¡HICA! selected as a recipient of the 2020 MiLB CommUNITY grant

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala.– Minor League Baseball (MiLB) announced today that the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (¡HICA!), a long-time partner of the Birmingham Barons, will receive a $500 grant on behalf of MiLB Charities.

The new MiLB CommUNITY grant recognizes five nonprofit organizations from across the nation that support diversity within their local MiLB community. Grant recipients show dedication to promoting unity, understanding, acceptance, and inclusion in their community through impactful programs.

“¡HICA! Is beyond honored to receive this gift from MiLB,” said ¡HICA! Executive Director Isabel Rubio. “Our partnership with the Birmingham Barons is a real treasure- we love the opportunity to bring communities together through such an American institution as baseball. Thank you for recognizing our work.”

Founded in 1999, ¡HICA! Focuses on community development and advocacy for Latino and immigrant families in Alabama. It offers economic development, citizenship and naturalization, family, and civic engagement programs that assist families transition to life in America as well as helps them become an integral part of their local communities. The Barons partner with ¡HICA! annually for Los Barons night at Regions Field. The night includes specialty jerseys, dancers, and bands as a way to celebrate Latino culture and raise awareness about ¡HICA!’s mission. Los Barons night has been a prominent night in the Barons season since 2013.

“¡HICA!’s work bridges cultural gaps in our community while providing resources for Latino and immigrant families to grow and thrive,” said Birmingham Barons General Manager and President Jonathan Nelson. “We value our long-term partnership with them and are excited to see them recognized for their hard work.”

The four additional MiLB CommUNITY grant recipients include Dreams Go On (Altoona Curve), Charleston Hope (Charleston River Dogs), the Young Black Leadership Alliance (Charlotte Knights), and the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank (El Paso Chihuahuas).

RubberDucks To Feature Sports Industry Leaders In First Women In Sports Virtual Panel Sept. 2nd

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(AKRON, OHIO) August 25, 2020 – The Akron RubberDucks are proud to announce their first ever Women in Sports Virtual panel featuring a variety of women who have established themselves as leaders in the sports from all across the country on September 2, brought to you by State & Federal Communications. This virtual panel is free to the public via Zoom invite link, beginning promptly at 7 p.m. on September 2, and is expected to run until 8:30 p.m.

Attendees can sign up to join this free Zoom webinar by visiting https://www.milb.com/akron/team/registration and a confirmation email will be sent to attendees by 5 p.m. the day they sign up. The Zoom webinar link will be sent the morning of September 2 with relevant login information. This live panel will be emceed by RubberDucks lead broadcaster, Marco LaNave, and will feature the below executives who have graciously offered their advice and insight on their experience working within the sports industry:

Panelists:

  • Linda McNabb – VP of Sales & Marketing, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
  • Jan Burke – Director, Ticket Sales and Services, Canton Charge
  • Emily Gates – Director of Sport Management Baseball, Field Hockey and Volleyball, Ohio High School Athletic Association
  • Donna Orender – CEO, Orender Unlimited. Former president of the WNBA and Senior Vice President of the PGA
  • Joey Arrietta – Director of Fastpitch Operations, Racers Foundation and Founder/President of Akron Racers Softball

Each panelist will introduce herself and reflect on the topics below, which will then be followed by a Question & Answer segment where Zoom attendees will get the chance to speak with top sports industry executives.

Some of the topics these respected leaders in the sports industry will reflect on include:

  • How they began their journey in the sports industry, and how they subsequently rose through the ranks into the top leaderships they held throughout their careers
  • The challenges that these leaders faced while starting in an industry predominantly run by men
  • What factors and experiences shaped these women into the respected leaders they have become in the sports industry
  • The benefits and value of strong mentorship in order to empower future generations of women to break into the sports industry
  • What challenges still exist and affect women’s ability to break into and advance within the sports industry

“The RubberDucks are proud to offer the opportunity to hear from experienced female executives with broad and diverse backgrounds in the sports industry,” said Jim Pfander, General Manager of the Akron RubberDucks. “These women have worked hard and have overcome many obstacles on their way to the leadership roles they hold, so their insight and advice is invaluable to any person looking to enter the sports industry.”

Attendees will walk away from this event having the knowledge that women can be, and currently are, leaders in the sports industry and to showcase the sisterhood that exists among women currently working in sports. This event will give all attendees a strong understanding of some of the hurdles and challenges that they may encounter along their career path. The goal for this panel is to help all attendees become better prepared for their journey into the sports industry by hearing from these five well-regarded, top executives.

For any questions regarding this event, please contact Ticket Sales Associate, Jenna Smith by phone at (330) 375-1715 or by email at [email protected].

The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 330-253-5151 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, or visit www.akronrubberducks.com. For more information about the team, please call 330-253-5151, visit the website at akronrubberducks.com, Facebook page facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks, or on Twitter at @AkronRubberDuck, and Instagram at @akronrubberducks.

Star panel highlights Refusing To Lose: A Discussion on Diversity in Sports luncheon

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp have lined up an All-Star panel for the club’s Refusing To Lose: A Discussion on Diversity in Sports luncheon presented by Sight & Sound Productions and Mugwump Productions, which runs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, September 18 at 121 Financial Ballpark.

The panel, moderated by First Coast News sports director Chris Porter, features former Minor League Baseball player and current Charleston RiverDogs director of community outreach Chris Singleton, Jacksonville Jaguars senior vice president and chief marketing officer Julian Duncan, Jaguars vice president of social responsibility and impact T-Neisha Tate, ATP Tour director of player development Erika Kegler and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp executive vice president/general manager Harold Craw. Discussion will be versed around the role of diversity in sports, the challenges the industry faces in regards to diversity and how such diversity can make the sports industry a leader in promoting positive change.

A limited number of tables, priced at $100 for a group of four, are available for the luncheon. Each table includes access to a food line featuring a menu of fried coconut torpedo shrimp, pulled pork with Texas toast and slaw, marinated chicken breast, scalloped potatoes, fresh green beans, dinner rolls, chef salad, fresh fruit, sweet tea, lemonade, water, cookies and assorted fried donuts. Tables must be reserved by Wednesday, September 16 by calling the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846.

A former Chicago Cubs minor league farmhand from 2017-18, Singleton is a nationally-renowned speaker whose message of forgiveness following the loss of his mother, Sharonda Coleman Singleton, in the June 2015 Mother Emanuel AME Church tragedy helped galvanize the city of Charleston and the nation. He has presented to over 50 organization in 2020 alone and has been featured on ESPN’s E:60, Sports Illustrated, CNN, The Today Show and USA Today. His first book, “Different,” has sold thousands of copies and has been featured by numerous outlets, including The Obama Foundation. Singleton has also created the Love Thy Neighbor brand with a message of spreading love and putting an end to racism.

As the Jaguars’ chief marketing officer, Duncan is responsible for leading the strategic and creative development of all marketing, branding, digital, experiential, and promotional strategies and tactical execution platforms for the Jaguars and Bold Events. A native of Houston and former student-athlete at Rice University, Duncan pursues his passion of increasing minority participation in the marketing field via his role on the advisory board of the Marcus Graham Project, whose mission is to identify, expose, mentor and train ethnically diverse women and men in various aspects of marketing and brand management.

A native of Jacksonville, Tate is one of the public faces of the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation, which awards nearly $2 million annually for programs in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia that spotlight children and families, education, active-duty military and veteran support, women’s health, youth football, sports safety, fitness and nutrition and community and neighborhood development. The Raines High School graduate has helped the Jaguars Foundation implement NFL initiatives like the Play 60 youth nutrition and exercise program while also partnering with NFL and local philanthropies to bring LISC, a national community development nonprofit, to Jacksonville.

As director of player development at the ATP Tour, the governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuit, Kegler guides the organization’s player enrichment programs for professional tennis players, elite juniors and alumni. The programs include professional and personal development workshops, continuing education opportunities and career transition services. A native of Jacksonville who earned her MBA from the University of North Florida, Kegler has worked at the ATP Tour for over 25 years, holding a broad range of responsibilities while providing customized services for world-class athletes, international tennis tournaments and global media organizations.

The first African-American to win Executive of the Year for any league in Minor League Baseball, Craw was voted the 2017 Southern League Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year by the general managers of the league member clubs. With 17 seasons of Minor League Baseball experience, the Chattanooga, Tenn., native oversees the Jumbo Shrimp’s marketing and sales, community engagement, game-day experience and all other operational aspects of the organization. He is an active volunteer in the Jacksonville community, mentoring middle school youth through Jacksonville’s Duval County Public Schools 5000 Role Models program. While working for the RiverDogs, Craw co-founded and co-chaired the Charleston RBI Baseball League.

A three-time Emmy-nominated journalist, Porter leads the First Coast News sports team and serves as the station’s primary sports anchor on weekday evenings and nights.

All Jumbo Shrimp employees will be wearing face coverings throughout the event and all guests will be required to wear face coverings upon entry and while they move about the ballpark. Face coverings may be removed once guests arrive to their socially distanced table.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at 121 Financial Ballpark. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League’s Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by general manager Harold Craw. The club added its second Promotional Trophy in three years following the 2019 season. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.

Blue Wahoos Join With V. Randolph Brown Consulting To Evaluate And Improve Diversity And Inclusiveness

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The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Beloit Snappers have jointly hired V. Randolph Brown Consulting, an organization that specializes in helping companies evaluate their diversity, inclusion, and equity. V. Randolph Brown will evaluate the inclusiveness of the organizations, identify areas for improvement, and develop action plans to help both teams eliminate bias and become more equitable to fans and staff.

“We do many things well. We measure employee engagement, provide lots of development opportunities, are transparent, include peers in staff selection, and did not lay off any staff during the ongoing pandemic. However, I am convinced we can and must be better in the areas of eliminating bias and becoming more diverse and inclusive,” Quint Studer, owner of the Blue Wahoos and managing partner of the Snappers, said.

V. Randolph Brown Consulting, based in Cincinnati, provides companies across America with strategic consulting, advisory, education, and training services on topics including diversity, equity, and inclusion. Their portfolio includes advising the National Basketball Association and NCAA.

The firm will work with both teams to identify and eliminate possible bias in their organizations, educate and train the team’s full- and part-time staff, and improve the teams’ hiring and staff development processes.

“The Blue Wahoos staff has been representative of our community demographically, however being representative is not enough. We need to seek out and actively eliminate bias within our organization to ensure that Blue Wahoos Stadium is a welcoming, inclusive gathering place for all members of our community,” Studer said. “Beloit is one of the most diverse cities in Wisconsin. As we expand the team’s staff in preparation of the new ballpark opening in 2021, we need to be sure that our hiring and training processes are correct. We will not window dress this. We will dig in and do this right.”

The Studer Family of Companies, which includes both the Blue Wahoos and Snappers, has established a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force to work alongside V. Randolph Brown Consulting to advance the organization’s efforts to promote a culture of inclusiveness and embrace its diversity. The task force will provide training to Studer Family of Companies staff and to the local community, identify causes and charities to receive fundraising dollars, and implement changes within the organization based on the firm’s recommendations.

 

Elmore Sports Group, Bowie State University Form Partnership to Promote Diversity in Minor League Baseball

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San Antonio – The Elmore Sports Group, owners of the San Antonio Missions, have partnered with Bowie State University to diversify the front office staffs of its teams. The partnership is the first of its kind for Maryland’s oldest historically black university and is designed to create a college-to-career pipeline for students with an interest in a career in sport management.

Two seniors in Bowie State’s sport management program landed paid, nine-month internships with the Elmore Sports Group, which are providing them with valuable hands-on experience in their field. Dionte Johnson is a sales and game-day operations intern with the Missions while Danielle Lang has been hired as a sales/social media intern with the Inland Empire 66ers in San Bernardino, California.

“I want to own a sports facility, so starting at the bottom will teach me how everything operates, and once I know how to operate the building, I’ll be able to own the building,” said Johnson. “I’ll work my way up. Stadium operations is what I want to do. Working here gives me the opportunity to learn.”

Elmore Sports Group, a family-owned company that owns several Minor League Baseball teams and other sports clubs, has a track record of hiring collegiate interns as full-time employees. The company anticipates hosting more Bowie State interns who are ready to turn their classroom knowledge into real-world experience.

“I’d like to be able to have jobs set for our graduates in the industry, and the new relationship with Elmore Sports Group is definitely leading us in that direction,” said Dr. Joseph Spears, coordinator of Bowie State’s sport management program. “We are looking forward to working with the Elmore Sports Group over the long term in the recruiting, retention and preparation of our students.”

All Bowie State sport management students complete full-semester internships for credits during the final semester of their senior year to complete the bachelor’s degree program; in fact, about 15 students are working in industry internships each semester. While many of the graduates do find successful careers in sport management, partnerships, like the budding relationship with Elmore Sports Group, will smooth the transition for students looking to enter the field directly after graduation.

“The Elmore Sports Group is proud to partner with a great institution like Bowie State,” said DG Elmore, president of Elmore Sports Group. “Bowie State has a history of producing outstanding students who are ready to make an impact in the world of sports management. As MiLB and Elmore Sports Group seek to build diversity into the front office of Minor League teams, we hope that this partnership serves as a model for other clubs.”

 

About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.

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

Thunder To Host Second Annual Pride Night On Thursday, June 4

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The Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance, in partnership with the New Jersey LGBT Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the return of Pride Night at ARM & HAMMER Park on Thursday, June 4.

“I am thrilled to announce the return of our Pride Night, a night that demonstrates that ARM & HAMMER Park is an inclusive environment for all fans who want to enjoy a night out,” said Thunder GM/COO Jeff Hurley.

The night will feature a special Pride Hat Giveaway to the first 1,000 fans, ages 14 and older, presented by the New Jersey LGBT Chamber of Commerce and a special pre-game event. Post-game fireworks will follow the game with a special musical playlist.

Fans can secure their ticket to Pride Night and an exclusive Thunder Pride T-Shirt for just $30 by clicking here.

“The Chamber is excited to partner again with the Trenton Thunder to sponsor their 2020 Pride Night,” said Laurie Seliger, Chamber Board Co-President. “The inaugural Pride Night event was an amazing success and we are looking forward to building upon that to create another sensational experience with our Chamber members, the NJ LGBT Community and the Trenton Thunder organization. We are proud to share the Trenton Thunder’s message regarding LGBT inclusion.”

As an Affiliate Chamber of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the NJ LGBT Chamber is New Jersey’s premier LGBT business organization dedicated to strengthening LGBT and allied businesses in the NJ tri-state area. It is their mission to bring together Chamber Members and Allies with resources from across the business spectrum. To learn more, visit: www.njlgbtchamber.org.

The 2020 season at ARM & HAMMER Park will commence on Thursday, April 9 at 7:00pm when the Thunder host the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals). For more information on Thunder baseball visit www.TrentonThunder.com or call 609-394-3300.

 

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BlueClaws Receive Presidential Citation At Winter Meetings

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SAN DIEGO, CA – The BlueClaws received a Presidential Citation at the Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego for their successful, sold-out, Pride Night in June.

BlueClaws Team President Joe Ricciutti accepted the citation from Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner.

“This citation comes to the BlueClaws specifically because of the support that we received from the Jersey Shore community – from the fans and partners – in the days leading up to Pride Night and including Pride Night itself,” said Ricciutti. “We are honored to receive this citation from Minor League Baseball and look forward to expanding our Pride Night in 2020.”

BlueClaws Pride Night will return in 2020, with the game set for Friday, June 12th. The night will once again include a BlueClaws Pride Night Hat Giveaway for the first 1,500 fans thanks to Coca-Cola. Fans will enjoy a night of post-game fireworks as well. This year, the BlueClaws players will be wearing special jerseys that will be auctioned off for charity.

The citation from Minor League Baseball also noted that in 2002, the BlueClaws were the first team in Minor League Baseball to host an Autism Awareness Night.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment.

Opening Night for the team’s 20th season at the Shore is Thursday, April 16th. 2020 ticket packages and group outings are currently on sale by calling 732-901-7000 option 2 or online at BlueClaws.com.

– BlueClaws –

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

Salt Lake Bees Join Utah Sports Figures in “Lead Together”

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SALT LAKE CITY (October 25, 2019) – Joined by sports franchises, universities and athletes representing the state of Utah, the Salt Lake Bees today unveiled “Lead Together,” a long-term commitment to cultivating and promoting a community culture of inclusion and belonging.

“Lead Together” is introduced by a video, which will be played in sporting venues across the state, featuring Jazz players Bojan Bogdanović, Mike Conley, Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles and Donovan Mitchell; Los Angeles Angels outfielder and former Salt Lake Bees player Mike Trout ; Real Salt Lake players Kyle Beckerman and Nedum Onuoha; Utah Royals and World Cup players Verónica Boquete, Kelley O’Hara, Christen Press and Becky Sauerbrunn; professional golfer Tony Finau; Olympic figure skater Nathan Chen; Utah State University head football coach Gary Andersen; Weber State University head football coach Jay Hill; University of Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham; and Brigham Young University head football coach Kalani Sitake.

“We need to take responsibility when the words we hear cause pain, anger and divisiveness. Be mindful of what you say. If you hear something wrong, offensive or hateful, speak up,” said members of the “Lead Together” video, who pledged to stand against discrimination, inequality, injustice and racism.

“Everyone who walks through the doors of a sporting event, whether it’s a fan, staff member, coach, player, or guest, should expect courtesy, respect, common decency and civility,” said Gail Miller, owner and chairman of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies and the Utah Jazz. “We are united in our values, and we’re all joining together as citizens of our communities and the state of Utah to make a clear statement about who we are and what we’re about. Words matter. No one wins when respect goes away.”

“In sports, we’re always looking for ways to improve and get better, and this is no different. There have been too many negative instances in our community, and we all felt a shared responsibility to act. We hope ‘Lead Together’ sparks conversations in locker rooms, classrooms, board rooms and across kitchen tables about how we treat each other,” said Don Stirling, executive vice president of Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment. “Fundamentally, this isn’t about the volume of our cheering, but about the words we choose to say. The era of, ‘I didn’t know these words were hurtful,’ has passed.”

The Utah-based collaboration leans on the success of the “Take The Lead” initiative established by New England sports teams. The Jazz consulted with the Boston Red Sox, including President Sam Kennedy and Vice President of Fan Services and Entertainment Sarah McKenna, to learn best practices and help craft state-wide messaging as well as Tanisha M. Sullivan, president of the Boston branch of the NAACP, who played a key role in helping shape New England’s effort.

Locally, the Jazz enlisted assistance and input from diversity, inclusion and belonging thought-leaders across the state. Emma E. Houston, inclusion director for Salt Lake County’s Office of Diversity Affairs, said, “We appreciated the willingness of the Utah Jazz organization to not only seek advice but embrace it. Our conversations were frank, instructive and productive.”

“Respect is something to be shared and we are all responsible for our own words, deeds and actions. We should enthusiastically cheer for our favorite teams to win. However, words used to disparage the other team create a disrespectful environment that no one should be a part of. We all need to be courageous enough to speak up by taking the lead against disrespectful conduct,” Houston added.

The 60-second “Lead Together” video is available upon request at leadtogetherutah.org for sports organizations at all levels to download and feature at their games. In addition to professional and collegiate athletics, the Jazz have partnered with the Utah High School Activities Association and its 155 member schools to assist with promoting an inclusive, safe and friendly in-venue environment at their activities.

Junior Jazz, which serves more than 60,000 players across seven states, will also use “Lead Together” to add to the youth league’s message of sportsmanship, fair play and respect on the court.

“When we first started having conversations as a group across Utah sports, we realized that our experiences were all too common,” said Elaina Pappas, vice president of marketing and fan development for the Jazz and a former student-athlete. “We created ‘Lead Together’ after we looked in the mirror and realized we could all do better. We understand the platform we have and the power of joining together in a unified voice, and we hope this is just the beginning of an ongoing effort to re-examine the way we conduct ourselves in sporting venues and throughout society.”

A core principle of “Lead Together” is the development and introduction of programming that fosters a positive culture in the workplace and throughout the community. The Jazz are planning to conduct a series of “Let’s Talk” town hall events for community education and outreach on diversity, inclusion and belonging with actionable steps that can be taken by both individuals and organizations.

The Utah sports organizations and athletes will employ the hashtag #LeadTogether to continue the conversation on social media, where players, coaches and fans can show how they are promoting the values and mission of “Lead Together.”

For more information, please visit leadtogetherutah.org.

Staten Island Yankees Announce 2019 Pride Night Promotion

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STATEN ISLAND – Pride Night returns to Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Friday, August 30th as the Staten Island Yankees host the Hudson Valley Renegades at 7:00 p.m. Gates to the ballpark open at 6:00 p.m.

The promotion will feature a game-worn jersey auction as the Staten Island Yankees will wear home replica jerseys featuring multi-colored pinstripes as represented in the Pride flag. You Can Play is sponsoring the jerseys. All proceeds from the sale of the jerseys will benefit You Can Play.

The Pride Center of Staten Island is participating in the promotion as well. A special package combining a ticket + hat has been developed to raise awareness and funds for the Pride Center. Tickets purchased in advance using the promotional code “2019Pride” will receive a voucher to pick up a Staten Island Yankees hat branded with a “rainbow” “y”-logo. The package is $20/person and $10 of every package sold will be donated to the Pride Center of Staten Island. Visit https://groupmatics.events/event/2019pride.

The Pride Center of Staten Island provides programming for youth, Sage programming for our elderly and allies, free mental health services, with support groups and case management, free HIV testing and sexual health education that is LGBTQ specific, Luv on a leash (our dog therapy program), as well as partnerships and resources throughout Staten Island.
Pride Night first occurred at Richmond County Bank Ballpark in 2015.

Also, on August 30th, you can celebrate Broadway at the Ballpark. Enjoy special performances throughout the night and sing along to Broadway hits. Additionally, the first 1,000 fans will receive a Staten Island Yankees 20th Anniversary Poster. And lastly, the night will end with a fireworks display over the New York harbor.
***
You Can Play is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation and/or gender identity. You Can Play works to guarantee that athletes are given a fair opportunity to compete and also seeks to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by focusing only on an athlete’s skills, work ethic and competitive spirit.

The Pride Center of Staten Island is a brave and welcoming space with quality local services, support and activities that promote the overall physical, mental and emotional well-being for Staten Island’s LGBTQ individuals and allies.

The Staten Island Yankees are the Class A Short Season Affiliate of the New York Yankees and play at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. The Staten Island Yankees are six-time New York-Penn League Champions. Groups, ticket plans, and individual tickets are on sale now. Richmond County Bank Ballpark will also host the 2019 New York-Penn League All-Star Game on August 21st at 7 p.m. For more information, visit siyanks.com and pizzaratsbaseball.com.
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Legends to Host Lexington’s Pride Week Kickoff June 23rd

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WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK (Lexington, KY) – The Lexington Legends, in partnership with Minor League Baseball’s new initiative MiLB Pride, announce today Pride Day on June 23rd. MiLB Pride is the largest documented Pride celebration in professional sports and the Legends’ event will help kick off Pride Week in Lexington.

“We are excited to help kick off Pride Week in Lexington this year! We want every fan that walks through our gates to know that they are welcome here. Baseball is for everyone,” said Legends President/CEO Andy Shea.

From 11am until the 3rd inning of the Legends game, the organizations will be accepting donations. Attendees can choose which organization they would like to donate to with donation boxes for each organization. At the start of the 3rd inning, the donations will be counted and tallied. The Legends will match the donations (up to $10,000) in proportion of the amount of the total donations the organization received. The total will be announced during the 4th inning. A cash bar will be open while DJ Crow spins the tunes and fans can snack on hors d’oeuvres.

Ten organizations from the Lexington area will attend the event: Arbor Youth Services, AIDS Volunteers, INC. (AVOL), JustFundKY, Kentucky Bourbon Bears, Moveable Feast, Lexington Fairness, Pride Community Services Organization (PCSO), PFLAG, and the University of Kentucky Office of LGBTQ+ Resources. The Imperial Court of Kentucky will also be performing throughout the event.

Throughout the game, the Legends will be featuring the ten organizations to bring more awareness of what each does for the LGBTQ+ Community in Lexington.

Tickets are $10 each and they include entrance to the event as well as a ticket to the Legends game with first pitch at 2:05pm. Parking will be free for attendees as well.

Gates for the Legends game will open at 12:30pm for Family Playtime on the Outfield and kids (12 and under) get in FREE!

The Legends, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and member of the South Atlantic League, play all home games at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington, Kentucky. For ticket information, call (859) 422-7867 or visit LexingtonLegends.com.

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

Pride Night Set For June 10 at ARM & HAMMER Park

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The Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance, in partnership with the New Jersey LGBT Chamber of Commerce are pleased to present their first-ever Pride Night at ARM & HAMMER Park on Monday, June 10.

“We have always striven to create an inclusive environment at ARM & HAMMER Park,” said Thunder GM/COO Jeff Hurley. “I look at our Pride Night as a bedrock of our continued emphasis on the fact that everyone is welcome and accepted here.”

The night will feature a special Pride Hat Giveaway to the first 1,000 fans, ages 14 and older, presented by the New Jersey LGBT Chamber of Commerce and a special pre-game event.

“The Chamber is honored to partner with the Trenton Thunder to sponsor their very first Pride Night, and thrilled to share our message and mission with every fan,” said Laurie Seliger, Chamber Board President. “Equality and visibility not only make sense ethically but also economically. In the U.S., there are 1.4 million LGBT business owners, adding $1.7 trillion to the national economy each year. Our corporate partners, BCB Community Bank, PSE&G, and TD Bank have all recognized that working with the LGBT community is an essential part of their economic growth. We are happy to be the bridge that connects and empowers NJ’s LGBT and allied business community and helps them to leverage those relationships for their mutual success. The Chamber is looking forward to an enduring partnership with the Trenton Thunder Organization, and the support they give to our mission.”

As an Affiliate Chamber of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the NJ LGBT Chamber is New Jersey’s premier LGBT business organization dedicated to strengthening LGBT and allied businesses in the NJ tri-state area. It is their mission to bring together Chamber Members and Allies with resources from across the business spectrum. To learn more, visit: www.njlgbtchamber.org.

The Thunder are pleased to welcome a special appearance from Billy Bean; MLB’s Ambassador for Inclusion on June 10. Bean, who made public that he was gay in 1999, was named MLB’s first Ambassador for Inclusion in 2014. The California native played parts of six seasons in the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres across the 1987-89 and 1993-95 campaigns.

“I am extremely proud of the Trenton Thunder for making such a powerfully inclusive message to their amazing fans and community,” said Bean. “A night like this is another bright example of baseball’s effort to make every fan feel welcome and supported. I look forward to attending the game and meeting as many Thunder fans as possible.”

Organizations that are interested in participating in Pride Night, presented by the New Jersey LGBT Chamber of Commerce, may contact Group Sales and Special Events Representative Casey Borish at [email protected] for more information.

The 2019 season will begin in Erie on Friday, April 5 at UPMC Park. Opening Night at ARM & HAMMER Park will take place on Friday, April 12 against the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox). Individual tickets are on-sale now at www.TrentonThunder.com.

Sea Dogs to Host Pride Night at the Ballpark on June 8th

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Pride Night at the Ballpark will be part of the Pride Portland’s! 10 Days of Pride Events which is highlighted by the Parade and Festival through downtown Portland on June 15th. As part of Pride Night at the Ballpark on June 8th, Pride Portland! will participate in a pregame parade around the field, throw out a ceremonial first pitch, and provide a National Anthem performer and Honor Guard.

“Pride Portland! is excited to team up with the Portland Sea Dogs for Pride Night at Hadlock Field as an official 10 Days of Pride event,” stated Pride Portland’s! 2019 Events Chair, Alix Towler. “The Sea Dogs are an enthusiastic and welcoming partner, and we can’t wait to see our community and all the fans at the ballgame!”

Sea Dogs President & General Manager Geoff Iacuessa said, “The game of baseball is for everyone. We are proud to be partnering with Pride Portland! to engage in inclusivity, diversity, and unity at the ballpark.”

Tickets for the game can be purchased online at www.seadogs.com or by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500.

A special ticket package has also been developed for the night that includes a reserved seat ticket to the game and a Sea Dogs pride hat that features the Sea Dogs logo in rainbow colors. The packages are available for $15.00 and can be purchased online at www.seadogs.com and by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500. Only 250 hats are available.

Pride Portland! brings people in the Greater Portland, Maine area together to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of the LGBTQ+ movement, raise awareness of the community’s ongoing struggles, and foster an environment of inclusivity, accessibility, and solidarity.

Thursday is LGBT Pride Night

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are celebrating their first ever LGBT Pride Night presented by Air Products during Thursday’s game against the Pawtucket Red Sox. This theme night will feature a cap giveaway, a special appearance from former Major Leaguer Billy Bean, and great performances.

To kick off the event, Air Products is sponsoring a Pride Night Cap giveaway featuring the IronPigs logo and the LGBT community’s rainbow of colors for 3,000 guests 18 and older. The plaza gates are set to open early for an extended pre-game happy hour from 5-7 p.m. featuring $1 Berks hot dogs and $2 domestic drafts.

Bean, MLB’s Director of Inclusion, will be in attendance to promote the message of inclusion and diversity. Bean was the first openly gay Major League Baseball and now serves as a resource for all 30 big league clubs.

LGBT Pride Night will highlight some special entertainment including a National Anthem performance by the Lehigh Valley Gay Men’s Chorus and a God Bless America performance by the B.A.S.I.C. Choir.

All fans who decided to donate a portion of their ticket proceeds to the Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center through a special ticket package can pick up their complimentary gameday T-Shirt sponsored by Air Products in the TD Bank Plaza.

“We’re happy to host the first of what we hope is an annual, inclusion-themed evening at Coca-Cola Park,” said IronPigs President and General Manager Kurt Landes when the night was announced in March. “We’d like to thank our partners, Air Products and Bradbury-Sullivan, as well as Billy Bean, for partnering with us to help promote diverse and prejudice-free environments.”

Here are some other fun things happening this weekend at Coca-Cola Park:

6/15 (7:05 p.m.): Scout Sleepover | Will Smith Friday Night Fireworks presented by Coors Light

6/16 (6:35 p.m.): Zac Brown Band Saturday Night Fireworks presented by AT&T

6/17 (1:35 p.m.): Father’s Day | Tube 6-pack cooler bag giveaway for 2,000 men 18 and older | Post game Kids Run the Bases presented by Lehigh Valley Children’s Hospital | IronPigs Charities Father’s Day bases and bat raffle

Single-game tickets for all home IronPigs contests are available here, or by calling (610) 847-PIGS (7447).

The 2018 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.

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

Legends sponsor University of Kentucky students to attend 2017 Winter Meetings and PBEO Job Fair

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK (Lexington, KY) – For the third consecutive year, the Lexington Legends are sponsoring a group of students, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, who will attend the Winter Meetings, an annual event held each December, that includes seminars, a trade show and a job fair at The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida. The 2017 Winter Meetings mark the first year the Legends have partnered with students from the University of Kentucky.

 

Over the last several months, the Legends have developed a partnership with the UK Chapter of the national student group MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences), led by faculty advisor Dr. Quentin Tyler, Assistant Dean & Director for Diversity at the University of Kentucky.

 

“The Legends are pleased to be able to partner with this UK student group and provide guidance for this first step towards their career,” said Legends President/CEO Andy Shea. “We appreciate the students’ interest, and we think they will really enjoy the opportunity to learn first-hand from experts about a variety of careers in baseball.”

 

The 2017 Winter Meetings began December 10th in Orlando, and will continue through December 14th. The Winter Meetings are an annual gathering of representatives of all 30 Major League Baseball teams and their 160 Minor League Baseball affiliates. Personnel from all teams convene for four days to discuss league business and conduct off-season trades and transactions. Some of Major League Baseball’s biggest player trades and free agent signings occur at Winter Meetings, but much of the agenda at the minor league level concerns the off-the-field business of professional baseball.

 

The PBEO Job Fair, which the UK students will attend, provides connections and opportunities for those who would like to work in baseball in a variety of areas, including promotions, ticket sales, community relations, media relations, broadcasting and others.

 

The students will also have an opportunity to attend the Business of Baseball seminars and workshops, which have been part of the winter meetings for more than 20 years and cover a wide range of baseball business topics. Students will also attend the Trade Show, which features hundreds of vendors from various aspects of the baseball industry.

 

In addition to entry fees, the Legends are supporting the students also through a one-year subscription to PBEO.com (Professional Baseball Employment Opportunities), the official employment service of Minor League Baseball.

 

The UK students who are attending the meetings are: Drexler Blue, Montreale Jones, Jericho Curry, Mia Farrell, Ty’Asia Jones, Jahqtehea Johnson and Aerin Mitchell. The students are being accompanied by Dr. Tyler.

 

The Legends are excited to expand upon their growing partnership with the University of Kentucky through this hands-on educational program.

Celebrate at the Pride Party in Hensville Park, Aug. 24

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

Join us on Thursday, August 24, for the first ever pregame Pride Party in Hensville Park. The pregame event will feature live entertainment on the Hensville Park stage. It’s part of our Holy Toledo Thursday celebrations presented by Toledo.com.

ENTERTAINMENT

Kids with Knives – Hensville Park stage – 5:30 to 7 p.m.

PRIDE T-SHIRTS

Mud Hens Pride t-shirts will be available for sale during the Pride Party in Hensville Park.

The Mud Hens will take on the Clippers on Thursday, August 24 at 6:35 p.m.

GAME TICKET ($12) – BUY TICKETS

What you get:

  • August 24 Mud Hens game ticket

Click the links to check out the menus and make reservations:

NINE at Hensville: ninehensville.com | Chef Tony has put together a menu that he describes as “traditional Americana” where he uses local ingredients from area farms and producers to create made-from-scratch dishes with a modern taste and composition. NINE is housed in the former Folger Butcher Shop, a historic 1865 building. Exposed brick, reclaimed wood and handcrafted tables give NINE a casual vibe that fits a fun, downtown, neighborhood restaurant.

Fleetwood’s Tap Room: fleetwoodshensville.com | Have a drink at Hensville’s new craft beer bar, located on the first floor of the Fleetwood Building across the street from Fifth Third Field. Fleetwood’s Tap Room features 48 beers on draft, a wide selection of whiskeys, an eclectic menu, and an outstanding outdoor patio that overlooks Hensville Park.

BirdCage Bar & Grill: birdcagebarandgrill.com | The BirdCage Bar and Grill is located on the Club Level at Fifth Third Field and provides incredible views of the on-field action! Your ticket to the Mud Hens game gives you entry to the BirdCage, where you and your guests will enjoy a great dining experience created by Chef Tony House, featuring a display of hand-carved meats, antipasti, classic salad, and seasonal entrees.

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