Shorebirds to Host Inaugural Cards for Troops Event

SALISBURY, Md. — The Delmarva Shorebirds are excited to announce an inaugural event this holiday season called Cards for Troops. Cards for Troops is replacing the Cookies with Claus Event the Shorebirds have hosted in previous years. Cards for Troops will be at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Saturday, December 10th from 9:00 AM to noon. The event will also include an area for guests to send well wishes to soldiers overseas, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a toy drive for Brooke’s Toy Closet at Peninsula Regional Medical Center.

Guests will have the opportunity to create a card for a soldier that is serving in the Armed Forces for the United States of America overseas. Cards will be sent to soldiers through Jeff Merritt from Minuteman Press, with Operation We Care. A template for the cards to the troops will be provided. Families are encouraged to include contact info so the troops can write back to them. The purpose of the cards are to thank the troops that are serving the United States who aren’t able to be home with their families for the holidays. Also, a Harley Davidson flag will be available for folks to share messages as well.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to interact and take pictures with families. Complimentary cookies, coffee, tea, and other treats will be provided.

Guests who donate a new unwrapped toy for Brooke’s Toy Closet will receive a raffle ticket. Door prizes consisting of Bird Bucks, Box Seat Vouchers, an authentic Shorebirds jersey, gift cards from local businesses, and a Shorebirds Birthday Party package during the 2017 season will be given away. The winners will be contacted by phone on Monday, December 12th. Brooke’s Toy Closet was started in 2014 by Brooke Mulford, a local girl who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer, in 2009, when she was four years old. The closet is a special cabinet filled with toys, coloring books and other goodies that PRMC’s Emergency Department and Pediatrics Unit can give to children who are hospitalized. The recipients of these gifts will be able to use them when they’re in the hospital, and take them home to enjoy when they are feeling better.

Season ticket and group outing packages are currently on sale for the 2017 season. The Shorebirds offer full season tickets, half season tickets, a 22-game plan and a 12-game plan along with a number of opportunities for groups to enjoy a night out at the ballpark. To secure your seat(s), call 410-219-3112.

Delmarva Shorebirds
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The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class “A” Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Shorebirds are owned by
7th Inning Stretch, LLC, the same company that owns the Stockton Ports of the California League and the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League.

The Shorebirds will celebrate their 22nd season in 2017, and have entertained nearly five million fans since beginning play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md. in 1996. The team has captured South Atlantic League titles in 1997 and 2000 while successfully hosting the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in 1999 and 2011.

For more information on the Shorebirds, call 410-219-3112 or visit theshorebirds.com.

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

D-Braves donate to Danville Veterans Memorial Fund

DANVILLE, Va. – In recognition of Veterans Day, the Danville Braves presented the Danville Veteran’s Memorial Fund with a donation of over $1,200. The D-Braves raised the funds by auctioning off game-worn military appreciation jerseys from the 2016 season. A total of $2,419.04 was raised through the auction, with half being donated to the Danville Veteran’s Memorial Fund and half to the Camp Lejeune Fisher House.

The D-Braves wore the special military appreciation jerseys for each Friday home game in July during the 2016 season, as well as the team’s July 3rd contest. Those games were dubbed Military Appreciation Nights presented by Angus Heating and Air and Blue Ridge Beverage; all active and retired military members received free admission to the games.

“To be able to help maintain a memorial that honors the sacrifice and service of our nation’s military is the least we can do,” said Danville Braves General Manager David Cross. “The Danville Veteran’s Memorial is a lasting tribute to the men and women that have helped protect this great country.”

For more information about the Veterans Memorial at Dan Daniel Memorial Park, visit http://www.danville-va.gov/1288/Veterans-Memorial.

For more information about the Camp Lejeune Fisher House, visit http://lejeunefisherhouse.org/.

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

PawSox to Commemorate Veterans Day Holiday with Dinner for Veterans Tonight and Check Presentation Tomorrow

PAWTUCKET, RI — The Pawtucket Red Sox will commemorate the Veterans Day holiday by welcoming veterans to a steak dinner at McCoy Stadium tonight, and by making a contribution from the PawSox/Skeffington Charitable Foundation tomorrow at an event at the Warwick Mall.

For the second straight year, the PawSox this evening are presenting a four-course steak dinner inside the PawSox Clubhouse. The guests also receive a tour of the 75-year-old stadium and gifts from the PawSox. The honorees are residents from the YWCA Gateway to Independence Program for Veterans.

Tomorrow, several PawSox officials will make a donation to an organization that helps veterans secure housing and employment, as well as assistance for basic human needs. The PawSox’ chief liaison to veterans, Mike Lyons, will be joined by PawSox President Dr. Charles Steinberg and Vice-President/Club Counsel Kim Miner, who administers the foundation. The foundation is making a $3,000 contribution to Operation Stand Down of Johnston, Rhode Island.

“These modest gestures allow us to continue to demonstrate our appreciation to those who have served our country,” Steinberg said. “Hosting veterans last year was our first community event after several of us joined the ballclub, and it was inspiring.

“This season, we introduced a ceremony, ‘In Debt to a Vet,’ that allowed our fans to express their appreciation, as veterans stood on the field between innings and experienced a beautiful, nightly, sustained, heart-felt standing ovation.

“Now, in addition to welcoming veterans back for dinner again on the eve of Veterans Day, the PawSox/Skeffington Charitable Foundation is seeking to help our veterans further acclimate to their daily lives in our community. We hope that in our small way, we can improve their lives and increase their happiness.”

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

Vets Day package, discounts at Stache Shoppe

      In recognition of Veterans Day, the Lexington Legends are introducing a six-game ticket package for 2017 that will include Military Appreciation Night, Independence Day and a Sunday game on Memorial Day Weekend.   The package, which is available through November 14, also includes the home opener and the final home date of the season when the Legends, class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, will play a doubleheader.

In addition, with the holiday season approaching, the Legends invite fans to go to www.lexingtonlegends.com to take advantage of a 30% discount and free shipping on merchandise ordered online from the Legends’ team store, the Stache Shoppe. Click on the “Team Store” tab and enter the promo code USA2016    (no space).

The Legends Veterans Day Package schedule:

*Opening Night – Thursday, April 13, 7:05 p.m. Legends vs. West Virginia Power (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Memorial Day Weekend – Sunday, May 28, 2:05 p.m. Legends vs. Columbia Fireflies (New York Mets)
*Independence Day – Tuesday, July 4, 7:05 p.m. Legends vs. West Virginia Power (Pittsburgh Pirates)
*Military Appreciation Night – Saturday, July 8, 6:35 p.m. vs. Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox)
*Fan Appreciation Doubleheader – Wednesday, August 30, 5:35 p.m. vs. Augusta GreenJackets (San Francisco Giants)

*A fireworks show will follow the game.

(Games and start times are subject to change.)

With box seats, the package is priced at $50. Field box seats are $60. Each order will include a Legends lapel pin.

For more information on the ticket package, fans may go online to www.lexingtonlegends.com or call the Legends box office at 859 422-7867.

“There is always a lot of excitement at the ballpark on these special dates,” said Legends President/CEO Andy Shea. “This is a great opportunity for our fans to get these games on their calendars early.   We’ll look forward to seeing them here.”

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

ARVEST BALLPARK GOES GREEN FOR VETERANS

SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Arvest Ballpark, home of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, will go green on Friday, November 11 in celebration of Veteran’s Day and to support the ‘Greenlight A Vet’ program as a tribute to those that have served our country.

‘Greenlight A Vet’ is a program that is done throughout the country to shine a light on America’s veterans and to thank them for being such valuable members of our community. In honor of this great program, the videoboard at Arvest Ballpark will glow green on Friday from 3pm until approximately 9pm at night to honor the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Naturals’ fans are encouraged to take photos of Arvest Ballpark on Friday night and tag #GreenlightAVet on social media as a thank you to our veterans. For those that want more information on ‘Greenlight A Vet’, visit www.greenlightavet.com.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals also honor members of the military and our veterans during the season at Arvest Ballpark. The Naturals are proud to partner with Walmart on a ‘Military Thank You’ program where a member of the military is recognized prior to every Sunday home game. For more information on the program or to nominate a military member in your community for the 2017 season, please email Roxanne Grundmeier of the Naturals at Roxanne@nwanaturals.com.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our latest information on Season 10 of Naturals baseball set to begin on Thursday, April 6. 2017.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information, including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.

-Naturals-

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

River Cats salute Veterans with special ticket package

West Sacramento, CA – The Sacramento River Cats are proud to announce a special ticket package in celebration of Veterans Day. These Veterans Day ticket packages will be available only to military personnel (past or present) and their dependents on Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12 at the Round Table Pizza Ticket Office at Raley Field.

The ticket packages are available in both a Senate level option or an Assembly level option and include five River Cats games for the 2017 season: Opening Night, Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Game & Salute to Armed Forces doubleheader, Independence Day Eve, Salute to First Responders, and Labor Day.

In addition, the Assembly option comes with a River Cats-themed military challenge coin ($60) and the Senate option includes a River Cats camo cap ($90). Specialty items are based on availability.

“The Sacramento-region has very strong military ties, ranging from Beale and Travis Air Force Bases, the US Coast Guard at McClellan, the California National Guard units, reservists, retired service members, and their families and friends,” said River Cats General Manager, Chip Maxson. “We want to do our part to recognize these exemplary citizens and provide them a fun and unique River Cats experience.”

All military members or dependents can purchase this special package only on Friday, November 11, and Saturday, November 12 at the Round Table Pizza Ticket Office at Raley Field. The ticket office will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and again from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Please be prepared to show Military ID or proof of service upon purchase.

For more information, please call the River Cats ticket hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487) or email tickets@rivercats.com.

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About the Sacramento River Cats

The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the three-time World Champion San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. River Cats Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the upcoming 2017 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). For more information about the River Cats, visit www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.

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

Kernels seeking nominations for Military Heroes Card Set

Cedar Rapids, IA – The Cedar Rapids Kernels are seeking nominations for their fourth annual Military Heroes Baseball card set. The card set will represent each branch of the military and honor those who are currently serving our country, veterans who have served in the past but are no longer active, and those who bravely fought for our country, but have since passed away.

The card set will be given away to the first 1,000 fans that enter Veterans Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017. Those military heroes selected to appear in the card set and their families will be honored on the field following the July 4th game, and will receive four tickets to that game.

In honor of Veterans Day, the Kernels will begin taking nominations for the Military Heroes Card Set on Friday, November 11th. The first 35 submissions will make it into the 2017 card set, so we urge people to turn in their nominations right away. Nominations will be taken until Tuesday, January 31st, OR, until 35 submissions are received.

To give all past and current military the opportunity to be honored in the Military Heroes Card Set, we ask that those veterans included in the 2014, 2015 and 2016 set not be nominated.

Nomination forms can be accessed by visiting the Kernels offices during normal business hours, or online at by clicking here. Nominations can be submitted online, or mailed directly to the Kernels offices. Please include a photo of the Military Hero along with your completed nomination form.

For more information on the Military Heroes Baseball card set, or to access a nomination form, please contact Ryne George at (319) 896-7617 or by e-mail at ryne@kernels.com.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels are the Midwest League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Fluor Field Hosts SC Veterans Upstate Salute on Friday

The Drive have teamed up with GE, Greenville Health System and Michelin to create a new non-profit organization called the Upstate Veterans Alliance, and in conjunction with our partners, we are proud to announce the first annual SC Veterans Upstate Salute! You’re invited to join us in this free celebration on November 11th at Fluor Field, as we will honor our local veterans with a night full of entertainment.

The event will begin at 5:00 PM, with the Field Street gates at Fluor Field opening at 4:00. Highlights of the evening include a concert from country music star Tracy Lawrence, a 21-gun salute, parachuters, an aerial flyover and opportunities to meet community agencies supporting veterans and their families. The night will conclude with a spectacular fireworks show. The concession stands at Fluor Field will be open throughout the evening.

Registration is required to enter the event, and you can register at the link above or by CLICKING HERE.

For more information, including to learn more about the schedule of events for the Upstate Salute, please visit www.upstatesalute.com or call 864-240-4500. We hope to see you at Fluor Field on November 11th to help honor our nation’s veterans!

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

PawSox Win 2016 Community Involvement Award from Providence Business News

The Providence Business News has awarded their 2016 Community Involvement Award to the Pawtucket Red Sox in an announcement made this past Friday, October 14. The PawSox are one of 12 companies being recognized for business excellence. The award ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 17, at the Providence Marriott.

“The Pawtucket Red Sox have been an engaged member of the community throughout their history,” said Mark S. Murphy, Editor of the Providence Business News. “Their community track record has been especially strong since the 1999 establishment of the ballclub’s charity program, through which the team has donated more than $1 million to organizations serving the underprivileged throughout New England.”

The award marks the second major community recognition that the club has received in the past three years. In 2014, the PawSox received the John Henry Moss Community Service Award presented by Minor League Baseball for outstanding, on-going commitment to charitable service, along with exemplary leadership within its local community.

“To receive this award is an honor,” said PawSox President, Dr. Charles Steinberg. “To serve this community is a privilege.

All of us who love working with the PawSoAnchorx recognize the role that baseball can play in our community. We look forward to doing even more for the people of Pawtucket and the people of Rhode Island.”

With over 120 community appearances made to date in 2016, the PawSox are on pace to triple the number of mascot and player appearances the team made in 2015 to Rhode Island and surrounding Massachusetts communities.

The PawSox have also unveiled successful new community oriented promotions at the ballpark in 2016, such as “My Hero Mondays,” where fans nominated community heroes to be recognized on the field prior to every Monday home game. The club’s new “In Debt to a Vet” in-game program allowed our region’s servicemen and women to be honored and thanked for their service to our country at every PawSox home game.

The support for our nation’s heroes continued at the PawSox Annual 5K Walk & Run in September, where over $6,000 was raised for veteran and military support groups.

Also in the month of September, PawSox players and coaches provided hands-on instruction to over 200 children with various physical and mental disabilities at the Annual Challenger Clinic— led by PawSox manager Kevin Boles.

On the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, members of the PawSox community set a club record by donating 71 units of blood for the Rhode Island Blood Center in a revamped drive at McCoy Stadium, generating several times the amount of blood units collected at previous McCoy blood drives.

“The team’s recognition of its unique role in the community, and its determination to use that role to improve that community, is a worthy example for all companies,” Murphy explained. “It makes the PawSox the well-deserved honoree for community involvement in the 2016 PBN Business Excellence Awards Program.”

As playoff baseball continues during the month of October, the PawSox are looking forward to continuing some of their cornerstone community traditions, such as the all-expenses-paid World Series trip to two lucky families from the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket.

Last off-season, the PawSox introduced an additional slate of community events and activities at the ballpark, including a Veterans Day Dinner, luncheons around the holidays for local school children, a holiday caravan with PawSox players and Front Office members, a Black History Month celebration with local youth groups in the PawSox clubhouse, and Valentine’s Day rose deliveries to senior centers in the area. These are all programs that the PawSox are excited to continue this off-season, along with soon announcing a major new educational initiative geared towards local students.

Those who are interested in joining the PawSox on November 17 to accept this special community honor can visit www.pbn.com, where individual tickets to the PBN Business Excellence Awards can be purchased.

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

Baysox Nominated for Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award

BOWIE, Md. – The Bowie Baysox and the Eastern League of Professional Baseball Clubs announce that the Baysox are the league’s nominee for the Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award, presented to a club for outstanding support of and engagement with the United States Armed Forces and veterans, both at the ballpark and in the community.

An overall winner is selected from among the nominees from each league by Minor League Baseball and honored at the 2016 Baseball Winter Meetings at National Harbor, Md.

Located just miles from Washington, DC and several United States military bases, including the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the Baysox take great pride in their relationship with area active military and veterans. The team hosts a number of military-themed events throughout the season in addition to nightly ticket discounts for current and former military and monthly Military Appreciation Nights that include additional ticket discounts.

One of the highlights of the Baysox promotional calendar is Navy Night, held in early August. The team donates 5,000 tickets to local Naval personnel, distributed through local MWR offices, and the Baysox also host the entire Summer Plebe Class from the Naval Academy. As their summer program comes to an end, the Naval Academy’s incoming 1,200 person freshman class gets to enjoy a Baysox game while wearing their dress white uniforms in public for the first time.

For the third consecutive season, the Baysox also honored local current and former military heroes with a special baseball card set giveaway on Friday, Aug. 26. Earlier in the season, the Baysox received nominations from friends and family for military heroes to include in the 18-card set. The team invited each military hero out to the game for special recognition as the baseball cards were distributed to fans in attendance.

Throughout the season, the Baysox also hosted special nights for the individuals and families serving at Joint Base Andrews and Fort Meade. Free tickets were distributed to the bases and men and women from the bases were recognized throughout the game. The Baysox also invite service members to perform the National Anthem and Honorary Color Guards to present the colors during games throughout the season, including Memorial Day and Independence Day.

The team’s relationship with the local military does not exist only during Baysox games. Throughout the season, the Baysox mascot Louie could be found at community military events throughout the region. The Baysox also partnered with the Travis Manion Foundation for their 9/11 Heroes 5K run in Annapolis and with the Vet Tix organization to provide free Baysox tickets to active military and their families throughout the season. For the fourth season, the Baysox also hosted the Amputee Warrior Softball Classic at Prince George’s Stadium in June. The charity softball game teamed NFL stars, including Redskins DeSean Jackson and Bashaud Breeland, with members of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team with proceeds benefitting the Connected Warrior Foundation, Yellow Ribbon Fund and WWAST.

The Baysox front office staff also got involved during the 2016 season by participating in the #22KILL push-up challenge. Prior to each home game, the Baysox front office staff did 22 push-ups to help raise awareness to the 22 military veterans, on average, who commit suicide each day. The Baysox began participating in this challenge in May and collectively, completed nearly 12,500 push-ups during the season. Videos can be found on the Baysox and 22KILL Facebook pages.

The Bowie Baysox season is presented by Money One Federal Credit Union. The Baysox season has ended, but the team will return in 2017 to celebrate its 25th Season. The team’s 2017 home opener will be Thursday, April 14 against the Harrisburg Senators at 6:35 p.m. To keep up with Baysox news during the offseason, visit baysox.com

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

D-Braves nominated for Charles Murphy Patriot Award

DANVILLE, Va. – The Appalachian League announced its nominations for the Minor League Baseball Annual Awards Wednesday afternoon, with the Danville Braves earning the league’s nomination for the Charles Murphy Patriot Award. The award is presented to a team who demonstrates “outstanding support of and engagement with the United States Armed Forces and veterans, both at the ballpark and in the community.”

The D-Braves placed a strong focus on recognizing and honoring the military throughout the month of July during the 2016 season, with each Friday game and the team’s July 3rd contest being dubbed Military Appreciation Night presented by Angus Heating and Air and Blue Ridge Beverage. The Braves’ wore special military-themed jerseys on each of the Military Appreciation Nights, with the game-used jerseys being auctioned off to benefit the Danville Veterans Memorial and the Fort Bragg Fisher House.

Additionally, the D-Braves welcomed members of the Dan River High School J-ROTC for the National Anthem prior to each game on Military Appreciation Nights.

“We are honored to represent the Appalachian League for this award,” said D-Braves General Manager David Cross. “The U.S. Military and their families have provided more than we can ever repay, and honoring them in the ways we have is the least we can do.”

This year’s Charles Murphy Patriot Award will be presented at the 2016 Baseball Winter Meetings to be held in National Harbor, Maryland from December 4-8.

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

Tampa Yankees to “Play4theCure” on Fan Appreciation Night

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Yankees will host their annual Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday, August 27th. The Yankees are scheduled to play the Brevard County Manatees at 6:00 p.m. Fans are welcome to enjoy a night full of prizes and fun as the 2016 season comes to an end. The night will conclude with a postgame fireworks show, presented by Sonny’s BBQ.

Play4TheCure and Minor League Baseball are teaming up for the second year in a row to raise funds for the National Foundation for Cancer Research. Proceeds from a 50/50 raffle, along with other fan games, will benefit cancer research. Players and fans will receive “I Play 4 ___” signs and are encouraged to fill them out to be recognized on the video board during the game.

“Play4TheCure inspires young athletes and their teams to leverage their passion for sports to “Play4″ loved ones affected by cancer and encourages them to actively participate in working to fund cancer research to make a difference.” – NFCR.org

In addition, August 27th will also be the final “Salute to Service Members Saturday” of the season. All military receive a FREE upper reserved ticket with valid I.D. Kids run the bases before the game from 5-5:15 p.m. and receive player autographs on the concourse from 5:10-5:30 p.m. **Ticket special can ONLY be redeemed at the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office.

Individual game tickets can be purchased at the George M. Steinbrenner Field Box Office. Tickets start at $4 for general admission, $6 for reserved seating, and parking is always free.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single A-Advanced Affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information, you may contact the Tampa Yankees office at (813) 673-3055 or visit www.tybaseball.com.

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

Specialty Jersey Night to Honor Paralyzed Veterans of America

The Bristol Pirates are excited to host the first-ever specialty jersey night at Boyce Cox Field next Thursday, August 18, when the Pirates play host to their division-rival Johnson City Cardinals.

Pirates’ players and staff will sport special jerseys for the one game, in support of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), courtesy of the generous support of Food City.

NASCAR legend and PVA supporter Richard Petty will be on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, along with NASCAR driver Aric Almirola and the president of the PVA, Bill Lawson.

Following the game, Petty and the player or staff member wearing each jersey will autograph the jerseys.

During the game, fans can bid on the jersey of their favorite players in a silent auction conducted in the ballpark pavilion on the third-base side of the field. Following the game, until the end of the Pirates’ regular season, bidding will continue online at www.milbauctions.com.

Gates will open early at the special time of 4:30 p.m., for this game, which promises to draw a large crowd. The game will begin at 5:30 p.m., and fans are invited to stay after the game and enjoy the transporter parade as it makes its way down Euclid Avenue, past the ballpark. It is expected that the parade will also feature fireworks.

“We are tremendously excited to host this event, and the King of NASCAR, Richard Petty, and to be able to call attention to the wonderful work the PVA does across the country,” noted Pirates’ General Manager Mahlon Luttrell. “We would not have been able to do this without the wonderful support of our friends at Food City.”

For more information on the Pirates, visit www.BristolPiratesBaseball.com. To keep up with breaking news, follow the Pirates on Twitter (@PiratesNBristol) or visit their Facebook page.

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

Wings’ jersey’s journey to Afghanistan

Rochester, N.Y. to Afghanistan — 6,673 miles.

That’s the distance between Rochester and Afghanistan. That distance would take you from New York to L.A. and back to Des Moines, Iowa.

Jose Berrios has memorabilia that resides there, but he doesn’t know it.

On the Fourth of July a season-high 11,574 spectators filed into Frontier Field as the Wings dropped a 5-2 decision to Buffalo. That night Rochester donned patriotic threads that were silent auctioned following the game to benefit the Veteran’s Outreach Center in Rochester.

Gracious fans raised $3,380 on Independence Day to lay claim to the unique game worn Wings artifacts. Many of the jerseys can be seen worn by fans around the park while others have them framed in their homes.

Jose Berrios’ jersey won’t be seen by anybody for quite some time because his is currently 6,673 miles away in Afghanistan.

Danny Cashman has been in the military since 2005 where he joined as a military police officer and was sent to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for one station unit training. Later that year he was sent to Fort Benning in Georgia where he participated in jump school as a paratrooper in the 82nd airborne. He was then stationed in Fayetteville, North Carolina before being stationed in Afghanistan for 15 months from 2007-08.

There is not a lot to do in down time while overseas. One day Cashman was sent a baseball and he went out in the field with the guys and played with it. Soldiers were sent soccer balls and they played with those. Practically anything over there could be used to goof off and have a good time.

Now, Cashman sends whatever he can get his hands on overseas. Upon his return in 2008 he has been collecting game-used baseballs, bats, and a game-used base from a Red Wings game that hangs in the dining hall of his former base. He’s also sent over basic supplies like socks and T-shirts because at the end of the day he knows anything is appreciated.

“The baseball stuff (we received) was a surprise and it was like ‘Hey this is awesome!’ Stuff like that sent to any solider packages would be utilized and it was nice. Unless you have a family member or friends sending you things it can be tough and you don’t know what you are going to get. Being able to keep their morale up is huge.”

Jose’s jersey was sent over to a good friend of Cashman not only because of the patriotic colors of the jersey, but also because of the number.

The duo both thoroughly enjoy the movie The Replacements and quarterback Shane Falco sports #16 in the film so the number has stuck for the two men.

So while the $3,380 is going to help war veterans in Rochester, the jerseys themselves are having an impact themselves over 6,000 miles away.

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

Military Mom Surprises Children With Special Homecoming At Cougars Game

Technical Sgt. Ashley Reese embraces her three children Luke (10), Micah (6) and Leia (3) following a seven-month deployment in Qatar. Luke and Micah each threw out a first pitch before the Cougars game on July 14 followed by their mom coming out of the dugout to surprise them with her homecoming (Kane County Cougars – Donnell Collins)

GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Cougars had the privilege of assisting Technical Sergeant Ashley Reese with surprising her three children before the game on Thursday evening against the West Michigan Whitecaps. Ten-year old Luke and six-year old Micah each threw out a first pitch while their three-year old sister Leia looked on in excitement. Immediately following the first pitches, Cougars on-field MC Sam Ostrowski, informed the crowd that a special guest was on hand as Ashley made her way out of the Cougars dugout to embrace her children as well as her parents, Diana and Mike, for the first time in seven months. The special moment brought more than 8,800 fans to their feet to give the family a standing ovation.

Ashley, who grew up in Wayne, Ill. returned home this week following a seven month deployment in Qatar with the National Guard. As her husband Michael Hommowun also serves in the military, grandparents Diana and Mike Reese, residents of Elgin, Ill. help with childcare when both are deployed or must report for military drills. Sgt. Reese and her husband, who reside in Bristol, Tenn. with their three children, have planned a family camping trip to Dollywood.

Video Courtesy of NBC 5 Chicago – Regina Waldroup

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