Carter McNabb to Celebrate His Anthem Home Run for Life on August 16

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host eight-year old Carter McNabb during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, August 16, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the West Michigan Whitecaps 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.

Carter’s Story

When Carter McNabb was born, doctors and nurses commented on how “perfect” he was. However, when Carter was only seven days old, things changed. The hospital ran some routine tests and quickly diagnosed Carter with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. An inherited condition, it affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive fluids. These secreted fluids are normally thin and slippery. But in cystic fibrosis, the secretions become thick and sticky, which can prevent the release of digestive enzymes that allow the body to break down food and absorb vital nutrients, and can cause breathing issues.

Carter was hospitalized for the first time at 14 months of age. He spent 19 days in the hospital due to a severe bacterial infection. Since then, he’s been in and out of the hospital every six months on average due to other complications. Carter has a daily routine that includes taking more than 20 pills, receiving breathing treatments, and wearing a special vest that vibrates to help break up any thick mucus in his lungs.

Carter has a form of cystic fibrosis that still allows him to participate in many of the activities he enjoys. He loves playing basketball, baseball, swimming, and hanging out with his friends. From the outside, you would never know that Carter has breathing and digestive challenges.

Carter is now eight years old and will be in second grade at Whittier Elementary in the fall. He doesn’t allow cystic fibrosis to hold him back even though it’s not always easy. Carter has big dreams. “One day, I’d like to be a paleontologist,” Carter said. “I’m really into dinosaurs. They are cool!”

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Carter’s life, including his parents Josh and Trista, siblings Kaden and Alana, Dr. Mueller, and his entire medical support team. Please join us in cheering on Carter as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on August 16.

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.

South Bend Cubs announce 2017 college scholarship winners

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Five college-bound high school softball and baseball players from across northern Indiana and southwestern lower Michigan have each earned a $5,000 scholarship from the South Bend Cubs.

To be considered for the scholarship, senior applicants had to graduate in spring 2017, be an active participant in an organized softball or baseball program and live in one of the 11 counties surrounding Four Winds Field in downtown South Bend.

When announcing the scholarship opportunity in the spring, South Bend Cubs Chairman and Owner Andrew T. Berlin said the scholarships demonstrate support not just of softball and baseball, but also the team’s commitment to the future leaders of the region. The application process opened in April.

“After a good amount of deliberation over a stellar applicant pool, today we can finally announce this year’s list of winners,” Berlin said. “These athletes represent the best in our region. They not only have the characteristics needed to succeed in softball and baseball, they’re making an impact off the field. It’s our hope that these scholarships will help them become the bright leaders of our future.”

The 2017 South Bend Cubs Scholarship winners:

  • Nikolos Kavadas , Penn High School
  • Halle Meredith, John Adams High School
  • Samantha Luzadre, Buchanan High School
  • Mattie Reese, John Glenn High school
  • Andrew Samuelson, LaPorte High School

“These five students are proven leaders,” said Joe Hart, President of the South Bend Cubs. “For this application process, we asked them to submit an essay, demonstrating why they deserved this. The answers blew us away. Some were deeply personal, others were motivational. Truly these are all great young people who we’re proud to award scholarships.”

All five scholarship winners will be recognized at the South Bend Cubs home game at Four Winds Field on Saturday, August 12.

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

Timber Rattlers About to Go Solar

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are turning the roof of the U. S. Cellular Picnic Pavilion into an energy source for Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Eland Electric will begin to install 88 solar panels on Monday, August 7.

“We saw this as an opportunity to go green and are excited to partner with Eland Electric,” said Timber Rattlers vice president Aaron Hahn. “We have been looking at this for a while and the time seemed right to go ahead with this project.”
The estimated savings is expected to be about $4,000 per year, which is the equivalent to an entire season of running the videoboard at the ballpark.

The solar panels are manufactured by SolarWorld Americas in Hillsboro, Oregon. They will be installed on the south side of the roof of the pavilion and drivers heading northbound on I-41 will be able to see the progress of the project.

“It is great to see another local organization understand the economic and environmental benefits of a renewable energy system,” said Eland Electric Project Manager Jesse Michalski. “This will provide those benefits for the next 25-plus years.”

The project should take two weeks and will be installed by the time the team begins their next homestand on Friday, August 18 against the Quad Cities River Bandits.

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

FIFTH THIRD BANK STEPS UP TO THE PLATE WITH BIGGER DONATIONS ON “STAND UP TO CANCER NIGHT”

LANSING, Mich. – Fifth Third Bank Western Michigan and the Lansing Lugnuts are teaming up to help fight cancer when the Bank hosts a special Stand Up To Cancer Night at Cooley Law School Stadium on Saturday, August 12. Fifth Third will offer fun, interactive fan activities during the game as part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to raise awareness and contributions to support cancer research.

Among the in-game promotions planned include:

  • A $5,300 donation to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) that the bank will make for every strikeout that the home team accomplishes during the game. This is an increase from the $530 donation per strikeout last year.
  • Fifth Third will also donate $5.30 to SU2C for every eligible public use of the hashtag #howifight on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, up to $500,000 during the promotion period.*
  • A special mid-game stretch is planned when fans can show their support for loved ones who have fought or are fighting cancer by holding up, in unison, special customized SU2C game placards.

Since teaming up with SU2C in 2013, Fifth Third has contributed more than $7.2 million in donations to help fund innovative cancer research and support SU2C’s mission to bring new cancer treatments to patients quickly and save lives now. SU2C has helped receive two drug approvals in the last seven years, a process that can typically take between 12-15 years for just one drug.

“Stand Up To Cancer’s teams of researchers and scientists are making significant breakthroughs in cancer research,” said Tom Ruis, Vice President, Fifth Third Bank. “With the help of the Lugnuts fans, and Fifth Third customers, we hope to get one step closer to ‘striking out’ this disease once and for all.”

Tickets can be purchased at the Lugnuts website, lansinglugnuts.com. On top of the other donations, Fifth Third will also give $1 to SU2C for each person who attends the game.

Stand Up To Cancer, a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is a breakthrough initiative that raises funds to accelerate innovative cancer research, enabling scientific collaboration in order to get new therapies to patients quickly. Fifth Third supports this collaborative approach and is committed to finding different ways to improve people’s lives and better our communities. As such, Fifth Third began working with SU2C in 2013 when the Bank introduced its Fifth Third SU2C debit and credit cards, which raise funds to support SU2C research through every qualifying purchase made using those cards. Fifth Third Bank is the only card issuer to offer the SU2C payment cards. Visit 53.com/su2ccards for full details.

*$5.30 donation to SU2C for every eligible public post with the hashtag #howifight on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, from 7/1/17-12/31/17, up to $500,000. Only one hashtag use per username, per Monitored Social Media Site, per day will be counted.

About the Lansing Lugnuts
The Lansing Lugnuts, Class-A Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, are in their 22nd season in Michigan’s Capital City. The Lugnuts make their home at beautiful Cooley Law School Stadium, built in 1996 with an award-winning renovation in 2015/16, and continue to be a key component in revitalizing Lansing’s downtown while providing fun, affordable, family entertainment to fans in Mid Michigan and beyond. Find them online: www.lansinglugnuts.com.

About Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. As of June 30, 2017, the Company had $141 billion in assets and operated 1,157 full-service Banking Centers and 2,461 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Wealth & AssetManagement. As of June 30, 2017, Fifth Third also had a 17.7 percent interest in Vantiv Holding, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of June 30, 2017, had $330 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $34 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 atwww.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. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

About Stand Up To Cancer
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) raises funds to accelerate the pace of research to get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now. SU2C, a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was established in 2008 by film and media leaders who utilize the industry’s resources to engage the public in supporting a new, collaborative model of cancer research, and to increase awareness about cancer prevention as well as progress being made in the fight against the disease. As SU2C’s scientific partner, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and a Scientific Advisory Committee led by Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, PhD, conduct rigorous, competitive review processes to identify the best research proposals to recommend for funding, oversee grants administration, and provide expert review of research progress.

Current members of the SU2C Council of Founders and Advisors (CFA) include Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Lisa Paulsen, Rusty Robertson, Sue Schwartz, Pamela Oas Williams, Ellen Ziffren, and Kathleen Lobb. The late Laura Ziskin and the late Noreen Fraser are also co-founders. Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, has served as SU2C’s president and CEO since 2011.

For more information on Stand Up To Cancer, visit www.StandUpToCancer.org.

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Hometown Heroes Celebration Night at Fifth Third Field

The Dayton Dragons and the Dayton Development Coalition will host the second of two Hometown Heroes™ Celebration Nights Saturday, August 5 at Fifth Third Field when the Dragons play the Lansing Lugnuts at 7:07 p.m.

“Hometown Heroes™ Celebration Nights represent something truly special about the Dayton Region,” said Jeff Hoagland, DDC President and CEO. “Our desire to thank those who serve our country, combined with a true American pastime, has created an incredible night dedicated to our Hometown Heroes. We want to thank them for their service and let them know, no matter where they are stationed, Dayton will always welcome them home.”

The Celebration Nights are the highlight of the year-long Hometown Heroes™ program, which honors our community’s service men and women affiliated with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Springfield, Ohio Air National Guard Base. The DDC and the Dragons, with the generous support of local businesses, began the program 14 years ago as a way for the community to support the thousands of military families in the region.

Colonel Adam Willis, the commander of the Air Force Reserves 445th Airlift Wing. and Colonel Bradley McDonald, the Wright-Patt installation and 88th Air Base Wing commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base., will throw out a first pitch.

Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to help welcome home members of the Air Force who have recently returned home from deployment, as well as recognize Selected Exceptional Airmen. In addition, Colonel McDonald will also swear in 15 new Air Force recruits during the game.

The Association of Defense Communities recently recognized Dayton as a Great American Defense Community, in part for the Hometown Heroes™ programs at the Dragons, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton Art Institute, and Dayton Air Show. Hometown HeroesTM, working in close partnership with Dayton Hoopla/First Four events, UD & WSU Men’s Basketball, and the Fraze Pavilion, offers year-long events honoring our military community.

During the national anthem, which will be performed by Air Force Band of Flight/MSgt Alyson Jones, the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard will present the colors.

On the plaza, there will be a Security Forces Humvee, an Air Force Recruit Van, and the 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron will showcase equipment used on evacuation missions. The Dragons Entertainment staff will hand out mini flags, and fans can sign “Thank You” cards to send to troops overseas.

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

The Dayton Development Coalition (DDC) is the leading economic development organization for the 14-county Dayton region. Working closely with public and private regional partners, its mission is to retain, expand and recruit jobs. The DDC and the Dayton region ranked as the nation’s top metro for its size for economic development in 2008, 2009 and 2012 and runner-up in 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2015. With the State’s largest single-site employer in its backyard, the DDC also focuses on advocating for the critical missions at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and supporting the work of the United States Air Force. The DDC was ranked as America’s top military community, and was presented with the 2015 Community Excellence Award from the Association of Defense Communities. It was designated as one of the ADC’s Great American Defense Communities in 2016 – a testament to the collaborative efforts in support of Wright-Patt, America’s #1 Air Force Base as ranked by the Air Force Times (2014). For any questions regarding the DDC, contact Shannon Joyce Neal at (937) 231-5436.

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

Dragons and Vectren Present 2017 “Community All-Stars”

The Dragons and Vectren will honor Juliann Price during the unique “Community All-Stars” program on Friday, August 4, at 7:07 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons 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.

Juliann’s Story

Normally, most of us scroll through our Facebook feed just to see if anything out there is interesting enough to get us to stop for a moment. But last summer, Juliann Price stumbled across a Facebook post that was more than interesting. It immediately altered the course of her life.

Juliann saw a post from her friend telling the story of Barbara Perlman. Barbara was in need of a kidney transplant and was running low on time. The call to action was simple enough, just get your blood tested to see if you’d be a potential match.

Most people would’ve felt something for Barbara’s story, but quickly gone back about their day. After all, who would give one of their kidneys to a complete stranger they’ve never met? Juliann felt something different when she saw the post, however. She was compelled to get the blood test and see if she could help.

“Something just spoke to me,” Juliann said. “I had never thought about doing anything like this before, but when I found out about her need, I just made up my mind on the spot and never turned back. I was going to help, whether it was her or someone else down the road.”

As it would turn out, Juliann was enough of a match with Barbara that they sent her to New York City for further testing last August. Those follow-up tests showed a match of 4.3 on a scale of 5, which was more than enough to go through with the transplant operation.

So on November 10, 2016, Juliann was wheeled into surgery where she gave up 1 of her 2 kidneys to allow Barbara a chance to continue living a normal life.

The surgery was very successful, and both ladies are living normal lives. They have also become great friends. The pair talk nearly every day on the phone and plan to reunite once again on November 10, 2017…a date they jokingly refer to as their “Kidney-versary.”

For showing us all what it means to truly help a fellow human being in their time of need, Juliann has been selected as a Dragons Community All Star.

The Dragons Community All Star program, made possible by the generous support of Vectren, showcases amazing citizens and organizations that have gone above the call of duty to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley all summer long. To nominate someone or learn more, visit daytondragons.com/communityallstar.

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.

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

Brian Elliot Jr. to Celebrate His Anthem Home Runs for Life on August 2

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 13-year old Brian Elliot Jr. during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, August 2, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons 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.

Brian’s Story

From the moment Brian was born, he had difficulties digesting formula. His pediatrician was concerned he wasn’t getting the appropriate nutrition he needed to thrive. The hospital ran some routine tests and quickly diagnosed Brian with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. An inherited condition, it affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive fluids. These secreted fluids are normally thin and slippery. But in cystic fibrosis, the secretions become thick and sticky, which can prevent the release of digestive enzymes that allow the body to break down food and absorb vital nutrients, among other things.

When Brian was younger, he was in the hospital for severe complications a few times. Four years ago, Brian had a surgical procedure to provide him with a feeding tube that helps his digestive issues. Since then, he has done well gaining weight and receiving adequate nutrition. In addition, Brian has a daily routine that includes breathing treatments and a special vest he wears that vibrates to assist in breaking up any thick mucus in his lungs.

Brian has a form of cystic fibrosis that allows him to participate in many of the activities he loves. He loves gym class at school and playing baseball like his favorite team, the Cincinnati Reds. From the outside, you would never know that Brian has breathing and digestive challenges.

Brian is now 13 years old and will be in eighth grade at Urbana Junior High in the fall. He doesn’t allow cystic fibrosis to keep him down. “It’s scary sometimes, but I never give up and keep fighting. It doesn’t hold me back,” Brian said. One day, Brian would like to be a police officer so he can help better his community.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Brian’s life, including his parents Kenny and Melissa, siblings Dylan and Madalene, Dr. Wolf, and his entire medical support team. Please join us in cheering on Brian as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on August 2.dayton dragons

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.

Kettering Health Network Presents Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Kettering Health Network presents Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Sunday, August 6 at Fifth Third Field when the Dayton Dragons host the Lansing Lugnuts at 2:00 p.m. All Dragons players, coaches, front office and game day staff will be wearing pink sweatbands during the game.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Event will take place on the plaza where Kettering Health Network will be passing out pink rally towels. Kettering Breast Evaluation Centers will also have a booth on the plaza. In addition, the American Cancer Society will have information on the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk which is being held at Fifth Third Field on Saturday, October 21.

Breast Cancer fighter Jennifer Michaels will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Michaels had a routine mammogram done in July of 2013. Following, the mammogram, a biopsy was performed and she received a surgeon’s opinion. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in August of the same year.

Michaels stressed the importance of regular checkups and mammograms, “It’s better to catch it early then to wait for it to develop.”

Having undergone four years of treatment, Michaels continues her fight against breast cancer today. She sees Dr. Lavelle at the Kettering Cancer Center.

“Breast cancer is not discriminatory. It doesn’t matter if your family has a history of it,” Michaels explained. “It can even happen to the healthiest of people.”

As a part of a national fundraising effort, the 2017 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will take place at Fifth Third Field on Saturday, October 21 starting at 8 a.m.

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.

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

Kernels players and front office to take ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on Wednesday

Cedar Rapids, IA – Kernels players and members of the Kernels front office staff will take the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS Awareness on Wednesday, August 2nd at 2:30 PM on the main concourse at Perfect Game Field right inside the main gates.

In 2014 the Facebook and other social media pages were filled with people accepting and fulfilling the Ice Bucket Challenge. The moto now of the ALS Association is “Every August until a Cure”. The Kernels staff and players are also making a cash donation to the ALS Association as a group.

The purpose of the challenge is to accept the challenge and pour a bucket of ice water over your head, make a donation to ALS or both. Donations can be made by visiting the ALS website at www.als.org.

The Kernels continue a seven-game home stand tonight at 6:35 PM vs. Clinton. Gates open at 5:30 PM and the current home stand continues through Friday, August 4th.

Chris Kleinhans-Schulz and Morgan Hawk bring you all of the play-by-play on the radio home of Kernels baseball, 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM. Fans may listen on-line at www.kmryradio.com, or www.kernels.com. Fans may also stream all 70 Kernels home game and selected road games via a MiLB.TV subscription. Visit MiLB.TV for subscription information.

Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.kernels.com, or by calling the Kernels Ticket Office at 896-7560. Ticket office hours are 10 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, and 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday.

Bandits, American Bank donate $1,500 to YMCA

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Furthering the commitment to giving back to the local community, the Quad Cities River Bandits have donated $1,500 to the Scott County YMCA and Two Rivers YMCA. The funds were raised from ticket sales during the July 10 game at Modern Woodmen Park, which was sponsored by American Bank. The River Bandits annually donate more than $300,000 back to the Quad Cities community.

Scott County YMCA on the Iowa side and Two Rivers YMCA in Illinois will split the donation of funds raised from ticket sales to the 2,095 fans attending the game on Monday, July 10. American Bank was the title sponsor of the game, helping to facilitate the fundraising.

This is the latest in a long line of community efforts by the River Bandits. Already in 2017, the River Bandits have created the Bill Edmond seats, which honor the late local leader and provide two free box seats to every River Bandits game to deserving, underprivileged members of the Quad Cities community; expanded the club’s Bandit Scholars program, already the largest in all of Minor League Baseball, by adding Eastern Iowa Community College to its list of recipients; and partnered with the Bechtel Trust to create the new Carousel Corporation, a nonprofit designed to donate 100% of the proceeds from four new rides at Modern Woodmen Park back to underprivileged youth in the Quad Cities area.

“Paying for our young people to attend college and donating back to this great community are two things that we are delighted to do,” said team owner Dave Heller. “The River Bandits are 100 percent committed to making the Quad Cities the best possible place to live, work and raise a family for everyone who calls this great area home.”

In addition to the financial donations of over $300,000 a year, the River Bandits staff also volunteers over 1,000 hours of collective community service with local organizations, including the local YMCAs. The two locations receiving this specific donation are free to spend the money however they see fit. For more information on the charitable contributions of the River Bandits, or to request donations, contact Director of Community Relations Crystal Bowen at (563) 333-2736 or crystal@riverbandits.com

Sam Dekker to Appear at Timber Rattlers Strike Out Cancer Day on August 22

GRAND CHUTE, WI – Sam Dekker is coming to Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium for Strike Out Cancer Day on Tuesday, August 22. Strike Out Cancer Day is presented by McClone and Bergstrom Automotive with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers hosting the Peoria Chiefs at 7:05pm.

Dekker, a former Wisconsin Badgers basketball star and current Los Angeles Clipper, will be available for a pre-game autograph session in the Fox Communities Credit Union Fox Club from 5:30 until 6:30pm. This opportunity is available for $25 and is limited to 100 people.  The ticket for the game is separate from the ticket to this pre-game autograph session. Autographs are limited to one item per person. Attendees may also have one photograph with Dekker per person. Contact the Timber Rattlers ticket office at (920) 733-4152 to reserve your spot for this event.

Timber Rattlers players and coaches will be wearing jerseys with a University of Wisconsin theme for this game. These jerseys will be available for auction starting on Sunday, August 20 through www.TimberRattlersAuctions.com. The auction will end at 9:00pm on August 22.

Proceeds from the pre-game autograph session and the jersey auction will be donated to the Timber Rattlers Charity Fund to benefit the Children’s Cancer Family Foundation of Northeast Wisconsin. The CCFF’s vision is to help local families preserve their family life, when life as they know it has been turned upside down by cancer. By providing financial assistance and allowing families to find support and strength within each other, they can help them get back to their normal family life and know that they aren’t alone in their journey.

Additionally, the first 1,000 fans to attend the game will receive a bobblehead of Dekker shooting the Bratzooka! courtesy of Cher-Make Sausage. The game is scheduled to start at 7:05pm. The gates to Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium will open at 5:30pm.

Tickets are available for this game.

Partial season and group ticket packages are currently available for the 2017 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers season. Tickets packages are available online, over the phone at (920) 733-4152 or (800) WI-TIMBER, and in person. Individual game tickets for this season are also on sale now.   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.

Muse Machine Named 2017 Community All-Star

The Dragons and Vectren will honor Muse Machine during the unique “Community All-Stars” program on Monday, July 24, at 7:00 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Burlington Bees 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.

Muse Machine’s Story

Muse Machine is an arts education organization that uses the arts to enrich the educational experiences of children in 109 schools. The organization was founded by Suzy Bassani in 1982, after she noticed that the audience at most performances in theaters and other similar venues lacked young people

Participating schools receive multiple performances in their schools and discounted tickets to shows in Dayton and around the country. Students at Muse schools have the opportunity to audition for the organization’s productions and to attend workshops with well-known performers. Teachers from Muse-participating schools can attend year-round professional development programs offered by Muse.

Mary Campbell Zopf, the executive director of the organization since 2014, explained that the program always aims for the highest quality of work, while never forgetting about the capacity for arts to bring joy to children. “Muse Machine opens the door to artistic experiences and the power they can have on someone’s life,” said Campbell Zopf.

Later this summer, the Suzy Bassani Theater Off Third will open inside the newly renovated downtown branch of the Dayton Metro Library. This addition will make Muse Machine programming available to local children with a library card, making it easier for kids to get arts-related experiences outside of school.

Initially, the program was part of 22 schools in the Dayton area. Now in its 35th year of existence, Muse Machine serves more than 72,000 preschool through high school students in 12 counties across Central and Western Ohio, and now also in Kentucky. For more information on the program visit www.musemachine.com.

For making a difference in the community, Muse Machine has been selected as a Dragons Community All-Star. The program honors those that have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley.

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 daytondragons.com/communityallstar.

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.

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

Dragons and IGS Energy to Surprise Local Little League Saturday

It doesn’t get much better than baseball being played by kids. The love affair with our nation’s pastime began on little league fields across the country for so many of us. In that spirit, the Dayton Dragons and IGS Energy have a multi-year partnership to shine a spotlight on little leaguers all across our region.

The Dragons “Little Big Leagues” program, presented by IGS Energy, is a season-long program filled with amazing experiences for little leaguers and a chance for all fans to celebrate youth baseball.

IGS Energy is featuring a Little League Surprise this Saturday, July 22 from 10am-12pm. Dragons players will “surprise” Patterson Park Youth Baseball players during a baseball clinic at 1013 Irving Avenue in Dayton. In addition to the Dragons players, mascots Heater and Gem, along with members of the Green Team will be in attendance. There will be colored hairspray, balloon animals and an autograph session – fun for everyone! The baseball clinic will focus on hitters, but also outfielders, infielders, catching, and pitching.

“It doesn’t get any more American than little leaguers playing the game of baseball,” Dragons Team President Robert Murphy said. “This partnership is going to shine the spotlight on youth baseball in our region and give these kids some amazing memories they’ll keep with them for the rest of their lives.”

“We’re glad to support the Dayton Dragons, and the many ways they give back to the next generation of baseball players in the community. IGS Energy has been proud to supply natural gas and electricity to area businesses and homeowners for over 25 years, along with home protection services, and we’re honored to give back to the community through this partnership, as well,” said Brandon Childers, chief marketing and technology officer.

For more information on how little league teams and players can get involved in the Dragons “Little Big Leagues” program, presented by IGS Energy, contact the Dragons group sales department at (937) 228-2287 or visit www.daytondragons.com/IGS.

About IGS

IGS is a leading provider of retail energy supply, home services products, distributed generation such as solar and combined heat and power, and compressed natural gas services. With over 25 years of experience, the company leverages extensive in-house expertise to bring innovation to the energy industry. By embracing new technologies, supporting alternative energy resources, and encouraging energy independence, IGS is inspiring homeowners, businesses, and communities to make smart energy decisions. The company also has a community investment program which provides employees with opportunities to get involved with and give to causes that are meaningful to the company and to them personally.

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

Cougars to Honor First Responders on July 29

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars have announced that they will honor first responders at Northwestern Medicine Field on Saturday, July 29. Tickets are on sale now at kccougars.com or by calling the box office at 630-232-8811.

First responders who wish to attend the game can purchase a buy one, get one free reserved seat ticket deal in person at the Cougars box office beginning today through July 29. Proof of identification must be presented at the time of purchase. There is a limit of 10 tickets per order. Offer is not valid on previously purchased tickets.

In addition, there will be local first responder vehicles displayed outside the gates for fans to admire including patrol cars and fire engines.

For the game, the Cougars will sport limited edition First Responder Night jerseys. One half of the jersey is fire engine red with yellow and orange flames running down the sleeve to represent our heroic firefighters while the other half of the jersey features an armored look to represent the police officers who protect us.

Before the game, St. Charles police officer John Losurdo will throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Officer Losurdo, named the top police officer in Kane County, was presented the 2016 Louis Spuhler Award for his outstanding police work. Additional first responders will be honored throughout the game including an in-game presentation for the Meijer Hometown Hero.

Graduates from the Kane County Sherriff’s Office Junior Deputy Program (JDMP) will also be in attendance and honored on the field. The JDMP helps students between the ages of 14-17 build their self-esteem while providing insight into the professional life of law enforcement officers in an effort to build trust between the Sherriff’s Office and the community.

Other highlights for First Responders Night include a pre-game performance by Beatles tribute band, American English, in the Acres Music Garden from 4:45-6 PM while the always hilarious ZOOperstars! will provide in-game entertainment. Gates will open at 4:30 PM.

For updates throughout the season on tickets and promotions follow the Cougars on Twitter, Facebook or 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 157 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.

Dragons Host Start of Warrior Weekend Thursday

The Dayton Dragons are hosting the opening event of the 2017 Team Fastrax Warrior Weekend to Remember at Fifth Third Field on Thursday, July 20 during their game with the Peoria Chiefs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Dragons fans are already familiar with Team Fastrax, the professional skydiving team that has landed in the outfield carrying the American flag prior to games on multiple occasions. The team is composed primarily of military veterans and four years ago, co-founders John and David Hart decided that they wanted to do more to honor our nation’s heroes. That is when Warrior Weekend came to fruition.

“It is important that we honor and remember our nation’s veterans and the families that have lost their loved ones,” explained co-founder David Hart. “Especially those who have been injured physically and emotionally.”

The mission of the weekend is to honor veterans, combat injured/Purple Heart recipients, and the families of fallen military members by providing life-changing experiences that facilitate new friendships and emotional healing. Each year, over 50 individuals are honored as part of the event.

The Dragons game on Thursday is just the first of several Warrior Weekend events in the Dayton area that are open to the public. Others include a car show, silent auction, balloon festival, and 5k run/walk.

“We invite everyone to come out and join us,” said John Hart, co-founder of the event. “There are many events that the general public can get involved in. Visit our website, attend, and celebrate these amazing men and women.”

Prior to the game, there will be army vehicles, motorcycles from the US Veterans Motorcycle Club, and Muddy Buddys jeeps on the plaza. On the field before the game, the jeeps will take part in a parade around the warning track, skydivers from Team Fastrax will land in center field with the American Flag, and Medal of Honor/Purple Heart Recipient Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie Adkins will throw out the first pitch. More information on Adkins’ story can be found here. Festivities will continue throughout the length of the game as well.

For more information on the schedule of events and to find out how you can get involved, visit warriorwtr.com.

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

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