Bulls, Miracle League Bring New Field to Durham

The Miracle League of the Triangle, in association with the Durham Bulls and Capitol Broadcasting Company, are expanding their services to Downtown Durham. A new Miracle League facility has plans to open in 2018 at 461 Morehead Ave., across the street from Durham Bulls Athletic Park. As part of the partnership, the Durham Bulls and Capitol Broadcasting are kicking off the fundraising with a $400,000 matching grant.

“The Miracle League is an incredibly important, impactful organization that brings the joy of baseball to so many,” Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said. “We are honored to continue our partnership with The Miracle League, and to bring a facility to the doorstep of Durham Bulls Athletic Park. We look forward to doing all we can to help this tremendous program continue to grow in the Triangle.”

The Miracle League program and field are specifically designed to serve children and adults with special needs through the game of baseball. The program removes the barriers that keep children and adults with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field, and lets them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime. Since the main barriers for these players arise from natural grass fields, Miracle League teams play on a custom-designed, rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assertive devices.

Upon completion, the new facility in Durham will be the third location for The Miracle League of the Triangle, joining locations in Cary and North Raleigh. Construction is scheduled to begin on the site in late 2017.

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

Senators Ranked Seventh amongst 162 Minor League Baseball Teams in Charitable Giving in 2016

Recently, Minor League Baseball Charities sent out a report that ranked the Harrisburg Senators 7th amongst the 162 Minor League Baseball teams for the 2016 calendar year in total charitable giving. The Senators contributed over $880,000 directly back into the Central PA community in 2016 which comes mostly in the form of direct monetary contributions and in-kind donations.

The Senators give in various ways including the proceeds from the annual Hot Stove Dinner in February and the in-season charity dinner in August. Also included are the proceeds from the many special event jersey auctions and raffles, fundraiser tickets sold to non-profit organizations, ticket and merchandise donations, and in-person appearances by front office staff and players.

In 2016, the Senators front office staff and players made over 230 appearances. Last year, the team wore six specialty jerseys which were auctioned and raffled with the proceeds going to charity. Additionally, over $82,000 was donated through fundraisers. The Senators made in-kind donations of tickets and merchandise to organizations throughout central Pennsylvania totaling $697,358.

“We are extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish in recent years in terms of our community involvement and charitable giving,” said Harrisburg Senators’ President Kevin Kulp. “It’s a big part of our mission. We take our summertime platform in this community very seriously. While we always strive to provide affordable family entertainment, being a part of this community and being able to give back is a big part of who we are.”

“We want to use our platform to raise awareness for local non-profit organizations and help them raise necessary funds so that they can continue their good work. Our staff works tireless hours doing what we do and I think that one of the most rewarding aspects of our jobs is knowing that we are fighting the good fight and we ARE making a difference. $880,000 for us is a good number and one in which we are extremely proud.”

The goal in 2017 is to hit the million-dollar mark in charitable donations and the team is off and running. Organized by Senators Community Relations Coordinator, Blair Jewell, the Senators have already made over 130 appearances and recently had the entire team going to the Central PA Food Bank on Wednesday, April 5. While at the Food Bank, the team put together over 150 boxes of food for families. Manager Matt LeCroy, along with several players and staff members, have already made the first of several appearances this season to the Penn State Children’s Hospital. They played bingo with kids, answered questions and learned about the youngsters during their visit.

“It means a lot to our patients and families when the Senators take time out of their schedules to come in and visit,” said Sarah Miller, Child Life Support Associate at Penn State Children’s Hospital. “There are always plenty of smiles to go around when they stop by!”

The Senators look forward to continuing to raise money for local non-profit organizations. The players and front office staff will continue to make appearances throughout the season. The Senators not only work with charitable organizations in the community, but also aid organizations through ballpark promotions.

Some examples of season long in-park community initiatives include free parking when fans donate clothes to Community Aid on Thursday nights. On Monday nights, members and former members of the armed forces receive free tickets and their families receive half price tickets. Each game the Senators spotlight a different community organization as part of the “Community Organization of the Game” program which allows a non-profit organization to come to the ballpark and provide information to Senators fans about them. Every game you come to the ballpark there is likely a group in attendance that is making money as part of their easy fundraiser program where organizations can make as much as $4 per ticket sold.

This is the 31st season of Harrisburg Senators baseball since returning to the Eastern League in 1987 and while the Senators organization will continuously strive to provide quality entertainment at an affordable price, the team will also continue to strive to make a difference in the community.

If you have any questions or would like further information about the Harrisburg Senators charitable donations, please contact Blair Jewell at 717-231-4444 or via email at bjewell@senatorsbaseball.com.

The Senators box office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available via telephone during the same hours as the box office hours. Tickets are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online at www.senatorsbaseball.com. You can find the Senators on Facebook at facebook.com/senatorsbaseball or @hbgsenators on Twitter.

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

Shuckers present check for $6,090 to William Carey University

BILOXI, MS – Prior to the Shuckers game against the Jackson Generals on April 24 at MGM Park, Biloxi Shuckers general manager Chuck Arnold and field manager Mike Guerrero presented William Carey University senior project manager Richard Vogel and athletic director D.J. Pulley with a check for $6,090.

“We can’t thank the Shuckers enough for what they have done for us,” said Vogel. “For the Shuckers to play a NAIA school in an exhibition game gained us much exposure on the coast. The contributed funds from tickets sold will go a long way to help our recovery and greatly improve our university. We have a vision of where we are going as a university, and we know the Shuckers will be a great partner for what we are trying to accomplish going forward.”

The check was net ticket proceeds from the exhibition game played between the Shuckers and Crusaders on April 4 at MGM Park. William Carey’s Hattiesburg campus was impacted by tornadoes in January with damages occurring to dorms, Tatum Court, Thomas Hall and the library.

“We are honored to have played a small role in the recovery efforts at William Carey University,” said Arnold. “We want to thank our fans for their generous support of this great cause.”

The Biloxi Shuckers are committed to their community and are proactively seeking ways to improve the quality of life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Shuckers partner with non-profits, military, schools and youth athletic organizations to provide benevolent outreach. In addition to financial assistance, the Shuckers front office staff has volunteered 144 hours so far in the community this year.

The Shuckers return to action tonight at 6:35 pm for game four of the series against the Jackson Generals. The Shuckers will offer $2 Polk’s hot dogs on Tuesdays this season and fans can bring in their Polk’s Meat Products label to the MGM Park box office and receive a buy one, get one Box or Reserved Level ticket! Also on Tuesday, the Gulf Coast Corvette Club will have a pregame parade around the warning track (weather permitting).The homestand continues through Wednesday with the first Education Day of the year on Wednesday with a Business Person’s special.

Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at any Ticketmaster outlet or at biloxishuckers.com.

ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:

The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Southern League Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers play at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.com.

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

NATURALS PARTNER WITH GRAND LAKE CASINO ON WINNING FOR CHARITY PROMOTION

SPRINGDALE, Ark – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Grand Lake Casino are proud to support the Northwest Arkansas community by partnering on a new ‘Winning for Charity’ promotion that will be instituted during regular season home games.

For each Naturals’ victory at Arvest Ballpark during the 2017 regular season, Grand Lake Casino will donate $100 to a local charity. For all April and May wins, the donation will be given to Lifeline of Northwest Arkansas, proceeds from June and July victories will be given to Cancer Charity 4 Life, and Arkansas Children’s Northwest will be the beneficiary of wins in August.

“Grand Lake Casino is committed to giving back” said Grand Lake Casino General Manager Dusty Logan. “The Northwest Arkansas community are our neighbors and we are so pleased to partner with the Naturals to donate to charities that do such great work in the Northwest Arkansas area.”

The ‘Winning for Charity’ partnership with Grand Lake Casino continues with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ tradition of giving back to the local community as the Naturals’ ticket fundraising program has helped raise over $100,000 in six straight seasons for area groups, including over $20,000 in the first homestand of 2017 alone. In addition to the ticket fundraising program, the organization has also contributed to over 200 non-profit events and silent auctions so far this year.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Facebook and Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on Season 10 of Naturals baseball.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information, including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.

-Naturals-

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

MBF Exceeds $1 Million in Grant Donations

MIDLAND, Mich. – The Michigan Baseball Foundation is pleased to announce that after awarding grants for the 2017 cycle, MBF has exceeded $1 million donated to non-profit organizations since 2008. This month, MBF distributed 26 grants totaling $104,515 across seven counties in the Great Lakes Bay Region this past year.

“Giving back to our local youth has been something we have taken pride in since MBF started awarding grants,” Michigan Baseball Foundation vice president Paul Barbeau said. “It’s an important part of what we do at Dow Diamond, not just providing fun entertainment during the baseball season, but also supporting the communities that surround us.”

MBF has awarded 283 grants totaling $1,022,761 to deserving non-profit organizations across 14 counties in the Great Lakes Bay Region over the past 10 years.

This year the Friends of Hoyt Park Foundation in Saginaw received $6,600 for dugout benches and a tractor. Midland Center for the Arts received a grant in the amount of $6,250 to upgrade the permanent microscope exhibit in the museum’s “Hall of Ideas.” The Bay Community Tennis Center will install net posts, while Gladwin Community Schools will use $3,000 to upgrade their athletic building and batting cages.

The Foundation began its annual grant process in April 2016 and solicited grant applications from non-profit organizations throughout the region. All applicants were required to meet one or more of the following guidelines, which reflected the purposes for which the Michigan Baseball Foundation was organized:

•   The organization contributes to regional economic development.
•   The organization is based in Mid-Michigan and serves young people.
•   The organization promotes amateur sports and fitness

The Michigan Baseball Foundation considers funding mid-Michigan non-profit organizations that use the grant money to fund projects; the grants are not intended to fund day-to-day operations. Primary consideration will be given to organizations in the Midland, Bay, Saginaw, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Genesee, Isabella, Tuscola, Huron, Arenac, Ogemaw, Sanilac and Iosco counties.

The 2018 grant process is currently in the planning stage. Updates will be communicated once the plans are finalized for the next cycle. For more information contact Carol VanWert at 989.837.6144, or at cvanwert@loons.com.

The Michigan Baseball Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity that was founded in 2006 to create regional economic development through creative partnerships, and to enhance the efforts of regional organizations that serve young people. The Michigan Baseball Foundation owns and operates Dow Diamond, home of the Great Lakes Loons, a Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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

Cougars Partner With TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® To Help Mothers In Need

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have announced that Northwestern Medicine Field will serve as a donation drop-off site for the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Movers for Moms® program beginning on Opening Night, April 6.

Thousands of mothers across the country are overlooked each Mother’s Day due to circumstances that force them to live in shelters as a result of domestic abuse or homelessness. That’s where TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® steps in to ensure that these women receive the love and appreciation they deserve this Mother’s Day. Donations collected through the Movers for Moms® program will be provided to women staying at Mutual Ground in Aurora, Ill. and Lazarus House in St. Charles, Ill.

Beginning April 6, fans are encouraged to bring donations of the following essential care items: body spray, soaps, hair styling products, towels, make-up brushes, pajamas, large tote bags and umbrellas.

Click here for a full list of much needed items.

Representatives from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® will be collecting donations inside of Gate 3 on April 6, April 17, April 27 and May 8. A Movers for Moms® donation bin will also be located inside the atrium of the Cougars front office at Northwestern Medicine Field for fans that would like to drop off donations during regular business hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Donations will be accepted through Friday, May 12.

For more information about the Movers for Moms® program, visit twomenandatruck.com/moversformoms.

The 2017 season of Cougars baseball begins on Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. against the Clinton LumberKings. For more information, including a full 2017 schedule, visit kccougars.com.

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the up to date promotional information.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 152 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

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

Pay It Forward Wednesdays Return

Moosic, Pa. – Wednesday baseball at PNC Field will continue to mean a little bit more in 2017. The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) proudly announce the return of a special wrinkle for Wednesday night home games this season, “Pay it Forward Wednesdays”. On these nights the team will donate a portion of walk-up ticket sales to non-profit/charitable organizations.

For those select nights, the designated Community Organization of the Game will receive a donation from a portion of the club’s walk-up ticket sales. The donation structure sits below:

Walk-up Price                    Amount Donated to COG

$16-Infield Box                  $5

$15-Field Reserve $3

$13-Bleacher                     $2

$12-Lawn                           $1

Eligible beneficiaries must be a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information, groups are encouraged to contact the RailRiders by phone at (570) 969-BALL, by e-mail to RailRiders Director of Community Relations Jordan Maydole (jmaydole@swbrailriders.com) or in person at the team’s PNC Field front office from Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

“The first-year success of the Pay it Forward program exceeded our expectations and the goals our team had set forth,” said RailRiders President/General Manager Josh Olerud. “We are excited to see the growth of the program this season as we continue to serve our community to the best of our abilities.”

Fans will also get an opportunity to taste the best selections of local wineries as part of “Wine and Dine Wednesdays” at PNC Field. Fans 21 years and older have the opportunity to participate in tasting a variety of wines from Bartolai Winery out of Harding, Pa., Grovedale Winery from Wyalusing, Pa., and Barefoot wines. For a $2 flight sample fee, fans receive a one-hour sampling session and a punch card with an exclusive deal from that winery.

The 2016 Gildan Triple-A National Champion RailRiders open their 2017 home schedule on Monday, April 10 against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies). For tickets and more information, please call 570-979-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

– SWB RailRiders Baseball – The Place to Be! –

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

CAPTAINS ANNOUNCE 13TH ANNUAL CAPTAINS CHARITIES BASEBALL CLASSIC

(Eastlake, OH) – The Lake County Captains, the Class-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, have announced the line-up for the 13TH Annual Captains Charities High School Baseball for 2017. Ten local high school teams will compete in five featured games over two days at Classic Park. Ticket proceeds from the event will be shared between the participating schools and Captains Charities, the non-profit charitable arm of the Lake County Captains organization.

The Captains have expanded the event from eight teams to 10 this year. The 2017 edition will allow two additional schools to raise money and will allow more kids to enjoy playing at Classic Park.

The Captains Charities Baseball Classic is scheduled for Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6. On May 5, the Chagrin Falls Tigers will play the Kenston Bombers, beginning at 4 PM, followed by the nightcap featuring the Twinsburg Tigers and the Mayfield Wildcats at 7 PM.

On May 6, the St. John Fighting Heralds will take on the Fairport Harbor Skippers at 11AM. Later on, the Kirtland Hornets will play the Beachwood Bison at 2PM, followed by the Eastlake North Rangers against the Willoughby South Rebels at 5 PM.

Tickets for the event will be just $6 each and will be available for purchase at each of the participating schools. Each school will receive 100 tickets to sell on their own for their specific day. Tickets to the games will also be available online at CaptainsBaseball.com and in person at the Captains Ticket Office during normal business hours, or by calling 440-954-WINS (9467). Daily tickets are good for all games that day.

The Captains open the 2017 season on April 8 at Classic Park against Dayton. Affordable ticket packages are available for purchase now and more information may be found at www.CaptainsBaseball.com.

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

PawSox Foundation to Present “A Veterans Home Run: 5k Walk ‘N Run” on May 20

The Pawtucket Red Sox and the PawSox/Skeffington Charitable Foundation today announced exciting changes to their annual 5K Walk ‘N Run, which this year will take place on Saturday, May 20th at 9:30 am with the route both starting and finishing at McCoy Stadium. An earlier time of year (the race was held Labor Day weekend the past five years), a revamped course which will now take runners by downtown Pawtucket, and an enhanced partnership with area veterans are among the new highlights for this popular event.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

The revitalized PawSox Foundation, now in its 18th year, has worked closely with both Operation Stand Down RI and 21 Heroes among other veterans organizations. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Foundation’s veterans initiatives. Operation Stand Down serves the Ocean State’s 67,800 veterans and their families while 21 Heroes was established to honor the 21 soldiers from Pawtucket who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. A 21 Heroes memorial dedication will take place the day after the 5K on Sunday, May 21 at Slater Park capping off an historic weekend for veterans causes in Pawtucket.

“We are so pleased to work with the wonderful people from Operation Stand Down and with Terry Nau of 21 Heroes to honor and give something back to the many amazing Rhode Island veterans and their families,” said PawSox Senior Vice President/Club Counsel Kim Miner, who also runs the PawSox Foundation. “In our ongoing effort to build on the PawSox legacy of celebrating our veterans, we were especially pleased to introduce a nightly ‘In Debt to a Vet’ salute during each game at McCoy Stadium last year and that tradition will continue this season.”

One of the premier road races in the area, the PawSox Foundation 5K will start from the McCoy Stadium parking lot, weave through the streets of downtown Pawtucket, and eventually finish at home plate on the McCoy playing field. This new and improved route will help showcase the beautiful riverfront and other reinvigorated areas of the Pawtucket downtown.

“Our veterans and those currently serving in the armed services give so much to us to ensure that our freedom and the American Dream endure,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien. “Partnering to promote causes to support our veterans is the least that we can do. Thank you to the PawSox Foundation for working with our local organizations and investing in our community. And thank you to Operation Stand Down and Heroes 21 for ensuring that our veterans are never left behind.”

The race is sponsored by National Grid, Planet Fitness, W.B. Mason, and Coast 93.3. The first 500 participants who register on pawsox.com will receive a free race t-shirt. Pre-registration is $25 per person, and teams of 10 or more will be just $20 per person. On the day of the race, registration will open at 7:30 am and the cost will be $30.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. Festivities will continue after the race with food and entertainment in the PawSox Party Tent area at McCoy. All participants will also receive tickets to the PawSox game on May 23 vs. Louisville at 6:05 pm, and will be invited to take part in a pre-game on-field parade and award ceremony that evening.

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

Cougars, Paramount Fence Team Up for Charitable Cause

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars and Paramount Fence of Batavia have announced they will team up again this season as part of the Home Runs for Charity initiative.

A program that was launched for the Cougars 2016 season, Paramount Fence of Batavia has pledged to make a $50 donation to Emmanuel House in Aurora, Ill. for each home run hit by a Cougars player at Northwestern Medicine Field. The donation will then be matched by the charitable arm of the Cougars organization, The Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc.

Last season a total of $1,900 was donated to Emmanuel House which strives to break the cycle of poverty through a financial model called Networked Saving that helps working families save for a down payment on a home.

“Paramount Fence is proud to support a local charity that does so much to improve the lives of those who are especially in need,” said Steve Gall, President at Paramount Fence of Batavia. “Emmanuel House in Aurora helps transform lives through home ownership and helping these families with the Cougars home run charity brings attention to an incredibly worthy cause. Together we can help disrupt the cycle of poverty in our community.”

“We’re thrilled that our partners are as equally committed to charitable initiatives as the entire Cougars organization” added Curtis Haug, Vice President/General Manager of the Cougars. “Last year’s launch of the Home Run for Charity program was very successful and all parties are looking forward to contributing to the wonderful work that Emmanuel House does again this season.”

The Cougars 2017 season begins on Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. against the Clinton LumberKings. For more information, including the full 2017 schedule, visit kccougars.com.

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the up to date promotional information.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 152 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

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

Outstanding Students Program returns in 2017

(Reading, Pa) – The Reading Fightin Phils have announced schools can register for the Capital BlueCross “Live Fearless” Outstanding Students Program this season. There is absolutely no cost to the school to participate, and in fact the school receives money through the program.

The Capital BlueCross “Live Fearless” Outstanding Student Program is a unique incentive-based program designed to recognize and reward hard-working students. Each school decides their own method of distributing the tickets to their “Outstanding Students”. Through the program, the students are given an opportunity to celebrate their achievements with their families at a designated Fightin Phils home game. Each student recognized by their school as an “Outstanding Student” receives two FREE tickets to a Fightins game, receives an Outstanding Student Medal from a Fightins player, and gets to high-five the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor and has their photo taken with him during a special pre-game Outstanding Student Ceremony.

For each free ticket that is used, and for any additional tickets that are purchased through the Capital BlueCross “Live Fearless” Outstanding Student Program, the participating school receives $1 back.

In 2016, as part of the Capital BlueCross “Live Fearless” Outstanding Student program, the Reading Fightin Phils donated $3,073 back to participating schools in the club’s surrounding community. The Fightins hope to donate even more money to schools during the 2017 program. The more schools that sign up for the Outstanding Student program, the more money that the Fightins can donate to those schools. With the funds received, schools will be able to support students’ needs and contribute to the educational process.

The Capital BlueCross “Live Fearless” Outstanding Student Program is extremely easy to sign up for, and again, it is FREE for the schools. The person that signs up can be a school teacher, administrator, or PTO/PTA representative. Schools can sign up now for the 2017 season by contacting the Fightin Phils Director of Educational Programs, Music, & Game Presentation Todd Hunsicker at 610-375-8469 x.206 or by e-mail at thunsicker@fightins.com. Dates are available in May. The program is easy to implement, and your school receives a check from the Fightin Phils.

America’s Classic Ballpark is proud to be a part of Pennsylvania’s Americana Region. Season tickets for the 2017 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter at @ReadingFightins and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/fightins.

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

Whitecaps Community Foundation to Donate 1,900 Books to Area Schools to Encourage Reading

COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The Whitecaps Community Foundation will donate 1,900 books to five Grand Rapids Public Schools this week in an effort to encourage children to read during March is Reading Month and beyond.

The books were selected by GRPS educators and will be delivered as a surprise to Brookside Elementary, Mulick Park Elementary, Ken-O-Sha Park Elementary, Cesar Chavez Elementary and Burton Elementary on Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 23. These five schools were selected to receive the free books because of their designation as high priority elementary schools in the GRPS system; many of their pupils do not have access to resources such as books. With this donation, every child at these five schools will receive one free book.

This is the second year of the book donation. Last year, the Whitecaps Community Foundation donated a book to every child at Dickinson Elementary School in Grand Rapids (300 in total).

The book donation is a part of the Whitecaps Community Foundation’s Reading Program, which helps area school children enjoy Whitecaps baseball while promoting reading. Children from area West Michigan schools who read a 15 minutes a day, during the month, can attend a Whitecaps game for free in April through June. The Foundation delivers all support materials, such as reading tracking calendars and posters, to all participating schools at no cost. Last year’s Reading Program had more than 70,000 K-6 area children participate from 268 schools. Nearly 20,000 complimentary tickets were given this season to children and their families in West Michigan.

The Whitecaps Community Foundation, the nonprofit extension of the West Michigan Whitecaps, is a 501c3 organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and their families by providing them with access to social, educational and recreational programs that will have a positive impact on their futures. With the help and generosity of community partners and members, the Whitecaps Community Foundation continues to strive to make the West Michigan area a better place to grow, learn, and thrive.

In 2016, through a combination of donations and fundraising efforts, the Whitecaps Community Foundation gave more than $555,000 to local children and their families through programs such as the reading program’s book donation and many others.

For more information on the book deliveries please contact Mickey Graham at (616) 726-7067 and for information on the Whitecaps Community Foundation, including how to volunteer and/or donate, please visit www.whitecapscommunityfoundation.org.

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

Cougars Support Local Military Organizations Through Grant Donation

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have announced they were selected as a grant recipient from Highland Capital Management, located in Dallas, Tex. The grant, designated to the Cougars through the “Highland Salutes” program, will be donated to support two local charities, Operation Support Our Troops and SALUTE Inc., which are focused on supporting both active duty military and veterans.

Operation Support Our Troops, based out of Naperville, Ill., provides comfort and care at home and away for active duty military, veterans and their families. They accomplish this through care packages that contain items not readily available during deployment as well as personal letters and notes of encouragement from the surrounding community.

Founded in 2003 by a military family from Arlington Heights, Ill., SALUTE, Inc. was born from their desire to give back to other military families faced with the many hardships experienced during a deployment. Through their efforts, SALUTE, Inc. provides financial, physical and emotional support for military members, veterans and their families.

“We are humbled that Highland Capital Management has chosen the Kane County Cougars Foundation as the recipient of this grant through the ‘Highland Salutes’ program,” said owner, Dr. Bob Froehlich. “The entire Cougars organization is dedicated to giving back and supporting the men and women of our military who have sacrificed so much. Through this grant, we are able to continue those efforts to support local organizations that carry out that same mission.”

“Highland is delighted to support the Kane County Cougars Foundation and the local initiatives that serve our veterans and their families,” said Brad Ross, President of Highland Capital Management Fund Advisors.

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the up to date promotional information.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 152 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

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

PMSG, RiverDogs Team Up for Red Shirt Fridays to Raise Funds for Local Military Community

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston RiverDogs have partnered with the Palmetto Military Support Group (PMSG) on Red Shirt Fridays at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, donating a portion of each of the nights’ proceeds to the local military support group focused on aiding Charleston area military members and their families.

“We have always admired the RiverDogs’ commitment to our military community,” said Peter Wertimer, president of the PMSG. “Our mission is to help make Charleston become the single most supportive community of its military in the country. All that the ball club provides will go right back to our war fighters and their families in the form of worthy investments in their various activities.”

For all 11 Fridays at The Joe this year, the RiverDogs will once again wear specialty red uniforms in honor of the military. Fans are encouraged to wear red as well, and save a dollar off their ticket purchase at the gate with the option to donate that dollar to the PMSG.

“The Palmetto Military Support Group is doing great things for military families in the Lowcountry, and we are excited to further team up with this worthy organization,” said RiverDogs President and General Manager Dave Echols, the current VP on the board of the PMSG. “The RiverDogs have been a proud partner of the PMSG since their inception, and they are a natural fit to be a part of our military appreciation efforts each Friday this year.”

The recipient of Minor League Baseball’s inaugural Patriot Award last season, the RiverDogs continued to strengthen their ties to the Lowcountry’s strong military family. The club hosted three Military Appreciation nights during the season where all active and retired service members enjoyed complementary tickets, and honored a military family of the game at each home contest. Service men and women were also frequent performers of the National Anthem at The Joe, and the club hired five homeless military vets to their ballpark cleanup crew.

The Palmetto Military Support Group is a membership organization comprised of Lowcountry citizens and companies that support the goal of the Charleston region becoming known as the most supportive of our military community in the country. The PMSG organizes command visits and social get-togethers with military personnel for its membership and conducts a number of fundraisers (with an emphasis on FUN) throughout the year.

RiverDogs season tickets, half-season ticket packages, mini plans, and group tickets are now available for the 2017 campaign, including options for the all-new Riley Park Club. The RiverDogs, the Class-A affiliate of the 27-time world champion New York Yankees, begin their season on April 6 when they host the Lexington Legends at The Joe. Single-game tickets are now available online and will be solid in person at the box office and by phone starting on March 15 at 9am. Ticket information can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com.

–RIVERDOGS–

Hops become first Anchor Sponsor for HSD

March 10, 2017, Hillsboro, OR -The Hillsboro Hops (@HillsboroHops) and Hillsboro School District (HSD) announced a new partnership today where the Hops will help fund athletics and activities at HSD’s four high schools: Century, Glencoe, Hilhi, and Liberty, through an Anchor Sponsor arrangement. The District will offer five Anchor Sponsor spots for local businesses who want to make a difference in the lives of students by providing them greater access to extracurricular athletics and activities.

There are approximately 3,500 students participating in athletics and activities at the four high schools. Recent budget cuts have made it a challenge for the high schools fully support these students in their extracurricular endeavors, and to expand offerings to other students.

“The Hillsboro School District is so grateful for our generous community partners, and in particular the Hillsboro Hops,” said Rian Petrick, director of extracurricular programming and community outreach. “Through their willingness to partner as an Anchor Sponsor, the Hops will generate $24,000 toward extracurricular activities in our district during the 2017-18 school year. Research shows that students who participate in athletics and activities for multiple years in high school achieve graduation rates exceeding 95%. This partnership will help us stabilize existing programs and expand opportunities to enhance student engagement with the goal of improving graduation rates.”

Petrick goes on to explain that a district committee composed of various school-based personnel will oversee the distribution of funds based on general budget information and data analysis.

Hops chairman Mike McMurray adds: “The ownership of the Hillsboro Hops is proud to partner with the Hillsboro School District to provide opportunities for a well-rounded educational experience to local students. The Hops’ president KL Wombacher has made support of school athletics a key element of the team’s operation from day one, and this is an important manifestation of that commitment to our community.”

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