Dragons Players and Mascot to Visit Schools in Two Counties This Week

DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Dragons players and one of the team’s mascots, Gem, will visit schools in Montgomery and Greene County this week. The visits are part of the Dragons MVP program and members of the local media are invited to cover them. The players will introduce themselves to the students, answer questions, and are available for pictures. Each student will also receive a school folder and a Dragons pencil. The following schools are listed with an address, date, and time of visit:

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

10:00am-10:45am

Edison Elementary

228 N. Broadway St.

Dayton, OH 45402

Phone: 937-542-4540

11:15am-12:00pm

Pathway School of Discovery

173 Avondale Dr.

Dayton, OH 45404

Phone: 937-235-5498

Wednesday May 9, 2018

10:00am – 10:45am

Valley Elementary

3601 Jonathon Dr.

Dayton, OH 45434

Phone: 937-429-7597

11:15am – 12:00pm

Blairwood Elementary

1241 Blairwood Ave.

Dayton, OH 45417

Phone: 937-263-3504

Members of the media may contact schools individually at the numbers listed above if they intend to attend and cover the visits.

The Dragons MVP Program, a tool for teachers, uses the marketing power of Dayton Dragons Baseball as an educational tool for fourth and fifth grade teachers, helping them motivate and reward students for success both in and out of the classroom. The Dayton Dragons MVP Program presented by Bob Evans Farms is also made possible by CollegeAdvantage, Sinclair College, WDTN-TV and Dayton’s CW. For more information on the Dragons MVP Program, contact the Dayton Dragons or visit www.daytondragons.com/mvp.

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.

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

Dragons and Vectren Present 2018 “Community All-Stars”

Dayton, Ohio – The Dragons and Vectren will honor Olivia Velez during the unique “Community All-Stars” program on Tuesday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Fifth Third Field.

The Dayton community is a great place to live, work and play. But what makes Dayton truly great are the people that call Dayton home. We have great people and great organizations in our community that do incredible things each and every day. Throughout the season, the Dragons and Vectren will honor five “All-Stars” with a special inning break tribute in recognition of their service.

Olivia’s Story: “Little Girl, Big Heart”

At the age of 5, Olivia Velez’s life flipped upside down. She was uprooted from her home and sent to live with her grandma, but these moments never stopped her caring soul. She told her grandma, Tina, that she wanted to help kids in similar or worse situations. After brainstorming, they started collecting get-well-cards to send to children. These cards were full of googly eyes, funny jokes, and encouragement. Though she already brought smiles to hundreds of kids’ faces, she realized she could do more.

At the age of 7, Olivia started “Project Local Hugs”- an organization that takes donated goods and delivers them to those in need. Olivia and her grandma started collecting purses and included items like hair brushes, hand sanitizer, body wash, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Once completed, these purses are given to the local Young Women’s Christian Associate for women who are seeking a safe shelter from domestic violence or drug abuse.

Continuing to grow their organization, Olivia started collecting backpacks full of notebooks, pens and crayons to deliver to kids in situations similar to what she experienced. “It makes me feel better that I’ve done something good” Olivia said. “We should always be kind and think about others.”

As a 10-year-old, Olivia recently won the Domestic Violence Prevention Project awarded Montgomery County, and continues to shine throughout the Dayton Community. To learn more about Project Local Hugs, you can visit www.facebook.com/projectlocalhugs

The Dragons Community All-Stars Program is made possible by the generous support of Vectren. For more information or to nominate an All-Star in your life, visit www.daytondragons.com/communityallstar.

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

Fifth Third Bank Donates Dragons Tickets to over 100 Local Organizations

Dayton, Ohio-The Dayton Dragons announced today that Dragons stadium naming rights partner Fifth Third Bank has donated more than 100 Dragons season ticket packages to local charitable organizations for the 2018 season. Additionally, Fifth Third Bank has donated the use of a luxury suite at Fifth Third Field for numerous Dragons games this season to host charitable organizations serving the Dayton region.

Fifth Third Bank will donate tickets to more than 100 non-profit organizations in the Dayton area this season. Each organization will receive four tickets to 17 different Dragons games. The list of recipients includes March of Dimes, the Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics of Greater Dayton, American Heart Association, Boys & Girls Club, Pink Ribbon Girls, the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, the Alzheimer’s Association, Habitat for Humanity, Daybreak, Fisher House, and many others.

Dragons Team President, Bob Murphy, commented “Fifth Third Bank recognizes that these organizations are the heart of our region. These groups usually have small professional staffs and limited resources. These ticket packages are a great tool that they can use to recognize the amazing volunteers, thank donors, and use in other ways to support their cause.”

Fifth Third Bank’s Senior Vice President, Doug Compton, also commented, “We are proud to partner with the Dayton Dragons to provide season tickets to organizations that are serving members of our local community and are meeting some of their most important needs. We understand the value that these companies provide to our region and how impactful they are to our area.”

Fifth Third Bank has been a longtime corporate partner of the Dayton Dragons and the entire Dayton community. The Dragons are proud to work with Fifth Third Bank on this initiative.

More information: Fifth Third Bank can help provide professional banking solutions for your organization, staff, and clients. Should you need to reach out to Fifth Third Bank to inquire how they can assist your organization, please contact Mr. Scott Mumpower. Scott can be reached at Scott.Mumpower@53.com, or via phone at 937-227-6032.

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

U.S. Cellular and Timber Rattlers Present Youth Baseball Takeovers!

GRAND CHUTE, WI – U.S. Cellular and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are taking over area youth baseball again this season. This is the third year in a row the Rattlers and U.S. Cellular are teaming up to make a special day for future Rattlers. The first of the scheduled U.S. Cellular Takeovers will be Saturday, May 5 at Memorial Park for Opening Day for Appleton Little League.

Fang’s Fanatics and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers promo crew along with staff from the Timber Rattlers and volunteers from U.S. Cellular will bring their high energy and fun in-game promotions to Memorial Park for Appleton Little League’s Opening Day at Memorial Park on Saturday, May 5 at 11:30am.

“We are committed to creating a positive impact in the communities where our associates live and work,” said Eric Larson, U.S. Cellular’s area sales manager in Northern Wisconsin. “By once again teaming up with the Timber Rattlers, we are bringing additional excitement and family fun to three area Little League games. Maybe in the future, we’ll see these young athletes playing for the Timber Rattlers or the Brewers.”

Timber Rattlers public address announcer Joey D. will announce kids’ names prior to each at-bat and the team’s production staff will provide walk-up songs as well. The team will bring the Bratzooka!, the Bubble Ball Battle, and the Sub Race Characters and have an array of t-shirt tosses and other in-game surprises. U.S. Cellular volunteers will be distributing customized t-shirts and will also hand out complimentary hot dogs to fans throughout the games.

“We are excited to once again team up with U.S. Cellular to bring our game day experience to these great Youth Baseball Organizations,” said Seth Merrill of the Timber Rattlers. “This is a small way to show our gratitude to the countless Youth Baseball Volunteers and Players in the Fox Valley. Our staff always has a great time at these events and we are excited to keep this tradition going.”
U.S. Cellular and the Timber Rattlers have scheduled two other Takeovers this summer: June 21 at Plamann Park for Grand Chute Baseball and July 27 at O’Hauser Park for Suburban Athletics.

“As Appleton Little League celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2018, we’re pumped about the excitement and energy the U.S. Cellular Takeover and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will bring to our Opening Day celebration, propelling us into our next 60 years,” said Appleton Little League President Kevin Kostelecky.

Partial season, group ticket packages, and Individual game tickets for the 2018 season are on sale now. Tickets are available online, over the phone at (920) 733-4152 or (800) WI-TIMBER and in person. Groups of 20 or more may order tickets over the phone or in person. The Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium Box Office is open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and from 10:00am to 3:00pm on Saturdays.

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

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South Bend Cubs accepting applications for college scholarships from regional softball and baseball athletes

SOUTH BEND, Indiana – The South Bend Cubs are pleased to announce beginning today applications will now be accepted from college-bound softball and baseball players from the 11 counties surrounding Four Winds Field in downtown South Bend seeking one of several $5,000 scholarships. Eligibility rules and an application form for the annual scholarship were posted today on the 1st Source Bank Performance Center website.

“These $5,000 scholarships are a significant way to emphasize our support of future leaders and the game we all love,” said Andrew T. Berlin, Chairman and Owner of the South Bend Cubs. “They’re not just for current athletes who will go on to play in college. They’re for any high school senior athlete who intends to continue his or her education full time after high school.”

In 2017, the South Bend Cubs awarded five scholarships of $5,000 each to high school seniors from LaPorte, Mishawaka, South Bend and Walkerton, IN and Buchanan, MI. Two of the recipients were softball players, three were baseball players.

Applications for the 2018 South Bend Cubs Scholarships will be accepted from April 27 through May 31. Up to five (5) $5,000 scholarships will be granted. A full set of rules, eligibility requirements and an application form can be found online at 1stSourceBankPerformanceCenter.com.

“This scholarship offers a tremendous opportunity for our college-bound athletes,” said Joe Hart, President of the South Bend Cubs. “We understand the drive it takes to be an athlete and look forward to helping several of them pursue their post-secondary education.”

Applicants for the 2018 South Bend Cubs Scholarships must deliver their applications in person to the 1st Source Bank Performance Center at the corner of South Street and Lafayette Boulevard in downtown South Bend. E-mailed, paid delivery or postal service applications will not be accepted.

About the South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs are the Class A minor league affiliate of the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 30 seasons, the team has won five Midwest League titles, most recently in 2005, and has captured 12 division titles. 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. In June 2017, Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, was voted Best Class A ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest. 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.

Heater’s Recycling Bin Initiative

Dayton, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons and Montgomery County Environmental Services are once again teaming up for Heater’s RBI Program (Recycling Bin Initiative). It’s a free, fun and educational program for kids and families to learn about household recycling and its benefits to the earth. It only requires two weeks of tracking recycling to participate, but families are encouraged to keep up the good work after.

This is the 8th year for the RBI program and tens of thousands of cans, glass, cardboard and plastic have been saved from the landfill thanks for the recycling efforts of participants. The best part is, all participants will receive up to four Dragons lawn tickets for an exclusive RBI Night and be eligible to win other great prizes. Visit www.daytondragons.com/rbi to get more information and participate.

The RBI kickoff event will be after the Dragons game on Sunday, April 29 when the Dragons take on the Fort Wayne Tin Caps at 2:00 p.m. Fans can pick up a 10-gallon recycling bin (1 per household while supplies last), hang out with Curby the Cardinal and get more information on the RBI program upon leaving the game. Montgomery County Commissioner, Deborah Lieberman, will also be in attendance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and encourage the recycling efforts for the RBI program.

About Montgomery County Environmental Services

Montgomery County Environmental Services is more than 300 men and women who provide high-quality drinking water, solid waste, recycling, and wastewater reclamation services to the citizens of Montgomery County. They work to preserve public health, foster economic development, and protect the environment and our natural resources for future generations. They aim to be leaders and trusted stewards of the environment focused on service, collaboration, innovation, and financial responsibility.

Montgomery County Environmental Services also offers educational programs to local schools, community organizations and businesses that want to learn more about conservation and sustainability in the Miami Valley region.

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 (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

Donald Driver Charity Softball Game presented by Network Health Back by Popular Demand

GRAND CHUTE, WI – Back by popular demand, Donald Driver is returning…to Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium for another charity softball game! The Green Bay Packers All Time Leading Receiver, Super Bowl Champion, Dancing with the Stars Champion and New York Times Best Selling Author will host his game on Sunday, August 5. Game time is 1:05pm.

“I continue to appreciate and thank the amazing fans that support this game. Last year’s response was truly overwhelming, and I can’t wait to connect with everyone this year to raise money for an important cause,” said Driver.

“Donald Driver’s softball game is the highlight of the summer. It’s a fantastic atmosphere for everyone to witness the joy Donald gets from spending time with his family, friends and fans,” added Coreen Dicus-Johnson, President and CEO of Network Health. “As we pursue our mission to enhance the life, health and wellness of the people we serve, Network Health could not ask for a better event or a better partner in that journey than Donald Driver.”

The game will raise money for the Donald Driver Foundation. The mission of the Donald Driver Foundation is to display Strong Hands, Strong Minds, and Loving Hearts to serve as a hand up, not a hand out.

Participants for this year’s game will include Green Bay Packers Legends and celebrity friends of Donald. Green Bay Packers Super Bowl Champion and current NFL Network Analyst James Jones and 2017 Donald Driver Charity Softball Game MVP Steve Novak will each participate in the game.

Tickets for the softball game are $50 for a front row box seat, $40 for a standard box seat, $25 for a reserved bleacher seat and just $10 for a general admission grass seat. There are also a limited number of patio tables – which seat four – available at $200. The patio tables will include one autographed item signed by Donald Driver.

There are 69 All-You-Can-Eat seats available for this game for $80 per seat. This ticket includes admission to the game, an all-you-can-eat picnic for 90 minutes, and two beverages (beer, soda, or water).

Fans may begin to purchase tickets for the Donald Driver Game at 10am on Tuesday, May 1. If you are a Network Health member or bought tickets to the Green & Gold Charity Game, you may purchase tickets starting at 10:00am on Wednesday, April 25. The pre-sale will end for Green & Gold Charity Game purchasers at 5:00pm on Monday, April 30.

Tickets to the Donald Driver Charity Softball Game are available in one of the following ways: Over the phone at 800-WI-TIMBER or (920) 733-4152; in person at the Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium Box Office; or through the internet at www.timberrattlers.com.

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

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Dragons Players and Mascots to Visit Schools in Two Counties This Week

DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Dragons players and one of the team’s mascots, Gem, are visiting schools in two different counties across the Miami Valley this week. The visits are part of the Dragons MVP program and members of the local media are invited to cover them. The players will introduce themselves to the students, answer questions, and are available for pictures. Each student will also receive a school folder and a Dragons pencil. The following schools are listed with an address, date, and time of visit:

The Dragons visited Weller Elementary, 9600 Sheehan Rd. in Dayton today.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

10:00am – 10:45am

Newton Elementary

201 N. Long St.

Pleasant Hill, OH, 45359

Phone: 937-676-3081

11:15am – 12:00pm

Hook Elementary

729 Trade Square W.

Troy, OH, 45373

Phone: 937-332-6760

The Dragons MVP Program, a tool for teachers, uses the marketing power of Dayton Dragons Baseball as an educational tool for fourth and fifth grade teachers, helping them motivate and reward students for success both in and out of the classroom. The Dayton Dragons MVP Program presented by Bob Evans Farms is also made possible by CollegeAdvantage, Sinclair College, WDTN-TV and Dayton’s CW. For more information on the Dragons MVP Program, contact the Dayton Dragons or visit www.daytondragons.com/mvp.

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.

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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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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Dragons present an Anthem Home Run for Life

Dayton, Ohio — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 9-year-old JD Shope during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, April 18, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the South Bend Cubs at Fifth Third Field.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region who are battling serious medical conditions with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each honoree gets to take a lap around the bases at Fifth Third Field during a sold-out Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

JD Shope is an active third grader at Arrowood Elementary. He spends his time hanging out with his friends, watching TV, and riding his horse Mac. His favorite passion is riding rollercoasters. While he sounds like a typical kid, JD’s journey in the last year has been far from typical.

In the spring of 2017, JD began vomiting somewhat regularly – enough that his parents took him to his pediatrician for an exam. After a visit to a gastroenterologist and additional testing, what seemed like a classic case of acid reflux turned out to be much more.

Doctors recommended that JD undergo neurological imaging to look for the cause of his symptoms. On his 9th birthday, JD had a CT scan done and, unfortunately, his scan revealed an egg-sized tumor in his brain.

The initial 72 hours after JD’s diagnosis was a whirlwind. JD was scheduled for a surgery to remove the tumor as soon as possible. The surgery was more complicated than surgeons initially thought but, thankfully, they were able to remove the entire tumor and the immediate results looked great.

Following surgery, JD began physical and occupational therapy to regain his strength. Through it all, JD’s personality shined. He was always upbeat, positive, and had a great sense of humor. JD’s most recent MRI showed no new tumor growth, meaning he will not have to have chemotherapy or any other treatments at this time.

JD is looking forward to living a normal life this summer. He hopes to visit a local waterpark or two. He has big dreams of attending The Ohio State University and focusing on either veterinary studies or the culinary arts. Since his experience with a brain tumor, JD has great advice for anyone going through a scary or overwhelming medical situation, “You have to be patient, confident and strong…The doctors and nurses will take the very best care of you they can!”

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in JD’s life, including his parents Jason and Pam, siblings Marissa and Megan, Dr. Lober, and his entire medical support team. Please join us in cheering on JD as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on April 18.

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.

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

Chiefs Announce Teacher of the Year Award Program

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 31 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 Monday, May 14.

     “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 Thursday, May 17 and honor the Teacher of the Year during the double header against the Burlington Bees on Thursday, May 31. The winner will be honored on field with an award and 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. “This year we are taking the next step and adding to the program with the Teacher of the Year Award. We are very proud to partner again with Busey Bank on another community initiative.”

The Chiefs host the Bees for a 5:00 p.m. double header on May 31 with Teacher Appreciation Night. Starting Monday, April 23, all teachers in Central Illinois can call 309-680-4000 to get one free ticket to the May 31 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 $3 16 ounce craft drafts, margaritas and brats, there is also a post-game Fireworks show on May 31!

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

Green & Gold Charity Softball Game is on for June 2

GRAND CHUTE, WI – Jordy Nelson is unable to attend, but the Green & Gold Charity Softball Game at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Saturday, June 2 is on as planned! Clay Matthews and Davante Adams will serve as team captains and the captains will mix up the format this year. Matthews and Adams will draft their squads from their Green Bay Packers teammates to compete in a game of softball instead of the traditional Offense vs. Defense contest. There will be a home run derby at 11:00am and the game is scheduled to begin at 12:05pm.

“I’ve really enjoyed hosting the softball game the last four years and I’m glad to see it’s in good hands with Clay and Davante as co-captains,” said Nelson. “I also appreciate that the game will continue to support Young Life as it has in the past. Enjoy the game, Packers fans. I know it will be entertaining as always!”

Tickets remain for the game and are available through the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Ticket Office. There are reserved bleacher seats ($29), and general admission grass seats ($14).

Box seats, the All-You-Can-Eat section, and patio tables are sold out for the game. Fans who purchased patio table seating for the game will now receive an autographed softball from Davante Adams.

Young Life, an organization for middle, high school and college students that pairs them with adults focused on the things that matter most to kids – fun, adventure and friendship, remains the main beneficiary of this softball game. Founded in 1941, Young Life has more than 3,000 staff and 30,000 volunteers reaching more than 1,000,000 kids annually. Additional charitable partners will also be beneficiaries of this year’s game.

The Timber Rattlers box office is open from 9am until 5pm Monday through Friday and from 10:00am to 3:00pm on Saturdays. Fans may call (920) 733-4152 or 800-WI-TIMBER, stop by the box office at the stadium, or order online through timberrattlers.com.

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

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Dragons to Recognize Honor Flight Dayton Program on April 11

Dayton, Ohio-The Dayton Dragons will recognize the Honor Flight Dayton program during an inning break of their game on Wednesday, April 11 against the Lake County Captains at Fifth Third Field. The game will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday’s event is the first of four special Hometown Heroes program spotlights at Dragons games this season. At each Hometown Heroes event, the Dragons pay tribute to all service men and women past and present. Presenting sponsors are the Dayton Development Coalition and Leidos. Additional tributes are scheduled for May 8, June 24, and July 15, each focused on a different aspect or organization involved in the military. The season-long celebration will wrap up with a Celebration Night on August 18.

Many veterans and chaperones who will be participating in the scheduled April 14 Honor Flight will be in attendance at the Dragons Hometown Heroes spotlight during the game on April 11.

Honor Flight Dayton’s mission is to ensure that Dayton area veterans have the opportunity to see their national memorials in Washington, D.C. These once in a lifetime trips are provided at no cost to qualified veterans. Created in 2005, the first Honor Flight took 12 veterans on six small planes from Springfield, Ohio to D.C. Since then, thousands of veterans have been escorted to see their memorial. The program is still going strong with up to four flights per year. In 2017, year more than 440 veterans were able to enjoy this experience. This program started with WWII veterans, but now much of their impact is on Korean and Vietnam veterans.

To donate, volunteer, nominate a veteran, or learn more about Honor Flight Dayton, please visit www.honorflightdayton.org or call (937) 322-4448.

For more information on the Dragons Hometown Heroes program, go to daytondragons.com/hometownheroes.

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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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Dragons Players and Mascots to Visit Schools in Three Counties This Week

DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Dragons players and one of the team’s mascots, Gem, will visit schools in three different counties across the Miami Valley this week. The visits are part of the Dragons MVP program and members of the local media are invited to cover them. The players will introduce themselves to the students, answer questions, and are available for pictures. Each student will also receive a school folder and a Dragons pencil. The following schools are listed with an address, date, and time of visit:

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

10:00am-10:45am

Cox Elementary

506 Dayton Avenue

Xenia, OH, 45385

Phone: 937-372-9201

11:15am-12:00pm

Saville Elementary

5800 Burkhardt Rd.

Dayton, OH, 45431

Phone: 937-259-6625

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

10:00am – 10:45am

Warder Park-Wayne Elementary

2820 Hillside Ave.

Springfield, OH, 45503

Phone: 937-505-4459

11:15am – 12:00pm

Snyder Park Elementary

1600 Maiden Ln.

Springfield, OH, 45504

Phone: 937-505-4430

Members of the media may contact schools individually at the numbers listed above if they intend to attend and cover the visits.

The Dragons MVP Program, a tool for teachers, uses the marketing power of Dayton Dragons Baseball as an educational tool for fourth and fifth grade teachers, helping them motivate and reward students for success both in and out of the classroom. The Dayton Dragons MVP Program presented by Bob Evans Farms is also made possible by CollegeAdvantage, Sinclair College, WDTN-TV and Dayton’s CW. For more information on the Dragons MVP Program, contact the Dayton Dragons or visit www.daytondragons.com/mvp.

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.

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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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Kernels Kids Heroes card set nominations closed

Cedar Rapids, IA – The Kernels are proud to announce that we have collected all the nominations for the 2018 Kids Heroes Baseball card set and nominations for this year’s card set are now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted a hero for this year’s set!

We still encourage all fans to attend our Kids Heroes Night on Friday, June 15th at 6:35 PM as the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a free set of Ronald McDonald House Kids Heroes Baseball Cards, sponsored by McDonalds. Gates open at 5:30 PM.

With the strong interest in our first Kids Heroes Baseball Cards sets, the Kernels plan to continue this annual tradition by releasing a second Kids Heroes Set for the 2019 season. Nominations for this set will open in mid-January of 2019.

Cougars Rank #6 in Charitable Giving Among All MiLB Teams

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have been ranked #6 among all 160 Minor League Baseball (MiLB) for their charitable giving throughout the 2017 season, per the MiLB Charities Report which was released last week by the league. Collectively, MiLB clubs reported nearly $40 million in cash and in-kind donations, the highest in MiLB Charities history.

“When you find yourself ranked #6 out of #160 that is special, no matter the category,” said Cougars owner Dr. Bob Froehlich. “Then when you realize the category in is charitable giving among all of Minor League Baseball, it becomes so special that no words can describe how proud we are of what our Foundation has meant to Kane County.”

Of the nearly $40 million, the Cougars contributed $949,926 among their various charitable campaigns throughout the season. The Cougars charitable giving is highlighted by many different programs throughout the year including the Al Mueller Memorial Scholarship Fund which awards local college students working to further their education, Paramount Fence Home Runs for Charity program, the Cougars Reading Club, as well as the Cougars Summer Reading Program, the Highland Salutes program supports both active duty military and veterans along with participation in MiLB’s inaugural “Es Divertido Ser Un Fan” initiative that aimed to connect Hispanic/Latino baseball fans with their local teams.

Click here to view the full MiLB Charities Report.

Moving towards the 2018 season, the Cougars are pledging to increase their charitable giving via the new history-making “A Million Smiles Campaign.” Announced on Monday, the Cougars are the first MiLB team to set a charity fundraising goal of this magnitude. Each dollar donated throughout the season will provide a much-needed smile for those in need. Fans are encouraged to participate in the charitable giving campaign throughout the year by purchasing 50/50 raffle tickets with proceeds benefitting various local charities, participating in the Pitch In for Charity promotion on fireworks nights, purchasing a Legacy Brick to be displayed at the main entrance of the ballpark, registering for the 7th Annual Cougars 5K on May 19 or selecting the Kane County Cougars Foundation, Inc. as their favorite charity on AmazonSmiles.

For more information about A Million Smiles campaign, visit www.kccougars.com.

The Cougars 2018 season begins on Thursday, April 5 at 6:30 PM against the Clinton LumberKings. For more information, including the full schedule of theme nights, entertainment acts and giveaways scheduled, visit kccougars.com.

Follow the Cougars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates on tickets and promotions.

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 161 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.