Appalachian League celebrates 2022 charitable contributions

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the league’s charitable outreach grew to more than $3.4 million of gift-in-kind and monetary donations this year. Additionally, the league and its clubs volunteered more than 11,000 hours of community service.

The league’s reach impacts the towns and cities their 10 teams call home across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Appalachian League executives, team staff members and players volunteered through food pantries, reading programs, baseball clinics, toy drives, youth centers, hospital visits and numerous service organizations.

“As league members, we appreciate the opportunity to continue giving back through volunteering, donating and providing outreach to the communities that have supported our clubs for more than 100 years,” stated Elizabethton River Riders GM and Appalachian League Charity Committee Chair Kiva Fuller.

In January, Appy League representatives participated in the 27th annual MLK Day of Service. Volunteering in 11 communities across four states, team members were involved with food pantries, book drives, local YMCA and libraries, as well as the House of Hope and Good Samaritan Ministries.

In conjunction with the League All-Star Game, league executives volunteered at the City Gate Dream Center in Burlington, N.C. Along with moving items to the center’s storage unit, the group packaged and bundled diapers for families in need.

On the day of the All-Star Game, the Sock Puppets hosted a successful Play Ball youth clinic at Burlington Athletic Stadium where all 2022 All-Stars participated.

Prior to the GM meeting in Bluefield on Oct. 18, Appalachian League clubs participated in a service project at the Bluefield Union Mission. A total of 19 league and club representatives packaged meals and prepared personal hygiene kits for families in need.

More details and a full breakdown of the 2022 Appy League Community Impact Report can be found here.

The 2023 Appy League season begins Tuesday, June 6. The full schedule for the upcoming season can be found here.

The Appalachian League is a part of USA Baseball and powered by MLB. For more information on the Appalachian League, please visit appyleague.com or follow the league on Twitter and Instagram (@AppyLeague).

Second Annual “WooSox Foundation Holiday Caravan” to Spread Joy Around Central MA

Community Award Winners Ryan Fitzgerald and Red Sox Hall of Famer Rich Gedman to join Smiley Ball, Woofster the WonderDog, Roberto the Rocket, and Santa in visits to charities, schools, and community organizations

WORCESTER, MA – Led by Infielder Ryan Fitzgerald and Hitting Coach Rich Gedman, two award-winning members of the Worcester Red Sox, the 2022 “WooSox Foundation Holiday Caravan” will be spreading cheer across the Heart of the Commonwealth this Monday, December 19 through Wednesday, December 21.

Fitzgerald, the club’s super utility infielder and second-ever recipient of the WooSox Foundation’s “Heart of the Heart” Community Spirit Award, will team up with Gedman, his Hitting Coach, who was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in May of this year. Joining them are Mascots Smiley Ball, Woofster the WonderDog, and Roberto the Rocket, along with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The WooSox Foundation “Care-A-Van,” presented by Bank of America, is the team’s mobile RV that was unveiled in March of 2022 and will assist the WooSox in executing all of the good deeds scheduled for next week.

The impactful holiday gestures begin on Monday at Why Me & Sherry’s House when the team will bring gifts and essentials to toddlers and teens who are battling cancer. The group will also visit TLK Sports, a Worcester-based community organization that emphasizes the importance of teamwork and relationship building through a number of sports including baseball. The WooSox, in partnership with the Junior WooSox, will wrap up Monday evening at Nazareth home in Leicester to show their support for foster children by bringing winter hats and an assortment of surprise gifts.

On Tuesday, December 20, the Caravan continues in Polar Park’s backyard at the Canal District’s St. John’s Food for the Poor, where the WooSox will assist in providing breakfast to some of the neighborhood’s neediest population. The team will head from St. John’s to Abby’s House in Worcester, where toys and treats will be provided to women and children.

The caravan will continue its busy day on Tuesday at 11 am at UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center, where care packages filled with toys, books, and everyday essentials will go to kids who are in treatment. For the second straight year, the club has partnered with Kits for Kids, a Marlborough based organization that has provided care packages around the holidays to children in need for over 13 years.

The WooSox will wrap up their Tuesday afternoon with the Worcester Education Collaborative, where together they will donate tablets and keyboards to children at the Guild of St. Agnes in Worcester. The caravan will head to the YMCA Central Community Branch, then back to Polar Park, where fans will have the opportunity to meet Ryan Fitzgerald in the WooSox Team Store from 5:30-7:00 pm on Tuesday evening.

“I’m looking forward to being back in Worcester around Christmas time and help give back to this community that has had my back all season long,” said Ryan Fitzgerald, who in 2022 became the first Minor League player to have his own merchandise line. “The WooSox are always doing great things in the community and it’s a pleasure to help out in any way I can.”

The WooSox will conclude their 2022 Holiday Caravan on Wednesday with visits to Abby Kelley Foster Elementary School, and Gates Lane Elementary School, where the club established a mentoring program this past March 4 in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Massachusetts.

“What an honor it is to visit these children and organizations who deserve the smiles that our mascots so often inspire,” said WooSox President Dr. Charles A. Steinberg. “And how fortunate we are to have such caring souls who wear the WooSox uniform: Ryan Fitzgerald and Red Sox Hall of Famer Rich Gedman embody the dreams of all of the children of this region. Meeting Fitzy and Geddy, shaking their hands, and learning their stories can turn a moment into a memory and perhaps even a turning point in life. We thank the schools and wonderful charities who perform these good deeds every single day for the opportunity to stop by, say hello, and wish everyone a happy holiday season with best wishes for a happy, healthy new year.”

Media interested in covering any portion of the team’s 2022 Holiday Caravan can reach out to Vice President of Community & Player Relations Joe Bradlee at [email protected] for further guidance.

Trash Pandas Successfully Launch Non-Profit Foundation

MADISON, Alabama – In just its first year, the Rocket City Trash Pandas Foundation raised more than $150,000 in donations for non-profit organizations in North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. The Foundation, the 501(c)3 charitable arm of the Trash Pandas was incorporated prior to the 2022 baseball season, is dedicated to educating and promoting healthy lifestyles through sport and to positively impact communities in the region.

The donations were fueled by fundraising events, both new and returning, including Game-Worn Jersey Auctions, Community Clubhouse Sales, Youth Camps, and the Trash Pandas Food & Beverage Volunteer Program.

CLICK HERE to view the full 2022 Rocket City Trash Pandas Community Impact Report.

Highlights from 2022 include:

  • Six specialty game-worn jersey auctions featuring jerseys worn by Trash Pandas players and coaches during select home games. After the game, jerseys were auctioned with proceeds going to local non-profits that raised over $100,000 throughout the season. 2022 jersey auctions included Space Night, Star Wars Night, Armed Forces Night, Patriotic Jerseys for Independence Day, Marvel Defenders of the Diamond Night, and Huntsville Stars Throwback Night.
  • The Trash Pandas Food and Beverage Volunteer Program allowed organizations to assist in operating concession stands during games. Each volunteer was paid hourly with profits going to their organization, which collected over $57,000.
  • The Trash Pandas Foundation hosted two Community Clubhouse Sales in 2022, offering a variety of autographed and game-used memorabilia to fand in a garage sale fashion. Items included autographed cards, mystery autographed baseballs, broken bats, game-worn hats, limited-edition specialty jerseys, and more. These sales raised over $21,000 for the foundation.
  • Trash Pandas players took part in a Youth Instructional Camp where over 100 children aged 7-10 learned baseball fundamentals. Players also embraced the North Alabama community, making appearances at the St. Jude’s Clinic and Pediatric Wing at Huntsville Hospital, Volunteering with Rock, Steady, Boxing’s Senior Class, and reading to students at local schools.
  • During each Wednesday home game, fans were invited to bring their four-legged friends to Toyota Field for Dog Day, with a $1 donation per dog going to an animal-related non-profit. Throughout 10 Dog Days, over $700 was collected.
  • Sprocket made dozens of appearances at special events such as school visits, Little League Opening Days, a Huntsville Havoc game, and even a trip to Los Angeles.
  • Throughout the year, Toyota Field also hosted school groups ranging from elementary to college for behind-the-scenes tours of Toyota Field with stops including the press box, clubhouses, the field, and luxury suites.

The Rocket City Trash Pandas Foundation is led by Director of Community Relations, Maddison Kendrick, who has been with the team since 2020 following a successful three years leading community relations for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The Foundation looks forward to continuing their work in the local community as the 2023 season approaches. To learn more about the foundation and get involved, CLICK HERE.

WooSox Infielder Ryan Fitzgerald and Pitcher Durbin Feltman Headline Inaugural “Thank You Care-A-Van” Sept. 29 through Oct. 1

After wrapping up their season finale in Rochester, WooSox Infielder Ryan Fitzgerald and pitcher Durbin Feltman lead the club’s Inaugural “Thank You Care-A-Van” that ran from Thursday, September 29, and wrapped up at David Prouty High School in Spencer during their homecoming on Saturday, October 1.

The Care-A-Van began at Elm Park Elementary School in Worcester at 10:00 AM, where Feltman and Fitzgerald read to children, and where the club also partnered with the Juniper Outreach Foundation to install a food pantry in the school. Founded in February of 2020, the Juniper Outreach Foundation helps combat food insecurity in the Worcester Public Schools and provides basic necessities to children in need.

From Elm Park, the WooSox headed to Worcester’s Net of Compassion on Main Street, where they distributed food and supplies to some of the city’s homeless population, and they concluded the afternoon at the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, where they played interactive games with kids in the club’s after-school program.

“It was a pleasure to stick around Worcester for a few days after our season ended,” said WooSox infielder and 2022 Community Spirit Award winner, Ryan Fitzgerald. “Worcester has been a community that’s supported us all season long, and it was a lot of fun to be able to give back with my friend and teammate Durbin Feltman.”

UMass Memorial Hospital was the WooSox’ first stop of the day on Friday, September 29, to cheer up kids going through a challenging time in their Children’s Medical Center. After UMass, the ballplayers spoke to the baseball program at Worcester Academy, along with students in their sports marketing program. Friday wrapped up at the Worcester Public Library for a reading in the “WooSox Book Nook,” followed by a dinner with veterans at Worcester’s Veterans Inc.

“It was great being in Worcester for a few days, doing good deeds throughout this community,” said WooSox pitcher Durbin Feltman. “Worcester was an awesome city to pitch in all season long, and being able to give back for a few days after our season ended was the perfect way to begin the off-season.”

The players and WooSox club officials also attended Anna Maria College’s groundbreaking on Saturday for their new multi-purpose baseball field at noon October 1, and spent the remainder of the afternoon at David Prouty High School’s homecoming in Spencer, taking photos and signing autographs in the school’s gymnasium.

Just days later, on October 4, Spencer and East Brookfield residents voted “Yes” in a special election on a ballot initiative to pay for a $112 million renovation of David Prouty High School.

RiverDogs Partner with Breeze Airways for Random Acts of Nice-Ness Week

The Charleston RiverDogs and Breeze Airways have announced plans for Random Acts of Nice-Ness Week. From July 6-9, RiverDogs players and staff, as well as Breeze Airways team members, will be out in the community volunteering at various locations and working to spread niceness around the Holy City. The week will culminate at the RiverDogs 6:05 p.m. contest against the Augusta GreenJackets on Saturday, July 9.

“As an organization, we are always looking for opportunities to support our community in the same way that they support us each season. The chance to have our players and staff visit several non-profits and spread niceness in the community over the next several days is something we are extremely excited about,” said RiverDogs President and General Manager Dave Echols. “Our partnership with Breeze Airways has been outstanding and we are happy to join with them over the next several days to do some good for the city of Charleston”.

The week commenced at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital on Wednesday, July. The group played board games, air hockey and did arts and crafts with patients at the hospital.

On Thursday, July 7, the RiverDogs and Breeze Airways will continue the fun at Fisher House Charleston. The Fisher House provides temporary lodging for family members of Veterans who are receiving care at the Ralph A. Johnson VA Medical Center. From 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., players and staff members will host a backyard barbecue. The RiverDogs Food Truck will provide lunch while everyone stays entertained with traditional yard games including giant jenga and cornhole.

The niceness will continue at The Joe on Friday, July 8 when kids and staff members from Windwood Farms are welcomed to the ballpark for a Field Day in the outfield from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Players and coaches will join the children for games including a pizza box race, uniform dress-up relay and kickball. A picnic will be held for all attendees at Murray’s Mezzanine and they will receive tickets to that night’s game.

Early on Saturday, July 9 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., the RiverDogs and Breeze Airways will be in RiverFront Park handing out Breeze Points, tickets to Saturday night’s game, merchandise and other fun gifts.

Everything will shift to The Joe during Saturday’s game, as fans in attendance will be on the receiving end of the niceness. Breeze team members will be making their way around the ballpark doing nice things for various fans, like buying them a hot dog or a beverage. In addition, Breeze will make a donation to each of the three non-profit organizations that were part of the volunteer events earlier in the week and give away one roundtrip flight to a lucky fan during each inning of the game. Following the contest, every fan in the ballpark will receive a bottle of bubbles and will send them airborne in unison along with Breeze.

“We are extremely excited to partner with the Charleston RiverDogs as we roll out the ‘Random Acts of Nice-Ness Week,’ it’s a really cool project and involves two fun organizations,” said Chris Plunkett, Breeze’s Charleston Base Leader. “Breeze continues to look for unique opportunities to support the Lowcountry community. We are sincerely grateful to serve Charleston and the surrounding areas.”

Breeze Airways is a new airline merging technology with kindness. Breeze provides nonstop service between underserved routes across the U.S. at affordable fares. With seamless booking, no change or cancellation fees and customized flight features delivered via a sleek and simple app, Breeze makes it easy to buy and easy to fly. Welcome to Breeze, Seriously Nice™ flights and fares.

Individual tickets to all home games are still available. Season tickets, Dog-E Coin plans, and group tickets, including options to the Segra Club at Riley Park, are already available at riverdogs.com/tickets or by contacting the RiverDogs front office at 843-577-3647 (DOGS). The Segra Club is also open for events year-round. Visit segraclub.com for more information.

Giving HOPE: Gades participating in HOPE Week 6/7-12

WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. (June 1, 2022) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, announced today their participation in HOPE Week. Renegades players and staff will participate in community service events throughout the Hudson Valley from Tuesday, June 7 through Sunday, June 12.

The Renegades participation in HOPE Week is in partnership with Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), the Official Hospital Partner of the Hudson Valley Renegades.

The Yankees’ wildly popular and successful HOPE Week initiative (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) was introduced in 2009, and is rooted in the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture.

“Being able to participate in HOPE Week is one of the most special parts of being affiliated with the New York Yankees,” said Steve Gliner, President and General Manager of the Renegades. “Being able to touch people’s lives and make a difference through our and the Yankees’ commitment to community engagement is what we are all about as an organization.”

The Renegades 2022 HOPE Week program is as follows:

Tuesday, June 7th – Maria Fareri Children’s Health Services at MidHudson Regional Hospital

  • As part of the Westchester Medical Health Network, the Maria Fareri Children’s Health Services at MidHudson Regional Hospital provides emergency care for children from serious injuries to burns, scrapes, and bruises. Services include a child-friendly Pediatric Emergency Department, select Pediatric Surgical Services, dedicated Pediatric Inpatient Unit, Child Life services to support patients during care, and Caregiver services to support parents, siblings, and other family members during a patient’s care. Renegades players and staff will conduct room visits and participate in crafts projects with patients.

Thursday, June 9th – The Community at Brookmeade

  • Opened in 1977, The Community at Brookmeade offers apartment residences and a combination of lifestyle, services, and amenities designed with the need of active older adults in mind. Located in the village of Rhinebeck, New York, Brookmeade presently serves as a 120-bed facility for seniors aged 62 and above. The Community is committed to providing all residents with a lifestyle focus on quality, centered in wellness, and facilitated by competent and caring staff. Renegades players and staff will visit and engage with residents and participate in activity stations.

Friday, June 10th – Liberty Station

  • Hudson River Housing believes that those who served our country deserve the highest level of care, including quality, affordable housing. Hudson River Housing aims to meet the needs for the veteran community through specialized housing, transportation, advocacy, and care management. Operated by Hudson River Housing, Liberty Station was the first of three housing services available for veterans. Opened in 2014, Liberty Station offers a supportive living environment in the company of other veterans. Units are single room occupancy, with shared kitchen and bath facilities. Garden Street Housing and Poughkeepsie Commons also offer housing for veterans. Garden Street Housing offers low-cost housing with a preference for female veterans, with private baths and shared kitchen and common areas and Poughkeepsie Commons is a 72-unit apartment complex that offers 24 one-bedroom apartments exclusively for veterans. Veterans from Liberty Station, Garden Street Housing, and Poughkeepsie Commons will gather at Liberty Station to meet and engage with Renegades players and staff.

Saturday, June 11th – Disability, Dream & Do (D3)/ThinkDIFFERENTLY Camp

  • D3 and ThinkDIFFERENTLY collaborate to host camp in partnership with Hudson Valley Renegades. Disability, Dream & Do (D3) is a pro style practice with professional players at stadiums across the country. D3 participants have an opportunity to hit, throw, catch and run the bases with instruction from the best regardless of anyone’s limitations. The Disability Dream and Do (D3Day) sports camps were created by Dave Clark, the only pitcher in professional sports history to pitch on crutches, and Doug Cornfield, a former NCAA medal winning runner at Georgia, who himself had a child born with no arms. These camps allow professional players to interact with children with special needs in various drills and compete in sports with no limitations. In 2016, Dave Stevens, who was born without legs but played college football and minor league baseball, came on board as the D3 Day camps expanded to other cities in the US. Dave, Dave and Doug now put on camps all over the country and share their amazing stories as well as inspire others to look past a disability and turn it into an ability.
  • “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” is a call to action, a genuine challenge to determine if we have it within ourselves to look past our differences and treat others the way we would hope to be treated. Too often, too many with special needs are overlooked and their unique abilities ignored. Instead, we seek to lift each other up and embrace all residents of all abilities. Launched by Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro in 2015, the “ThinkDIFFERENTLY” initiative seeks to change the way individuals, businesses, organizations and communities relate to our neighbors with special needs.

Sunday, June 12th – Fishkill Food Pantry

  • The Fishkill Food Pantry was established as a mission program in 1985 to assist individuals and families in the Southern Dutchess area who are coping with financial emergencies and supply basic food needs. The people served are often referred to the Pantry by social service agencies, churches, schools, and family advocates. The Pantry is the largest food pantry in Dutchess County, serving families in Beacon, Beekman, Chelsea, Cold Spring, Fishkill, Glenham, Hopewell Junction, Hughsonville, Stormville, and Wappingers Falls. The Renegades will provide donations in the morning to the food pantry and host a food drive during Sunday’s game.

The Renegades Community Program and their participation in HOPE Week is presented by WMCHealth. Throughout the week, the Renegades host the Jersey Shore BlueClaws for a seven-game series at The Dutch. For more information on HOPE Week and the Renegades Community Program, visit www.hvrenegades.com and click on the Community tab.

ABOUT THE HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES

The Renegades are in their second season as the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They have played their home games at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. since 1994.

ABOUT DIAMOND BASEBALL HOLDINGS

Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) is a subsidiary of Endeavor, the global sports and entertainment company. DBH was formed in 2021 to support, promote, and enhance Minor League Baseball through professional management, best practices, innovation and investment. (DiamondBaseballHoldings.com).

San Jose Giants Release 2019 Community Report

The San Jose Giants released today their 2019 Community Report. The report serves as an overview of the organization’s community outreach, charitable fundraising efforts, youth development, in-stadium service and community events hosted at Municipal Stadium as well as a ‘thank you’ to all fans, partners, players and staff members.

“We are extremely blessed to open the Excite Ballpark gates to the best fans and partners in all of Minor League Baseball. The passion and loyalty displayed by our community is the inspiration behind every San Jose Giants home game and community event.,” said Daniel Orum, San Jose Giants President and CEO. “We are eager to continue the momentum next year and are working hard to bring an even better experience to Excite Ballpark in 2020.”

 

The 2019 Community Report demonstrates the club’s activity in the community and overall pledge to giving back both inside and outside the stadium’s gates. Highlights of the report include information about Giants player and mascot appearances, staff volunteer efforts, Excite Credit Union Hometown Heroes, special fundraising programs, Minor League Baseball community initiatives, in-stadium service, San Jose Giants baseball and more. For the complete 2019 San Jose Giants Community Report, click on the link below.

For more information on the San Jose Giants and how to get your organization involved next season, call 408.297.1435 or visit sjgiants.com.

View 2019 Community Report

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

Blue Rocks Win Carolina League’s Matt Minker Award For Community Service

Wilmington, DE– The Wilmington Blue Rocks were honored by the Carolina League this week for the fifth consecutive season with the Matt Minker Community Service Award. The team was selected by a league-wide vote of club executives and owners.

“I could not be more proud of everyone within the Blue Rocks’ organization,” said managing partner Dave Heller. “I am especially pleased for my partner and friend Clark Minker, since the community service award bears his late father’s name. I am delighted for everyone with the Blue Rocks who worked so hard to earn this tremendous team accolade. We take enormous pride in our work helping families within Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, southern Jersey and Maryland’s north shore, and this award is a nice recognition of those efforts.”

The Minker Award is earned by the Carolina League club which best demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support, and leadership within its community. The award is named after the Blue Rocks’ founder, Matt Minker, who owned the club until his death in 2007. Minker, whose construction company built Frawley Stadium, remains the team’s honorary president.

The Blue Rocks participated in numerous school programs, charitable endeavors and hospital visits. The team works with area schools to promote academic achievement (DSEA Rocky’s Reading Challenge), citizenship (Grotto Pizza Outstanding Student Program) and overall knowledge (Discover Baseball and Education Day). The club also hosts three youth camps each summer, teaching local kids how to play the game of baseball.

The team helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for good causes such as Habitat for Humanity, Fight for the Gold, Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware, Special Olympics Delaware, Food Bank of Delaware and many other charities through partnerships with local businesses such as Chase and Food Lion. Several times during the season, the team’s players and mascot also visited local hospitals, brightening the spirits of patients and their families.

“Matt Minker was instrumental in laying the foundation for the Blue Rocks founding and later success,” said Blue Rocks director of community affairs Kevin Linton. “It is fitting that this award recognizes his life’s work and we are thrilled as an organization to honor his legacy for a fifth consecutive season by earning this recognition.”

 

As the Carolina League’s recipient of the Matt Minker Award, the Blue Rocks received the 10-team league’s nomination for the John Henry Moss Community Service Award, given out by Minor League Baseball at its annual Winter Meetings, to be held this December in Las Vegas.

The Blue Rocks recently announced a two-year extension of their Player Development Contract to remain the Advanced-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Season seats for the 2019 season will be available on October 18, mini plans go on sale November 1, and groups packages are available for purchase November 8. For more information, please go to BlueRocks.com.

www.bluerocks.com

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

Riders Foundation busy in community during August

FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 12, 2018) – The RoughRiders Foundation logged more than 200 volunteer hours during the month of August, registering another busy month working with the North Texas community.

“Each month, it seems we take another step forward and that was certainly the case in August,” said Breon Dennis, Executive Director of the RoughRiders Foundation. “It gives me immense pride to see our players and staff contribute to this great community as much as they have been lately.

Here’s a full breakdown of how the Riders got involved in the community throughout August.

* Play Ball event (August 5): In conjunction with Minor League Baseball, Riders catcher Jose Trevino and Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney helped run a clinic for kids, encouraging them to maintain an active lifestyle.

* Habit for Humanity (August 8): Staff members painted the exterior of a home and assisted with other construction projects.

* Frisco Fastpacs (August 15): Volunteers sorted and inventoried more than 10,000 goods to be packaged and sent to schools throughout Frisco ISD.

* Children’s Health visit (August 17): Riders President & General Manager Andy Milovich, and players Wes Benjamin, Tyler Davis, Ryne Slack and Jose Trevino spent the morning playing with kids at Children’s Medical Center’s Dallas campus.

* Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery (August 21): Riders representatives helped clean headstones throughout the complex to benefit veterans and their families

* Keeper of the Game clinic (August 25): Riders players Tyler Davis and Ryne Slack helped with the Keeper of the Game Foundation’s special needs clinic at Dr Pepper Ballpark.

* Children’s Health visit (August 29): Riders players Wes Benjamin, Tyler Davis and Jose Trevino spent their morning with kids at the Children’s Medical Center campus in Plano.

For more information on how the RoughRiders Foundation is making a difference in North Texas, click here. If you would like the RoughRiders to volunteer with your organization, please contact Breon Dennis at (972) 334-1978 or breon@ridersbaseball.com.

The 2019 season begins April 4 at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Ticketing information will be distributed soon. For more information, visit RidersBaseball.com.

About the RoughRiders

The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 14 seasons (2005-2018). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg. Since then, the new ownership group, together with the City of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise enhancements, investing over $8 million in a wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including a state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, InTouch Grille, Riders Outpost Team Store and the world’s largest water feature in a sports facility, the massive Choctaw Lazy River. These enhancements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco Ballpark Digest’s prestigious “Best Ballpark Renovation” award for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016). More than 140 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Adrian Gonzalez, Ian Kinsler and Neftali Feliz, as well as current Rangers stars Elvis Andrus, Rougned Odor and Nomar Mazara. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders and Dr Pepper Ballpark, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact Ryan Rouillard at RRouillard@RidersBaseball.com.

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

Pawsox Spread Cheer at VA Medical Center and Tomorrow Fund Clinic for Annual Holiday Caravan

Today the PawSox spread cheer at the Providence VA Medical Center, and the Tomorrow Fund Clinic at Hasbro Children’s hospital during their Annual Holiday Caravan. Representing the PawSox was Hitting Coach Rich Gedman, relief pitcher Kyle Martin, and Club President, Dr. Charles Steinberg.

The PawSox presented a $3,500 check to Operation Stand Down, an organization that provides a wide range of support services to Rhode Island veterans. Accepting the check on behalf of Operation Stand Down was Executive Director Erik Wallin, and Tony DeQuattro who is President and Chairman of the Board.

After cheering up veterans in Providence, the caravan continued to Hasbro Children’s Hospital where the PawSox paid a visit to patients in the Tomorrow Fund Clinic. The check presented to the Tomorrow Fund was a cumulative representation of the PawSox support throughout the calendar year.

Rich Gedman, Kyle Martin, and Jerry Remy will be back in Pawtucket tomorrow at 11am for the PawSox’ 3rd Annual Enchanted Village Holiday Party.

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

Blue Rocks Win Carolina League’s Matt Minker Award For Community Service

Wilmington, DE – The Wilmington Blue Rocks were honored by the Carolina League on Tuesday with the Matt Minker Community Service Award for the fourth consecutive season. The honorees were selected by a league-wide vote of club executives and owners.

“I could not be more proud of the entire Blue Rocks’ organization,” said managing partner Dave Heller. “I am especially happy for my partner and friend Clark Minker, since the community service award bears his late father’s name. This is a great team award, and I am so delighted for everyone with the Blue Rocks who worked so hard all season long to earn this tremendous accolade. We take enormous pride in our standing within the Delaware community and this award is a public recognition of how special our relationship with the people of the First State is.”

The Minker Award goes to the club that best demonstrates an outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, support, and leadership within its community. The award is named after the Blue Rocks’ founder, who owned the club until his death in 2007. Minker, whose construction company built Frawley Stadium, is still the team’s honorary president.

The Blue Rocks won the award thanks in large part to their numerous school programs, charitable endeavors and hospital visits.

As an organization the Blue Rocks work with area schools to promote academic achievement (DSEA Rocky’s Reading Challenge), citizenship (Outstanding Student Program) and overall knowledge (Discover Baseball and Education Day). Frawley Stadium also hosts three youth camps each summer, teaching kids how to play the game of baseball.

The team helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for good causes through partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, Fight for the Gold, Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and many other charities in 2017. Several times during the season the team’s players and mascot also visited local hospitals, brightening the spirits of that facility’s patients and their families.

“Matt Minker was instrumental in laying the foundation for the Blue Rocks and for the franchise’s success in the years to follow,” said Blue Rocks director of community affairs Kevin Linton. “It is fitting that this award represents his life’s work and we are absolutely thrilled as an organization to honor his legacy for a fourth consecutive season by earning this recognition.”

As the Carolina League’s recipient of the Matt Minker Award, the Blue Rocks received the 10-team league’s automatic nomination for the John Henry Moss Community Service Award, given out by Minor League Baseball at its annual national convention, to be held this December in Disney World.

Season seats for the 2018 season are on sale now, with group packages available beginning November 9. For more information please call 302-888-BLUE or visit the team’s website at BlueRocks.com.
www.BlueRocks.com

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

Chasers Nominated for John Henry Moss Community Service Award

The Pacific Coast League has announced that the Omaha Storm Chasers’ franchise is the circuit’s nominee for Minor League Baseball’s John Henry Moss Community Service Award. Each league in Minor League Baseball nominated an organization, with the overall winner announced at the annual Baseball Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida in December.

“A truly great organization is one that shows a high level of commitment to its own community,” stated Omaha Storm Chasers President and General Manager Martie Cordaro. “We are proud to be representing the Pacific Coast League with this nomination, which is a testament to the time and commitment of our front office staff, as well as the Kansas City Royals organization, to the Omaha Metro community.”

Over the course of the 2017 campaign, Chasers Charities, the charitable arm of the Omaha Storm Chasers, donated $808,182 to local charities, setting an all-time record in charitable giving for the fourth consecutive year. The Storm Chasers assisted over 1,500 different organizations, and were also visible in the community with over 420 mascot and player appearances. Front office employees also donated 740 hours of community service throughout the year.

73 different organizations were provided a platform at Werner Park at the Sprint Community Organization of the Night. Over $18,000 was raised through the McDonald’s and Huber Chevrolet Hurl the Pearl promotion for the Ronald McDonald House, while more than $21,000 was raised for various local charities including Methodist Hospital Founation and Moving Veterans Forward via four Jersey Auctions. Initiatives also included Hy-Vee Canned Food Sundays, with nearly 5,000 items donated to Heartland Hope Mission, in addition to Chasers FUNdamentals, with Chasers Charities teaming with DREAM to put on baseball clinics introducing youth to baseball.

Chasers Charities also offered the Chasin’ Dreams Grant, donating a total in excess of $9,000 to help non-profit organizations that operate youth softball/baseball programs make major renovations. Two Jackie Robinson Athletic Scholarships worth $1,000 each were also awarded through Chasers Charities and The Weitz Company, while partnering with the Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office for the 15th annual Why I Want To Go To College Essay Contest.

The Storm Chasers also held their third annual Chasers Community Week presented by Summit Dental, which included the Jirschele Family Memorial Golf Outing to help benfit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, as well as player appearances at Children’s Hospital and the Southwest YMCA and hosting Bellevue Buddy Baseball at Werner Park. The nine-day event culminated in hosting The Wall That Heals, an exhibit that featured a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. The exhibit was open 24 hours a day from August 3-6 at Werner Park, with the Storm Chasers’ Military Appreciation game preceded the exhibit’s closing ceremonies.

Werner Park also served as a site for local organizations to use the stadium as a venue to host large-scale fundraisers. Those special events included the “Boxer 500” to benefit the Great Plains Colon Cancer Task Force, the “Walk to Defeat ALS”, SHARP Race towards Brain Aneurysm, Heart Heroes Run, and Nebraska 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

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

Chasers in the Community: August

Storm Chasers players and front office members participated in the third annual Chasers Community Week last month, which included visits to Southwest YMCA, Ronald McDonald House and Children’s Hospital. The Storm Chasers and Werner Enterprises were both honored to have The Wall That Heals at Werner Park which featured a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. In total, front office staff members also combined to record 208 hours of community service in the month of August.

Community Week Recap (208.75 Hours from front office)

  • Storm Chasers players Christian Binford and Logan Moon played baseball with kids at the Southwest YMCA– July 31
  • Meals that Heals for Ronald McDonald House with Summit Dental – August 1
  • The Storm Chasers organization along with Werner Enterprises hosted The Wall That Heals, half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, at Werner Park – August 3-6
  • Storm Chasers players Christian Binford and Logan Moon visited Children’s Hospital  – August 4
  • Storm Chasers Players and Front Office Staff Members participated in Bellevue Buddy Baseball at Werner Park – August 5
  • The Omaha Storm Chasers organization teamed up with WOWT and First National Bank to Stuff the Bus – August 5

Community Events in August

  • Be the One Ralston Public Schools Kickoff – August 11
  • Stormy and Storm Chasers player Logan Moon attended the End of Summer Bash at First National Bank – August 12
  • Storm Chasers players Christian Binford and Terrance Gore visited with patients at Madonna Hospital– August 15
  • Focus on the Future Welcome at Papillion La Vista South High School – August 16
  • Heartland Hope Mission Pantry Sponsor of the Month – August 17
  • ALS Walk – August 19

Upcoming Community Events in September

  • St. Robert Bellarmine School Walk – September 15 (10:00am)
  • St. Stephen the Martyr Event – September 15 (9:00am)
  • Prairie Queen Fun Run – September 22 (9:00am)

Notable Mascot Appearances for August (over 40 appearances)

  • Fremont Raising Cane’s Ribbon Cutting – August 8
  • JDRF One Walk – August 19
  • Millard Days Parade – August 26
  • Bellevue Public Schools– August 31

Upcoming Scheduled Mascot Appearances for September

  • Child Saving Institute Touch A Truck – September 9
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Fundraiser – September 10
  • Turner BBQ – September 22
  • Down Syndrome Alliance Buddy Walk – September 30
  • HyVee Pinky Swear – September 30

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

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Chasers Players, Front Office Staff to Participate in Chasers Community Week

The Omaha Storm Chasers organization’s third annual “Chasers Community Week” presented by Summit Dental Health kicks off on Friday, July 29. Omaha Storm Chasers players and front office members will be volunteering their time throughout the Omaha Metro community from July 29-August 6. Details for each day of “Chasers Community Week” can be found below, which include players visiting Children’s Hospital and the Southwest YMCA, as well as participating in Buddy Baseball at Werner Park. In addition, the front office will help serve dinner at Ronald McDonald House, and volunteer at The Wall That Heals among many other events in the community.

Planned Events for “Chasers Community Week”

  • Saturday, July 29 – The Storm Chasers organization will be auctioning off Christmas sweater jerseys on Christmas in July presented by Mannheim Steamroller, with the proceeds benefitting Moving Veterans Forward. There will also be a lemonade stand hosted by the Storm Chasers and Summit Dental at Werner Park that evening, with proceeds benefitting the Open Door Mission.
  • Sunday, July 30 – The Storm Chasers organization hosts the first of two UnitedHealthcare Library Nights at Werner Park. This will be in addition to hosting First Responders and having interactive fire, police and medical displays, including a helicopter in the parking lot, on First Responders Night that evening.
  • Monday, July 31 – Several Storm Chasers players will be visiting Southwest YMCA starting at 11:00 a.m. to play a pickup game of baseball with kids at that location. That evening, the Storm Chasers organization’s second UnitedHealthcare Library Night will take place at Werner Park, in addition to a Drawstring Backpack Giveaway presented by Huber Chevrolet.
  • Tuesday, August 1 – Storm Chasers front office members along with Summit Dental Health employees will assist in cooking and serving dinner at the Ronald McDonald House.
  • Wednesday, August 2 – The organization will host their annual Jirschele Family Memorial Golf Outing at Tara Hills Golf Course to help benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association beginning at 9:00 a.m. The Wall That Heals, a half-scale duplication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., is also set to arrive at Werner Park that day thanks to Werner Enterprises. Storm Chasers players and front office members will also participate in the Leader Reader at the Children’s Museum. Storm Chasers front office members and a mascot will also be visiting Offutt Air Force Base that day.
  • Thursday, August 3 – The Wall That Heals, a half-scale replica of the Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. will be open beginning at 11:00am until the closing ceremonies take place at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 6.
  • Friday, August 4 – Storm Chasers players will be visiting with patients at Children’s Hospital.
  • Saturday, August 5 – Bellevue Buddy Baseball will take place at Werner Park at 9:00 a.m., with Storm Chasers players and front office members assisting in the morning event to support the Down Syndrome Alliance. The event will feature headshots and walk-up songs for the buddies playing baseball. Storm Chasers players and Casey will also be at First National Bank on 132nd & Center for their annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive.
  • Sunday, August 6 – The Storm Chasers organization salutes all former and current members of our armed forces on Military Appreciation Day at Werner Park. Following that day’s contest at approximately 6:00 p.m. will be a closing ceremony for The Wall That Heals, which will include the playing of “Taps”.

The Storm Chasers return to Werner Park to begin an eight-game homestand on Saturday, July 29, starting with a four-game set versus the Fresno Grizzlies. First pitch of the series opener is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. that evening.

Single game tickets for all remaining Storm Chasers home contests are still available, and can be purchased online at www.omahastormchasers.com, or by calling the Werner Park Ticket Office from noon until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at (402) 738-5100.

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

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RailRiders Announce HOPE Week Activities

Moosic, Pa. – What began as an ode to the parent club and the community has turned into an annual tradition in NEPA. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) are proud to announce that beginning on Monday, June 19, the RailRiders will join the New York Yankees in support of HOPE (Helping Others Persevere and Excel) Week 2017, a unique week-long communal program that brings to light extraordinary stories intended to inspire individuals into action in their own communities.

Initiated in 2009 and now in its eighth campaign in NEPA, HOPE Week is rooted in the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture. Each day from Monday, June 19, through Sunday, June 25, members of the RailRiders front office staff or club will reach out personally to connect with an organization, cause or individual. 2017 marks the sixth straight year that each of the Yankees’ six U.S.-based affiliates will participate in the program, making the initiative one that the entire organization proudly stands behind.

“Being a part of the Yankees family is special. HOPE Week is one of the unbelievable programs that solidifies the ‘Yankee way’ and how important it is to impact your community,” said RailRiders Team Pesident/COO Josh Olerud.

On Monday, June 19, will hold a special meet and greet between SWB players and military veterans. Local veterans from St. Francis Commons Veterans Program in Scranton will receive tickets to the game and will have a special meet and greet with players at the field before the game. These veteran groups in attendance will receive special recognition during the Hometown Heroes in-game announcement.

From 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, players, coaches and front office staff will help box up meals for the Commission on Economic Opportunity’s “Senior Box Program” at the Weinberg Northeast Regional Foodbank in Pittston, PA. The CEO’s “Senior Box Program” provides meals to over 2,000 senior citizens in the area every month.

Wednesday, June 21, will feature a visit to the Janet Weis Children’s Unit at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital. Players, coaches, front office staff, and CHAMP will visit the patients in the Children’s Unit of the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The visit will include reading to and visiting with the kids, coloring CHAMP and other fun pages and each child will get a special gift to keep. During the game, autographed memorabilia will be auctioned off and the proceeds will be given to the Ronald McDonald House of Scranton towards their efforts to support families of children who are in the hospitals in the local Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.

RailRiders players will make a special visit on Thursday, June 22, to see a local Nanticoke area high school senior varsity baseball player, Aaron Kreitzer, who is in the hospital battling leukemia. Kreitzer will also be presented with his own custom RailRiders jersey. Since his diagnosis, Kreitzer’s high school baseball team, fellow students, and the whole Greater Nanticoke area community have rallied around him and his family throwing charity softball tournaments and fundraising benefits.

SWB will kick-off their annual RailRiders Vs. Cancer fundraiser on Friday, June 23. Fans will be informed of the fundraiser, the date of the head shaving will be announced, and past year’s fundraising campaign success will be highlighted. The RailRiders will also get to choose a local pediatric cancer program to receive half of the funds raised in this season’s campaign. Fans at the ballpark will be given the team fundraising website information.

From 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, players, coaches and staff will volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. They will put the finishing touches on a home in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., for a low-income family to purchase in July. The Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity restored the home for a single mother and her five-year-old daughter.

The team will wrap up their HOPE Week on Sunday, June 25, by participating in Minor League Baseball’s Joe Torre “Safe at Home” Domestic Violence Awareness Initiative. MiLB Charities has teamed up with the Joe Torre “Safe at Home” Foundation to raise awareness for domestic violence and educate fans about the resources available to help those in need. The first 500 fans at the game will receive Topps Card Sets featuring MLB veterans and top prospects and a signed Joe Torre Baseball will be raffled or auctioned off for the charity of our choosing. A representative from the Joe Torre Foundation will also be in attendance.

Our Community Organization of the Game will be the Mary Kay Foundation whose mission is to serve and support women with cancer and women and children affected by domestic violence. The Mary Kay Foundation will be selling their t-shirts during the game to raise money for their local programs. There will also be a “supply” drive (Items such as hygiene products, diapers, baby food and formula, school supplies, bus tickets and a no-longer used cell phone can make an important difference).

HOPE Week is just a part of the RailRiders’ community outreach this season, and the RailRiders look forward to continuing their involvement both during and after HOPE Week. Any inquiries regarding the weeklong festivities should be directed to RailRiders director of community relations Jordan Maydole by calling 570-969-2255 (ext. 3140) or by e-mailing jmaydole@swbrailriders.com.

The 2016 Gildan Triple-A National Champion RailRiders hit the road for four games in three days against the Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays) beginning Friday, June 16. First pitch at Coca-Cola Field is set for 7:05 p.m. The boys of SWB return home on Monday, June 19, against the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals). Every Monday home game at PNC Field is Dollar Dog Night, presented by the Times-Tribune. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

– SWB RailRiders Baseball – The Place to Be! –

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