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OKC Dodgers Give Back

December 13, 2021

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

 

From sorting holiday gift donations to playing with puppies waiting for a home, and from preparing meals for those in need to organizing donated sports equipment, members of the Oklahoma City Dodgers front office staff dispersed throughout the metro area earlier this month to assist several non-profit organizations during a day of service.

The OKC Dodgers Foundation set up a variety of volunteer opportunities that allowed Dodgers staff to give back to the community that generously supports the Triple-A baseball team. The Dodgers and OKC Dodgers Foundation provide support to 150 Oklahoma non-profit organizations throughout the year and each December, four are selected to benefit from a staff day a service.

About 30 front office staff members from the Dodgers and Professional Sports Catering recently split into small groups to assist OK City Center, City Rescue Mission, Oklahoma Humane Society and Cleats For Kids.

Click here to read the rest of this article on the digital publication _Beyond the Bricks_.

Tagged as : Charitable Foundations, Donations, Equipment Donations, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Dodgers, Pacific Coast League, Supporting the Community, Volunteering { }

Greene Donates Thousands of New Cleats to Youth Players

November 29, 2021

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

 

LOS ANGELES – Louisville Bats star pitcher Hunter Greene gave away 3,000 pairs of new baseball cleats (each valued around $100) to local kids and high school baseball players near his hometown in Los Angeles.

“I’m doing this because I have the platform to be able to give back,” Greene told CBS LA on Saturday (Nov. 27). “It’s important to spread the love, be able to provide kids with the best resources, the best equipment… Especially with the pandemic and COVID last year, it was really hard for families to put their money together and get the best of the best for their children. If I can help with that and make the kids feel special, that’s the ultimate goal. And I’m happy and proud to do that.”

View the full story/video here:

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/11/27/baseball-pitcher-hunter-greene-gives-away-thousands-of-cleats-to-kids-in-pacoima

Greene also previously donated new baseball equipment to the Kentucky Diamonds (a youth baseball program which provides sports opportunities for youth minorities who may otherwise be unable to afford them) in a postgame ceremony at Louisville Slugger Field in September. The baseball club publicly thanked Greene in a Facebook post here:

https://www.facebook.com/KYDiamondsBaseball/posts/939467600116670

Greene made his Triple-A debut with the Bats in 2021, finishing 5-8 with a 4.13 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 14 starts. He is currently ranked by MLB.com as the Cincinnati Reds’ No. 1 overall prospect.

Tagged as : Children's Health and Development, Cincinnati Reds, Equipment Donations, Family Relief/Resources, International League, Kentucky, Louisville Bats, Supporting the Community, Youth Sports { }

Amazin’ Mets Foundation Donates Food Truck to Food Bank of CNY 

September 28, 2021

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

 

SYRACUSE, NY – The Syracuse Mets and the Food Bank of CNY will host a food drive in the parking lot at NBT Bank Stadium on Thursday, September 30th in conjunction with the game that night.The Food Bank of CNY is using this game to debut the new refrigerated food truck donated to the Food Bank of CNY by the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. The food drive will begin at 5 p.m. and will last until 7 p.m. The first 150 people to donate non-perishable food items will receive an Amazin’ Mets Foundation tote bag.

“The Amazin’ Mets Foundation is proud to support the great work of the Food Bank of Central New York and the communities in Syracuse,” said Alex Cohen, President of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. “We are committed to providing needed services and opportunities to underserved groups, especially when it comes to hunger relief, which continues to be a growing issue throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We are dedicated to making a positive impact in all of our affiliates’ communities and neighborhoods.”

“The Amazin’ Mets Foundation is making a huge impact in the Central New York community, and we are privileged to be working with them, alongside the New York Mets,” said Jason Smorol, Syracuse Mets General Manager. “The Food Bank does so much to support people around our community, and this donation will help them focus and spend on food instead of vehicle maintenance. This donation by the Amazin’ Mets Foundation is just that, Amazing!”

The Syracuse Mets will play the Buffalo Bisons on Thursday, September 30th, and fans attending the game are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate before entering the stadium. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

“We are thrilled to reveal our new refrigerated straight truck during Thursday night’s Syracuse Mets game,” said Karen Belcher, Executive Director at Food Bank of Central New York. “The Amazin’ Mets Foundation and the Syracuse Mets are terrific partners of the Food Bank, providing funds, awareness, and support for our work to provide nutritious food in the community for people struggling with hunger. This truck, funded by the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, will be on the road every day helping to pick up food donated to us from local retail partners for distribution in various locations in the community later that same day!”

Tickets for September 30th and all remaining Syracuse Mets home games for the 2021 season are available at the Onondaga Coach Ticket Office at NBT Bank Stadium, over the phone (315-474-7833), or in-person during regular office hours, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online anytime at syracusemets.com.

Tagged as : Equipment Donations, Food Drives, Food Insecurity, International League, New York, New York Mets, Syracuse Mets { }

Shuckers Donate Equipment To Stone County High School

September 21, 2021

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

 

Following the conclusion of the 2021 season, the Biloxi Shuckers players collected baseball equipment and apparel that was donated to Stone County High School on Tuesday.

Spearheaded by pitcher Noah Zavolas, the Shuckers’ players collected lightly used cleats, turf shoes, apparel and any other equipment that could be utilized by the Stone County baseball team.

“If it helps even one kid or baseball player continue his career or feel better about his career, then this was a win,” said Zavolas. “Minor League Baseball is here to engage with different baseball programs. With COVID it made it difficult for us to interact with programs and players, but this was something we were able to do and give back in a small way.”

“It helps us even if we can’t use every piece of equipment,” said Stone County Athletic Director Adam Stone. “Our kids are excited. Who doesn’t like to get something donated that you didn’t have to pay for, and mom and dad didn’t have to pay for, that makes what you do a little easier?”

Stone County played for the Mississippi 4A South State Championship in the 2020-21 season, and prior to 2020 Spring Training Zavolas stopped in the Biloxi area and worked out at Stone County, getting to know their players and head coach Sean Miller. With a color scheme that matches the Shuckers, Stone County was a natural fit for the teams’ donation.

“As Pros, a lot of this stuff gets sent to us for free, and you can forget that baseball is an expensive sport if you’re buying all of your own gear,” said Zavolas. “If that pair of cleats has 50 games left in them, let’s get those 50 games out of them.”

“Receiving this donation helps what we’re trying to do, which is just get better,” said Stone. “If you can improve every day then you’re going to be on the right path.”

The 2022 Biloxi Shuckers schedule has been announced and Shuck Nation Memberships, Flex Plans and group outings are now available for the 2022 season. Event spaces at MGM Park can be booked for private events during the offseason by calling (228) 271-3486.

ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:

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

Tagged as : Biloxi Shuckers, Children's Health and Development, Equipment Donations, Family Relief/Resources, Milwaukee Brewers, Mississippi, Southern League, Youth Sports { }

Bats Team Up With Humana, UPS & LSC For “Playing It Forward” Item Drive

August 11, 2021

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

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville Bats have partnered with Humana, Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) and UPS to host an item drive for the “Playing it Forward” initiative during Thursday’s (Aug. 12) game against the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers) at 6:30 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. Fans who donate new or gently-used youth sports equipment will receive a voucher for a FREE hot dog and Pepsi product to be used during Thursday’s Bats game.

Donations can be made at any of the four gates to Louisville Slugger Field upon entrance to the ballpark Thursday. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

The Playing It Forward initiative is designed to provide new or gently-used youth baseball or softball equipment to low-and moderate-income families, with the goal of eliminating the cost of equipment as a potential barrier to participation in organized sports.

The Bats, Humana and LSC also previously teamed up in April for the first item drive of the 2021 season. Fans generously donated sports equipment during the Bats’ Open House event and were treated to an intrasquad scrimmage between members of the Cincinnati Reds’ Alternate Training Site team at Louisville Slugger Field.

For additional information on LSC, visit louisvillesports.org.

Fans can purchase tickets to Thursday’s game by clicking HERE.

Tagged as : Children's Health and Development, Cincinnati Reds, Equipment Donations, Family Relief/Resources, International League, Kentucky, Louisville Bats, Youth Sports { }

Bats to Host Youth Sports Equipment Drive & Holiday Open House

November 18, 2020

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

 

Louisville, KY – The Louisville Bats are partnering with Humana and the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) this holiday season to host “Playing It Forward”, a used sports equipment collection drive on Saturday, December 5 & Sunday, December 6 from 10 AM – 2 PM at Louisville Slugger Field.

Playing It Forward is designed to provide new and/or gently used youth baseball or softball equipment to low-and moderate-income kids and help eliminate the cost of equipment as a barrier to participate in organized sports. By removing this barrier, the LSC will help nearly 100 Louisville-area kids participate in sports in their own neighborhoods as a means to experience physical activity.

“The Bats are thrilled to partner with Humana and the Louisville Sports Commission to help make possible such an impactful initiative. With so many young people in need of proper sports equipment, we’re asking our fans to donate so that we can all help make a difference in the lives of the youth in our community,” says Team President Vic Gregovits.

Walk-up drop off will be available inside the Hall of Fame Pavilion of Louisville Slugger Field. Participants may enter through the east gate doors next to Against the Grain. Parking is free in the main lot located on the east side of the ballpark.

Participants who wish to donate but want to stay in their cars may do so by visiting the drive-by drop off bins located in the main parking lot located on the east side of the ballpark. Bats staff members will be on hand to help with the drive-by donation process.

All participants who donate will receive a 20% off coupon to Dick’s Sporting Goods as well as a 20% off coupon for the Bats Team Store.

Holiday Merch Blowout Sale

In addition to the Playing It Forward initiative, the Bats will be holding their first-ever “Holiday Merch Blowout Sale” which will be offering discounted team merchandise items for up to 50% off. Specially discounted items will be available inside the Team Store. All fans will be required to wear masks when shopping and social distancing guidelines will be enforced.

Ballpark Renovations

Fans who attend are invited to walk around the ballpark to view many of the exciting renovations happening in advance of the 2021 season.

For any questions, please contact the Bats Front Office at (502) 212-2287 or email [email protected].

Tagged as : Children's Health and Development, Cincinnati Reds, Equipment Donations, Family Relief/Resources, International League, Kentucky, Louisville Bats, Promoting Health/Fitness, Youth Sports { }

Items donated will benefit the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket and Local Hospitals

April 22, 2020

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

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – The Idaho Falls Chukars will hold a food and medical supply drive benefiting those effected by COVID-19 in the community. The drive will be held on Friday April 24, from 1 pm to 4:30 pm.

Each donor will receive a coupon for buy-one get-one Chukars tickets for the 2020 season, in addition each donor will be entered into a raffle for a Chukars jersey and on field experience.

Items in need include at the community food basket include: cereal, white rice, mac and cheese, canned tomato sauce, canned tomatoes, pasta, canned fruit and vegetables, canned chili, and side dishes. However, any food you are generous enough to donate will be accepted. Items in at local hospitals include facemasks, latex glove, and any other personal protective equipment.

Chukars staff will collect donations in the parking lot of Melaleuca Field, the team asks that donors place their donations in their trunk or an empty seat in order to respect social distancing

Tagged as : COVID-19, Equipment Donations, Food Drives, Idaho, Idaho Falls Chukars, Kansas City Royals, Pioneer League, Supporting the Community { }

Nemours Children’s Health System Seeks PPE & Cleaning Supply Donations

April 8, 2020

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

 

Wilmington, DE – Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital For Children, part of the Nemours Children’s Health System, is seeking the public’s assistance in the form of donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies as the nation continues to battle the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. A contactless donation drop-off location has been set up in North Wilmington and will accept donations now through April 30.

“Our patients, families and team members are of the utmost importance to us. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nemours is working closely with our states’ departments of health and following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines. This includes using the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies. We greatly appreciate our communities’ outpouring of support and willingness to help. We truly all are in this together.”

Below you will find a list of the items Nemours is currently accepting. The list is in order of need and priority. The items listed below are the ONLY supplies that will be accepted at the donation drop-off location at this time.

1. Masks/Facial Protection – factory-made and hand-sewn. Factory-made include: N95, level 1 procedure, level 3 surgical in original unopened container.

2. Respirators – Max-Air or ILC Dover brand Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), PAPR hoods and PAPR supplies

3. Eye Protection – Transparent face shields, safety glasses, goggles

4. Cleaning Wipes – bleach, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide based wipes

5. Gloves – Non-latex gloves, all sizes in original unopened container

6. Gowns – Disposable gowns, water resistant, in original unopened container

7. Hand Sanitizer – Hand sanitizers w/ > 60% alcohol concentration, unscented

Donations can be dropped off Monday – Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through April 30 at the Brandywine Town Center (5329 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE 19803). Those wishing to make donations should adhere to the following drop-off instructions:

1. Place donated items and printed tax form in your vehicle’s trunk

2. Follow signs to the drop-off location

3. Leave your windows closed and do not get out of your car

4. Pop-up your trunk

5. A Nemours associate will meet you and remove the donations from your trunk

Tax forms & more information can be found on the Nemours COVID-19 Donation of Goods web page HERE.

 

Tagged as : Carolina League, Delaware, Equipment Donations, Hospitals/Medical Research, Kansas City Royals, Supporting the Community, Wilmington Blue Rocks { }

PPE Donation Drive Set For April 4-5 At Frawley Stadium

April 3, 2020

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

 

Wilmington, DE – Local non-profit organization Donate Delaware has arranged to host a donation drive for PPE and other essential medical supplies in the parking lot of Frawley Stadium – home of the Wilmington Blue Rocks – on Saturday, April 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

As local healthcare providers continue to anticipate a “surge” in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in our region, Donate Delaware is assisting in the fight against COVID-19 in Delaware by collecting donations of PPE and other essential medical supplies from the general public. All items collected will be donated to hospitals within The First State. The Frawley Stadium drive will benefit Saint Francis Healthcare and the Wilmington VA Medical Center.

To donate items, vehicles are asked to simply pull up outside of the main entrance of Frawley Stadium, located at 801 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington, DE 19801. Volunteers will approach each vehicle and remove items to be donated, minimizing person-to-person contact.

Donors should place items in the trunk of their vehicle and keep their windows rolled up. Anyone experiencing upper respiratory symptoms should not visit the donation drive.

Items especially needed include:

Regular protective face masks

N95 masks

Face shields

Gowns

Surgical caps/protective caps

Eyeglass shields/goggles

Nasal testing swabs

Lysol or Clorox wipes

Hand sanitizer

Other donations of any kind also will be gratefully accepted.

“We know that businesses, schools, and other organizations may have these types of cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment, and may be willing to donate them to this greater cause,” said Dan Sinnott, President and CEO of Saint Francis Healthcare. “We have been so moved by the generous donations made by so many already, and we are inspired to continue caring for this community as we have for 95 years. Together, we will survive this battle.”

In addition to the Frawley Stadium drive benefitting Saint Francis Healthcare and the Wilmington VA Medical Center, Donate Delaware is hosting an additional drive in Wilmington at the Brandywine Town Center, located at 5329 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803, through Saturday, April 4. That drive, benefitting Nemour/Alfred I. duPont Hospital For Children, runs daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information on supply drives across the state, click HERE.

 

Tagged as : Carolina League, COVID-19, Delaware, Equipment Donations, Hospitals/Medical Research, Kansas City Royals, Supporting the Community, Wilmington Blue Rocks { }

ChristianaCare Seeks Blue Rocks Fans’ Support In COVID-19 Fight

March 27, 2020

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

 

Wilmington, DE – In a partnership with ChristianaCare, the Wilmington Blue Rocks are reaching out to fans regarding support for much needed medical related donations.

ChristianaCare has opened more donation sites to receive donations of medical supplies to help protect health care workers. See a list of supplies and sites here: https://t.co/NEAlloI3Gg #netDE pic.twitter.com/mN6EUVok3B

— ChristianaCare (@christianacare) March 31, 2020

Christiana Care is accepting donations of the following unused items from the community:

All types of unused protective face masks, especially N95 masks

Protective suits and medical scrubs

Goggles, safety glasses and face shields

Cleaning and sterilizing solutions and wipes

Medical gloves

Digital and disposable thermometers

Hand sanitizers

Disposable stethoscopes

iPads – To donate iPads, please clear the security and data first. You can follow these instructions to clear security and data: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201351

You can drop off these items at the following locations:

110 West Market Street, Newport. This site will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, March 30 through Saturday, April 4.

Westown Movies at 150 Commerce Drive, Middletown, DE. This site will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, March 30 to Wednesday, April 1.

College Square Shopping Center at 115 College Square, Newark, DE. This site will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 1 through Saturday, April 4.

Village at Elkton Shopping Center at 801 East Pulaski Highway, Elkton, MD. This site will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1 through Saturday, April 4.

If you are dropping off supplies at any ChristianaCare donation site, please include the details of your donation on this form and send it to the Office of Development, ChristianaCare, 13 Reads Way, Suite 203, New Castle DE 19720 or email [email protected].

To keep volunteers and donors safe, people bringing donations should pack the items into the trunk of their car and pull into the donation line. Please leave windows up and do not get out of your car. A volunteer will unload the items.

All volunteers at the site are advised to practice social distancing by keeping at least six feet apart. Anyone who is experiencing flu-like symptoms should not come to donation sites.

Please reference the Christiana Care COVID19 website to donate online HERE.

 

Tagged as : Carolina League, COVID-19, Delaware, Equipment Donations, Hospitals/Medical Research, Kansas City Royals, Wilmington Blue Rocks { }

JetHawks Hot Stove Banquet Sold Out

January 20, 2020

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

Lancaster, CA – The Lancaster JetHawks are excited to announce that the JetHawks Baseball Foundation’s Hot Stove Banquet has sold out for the fourth consecutive year. The Hot Stove Banquet, sponsored by Learn4Life, will be hosted on January 23rd at the University of Antelope Valley Grand Ballroom. There will be a Q&A, live music from Rat Pack Ricky, a silent auction with great items, delicious dinner, and more. Doors open at 5:30 for cocktail hour, with the program beginning at 6:35.

Ramón Vázquez, former JetHawks player, manager and coach, and current Boston Red Sox coach, will be the keynote speaker for the event. Joining Vázquez will be Colorado Rockies prospect, 2017 JetHawks player, and Santa Clarita native Brian Mundell. Both will dive in to more detail about their careers, their teams, and their time with the JetHawks.

Proceeds from the Hot Stove Banquet and the Silent Auction will benefit the JetHawks Baseball League, which in partnership with the Antelope Valley Boys & Girls Clubs will provides over 150 local youth with the opportunity to play baseball on a team right here at The Hangar each summer. The youth are outfitted with jerseys, gloves, hats and helmets, play their games on the same field as the JetHawks, all at no cost to themselves or their families.

The JetHawks 2020 season kicks off on April 9, 2020 against the San Jose Giants. Season tickets and Hawks Packs, as well as group options, are available now by calling the JetHawks offices at 661-726-5400 or visiting jethawks.com.

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

Tagged as : California, California League, Children's Health and Development, Colorado Rockies, Equipment Donations, Family Relief/Resources, Lancaster JetHawks, Youth Sports { }

Mudcats Donate Baseball Equipment to East Wake High School

October 17, 2019

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

 

ZEBULON, N.C. – The Carolina Mudcats, the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, today donated over 50 game ready cleats and baseball equipment to the baseball program at East Wake High School in Wendell, NC. The equipment and donated cleats were worn or used by several Mudcats players throughout the club’s 2019 Carolina League season.

The Mudcats, represented by mascot Muddy the Mudcat and Director of Marketing and Community Relations Sam Barry, presented the East Wake Warriors players and coach Tony Piercy with the cleats and equipment donation to the local Title I baseball program today.

“Local schools and students in our community mean so much to our organization” said Barry. “To be able to provide these kids with such an amazing donation from our players just goes to show what we have always known, we are more than just a sports team.”

Pitcher Noah Zavolas, the 2019 Carolina League Pitcher of the Year, championed the donation effort by collecting the cleats, and other game used equipment, from his Mudcats’ teammates this past season. Zavolas was also the recipient of the Mudcats’ Ed Hales Award last season. The Ed Hales Award is awarded annually to the Mudcats player(s) who best exemplifies unselfish spirit, dedication and commitment to the community.

The Mudcats will celebrate 30 years of baseball in North Carolina when they begin the 2020 season by hosting the Winston-Salem Dash on Thursday, April 9 at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, NC. Ticket information is available by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon, by calling (919) 269-CATS (2287) and by visiting carolinamudcats.com.

The Carolina Mudcats are the proud Carolina League, Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. First established in 1991, the two-time Southern League Champion Mudcats are entering their 30th consecutive season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. The Mudcats are owned and operated by the Milwaukee Brewers.
# # #

Tagged as : Carolina League, Carolina Mudcats, Equipment Donations, Milwaukee Brewers, North Carolina, Youth Sports { }

Mudcats Donate Baseball Equipment to East Wake High School

October 17, 2019

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

 

ZEBULON, N.C. – The Carolina Mudcats, the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, today donated over 50 game ready cleats and baseball equipment to the baseball program at East Wake High School in Wendell, NC. The equipment and donated cleats were worn or used by several Mudcats players throughout the club’s 2019 Carolina League season.

The Mudcats, represented by mascot Muddy the Mudcat and Director of Marketing and Community Relations Sam Barry, presented the East Wake Warriors players and coach Tony Piercy with the cleats and equipment donation to the local Title I baseball program today.

“Local schools and students in our community mean so much to our organization” said Barry. “To be able to provide these kids with such an amazing donation from our players just goes to show what we have always known, we are more than just a sports team.”

Pitcher Noah Zavolas, the 2019 Carolina League Pitcher of the Year, championed the donation effort by collecting the cleats, and other game used equipment, from his Mudcats’ teammates this past season. Zavolas was also the recipient of the Mudcats’ Ed Hales Award last season. The Ed Hales Award is awarded annually to the Mudcats player(s) who best exemplifies unselfish spirit, dedication and commitment to the community.

The Mudcats will celebrate 30 years of baseball in North Carolina when they begin the 2020 season by hosting the Winston-Salem Dash on Thursday, April 9 at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, NC. Ticket information is available by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon, by calling (919) 269-CATS (2287) and by visiting carolinamudcats.com.

The Carolina Mudcats are the proud Carolina League, Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. First established in 1991, the two-time Southern League Champion Mudcats are entering their 30th consecutive season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. The Mudcats are owned and operated by the Milwaukee Brewers.

# # #

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

Tagged as : Carolina League, Carolina Mudcats, Children's Health and Development, Equipment Donations, Family Relief/Resources, Milwaukee Brewers, North Carolina, Youth Sports { }

Blue Wahoos Make Global Impact With Equipment Donations

October 1, 2019

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

 

Standing in front of a mud-brick house, we exchanged pleasantries as best we could in our broken Spanish, our families were well and we were glad to be there, before getting down to business and posing the same question as always.

What do you need?

It’s a near-foolish question, given that the community we stood in was one of the poorest in Nicaragua, way up north in the Somoto region where the only thing more profound than the natural beauty is the depth of the poverty. Where a dollar-a-day makes you wealthy. Where the floors are dirt and the houses are too. Long past where the power lines stopped reaching. Where the farmers aren’t paid money for their labor, instead they’re allowed to take home some of the rice and beans they grow for their families.

There was a murmur among the crowd, a collection of the local farming families, most Honduran refugees who had banded together to try to grow food together, before a woman stepped forward. Her son, no older than six, clung to her legs.

“Socks.”

I had to double check with our translator to make sure I’d understood correctly. We had visited the village to try to find out why their well was spitting out nothing but mud, leaving them without water to drink or to grow crops, and to diagnose the illness that was rapidly killing the chickens that provided one of the only sources of protein in their diets. Socks seemed like a rather nominal ask, all things considered.

“Tell them what you did,” she said, pushing her son in front of her while casting the I’m-not-angry-I’m-disappointed look that only mothers own.

“I’m sorry,” the boy said, his head down. “I put rocks in all the socks you brought last time and made them into baseballs.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Despite the overwhelming poverty he was growing up in–Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere and nearly half of its citizens live on less than a dollar a day–the kid just wanted to play ball.

The good thing, the non-profit I was traveling with, Helping Kids Round First, would be able to help the village fix their well and would provide medicine to keep the chicken flock healthy. While a minimal contribution, I’d be able to help the boy upgrade from the rolled-up sock baseballs he was playing with thanks to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

At the end of the 2019 season, a thrilling first year as a Minnesota Twins affiliate, the team came together for one final community service project.

As the Blue Wahoos players packed up their belongings to head home for the off-season, they filled box after box with equipment–bats, balls, cleats, gloves, catcher’s gear, tennis shoes, and, yes, socks–to be donated.

From there, their equipment was packed into suitcases and lugged through a series of connecting flights before barely escaping scrupulous customs agents in the Managua airport who wondered why I had two dozen pairs of brand name cleats in my luggage. Then it was loaded into a truck and driven down dirt roads across Nicaragua to be given out to children in one of the poorest regions of the world.

While the athletic socks the team had donated, the same royal blue knee-highs the Wahoos wear on the field, would be comically large on the boy, the stack of Southern League baseballs I had stuffed into my suitcase would at least save the pair on his feet from being rolled up and turned into a ball.

—

Helping Kids Round First’s work in Nicaragua started accidentally over 30 years ago. The non-profit’s founder, Craig Severtson, had traveled to the country in the midst of its civil war, a decades-long, brutal conflict between the government and the people that left over 50,000 dead. In an act of peaceful opposition to the fighting, Craig joined local families in their fields, picking crops and doing basic handiwork, helping families get through day-by-day while husbands and fathers fought in the conflict.

Friendly chatter in the fields turned to talk of baseball despite the sound of gunfire in the distance. After hearing that Craig was a ballplayer, the local farmers quickly scheduled a game between the American volunteers and local Nicaraguans.

When word got out that there would be a ballgame, a ceasefire was called. The men were called off the battle field and onto the baseball field. The same soldiers they were fighting against, armed with rifles, circled the field to provide protection.

For nine innings, the war stopped.

The community had just one ragged ball and one chipped wood bat. Every time a foul ball was hit, the game paused until the baseball could be tracked down and returned to the field. The fielders on both teams shared gloves, leaving them at their defensive position at the end of each inning. Livestock roamed freely in the outfield.

When he returned to the United States, Craig vowed he would return to the village with new baseball equipment. If the game was powerful enough to pause a war, the least he could do was bring them new bats and balls and gloves.

So he did. Carrying a single suitcase filled with gear, he returned to the community. The response was so strong, the people so grateful, that he did it again at the next community over. And again. And again. And again. Soon, he needed to bring friends along to help carry all the suitcases of baseball equipment.

Three decades later, the non-profit now brings over 20,000 pounds of baseball equipment annually to Nicaragua.

While providing baseball gear is a worthwhile project, the game has more importantly provided a foot-in-the-door for more significant aid. On each return trip, Craig made a habit of asking the same question, “What do you need?”, while handing out baseballs and gloves. The answers have always varied.

In the oppressively hot and arid northern regions of Nicaragua, extended drought had made it nearly impossible to grow enough food to survive. Kids can’t play ball if they’re starving. Helping Kids Round First began digging wells, providing water tanks and solar panels to power irrigation, bringing fertilizer and chickens, and now helps feed thousands daily.

In the eastern autonomous regions of the country, rough jungle roads make healthcare almost completely inaccessible, leaving rural families with five-plus hour treks to the nearest hospital with functioning equipment. Kids can’t play ball if they’re sick. Helping Kids Round First now ships two containers of medical equipment for every shipment of baseball equipment, bringing hospital necessities like X-Ray machines, fetal heart monitors, and electric hospital beds to clinics across the country.

The projects have become numerous. Scholarships for students who otherwise couldn’t afford to go to college. Health fairs in rural communities where women have never had access to a female doctor before. Daycares that provide quality education and allow single mothers to hold steady employment. Nursing homes that provide safe quarters to homeless elderly. Softball equipment to give young girls the same access to sports that boys enjoy. Each community’s needs have been different and each solution started with the simple act of bringing a ball and a bat to a kid who previously didn’t have one.

—

The equipment donated by the Blue Wahoos will end up in communities across Nicaragua, but the majority of the first shipment, what I carried in a pair of stuffed duffel bags, found a home at a small baseball academy in the city of Rivas, nestled alongside Lake Nicaragua in the southern stretches of the country.

Prior to the war, Nicaragua had seemed destined to join the Dominican Republic and Cuba as one of the baseball greats in Latin America. Dennis “El Presidente” Martinez had become the country’s first big leaguer in 1976 and quickly established himself as a bona fide ace. Tony Chevez reached the majors a year later as one of the league’s top pitching prospects. Albert Williams and Porfi Altimirano became bullpen mainstays for the Twins and Phillies, respectively. David Green, a prospect so lauded that he was compared to Willie Mays and dubbed “the next Roberto Clemente, left scouts from every big league team scrambling to book flights to Nicaragua to look for the next superstar.

The war stopped all that. The country quickly became too dangerous, the political situation too tenuous for Major League teams to have a presence, and the scouts fled the country as quickly as they’d come.

It wasn’t until the late 1990s that enough peace prevailed for teams to return to Nicaragua. The country produced a pair of stars, Marvin Benard of the Giants and Vicente Padilla of the Phillies, as the 2000s approached, but the war had left the country so ravaged that growth both financially and in the game was dreadfully slow.

Finally, in the 2010s, Nicaragua finally seemed ready to truly establish itself as a baseball powerhouse. Everth Cabrera electrified as an All-Star shortstop for the Padres. Erasmo Ramirez settled in as a stalwart in the Mariners and Rays rotations. J.C. Ramirez became one of the Angels top relievers. Cheslor Cuthbert won a World Series with the Royals. In the minors, Kevin Gadea (Rays), Roniel Raudes (Red Sox), and Jonathan Loaisiga (Yankees) shot up top prospects lists with the game’s best teams. Reporters went as far as to declare that a “Golden Era for Nicaraguan Baseball” had begun.

Unfortunately, history repeats itself. In the ’70s and ’80s, the good guys had beat the bad guys in the war. Over time, though, the good guys became the bad guys and simmering political tension recently turned again to all-out war, turning the golden age dark almost overnight. As the fighting took over the streets, the economy crashed and scouts again pulled out of the country. Even El Presidente himself shut down his baseball academy, one he’d run for almost two decades after his Major League career ended.

That left Johnny Alvarez, a former collegiate ballplayer turned coach, trying to almost-singlehandedly keep the professional side of baseball alive in his country. A former assistant coach at Martinez’s academy, he continued training young prospects, establishing a makeshift academy in his hometown after El Presidente’s ceased operations. Helping Kids Round First has remained its sole financier and provider of baseball equipment.

While Alvarez is poor, the young players he trains often come from even humbler backgrounds. In 2016, the first prospect from his academy signed professionally when Nixson Munoz, a left-handed pitcher, inked a contract with the Boston Red Sox.

At the time, we took Nixson to dinner to celebrate. As we all ate, I noticed Nixson had barely touched his food. It wasn’t until Johnny’s wife leaned over and patiently demonstrated how to cut his meat with a knife and fork that he began to eat. The young man had come from a family so poor he was unsure how to use silverware correctly in a restaurant.

Following dinner, we had proceeded to the parking lot to unload the baseball equipment we’d brought for Johnny’s academy. As we carried duffel bags across the parking lot, Nixson stopped me.

“Are there any gloves in the bags?”

“Of course,” I answered. “Do you need a new one?”

“Not a new one,” He responded. “Any one. I don’t have a glove.”

The kid was so talented he’d been signed by the Boston Red Sox but didn’t even own a baseball glove.

Thanks to the donations from Pensacola players, more kids like Nixson will gain access to the game. The same cleats that raced around the bases at Blue Wahoos Stadium will continue running across dusty fields in Central America. The same gloves that caught fly balls and snagged grounders in front of the Hoosville faithful will soon become the first glove a child owns in Nicaragua. The same Southern League baseballs that were hit in the batting cages underneath the stands in Pensacola will be hit by bats and tree brances and replace rolled-up socks on playing fields a thousand miles away.

Through the generosity of the Blue Wahoos players, the 2019 season will be one that continues to live on for years to come.

Daniel Venn is the Media and Public Relations Manager for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and a board member for the 501(c)(3) non-profit Helping Kids Round First. His novel Beyond Baseball:Rounding First details his work in Nicaragua helping to spread the game of baseball globablly.

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

Tagged as : Children's Health and Development, Equipment Donations, Family Relief/Resources, Florida, Minnesota Twins, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Southern League, Youth Sports { }

OKC Dodgers and Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Announce Formation of OKC Dodgers Rookie League

February 14, 2018

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

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation have joined forces to create the OKC Dodgers Rookie League in order to help bolster youth baseball participation in the community as well as foster an environment that emphasizes leadership, teamwork and sportsmanship, the organizations announced today.

Last year, Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation was forced to cancel its baseball league due to low participation. The OKC Dodgers have stepped in to provide Dodgers-branded jerseys and hats for all players, in addition to other resources, thereby reducing participation costs and making the game more accessible.

“It was heartbreaking to learn Parks and Rec could not host a league last spring, and over the last few months we realized this was an opportunity for our organization to pitch in for our community,” said OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes. “The game of baseball had an impressionable effect on so many of us at a young age. The Rookie League will provide further opportunities for our community’s youth to be active and to learn skills such as teamwork and leadership.”

The OKC Dodgers Rookie League will consist of four baseball divisions to accommodate boys and girls in multiple skill levels and age groups. A goal of six to eight teams will compete in each division: 4U T-Ball, 6U T-Ball, 8U Coach Pitch and 10U Kid Pitch. Registration is now open and the deadline to sign up is March 19. Those interested in having their children participate in the OKC Dodgers Rookie League can visit okc.gov/parksignup and use the event code 13205. Registration is also available by calling (405) 297-3882. The cost is $55 per child and is necessary for operation expenses, such as umpires and field maintenance.

The OKC Dodgers Rookie League will also host a registration event at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on March 10, with further details to be announced in the future.

Practices will be held once per week starting the week of March 26. Game play starts April 7 and runs through May 26. The season schedule consists of eight games played at either Wheeler Park (1120 S. Western Ave.) or Stars and Stripes Park (3701 Lake Hefner Dr.).

“What better place than here in Oklahoma City – the very heart of America – to develop a partnership that will make it possible to preserve and protect and breathe new life into the all-American pastime of baseball,” said Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Director Douglas Kupper. “We truly love having the Dodgers organization here and we greatly appreciate the OKC Dodgers’ support of our efforts to bring baseball to our youth.”

The OKC Dodgers Rookie League is currently in need of coaches and volunteers. To volunteer, or for more information, please call (405) 297-1489 or email christopher.lucas@okc.gov.

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE OKC DODGERS ROOKIE LEAGUE

The OKC Dodgers Rookie League is committed to enriching the lives of our youth and fostering a love of the game. The league provides a developmental, fun and safe environment for the enjoyment of the game of baseball. The OKC Dodgers Rookie League intends to help youth to set and work towards common goals, and to build the citizens of tomorrow though character, leadership ability and confidence.

Additionally, the OKC Dodgers Rookie League emphasizes four core values through P.L.A.Y.

Participation

Leadership

Accessibility

Youth Education

To learn more about the OKC Dodgers Rookie League, contact Grant Hansen with Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation by calling (405) 297-1591 or by emailing grant.hansen@okc.gov. The OKC Dodgers can be reached at (405) 218-1000 and more information is available at okcdodgers.com/rookieleague.

Tagged as : Children's Health and Development, Equipment Donations, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Dodgers, Pacific Coast League, Youth Sports { }

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Welcome to clubphilanthropy.com!

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