Education/Teacher Support

Voyagers 9 Innings of Reading Program off to a Strong Start

March 26, 2014

(GREAT FALLS, Mont.) – The Voyagers “9 Innings of Reading Program” presented by the Great Falls Voyagers and sponsored by Noodle Express and Great Falls College, is off to a strong start in 2014. During the first three weeks of the program there has been close to 5,000 total prizes awarded to students who have reached their reading goals at Lewis and Clark, Mountain View, Whittier, Valley View, Roosevelt, Belt, Sunnyside, and Meadow Lark Elementary Schools.

“We are excited about the response that we have already received for the first three weeks of this program,” said Scott Lettre, Director of Sales, “We love to see the local elementary school students get excited about reading.”

The Voyagers look to award around 15,000 prizes to these local elementary school students by the end of the 9-week long reading program that will end on May 9^th. Starting the week of May 12^th, the Voyagers will be throwing a pizza party at each school. All students who completed all 9 innings of the program will receive an invitation to this pizza party, with special guest, Orbit.

Each week during the program, students from these schools have certain goals to reach based on what grade they are in. These goals are then divided by difficulty into four categories: single, double, triple, and home run. Each student is able to win a prize depending on what category they meet.

Prizes for the 2014 reading program include a pencil, bookmark, notebook, luggage tag, eraser bracelet, water bottle, and a free youth ticket to one of our four reading program days during the 2014 season. The reading program dates at the field are June 24^th, July 12^th, August 7^th, and August 29^th.

The reading program is currently in its second year. During the first year in 2013, there were five local elementary schools that participated.

“I really think the program was wonderful,” said Jennifer Crisman, Mountain View Elementary Librarian about the first year of the program, “Anytime we can get students excited about reading and continue to read solidly for nine straight weeks, we are definitely accomplishing a beautiful goal.”

The Voyagers are excited to partner with local school districts for this program, along with sponsors Noodle Express and Great Falls College.

The Voyagers will open their season June 16^th against the Billings Mustangs on the road and will open at home on June 21^st against the Billings Mustangs.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Great Falls Voyagers. Click here to view the original story.

Intimidators inaugural Reading All-Stars include hundreds of students from Kannapolis City Schools

March 19, 2014

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (March 19, 2014) – The Kannapolis Intimidators are excited to announce that, as a part of the team’s new reading program, hundreds of students in Kannapolis City Schools are among the first in the community to be named 2014 Reading All-Stars.

The Intimidators’ Reading All-Stars Program challenges third through eighth grade students to read four extracurricular books in four weeks to be named a Reading All-Star and receive a complimentary ticket to an Intimidators game and participate in a pre-game parade around the field. The four-week reading program for Kannapolis City Schools recently came to a close, and students will receive a voucher through their schools in the coming weeks good for a ticket to the KCS Reading All-Stars Celebration Game on Friday, April 4, at 7:05 p.m. at CMC-NorthEast Stadium.

“The Reading All-Stars program has been a tremendous success, and we are extremely grateful to the Kannapolis Intimidators for bringing it to our schools,” said Dr. Pam Cain, Superintendent of Kannapolis City Schools. “Building a love of reading is one of the most important things we can do to help children succeed, and we look forward to continuing this outstanding partnership.”

In addition to working with KCS, the Intimidators have also teamed up with Cabarrus County Schools, Rowan-Salisbury School System and Stanly County Schools to offer this opportunity to more than 33,000 third through eighth grade students in the community. The reading period for students in Cabarrus, Rowan and Stanly counties is still in progress.

“We launched this program to do our part to encourage local students to get excited about reading,” said Intimidators General Manager Randy Long. “If giving these children a fun experience at the ballpark will get them to pick up a book, then we are more than happy to reward them for their hard work.”

In addition to providing a complimentary ticket to the students who are named a Reading All-Star, the Intimidators are offering discounted tickets for $3 to family members of the students to attend the Celebration Game.

Dates of Reading All-Stars Celebration Games for other school districts are Friday, May 2 for Cabarrus County Schools; Friday, May 16 for Stanly County Schools; and Sunday, May 18 for Rowan-Salisbury School System. Information on attending the Celebration Games will be distributed through the schools two to three weeks before the game.

The Intimidators are preparing for the 20th season of professional baseball in Kannapolis and 14th as a Chicago White Sox affiliate. Opening Night of the 2014 season is Thursday, April 3, against the Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox) at 7:05 p.m. Since the team came to town in 1995, a total of 77 players have gone from Kannapolis to the Major Leagues, including 2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins and former NFL standout and 1998 Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams. Season tickets, mini-plans and single-game seats are currently available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or by visiting the team website at www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Kannapolis Intimidators. Click here to view the original story.

Hit The Books underway in 31 area Elementary Schools

March 10, 2014

Annual reading program assists children in achieving goals

MISSOULA, MONT. – The Missoula Osprey with help of their partners United Way of Missoula County & Sylvan Learning kicked off the clubs biggest and most successful community program, Hit the Books in 31 area elementary schools on Monday.

The Osprey started the Hit the Books Reading Program in their inaugural season in 1999 and has seen participation grow over time. 5,276 students spanning 246 classrooms are participating in the 2014 edition of Hit the Books, where annually nearly 50,000 books are read.

“Hit the Books is one of the best reading programs in all of professional baseball,” said Osprey Vice President/General Manager Jeff Griffin. “The program is incentive based designed for Missoula-area students to set goals and follow through with achieving them over a seven week period.”

“Learning should be fun and reading should be a joy for all kids,” said longtime supporter and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Missoula County Susan Hay Patrick. “We are happy to partner with the Missoula Osprey on Hit the Books to help give over 5,000 Missoula County kids not only baseball tickets, but a love of reading that will benefit them for a lifetime.”

Hit the Books is set up like a baseball game, meaning there are nine innings (three books equals one inning), where students receive a different prize for each inning completed. Every student that participates gets a letter of achievement, a free ride at the Carousel of Missoula and is entered to win a Kindle Reader and a summer of tutoring at Sylvan Learning. Other prizes include Osprey themed school supplies, an exclusive dessert party with team mascot, Ollie and ticket vouchers to an Osprey game. Over $100,000 in prizes was awarded to area students in 2013.

The program culminates with a celebration at one of eleven Osprey home games designated as Hit the Books Nights, where students are honored for their achievements.

“Sylvan Learning is excited to partner with the Missoula Osprey to encourage young children in our community to develop a love for reading,” said Michael Hoag, Director at Sylvan Learning.

“The program wouldn’t be what it is today without the support of our partners,” said Griffin. “We are also very proud of all of time the students and teachers put in to make it a success. Educators tell us the program helps motivate students as summer vacation approaches.”

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Missoula Osprey. Click here to view the original story.

Bandit Scholars Program expands, partners with Community Foundation of the Great River Bend

February 27, 2014

Applicants from eight counties to be included; donors can make tax-deductible, online contributions

The Quad Cities River Bandits and the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend are new partners in supporting the expanding Bandit Scholars Program that awards two scholarships annually to Quad Cities-area high school seniors. River Bandits owner Dave Heller and Susan Skora, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, announced the partnership at a press conference Thursday morning at Modern Woodmen Park.

Through the partnership with the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, donors can make online, tax-deductible donations to the Bandit Scholars Program by going to www.cfgrb.org. Fans can also click on the team’s website, www.riverbandits.com, and be taken directly to the Bandit Scholars page on the Foundation’s website. The application deadline for 2014 has already passed, but beginning with the next scholarship application cycle in 2015, students will be able to submit their applications online through the Community Foundation’s website. Furthermore, students from eight Quad Cities-area counties – Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Whiteside Counties of Illinois, and Cedar, Louisa, Muscatine and Scott Counties of Iowa – are eligible for the two scholarships.

“We are delighted to be able to partner with the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend to enhance and expand our Bandit Scholars Program,” Heller said. “It will now be easier than ever for fans and organizations to make tax-deductible donations to the program, easier than ever for talented students to apply, and easier for us to continue growing this unique scholarship program, which is one-of-a-kind in minor league baseball. The Community Foundation has an unmatched track record in supporting great causes throughout the region, and we are excited to continue making the dream of free college tuition real for more Quad Cities families!”

The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend has been active in the Quad Cities region for the past 50 years and helps donors support hundreds of local causes, including scholarship opportunities on both sides of the Mississippi River. The Community Foundation’s mission is simply stated: To better our community by connecting people who care with causes that matter. In 1994, the Davenport Area Foundation became the “The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend,” reflecting the growth as a regional resource for both charitable giving and civic engagement. As CFGRB celebrates its 50th anniversary, there is no longer one pooled fund. Instead, there are more than 900 distinct charitable funds, totaling more than $100 million in assets located in 13 affiliate community foundations that serve 17 counties in two states.

“The River Bandits are a vital part of this community. They bring excitement and family fun to the Quad Cities,” stated Susan Skora, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “The Community Foundation is pleased to partner with them as they bring education and internship opportunities to area students.”

The Bandit Scholars Program annually awards two scholarships to deserving area high school seniors. Each scholarship pays for the winner’s entire first year of tuition and includes a summer internship with the River Bandits following the winner’s first year of college.

River Bandits owners Dave Heller and Bob Herrfeldt founded the Bandit Scholars Program in 2009. The scholarships benefit a Quad Cities-area high school senior entering the University of Iowa and has been awarded annually to one Quad Cities-area high school senior since its inception. The Bandit Scholars Program expanded in 2012 with the addition of a second scholarship for an incoming freshman on the Illinois side at either Western Illinois University or Black Hawk College. The two 2014 scholarship winners will be announced and honored at the River Bandits’ June 15 home game at Modern Woodmen Park.

The River Bandits are the only team in minor league baseball to give away two college scholarships each year paying a student’s entire first-year tuition. To help fund the scholarships, the River Bandits hold promotional events, including the annual Frost Fest and the Bandits Race to Home 5K, set for April 12. Race and Fun Run participants receive a registration discount through March 19 by visiting www.riverbandits.com/5k. Fans can also send donations for the scholarship fund to Modern Woodmen Park.

UP NEXT: Opening Day is April 3, so lock in your seats now to see the defending Midwest League Champions in 2014! To order any of the ticket plans – with new lower prices – call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com to download the season ticket order form. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest’s winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 110 feet over the playing field, is opening this spring, along with a carousel, a new ride called a “Drop and Twist,” an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team’s major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs – the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Quad Cities River Bandits. Click here to view the original story.

Return of Community Events

February 26, 2014

The Rome Braves announced today the return of two community wide special events at State Mutual Stadium, home of the Rome Braves. On Friday March 21^st and Saturday March 22^nd, the Rome Braves High School Invitational will be held for the third consecutive year. This year joining the Floyd County High Schools in competition will be Calhoun High School, Darlington School, Rome High School, and the defending GHSA-AAA State Champions, Cartersville High School. On Friday Armuchee High School will take on Calhoun High School at 6pm. The schedule for Saturday will feature Coosa High School vs. Darlington School at 11am, Model High School vs. Rome High School at 2:45pm, and Pepperell High School vs. Cartersville High School at 6:30pm. Gates will open 1 hour prior to the first schedule game each day. “We’re excited to announce the addition of these four baseball programs into our Invitational,” said Rome Braves General Manager, Michael Dunn. “It’s always a good day when we’re able to showcase and support local high school baseball.”

This two day Invitational directly benefits these local baseball programs based on their team’s ticket sales. Fans can purchase tickets directly from their favorite participating teams through March 14^th and the team that sells the most tickets receives an additional donation from the Atlanta Braves Foundation for their baseball program. Tickets are $5 per person and seating is general admission for all games. After the 14^th, tickets can be purchased through the box office at State Mutual Stadium.

Following the Invitational, in April, the Rome Braves will host the 2^nd Annual No Excuses 5k and 10k in memory of Scott Hines. This yearly race benefits the Braves Miracle Field of Rome. Competition will take place on Saturday April 19^th at 8am and is a part of the R.A.C.E. Rome series. In the inaugural race, almost 300 runners crossed the finish line at home plate to support baseball for disabled kids and adults in Northwest Georgia. Through programming at the Braves Miracle Field of Rome, over 100 athletes have suited up to play baseball during the first two seasons. A weekly school league is also available to special education classes in the area. No athlete is turned away due to the financial constraints. For more information contact Erin Elrod at 706-368-9388 or click here and sign-up online.

The Rome Braves 2014 home opener is Thursday April 10^th at 7pm against the Savannah Sand Gnats, an affiliate of the New York Mets. Tickets go on sale Saturday March 8^th at 9am.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Rome Braves. Click here to view the original story.

Wilmore student wins Hit the Books contest

February 24, 2014

Runners-up from Wilmore, Menifee, Eastern elementaries

LexingtonLegends_2014-02-24 — Hit the Books bookmark design winner Lyla Lamb and her family celebrated with Big L. (Lexington Legends)

(WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK, Lexington, Ky.) A student at Wilmore Elementary School was the winner of a bookmark design contest that is part of the Lexington Legends Hit the Books reading incentive program.

Fourth grade student Lyla Lamb created the winning entry. She received a Legends prize pack, including Legends merchandise, a framed Hit the Books poster featuring her artwork and membership in the 2014 Little Legends Kids Club. She also will be invited to throw a ceremonial first pitch at a designated Legends game for her school. Bookmarks featuring her artwork will be distributed to students at every school that participates in the Hit the Books program. More than 27,000 students from 65 central Kentucky schools are expected to take part in the program, which runs through April 1.

Earning runner-up honors were Leah Olmstead, a fifth grade student at Wilmore Elementary; Kevin Spencer, a fifth grade student at Menifee County Elementary; and Samuel Jung, a third grade student at Eastern Elementary in Scott County.

Runners-up received a framed poster and Legends merchandise.

“Hit the Books has always been an important part of community outreach for the Legends,” said Sarah Bosso, the Legends’ director of community relations and special events. “We enjoy visiting the schools and meeting the students who are taking part in the program. Building literacy in childhood is a great cause. We’re glad to help develop good readers as well as good Legends fans.”

In Hit the Books, a baseball diamond is used to record credit for a student’s reading. For every book a student reads, a teacher places his or her initials on a base. When the student has all three bases and home plate initialed by the teacher, the student may bring a Hit the Books bookmark to the Legends’ box office at Whitaker Bank Ballpark to exchange it for two tickets to a Legends home game designated for their school.

The 2014 season is the 14^th for Legends baseball, and also marks the 14^th year that the Legends have been associated with Hit the Books. About 175,000 students have participated.

The Legends, a class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, open the home season Thursday, April 3 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark against the West Virginia Power, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. For more information, visit www.lexingtonlegends.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lexington Legends. Click here to view the original story.

Charlotte Knights Announce Scholarship Programs for 2014

February 18, 2014

(Uptown Charlotte, NC) – A year ago, the Charlotte Knights teamed up with Carolinas HealthCare System and announced an initiative to provide three high school seniors with a $1,000 scholarship each. With the success of Charlotte Knights HealthCare Scholarship Program, presented by Carolinas HealthCare System, the Knights and Carolinas HealthCare System are once again continuing their partnership for 2014. In addition, the Knights are pleased to announce a partnership with one of their founding partners – Piedmont Natural Gas – on another exciting scholarship program. Both scholarships will provide students with educational funding for college.

In an effort to improve educational funding for high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, the Charlotte Knights and Carolinas HealthCare System will provide three $1,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors. New for 2014, the Charlotte Knights along with Piedmont Natural Gas, will provide three $1,000 college scholarships to sophomore students attending college in Piedmont Natural Gas’ service territory. This scholarship is for college students who are interested in pursuing a career in Engineering, Business Administration and Environmental Science.

Last year at Knights Stadium, the Knights honored high school students John Dock Tallent, Gisele Bailey, and Stephanie Smith, as the inaugural recipients of the Charlotte Knights HealthCare Scholarship Program presented by Carolinas HealthCare System. This year’s winners will be honored before a game at BB&T Ballpark.

Applications for both the Charlotte Knights Healthcare Scholarship Program, presented by Carolinas HealthCare System, and the Piedmont Natural Gas Scholarship Program, are available at charlotteknights.com. All applications must be emailed to community@charlotteknights.com or mailed to Charlotte Knights Annual Scholarship at 324 South Mint St., Charlotte, NC 28202. All applications must be postmarked by April 4, 2014.

About Carolinas HealthCare System
Carolinas HealthCare System (carolinashealthcare.org), one of the nation’s leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout North and South Carolina. Its diverse network of care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. Carolinas HealthCare System works to enhance the overall health and wellbeing of its communities through high quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives.

About Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas is an energy services company primarily engaged in the distribution of natural gas to more than one million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation utility customers in portions of North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, including customers served by municipalities who are wholesale customers. Our subsidiaries are invested in joint venture, energy-related businesses, including unregulated retail natural gas marketing, and regulated interstate natural gas transportation and storage, and regulated intrastate natural gas transportation businesses. More information about Piedmont Natural Gas is available on the Internet at http://www.piedmontng.com/.

The Knights will open BB&T Ballpark on Friday night, April 11 at 7:05 p.m. against the Norfolk Tides. Season tickets, as well as group tickets and partial season ticket plans for the 2014 inaugural season at BB&T Ballpark, are on sale now and can be purchased by phone at (980) 207-0079 or by email at seasonseats@charlotteknights.com. For more information about Charlotte Knights Baseball, log on to www.charlotteknights.com. Uptown Knights are Better Than Ever!

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Charlotte Knights. Click here to view the original story.

Gwinnett Braves to Host High School Showcase II

February 18, 2014

Coolray Field set to host 22 of the premiere high school baseball teams in the area from Feb. 22 to March 15

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – The Gwinnett Braves will host the second annual High School Baseball Showcase at Coolray Field beginning on February 22. For four consecutive weekends from February 22 through March15, the home of the G-Braves will host 22 of the top high school baseball programs in the Atlanta metro area.

Last season, the Gwinnett Braves hosted a two-day event, and with the hard work of the front office staff and commitment of the high school baseball teams in the area, the G-Braves have expanded the showcase into a five-day, four-weekend event. The showcase will be jam-packed with talented squads, as 15 of the 22 participating teams earned postseason berths and accumulated winning marks in 2013.

“We are happy to continue this tradition of high school baseball at Coolray Field,” said Gwinnett Braves General Manager North Johnson. “The expansion of the game schedule shows the commitment of our staff in making these games available to all the schools in the Atlanta metro area. One of our goals at Coolray Field is to make these games accessible to all the schools in the area and we are very happy that schools from all across the area are taking part in this showcase.”

The event will kick off with North Gwinnett High School and Providence Christian High School, as they play at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 22. North Gwinnett features left-handed pitcher Tucker Baca, who is committed to Arizona State University and is ranked the No. 92 high school prospect according to Baseball America. Providence Christian is coming off a 15-win season and a playoff berth. The nightcap will feature Archer High School and Lanier High School at 4 p.m. Both schools are relatively new to the baseball fold, as their programs have been around for less than five years. Each school is quickly building into an elite power, including Lanier, who is coming off a school-best 18-win season in 2013.

On Saturday, March 1, Coolray Field will be loaded with baseball action, hosting four games from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Buford High School, who is coming off of a 21-12 season, will match up against Hebron High School at 11:30 a.m. Holy Innocents High School and Lambert High School, two teams that made it into the second round of the Georgia State playoffs in their respective regions last year, will face off at 1:30 p.m. South Forsyth High School and Dunwoody High School will meet at 4 p.m., and the day will conclude with a battle between Kennesaw Mountain High School and Northview High School at 6:30 p.m.

The showcase will continue the following weekend with three more games. On Friday, March 7 at 4 p.m., Peachtree Ridge High School will play North Forsyth High School. Last season, Peachtree Ridge finished second in the region with an 11-3 record, but fell in the second round of the 7-AAAAAA playoffs. North Forsyth won 12 games in 2013 and finished sixth in their division.

On Saturday, March 8, Mountain View High School and South Gwinnett High School will play each other for the second straight season at Coolray Field. Last year, the Comets won a tightly contested battle 7-6 over the Bears. Right after that game at 6:30 p.m., Norcross High School and Grayson High School will take the field. Both squads come into 2014 following stellar seasons, as each finished atop their respective conferences and qualified for the playoffs a year ago.

The showcase will conclude on Saturday, March 15 with another twin-bill starting at 11 a.m. The first contest will feature East Cobb Academy and the Home Plate Citadels, while the second game pits Johns Creek High School against Loganville High School at 1:30 p.m. Johns Creek went 18-7 last season, reaching the AAAAAA playoffs before losing to Norcross, while Loganville went 26-8 before falling in the quarterfinals of the AAAAA playoffs.

“This is a great opportunity for our players to play on the best playing surface in all of Triple-A baseball and to play in such a beautiful venue against a perennial high school power like Loganville,” said Johns Creek Head Baseball Coach Billy Nicholson. “Our whole baseball community is looking forward to a great day of baseball!”

Tickets will be available at the Coolray Field Ticket Office on the day of the games only. Adult tickets are $10 and student tickets with ID are $5 for the day. For more information about the event or how to purchase tickets, contact the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visit gwinnettbraves.com.

The Gwinnett Braves will begin their sixth season of play on Thursday, April 3 at Durham. The G-Braves’ 2014 home opener at Coolray Field will take place on Friday, April 11 against the Durham Bulls. Season tickets for the 2014 campaign are on sale now by calling the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340. For more information on 2014 season ticket packages, visit gwinnettbraves.com/2014.

# # #

COUNTDOWN TO THE 2014 HOME OPENER (Friday, April 11, 7:05 PM vs. Durham): 52 Days

The Gwinnett Braves are the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Follow the G-Braves at gwinnettbraves.com, facebook.com/GwinnettBraves1 and twitter.com/GwinnettBraves. For more information on 2014 Season Tickets, call the Coolray Field Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 or visit gwinnettbraves.com/2014.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Gwinnett Braves. Click here to view the original story.

Scrappers Host High School Valley All-Star Classic

February 11, 2014

Saturday, June 14

NILES, OH – The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are excited to announce they will be hosting the second annual High School Valley All-Star Classic, presented by Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods and media partners 21 WFMJ and WBCB, on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at Eastwood Field. The High School Valley All-Star Classic will feature elite high school players from the Mahoning Valley.

Tickets for the High School Valley All-Star Classic will go on sale on March 1^st and will be $5 for General Admission Seats. They will be available at the Eastwood Field Box Office, by calling 330-505-0000 or online at www.mvscrappers.com.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are the Short Season Single A Affiliate of the Cleveland Indians and play all home games at Eastwood Field. Notable alumni include C.C. Sabathia, Vinnie Pestano, Jason Kipnis, and Victor Martinez. For more information about individual game tickets, ticket packages or group outings visit www.mvscrappers.com or call the front office at (330) 505 – 0000.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Click here to view the original story.

Sherman Visits McIlvaine Early Childhood

February 7, 2014

Hit the Books program is underway

Sherman is on the Hit the Books tour visiting with different schools

Salisbury, MD – Sherman and the Shorebirds visited McIlvaine Early Childhood Center in Magnolia, Delaware on February 7 as a part of the school’s “I Love to Read” month festivities and to promote the Shorebirds Hit the Books program presented by Dr. James M. Crouse at The Brace Place.

The Hit the Books program reaches over 40,000 students from over 100 schools on the Eastern Shore.

Students that read four books outside of their normal classroom reading receive two free tickets to attend a Shorebirds game.

For more information about the Hit the Books program, contact Shawn Schoolcraft at 410-219-3112 ext. 168.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Delmarva Shorebirds. Click here to view the original story.

Centennial Bank, Naturals honor our Community Heroes

February 5, 2014

Nominate a local hero for public recognition at a Naturals game this season

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Centennial Bank are proud to announce the return of our Centennial Bank Community Heroes program, which will seek to honor individuals who have done something excellent for their hometown or organization.

Centennial Bank Community Heroes are individuals who have gone above and beyond in terms of community service and helping others. Those that are selected during the season will receive on-field recognition during a pre-game ceremony at a TBD Naturals’ home game, four (4) complimentary Super Premium tickets, and a “Community Heroes” award courtesy of Centennial Bank. Winners from previous seasons include students, teachers, military members, first responders, clergy members, and businesses that have served their community in a positive manner.

“The Naturals are proud for the third year to honor those that are making a difference in our community,” said Naturals General Manager Justin Cole. “We are excited to continue this partnership with Centennial Bank and look forward to welcoming this year’s recipients and their guests.”

Youth baseball volunteers whom have gone above and beyond are being sought to help get the program started this year. For the first night of the Centennial Bank Community Heroes – on Opening Night on Thursday, April 10th, a hero will be selected to take the field and receive pre-game recognition as the Naturals’ starting lineup is introduced to the crowd. For Opening Night nominations of someone that has impacted your life, please submit your form by no later than April 3^rd. Centennial Bank Community Heroes will accept nominations throughout the season and be awarded at each home game. All those selected will receive four (4) super premium tickets.

If an honoree wants to attend the game accompanied by a large group, the Naturals will make group rates available for advance purchase for groups of 20 or more in addition to the four complimentary tickets.

For those interested in nominating a member of their community, a printable form is available at nwanaturals.com. Once the form is completely filled out, you may either fax or email it to the Naturals at the numbers listed on the form or drop it off at any Centennial Bank location in Northwest Arkansas.

Season of Naturals Baseball begins Thursday, April 3, 2014 in Frisco, TX. The team opens at Arvest Ballpark on Thursday April 10, 2014 against the same Frisco RoughRiders.

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, AR. 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 article originally appeared on the official website of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Click here to view the original story.

Agriculture Zone to be built inside Chukchansi Park

January 30, 2014

Fresno Grizzlies and Gar Tootelian, Inc. enter into new partnership

FRESNO, Calif – Gar and Esther Tootelian Charitable Foundation and Gar Tootelian, Inc. have partnered with the Fresno Grizzlies to become the official sponsor of a new Agriculture Zone at Chukchansi Park. The zone, which will be completed by 2014 Opening Day, will be named the Gar Tootelian Agriculture Zone and will promote the Grizzlies Community Fund’s (GCF) Farm Grown program that supports Central San Joaquin Valley agriculture, education, sustainability, and health and wellness. The sponsorship agreement includes the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 baseball seasons.

“Baseball and Farming are true Americana traditions and have shared many fields – so, it is only natural that Gar Tootelian, Inc. and their Charitable Foundation partner with the Grizzlies to cultivate agricultural awareness and educate fans and consumers of all ages on the value and importance of agriculture,” stated Karen Musson of GAR.

The Gar Tootelian Agriculture Zone will feature a farm-themed setting on the outfield concourse behind left field. The Ag Zone will include displays and signage boards that will highlight the Central Valley’s agriculture business, as well as partners of the Farm Grown program. The larger-than-life interactive zone will also feature an oversized baseball and bat, making it one of the more unique stadium elements in the United States.

“We believe Central Valley farmers and the Ag industry as a whole should be recognized for their commitment in feeding the nation and being a major contributor to the world economy,” said Grizzlies Director of Corporate Partnerships and Community Fund Jerry James. “The dedication GAR and their foundation have shown to raise awareness for agriculture and sustainability is precisely what our Farm Grown program has been established for. We’re excited to break ground on a signature feature inside Chukchansi Park that educates and highlights our area’s past, present, and future.”

GAR joins the growing list of Farm Grown partners and supporters working to promote agriculture in the Central San Joaquin Valley.

ABOUT FARM GROWN

Established in 2012, the Grizzlies Community Fund’s (GCF) Farm Grown program promotes the agricultural heritage and philanthropic vitality of the Central San Joaquin Valley through the building of meaningful partnerships in support of education and healthy living. Farm Grown has been a central component to the GCF’s Wild About Reading program, in which 100,000 students annually receive a Farm Grown magazine that serves as a call to action for reading outside of the classroom.

ABOUT GAR AND ESTHER TOOTELIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Founded in 2003, the Gar and Esther Tootelian Charitable Foundation was established to recognize the achievement of their founders and as a tribute to the vast contribution Central Valley Agriculture makes to the health and freedom of our communities and nation. Over the last 10 years, the Foundation, with the assistance of Gar Tootelian, Inc., has given $1 Million in gifts. The Foundation’s gifts are focused on scholarships, promoting Agricultural literacy, and showing appreciation and respect for the value of agriculture.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Fresno Grizzlies. Click here to view the original story.

MVP Education Program returns for 2014 season

January 29, 2014

Dash organization rewards hard-working students in the Triad

The Winston-Salem Dash have already partnered with more than 50 schools in eight counties throughout the Triad for their annual MVP Education Program, which will accept new schools leading up to Opening Day on April 3.

Sky Sox Announce UCCS Sports Management Scholarship

January 28, 2014

New Scholarship Will Support Future Sports Professionals

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are proud to announce the creation of a new scholarship designated for students in the Sport Management Program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ (UCCS) College of Business. The “Sky Sox Sports Management Scholarship” is the first of its kind within the Sport Management Program at UCCS and will be awarded to a rising Sophomore, Junior or Senior at the University.

“For the past six years the Sky Sox have provided UCCS Sport Management students with outstanding internship opportunities,” Eric Olson, director, Sport Management Program, said. “With this scholarship they have taken that support to a new level. It is a distinct privilege to work with organizations like the Sky Sox whose executives and managers take the time and effort to help prepare our students to become the next generation of sports business leaders.”

Eligible undergraduate students at UCCS will be able to apply for the $2,500 yearly scholarship beginning with the Fall Semester of 2014. In order to qualify for the scholarship, students must demonstrate financial need according to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, and submit a resume (or similar list of accomplishments), statement of future goals and an essay.

Sport Management students interested in applying for this scholarship should visit the UCCS Financial Aid & Scholarships website at www.uccs.edu/finaid/types/scholarships.html to find the criteria and application details. Students can access the application by using the scholarship search tool and inputting “Sky Sox Sport Mgmt.”

“We are extremely excited to partner with UCCS in creating this new scholarship for future sports professionals,” said Sky Sox President & General Manager Tony Ensor. “The sports industry is full of passionate people and we’re proud to be involved with our local students who are looking to follow their passion for sports.”

The UCCS Sport Management Program is a selective degree program designed for serious students who share a passion for sports and a desire to build careers in this face-paced industry. For more information visit www.uccs.edu/spm/.

The UCCS College of Business was established in 1965 and has more than 1,000 undergraduates and 350 MBA and distance MBA students. The College of Business and Administration awards the Bachelor of Science in Business and Bachelor of Innovation degrees. The Graduate School of Business Administration awards the Master of Business Administration degree. More than 8,000 alumni of the College of Business live and work around the world. For more information, visit www.uccs.edu/business.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs, located on Austin Bluffs Parkway in Colorado Springs, is one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. The University offers 36 bachelor’s degrees, 19 master’s and five doctoral degrees. UCCS enrolls about 9,800 students on campus annually and another 2,000 in online programs. For more information, visit www.uccs.edu.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Click here to view the original story.

Just Drive Campaign Aims to Keep Teens Safe

January 22, 2014

Just Drive, an initiative by the Greenville Drive and several community partners to curb teen texting and driving, launched Jan. 22.

Top, from left to right: Greenville Drive Executive Vice President Nate Lipscomb, Greenville County Schools spokesperson Oby Lyles, Eastside High School Principal Mike Thorne. Bottom, from left to right: Bradshaw Automotive GM Wes Bradshaw, Michelin Community Relations Director Leesa Owens, and Verizon Wireless District Manager Thomas Brown. (Richard Shiro)

Greenville, SC – The Greenville Drive has renewed its commitment to making Greenville County’s roads safer by educating teens about the dangers of texting and driving. The Drive – along with community partners Michelin, N.A., Verizon Wireless and Bradshaw Automotive – have launched the Just Drive campaign for the second straight year to encourage students at all Greenville County high schools to sign the pledge to not text and drive.

“We are thrilled to bring back our Just Drive campaign for the 2014 season,” said Drive President and Co-Owner Craig Brown. “Automobile accidents are the number one killer of teenagers across the United States, and the Drive wants to continue to encourage teenagers to focus solely on driving when they are behind the wheel. We are excited to work once again with the Greenville School District and our Just Drive sponsors to bring awareness to the Just Drive campaign.”

The 2014 Just Drive campaign was announced at a press conference on Wednesday at Eastside High School, where the Drive unveiled several upcoming activities to engage students. The press conference featured representatives from the Greenville Drive, Michelin, N.A., Verizon Wireless, Bradshaw Automotive and the principal and student from Eastside. Special guests included representatives from Greenville County Schools, the City of Greenville, the City of Greenville Youth Commission and students from Eastside High School.

The press conference highlighted the Drive’s primary objectives for the Just Drive campaign, including the announcement that students will participate in a creative challenge to design a t-shirt logo for the campaign. In addition, the Drive announced plans for an invitational baseball game at Fluor Field and a Celebration Game during the Drive’s upcoming 2014 season, both of which will be open to students who have made the pledge.

“A person who texts behind the wheel is 23 times more likely to be involved in a collision than someone who chooses to maintain their full attention on the road,” said Leesa Owens of Michelin, citing a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. “Michelin is glad to support the Greenville Drive in spreading this important message.”

“No text or email is worth the distraction behind the wheel,” said Jerry Fountain, Verizon’s President of the Carolinas/Tennessee Region. “Verizon is committed to partnering with community organizations that share our goal of ending distracted driving. We all have a responsibility to keep our roads safe.”

“We encourage students, and drivers of all ages, to please pull off the roadway in a safe location if you must send or respond to a text or place a voice call when you are behind the wheel,” said Wes Bradshaw, General Manager of Bradshaw Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac of Greer.

Greenville Drive employees are teaming with volunteers from Verizon Wireless to speak to students during school lunch hours about the dangers of distracted driving, and to encourage them to avoid texting, talking on the phone, eating and other distracted behaviors that pulls attention away from safe driving. Students will be asked to sign a pledge as a promise to the community to not text while driving.

“The Just Drive campaign spreads a powerful message to our students about the responsibilities they have while behind the wheel,” said Oby Lyles, spokesperson for Greenville County Schools. “The Greenville Drive has assembled a terrific team of community advocates to connect and engage new drivers in this very important initiative.”

To sign the pledge to Just Drive, please visit facebook.com/justdrivepledge.

About The Drive

The Greenville Drive, the South Atlantic League affiliate of the 2013 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, just completed its 8th season at award-winning Fluor Field, located 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. The Drive has received numerous awards, including Ballpark of the year in its Inaugural 2006 Season, the National Sports Forums Overall Award for Excellence for Sports Marketing in 2010 and 2011 and the prestigious Freitas Award in 2012, presented by Baseball Americaand given to an organization which exemplifies excellence in operations, franchise stability and community engagement. 31 Drive alumni have gone onto play at the Major League level, including Clay Buchholz, Xander Bogaerts, Brandon Workman, and Will Middlebrooks.

About Michelin, N.A.

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelin-us.com) employs more than 22,300 and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in 17 locations.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest and most reliable 4G LTE and 3G networks. The company serves 101.2 million retail customers, including 95.2 million retail postpaid customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 72,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://news.verizonwireless.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews.

About Bradshaw Automotive Group

Bradshaw Automotive began in 1979, when William Bradshaw and his wife, Annette, purchased a small Oldsmobile/Cadillac Dealership in Greer, South Carolina. While the organization has grown considerably, it is still a family-run operation. William is active in the day-to-day operations of all of the dealerships and is now aided by his son, Wes Bradshaw, and his son-in-law, Bill Donovan. The growth and success of Bradshaw Automotive can best be explained by William’s philosophy of treating employees and customers like family, and always respecting their needs.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Greenville Drive. Click here to view the original story.