minor League Baseball attracted 41.8 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.

About BUSH’S® Beans

BUSH’S® is all about friends & family, and a certain Secret Family Recipe. When you enjoy our beans (doesn’t matter if they’re baked beans, chili beans, black beans, pinto beans…well, you get the picture), you can trust that they’re the very best. Because we wouldn’t serve your family anything less. Since we got our start more than 100 years ago in Chestnut Hill, Tenn., BUSH’S® has always maintained that quality is the best policy. We pursue excellence and exceptional taste in our beans, sauces and everything we do. That’s why, from mouthwatering Baked Beans & Chili Beans to satisfying bean recipes, you’re cooking up the best with BUSH’S BEST®. For more information, visit www.bushbeans.com.

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