Rattlers Host Trick-or-Treat at the Ballpark on October 27

GRAND CHUTE, WI – It will be a spooky Sunday at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers host a free Trick-or-Treat at the Ballpark event on October 27 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.  Make sure to come out in costume.

Participating sponsors will be set up on the concourse with treats for the children. There will also be a face painting station, a balloon artist, and a movie playing on the videoboard. If you need to warm up a little during the day, the Legends Lounge on the first base concourse will have hot chocolate for purchase.

Wisconsin’s schedule for the 2020 season has been made available.   Season ticket packages for the 2020 season are available from the Timber Rattlers ticket office, which is open from 9am until 5pm Monday through Friday. Fans may call (920) 733-4152 or 800-WI-TIMBER or stop by the box office at the stadium.

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

Dragons Website Going Pink in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

DAYTON, OHIO – The Dayton Dragons have gone pink during the month of October. In partnership with Kettering Health Network, the Dragons have turned their website pink to raise breast cancer awareness and support the upcoming Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

The Dragons website, www.daytondragons.com, and all Dragons social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) will remain pink for the month of October to help draw attention to the efforts by Kettering Health Network to increase breast cancer awareness in the Miami Valley.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and it is estimated that over 40,000 lives will be lost to breast cancer in 2019. And while the breast cancer diagnosis rate has increased, there has been a steady drop in the overall breast cancer death rate since the early 1990’s.

You can help win the fight. The walk and donations go directly to the support, transportation, recovery, and other needs that arise with the diagnosis of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society also invests in groundbreaking breast cancer research to better understand, prevent, find, and treat the disease.

The 2019 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will be at Fifth Third Field on October 19 starting at 8:30 a.m. This event is part of a national fundraising effort. In 2019 alone, over 1 million walkers across the country collected more than $60 million to help fight this disease. To register for the walk and get more information, please visit www.makingstrideswalk.org/Dayton.

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

Enroll Your Class in Fang’s Reading Club for 2020

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are ready to take enrollments for the 2020 edition of Fang’s Reading Club! The popular, long-running, incentive-based rewards program encourages reading development in children from grades K through 5 and is presented by Fox Communities Credit Union, Learning Rx, Myndology, and Tutor Doctor. Teachers and reading coordinators have until Friday, November 22 to get involved in this program.

Personnel at participating schools have the flexibility to design the program to meet the needs of their students. The Timber Rattlers and various sponsors will provide students with incentive prizes as they reach goals within the program. Students who meet all of their goals for the program are rewarded with a FREE ticket as part of their school’s Family Night at a Timber Rattlers game in 2020.

The Timber Rattlers and the sponsors of Fang’s Reading Club will provide:

  • An introductory letter to be sent to parents at the start of the program.
  • Baseball related verification aids to help parents and teachers track the progress of participants.
  • Incentive prizes for students as they reach each goal set by the coordinator.
  • A FREE ticket to a 2020 Timber Rattlers game with a hot dog & soda voucher for students who complete the program.
  • An easy, online ticket ordering optionInformation to aid schools in setting up their Family Night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Please head to Fang’s Reading Club page at the Timber Rattlers website for full details, including a sample timeline, dates for Reading Club games, and how your school can schedule a visit from Fang. You may also look at this year’s Reading Club brochure here.

The club had 200 schools and over 45,000 students participate in the program last year and Fang is looking to make this year’s club even bigger!

Contact Dayna Baitinger at dbaitinger@timberrattlers.com, (800) WI-TIMBER, or (920) 733-4152 if you have any questions or would like to register your class or school for Fang’s Reading Club.

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

Fifth Third Field to Host Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Oct. 5

 

Dayton, Ohio-The Alzheimer’s Association Miami Valley Chapter invites you to join them at the Dayton Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, October 5. The Walk will be held at Fifth Third Field – home of the Dayton Dragons. Registration will open at 8:30 a.m., and the Opening Ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. The Walk begins at 10:30 a.m.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest Alzheimer’s awareness and fundraising event. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions affected by the sixth-leading cause of death. Alzheimer’s is the only disease in the top 10 leading causes of death without an effective treatment or a cure.

By participating in the Walk, you will help fuel the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission-related initiatives of research, and care and support in the Miami Valley.

For more information about the event and to register for the walk, visit alz.org/walk or call (800) 272-3900.

Alzheimer’s disease is an epidemic, currently affecting more than 200,000 individuals in the state of Ohio. With your help, we can end this devastating disease together. The end of Alzheimer’s starts with you. Will you join us on October 5?

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

MVDSA Buddy Walk coming to Fifth Third Field on Saturday, Sept. 28

Dayton, Ohio – Fifth Third Field will host the 17th Annual Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association Buddy Walk® on Saturday, September 28th from 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon. The Buddy Walk®, which raises awareness and promotes inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome, will take place at Fifth Third Field for the seventh consecutive year. Online registration is open to the public for $5.00. Individuals with Down syndrome can register for free to include a Buddy Walk® shirt. Limited sizes of event shirts will be available for sale on event day. Every dollar benefits the MVDSA.

Fifth Third Field will open its gates for day-of registration starting at 8:30 a.m. on September 28th. Donations will also be accepted at the registration table.

Activities at the ballpark begin at 8:30 a.m. The Dragons Zone will be open with face painters and a photo booth. Dragons mascots Heater and Gem will roam the concourse and take pictures with those in attendance. The walk around Fifth Third Field begins at 10 a.m., with the post-walk fun continuing until 12:00 noon when raffle prize and silent auction winners will be announced.

More information is available at ds-stride.org/daytonbuddywalk

The Buddy Walk® was established by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Today, the Buddy Walk® program is supported nationally by NDSS and organized at the local level by the Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association (MVDSA).

ABOUT THE MVDSA

The Miami Valley Down Syndrome Association is a network of parents, health care providers, volunteers, family members, and community supporters providing help and support to people throughout the Miami Valley with Down Syndrome. Through the generous support of the community, the MVDSA is able to develop programs and services that will help to enhance the quality of life for individuals with Down Syndrome. For more information, visit their website at http://www.mvdsa.org/

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

College Prep Night coming Wednesday to Fifth Third Field

 

Dayton, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons and Fifth Third Bank will hold College Prep Night, a free educational event for prospective college students, at Fifth Third Field on Wednesday, September 25 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

College Prep Night is a one-stop college resource event to guide prospective college students and their parents through the process of planning an educational path. High school students can talk to representatives from colleges and universities from all over the nation, those who RSVP before the event will get exclusive access to raffle tickets that they can use to enter to win college-themed raffle prizes.

More than 1,000 students and their guests attend and more than 80 colleges and universities participate in this free event. Among the colleges scheduled to appear are Ohio State University, Cornell University, Ball State University, University of Dayton, Miami (OH) University, Northern Kentucky University, Xavier University, University of Toledo, Wright State University, Mount St. Joseph University, Edison State Community College, Sinclair Community College, Kettering College, United States Navy, Ohio Army National Guard, Modern College of Design, and many more schools from around the country. Representatives will be on hand to answer whatever questions that students might have about college life at each particular school. CollegeAdvantage will also be on site to provide information.

“We know that life is filled with big decisions, including whether to further one’s education,” said Doug Compton, senior vice president and Dayton city executive for Fifth Third Bank. “It is an honor for us to introduce and connect so many families to colleges and universities across our region at College Prep Night and to make people aware of the financial tools available to help them fund their educational goals,” he said.

College-themed raffle prizes will be given away after the event to lucky college-bound students. Raffle prizes include a Smart TV, Echo Dot, Keurig, $100 gift card, and more. To be eligible to enter to win these prizes, parents or students must RSVP before noon on the day of the event at www.daytondragons.com/collegeprep and must attend the event, although they do not have to be present when the winners’ names are pulled at the conclusion of the event.

To learn more about College Prep Night, please visit www.daytondragons.com/collegeprep.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio and the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, an Ohio-chartered bank. As of June 30, 2019, Fifth Third had $169 billion in assets and operated 1,207 full-service Banking Centers and 2,551 ATMs with Fifth Third branding in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina. In total, Fifth Third provides its customers with access to approximately 53,000 fee-free ATMs across the United States. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending and Wealth & Asset Management. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of June 30, 2019, had $399 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $46 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations through its Trust and Registered Investment Advisory businesses. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Fifth Third Bank was established in 1858. Deposit and Credit products are offered by Fifth Third Bank. Member FDIC.

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

West Bend Mutual & Senz Insurance Donate $1,500 to Stateline CF

 

BELOIT, WI – On August 20, 2019, West Bend Mutual and Senz Insurance donated $1,500 to the Beloit Stateline Community Foundation for the Snappers hitting 30 home runs at Pohlman Field in the 2019 season.

The check was accompanied with a presentation during the game on Aug. 20th when the Snappers played the Burlington Bees. Snappers General Manager Jeff Gray, Sheryl Bell of West Bend Mutual, and Mark Senz, Dennis Senz, & Pete Marino of Senz Insurance were all on hand to donate the check to the Stateline Community Foundation.

“West Bend Mutual, Senz Insurance, and Stateline Community Foundation are great partners that have continued to support the Beloit Snappers throughout our history, and we are very grateful to have them as partners. They do a tremendous job of supporting the Snappers on and off the field and help strengthen the Stateline community,” said Jeff Gray talking about the partnership with the Snappers.

This strong, long-lasting bond has been in effect since 2007 and the group continues to make positive strides not only at Pohlman Field, but within our local community.

As another season has officially wrapped up, the Beloit Snappers are looking forward to the 2020 season and continuing the incredible experience of professional baseball right here in Beloit with terrific partners like West Bend Mutual, Senz Insurance, and Stateline Community Foundation.

Lastly, the Snappers would like to thank West Bend Mutual, Senz Insurance, and Stateline Community Foundation for their continuous support of Beloit Snappers professional baseball.

The Beloit Snappers are a member of the Midwest League and have been the Single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. For more ticket information, contact the Snappers office at (608) 362-2272 or visit our website, www.snappersbaseball.com

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

First responders and military can attend this Wednesday’s Midwest League championship game for free

 

SOUTH BEND, Indiana (September 9, 2019) – The South Bend Cubs will play the first two games of the Midwest League Championship series at Four Winds Field this Wednesday and Thursday night. On Wednesday night, September 11, South Bend Cubs President Joe Hart has invited all active and retired military, as well as all first responders, to attend that night’s game free of charge.

“We are so proud to be in the championships. It’s certainly a special night for us as a team, but also as a community,” Hart said. “We can spend the evening together honoring those who protected our country on 9/11, and celebrating those who continue to protect us. We want as many military personnel and first responders as we can get in the stadium on Wednesday.”

Hart said all first responders, active duty and military veterans can receive two free tickets to the game. Guests must present Military ID or form of first-responder identification at the Box Office to claim tickets. The offer is not available online.

This week’s Midwest League championship games take place at Four Winds Field, 501 W. South Street, South Bend. Tickets can be purchased online at SouthBendCubs.com or by calling the Box Office at 574-235-9988. Gates for both games will open at 6 p.m., first pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

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

Fifth Third Field to Host AHA Heart Walk/Run on September 21

 

Dayton, Ohio – Fifth Third Field will host the American Heart Association’s Greater Dayton Heart Walk/Run on Saturday, September 21 beginning at 9:15 a.m. A signature event of the American Heart Association, the Heart Walk/Run promotes physical activity and healthy living in an environment that’s fun for the whole family. All proceeds will go toward funding research and education involving the reduction of heart disease and stroke. Individuals or teams can register online at heart.org/daytonwalk or by calling (937) 401-4862.

The Walk/Run is specifically designed for children and adults of all ages and abilities. Day-of registration starts at 7:30 a.m., which is also when the gates open at Fifth Third Field. Opening ceremonies begin at 9:00 a.m. The Heart Walk is scheduled to begin at 9:15 a.m.

Registration is quick and easy if you visit heart.org/daytonwalk. Once you click “Register,” you can join a team, join as an individual, or start your own team. After you complete registration, you can personalize your site and invite friends and family to participate or sponsor your efforts.

Participants can also download the new Heart Walk Mobile App with many great features.

The American Heart Association is a leading and relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Since the inception of the Heart Walk 25 years ago, mortality rates from cardiovascular disease and stroke have plummeted by 45 percent. Each walker and each donation has helped to transform health statistics into lives saved. Why? Each time someone laces up their shoes or forms a team to participate in the Heart Walk they are instrumental in innovative breakthroughs. Every donation helps create new technologies such as the artificial heart valve, cholesterol drugs, stents, and the mechanical heart pump which helps extend the life of patients. The Heart Walk is open to the community and all are welcome to participate and change the story of heart disease and stroke in the Miami Valley. The American Heart Association is working to fund big ideas that will pioneer breakthroughs in our understanding and treatment of heart disease and stroke.

ABOUT THE MIAMI VALLEY DIVISION OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

Located in Kettering, the Miami Valley Division of the American Heart Association covers 12 counties in the area and is committed to fighting heart disease and stroke throughout Ohio. The mission of the American Heart Association is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. For more information, visit heart.org/dayton.

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

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CPR Mass Training Event at Four Winds Field September 5

SOUTH BEND, IN – For the third year in a row, the South Bend Cubs will host a CPR Training Event with over a thousand local children participating from South Bend Community School Corporation and School City of Mishawaka at Four Winds Field. This event is the largest in the region.

Unlike heart attacks or strokes, which result from disruptions of blood flow, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart has an electrical malfunction and stops beating without warning. SCA is the leading cause of death in adults over 40. In 2015, several Saint Joseph County physicians created a task force to collect data on survival rates and conduct evidence-based interventions to improve those survival rates. They found that 70% of these incidents occur in the home and that, on average, one resident of Saint Joseph County suffered SCA every 28 hours. Despite these startling statistics, SCA is treatable. Prompt administration of CPR within 3-5 minutes is the key to survival.

On September 5th, over 1,800 8th-grade students from Saint Joseph County schools will gather at Four Winds Field to be taught hands-only CPR using take-home training kits. Multiple studies have shown that students, when given this kit, train an average of 2.5 additional people at home and in their communities. To improve knowledge retention, community leaders and first responders will also present testimonies that inspire students to engage in the training by expressing the importance of this life-saving skill.

With the support of numerous community partners, the event was coordinated by enFocus, a local nonprofit, and the Out-Of-Hospital-Cardiac-Arrest (OHCA) Task Force to drive home the importance of prompt bystander intervention for victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Sponsors of this event are enFocus, St. Joseph Health System, Beacon Health System, the University of Notre Dame, Press Ganey, and the South Bend Cubs. Additional partners are Dr. William Sarnat, OHCA Task Force, and the City of South Bend.

The event is not open to the public, but news media representatives are welcome. Please see the second page for a specific timeline. In the event of inclement weather, enFocus will announce the postponement of the event to Thursday, September 19th.

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

South Bend Cubs to Host Trick or Treating Event on October 28

SOUTH BEND, IN – After the success of last year’s event, the South Bend Cubs have once again partnered with the South Bend Police Department to bring back Stu and Swoop’s Cops and Goblins trick or treating event on Monday, October 28 from 5:00 P.M.-7:30 P.M at Four Winds Field.

Over 6,000 kids and parents packed the ballpark last year in a massively successful first go-around of the event. Stu and Swoop’s Cops and Goblins allows local families to come out and enjoy safe trick or treating as the South Bend Police and Fire Department will be joined by other city officials. The groups will hand out candy with other South Bend community sponsors. Along with the groups present, South Bend Cubs mascots Stu and Swoop will be present to meet and take pictures with the kids.

With the completion of The Ivy at Berlin Place Apartments and “Gateway to South Bend” between the two buildings, patrons attending the event can enter and exit through Gate D past center field. The success and attendance of last year’s event has also brought in more vendors for this year’s function. Tables will be set up all throughout the concourse.

The South Bend Fire Department will also bring along their smoke house to the event. The partnership between the Cubs and South Bend Police Department allows the tandem to give back to the entire South Bend community.

“Community policing is a priority for the South Bend Police Department and this annual trick or treat event is the one officers look forward to the most,” South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski said. “This fun and safe event for families is yet another opportunity for the community and officers to come together and continue to build positive relationships that benefit the city as a whole.”

“We were hoping for a good turn out last year but did not expect our first year hosting this wonderful event to be so successful,” South Bend Cubs Director of Media and Promotions Chris Hagstrom-Jones said. “Given the success of last year, we plan to use more of the ballpark to space out candy tables and try to get more kids through the lines.”

Halloween music will also be playing from the speakers around the ballpark. Both the Cubs Den Team Store and 1st Source Bank Performance Center will be open to the public. Kids hoping to check out the Performance Center will be able to take swings in the same batting cages used by the South Bend Cubs players.

Kids arriving in their Halloween costumes will have the chance to enter a costume contest at the park. Prizes will be awarded to those who are wearing the most fun and creative costumes. Make sure to arrive early, as a crowd exceeding last year’s 6,000 is expected this year.

Any other businesses and organizations who are interested in hosting and sponsoring a table at the event can contact Officer Keenan Lane at 574-235-5941 for more information.

About the South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs are the Class A minor league affiliate of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 31 seasons, the team has won five Midwest League titles, most recently in 2005, and has captured 12 division titles. In 2019, the South Bend Cubs hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game. In June 2017, Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, was voted Best Class A ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest. In 2015 the team was named Ballpark Digest’s Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President’s Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose principal shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill.

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

Dragons Host Dayton Area Police Night at Fifth Third Field on August 22

Dayton, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons are pleased to welcome the Dayton Area Police to Fifth Third Field on Thursday, August 22, when the Dragons host the Fort Wayne TinCaps at 7:00 p.m. The night at the ballpark will also raise money for a Bootleggers, Bandits, and Badges exhibit that tells the story of Prohibition Era Dayton.

Fans are invited to get to the ballpark early and check out a large, interactive display on the plaza. The Dayton Police Department (DPD) will have tables set up for fans to see SWAT gear as well as a Bat Car, bomb squad items, motorcycles and bicycles all used by the DPD. McGruff the Crime Dog will also be on the plaza to interact with fans and take photos.

Once fans are in the park, the DPD will be a part of the pregame festivities. Retired Lt. Colonel Virgil F. McDaniel will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. McDaniel was the Dayton Assistant Police Chief from 1990 to 1994 and served on the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police executive board for over 30 years. Following the ceremonial first pitch, the Dayton Police Department’s Color Guard will present to colors for the performing of the national anthem.

The Department is raising money through the Dayton Police History Foundation for the Bootleggers, Bandits and Badges exhibit that will open on October 28 at Carillon Park. The exhibit will primarily feature tools of the trade from the early 20th century used by both police and gangsters. This includes a paddy wagon, a 1921 colt machine gun, also known as a “Tommy Gun”, and items from when “Public Enemy #1” John Dillinger was arrested in Dayton.

More Information:  The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com

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

TinCaps Continue Military Appreciation Night in 2019

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne TinCaps once again have partnered with OmniSource LLC, Steel Dynamics Inc., and the San Diego Padres to welcome military personnel to Parkview Field for Military Appreciation Night on Monday, Aug. 19 (7:05 p.m.), when the team hosts the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay Rays affiliate).

Complimentary tickets are currently available for military families-both active and veteran-to enjoy the game on Aug. 19, thanks to the generosity of OmniSource, Steel Dynamics, the Padres, and caring individual donors.

The Padres, Fort Wayne’s Major League Baseball affiliate, are once again underwriting the costs for 1,000 tickets for military families. The San Diego Padres are proud to partner with the TinCaps in support of military and charity initiatives in the Fort Wayne area. The Padres had the first military outreach program in professional sports and it is currently the largest in MLB.

“We’re indebted to our nation’s military members and their loved ones,” said TinCaps President Mike Nutter. “This gives us an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifices to our country. We’re also thankful to have teammates like OmniSource, Steel Dynamics, and the San Diego Padres to help us honor our military.”

“The men and women of our OmniSource and SDI family are proud and honored to be a part of this celebration for our courageous United States military heroes,” said Russ Rinn, President & COO OmniSource LLC. “We all know that because of them, we live in freedom.”

The TinCaps are also continuing their partnerships with multiple military organizations, offering military personnel in attendance the chance to visit kiosks highlighting many of the support organizations and offerings available to military in the area.

On Military Appreciation Night, the TinCaps will be wearing camouflage jerseys, which will be auctioned off on TinCapsJersey.com, with proceeds donated to Honor Flight Northeast Indiana.

Military personnel and their family can request Military Appreciation Night tickets at TinCapsMilitary.com. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans with questions can contact Rachel Lopez with the TinCaps at 260-407-2809 or lopez@tincaps.com.

In addition, the TinCaps continue to take nominations for the team’s Military Salutes throughout the season on fireworks nights. Click here for more details.

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

Chiefs Partner With Busey Bank to Honor Teachers

PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Chiefs have partnered with Busey Bank to honor an area teacher as the Central Illinois Teacher of the Year.

  The award will be presented at Teacher Appreciation Night on Thursday, May 30 and fans are encouraged to nominate their favorite teacher over the next month.

Fans can nominate an active Central Illinois teacher who has impacted their lives or gone above and beyond for their classroom or school. Email community@chiefsnet.com and tell us in 200 words or less why your nominee deserves to be the Teacher of the Year. Also provide the name of the teacher, their school and the class or grade they teach. Nominations will be accepted through Wednesday, May 15.

“Busey is thrilled to partner with the Peoria Chiefs to recognize outstanding teachers in Central Illinois,” said Mark Joseph, Commercial Market President of Busey Bank. “The impact teachers have on their students, families, schools and communities is immense-we are proud to help honor a deserving individual in the profession with the Teacher of the Year award.”

The Chiefs will select the winner on Friday, May 17 and honor the Teacher of the Year during the 6:35 p.m. game against the Kane County Cougars on Thursday, May 30. The winner will be honored on field with an award, a first pitch and the winner also gets to watch the game from a Dozer Park suite with tickets and food for 15 guests.

“For the past few seasons we have honored teachers at the last home game in May to say thank you for what they do and help kick off their summer,” said Jason Mott, Chiefs General Manager. “Last year we started the Teacher of the Year Award with Busey Bank and in 2019 look to take it to the next level. We are very proud to partner again with Busey Bank on another community initiative.”

The Chiefs host the Cougars for a 6:35 p.m. contest on May 30 with Teacher Appreciation Night. Starting Monday, April 22, all teachers in Central Illinois can call 309-680-4000 to get one free ticket to the May 30 game and they can purchase additional tickets for a discount of $8.00. In addition to being a Beer & Brat Thirsty Thursday with $2 12 ounce domestic cans and sodas and $4 16 ounce craft drafts, margaritas and brats, there is also a post-game Fireworks show on May 30!

Tickets and Promotions:

    Group tickets and season ticket packages, including full-season, a 35-game ticket package, an 18-game ticket package or a Flex Plan are currently on sale by calling 309-680-4000. Individual game tickets are also on sale with the Dozer Park Box Office open Monday – Friday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and online at www.peoriachiefs.com which also lists all of the season’s promotions. Game times and promotions are subject to change.

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

Cougars to Host Inaugural Mental Health Awareness Night on May 10

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have teamed up with local organizations to host the teams inaugural Mental Health Awareness Night on Friday, May 10. First pitch is at 6:30 PM against the Lansing Lugnuts. For tickets, visit www.kccougars.com.

In an effort to strikeout the mental health stigma, the Kane County Cougars Baseball Foundation, Inc. will make a $100 donation for each strikeout recorded by a Cougars pitcher during the game. All funds will be divided among TriCity Family Services along with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of DuPage and Kane County.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the awareness color is lime green. The team will take the field in their lime green jerseys while Cougars staff members will wear lime green ribbons.

Throughout the night, videos and public service announcements from Seize the Awkward as well as TriCity Family Services and NAMI will be played. TriCity Family Services, NAMI DuPage and Kane County will also be in attendance with information and resources available to those in need.

In addition, the Cougars are hosting a Mental Health Awareness contest. Fans are encouraged to create a poster promoting awareness for mental health issues. The Cougars will select 10 winners to receive complimentary tickets for the game on May 10. Poster submissions can be emailed to art@kanecountycougars.com. The winning posters will also be displayed throughout the ballpark.

Tweet from @KCCougars: #YourCougars are hosting our inaugural Mental Health Awareness Night on May 10! We need your help creating posters to promote awareness for mental health issues. Send your poster submissions to art@kanecountycougars.com for the chance to win. pic.twitter.com/XLZD6ncedk

Following the game, fans will be treated to the first post-game fireworks show of the season set to modern pop music. Fans are also invited to run the bases after the fireworks.

For updates on the Cougars 2019 season, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Kane County Cougars

The Cougars, Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have been at the forefront of family-friendly entertainment since 1991. In 2015, the franchise became the first Class-A team in Minor League Baseball history to welcome 11 million fans through the gates. A total of 173 former Cougars have reached the Major Leagues including Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Kyle Schwarber.

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