PawSox Foundation Announces 2018 PawSox Scholars

For the third consecutive year, two PawSox Scholars-once again middle schoolers from Pawtucket and Central Falls-will receive college scholarships of $10,000 each, funded by the PawSox Foundation. The scholarships will be paid directly to the colleges of their choice for tuition and books upon their graduation from high school, provided they continue to excel in scholarship and citizenship.

This year’s recipients, both 8th graders, are Emily Lopes, from Pawtucket’s Samuel Slater Jr. High School, and Liliana Gonzalez, from Central Falls’ Calcutt Middle School. They were selected from applications administered by the two respective school systems and PawSox officials.

The PawSox introduced the program two years ago when they named Charlisa Kollie of Pawtucket and Ethan Hoke of Central Falls as their first recipients. Last year, Jeremy Ortega, from Pawtucket’s Joseph Jenks Middle School, and Jose Juarez Aguilar, from Central Falls’ Calcutt Middle School were the winners.

“Our PawSox Scholars program helps fund the dream of attending college,” said Club President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “By awarding the scholarships to middle schoolers, we seek to fortify the resolve of young children to believe in their dreams, to avoid the dangerous temptations of adolescent life, and to understand that education is the equalizer.”

Steinberg and PawSox Chairman Larry Lucchino were instrumental in creating similar programs in San Diego and Boston. The Red Sox version won Major League Baseball’s first-ever “Commissioners Award for Philanthropic Excellence.”

“From our Padres Scholars program in San Diego to our Red Sox Scholars program in Boston, we have been blessed to see children blossom into inspiring adults for 23 years,” Steinberg said. “Now here in Rhode Island, we are enjoying the selection and development of even more wonderful students who are envisioning their dreams–and the path to make those dreams come true.”

The Pawtucket and Central Falls school systems invited eighth graders to submit applications, including essays. Emily Lopes’ essay praised Malala Yousafzai, while Liliana Gonzalez expressed her admiration for Michelle Obama.

“Our students are some of the best and brightest in the world,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “Their talent, passion, creativity and strong sense of community never cease to amaze me. The PawSox scholars program will ensure that our students’ education continues. This effort by the PawSox has real meaning to our children, their families and their teachers, and I thank them.”

“It is an honor for our school to have Emily Lopes represent us,” said Mrs. Laura Lutz, Principal of Slater Jr. High School. “This award will give Emily the vision and confidence of pursuing a college career.”

“The city of Central Falls is so grateful to the PawSox for including our children in this landmark program,” said Central Falls Mayor James Diossa. “This scholarship program reminds all of our families that no matter what challenges they may face, they have friends who believe in their future.”

“I’m grateful for the chance to provide the Calcutt Middle Shool students the opportunity to express themselves to the public in essays,” said Timothy Milisauskas, Principal of Calcutt Middle School. “The joy the students all shared for one another when I announced Liliana as the winner let me see the true spirit of teamwork and camaraderie that drives Calcutt Middle School, Central Falls School District, and the PawSox.”

“We thank Mayor Grebien and Mayor Diossa, as well as their School Boards, Superintendents, Principals, and teachers for their guidance, wisdom, and collaboration,” Steinberg added. “We hope that we can expand our program to include even more students in our region.”

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

Baysox Announce 2019 Reading Program

BOWIE, Md. –  The Bowie Baysox announced the 24th year of the Read & Hit a Home Run Reading Program this week, thanks in part to Educational Systems Federal Credit Union.

The program, which began in 1996, reaches over 200 schools across the DMV region, impacting over 35,000 students a year. Those numbers include area homeschool co-ops, helping encourage and foster an excitement for literacy in local schools.

Registered schools will have the opportunity to participate in the program by reading four (4) books of the students’ choice during the given time frame. Every student that completes the reading goal will receive two free tickets to a 2019 Baysox game. During the season, the team will host several designated Reading Nights (based on geographic location). At the stadium, all students will be recognized for their accomplishments during the game.

All reading specialists and homeschool teachers/directors are encouraged to register their school. Once registered, all students can participate in a jersey design contest, with the winner’s choice being unveiled at a school assembly by Louie, the Baysox mascot.

To register your school, head over to the ‘community’ section of www.baysox.com and fill out the form at the bottom of the “Read & Hit a Home Run Reading Program” page. For more information or any additional questions, contact Baysox Community Programs Manager Kelsey Carter at (301) 464-4871 or email her (kcarter@baysox.com).

The Bowie Baysox 2019 season is presented by Money One Federal Credit Union. 2019 Baysox Ticket Packages, including Season Tickets, Mini-Plans and Flexible Ticket Packages are available online at baysox.com, via phone at 301-464-4865 or in person at the stadium ticket office.

To keep up with Baysox news, visit baysox.com and be sure to follow the Baysox on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or register for the all new Baysox Text Insider Club for free by texting the keyword BAYSOX to 50700.

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

9th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon Tickets Now On-Sale

(Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium – Vancouver, B.C.) – Tickets to the 9th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon set for Friday, January 25th, 2019 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver from 12pm to 2pm are now on-sale as we look to sell this event out for it’s 9th consecutive year!

At this year’s event, we will feature a handful of special guests from the Toronto Blue Jays family that will surely bring out the true baseball fans in each and everyone as this event has brought everyone from Marcus Stroman, Russell Martin and Aaron Sanchez to Hall of Famers Tim Raines and Roberto Alomar. This year, we will feature several baseball greats that will not disappoint!

Bring your family, friends and colleagues together for an afternoon of fun, food and familiar faces as we support the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation on Friday, January 25th, 2019. This event has sold out in each of its first eight years so don’t delay.

Click HERE for the 9th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon Order Form

About the 9th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Hot Stove Luncheon:

Each year, the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation brings fans together to celebrate our efforts from within our Foundation. Are goal is not only to raise funding for our many programs, but also bring awareness to the many local children from our own neighbourhoods that need our commitment and support. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners, we have been able to welcome more than 1,500 children between the ages of 8 and 13 out to historic Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium and provide them with the opportunity to play organized baseball, cost-free which includes their equipment, transportation and meals. We are also proud to say we have had more than 100 local volunteers donate their time to this project allowing children to feel safe, build confidence and learn the game of baseball on the same diamond that the Vancouver Canadians play on each summer.

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation has helped a number of community programs, teams and organizations with funding and this year we will unveil our newest community initiative which will give baseball leagues from all across the Lower Mainland the chance to receive much needed support.

Since 2010, the VCBF has helped a number of teams, programs and community initiatives including:

Challenger Baseball – Not only have the Canadians provided funding to the league inself dating back to 2009, but in 2016 the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation in cooperation with Variety – the Children’s Charity, the Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation & Jays Care created Western Canada’s first fully synthetic baseball field specifically designed for Challenger Baseball which included dugouts and a playing surface that met needs ensuring that all children could discover and enjoy the game of baseball. The Variety Challenger Baseball ‘Field of Dreams is located just steps away from historic Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.

UBC Thunderbirds Baseball – For nearly a decade the VCBF has donated nearly $200,000 to the UBC Thunderbirds Baseball Program to provide scholarships set aside exclusively for local student/athletes who want to continue pursuing their post-secondary education while playing for Canada’s most celebrated collegiate baseball program. Since our donations began, UBC has seen more than 35 players receive direct funding thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

Women’s National Baseball Program – Still in it’s infancy, the VCBF has supported Baseball Canada’s efforts to elevate women’s baseball across the country. The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation provided financial support to the Women’s Program to send their players to the Dominican Republic for a player identification camp that also gave the players and coaching staff the chance to immerse themselves into one of the world’s most passionate countries when it comes to the game of baseball.

Vancouver Canadians Baseball League – This cornerstone program of the VCBF brings out upward of 300 local children each summer to play organized baseball, many of them for the first time in their lives, cost-free thanks to your generosity. This League transports children from 11 different districts throughout the Lower Mainland, provides them with certified equipment, a warm supper mid-game and gives them a safe place to receive mentorship and guidance that helps them both on and off the field. This program which operates in cooperation with The Boys & Girls Clubs of B.C. have provided an opportunity for more than 1,500 local children between the ages of 8-and-13 since 2009.

Jeff Mooney & Suzanne Bolton Youth Scholarship Program – Created in 2017, Vancouver Canadians co-owner Jeff Mooney & his wife Suzanne Bolton created a Scholarship Program donated to The Boys & Girls Clubs of B.C. in hopes of providing an opportunity for up to seven local children who aspire to continue their education beyond high school. The requirements are that they apply for this $10,000+ scholarship showing a commitment to both the classroom and the community. In 2017, all seven scholarships were presented thanks to the overwhelming generosity of both Jeff Mooney & his wife Suzanne Bolton. This year, we look forward to awarding seven more scholarships to deserving young men and women who are making a difference at home, in their communities and in the classroom.

Our newest Community Commitment will be unveiled at this year’s event and we look forward to sharing this exciting “hands-on” project with you all on Friday, January 25th, 2019 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

We cannot help without your support, and tickets to this event go on-sale starting Thursday, November 15th at 12:00pm by calling 604.872.5232, online here at www.canadiansbaseball.com or by visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver, B.C.

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

OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation Helps Provide Winter Coats to Area Elementary Students

OKLAHOMA CITY – Representatives of the Oklahoma City Dodgers Baseball Foundation presented a check to The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools Coat-A-Kid program during a visit to Southern Hills Elementary School this morning.

The non-profit OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation made a monetary donation to fund the purchase of coats for an entire grade of students at the elementary school thanks to funds raised at the organization’s third annual Golf Classic in October.

“Ninety percent of Oklahoma City Public School children fall below the poverty level and many of them walk to school or ride the bus and they don’t have winter coats, so we really wanted to get behind that initiative,” said Jill vanEgmond, Executive Director of the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation.

The mission of the nonprofit OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation is to impact the lives of families in the state of Oklahoma, provide educational opportunities for youth and support first responders in Oklahoma through charitable contributions and programming initiatives.

Coat-A-Kid is a program led by The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools that seeks to obtain donations from community partners to purchase hundreds of new winter coats for students in low-income families.

The OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation has additional fundraising initiatives upcoming for the 2018 holiday season.

The organization is encouraging donations for #GivingBluesday on Giving Tuesday Nov. 27 via Facebook. Giving Tuesday began in 2012 and has become a global day of giving. Facebook is partnering with PayPal to match up to $7 million in donations made to nonprofit organizations via the social media network starting at 7 a.m. Central Time on Giving Tuesday Nov. 27, further fueling the support provided to nonprofits that day.

Amazon.com will donate 0.5 percent of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to charitable organizations. Those interested in benefitting the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation through this initiative can log on to Amazon.com and shop via this unique charity link: smile.amazon.com/ch/47-3520181.

“We are really encouraging people to consider us in their year-end giving,” vanEgmond said. “We will donate that money back to the community and it will go toward our youth in education initiative.”

For additional information about the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation, please visit okcdodgers.com/foundation. To learn more about the Coat-A-Kid program, visit okckids.com/coatakid.

The OKC Dodgers’ 2019 season schedule is available now at okcdodgers.com, and 2019 season ticket and group packages are available for purchase. Visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182 for more information.

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

Giving Thanks: Foundation holds luncheon

MOOSIC, PA (November 15, 2018) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and their charitable arm, the SWB Pinstripes Foundation, held their first of two luncheons this holiday season on Wednesday. The RailRiders welcomed 200 elementary school-aged Life Skills and Special Education students from across Northeast Pennsylvania for the event.

“As this season of giving begins, we were thrilled to host these children for lunch,” stated Jordan Maydole, the RailRiders Director of Community Relations. “The children were able to participate in Thanksgiving-themed arts and crafts to create a keepsake that they could bring home and show their families. The luncheon went well and it seemed like they all had a great time!”

Wednesday’s event was made possible thanks to approximately $10,000 in donations through the SWB Pinstripes Foundation. A second holiday lunch will be held on December 13.

“The SWB Pinstripes Foundation is committed to aiding the underserved in our community and giving back to the community that has given us so much support,” said Amy Miller, the manager of the SWB Pinstripes Foundation. “To provide these free holiday meals and to continue our outreach in the community, we rely on the generosity of our donors. We are still accepting donations to support our next event and encourage those who can get involved to be a part of what we are doing here in NEPA.”

For more information on the SWB Pinstripes Foundation, please contact Jordan Maydole or Amy Miller in the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-BALL or visit swbrailriders.com.

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

Learn through fun on Mud Hens School Education Days

Enjoy a fun and educational day out with the Toledo Mud Hens, at our School Education Days presented by O-I, Great Clips, Kroger and Imagination Station. Who knew learning about math and science could be so much fun!

In 2018, more than 28,000 students, teachers, administrators and staff members let off some steam at Fifth Third Field during our four school games, a new Mud Hens record!

2019 SCHOOL EDUCATION DAYS

  • Wednesday, May 1 at 10:35 a.m.
  • Wednesday, May 15 at 10:35 a.m.
  • Thursday, May 16 at 10:35 a.m.
  • Wednesday, May 29 at 10:35 a.m.

IMAGINATION STATION

The having-fun-while-learning meter gets cranked up during select inning breaks, with creative science experiments conducted by the Imagination Station crew.

The Mud Hens offer a school day curriculum guide, a pregame career day program before each game, special meal offers and have group fanwear opportunities.

Now’s the time to book your school group! Call Rita Natter 419-725-9258 or email rnatter@mudhens.com.

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

Cedar Rapids Kernels release 2018 Community Report

Cedar Rapids, IA – The Kernels have released their third annual report showcasing how the organization supported the Cedar Rapids community in 2018.

The twenty-page report highlights the work inside and outside of Veterans Memorial Stadium throughout the calendar year. The Kernels Organization as a whole gave over $429,000 in charitable donations which includes money granted by the Kernels Foundation for local recreational projects. Other community efforts showcased include the 20th Annual Kernels Summer Reading Program that promoted the importance of reading to 25,000 local children in Eastern Iowa and the “Home Run for Hunger” program that, since 2017, collected 7,200 pounds of food from farmers’ market vendors for the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) food reservoir.

The entire 2018 Cedar Rapids Kernels Community Report can be viewed by visiting www.kernels.com and clicking on the Community tab on the home page.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels are the Midwest League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. For more information, visit www.kernels.com and follow the Kernels on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Drive Honored with SCSBA Champions of Public Education Award

Greenville, SC – The Greenville Drive have been selected by the South Carolina School Boards Association as a recipient of the Champions of Public Education Award in recognition of their commitment to public education in the Upstate.

The South Carolina School Boards Association has been issuing the Champions of Public Education Award since 2009, and each quarter, individuals, organizations and local businesses are recognized for their contributions to public education. These contributions include support of local education programs, actively working for the betterment of public schools, and doing their part to inspire support for public schools. Previous recipients of the award in support of Greenville County Schools include The Cliffs Communities, Hubbell Lighting, and Public Education Partners.

The Drive’s consistent efforts in outreach towards public schools is manifested in many ways. The Michelin Reading All-Stars Program works with public schools and library systems to promote reading enjoyment and academic success, and the program has reached almost 700,000 children over 11 years.

The Drive also hosted the inaugural Teach864 Night at Fluor Field this season, which recognized teachers in Greenville County Schools for their dedication and service to their students, their schools, and the local community.

In addition, the Drive have hosted Health Careers Night and Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night the past few seasons, both of which are designed to educate, inform, and spark interest in those fields for students of all ages.

“Being committed to education is a major component of our community platform, and it is a tremendous honor to be recognized for that commitment with the Champions of Public Education award,” said Drive Owner and Team President Craig Brown. “Our schools in the Upstate are doing a commendable job preparing students to be the leaders of tomorrow, and we consider it a privilege to help out in the development of these young students through our education programs and specialty career nights.”

“The Greenville Drive franchise has been an exemplary community partner for Greenville County Schools for many years,” said Dr. Burke Royster, Superintendent of Greenville County Schools. “Craig Brown always responds affirmatively when we call on him. The Drive has assisted us in honoring all GCS employees through our employee appreciation night, raised the profile of teachers through the Teach864 Campaign, helped educate our families about careers in health and manufacturing, supported academic success in GCS student-athletes, and participated in our AdvancED accreditation review.

“Together, we have co-presented to groups such as TransformSC on the value of public-private partnerships. In short, the Drive has thrown its name recognition and brand value behind our public schools and we are incredibly grateful for their commitment to our cause.”

About the Greenville Drive

The Greenville Drive, the South Atlantic League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, just completed its 13th season at award-winning Fluor Field in downtown Greenville. Since 2006, more than 400,000 fans a year have been welcomed to Fluor Field for both Drive games and additional community events. In 2017, the Drive was honored with the prestigious John H. Johnson President’s Award, presented by Minor League Baseball and given to “the total baseball franchise,” based on contributions to baseball in the community, promotion of the baseball industry, financial stability and contributions to league stability. 80 Drive alumni have gone on to play at the major-league level, 13 of which were members of the Red Sox 2013 World Series Championship Team.

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

Blue Rocks Win Carolina League’s Matt Minker Award For Community Service

Wilmington, DE– The Wilmington Blue Rocks were honored by the Carolina League this week for the fifth consecutive season with the Matt Minker Community Service Award. The team was selected by a league-wide vote of club executives and owners.

“I could not be more proud of everyone within the Blue Rocks’ organization,” said managing partner Dave Heller. “I am especially pleased for my partner and friend Clark Minker, since the community service award bears his late father’s name. I am delighted for everyone with the Blue Rocks who worked so hard to earn this tremendous team accolade. We take enormous pride in our work helping families within Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, southern Jersey and Maryland’s north shore, and this award is a nice recognition of those efforts.”

The Minker Award is earned by the Carolina League club which best demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support, and leadership within its community. The award is named after the Blue Rocks’ founder, Matt Minker, who owned the club until his death in 2007. Minker, whose construction company built Frawley Stadium, remains the team’s honorary president.

The Blue Rocks participated in numerous school programs, charitable endeavors and hospital visits. The team works with area schools to promote academic achievement (DSEA Rocky’s Reading Challenge), citizenship (Grotto Pizza Outstanding Student Program) and overall knowledge (Discover Baseball and Education Day). The club also hosts three youth camps each summer, teaching local kids how to play the game of baseball.

The team helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for good causes such as Habitat for Humanity, Fight for the Gold, Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware, Special Olympics Delaware, Food Bank of Delaware and many other charities through partnerships with local businesses such as Chase and Food Lion. Several times during the season, the team’s players and mascot also visited local hospitals, brightening the spirits of patients and their families.

“Matt Minker was instrumental in laying the foundation for the Blue Rocks founding and later success,” said Blue Rocks director of community affairs Kevin Linton. “It is fitting that this award recognizes his life’s work and we are thrilled as an organization to honor his legacy for a fifth consecutive season by earning this recognition.”

 

As the Carolina League’s recipient of the Matt Minker Award, the Blue Rocks received the 10-team league’s nomination for the John Henry Moss Community Service Award, given out by Minor League Baseball at its annual Winter Meetings, to be held this December in Las Vegas.

The Blue Rocks recently announced a two-year extension of their Player Development Contract to remain the Advanced-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Season seats for the 2019 season will be available on October 18, mini plans go on sale November 1, and groups packages are available for purchase November 8. For more information, please go to BlueRocks.com.

www.bluerocks.com

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

New Fang & Whiffer Halloween Contest for 2018

GRAND CHUTE, WI – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers mascots Fang and Whiffer had an idea for a new Halloween contest for children from Kindergarten through fifth grade. We liked it and decided to let them run with it.

To enter, your class at school should write a Halloween story involving Fang and Whiffer and submit it to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The best story submitted to us will win a visit from our mascots on October 31 that will be full of spooky surprises.

Please send your entry to fang@timberrattlers.com along with a class photo, the name of your teacher, and the name of your school. There may only be one story per class.

Stories need to be sent to Fang by Wednesday, October 24. The winner will be announced on Monday, October 29.

Wisconsin’s schedule for the 2019 season has been made available.   Season ticket packages for the 2019 season are available from the Timber Rattlers ticket office, which is open from 9am until 5pm Monday through Friday. Fans may call (920) 733-4152 or 800-WI-TIMBER or stop by the box office at the stadium.

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

Fang’s Reading Club Is Back and Better Than Ever for 2019

GRAND CHUTE, WI – School is back in session and Fang’s Reading Club is open for enrollment! The incentive-based rewards program that encourages reading development in children from grades K through 5 is presented by Fox Communities Credit Union, Learning Rx, Myndology, and Tutor Doctor and now includes an easy, online ticket ordering option. Teachers and reading coordinators have until Friday, November 16 to get involved in this popular Wisconsin Timber Rattlers program.

Personnel at participating schools have the flexibility to design the program to meet the needs of their students. The Timber Rattlers and various sponsors will provide students with incentive prizes as they reach goals within the program. Students who meet all of their goals for the program are rewarded with a FREE ticket as part of their school’s Family Night at a Timber Rattlers game in 2019.

The Timber Rattlers and the sponsors of Fang’s Reading Club will provide:

  • An introductory letter to be sent to parents at the start of the program.
  • Baseball related verification aids to help parents and teachers track the progress of participants.
  • Incentive prizes for students as they reach each goal set by the coordinator.
  • A FREE ticket to a 2019 Timber Rattlers game with a hot dog & soda voucher for students who complete the program.
  • Information to aid schools in setting up their Family Night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Please head to Fang’s Reading Club page at the Timber Rattlers website for full details, including a sample timeline, dates for Reading Club games, and how your school can schedule a visit from Fang. You may also look at this year’s Reading Club brochure here.

The club had 200 schools and over 47,000 students participate in the program last year and Fang is looking to make this year’s club even bigger!

Contact Dayna Baitinger at dbaitinger@timberrattlers.com, (800) WI-TIMBER, or (920) 733-4152 if you have any questions or would like to register your class or school for Fang’s Reading Club.

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

Thousands of Local Children to Learn Life Saving CPR at Four Winds Field

SOUTH BEND, IN – For the second year in a row, the South Bend Cubs will host a CPR Training Event with over a thousand local children participating from South Bend Community School Corporation and School City of Mishawaka at Four Winds Field. This event is the largest in the region.

Students will be given training in Hands-Only CPR by area EMS, fire, police, and medical personnel. Each student will be given their own CPR Anytime training kit complete with an inflatable manikin and DVD with instructions in CPR. Students will be encouraged to take home their kits and train friends and family using the DVD. While at the training they will also hear speeches from local community leaders and testimonies from area sudden cardiac arrest survivors.

The event is coordinated by enFocus, a local nonprofit, and the Out-Of-Hospital-Cardiac-Arrest (OHCA) Task Force to drive home the importance of prompt bystander intervention for victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Research indicates that hands-only CPR can significantly increase the likelihood of survival of such an event. The national average for survival is only about 10% and in 2015 in Saint Joseph County it was only 5%.

“We are honored to host this event again in conjunction with enFocus,” said South Bend Cubs President Joe Hart. “The amount of space Four Winds Field has, gives us the flexibility to host such a large number of students. Our hope is that the students trained at this event will then train their friends and family.”

This is not a public event, but media representatives are welcome. South Bend Schools will be trained during the morning session (10:30am – 12:00pm) and Mishawaka and Catholic schools will be trained in the afternoon session (1:00pm – 2:30pm). In the event of inclement weather, the event will be postponed until Tuesday, October 16. Additional information can be found at www.savealifesjc.org.Additional information can be found at SaveALifeSJC.org.

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

Cougars Nominated for MiLB Community Service Award

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have been nominated by the Midwest League for the John Henry Moss Community Service Award.

The award is presented to a Minor League club which demonstrates a commitment to charitable service as well as support and leadership within their local community and the baseball industry.

Community impact has been one of the pillars of the Cougars organization since 1991, but prior to the 2018 season the Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation, Inc. launched a historic fundraising goal known as “A Million Smiles Campaign.” The first campaign of its kind in the history of MiLB, the Foundation worked towards reaching a donation total of one million dollars with each dollar donated providing a welcome smile for those in need. Reaching above and beyond that milestone this season marks the first time in the Cougars 28 year history that the one million dollar donation total has been achieved with the expansion of various programs including:

• Country Financial 50/50 Raffle
• Acres Group Pitch in for Charity
• Paramount Fence Home Runs for Charity
• Legacy Brick Program
• D-backs Give Back Program
• Cougars Reading Club
• Ozzie and Annie Reading Scholars
• Cougars 5K
• Tangled Roots Give Back Pledge
• Al Mueller Memorial Scholarship Fund
• AmazonSmile
• Highland Salutes
• Movers for Mom
• Holiday Turkey Giveaway

Nominees from all leagues are reviewed by the MiLB Awards Committee and recommendations are presented to the President and Executive Vice President of MiLB for the final decision. The winner will be announced at the Winter Meetings in December.

For the latest ticket and promotional information, follow your Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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 171 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.

College Prep Night Set for Wednesday at Fifth Third Field

Dayton, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons and Fifth Third Bank will hold College Prep Night, a free educational event for prospective college students, at Fifth Third Field on Wednesday, September 26 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

College Prep Night is a one-stop college resource event to guide prospective college students and their parents through the process of planning an educational path. High school students can talk to representatives from colleges and universities from all over the nation, and one lucky student in attendance will win a $1,000 college scholarship, courtesy of Fifth Third Bank.

More than 1,000 students and their guests will attend and more than 70 colleges and universities will participate in this free event. Among the colleges scheduled to appear are Wright State University, Kettering College, Ohio University, Miami (Ohio) University, Duke University, University of Cincinnati, Ball State University, University of Dayton, Ohio Army National Guard, University of Kentucky, and many more schools from around the country. Representatives will be on hand to answer whatever questions that students might have about college life at each particular school.

“Fifth Third is committed to growing the financial knowledge of families and students as they make decisions about their future,” said Doug Compton, city executive for Fifth Third Bank. “It is important that we play a role in providing information that will help them successfully navigate their options regarding college. We are honored to provide a scholarship to a student who has made the decision to continue their education and we are dedicated to continue participating in events like College Prep Night that make a long-lasting, positive difference in the communities that we serve.”

The $1,000 scholarship will be given away after the event to a lucky college-bound student. To be entered to win, parents or students must RSVP before noon on the day of the event at www.daytondragons.com/collegeprep and must attend the event, although they do not have to be present when the winner’s name is pulled at the conclusion of the event.

In addition to visiting with the different schools, students and parents can participate in dynamic, informative workshops that will tell them everything they need to know about college. In one of the informative seminars, Fifth Third Bank will educate attendees on choosing the right college savings, part of a 13-program series called Empower U, designed by financial professionals at Fifth Third Bank with the employees of their valued clients in mind. The Empower U program is designed to provide you with financial information that will help empower you to achieve your goals and realize financial independence. This presentation will provide attendees with an overview of how to, and how much to, save for your child’s college education.

To learn more about College Prep Night, please visit www.daytondragons.com/collegeprep.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. As of June 30, 2018, the Company had $141 billion in assets and operated 1,158 full-service Banking Centers and 2,458 ATMs with Fifth Third branding in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina. In total, Fifth Third provides its customers with access to approximately 54,000 fee-free ATMs across the United States. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Wealth & Asset Management. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of June 30, 2018, had $368 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $37 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations through its Trust and Registered Investment Advisory businesses. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858. Deposit and Credit products are offered by Fifth Third Bank. Member FDIC.

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

Riders Foundation busy in community during August

FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 12, 2018) – The RoughRiders Foundation logged more than 200 volunteer hours during the month of August, registering another busy month working with the North Texas community.

“Each month, it seems we take another step forward and that was certainly the case in August,” said Breon Dennis, Executive Director of the RoughRiders Foundation. “It gives me immense pride to see our players and staff contribute to this great community as much as they have been lately.

Here’s a full breakdown of how the Riders got involved in the community throughout August.

* Play Ball event (August 5): In conjunction with Minor League Baseball, Riders catcher Jose Trevino and Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney helped run a clinic for kids, encouraging them to maintain an active lifestyle.

* Habit for Humanity (August 8): Staff members painted the exterior of a home and assisted with other construction projects.

* Frisco Fastpacs (August 15): Volunteers sorted and inventoried more than 10,000 goods to be packaged and sent to schools throughout Frisco ISD.

* Children’s Health visit (August 17): Riders President & General Manager Andy Milovich, and players Wes Benjamin, Tyler Davis, Ryne Slack and Jose Trevino spent the morning playing with kids at Children’s Medical Center’s Dallas campus.

* Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery (August 21): Riders representatives helped clean headstones throughout the complex to benefit veterans and their families

* Keeper of the Game clinic (August 25): Riders players Tyler Davis and Ryne Slack helped with the Keeper of the Game Foundation’s special needs clinic at Dr Pepper Ballpark.

* Children’s Health visit (August 29): Riders players Wes Benjamin, Tyler Davis and Jose Trevino spent their morning with kids at the Children’s Medical Center campus in Plano.

For more information on how the RoughRiders Foundation is making a difference in North Texas, click here. If you would like the RoughRiders to volunteer with your organization, please contact Breon Dennis at (972) 334-1978 or breon@ridersbaseball.com.

The 2019 season begins April 4 at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Ticketing information will be distributed soon. For more information, visit RidersBaseball.com.

About the RoughRiders

The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 14 seasons (2005-2018). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg. Since then, the new ownership group, together with the City of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise enhancements, investing over $8 million in a wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including a state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, InTouch Grille, Riders Outpost Team Store and the world’s largest water feature in a sports facility, the massive Choctaw Lazy River. These enhancements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco Ballpark Digest’s prestigious “Best Ballpark Renovation” award for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016). More than 140 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Adrian Gonzalez, Ian Kinsler and Neftali Feliz, as well as current Rangers stars Elvis Andrus, Rougned Odor and Nomar Mazara. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders and Dr Pepper Ballpark, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact Ryan Rouillard at RRouillard@RidersBaseball.com.

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