Biloxi Shuckers make major community impact in 2017

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

BIBiloxi ShuckersLOXI, MS – In a season marked by several on-field accomplishments in the third year of Minor League Baseball on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Biloxi Shuckers are most proud of their various community outreach efforts. From theme nights to jersey auctions, the Shuckers have made a financial and symbolic impact on their community throughout the 2017 season.

The Shuckers were nominated by the Minor League Baseball Community as a finalist for a prestigious “Golden Bobblehead” award for the “Best Community Promotion or Event” after helping with the Hattiesburg/Petal tornado relief efforts and William Carey vs. Biloxi Shuckers exhibition game. Shuckers’ employees traveled to Petal, Mississippi to assist cleanup crews. The tornado caused damage to the campus of nearby William Carey University, so the Shuckers scheduled a benefit exhibition game against the school’s baseball team before the first road trip of the season. The game raised $6,090 for the university’s tornado recovery efforts. This effort coupled with numerous other initiatives garnered the recognition.

Watch: Youtube Video

In addition to the recognition by Minor League Baseball, the Shuckers were also a finalist for the Southern League’s Community Service Award.

Shuckers’ front office members laid the groundwork for a successful season with several other community initiatives. Employees laid sod at an athletic complex in Moss Point, Mississippi to revitalize the area’s youth baseball program.

Watch: Youtube Video

In partnership with Walmart, the inaugural Shuckers “Hit the Books” reading program brought Schooner the Seagull to 17 schools and over 10,000 students to incentivize reading with Shuckers tickets as a reward.

Watch: Youtube Video

Since their inception, the Shuckers have had a strong relationship with nearby Keesler Air Force Base and the substantial military presence on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. That trend continued in 2017, as every Monday became “Military Monday” with special discounts for active and retired members of the armed forces. Special camouflage jerseys, worn every Monday and designed with input from Keesler staff, and were auctioned off at the end of the season with proceeds benefiting local military causes.

Throughout the season, the Shuckers have partnered with several charitable organizations to raise money and awareness for deserving local causes. Three additional jersey auctions earlier this season have brought in money for the March of Dimes, Mississippi Center for Autism, and Favre4Hope breast cancer research.

Watch: Youtube Video

The Shuckers have also hosted a Christmas in July toy drive for the Uplift Foundation, Seatbelt Safety night for the K&J Foundation (started by team photographer Brian Pearse), and Skin Cancer Awareness night in partnership with the MiLB Charities Sun Safety Initiative.

Youth outreach was not limited to the “Hit the Books” program. The Shuckers turned their two “Education Day” games into vocational field trips, with visits from Biloxi Fire and Police, NASA, the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, Department of Marine Resources, University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and Mississippi State University’s Coastal Research Extension.

Former New York Mets catcher and Biloxi native Barry Lyons was formally invited into the Shuckers organization as an ambassador prior to the 2017 season, and the team assisted him in the creation of the first series of Shuckers Kids Clinics for local youth. In addition, the “Field of Dreams” program allowed more than 100 young baseball and softball players from the area to take the field alongside Shuckers players for the national anthem.

In partnership with the Knights of Columbus, the Biloxi Shuckers collected 765 lbs of food/product during a food drive on Sunday, July 30th for them to distribute in the community.

In addition to these widespread efforts, the Shuckers have also made numerous player and mascot appearances in the community over the course of the season. The Shuckers in-kind donations and in-stadium fundraising initiatives have raised $155,455.91 for over 100 charitable organizations. The Biloxi Shuckers understand the responsibility that comes with their platform in the community and are determined to make a positive impact on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

In addition to monetary contributions, the Biloxi Shuckers front office staff have logged 265 community volunteer hours thus far in 2017. Those hours have been spent working with area schools, NCBC’s Child Development Center, Humane Society of South Mississippi, VA Medical Center, Loaves and Fishes and cleanup efforts from Hurricane Harvey.

The Shuckers open up their 2018 season on the road at Montgomery before their home opener against Mississippi on April 11. More information on the fourth season of Biloxi Shuckers baseball will be available at biloxishuckers.com as the offseason progresses.

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

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

Spokane Indians’ Staff Helps Install Youth Baseball Field at Glover Park

Spokane, WASH. – The off-season for the Spokane Indians Baseball Club remained busy this week as the front office staff was out in full force refurbishing a youth baseball field at Glover Park. In partnership with the KXLY 4 News Extreme Team lead by Mark Peterson , the baseball diamond located at Glover Park was identified as needed help from the community.  This presented an opportunity the Indians couldn’t resist.

The KXLY Extreme Team completely refurbished the old Peaceful Valley Community Center which sits adjacent to the park and has now been renamed the Recovery Cafe. While fully mobilized with construction equipment and volunteers, the idea of working on the baseball field at the same time was introduced. With permission from the Spokane Tribe of Indians and recommendation to work with a state historical archaeologist, a plan was established to add top soil and dugouts to the site without disturbing any of the ground.

“We want to promote baseball at all levels and it starts with having a safe place to play,” said Indians Senior VP Otto Klein. “Not only is it a beautiful setting, it has deep meaning to the community and our partners at the Spokane Tribe that makes it a perfect project to work on.”

Glover Field was renamed in 1917 and dedicated to James N. Glover, a founding father of the city of Spokane. The park is currently one of 87 parks operated by the City of Spokane Parks Department. It also has deep meaning to the Spokane Tribe of Indians as it often served as an encampment for the tribe throughout history. A state tribal archaeologist was on hand during the process to make sure no land or artifacts were disturbed.

“The City of Spokane Parks Department oversees 2,000 acres of developed parkland in the City of Spokane,” said Carl Strong, Assistant Director of Park Operations. “This is a historic area and we’re proud to see help from the community to make it even better.”

Spokane Youth Sports Association (SYSA), which provides sports activities for all youth, will add the field to its spring baseball line-up and start scheduling regular practices and games.

“Adding another youth baseball field in this community is huge for us,” said SYSA Executive Director Phil Helean. “We have a shortage of fields compared to other communities our size, so adding one more is a step in the right direction.”

The Spokane Indians Baseball Club is the Short Season Class ‘A’ Affiliate of the Texas Rangers. For more information, please visit SpokaneIndians.com or call (509) 343-OTTO (6886).

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

Tides to renovate Deer Park Little League

After nearly 2,500 votes were cast on the Norfolk Tides Facebook page, Deer Park Little League has won the Youth Field Makeover Project presented by Orkin. This field makeover will include an upgrade to the playing surface and an improvement to existing dugouts.

Deer Park Little League received nearly 1,300 votes to win the contest, which consisted of three local youth fields. Tides groundskeepers and front office staff will visit Deer Park (located in Newport News) to assist in renovating their field.

2017 is the sixth consecutive year in which the Tides have renovated a field in Hampton Roads. Since the program was introduced in 2012, the Tides have renovated nine local fields: Ocean View Little League (Norfolk), Smithfield Recreation Association (Smithfield), Bennett’s Creek Little League (Suffolk), Phoebus Little League (Hampton), Shore Little League (Nassawadox), Cradock Little League (Portsmouth), Little Creek National (Norfolk), Gloucester Youth Baseball (Gloucester) and Surry County Pony Baseball (Surry).

The project is made possible thanks to the Tides Youth Baseball Fund, a program established by the Tides in 1990 as a way to raise money for youth baseball and softball programs in Hampton Roads. In addition to assisting with field renovations, the Youth Baseball Fund also helps local teams and leagues with travel expenses. The Youth Baseball Fund is partially financed by scoreboard announcements at Harbor Park throughout the season, and those wishing to make a donation directly to the Youth Baseball Fund can do so via norfolkides.com under the “community” section.

Volunteers from Safelite AutoGlass will join the Tides staff in assisting with the field renovation efforts, which will take place in late September.

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

Tides to renovate youth field in the fall

The Norfolk Tides today announced the return of a contest in which a local youth field will be renovated by Tides groundskeepers and front office staff. Proudly presented by Orkin, this field makeover will include an upgrade to the playing surface and an improvement to existing dugouts, with the recipient of the makeover being determined by a fan vote on the Tides’ Facebook page.

“We’re thrilled to be able to add an additional field renovation to our schedule this year” said Tides General Manager Joe Gregory. “We’ve had such phenomenal success with this program in the spring that we decided to add another field makeover in the fall, and our entire organization is looking forward to helping out another worthy community.”

Those interested in having the Tides make over their facility should submit a picture of their field to Heather McKeating at HMckeating@norfolktides.com. Along with the photo, fans are asked to include a brief description of why their league’s field should receive this enhancement. The deadline to submit this information is August 18, with online voting taking place on the Tides’ Facebook page from August 21-25.

2017 is the sixth year the Tides have renovated a local youth field. Since the program was introduced in 2012, the Tides have renovated nine local fields: Ocean View Little League (Norfolk), Smithfield Recreation Association (Smithfield), Bennett’s Creek Little League (Suffolk), Phoebus Little League (Hampton), Shore Little League (Nassawadox), Cradock Little League (Portsmouth), Little Creek National (Norfolk), Gloucester Youth Baseball (Gloucester) and Surry County Pony Baseball (Surry).

The project is made possible thanks to the Tides Youth Baseball Fund, a program established by the Tides in 1990 as a way to raise money for youth baseball and softball programs in Hampton Roads. In addition to assisting with field renovations, the Youth Baseball Fund also helps local teams and leagues with travel expenses. The Youth Baseball Fund is partially financed by scoreboard announcements at Harbor Park throughout the season, and those wishing to make a donation directly to the Youth Baseball Fund can do so via norfolkides.com under the “community” section.

Volunteers from Safelite AutoGlass will join the Tides staff in assisting with the field renovation efforts, which will take place in late September.

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

PawSox to Refurbish Fairlawn Little League’s Deluca Field at Nathanael Greene Elementary

The PawSox and the City of Pawtucket will partner with Infielder Mike Miller and “More than a Game,” to refurbish Fairlawn Little League’s Deluca Field at Nathanael Greene Elementary next month. In addition to fixing up the baseball diamond, the club will present a free youth clinic on July 11, the day of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game.

“More Than a Game” is an organization that constructs fields, donates equipment, and presents clinics in various communities. Miller has worked extensively with the organization during off-seasons in his home state of California.

Led by Miller, PawSox players and More Than a Game staff members will fix up the field on Monday, July 10, then present a free youth baseball clinic at Deluca Field on Tuesday July 11 from 11 am-1 pm. Food and refreshments will be provided to participants in the clinic.

“We are so grateful for our partnership with the Pawtucket Red Sox, an organization that places a high emphasis on service to their community,” said Marshall Murray, CEO of More Than a Game. “We hope our combined resources will empower athletes to do more in Pawtucket and the surrounding region, and we look forward to an impactful collaboration.”

“We would like to see more children participate in Pawtucket’s Fairlawn Little League,” said Joe Bradlee, the PawSox’ Director of Communications & Community Relations. “As Rhode Island’s professional baseball team, we hope we can help ensure that this field is attractive, welcoming, and safe.”

“More Than a Game has given me a platform as a professional athlete to give my time and energy to communities that are underserved,” Miller said. “To be able to work with both MTAG and the PawSox, two amazing organizations, gives me an opportunity to reach out to many kids who share my passion of baseball and develop key relationships within those communities.”

“Thank you to Mike Miller, More Than a Game, the PawSox, and the players for their donation and for volunteering their time,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “The clinic is a great opportunity for our kids to learn the great game of baseball from some of the best players in the league. We appreciate the PawSox for their commitment to the City and its youth organizations.”

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

ValleyCats to revamp four youth ballfields on April 13

TROY, NY- The Tri-City ValleyCats and their corporate partners, BlueShield of Northeastern New York and Hannaford Supermarkets, have teamed up on the 7th Annual ‘4 in 24’ Field Renovation Project, where four youth ball fields will be renovated in a 24-hour time period on Thursday, April 13.

The four leagues to receive the work will be Amsterdam Youth Baseball, Colonie Little League, Tri-Village Little League, and RC Little League. Each field will receive new sod placed on the infield, a rebuilding of the pitcher’s mound and home plate areas, raking and grading of the infield dirt, cutting the baselines to the correct specifications, and much more.

“Since we began the ‘4 in 24’ project back in 2011, it has been one of our most impactful community outreach events each year that has positively affected thousands of youth ballplayers within the Capital Region,” said ValleyCats General Manager Matt Callahan. “We can’t thank BlueShield and Hannaford enough for their tremendous support of this important initiative.”

This year marks the seventh consecutive ‘4 in 24’ project, and upon its completion, 28 youth ballfields will have been renovated. What has made it all possible is the support of the ValleyCats partners, who have aided in supplying the necessary resources and volunteer commitment to complete these renovations.

“BlueShield knows the importance of supporting programs that provide healthy opportunities for the children throughout our community to play and learn,” said Dr. Kirk Panneton, Vice President, Regional Executive and Medical Director, BlueShield of Northeastern New York.  “Our company and employees have helped to transform more than 24 fields since partnering with the Tri-City ValleyCats, and we are thrilled to support the ‘4 in 24’ program again this year.”

“Youth development and wellness are two of the things that matter most to our communities and to Hannaford,” said Hannaford Supermarkets Community Relations Specialist Brian Fabre. “Through this partnership with the ValleyCats and BlueShield, we are proud to provide young people with wonderfully improved facilities for healthy play and for growth as individuals and as members of a team.”

Work on each field will commence at daybreak, and will continue through the night if needed. The efforts will also be assisted by BrightView (the ValleyCats official grounds crew), Admar Construction, Turface, and SiteOne Landscape Supplies, who are contributing some of the necessary equipment, materials, and volunteers. Additional support comes from ‘Cats Care, the ValleyCats’ arm of the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation.

2017 ‘4 in 24’ Youth League Snapshots

Amsterdam Youth Baseball

Field Address: Lower Veterans Field, Locust Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010

Opening Day: Saturday, April 22

League Information:

Over 625 kids and 70 adult volunteers devote thousands of hours of cumulative time to making Amsterdam Youth Baseball run, and are the only organization in Montgomery and Fulton County that offers baseball to youngsters in the spring, summer and fall. They have T-Ball (5-6), Rookies (7-8), Minors (9-10) and Majors (11-12) as well as a travel team for each age group – 9U, 10U, 11U and 12U.

The 2017 renovation will focus on their lower Veteran’s Field, in order to make it a 50’/70′ field so that youngsters ages 5-12 can play. This renovation will allow for the field to also serve as a practice field, which the league doesn’t currently have. With over 600 children, this second field is crucial to providing adequate practice and playing time for each team.

League Statement:

“We appreciate everything that the ValleyCats do for local youth baseball leagues. We were in dire need of a secondary field and now we are able to accommodate the influx of kids ages 4-12 who play in our spring league as well as our fall league that had 18 teams last season – the largest in our 67-year history.”

-Paul Antonelli, President, Amsterdam Youth Baseball

Colonie Little League

Field Address: Pee Wee Field, Cook Park, Colonie, NY 12205

Opening Day: Saturday, April 29

League Information:

With 32 teams and almost 400 registered members, Colonie Little League has a big impact on their community. However, their Pee Wee level field is in need of repair, as the mound has sunken down, the home plate area has very poor drainage, which has caused an uneven batters box, and the infield grass is uneven and unsafe. Given the importance of providing a safe and fun place for the youngest level players to play and learn, where the love for the game is born, this project is of utter importance.

League Statement:

“I wanted to take a moment to extend our most sincere thank you for selecting Colonie Little League for this year’s 4 in 24. You have no idea how excited we are to have received notification that we were selected for the field makeover. It was truly a welcomed surprise and will save us time and money.

It is so exciting and terrific that the ValleyCats and their partners sponsor programs that continue to give to communities like ours. Having the field redone will be great for our kids and the league for years to come.

-Ron Filkins, President, Colonie Little League

Tri-Village Little League

Field Address: Magee Park, 23 Kenwood Avenue, Glenmont, NY 12077

Opening Day: Monday, April 24

League Information:

The Community Grounds Crew will be renovating Tri-Village’s Farm field, where the infield and mounds are dire need of replacement. The field also has grading issues which need to be resolved in order to improve water run-off. Tri-Village currently serves over 400 youth ballplayers aged 5-12.

League Statement:

“On behalf of Tri-Village Little League, our board of directors and all the kids that play in our league, I want to thank the Tri-City ValleyCats for selecting our organization to be part of their community field renovation program. The ValleyCats’ commitment to youth baseball is extraordinary and this is just another example of the tremendous support they are providing to the local baseball communities and the community at large. Having one of our fields selected for renovation is a tremendous support to our league from a financial perspective, but more importantly, it will create a safer and more enjoyable baseball experience for our kids.”

-Tyler Kattrein, President, Tri-Village Little League

RC Little League

Field Address: Major Field, 2445 1st Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12303

Opening Day: Friday, April 28

League Information:

RC’s Major field, which is in need of a complete overhaul of the infield, will be the recipient of the field renovation at their LCW Complex in Rotterdam. RC Little League, which was the result of a merger between Rotterdam and Carman Little Leagues in 2014, serves 430 players across 43 total teams.

League Statement:

RC Little League is anxiously awaiting the start of its 2017 season. We have many exciting changes for the league, as we have begun to work on player development for all divisions. RC Little Leagues major excitement is that we are the recipient of the Tri-City ValleyCats ‘4 in 24’ field renovation program, which will renovate our Major field at the LCW Complex in Rotterdam, NY into a field of dreams. We are anxiously looking forward to volunteering along with the Tri-City ValleyCats and their partners to create a safe and well-maintained field that our players, managers, coaches, their families, and the community will be anxious to come, play and/or watch a ball game!

-Chad Quinlivan, President, RC Little League

Tides to renovate Surry County youth field

After nearly 7,500 votes were cast on the Norfolk Tides Facebook page, Surry County Pony Baseball has won a contest in which the Tides organization will renovate their baseball field. This field makeover will include an upgrade to the playing surface and an improvement to existing dugouts, with the renovations taking place in mid-April.

Surry County Pony Baseball received nearly 2,000 votes to win the contest, which consisted of nine local youth fields. Tides groundskeepers and front office staff will visit Surry to assist in renovating their field.

“We’re thrilled to offer our assistance to the people of Surry, as they demonstrated a remarkable amount of support for this contest” said Tides General Manager Joe Gregory. “The number of votes cast shows how important youth baseball is to families in the Surry community, and our entire organization can’t wait to get started.”

2017 is the sixth consecutive year in which the Tides are renovating a field in Hampton Roads. Over the first five years of the program, the Tides have renovated eight local fields: Ocean View Little League (Norfolk), Smithfield Recreation Association (Smithfield), Bennett’s Creek Little League (Suffolk), Phoebus Little League (Hampton), Shore Little League (Nassawadox), Cradock Little League (Portsmouth), Little Creek National (Norfolk) and Gloucester Youth Baseball (Gloucester).

The project is made possible thanks to the Tides Youth Baseball Fund, a program established by the Tides in 1990 as a way to raise money for youth baseball and softball programs in Hampton Roads. In addition to assisting with field renovations, the Youth Baseball Fund also helps local teams and leagues with travel expenses. The Youth Baseball Fund is partially financed by scoreboard announcements at Harbor Park throughout the season, and those wishing to make a donation directly to the Youth Baseball Fund can do so via norfolkides.com under the “community” section.

Volunteers from Safelite AutoGlass will join the Tides staff in assisting with the field renovation efforts, with the exact date of the renovation being announced at a later date.

The Tides will play their first game of 2017 at Harbor Park on Friday, March 31st in an Exhibition Game against the Baltimore Orioles. Norfolk will then open its regular season on Thursday, April 6th with a 7:05 contest at Charlotte before kicking off the home portion of its schedule on Monday, April 10th with a 6:35 game vs. Gwinnett.

Season Tickets, group tickets, picnics and patios are currently available for the 2017 season. For pricing and additional information, visit the Harbor Park box office or call (757) 622-2222.

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

Thunder Eclipse $6,000,000 in Community Engagement in Franchise History

Throughout the 23 years that your Thunder have brought affordable, family-friendly entertainment to the greater Mercer and Bucks County region, the team has engaged in community partnerships and projects to aid people and organizations.

The Thunder are pleased to announce that the team’s, 501(c)(3), Grand Slam We Care Foundation has donated over $6,000,000 in goods, services and monetary donations in its history.

“Since our first game at beautiful ARM & HAMMER Park, we have engaged with non-profit organizations, fundraisers, and community organizations to support those in need,” said Thunder GM/COO Jeff Hurley. “I am thrilled with the programs and intitiatives that we have currently and look forward to our Director of Community Affairs, Vince Marcucci, building on the momentum of this past season to help even more familes and organizations in 2017 and beyond.”

In 2016, the Thunder engaged in more than 20 community related programs such as the NJM Safe at Home Program, PNC First Strikeout, Good Deed Day, HOPE Week, and Group Sales Fundraising to donate more than $400,000 in goods, services and monetary donations. The team also added new initiatives, one with the Vs. Cancer Foundation to raise money for pediatric cancer research and the F.I.E.L.D. Program.

On June 18th, Thunder front office staff members and Thunder players Daniel Camarena, Dietrich Enns, and Jose Rosario shaved their heads to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research through the Vs. Cancer Foundation. The Vs. Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving kids’ lives by empowering athletes and communities to fund lifesaving childhood cancer efforts. Money raised from the event at ARM & HAMMER Park went to national childhood cancer research as well as the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. See photos from the event by clicking here.

The Thunder debuted their F.I.E.L.D. Program on Wednesday, July 20. F.I.E.L.D. is a Thunder initiative that stands for Focused Initiative for Enhanced Learning and Development. The program supports youth baseball in the area and in partnership with Merck, a health care leader worked to help the world be well for 125 years, Thunder front office members and volunteers came together to rebuild the fields at West End Little League in Trenton, NJ. As part of the rebuild, Diamond Pro provided professional infield materials and Finch Services Inc. donated equipment delivery in support of the rebuild. See a video recap of the program by clicking here.

The Thunder’s annual Community Grant Program supports organizations that enhance the educational opportunities and quality of life for children in our surrounding area as well as programs that support the betterment of the local community in general. The Grant Program will disperse $10,000 equally to five different organizations this year. In the five-year history of the program, the Thunder have donated more than $50,000 to grant recipients.

Your Thunder will again take part in many community-related programs during the 2017 season.

Friday, April 21 – F.I.E.L.D. Program. The Thunder will again renovate a Trenton-area Little League.
Saturday, May 20 – Trenton Thunder Treasure Hunt. Take part in the annual scavengar hunt around Bucks and Mercer County for a chance to win a $1,000 cash prize! To sign up to be a sponsor of the Treasure Hunt, click here.
Tuesday, June 6 – Saturday, June 10 – HOPE Week. A New York Yankees initiative that is designed to reach out to remarkable people and organizations who are worthy of recognition for their inspiring actions and support of their communities. HOPE Week stands for Helping Others Perservere and Excel, the Thunder will honor an outstanding organization and take part in outreach programs during each day of the week.
Saturday, August 5 – Good Deed Day. Do good for those in your community by bringing donations to various non-profit organizations at ARM & HAMMER Park.
Tuesday, August 22 – Vs. Cancer. Following that night’s game against the Portland Sea Dogs, Thunder front office members and players will shave their heads to raise money for the Vs. Cancer Foundation and a local research partner.
Wednesday August 23 – Trenton Economic Development Networking Extravaganza. Join the Thunder for a day of networking at the ballpark and enjoy a night visiting some of the brightest night life in the city of Trenton.

The Thunder will also continue to engage in more than 20 community-related programs throughout the 2017 season. For more information on these programs, contact Director of Community Affairs, Vince Marcucci at 609-394-3300 x118 or at VMarcucci@TrentonThunder.com.

The 2017 season, the 24th in franchise history, will begin at ARM & HAMMER Park on April 13 when the Thunder host the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox) at 7:00 p.m. Single game tickets will go on sale in March 2017. For more information on the Thunder, visit www.TrentonThunder.com or call 609-394-3300.

Tides to continue youth field renovation project

Members of the Tides organization helped renovate the Gloucester Youth Baseball field in 2016.

The Norfolk Tides today announced the return of a contest in which a local youth field will be renovated by Tides groundskeepers and front office staff. This field makeover will include an upgrade to the playing surface and an improvement to existing dugouts, with the recipient of the makeover being determined by a fan vote on the Tides’ Facebook page.

“Our entire organization looks forward to this project each year” said Tides General Manager Joe Gregory. “We’ve been able to extend a helping hand to many outstanding communities, and it’s a great feeling to know that we’ve made a difference in the baseball experience for so many children across Hampton Roads.”

Those interested in having the Tides make over their facility should submit a picture of their field to Heather McKeating at HMckeating@norfolktides.com. Along with the photo, fans are asked to include a brief description of why their league’s field should receive this enhancement. The deadline to submit this information is February 13, with online voting taking place on the Tides’ Facebook page from February 20 to February 24.

2017 is the sixth consecutive year in which the Tides are renovating a local youth field. Over the first five years of the program, the Tides have renovated eight local fields: Ocean View Little League (Norfolk), Smithfield Recreation Association (Smithfield), Bennett’s Creek Little League (Suffolk), Phoebus Little League (Hampton), Shore Little League (Nassawadox), Cradock Little League (Portsmouth), Little Creek National (Norfolk) and Gloucester Youth Baseball (Gloucester).

The project is made possible thanks to the Tides Youth Baseball Fund, a program established by the Tides in 1990 as a way to raise money for youth baseball and softball programs in Hampton Roads. In addition to assisting with field renovations, the Youth Baseball Fund also helps local teams and leagues with travel expenses. The Youth Baseball Fund is partially financed by scoreboard announcements at Harbor Park throughout the season, and those wishing to make a donation directly to the Youth Baseball Fund can do so via norfolkides.com under the “community” section.

Volunteers from Safelite AutoGlass will join the Tides staff in assisting with the field renovation efforts, which will take place in April.

The Tides will play their first game of 2017 at Harbor Park on Friday, March 31st in an Exhibition Game against the Baltimore Orioles. Norfolk will then open its regular season on Thursday, April 6th with a 7:05 contest at Charlotte before kicking off the home portion of its schedule on Monday, April 10th with a 6:35 game vs. Gwinnett.

Season Tickets, group tickets, picnics and patios are currently available for the 2017 season. For pricing and additional information, visit the Harbor Park box office or call (757) 622-2222.

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

Whitecaps named Midwest League’s John Henry Moss Community Service Award Nominee

COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The Midwest League of Professional Baseball Clubs has named the West Michigan Whitecaps as its 2016 nominee for Minor League Baseball’s post-season John Henry Moss Community Service Award.

The John Henry Moss Community Service Award is presented to a club that demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within their local community and within the baseball industry.

Since the Whitecaps’ inaugural season in 1994, the team has been committed to operating as a community-based organization focused on providing affordable family friendly entertainment to the West Michigan region. And since that time, the Whitecaps’ success as an organization has been closely linked to the outstanding support received from the community. Giving back to that community has always been a pillar of the Whitecaps’ operating philosophy, and in 2013 the Whitecaps Community Foundation (a 501c (3)) was founded to focus the Whitecaps’ commitment to, and leadership of, charitable support of West Michigan kids and their families.

Some of the Whitecaps’ and Whitecaps Community Foundation’s 2016 highlights and community impacts are detailed below:

Ted Rasberry Field

Thanks to the efforts of the Whitecaps Community Foundation and its community partners, a $54,000 grant was secured from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund (a partnership with Major League Baseball). In just four months’ time one of Grand Rapids’ most historic inner city fields was completely revitalized. Use of the new field is primarily for the Inner City Youth Baseball and Softball program and surrounding Grand Rapids community neighborhoods.

Orchestrating the revitalization of a field named in honor of a historic Negro League owner/player and Grand Rapids native was an easy decision for the Whitecaps Community Foundation’s Board of Directors. When all was said and done, the Ted Rasberry Field renovations included: new bleachers, improved infield and playing surface, new equipment storage facility, reseeded outfield and an enhanced irrigation system.

Inner City Youth Baseball & Softball Program

The primary recipient of the Whitecaps’ and Whitecaps Community Foundation’s charitable efforts every year is the Inner City Youth Baseball and Softball program (ICYBS). This program is perhaps the Whitecaps’ best example of stability and sustainability as this season marked its 22nd year of providing free baseball to Grand Rapids inner city kids. The program is a collaborative effort between the Whitecaps Community Foundation, the Whitecaps and other community partners. Since 1995, more than $250,000 has been pledged to the program by the Whitecaps and the Whitecaps Community Foundation, allowing more than 27,000 children the opportunity to participate in organized baseball for free within the inner city.

In 2016, the ICYBS added a focus on nutrition and fighting childhood hunger and provided 9,600 post-game meals for the program participants. In total, the 2016 season stat line reads as follows: 1,400 children participated with 68 volunteers serving as coaches, drivers, and scorekeepers who donated a total of 1,758 hours of their time. Equipment was also provided for free with the West Michigan community donating more than 300 gloves and various pieces of equipment through the Whitecaps Community Foundation’s annual equipment drive.

Reading Program & Book Donation

The Whitecaps Community Foundation Reading Program is in its 12th year of helping area school children enjoy Whitecaps baseball while promoting reading. Children from area elementary schools who read a total of 450 minutes, or 15 minutes a day, in the month of March (known nationally as Reading Month) receive two tickets to any Whitecaps game in April-June. The Foundation delivers all support materials, such as bookmarks and posters, to all participating schools at no cost. The 2016 Reading Program had involvement from 75,000 K-6 area children from 268 schools ranging from public schools to home schooled. More than 20,000 complimentary tickets were given this season to children and their families in West Michigan.

To create even more excitement during the month of March and to encourage reading after the program had finished, the Whitecaps Community Foundation donated a book to every child at Dickinson Elementary School in Grand Rapids. Dickinson Elementary is considered a high-need school within Grand Rapids and received a total of 300 books.

Pinch Hitter Program

The Pinch Hitter Program is designed to give groups in need the opportunity to experience a Whitecaps game at no cost. Non-Profit organizations are matched with program donors and receive tickets allowing those groups to attend a Whitecaps game when they otherwise would not have been able to meet the financial obligation. In 2016 the Whitecaps Community Foundation was able to match 20 groups with corporate donors and as a result donated 500 tickets to groups in need. Michigan area.

Player Community Service Award

Since 1994, community involvement has been a pillar of how the Whitecaps operate, and this does not stop at the clubhouse door. West Michigan Whitecaps players are given the opportunity to volunteer throughout the community each season and in 2016, 30 players volunteered over 500 hours during the season. Players visited schools to encourage reading, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Veteran’s home as well as other locations in the West Michigan area. This season three players won the Inaugural Whitecaps Community Service Award, given to players who had the most impact within the community: Pitcher Sandy Baez, Outfielder Rashad Brown and Infielder Will Allen. Each of these players volunteered more than 50 hours of their time from April through August.

50/50 Program

Throughout the 2016 season, The Whitecaps Community Foundation helped non-profits raise funds by using the West Michigan Whitecaps facilities. Twelve non-profits raised $29,175 over the course of the season participating in the 50/50 raffle program. Non-profits took half of the $29,175 to use at their own discretion, while the winner took the other half. The Whitecaps Community Foundation had 13 of its own 50/50 raffles and managed to raise $30,760 for its programs in 2016.

The final line for 2016: With donations and fundraising efforts, the Whitecaps Community Foundation was able to give out more than $552,716 to local children and their families in 2016. All of these programs were considered by the Midwest League in choosing the West Michigan Whitecaps as its John Henry Moss Community Service Award winner and MiLB nominee.

Winners of all five of MiLB’s post-season awards, including the Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award, the John Henry Moss Community Service Award, the Larry MacPhail Award, the John H. Johnson President’s Award, and Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year Award, will be announced at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Washington, D.C. in December.

The Whitecaps open the 2017 season at home on Thursday, April 6 at 6:35 p.m. against the South Bend Cubs. Season tickets and mini plans will go on sale October 25 and can be purchased by calling the Whitecaps at 616-784-4131. Tickets for groups of 20 or more, including private party areas, will go on sale in November.

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

Local field wins makeover from Dash, Flow Chevrolet

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Sept. 13, 2016) – The Winston-Salem Dash and Flow Chevrolet have announced that Northwest Forsyth American Little League (NWFALL) has won the 2016 Diamond in the Rough Ballpark Renovation program. Therefore, NWFALL’s field will receive a Major League makeover this fall.

The Diamond in the Rough Ballpark Renovation contest, which ran throughout the month of July, invited area Little Leagues and softball leagues to submit videos to the Dash on social media to show why their field is in need and deserving of a makeover. NWFALL’s submission emerged victorious from a group of impressive finalists.

This marks NWFALL’s 52nd year of operation, and more than 400 players participated in spring activities in 2016. The little league added a Challenger Division for children with physical or mental challenges this season. NWFALL also hosts several district and state tournaments in baseball and softball.

“NWFALL is thrilled to be the recipient of the Diamond in the Rough renovation,” said Chris Swink, President of NWFALL. “The renovations and upgrades so generously provided by Flow Chevrolet and the Dash will have a big impact on all of our players. We want to thank both Flow Chevrolet and the Dash for their support of Little League Baseball in our community.”

The Flow Chevrolet Diamond in the Rough Ballpark Renovation program will be transforming its third facility. Last year’s winner was Winston-Salem National Little League, while South Little League was the inaugural recipient in 2014. The program follows similar baseball and softball field renovation programs that exist in both Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball.

For more information on the renovation program or the Dash, call (336) 714-2287.

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

Blue Wahoos Renovate Bill Gregory Park

The Blue Wahoos front office renovated Bill Gregory Park’s fields on Monday.

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PENSACOLA, Fla., – Members of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos front office renovated Bill Gregory Park’s tee-ball field on Monday as part of MLB’s RBI program. Renovations included measuring and moving the bases and mounds, mowing the grass, edging the dirt areas, picking up trash and painting the dugouts.

“We couldn’t have been happier about getting out into the community and helping with the tee-ball field at Bill Gregory, in support of MLB’s RBI program,” said Director of Guest Services and Community Relations Donna Kirby. “We have such a dedicated staff that truly cares about improving our community and making a difference in people’s lives, so it’s truly a pleasure for us to carve out time out of our calendars for this very worthwhile project each year. Bottom line, giving back to the community, it’s the #WahoosLife.”

After making the tee-ball field safer and up to code, the staff worked on the two other fields at the park.

“We were happy to help spruce up these fields today,” said Director of Sports Turf Management Ray Sayre. “Today’s young players are the future of the game of baseball. I hope to see some of these kids playing on a Big League field one day.”

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are committed to giving back to the local community and dedicated fans. The field refurbishment is part of the organization’s partnership with Major League Baseball’s RBI program – Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities. Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities focuses on youth outreach by fostering the growth of young ballplayers on and off the field.

–www.bluewahoos.com–

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

Smokies To Renovate Youth Fields Saturday

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Club Teaming Up With U.S. Cellular To Pitch In For Local Community

Tennessee-Smokies-2015Members of the Tennessee Smokies front office will be teaming up with U.S. Cellular and other partners to help clean up and renovate two East Tennessee baseball fields on Saturday, March 28, including the Boys & Girls Club of Halls/Powell, and the Christenberry Ballfields. Volunteers from U.S. Cellular will be pitching in at both locations, working side-by-side with Smokies front office members on all tasks. In addition, U.S. Cellular will also be donating $1,000 dollars to each location for equipment upgrades.

“This is a very important project for us, and another way to truly make a difference in the East Tennessee community,” stated Smokies Team President Doug Kirchhofer. “We’re also very grateful to U.S. Cellular and our other partners for working together with us on this venture to ensure baseball is played safely and on a good field for years to come.”

“U.S. Cellular has long enjoyed its partnership with the Tennessee Smokies and the opportunity it gives us to connect with East Tennessee residents,” said Jack Brundige, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Tennessee. “We are looking forward to rolling up our sleeves to help with the baseball field makeovers. Every young child should have the opportunity to play ball on a safe, well-maintained field.”

“Saturday is an important undertaking by all parties involved, and we’re very excited to be able to provide nice ballfields for kids and the community,” added Smokies General Manager Brian Cox. “Our hope is for this to become a yearly endeavor in which we continue to provide a place to play baseball and help the game flourish.”

Work to be done includes field clean-up and the creation of new dugouts, in addition to adding fencing at the Boys & Girls Club, as well as installing batting cages at Christenberry Ballfields, including new turf, placing padding behind home plate, and field clean-up among other tasks. The team will also be donating several items for use at those locations, including a home plate, bases, chalker, rakes and shovels.

This marks the second time the Smokies have teamed up with The Boys & Girls Club this month, after Smokies Stadium hosted a Pitch, Hit & Run Competition exclusively for club members on March 17 in association with the Boys & Girls Club of Tennessee Valley, and the Smoky Mountains. Additional partners assisting the Smokies with Saturday’s effort are Blalock Construction, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Jet’s Pizza.

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

Four youth ball field renovations set for April 16

‘4 in 24’ will see four fields renovated in under 24 hours

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Tri-City-Valley-CatsThe Tri-City ValleyCats have partnered with BlueShield of Northeastern New York and Hannaford Supermarkets to revamp the ball fields of four local youth baseball/softball leagues: Cohoes Little League, Coxsackie-Athens Little League, Town of Hoosick Youth Baseball/Softball League, and Niskayuna Baseball. Known as the ‘4 in 24’ Extreme Field Renovation Project, the work will take place within a 24-hour time period on Thursday, April 16.

The four fields will receive brand new sod, bases, a home plate and pitcher’s mound, and the baselines will be measured to the correct specifications.

Cohoes Little League is implementing a Challenger Program, but the host field has been damaged due to the harsh winter.

“We wouldn’t have been able to obtain the field conditions needed to support this program without assistance,” said Mike Smith, President Cohoes Little League. “This renovation will give us the opportunity for children with all abilities to have a safe place to play baseball this season.”

Coxsackie-Athens Little League has had a softball program for some time, which has gained popularity in recent years. Following the work of the ‘4 in 24,’ the field will be fit enough to become home to the newly formed Coxasckie-Athens Girls Softball.

“Coxsackie-Athens Little League is excited that Rainey Field has been selected by the Tri-City ValleyCats as a ‘4 in 24’ field,” said league President Steve VanHoesen. “As volunteers, preparing and maintaining the field is a perpetual struggle. With help of the ValleyCats, Isabella C. Rainey Field will once again be put back atop of that pedestal and reclaim its diamond status in the community.”

The Town of Hoosick Youth Baseball / Softball League is still feeling the effects of hurricane flood damage, and their primary field is filled with sandy dirt and large stones.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to have the ValleyCats organization assist us in providing the best experience possible for our youths,” said league president Tony Thayne. “After the flood a few years ago, we have done our best to recover the fields, but are still in need of help in getting them done correctly.”

Niskayuna Baseball has seen its league size grow over the past few years, which now consists of 50 teams and approximately 600 players. With the growth comes the need for greater field options and maintenance requirements.

“On behalf of Niskayuna Baseball, its Board of Directors, and most importantly the baseball community that we represent, I want to say thank you for this tremendous opportunity,” said Christopher Mennillo, Niskayuna Baseball President. “This renovation will make the playing surface more conducive for multiple age groups, expand the flexibility from a league scheduling standpoint, and better position the league to host future tournaments.”

The ‘4 in 24’ is the marquee event and kick-off of the Community Grounds Crew Program, which assists local youth leagues with maintenance and upkeep of their playing fields throughout the spring and summer. This will mark the fifth straight season of the Community Grounds Crew, which the ValleyCats widely consider to be one of their most important yearly initiatives.

“As a part of the Capital Region since 2002, the ValleyCats recognize the importance of being an active member of the community and an ambassador for the great game of baseball,” said Rick Murphy, ValleyCats Vice President / General Manager. “Over the years, our field renovation program has been a key component in furthering this mission. Through our partnerships with BlueShield of Northeastern New York and Hannaford Supermarkets, the 4 in 24 program will officially reach 20 fields renovated this year as we seek to provide continued opportunities for our youth to grow and excel.”

“BlueShield is proud to continue our support of the ‘4 in 24’ Field Renovations in partnership with the Tri-City ValleyCats and Hannaford Supermarkets,” said Dr. Kirk Panneton, Regional Executive and Medical Director, BlueShield of Northeastern New York. “At BlueShield we strongly believe that every child should have the opportunity to explore his or her potential through safe and healthy recreational activities. Playing on a safe and well-maintained field is good for our region’s children, and it’s good for our community. ”

“By helping to improve these playing fields, Hannaford is investing in two of the things that matter most to us – healthy kids and healthy communities,” said Brian Fabre, Hannaford community relations specialist. “Hannaford is committed to providing healthy options to our customers and to strengthening our communities. Through this partnership with BlueShield of Northeastern New York and the ValleyCats, we will be helping our young people to play and to compete in a safer, more-enjoyable environment.”

The efforts will also be aided by the support of Admar Construction and Turface, who will provide the necessary equipment and materials to complete the renovations. Other support comes from the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, whose contributions come from past events held at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Tri-City ValleyCats. Click here to view the original story.

Adopt-a-Field Program Returns in 2015

Submissions Due March 29, Voting Begins March 30

Scranton-W-B-RailRiders-logoThere’s something special about a pristine baseball field. Add kids to the scene and you have the storybook home run. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) hope to help area youth enjoy America’s pastime by renovating three fields as part of their Adopt-a-Field Program in 2015.

Two youth softball or baseball fields and one high school field will receive a renovation. Fans can send photos of their field to the RailRiders and write as to why they should be selected. Field nominations should be sent to the RailRiders’ community relations director Rachel Mark (rmark@swbrailriders.com). Submitted fields must be within 30 miles of PNC Field.

This year the RailRiders are proud to partner with Pro’s Choice and Fisher and Son who will graciously donate the materials needed for the renovation of the three fields.

Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 29. Fans will be able to vote on the fields on the RailRiders’ website starting at noon on Monday, March 30. Links to the voting page will be available through social media and the RailRiders’ website. Website voting will end at 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, and the winners will be announced on Monday, April 6. The first renovation is planned for April 16.

The program affords an individualized evaluation and athletic field maintenance clinic to the chosen sites. The teams will be taught how to keep up that same professional-level look for years to come.

“This is a great opportunity to provide those maintaining local fields with the knowledge needed to maintain a safe and beautiful playing surface,” said the team’s director of field operations, Steve Horne. “Many leagues don’t have the tools, manpower or guidance needed to keep their fields in good shape. Hopefully, after our crew comes in to help get them started, we can develop a plan that will benefit the leagues and their players for years to come.”

Media members and fans will be invited to document and watch the progress throughout the day at each site. Other dates and all sites will be announced at a later date once voting concludes.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Click here to view the original story.