Tortugas Seeking Nominations for Military Heroes Card Set

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The Daytona Tortugas are seeking nominations for their first annual Military Heroes baseball card set. The card set will represent each branch of the military and honor those who are currently serving our country, veterans who have served in the past but are no longer active, and those who bravely fought for our country, but have since passed away.

The card set will be given away to the first 500 fans at Jackie Robinson Ballpark as part of our Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, May 27th. Nominations will be taken until Monday, May 15th.

Please email nominations to info@daytonatortugas.com

– Military Title
– First & Last Name
– Military Branch
– Years of Service
– Born
– Hometown
– Contact number person doing the nominating
– Email address person doing the nominating
– Short Bio/Resume (75 words or less)
– Photo (300 DPI, Minimum resolution of 750 pixels x 1050 pixels)

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

KIDS CLINIC AT OSCEOLA COUNTY STADIUM ON APRIL 3

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (March 27, 2017) – The Florida Fire Frogs and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association will host a free Legends for Youth Kids Clinic on Monday, April 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Osceola County Stadium.

The clinic will include former Major League Baseball players Jason Johnson, Talmadge “T” Nunnari, Brad Pennington, Rich Folkers, Desi Relaford, Lary Sorensen and Brian Tollberg, teaching children the fundamentals of the game.

To register for the clinic, please visit http://mlbpaa.mlb.com/mlbpaa/events/. Registrants much be between the ages of 6 and 16 years old, with guardians completing the registration process for children under the age of 13.

The Fire Frogs and Legends for Youth ask that you enter the stadium using Gate A and ask please arrive to the fields 20 minutes before the scheduled start time, and to come prepared with sneakers and a baseball bag (bat, glove, water bottle).

Florida Fire Frogs President Joe Harrington commented “we are thrilled that the MLBPAA have chosen our ballpark for a pre-season clinic and looking forward to developing a long standing relationship with the organization so we can turn this into a yearly pre-season event here at Osceola County Stadium.”

Legends for Youth is a charitable program running over 250 events a year nationwide, with the mission of promoting the game of baseball to America’s youth using positive sports images and personalities.

About the Florida Fire Frogs

The Florida Fire Frogs are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and compete in the Florida State League. The Fire Frogs play their home games at Osceola County Stadium, located at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. Thursday, April 6th is the start of the Fire Frogs inaugural season at Osceola County Stadium, having previously played at Space Coast Stadium in Brevard County. Tickets for the first homestand are available now. For more information, please visit www.FloridaFireFrogs.com, and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.

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

FSL Partners with Florida Prepaid for Second Season

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Florida State League will be partnering with the Florida Prepaid College Board for a second consecutive season, the League Office announced this week.

The Florida Prepaid College Program was created by Florida Legislature in 1987 to provide Florida families with an affordable means to save for their child’s college education. The Florida Prepaid College Board manages the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program and the Florida 529 Savings Plan.

“We are very excited to continue our great relationship with the Florida Prepaid Program. They have been great partners and we hope to continue our relationship for many years to come,” said FSL President Ken Carson.

Florida Prepaid began working with the FSL in 2015 on a five-team basis. The 2017 season will mark the second consecutive year of a league wide partnership, with all 12 teams participating in the Florida Prepaid partnership.

Florida Prepaid sponsored the league’s Baseball Buddies program in 2016. The Baseball Buddies program allowed young fans to take the field with their favorite FSL team, sing the National Anthem, and receive a complimentary ticket to the game, along with a logo baseball courtesy of the Florida Prepaid College Board.

New in 2017 is the Florida State League promotional code. By using promo code “FSL1617”, customers will receive 50% off the application fee when enrolling in a Prepaid Plan this year. Additionally, this summer, fans will have the opportunity to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a $2,500 contribution to a Florida 529 Savings Plan. The link to the website will be announced at a later date. There will also be secondary prize winners selected from those that enter the sweepstakes.

Florida Prepaid is the largest, longest running, and most successful prepaid plan in the nation with more than 1.8 million plans purchased.

“Our mission, since our founding in 1987, has been to open the door to college for more Floridians by providing easy and affordable options to save. By partnering with the Florida State League, we can reach Florida families to educate them about the importance of saving early for college,” said Kevin Thompson, Executive Director of the Florida Prepaid College Board.

For more information on the Florida State League, you can visit floridastateleague.com.

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

Tortugas Care Charity Foundation Issues First Grant

Daytona Beach, FL — The Tortugas Care Charity Foundation issued their first $500 grant to The Miracle League of Volusia County Tuesday afternoon.

The Tortugas Care Charity Foundation was founded in September of 2016 by the ownership group of the Daytona Tortugas, with the mission of enriching the lives of youth in the community through physical education and sports. With the Daytona Tortugas serving as an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, a partnership with a local foundation impacting the lives of youth through baseball is the perfect marriage.

Miracle League of Voluisa County was formed in early 2015 and will give those with special needs the opportunity to play America’s favorite pastime. The city of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, has donated land for the future home of our local Miracle League; however, there is still a dire need to raise funds to officially break ground.

For more information on The Miracle League of Volusia County, and ways that you can help get 13,000 school-aged children to step up to the plate, please go to http://www.miracleleaguevolusia.org

And please like the Tortugas Care Charity Foundation Facebook page.

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

Tortugas Ownership Group Establishes Community Foundation

Daytona Beach, FL – The ownership group that acquired the Daytona Tortugas Advanced A Minor League Baseball Club last year is excited to start the new year giving back to the local community with its announcement today that it has established a charitable foundation designed to benefit youth sports and turtle conservation efforts in the community.

The Tortugas Care Charity Foundation was established with seed funding from team owners Reese Smith, Bob Fregolle and Rick French as a way of giving back to the local community that has supported baseball at Jackie Robinson Ballpark for more than a century.

Fregolle and French will serve on the board of trustees of the foundation, along with recently-appointed team President Ryan Keur. Current team Community Relations Director Kristen Alford will also serve as day-to-day Director of the foundation.

The Tortugas Care Charity Foundation is a 501(c)3 philanthropic organization that is committed to enriching the lives of youth in the local community through recreational opportunities — and in a nod to the Tortugas team name — contributing to sea turtle conservation efforts.

The foundation has already made a pledge to support the Miracle League of Volusia County and Tough Baseball, a local organization that uses athletics to teach and mentor children in the community.

During the 2017 baseball season, the team is planning jersey auctions to benefit the foundation and all 50/50 raffle proceeds will also fund foundation grants. The foundation also plans to host other fundraising events throughout the upcoming season in addition to an annual signature event that will be announced soon.

The ownership group will use its social media channels, radio partnerships, team newsletter and a portion of its print advertising budget to support the growth of the foundation, which will officially launch in January.

“The Tortugas Care Charity Foundation is something that Reese, Rick and I have wanted to establish from the moment we acquired the team because each of us has adopted Daytona Beach as our second home and want to give back to the local community that comes out and supports our organization year-round” said Fregolle.

Once the foundation officially launches in a few weeks, both grant applications and donations will be accepted at the Tortugas principal office at 110 East Orange Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 and via their new Facebook Daytona Tortugas Care Charity Foundation Facebook page.

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

Youth Baseball Clinic on Jan. 14

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – The Mets will hold a youth baseball clinic on Saturday, January 14 from noon-2 p.m. at Tradition Field.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the cost is $10 per child 13-and-under.

All proceeds will go to the Boys & Girls Club. The clinic will be run by Mets staff along with players and coaches.

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

Hops For Hospice Beer Festival Oct. 1

The Clearwater Threshers will be hosting the 8th Annual Hops For Hospice Beer Festival at Bright House Field on Saturday, October 1, from 4-8 p.m. The fundraiser event benefits Empath Health and the Suncoast Hospice Foundation. Over 100 different beers will be available for sample on the concourse from JJ Taylor, Great Bay Distributors and local breweries.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Tickets are limited and often sell out. Every attendee will receive a complimentary miniature beer mug for samples.

Tickets may be purchased at the Bright House Field ticket office, online at HopsforHospice.com or by phone at 727-467-4457.

You must be 21+ years old with a valid photo ID to attend the festival. Parking at Bright House Field and Joe DiMaggio Field is $5 the day of the event.

*Presale of tickets and online sales end at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Sep. 30. After this time, the TICKETS link below will be inactive. The Bright House Field box office will open at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, for day-of sales.* 

TICKETS 727-467-4457

Hops For Hospice website

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

Miracle, Keep On Playing host last clinic of 2016

FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 1, 2016) – The Fort Myers Miracle and Keep on Playing are teaming up for the fourth and final baseball clinic with the Fort Myers Boy’s and Girl’s Club for 2016 on Saturday, September 3 at 10 a.m. at Shady Oaks.

The Miracle, Keep On Playing and the Boy’s and Girl’s Club have held three previous baseball clinics with excellent turnout. The Miracle and Keep On Playing have donated baseball equipment to the Boy’s and Girl’s Club and players have delivered one-on-one personal instruction to the local youth throughout the course of the summer. At each clinic, current members of the Miracle roster have worked with kids to help develop a passion for the game of baseball. 2016 Florida State League All-Star and team home run leader Trey Vavra has been at every session.

Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson has proclaimed September 3 as MiLB Keep On Playing Day.

“It’s extraordinary to watch the kids pick up a baseball and glove and they don’t stop smiling and laughing,” said Marnie Schneider, Founder of Keep On Playing. “The special gift of choosing what to plays is what Keep On Playing and our amazing teammates give the children. By bringing the wonderful game of baseball to the kids, we give them more options and teach them about our national pastime!”

Keep On Playing and the Miracle support the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities, or RBI program, at the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs located in Fort Myers. In addition to baseball skills, clubs ensure participants receive educational components to help foster academic achievement while attending the clinics.

The Keep On Playing mission is to enrich the lives of youth through play. When kids keep on playing, their experiences are enhanced exponentially. Keep On Playing strives to build confidence, increase motivation and enhance self-esteem by jump-starting participation in sports. The Keep On Playing core values are: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Perseverance, Excellence, Sportsmanship and Academic Achievement.

“I think the most important thing for people to know about Keep On Playing is its ability to change lives,” said Donja Massop, Director of Operations for the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Lee County. “It’s not just about baseball. It’s more about opportunities and providing kids with new experiences.”

“We are thrilled to be able to work with Keep On Playing to bring a positive message about teamwork and being involved in sports to the kids at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club in Lee County,” said Miracle Chief Operating Officer Steve Gliner. “Being a part of these baseball clinics has been a great experience for our players and staff.”

The Miracle, Keep On Playing and the Boy’s and Girl’s Club have already scheduled clinics for the summer of 2017. For more information on the final Keep On Playing clinic in Fort Myers, contact the Miracle offices at (239) 768-4210.

Mets to take part in CommUNITY initiative Friday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Minor League Baseball recently unveiled the CommUNITY initiative program to encourage fans to come together and stand up against discrimination and violence. The St. Lucie Mets are proud to participate in the program that is in response to recent tragedies and tension in communities across the country.

The Mets CommUNITY initiative will take place during the third inning of Friday’s second game vs. the Palm Beach Cardinals. MiLB’s goal is to get all 160 MiLB teams involved and have their fans leave a game feeling inspired with a sense of unity.

Upon entering Tradition Field, fans will be given signs that read “Community Means” and the fans can fill in the blank of what community means to them. The fans and players will stand up and hold the signs in solidarity in the middle of the third inning.

“Our ballparks have long been a place of fun and enjoyment, providing a break from the ills of today’s society,” said Minor League Baseball President and CEO, Pat O’Conner. “The CommUNITY initiative aims to urge fans to take action in their communities and to promote unity, understanding, acceptance and inclusion.”

Friday’s doubleheader starts at 4 p.m. It is also First Responders Appreciation Night, which ties in with the CommUNITY initiative.

In addition to various activities at the ballpark, Minor League Baseball teams and their fans can participate in the initiative on social media using #MiLBCommUNITY to pledge their plan to create positive change.

For more information, contact Kasey Blair at 772-871-2115.

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

Prostate Cancer Awareness Night on Sep. 2

TICKETS

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Friday, September 2, is Prostate Cancer Awareness Night at the ballpark with a post-game concert from Tampa Bay’s Stormbringer. Threshers players and coaches will be wearing special blue jerseys that will be included in the silent auction to raise funds and awareness for the Morton Plant Mease Foundation and Ed Randall’s Fans For The Cure.

The Stormbringer concert is part of the Threshers Summer Concert series by Leinenkugel and New Belgium.

Fans who win a jersey in the auction can go on-field after the game to meet the player and receive the autographed jersey. Also included in the silent auction will be Threshers’ and Phillies’ memorabilia plus donations from team partners.

The night is also the last Threshers Free Shirt Friday with 1,000 themed, blue T-shirts given away by Academy Bus. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6:15 p.m. game with the Dunedin Blue Jays.

TICKETS

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

Tampa Yankees to “Play4theCure” on Fan Appreciation Night

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Yankees will host their annual Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday, August 27th. The Yankees are scheduled to play the Brevard County Manatees at 6:00 p.m. Fans are welcome to enjoy a night full of prizes and fun as the 2016 season comes to an end. The night will conclude with a postgame fireworks show, presented by Sonny’s BBQ.

Play4TheCure and Minor League Baseball are teaming up for the second year in a row to raise funds for the National Foundation for Cancer Research. Proceeds from a 50/50 raffle, along with other fan games, will benefit cancer research. Players and fans will receive “I Play 4 ___” signs and are encouraged to fill them out to be recognized on the video board during the game.

“Play4TheCure inspires young athletes and their teams to leverage their passion for sports to “Play4″ loved ones affected by cancer and encourages them to actively participate in working to fund cancer research to make a difference.” – NFCR.org

In addition, August 27th will also be the final “Salute to Service Members Saturday” of the season. All military receive a FREE upper reserved ticket with valid I.D. Kids run the bases before the game from 5-5:15 p.m. and receive player autographs on the concourse from 5:10-5:30 p.m. **Ticket special can ONLY be redeemed at the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office.

Individual game tickets can be purchased at the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office. Tickets start at $4 for general admission, $6 for reserved seating, and parking is always free.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single A-Advanced Affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information, you may contact the Tampa Yankees office at (813) 673-3055 or visit www.tybaseball.com.

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

Miracle host Unity in the Community and Craft Beer Fest

FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 12, 2016) – On Saturday, August 13, the Miracle will be hosting a night to celebrate the hard work and courage of our local first responders on an evening of Unity in the Community featuring the return of the Craft Beer Fest and Beer, Baseball and Boom!

All first responders and one guest will receive complimentary admission to a 6:05 p.m. game against the Charlotte Stone Crabs. Gates open at 5 p.m. There will be several first responders in uniform, vehicles on site, a marching band in front of the stadium and displays for fans.

Units that will be at the ballpark include the Fort Myers Coast Guard, the Charlotte County Police Department, the Cape Coral Police Department, the Collier County Police Department, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, the Fort Myers Police Department, the Fort Myers Fire Department, Bayshore Fire Department, the North Fort Myers Fire Department, South Trail Fire Department, the Iona-McGregor Fire Department and the Cape Coral Fire Department.

In addition to First Responder’s Night, the Miracle have the annual Beer, Baseball and Boom event presented by Killebrew Rootbeer, 95.3 OLZ and Fox 4. For $22 in advance and $25 on Saturday, fans receive a ticket to the game and a wristband for unlimited sampling of over 40 craft beers from 5-7 p.m. First responders and their guests can purchase the Craft Beer Fest wristband at the Fort Points by Sheraton Guest Services booth on the main concourse for $14.

Connoisseurs of ales, lagers, pilsners and stouts will sophisticate their palettes with the likes of Bury Me Brewing’s Cold Dead Hands, Old Soul Brewing’s Defector, 3 Daughters’ Beach Blonde Ale, Big Storm Brewing’s Wavemaker, 21st Amendment Toaster Pastry, Cigar City Tampa Lager, Sierra Nevada Otra Vez, Riptide Paddlepuss Blonde, Fort Myers Brewing Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter and many more!

Killebrew Root Beer will also be offering free samples at the top of the stairs of the Grand Entry. Once you’ve wet your whistle, try the famous Catcher’s Mitt at the concession stand. The Catcher’s Mitt is an empanada stuffed with Asian pork covered in sweet and sour slaw and topped with cilantro lime sauce. The Miracle will also feature Italian Baseballs made of pepperoni, cheese and marinara sauce surrounded by fresh dough and fried to a golden brown perfection. There will also be delicious poutine, french fries topped with cheese curds and peppered white gravy, as well as Killebrew Root Beer Floats!

For more information on First Responder’s Night or Beer, Baseball and Boom, contact the Miracle offices at (239) 768-4210. For a full list of beers that will be available for sampling, visit www.miraclebaseball.com.

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

Michael Edwards Awarded FSL Scholarship

Daytona Beach, FL – The Daytona Tortugas, in conjunction with the Florida State League and the Miami Marlins, are proud to award the franchise’s second Florida State League Scholarship to Account Executive Michael Edwards.

Edwards, a native of nearby DeLand, is prepping for his junior year at the University of Florida.

“It means a lot [to win the scholarship]. I appreciate the opportunity to earn a scholarship, and winning it meant even more since it is the first scholarship I’ve ever been chosen for,” Edwards explained.

The Florida State League Scholarship Committee awarded twelve (12) $1,500 educational scholarships to applicants from each team in the league. The award is based both on financial need and a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students eligible for this award must be an employee, or the child or grandchild of an employee, of the participating club and must be at least a high school junior by the 2016 fall term.

“I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to gain experience [with the Tortugas]. Working in the front office of a sports team is what I eventually hope to be doing,” said Edwards, a sports management major, about the internship.

The Miami Marlins have sponsored this program for more than 16 years and have contributed over $160,000 to the Florida State League Program.

The Daytona Tortugas honored Edwards prior to a home game on July 25th at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. In addition, he was also mentioned during a pre-game ceremony at the Miami Marlins game on Sunday, July 31st, along with the other Florida State League team award winners.

Edwards, now back at school, enjoyed his summer in the FSL.

“It was great! I learned a good amount and got to do things that I never expected to be doing. It was definitely tiring at times, but working through those long homestands will help me in the long run!”

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

Strike Out Cancer Night

tampayankees_2015-05-07

Tampa, Fla. – The Tampa Yankees plan to Strike Out Cancer Saturday, June 6th, when they take on the Clearwater Threshers at 6:00PM. The gates at Steinbrenner Field will open promptly at 5:00PM. The night is sponsored by BayCare.

The Tampa Yankees players and coaches will be wearing custom made Strike Out Cancer jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game. Proceeds from the auction will benefit BayCare. The Tampa Yankees hope to encourage cancer awareness in the bay area, and to contribute as much as possible to cancer research and treatment.

Fans are invited to come out to Steinbrenner Field early and enjoy a food truck Rally before the game. Trucks participating include Sarges BBQ, Disco Donuts, Kona Ice, Enjoi Sweets, PaniniRiffic, and Street Surfer. The first 500 fans to enter the stadium will receive a BayCare water bottle. To close out the night, there will be a fireworks display after the game sponsored by Sonny’s BBQ.

Strike Out Cancer Night is also a Friends and Family Saturday Sponsored by Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. Fans can purchase Family-4-Packs which include four reserved tickets to the game, four hot dogs, four bags of chips, four sodas, four Tampa Yankees ball caps, and two passes to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo for just $38. The Tampa Yankees invite all children 14 and under to run the bases from 5:00-5:15PM. Some of the Tampa Yankees players will be on the concourse signing autographs from 5:10-5:30PM.

Individual game tickets are $4 for general admission, $6 for reserved seating and can be purchased at the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office or online through Ticketmaster. Parking for Tampa Yankees games is always free.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information contact the Tampa Yankees offices at (813) 673-3055 or visit www.tybaseball.com.

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

Armed Forces Night

tampayankees_2015-05-06

Tampa, FL – On Saturday, May 16th, the Tampa Yankees will host Armed Forces Night sponsored by Bill Currie Ford. The Tampa Yankees will be playing the Brevard County Manatees in a double header at 5:00PM. The gates at Steinbrenner Field will open promptly at 4:00PM.

For Armed Forces Night, the Tampa Yankees invite all active and retired military personnel to enjoy the game for free if they bring their military I.D to the box office. There will also be a promotion for discounted Family-4-Packs for military families for $25 dollars. The 4-pack includes 4 reserved tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 bags of chips, 4 sodas, 4 Tampa Yankees ball caps, and 2 passes to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.

The Tampa Yankees have also teamed up with Cell Phones for Soldiers in hopes to collect old gently used cell phones from fans that will later be turned into calling cards for soldiers to use overseas. The box to donate these cell phones will be out on the concourse of Steinbrenner Field by Customer Service.

Children 14 and under are invited to run the bases from 4-4:15PM and players will be signing autographs on the concourse from 4:10-4:30PM. There will be a fireworks display after the game sponsored by Bright House Networks.

Individual game tickets can be purchased at the George M. Steinbrenner Box Office. Tickets start at just $4 for general admission, $6 for reserved seating and parking is always free.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single A-Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information contact the Tampa Yankees offices at (813) 673-3055 or visit www.tybaseball.com.

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