Family Relief/Resources

Miracle host 5th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night

June 4, 2014

Festivities include postgame fireworks, survivor walk and silent auction

On Saturday, June 7, the Fort Myers Miracle will host a very special evening at the ballpark with the 5th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by the Lee Regional Cancer Center and 96.9 MORE FM.

The Miracle play the Lakeland Flying Tigers at 6:05 p.m. at Hammond Stadium and fireworks will light up the Southwest Florida sky after the game. Breast cancer survivors will receive a free ticket to the game. The first 500 women to come through the gates will receive a pink bag compliments of Vein Specialists.

In honor of breast cancer survivors, the Miracle will wear pink jerseys that will be available for auction during the game. The auction will take place on the concourse and conclude in the middle of the sixth inning. Fans with the winning bids will be invited onto the field after the game to receive the jersey from the respective player.

The silent auction will also other items including a Key West Express tickets, local hotel and restaurant certificates, dinner and show for four from the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, a Chicago White Sox Robin Ventura autographed jersey, a Paul Molitor autographed jersey and ball and much more.

A portion of the net proceeds from the jersey auction, silent auction and raffles will benefit the Lee Memorial Health Systems Regional Cancer Center to assist with mammogram services for uninsured and underinsured patients.

Prior to the game, a survivor walk will begin at 5:15 p.m. around the warning track at Hammond Stadium. Fans who are survivors, and their families, are invited to take part.

Fans can enjoy a SINK or SWIM Saturday. For just $12, fans get a wristband for All You Can Drink domestic draft beers through the sixth inning.

Tickets are available at the Miracle offices on the third floor of Hammond Stadium from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Fans can purchase tickets online at www.miraclebaseball.com or call (239) 768-4210.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Fort Myers Miracle. Click here to view the original story.

Tigers Unveil CT Military All-Stars Promotion

June 4, 2014

Honorees to be recognized on Military Appreciation Night

The Connecticut Tigers, in partnership with the Better Business Bureau, announce the 2014 Connecticut Military All-Stars promotion in conjunction with the annual Military Appreciation Night.

For the second consecutive year, the Better Business Bureau Military Line will be the presenting sponsor of Military Appreciation Night on Friday, August 8^th. The Tigers and Better Business Bureau have teamed up with The Day to help recognize nine individuals for their service on that night.

Fans are encouraged to visit theday.com/ctmilitaryallstars between June 1 and June 13 to nominate their military all-star to be recognized. A panel of community judges will select the nine nominees they feel best fit the spirit of the promotion to be honored on the field prior to the game on August 8^th. In addition, those selected will be part of a commemorative Connecticut Military All-Stars baseball card set given away to the first 1,000 fans through the gates that night courtesy of the Better Business Bureau Military Line.

All current and former military will receive a reserved ticket and a food voucher redeemable for a hot dog, bag of chips, and non-alcoholic bottle beverage for just $7 when showing their military ID at the Dodd Stadium box office on August 8^th. In addition, the Tigers will be wearing special “stars and stripes” uniform tops that will be auctioned off during the game on the concourse. Fans will have the opportunity to bid on the jerseys in a silent auction. The proceeds from that auction will go towards a scholarship for a deserving military family to help offset the cost of college tuition through the Better Business Bureau Military Line.

There is also a $2 discount off Premium, Reserved, and Grandstand tickets with a military ID at the Dodd Stadium box office for all Connecticut Tigers games.

The Connecticut Tigers are the New York-Penn League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and play a 76 game schedule that runs from mid June through early September. The 2014 home schedule begins Wednesday, June 18^th against the Lowell Spinners (Red Sox affiliate) with fireworks after the game presented by US Foods! 2014 season tickets, mini plans, individual game tickets, and team merchandise are now on sale! The front office and ticket office is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be accessed in person, at cttigers.com, or by calling 860-887-7962.

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

The Gwinnett Braves have announced the recipients of their $1,000 grants for the months of March and April.

June 4, 2014

Grace Faith Ministries, GLUE Foundation receive $1,000 monthly grants

The Gwinnett Braves have announced the recipients of their $1,000 grants for the months of March and April. Grace Faith Ministries has been awarded March’s “Salute to the Arts” themed grant, aimed at assisting organizations that support art programs and education. GLUE Foundation has received April’s “Take me out to the Ballgame” themed grant, intended to promote youth athletics and activities in the community.

Grace Faith Ministries, the March recipient, started as an open “Jam Session” within a small group of high school and middle school-aged artists, but quickly evolved into a weekly program in Norcross. The goal of the ministries is to encourage and teach youth how to impact the community through creative arts.

Since its inception in 2012, the program has grown in size and has collaborated with Heir of Excellence Inc., to launch a school-based program. The program is growing and becoming an influential presence in the community.

The grant awarded by the Gwinnett Braves will fund the purchase of after-school snacks and equipment for the program, as well as contribute to an end-of-semester youth showcase.

“We understand the importance of youth development as well as the obvious impact and influence of media as an intricate element in the lives of young people,” said Lloyd George, Youth Coordinator at Grace Faith Ministries. “Therefore, our ministry utilizes media arts to reach and engage youth – meeting them where they are. Our overarching vision is to create dynamic, socially relevant programs wherein our youth can constructively communicate with their community and the world around them in them new exciting ways. With this grant from the Gwinnett Braves Foundation, we will be able to expand our youth initiatives and student-media projects.”

GLUE Foundation, recipient of the April grant, has served the city of Lawrenceville for over 10 years. The foundation provides athletes with the necessary resources to become well-rounded contributors to society.

Founded in 2003 by Rishal Stanciel, GLUE, which is an acronym for Giving Love Unites Everyone, is a faith-based non-profit that is designed to work with middle school and high school student-athletes as they pursue academic and athletic excellence. GLUE facilitates workshops for student-athletes and their parents to prepare them for the transition to college.

GLUE will use the grant awarded by the Gwinnett Braves to support quarterly workshops and to provide ACT exam fees, college application fees, as well math and writing tutoring fees.

About Grace Faith Ministries: Grace Faith Ministries was founded in 2011 by Pastor Lloyd George Sr. The mission of Grace Faith Ministries is to love God, to love others, and to magnify the name of Jesus Christ. The vision of our church is to glorify our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, to make true disciples throughout all the nations by means of missionary activity and support, to minister the ordinances, to edify believers, and to do all that is sovereignly possible and biblically permissible to magnify the name of Jesus. For more information about the program and the church please contact their youth coordinator Lloyd George Jr at lloydg072@gmail.com.

About GLUE Foundation: GLUE, which is an acronym for Giving Love Unites Everyone, is a faith-based non-profit that is designed to work with middle school and high school student-athletes as they pursue academic and athletic excellence. After spending over 15 years in corporate America in marketing and sales, Rishal Stanciel founded GLUE as a non-profit organization to reach today’s youth with a life transforming message. GLUE facilitates workshops for student athletes and their parents to prepare them for the transition to college. Some of the workshop topics include NCAA Eligibility Center guidelines, Seven Success Strategies for Transition to college, ACT/SAT Prep, Taking Care of your body, Academic Excellence Must be Pursued, Math is Necessary, and Understanding the Finances of college. Stanciel is a college Career Coach for MLT, and also co-authored “Coached For a Success,” a book to help students experience success in college. The book is available on Amazon.com. For more information about the program please contact Stanciel at rishal21@hotmail.com.

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

MCU AND CYCLONES TO OFFER FREE YOUTH CLINICS

June 3, 2014

Municipal Credit Union (MCU) is launching the first MCU Youth Baseball and Softball Clinic Series. The Clinics, which are open to children 7 – 14 years of age, will be held on Monday, June 23, Wednesday, July 16 and Monday, August 4 at MCU Park before the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball games. The Youth Baseball and Softball Clinic Series is part of MCU’s corporate commitment to giving back to the communities in which it serves, in particular the youth of the community.

John Franco, MCU spokesperson and Mets Hall of Fame Pitcher, will be the Head Coach of the Clinics. Current Cyclones players, area high school coaches and players, and other special guests will also serve as volunteers to coach Clinic participants.

Youth participating in the Clinics will take part in drills on fielding, running, throwing, and injury prevention/stretching. They will also be able to take part in a question and answer session with volunteer coaches and a photo op with John Franco.

Each participant will also receive four tickets to that evening’s Brooklyn Cyclones game at MCU Park. There is a limit of 100 participants per clinic, and participation will be on a first come, first serve basis.

“I am excited to be part of the MCU Youth Baseball and Softball Clinics this summer. My lifelong dream of playing professional baseball began in Brooklyn, and the instruction and encouragement I received from coaches throughout my career allowed me to live that dream. Being able to give back to the community by teaching young ballplayers the right way to play is something I am honored to do, and I’m so proud to work with MCU and the Brooklyn Cyclones to provide the City’s kids with this invaluable opportunity,” said Franco.

“MCU is proud to host our first annual Youth Clinic series at MCU Park this summer. We are honored to work with the Brooklyn Cyclones and our spokesperson John Franco to provide a unique opportunity for young baseball and softball players to receive professional instruction on a professional field, and we hope that this program could continue to grow as another shining example of the work that we do as an institution to give back to the communities which we serve,” said Kam Wong, President/CEO of Municipal Credit Union.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with MCU for the Youth Baseball and Softball Clinics. As an organization, we pride ourselves on being active members within our community while also helping to grow the game of baseball with young people throughout the city. This program helps accomplish both of those goals, while also providing kids with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play on the same field that many current major leaguers, including Curtis Granderson and Daniel Murphy, once played on,” said Steve Cohen, Cyclones Vice President.

To participate in any of the Clinics, individuals must sign up at www.nymcu.org/youthclinics or CLICK HERE.

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

Blue Jays initiate reading program

June 3, 2014

The Bluefield Blue Jays, the Appalachian League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, have announced the start of a reading initiative aimed at children in the two Virginias. “Reading is a Homerun” is an interactive program that allows Blue Jays staff and players to share their joy of reading with students. The team has united with Craft Memorial Library in downtown Bluefield in an effort to reach children this summer.

“We are looking forward to working with the Blue Jays and feel as though this will be a very beneficial program” said Eva McGuire, the director at the Craft Memorial Library.

“Literacy is one of the most important building blocks for success” said Blue Jays General Manager Chris Maxwell. ” We just want to show that reading isn’t about just schoolwork it’s about having fun and let your imagination take you to amazing places” he added

The team will encourage fans to bring used children’s books that can be distributed to those less fortunate. “Libraries are one of the greatest resources that our young people have today, but we would also like those who can’t afford it to be able to feel like they can have books of their own” says Maxwell. Teachers, summer camps, or learning centers who are interested in having players come down and read this summer should contact Chris Maxwell at 276-326-1326.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Bluefield Blue Jays. Click here to view the original story.

Sea Dogs to Host Equipment Drive June 6-8

May 30, 2014

Donate New or Used Baseball/ Softball Equipment to Baseball Miracles

The Portland Sea Dogs, in conjunction with Baseball Miracles, are pleased to announce a Baseball/Softball Equipment Drive at Hadlock Field from June 6th – 8th when the Sea Dogs host the Bowie Baysox. Fans are encouraged to bring new or old baseball equipment to the ballpark to be donated to children who are faced with economical or environmental disadvantages.

The Sea Dogs will accept all types of baseball and softball equipment including gloves, bats, catcher’s gear, bases, baseballs, softballs, wiffle balls and bats, which will be all donated to Baseball Miracles.

A non-profit organization, Baseball Miracles is a team of baseball and softball instructors, founded by Hall of Fame scout John Tumminia, who have joined together to teach boys and girls with economic and environmental disadvantages throughout the world. Sea Dogs’ pitcher Mike McCarthy is the driving force behind bringing this initiative to Hadlock Field.

“I believe baseball is about more than just playing a game. It is indicative of life in many ways and is a fundamental part of development for youth in communities around the world,” said McCarthy. “Baseball Miracles is a great opportunity for anyone who has benefited from the game of baseball to give back. From the casual weekend fan to the die-hard memorabilia collector, we are all able to help underprivileged youth around the world benefit from the life lessons that baseball has to offer.”

The Portland Sea Dogs return home on Tuesday, June 3rd and open up a six game homestand through Sunday, June 8th. The equipment drive will begin before the Sea Dogs game against the Bowie Baysox (Orioles affiliate) Friday at 7 p.m. and will run until the end of the game Sunday.

Any equipment fans bring for the drive should be brought into the ballpark and dropped off at the Baseball Miracles box at Guest Services in the concourse at Hadlock Field. For more information on the drive, please visit www.seadogs.com or www.baseballmiracles.org.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Portland Sea Dogs. Click here to view the original story.

NY-Penn League Charitable Foundation Announces 2014 Scholarship Contest

May 29, 2014

The Class-A Short-Season New York-Penn League and its member clubs are proud to announce that the league’s philanthropic arm, the NYPL Charitable Foundation, will once again award over $10,000 in scholarships this summer to deserving high school graduates from the league’s 14 markets.

Now in its sixth year, the 2014 NYPL Scholarship Contest is open to any graduating senior from a public or private high school within the league’s footprint. Any student who has been accepted at a two or four-year college or university, vocational school, or technical education institution is eligible. Applicants will be judged based on academic performance, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and the impact their local NYPL club and Minor League Baseball have had on their lives.

The scholarship contest will consist of two stages – a local round and a divisional round. In the local stage, students will apply directly to their local NYPL team, with one applicant chosen by each of the 14 teams to advance to the divisional/final round. The 14 finalists will then be separated by the division of the team they represent. The winning application from each of the NYPL’s three divisions (McNamara, Pinckney and Stedler) will receive the top prize of a $2,500 scholarship. All other finalists will receive a $250 book award.

“The New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation and our 14 member clubs are pleased to have the opportunity to assist outstanding high school seniors within our league’s footprint for the sixth consecutive season,” said Ben J. Hayes, President of the New York-Penn League. “This program will again recognize those seniors who not only meet and exceed traditional scholarship criteria, but demonstrate the positive community impact and lifelong memories fostered by their local NYPL clubs throughout the year.”

High school seniors interested in entering the 2014 Scholarship Contest can obtain the official application from their local NYPL club, or by visiting the league’s official website here.

The deadline to submit applications to the nearest NYPL team is June 27, 2014. Each club’s winner, including the three $2,500 scholarship recipients, will be selected in late July and honored at a game in August.

The New York-Penn League and its 14 member clubs created the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, in 2003. The mission of the Foundation is to provide focus and support for the collective and individual charitable and community efforts of the New York-Penn League, its Clubs, and their staff.

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

Urgent Care Centers to offer free sports physicals June 1

May 24, 2014

Urgent Care Centers of Kentucky will team up with the Lexington Legends to offer free sports physical examinations at the Legends game Sunday, June 1 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

A yearly sports physical is required for every child who seeks eligibility to participate in any school sport or athletic activity,

Gates will open at 5 p.m. June 1. The free examinations will begin at that time and will be available until 8 p.m. The game between the Legends and the Augusta GreenJackets will begin at 6:05 p.m.

The sports physicals will be conducted by the certified medical staff of Urgent Care Centers of Kentucky. No payment of any form, including copays, will be charged.

Parents will need to bring their identification or state driver’s license and should be prepared to fill out forms and provide medical history.

“The Legends and Urgent Care Centers of Kentucky are pleased to offer a convenient location and free sports physicals,” said Sarah Bosso, the Legends director of community relations and special events. “We know how important participating in team activities is for the betterment of our youth, and we want to make sure everyone has that opportunity.”

For more information, contact Bosso at 859-422-7855 or sbosso@lexingtonlegends.com.

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

Great Day Farms, Naturals Partner on Free Baseball Clinic

May 23, 2014

Kids invited to signup for FREE clinic prior to the game on Saturday, June 21st

Great Day Farms, along with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals players and coaches are once again teaming up for the seventh annual Youth Baseball Clinic at Arvest Ballpark, to be held from 2 until 4 P.M. on Saturday, June 21st prior to that night’s 6:05 P.M. game against the Tulsa Drillers, the Double-A Colorado Rockies.

The FREE Youth Baseball Clinic is open to children ages 6-12 and will cover instruction of key baseball fundamentals, including hitting, fielding, pitching, and base running. All participants will be given a complimentary Jack Link’s Beef Jerky Grass Berm ticket to that evening’s game against the Drillers, and the first 300 children to arrive for the clinic will also receive a FREE t-shirt courtesy of Great Day Farms.

Instruction during the clinic will be given by select Naturals players and coaches. Following the instruction portion of the clinic, an autograph session will occur along the 1^st base side of the concourse for approximately 20 minutes.

There is a sign-up form located on the Naturals website, nwanaturals.com, under the community menu that interested parents can print, fill out, and then fax or mail in to register their children for the clinic. The FREE Youth Baseball Clinic is also open to local youth coaches as they may also fill out the form and fax in their roster to register their entire teams. The deadline to register for the event is Wednesday, June 18th, but participants are encouraged to sign up quickly, as previous events have filled to capacity prior to the deadline. Sign-up begins at Arvest Ballpark at 1:30pm so we ask that you arrive early as participation is limited to the first 500 children. In addition to the kid’s clinic, fans are invited to bring canned food items to the ballpark at their own request that will be donated to the Samaritan House; however, a food donation is not mandatory for participation.

The ballpark will be cleared following the FREE Youth Baseball Clinic and then gates will reopen at 5:00 P.M. for the Naturals game against the Tulsa Drillers scheduled to begin at 6:05 P.M. that evening. If you have any questions regarding the clinic or game, please call (479) 927-4900 or visit our website for more information.

Tickets are still available for the Naturals game on Saturday, June 21st. Fans may purchase tickets online at nwanaturals.com, via our toll-free ticket hotline at (877) 444-2637, or by visiting the Arvest Ballpark Box Office.

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.

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

Squirrels Benefit Troops with Homefront IPA

May 23, 2014

Beer that benefits Troops available tonight at The Diamond

RichmondFlyingSquirrels_2014-05-23 — Proceeds from Friday’s release of Homefront IPA will benefit Operation Homefront.

The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants are excited to announce that once again Homefront IPA, a specialty beer brewed by Center of the Universe Brewery with all proceeds going directly to Operation Homefront, will be released at The Diamond and available for a limited time on Friday night. Center of the Universe Brewery along with 10 other designated breweries across the country brew this IPA for the Memorial Day weekend to benefit Operation Homefront, a non-profit with a nationwide organization that provides emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. Operation Homefront has provided assistance to thousands of military families since its inception in 2002. The 11 breweries combined donate 100% of proceeds and will raise a minimum of $150,000 for Operation Homefront this year.

“Homefront IPA is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to all of the men and women who dedicate themselves to protecting our safety and our way of life,” said Chris Ray, Co-founder of Center of the Universe and former Major League pitcher. “By releasing this beer so close to Memorial Day at The Diamond, we hope to give a reminder to everyone of how important the past, present, and future members of our armed forces are and to remember the ultimate sacrifices so many have made in their pursuit of our freedom.”

A limited amount of Homefront IPA will be for sale at the top of the main entrance to the right of the stage. It is brewed with West Coast hops, fresh orange zest, and aged on Louisville Slugger Maple bats. The bats will then be auction off with the proceeds also benefiting Operation Homefront.

The Participating Breweries:
Center of the Universe Brewing Company, Ashland, VA
Fremont Brewing Company, Seattle, WA
Sly Fox Brewing Company, Pottstown, PA
Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, FL
Perennial Artisan Ales, St. Louis, MO
Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Houston, TX
21st Amendment Brewery, San Francisco, CA
Left Hand Brewing Company, Longmont, CO
Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, CA
Palmetto Brewing Company, Charleston, SC
Maui Brewing Co., Lahaina, HI

The Flying Squirrels begin a seven game homestand tonight at 7:05PM with postgame fireworks. Limited tickets are available through the box office and online at www.squirrelsbaseball.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Click here to view the original story.

Naturals to Raise Money for Tornado Relief at Arvest Ballpark

May 22, 2014

Team puts programs in place over Memorial Day weekend to help tornado victims in Arkansas

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are teaming up to help the Salvation Army Northwest Arkansas Area Command as they assist with the recovery efforts after devastating tornadoes hit Central and North Central Arkansas in late April.

This Memorial Day weekend, the Naturals will do our Launch-A-Ball Fundraiser – normally done after each Friday home game – following the Post-Game Fireworks Spectacular on both Friday, May 23rd and Sunday, May 25th. Fans can purchase Launch-A-Balls for $1 at each game, and then try and hit targets on the field after the game to win prizes from the Naturals. In addition, 100% of the proceeds will be given to the Salvation Army Northwest Arkansas Area Command to help tornado victims in Arkansas.

On Saturday, May 24th, the Naturals will hold a memorabilia auction behind Section 109 on the concourse that will feature signed memorabilia from the Naturals, the Kansas City Royals, and other Minor and Major League organizations. Like with Launch-A-Ball, 100% of the auction proceeds will go to tornado relief efforts and the Salvation Army.

Items that will be up for auction on Saturday night include a Vance Wilson Jersey, a Wil Myers Jersey, a Brian Poldberg Kansas City Royals Jersey, a Frank White autographed Wichita Wranglers Jersey, a 2008 Naturals’ team autographed jersey, along with a wide array of autographed baseballs, and other items collected over the past few weeks. The auction will end in the middle of the 6^th inning.

“Our hearts go out to those affected by this devastating weather,” said Justin Cole, Naturals General Manager. “The needs of these areas will go on for a long time, and we wanted to do our part to continue to raise funds and awareness for their recovery.”

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

Altoona Mirror & AMBUCS Altoona Team Up for Curve, Pa. Heroes Game

May 22, 2014

Proceeds from in-game jersey auction and other fundraising efforts will purchase an Action Trackchair for one local veteran

The Altoona Mirror and AMBUCS Altoona have partnered up with the Altoona Curve to present the Curve, Pa. Heroes Game during the 2014 Eastern League All-Star Stop presented by UPMC Health Plan, the parties announced today. The Curve Pa. Heroes Game presented by the Altoona Mirror & AMBCUS Altoona will kick off the two days’ worth of festivities surrounding the Eastern League’s midsummer classic in Curve, Pa.

The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST), which is made up of young, competitive, athletic veterans and active duty soldiers who have lost limbs post-9/11 while serving their country in the military/war, will be taking on a group of Curve, Pa. Alumni in the Heroes softball game. One member of the WWAST that will be participating in the game will be Josh Wege, who was in the U.S. Marines and served in Operation Enduring Freedom. Wege participated in the 2013 MLB Legends Celebrity Softball Game and was named the game’s MVP.

“The Mirror is thrilled with the opportunity to be involved with such a great event in the all-star game and such a great cause in the Wounded Warrior Project,” said Ray Eckenrode, the Mirror General Manager for Advertising. “To be able to recognize the sacrifices of our service men and women is truly an honor. The POW/MIA Chair is a pet project of our publisher, Ed Kruger, and we’d like to thank the Curve staff for taking Ed’s vision and making it a reality in such a special way.”

Already scheduled to represent the Curve Alumni in the game are Adam Hyzdu, Mike Johnston, Tike Redman, Chris Snusz and Jack Wilson. They’ll be joined by a few additions in former Curve OF Kory DeHaan and LHP Mike Connolly.

DeHaan, who is currently the hitting coach with High-A Bradenton, played for the Curve during their inaugural season in 1999, reached the major leagues in 2000 with San Diego and again in 2002. DeHaan batted .268 with 13 doubles in 47 games for the Curve during the 1999 campaign. He last played professionally in 2003 for the Portland Beavers (Padres’ AAA Affiliate), playing in 54 games.

Connolly played for the Curve from 2003 to 2006 and reached as high as Triple-A both in 2005 and 2006. He was originally a 19th round draft pick in the 2000 draft out of Oneonta (NY) HS. Connolly currently resides in Altoona and is the co-owner/operator of ERA Sports, a baseball and softball academy offering advanced lessons and fielding teams that travel regionally to participate in tournaments.

“It will be great to welcome Kory and Mike back for the Heroes Game,” said Curve General Manager Rob Egan. “Our fans remember Kory for his outstanding second-half with the Curve in our inaugural season and for being just our second-ever player to go on and play in the Major Leagues. ‘Conno’ was a big part of our starting rotation for four years and, in each of those seasons, the Curve made the playoffs. It’s great to see him having success running ERA Sports teaching hundreds of local young players how to play the game.”

AMBUCS Altoona , which is a national non-profit service organization consisting of a diverse group of men and women who are dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities, has partnered up for the first day of events to help raise support and funds for the purchase of an Action Trackchair for one veteran here in Blair County. AMBUCS is working with the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center to select the recipient for the Action Trackchair. The Action Trackchair is the ultimate in off-road wheelchairs and will give its user the ability to navigate mountain roads, campgrounds, woods, beaches, hiking trails, frozen lakes, snowy terrain and much more.

All proceeds from the Ghostman Games & Hitting Challenge jerseys that the All-Stars will wear will be donated to the fund to purchase of the Action Trackchair. In addition, fans can purchase their very own Ghostman Games jersey with a portion of the proceeds from the sales going to the purchase of the Trackchair. The Curve will be accepting general donations up until the Eastern League All-Star Stop during game days at the Laurel Eye Clinic Customer Service Booth or non-game days inside the front office at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

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

Take a Playcation on June 4th

May 21, 2014

Receive 4 Drive tickets and 4 passes to area attractions for just $40

On June 4^th, fans can take their annual Playcation with the Greenville Drive and Upstate attractions, as 2014 brings another exciting package! For just $40, fans will receive four tickets to that evening’s Drive game, plus four passes to The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, the Greenville Zoo, and the Greenville County Rec Waterparks/Pavilion, a savings of $100!

The passes for the Upstate attractions are good through September 1^st. Fans who already have tickets for the game on June 4^th cannot add on the Playcation to their existing tickets, they must purchase the package as a whole.

Act now, because the Playcation package will sell quickly! It can be purchased by visiting Fluor Field’s Main Street Box Office or by calling (864) 240-4528. At the time of purchase, fans will receive four Drive tickets plus a card that can be redeemed at all of the Upstate attraction locations.

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

Donate generously to the Fifth Third Bank Food Drive

May 20, 2014

Did you know an estimated 50 million Americans go hungry every day, including one child out of every five in this country? To help raise awareness and inspire action, Fifth Third Bank and the Mud Hens are teaming up to collect food during the May 26-June 2 homestand in support of the Food for Thought program in Northwest Ohio.

Fans attending the Mud Hens home games between Monday, May 26 and Monday, June 2 are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the ballpark. Boxes will be readily available at all entrances.

Fifth Third chose the food drive as this year’s bank-wide service project in honor of Fifth Third Day which occurs annually on May 3. Fifth Third Bank will celebrate Fifth Third Day at the Ballpark on Saturday, May 31 during the Food Drive. During the past two years, Fifth Third employees provided more than 890,000 meals to those in need. For 2014, each of the Bank’s affiliates has created its own plan to fight hunger, with the goal of providing at least 530,000 meals.

Food for Thought is a social justice non-profit dedicated to feeding the hungry and offering dignity, welcome and relationship to anyone in need. The group operates a stationary food pantry in Oregon and a mobile pantry which visits 17 fixed locations around the Toledo area every month.

Call 419-725-4367 for tickets to the May 26 through June 2 games or order online.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Toledo Mud Hens. Click here to view the original story.

Chicken of the Sea Donates $10,000 to Kiwanis Miracle League

May 16, 2014

Christie Fleming (far right) from Chicken of the Sea presents the check for $10,000 to representatives from the Kiwanis Miracle League.

In a special ceremony prior to tonight’s Iowa Cubs game at Principal Park, representatives from Chicken of the Sea made a $10,000 donation to the Downtown Kiwanis Miracle League. The donation will allow 50 kids to play the entire season with the Miracle League this summer in downtown Des Moines.

The donation was part of the Chicken of the Sea’s “Great American Gratitude Tour.” In celebration of their 100th anniversary, Chicken of the Sea is touring the country to give back to local organizations and individuals who are doing great work in their communities. Chicken of the Sea will donate $1,000,000 by the end of their tour. Chicken of the Sea Vice President of Marketing Christie Fleming addressed the crowd and made the official presentation to several of the board members, parents, and players from the Miracle League on hand at Principal Park tonight. Fleming is a native of Oskaloosa, Iowa and a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa. She was joined on the field by Catalina, the mermaid mascot for Chicken of the Sea.

To find out more about the “Great American Gratitude Tour” and the organizations that have benefitted from these donations, visit chickenofthesea.com/100. For fans that received a gold coin at the game tonight, that’s also the place to enter your code to see if your coin is worth $10,000 or another prize from Chicken of the Sea.

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