Fans Encouraged to Help Feed Hungry People

Local food bank will hold food drive during TinCaps’ Games

Parkview Field will play host to a food drive during games this weekend. (Tony DesPlaines)
Parkview Field will play host to a food drive during games this weekend. (Tony DesPlaines)

Fort Wayne, IN – This Saturday, Sunday, and Monday fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items to Parkview Field with them to help feed their hungry neighbors. On Saturday, August 27th at 7:05pm Comfort Keepers is sponsoring “Slugging for Seniors” a senior hunger food drive to collect non-perishable food items specifically for Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana to use for their SeniorPak program. SeniorPak is a program that delivers groceries every two weeks for over 1,200 needy, homebound Seniors. Post-Game Fireworks and an appearance by Birdzerk! will also be featured that evening at the park along with a silent auction for two autographed TinCaps jerseys! All proceeds benefit Community Harvest Food Bank.

Then, on Sunday, August 28th at 3:05pm and Monday, August 29th at 7:05pm, a food drive will be held by the Society of Saint Andrew, a non-profit ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to fighting hunger in our nation and the world. The Society works primarily to salvage fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste and deliver it to people in need. On August 5th the Society of St. Andrew delivered a semi-load of sweet potatoes to Community Harvest and they will start the Saturday and Sunday TinCaps food drive off with 120 cans of vegetables.

Fans are asked to bring cans of food and place them in barrels located around the ballpark. Suggested items are: canned meats, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, pasta or noodles, canned soups and stews, toilet and facial tissue, and personal hygiene products.

About Community Harvest Food Bank
Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the alleviation of hunger through the full use of donated food and other resources. As the largest food bank in northeast Indiana, it collects and distributes over 10 million pounds of donated, surplus food annually through a network of human service member agencies. Community Harvest Food Bank serves Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley counties. Visit www.chfb.org, find them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter.

Undernourishment and malnutrition are serious problems for America’s growing 65+ population. In fact, as many as one out of every three seniors are at risk for under- or mal-nutrition. To raise awareness for this growing problem, Comfort Keepers in Fort Wayne is participating in a nationwide STOP Senior Hunger Food Drive from August 15th through November 1st; all proceeds from the local food drive will benefit the Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana.

About Comfort Keepers®
Comfort Keepers in Fort Wayne opened for business in September 2001 and will be celebrating their 10th year in business this year. They have established an excellent reputation for the quality of care their caregivers provide. Our caregivers provide non-medical in home care for seniors and others requiring assistance in their homes. Comfort Keepers expanded their reach in 2007 with the purchase of their second franchise in the Fort Wayne area and currently cover the counties of Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, Noble, Wells and Whitley. For more information visit their website at www.comfortkeepers.com/fortwayne-in.

About Society of Saint Andrew
The Society of St. Andrew, formed in 1979 with Headquarters in Big Island, VA., is a non-profit ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to fighting hunger in our nation and the world. The Society works primarily to salvage fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste and deliver it to people in need.

Visit www.endhunger.org for more information or e-mail hranin@endhunger.org for Indiana info.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Click here to view the original story.

Timber Rattlers Visit Habitat for Humanity

Wisconsin-Timber-RattlersOn Tuesday, August 2nd, two Timber Rattlers pitchers and a few members of the team’s front office visited one of Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity’s work sites. Pitchers Stosh Wawrzasek and Matt Miller volunteered their time before taking on the Clinton LumberKings to thank the volunteers for their hard work and dedication to our community.

This marks the second year that the team provided lunch to one of Habitat for Humanity’s work sites. It’s a great opportunity to get the team more involved in the community. Likewise, the volunteers love being able to chat with the players about their minor league baseball experience…and even get a few autographs!

Greater-Fox-Cities-HFH-logoThe Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity has built over 130 houses and counting in the Fox Cities, providing a new home for nearly 500 people in the community. In partnership with hundreds of dedicated volunteers and supporters, Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is building hope, one house at a time.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers look forward to supporting Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity for many more seasons to come!

WTR Habitat Lunch 2011

This Blood Runs Dragons Green

The Dayton Dragons, in conjunction with Community Blood Center, are working to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation in the Miami Valley.  Community Blood Center has “Gone Dragons green” during the 2011 baseball season by working with the Dragons to reward and attract more local donors.

With the help of the Dragons, Community Blood Center has been able to reach out to the Miami Valley in a new way. The summer donation season has featured limited edition Dragons/Community Blood Center t-shirts, mascot visits to Community Blood Center events, and other unique Dragons related rewards for the volunteer donors that have participated this season.

On July 25, 2011, the Community Blood Center was also featured on the plaza at Fifth Third Field before the Dragons game. They wanted to help raise awareness about donating blood to all Dragons fans in attendance.

This limited edition Dragons T-shirt helped Community Blood Center reward current donors and attract lots of new ones.
Heater, the Dragons mascot, made visits to Community Blood Center throughout the summer months to thank donors and encourage new visitors to check out the facility.

Dragons ‘MVP Students’ Get The Spotlight

The Dragons MVP Program, a tool for teachers has made the popularity of the Dayton Dragons an educational tool for fourth and fifth grade teachers, helping them motivate and reward students for success in the classroom.

This program, which is in 900 Dayton-area classrooms, reaches more than 25,000 students. Each classroom teacher is given five “Dragons MVP” awards to hand out at their discretion. The awards include tickets to a sold-out Dragons game, a custom “Dragons MVP” hat, a certificate recognizing their achievement as a “Dragons MVP” and also admission to a private field day/carnival with the entire Dragons team.

These “Dragons MVP” awards, which were distributed to the teachers at absolutely no cost, were awarded to students as the teachers saw fit. In addition to handing them out for success and achievements inside the classroom, many teachers rewarded students for accomplishments in the community as well.

The Dragons also shared some of the stories of success and achievement the “Dragons MVP” students created in local newspaper ads, television and radio commercials, and also in full page ads in the Dragons game day program.

Plus, 24 winners were selected to either throw out a first pitch or participate in an on-field entertainment skit on the night they attended the sold out Dragons game.

The Dragons also made Player/Mascot visits to 12 schools that participated in the MVP Program. Two Dayton Dragons players and the mascot, Heater, went to these schools and provided an entire class with an opportunity to ask questions of the players, get autographs from the players and hugs from our mascot. Every child in these classrooms received a Dragons hat, a Dragons baseball and a Dragons pen during the visit too.

Dragons players and mascots visit a local classroom as a part of the “Dragons MVP” program that rewards outstanding 4th and 5th grade students.
An MVP poses with her favorite Dragons player at a private field day only for Dragons MVP winners.
A Dragons MVP winner spends time on the live radio broadcast, telling listeners about what he did to become a Dragons MVP

Timber Rattlers Celebrate Christmas in July

On July 16th, 2011, Time Warner Cable Field was morphed into the North Pole! There was snow on the ground, elves singing Christmas songs, and a festive spirit all around – it was…Christmas in July!

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers went all out for this theme night; inviting fans and all employees to dress in Christmas attire. The team also invited the Salvation Army to bring their red kettles and ring their bells for donations from fans. In addition to that, we encouraged fans to bring in baked goods for our “Bake Sale” where all proceeds would go to the Salvation Army. All fans that donated an item received our Scooter Versus Snowman bobblehead; the team thought it was rather appropriate. The kettles combined with the bake sale raised an astounding $525 for the Salvation Army!

The team had an usher volunteer to dress up and act as Santa Claus while his daughter volunteered to be Mrs. Claus. A security guard was able to provide the team with a 13 foot Christmas tree to display by our front entrance. Our customer service manager brought in décor for the stadium, lights for the Christmas tree, and costumes for some of the staff to wear.

We also changed up some of our on-field promotions and geared them towards the Christmas theme – rather than Build-A-Burger we had Decorate-A-Tree. Instead of the Mohican North Star Shot we had the Mohican North Star Snowball Shot. And finally, throughout the game, children were allowed to write “letters to the North Pole.” Each child that wrote to Santa received a letter back as well as a ticket voucher for a future game

TinCaps launch walking program

Ballpark concourse open to public

"Conquer the Concourse" invites walkers to keep track of their progress. (Brad Hand)
“Conquer the Concourse” invites walkers to keep track of their progress. (Brad Hand)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps have partnered with Majic 95.1 to encourage downtown workers and visitors to “Conquer the Concourse” at Parkview Field this summer. In conjunction with the opening of the ballpark’s Field of Greens cart for summer lunches, the TinCaps and Majic 95.1 are encouraging those visiting the ballpark to join in the challenge to see how many laps they walk between Memorial Day and Labor Day.Walkers and runners are encouraged to stop by the Field of Greens cart between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to fill out a “Conquer the Concourse” registration form. Throughout the summer the number of laps walked during each visit to Parkview Field can be recorded on their registration form which will be available each weekday at the Field of Greens cart (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.). Those walking at other times of the day are encouraged to keep track of their laps and periodically update their lap totals throughout the summer.

“We’re excited to partner with Majic to bring attention to the availability of Parkview Field as a walking and running option downtown,” TinCaps Vice President of Marketing Michael Limmer said. “The concourse measures exactly one third of a mile, so it’s easy to be able to figure out the distance you’ve covered. We will have upwards of two hundred people walking or running throughout the day. It’s great to have that kind of energy in the ballpark and that level of usage. It’s what we envisioned an ‘open to the public’ ballpark being able to bring to downtown Fort Wayne beyond just baseball.”

“Several of us at the radio station were already taking advantage of the ballpark during lunch time to run,” said Barb Richards of Majic 95.1. “We got together with the folks at Parkview Field and figured out a way to create a bit of an incentive to get people moving during the summer. It’s a great venue, why not encourage people downtown to enjoy it?”

Throughout the summer Majic 95.1 will acknowledge random participants with prizes. There is no cost to be a part of the program and there is no prize for whoever walks the most laps. “Exercise is it’s own reward,” Limmer said with a smile. “We’re trying to encourage people to be healthy and to be aware that Parkview Field can be a resource to exercise in a safe, controlled environment. The fact we’re able to throw in a few incentives from time to time is a bonus to those that conquer the concourse.”

The Field of Greens cart, open 11:00am to 1:00pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day, has health-conscious menu items including salads, wraps, and sandwiches as well as chips and drink options.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Click here to view the original story.

Hot Rods Host Relay For Life Night

The Bowling Green Hot Rods, Class-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, were pleased to host the first annual Relay For Life Night at Bowling Green Ballpark on Friday, May 13th.

In conjunction with the local American Cancer Society, the Hot Rods reached out to local Relay For Life teams and presented them the opportunity to not only fundraise for ACS, but also the chance to enjoy a ballgame, be honored on field pre-game and share their personal stories with fans.

Relay For Life is an over-night event hosted across the country that celebrates survivors, honors those who have lost their battle with cancer and all while raising money for the American Cancer Society.

Relay For Life team representatives threw out first pitches to kick off the night and participated in a on field check presentation. Over 700 Relay participants were on hand for the festivities. Through the fundraising program with the Hot Rods, over thirty Relay For Life teams from four separate counties raised $3,580 for the American Cancer Society.

Mother’s Day: Brunch at the Ballpark

Wisconsin-Timber-RattlersPrior to the game on Sunday, May 8th the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers paid tribute to the mothers in attendance in various ways.

In the weeks leading up to the game the Rattlers offered fans the opportunity to purchase tickets to a pre-game brunch that included a very special offer for moms. Their brunch and game tickets were complimentary with a paid guest.  Nearly 300 fans took advantage of the Mother’s Day brunch offer.

Upon arrival to the ballpark mothers attending the brunch were escorted by players to the pavilion where brunch was being served. When guests checked in they were offered the opportunity to purchase tickets for a raffle, which was exclusive to those attending the brunch. Each mom received two complementary tickets for the brunch and had the option of purchasing additional tickets. Some of the items in the raffle were a team autographed pink bat, team autographed ‘pink’ jersey, Timber Rattlers merchandise, Brewers tickets and Seroogy’s Chocolates gift certificates.

The menu included mimosas, typical brunch items and sweet desserts. The tables were decorated with mini chocolate gift boxes and tribute cards written by players to their moms. Regina (Reggy the Purple Party Dude’s mom) was a special guest at the brunch and was on-hand throughout the game that day to help honor moms in attendance.

Susan-G.-KomenDuring the game Timber Rattlers players and coaches wore ‘pink’ jersey which fans could bid 0n via silent auction up until the 7th inning. After the game the players were available to autograph the jerseys for the winning bidder. At the end of the day $1,447 was raised and donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, dedicated to education and research about causes, treatment, and the search for a cure.

WTR Mothers Day 2011
Cameron Garfield, Carlos George, and Austin Ross wearing their 2011 Mother’s Day jerseys

 

Record $43,313 Raised for Charity at Whitecaps Winter Banquet

The West Michigan Whitecaps’ 17th annual Winter Baseball Banquet raised a record $43,313 for charity Wednesday night at the Frederik Meijer Gardens. The event raised funds for the Whitecaps RBI/YMCA Inner-City Youth Baseball and Softball Program and the Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities. The $43,313 raised brings the grand total of funds raised for charity through the winter banquets over the past 17 years to more than $461,000.

The total raised edged out the funds raised for charity at the 2007 banquet, when nearly 1,000 attended to see Tigers manager Jim Leyland and a caravan of Tigers stars fresh off their World Series appearance three months prior.

Tigers CEO, President and General Manager Dave Dombrowski was the featured speaker at the event. Other special guest speakers were Whitecaps’ 2011 manager Ernie Young, former Whitecaps and current Tigers players Will Rhymes and Brennan Boesch.

WOOD TV 8’s Jack Doles announced the 2011 inductees into the Whitecaps Hall of Fame; they are 2003 Whitecaps and current Tigers pitcher Joel Zumaya, 1994-1998 Whitecaps and current Tigers Head Groundskeeper Heather Nabozny and 1996 Whitecaps and current Cincinnati Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez. Zumaya and Nabozny were both present to accept their awards for the induction.

Silent and live auctions of sports memorabilia and other items were the primary source of fundraising at the event. The top item of the night was the use of Dave Dombrowski’s personal luxury suite for a Tigers game (donated by the Tigers Foundation), which sold for $3,800 in the live auction. Dombrowski then graciously threw in a second suite at the same price to the other high bidder for another $3,800. Other top live auction items were a spring training trip for two, including airfare, four nights in a hotel and tickets to three Tigers games ($3,500); a Windy City Adventure for four including Cubs tickets, an on-field photo opportunity at Wrigley Field and four VIP tickets to Shedd Aquarium ($3,100) donated by the Cubs and Shedd Aquarium; and a World Series package that includes two tickets to games 3 and 4 with hotel ($2,500).

Top silent auction items included three innings on the air on a Whitecaps radio game broadcast ($1,200), a Kirk Gibson autographed jersey ($999) donated by the Tigers Foundation, the use of a Whitecaps suite for a game with a $100 catering credit ($600) and two Tiger Stadium seats ($550) donated by Jeff Spurrier.
Two raffles, including one that included a 40-inch TV and a Microsoft XBox with Kinect system, raised a total of $5,795.

Kernels Continue to Help Flood Victims with Phase II

The Kernels Foundation presented a check to Amy Geiger and Board Members of the Cedar Rapids School Foundation on Thursday, September 9, 2010 prior to the Kernels playoff game against the Clinton Lumber Kings. The money was raised in part from a season-long 50/50 raffle at home Kernels games. The amount of $17,162 will be divided between six local schools affected by the 2008 flood, which include Jefferson, Harrison, Cleveland, Roosevelt, Metro, and Wilson. The monies will help provide equal opportunities to outdoor physical fitness activities and fitness programs to school children. The Foundation is committed to providing programs and introducing better life skills and leveling the playing field for the children in these neighborhoods as compared to the rest of the city. This year’s project was phase II in the Foundation’s efforts to continue to help the flood victims in Cedar Rapids.

The Kernels Foundation phase I project included building two new baseball fields and renovating a third that was damaged by flood waters. The Kernels Foundation, Minor League Baseball Charities, Baseball Tomorrow Fund, the City of Cedar Rapids, and others raised $170,000 in 2009 for the project. Because of the new playing fields, we were able to offer a free program to at-risk kids this summer. Seventy-five children were able to play baseball two nights a week at the Jones Park Complex for free, including the use of equipment and uniforms.

The Kernels Foundation presented a check to Amy Geiger and Board Members of the Cedar Rapids School Foundation on Thursday, September 9.

CarePro, the Kernels, and AEGON raise nearly $10,000 for community betterment

For the 3rd consecutive season, the Kernels teamed up with CarePro Health Services in providing a huge lift to Horizons “Meals on Wheels” by donating $5.00 to purchase a plate of hot, nutritious food for “Meals on Wheels” recipients for every run the Kernels plate in the 2010 season. The Kernels high powered offense, led the Midwest League in runs “plated” with 745 runs this season. At $5.00 per run “plated” by CarePro Health Services in their 3rd Annual “Plating for Plates” Campaign, CarePro Health Services Chief Financial Officer Gary Kaufman presented Horizons “Meals on Wheels” $3,725 on Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium before the Kernels game on Saturday Night, August 21st. The $3,725 contribution from CarePro Health Services to Horizons “Meals on Wheels” provided the area community home bound citizens who rely on “Meals on Wheels” for their sustenance with 745 additional plates of hot nutritious food!

AEGON’s “K’s for Kids First” initial campaign was a success as it ran through the 2010 baseball season. AEGON is one of the world’s largest providers of life insurance, pensions and long-term savings and investment products. For every strikeout (K) that Cedar Rapids Kernels pitchers recorded, AEGON donated $5 to Kids First, a law center that gives children a voice in divorce and custody conflicts by providing legal representation and services for them. AEGON presented a check for $5,580 to Kids First on Wednesday, September 1 for the 1,116 strikeouts the Kernels pitchers recorded for the remainder of the season.

Kernels mascot Mr. Shucks and AEGON officials present a check to Kids First on September 1, 2010.

Kernels Complete 12th Year of Summer Reading Program

Over 2,000 girls and boys were recognized on Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Sunday, August 22nd for reading 1000 minutes this past spring and summer in the 12th Annual Kernels Summer Reading Program, presented by Toyota Financial Services and supported by The Gazette, Rockwell Collins, and Copyworks. Cedar Rapids Kernels players and Kernels Mascot, Mr. Shucks, greeted the 1000 Minute Readers in right-center field to sign autographs and pose for pictures with them for 25 minutes prior to the game. The girls and boys and their families were then cheered by the crowd as they paraded around the Perfect Game Field.

Kernels players and Kernels Mascot Mr. Shucks visited a record 54 elementary schools throughout the eastern Iowa Corridor this past spring and summer to encourage over 25,000 students to stimulate their imaginations, discover new worlds, and make new friends through reading. Children were rewarded each 250 minutes that they read culminating with the Reader Recognition Day at the ballpark. After reading 250 minutes, the children reached 1st base and were rewarded with a free ticket to a future Kernels game and their name listed in the Cedar Rapids Gazette. After completing the next 250 minutes and arriving at second base, the kids received a free kid’s meal to Fazoli’s. The third leg, which takes the readers to third base and a total of 750 minutes of reading, rewards the readers with a Kernels equipment basket. Finally, after reaching home plate and 1,000 minutes read, children received a Kernels jersey and the opportunity to meet the players.

The Kernels congratulate all of the children who participated in the 12th Annual Kernels Summer Reading Program and thank 12th Year Presenting Sponsor Toyota Financial Services and contributing sponsors The Gazette, Rockwell Collins, and Copyworks for providing awesome rewards to the kids for their fantastic achievements.

Cedar Rapids Kernels players sign autographs on the field during Reader Recognition Day on Sunday, August 22.
Kernels players Michael Wing and Fabio Martinez participate in one of the Kernels 54 reading programs throughout the Cedar Rapids area this spring and summer

Live Jersey Auction Raises Funds for Children’s Hospital

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers held a ‘Brewers Sunday’ promotion every Sunday home game as a tribute to their Major League affiliate Milwaukee Brewers. As part of the promotion, the players wore jerseys honoring the 1982 Brewers. Throughout the season, the Timber Rattlers promoted a live post-game jersey auction to be held on the last Sunday home game of the 2010 season.

Sunday, August 29th marked that last Sunday home game, and in spite of very warm temperatures and an extra-inning game, the live post-game auction resulted in proceeds well over $3000. A host of fans stuck around after the game to bid on their favorite players’ jersey for the good of charity while Representatives from the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin were on hand to present each jersey to its winning bidder while the players stayed around for photos and autographs. The auctioneer even donated his time for charity.

Timber Rattlers slugger Chris Dennis’ jersey went for the highest bid at $275. Four other jerseys also went for over $200 (Scooter Gennett: $250, Cutter Dykstra: $225, Kentrail Davis: $225, Andy Sauter: $225). The Timber Rattlers also placed a few of the jersey up for bid via Minor League Baseball’s online auction service.

The event marked the first time the Rattlers hosted a LIVE jersey auction, which resulted in a total donation of $3,377 to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin…a definite success.

Timber Rattlers gather on-field next to the auctioneer who works to get top dollar for their jerseys.
Outfielder Kris Davis poses for a photo with the highest bidders for his jersey.

Timber Rattlers Garden for the Community

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have taken on a community project this season that requires a green thumb. Rattlers Vice President of Marketing, Angie Ceranski witnessed a growing number of companies in the area planting vegetable gardens for a variety of reasons with the common initiative being the promotion of sustainability and locally grown food. She felt an undertaking like this would further demonstrate the Timber Rattlers’ support for the community while bringing food to the tables of families less fortunate.

In late May, the Timber Rattlers planted a vegetable garden just beyond the fence off the left field corner of Time Warner Cable Field. Led by Angie’s efforts, a handful of staff members and a couple generous contributors have helped make this project possible.

Lakeshore Cleaners, a local landscape company, prepared the garden plot and provided their special mix of compost. Shroeder’s Fox Valley Greenhouse, De Pere, provided the starter plants. And Home Depot (Appleton West) donated the garden fence.

Produce from the garden continues to be donated, throughout the growing season, to St. Joseph’s Food Program (‘Grow a Row’ program) and the Salvation Army. Both organizations provide food to area families need.

A photo journal to log the progress of the garden is available at: http://www.tratsgarden.blogspot.com/.

Signage at the garden site creates awareness of the garden’s purpose.
Work in progress just beyond the left field fence.

League of Dreams Takes Flight

The Cedar Rapids “League of Dreams” celebrated opening night June 15, 2010 at Jones Park. All participants were 2nd and 3rd graders from five local schools severely affected by the flood of 2008. The league consisted of six teams that played a total of twelve games that culminated on July 21st.

The “Cedar Rapids League of Dreams” is an outgrowth of the Jones Park Baseball Project which was announced last fall in response to the flood that devastated Cedar Rapids in 2008. The Jones Park Project was formed to upgrade the number and quality of baseball fields in Cedar Rapids. Now, the “League of Dreams” gives 75 kids a chance to play on one of those fields. The league was designed to help schools, children, and families hit the hardest by the flood to participate in a fun, relaxed, and informative baseball program.

The 75 youngsters and 6 coaches who comprised the new League of Dreams visited Perfect Game Field Thursday, July 1 for a Cedar Rapids Kernels pre-game ceremony. Jim Ecker from Perfect Game, Tom Barbee, President of the Kernels Foundation, and Mike O’Neil with the Parks and Recreation Department, presided over the ceremony.
The teams played a game on Perfect Game Field and enjoyed a picnic at Veterans Memorial Stadium on July 27th to wrap-up the season.

The youth baseball league, sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Kernels, Perfect Game USA, Rawlings Sporting Goods, Minor League Baseball Charities, the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department, with a big assist from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, offered 75 girls and boys the chance to play baseball this summer at no cost. The newly formed League of Dreams will become an annual event each summer.

Perfect Game USA employee Jim Ecker gives instructions to League of Dream players prior to a game at Perfect Game Field