Nominate a Military Hero: Military Card Set Giveaway, 8/30

Calling all local military families, friends…nominate today!

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Lowell-SpinnersThe Lowell Spinners, Class-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, are once again looking for local military veterans and active duty soldiers to salute in their second edition “Military Hero Baseball Card Set,” presented by Army ROTC and The Lowell Sun. 30 honorees will be selected to comprise the set, which will be given to the first 1,000 fans in attendance August 30.

“We are thrilled to be able to continue what we hope is an annual tradition with this special baseball card set,” said Spinners President and General Manager Tim Bawmann. “Last season’s game was perhaps one of the most emotional nights at the ballpark of my baseball career, not just for the honorees, but for everyone in attendance. We can’t wait to meet this year’s honorees.”

Following the first edition of the set, given away during the 2013 season where the Spinners honored 34 local veterans and active duty servicemen and women, the promotion was so popular it was awarded a Minor League Baseball Golden Bobble Head for “Best In-Game Promotion.” In addition, over 12 other organizations have implemented a similar promotion in their community this season.

“When they say imitation is the best form of flattery, they were not lying,” said Bawmann. “To have this promotion take off to the point where other communities are doing a similar theme to honor their local servicemen and women is so great to see.”

The non-traditional baseball card set will feature men and women from throughout the Merrimack Valley who have served our country. The 30 card set will be given away to the first 1,000 fans through the gate Saturday, August 30 with the families and heroes themselves in attendance.

“As we learned last year, the hardest part of the process is whittling the set down to 30 honorees,” said Bawmann. “There are so many heroes out there which is why we are so happy to have this as an annual promotion.”

The Spinners are calling on people throughout the Merrimack Valley to nominate their friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. Nominations can be made at www.lowellspinners.com/militaryhero now through Tuesday, August 12 and the “roster” will be released shortly thereafter.

For more information on nominating a member of the community for the set, visit www.lowellspinners.com or www.lowellspinners.com/militaryhero.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lowell Spinners. Click here to view the original story.

Muckdogs Announce Youth Camp

Join us at Dwyer Stadium August 18, 19th and 20th for our youth baseball camp!

Kids ages 6-14 will receive two days of on-field instruction from the Muckdogs players and coaches on August 18th and 19th from 9am – 12pm. Children will learn from the pros in the areas of hitting, fielding, pitching, catching, base running and bunting. Then on August 20th, campers will be able to come back to Dwyer for a private autograph signing with the team 30 minutes before the gates open (5:30pm) and then be recognized on the field prior to the Muckdogs game vs. the West Virginia Black Bears (Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate).

Campers will also receive a special t-shirt not available in the team store, a camp photo, two tickets to the August 20th game, as well as daily lunch, all for only $70. Registration forms are available at Dwyer Stadium or by clicking here. Space is limited and all registrations and payments must be turned in by Friday, August 5th.

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

Muckdogs Announce Youth Camp

Join us at Dwyer Stadium August 7th, 8th and 9th for our youth baseball camp!

Batavia-MuckdogsKids ages 6-14 will receive two days of on-field instruction from the Muckdogs players and coaches on August 7th & 8th from 9am – 12pm. Children will learn from the pros in the areas of hitting, fielding, pitching, catching base running and bunting. Then on August 9th, campers will be able to come back to Dwyer for a private autograph signing with the team 30 minutes before the gates open (5:30pm) and then be recognized on the field prior to the Muckdogs game vs. the Brooklyn Cyclones (NY Mets affiliate).

Campers will also receive a special t-shirt not available in the team store, a camp photo, two tickets to the August 9th game, as well as daily lunch, all for only $70. Registration forms are available at Dwyer Stadium or by clicking here. Space is limited and all registrations must be turned in by Thursday, July 31st. 

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Batavia Muckdogs. Click here to view the original story.

Free Spikes Youth Baseball Clinic Saturday from 11-1

Kids 12 and under can learn baseball skills from Spikes players & coaches!

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State-College-SpikesKids can learn baseball fundamentals from the pros at the Spikes Youth Baseball Clinic, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, on Saturday, June 12. The clinic is free with a ticket to Saturday night’s 7:05 p.m. Spikes game, and will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Spikes players will help kids sharpen their basic skills, including pitching, fielding and hitting, at the clinic. Kids and parents will also receive tips on injury prevention from a Penn State Sports Medicine physician. Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m., and participating kids will have the opportunity to get autographs from the players at the end of the clinic.

The Youth Baseball Clinic starts a jam-packed day at the ballpark, as the Spikes face the Staten Island Yankees at 7:05 p.m., with FIREWORKS after the game presented by Penn State Sports Medicine as well. It’s also a Scratch n’ Win Saturday, where every fan will be a winner as each fans receives a scratch-off card with a great prize or discount on it. In addition, one lucky fan will receive the chance to win a new Kia car with the Lion Country Kia Dice Roll.

After the game, kids can run the bases thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the State College Spikes. Click here to view the original story.

Cutters Kids Camp to be Held August 2nd

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Williamsport-CrosscuttersThe Williamsport Crosscutters will be holding their annual Cutters Kids Camp on Saturday, August 2 from 9am-1pm at Susquehanna Bank Park. The camp, presented by Susquehanna Bank, is open to any child between the ages of 7 and 14.

The camp will include; specialized baseball instruction from Cutters Manager Shawn Williams, and coaches Aaron Fultz and Eddie Dennis, along with selected Cutters players.

All campers will receive a Cutters logo baseball, camp certificate, lunch with the players after the camp and two tickets to the August 2 Cutters game where camp participants will come on the field with the Crosscutters for the National Anthem.

Space is limited. The cost is $65 per child and all participants must be pre-registered. Registration forms are available online at www.crosscutters.com or at Susquehanna Bank Park.

For more information on the Cutters Kids Camp, call the Cutters Hotline at (570) 326-3389.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Williamsport Crosscutters. Click here to view the original story.

GARY CARTER FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER — JUNE 29th

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Brooklyn-CyclonesEarlier this year, the Mets family lost a long-time member with the passing of beloved Hall of Fame catcher and Mets icon, Gary Carter, who left us on February 16th after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Throughout his Hall of Fame career, Gary Carter graced the game he loved with the fearlessness of a warrior and the joyful exuberance of a kid. His passion, leadership and guidance cemented his place in Mets lore as one of the most influential players in franchise history.

Gary-Carter-FoundationThe Kid was a key cog during the Mets World Series Championship in 1986, and will forever be revered as a fan favorite by those who root for the orange and blue. Although Carter entered the Hall of Fame as a member of the Montreal Expos, he always had the orange and blue of his beloved New York Mets running through his veins.

With that in mind, the Cyclones will remember Gary Carter in a special pre-game ceremony on Friday, June 29th prior to the 7:00 pm game against the Aberdeen IronBirds. That evening the Cyclones will wear special orange and blue jerseys with a “Kid 8” memorial patch on the right sleeve – the same patch that the New York Mets are wearing throughout the season.

These special jerseys will be raffled off throughout the game with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Gary Carter Foundation. This organization carries on Gary’s mission to better the physical, mental and spiritual well being of children in need. Even after his death the Kid continues to enrich the lives of those less fortunate.

Here’s a look at the special jerseys the team will wear and raffle off that evening:

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This article originally appeared on the official website of the Brooklyn Cyclones. Click here to view the original story.

Tri-City ValleyCats Host First Ever Education Day

ValleyCats integrate education, anti-bullying as it relates to baseball

Tri-City-Valley-CatsThe Tri City ValleyCats will host its first ever Education Day at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on Tuesday, June 17 at 10 a.m. to support the organization’s mission to create “Fans for Life” in a safe and clean environment.

The ValleyCats created a curriculum that includes character development and anti-bullying facets, as well as traditional educational subject matter as it relates to the game of baseball. This curriculum was available online to schools throughout the Capital Region this spring and will culminate in an all-encompassing educational field trip when the ValleyCats host the Lowell Spinners.

The ValleyCats existing “Strike Out Bullying” program, with BlueShield of Northeastern New York, focuses on educating students about the importance of treating others equally and standing up for their peers. This has included in-school assemblies and students attending Education Day will be encouraged to recite the ValleyCats “Peace Pledge” as a part of the day’s curriculum.

“We are very excited to host this first-time event at the stadium,” Assistant General Manager Matt Callahan said. “Our team has tried to create an event where students have the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom, spend time with peers and enjoy an educational day at the ballpark.”

Additional activities will provide students with real world applications in the areas of mathematics, history and geography. Several local organizations have supported this initiative and helped make these field trips possible for Capital Region schools. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is a lead partner for the Education Day event and supports educational opportunities throughout the area.

“At Regeneron, we are committed to a better future,” a Regeneron representative said. “This promise is at the core of our mission to discover and develop new medicines, which allows us to deliver greater value to our patients, employees and communities. We believe that education, particularly science, technology, engineering and math is a key component to this development. As such, we are proud to support the ValleyCats first annual Education Day.”

Additional support was provided by Transfinder in support of Schenectady schools and St. Peter’s Health Partners’ Sexual Assault & Crime Victims Assistance Program in a partnership with several Rensselaer County Schools.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Tri-City ValleyCats. Click here to view the original story.

“Pink the Park” is Back for the Second Straight Year!

Jammers and WCA Hospital will team up to raise awareness for Breast Cancer June 20th.

Jamestown-JammersNext Friday (June 20th), WCA Hospital and the Jamestown Jammers will team up to host the second annual Pink the Park baseball game at Russell E. Diethrick Park. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. followed by the first pitch at 7:05 p.m. as the Jammers begin their two-game series against the State College Spikes.

In addition to decorating the park in pink, the Jamestown Jammers players and coaches will be donning pink socks and wrist bands (courtesy of the Jamestown Cycle Shop), and are asking fans to join them as they Pink the Park by also wearing pink.

WCA-HospitalIn addition to raising awareness for good breast health and promoting annual mammograms, WCA and the Jammers will pay tribute to breast cancer survivors just before the ceremonial first pitch. All breast cancer survivors are invited to gather near the Jammers dugout along the third base line at 6:45p.m. before being honored on the field.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Jamestown Jammers. Click here to view the original story.

Little Lake Monsters Program Announced

Vermont-Lake-Monsters-2014The Vermont Lake Monsters and Northwestern Urgent Care are teaming up to reward nine kids in the community with a once in a lifetime experience with a new community program called the “Little Lake Monsters” Community All-Star Team.

Both organizations believe strongly in doing the right things and living a healthy lifestyle. From June 16th – July 6th, kids (between the ages of 5 to 12 years old) will be allowed to register online and submit their answers to three (3) questions for their chance to be selected as one of this years Little Lake Monsters.

Northwestern-Medical-CenterChildren will be asked to submit answers to questions focusing on sportsmanship, healthy lifestyles, and community. A committee will select the nine children based on their answers and experiences that they have written about.

Each of the nine children selected will be rewarded with an experience that will show what it is like to live the day in the life of a professional baseball player. Each of the nine children will be rewarded and anointed the “Little Lake Monsters” and on August 22nd experience the opportunity of a lifetime where they will:

* Be announced at a press conference where they will be presented with their own custom Vermont Lake Monsters jersey (name and number) and official cap

* Be signed to a one-day promotional contract with the Vermont Lake Monsters

* Take a limousine from the press conference to historic Centennial Field

* Have the chance to take batting practice with the Vermont Lake Monsters

* Be introduced to the crowd, recognized for their community efforts, and presented with their pay for they day, which will in turn be donated to a charitable organization

* Throw out a ceremonial first pitch on August 22nd

* Run out on the field for the National Anthem with the Vermont Lake Monsters team

* Have the chance to sit in the dugout with the team for an inning during the game

* Be presented with their very own Vermont Lake Monsters baseball card, which will also be the giveaway for that evening’s game

“All of the things that we are rewarding the kids with are things that we in the business take for granted,” said Nate Cloutier, Lake Monsters General Manager. “Things like throwing out a first pitch or getting up close and personal with the team, may not mean much to some of us, but these are experiences that can change the lives of kids and create lifelong memories. We are trying to create an association with being rewarded for doing the right things. We are thrilled to have found a partner in Northwestern Medical Center, who believes in the same values that we do.”

“Northwestern Medical Center is pleased to team up with the Vermont Lake Monsters to celebrate kids’ efforts to be healthy and encourage families to adopt healthier lifestyles,” said Jill Berry Bowen, NMC’s Chief Executive Officer. “By improving health in Vermont, we all win.”

Free Press Media is a proud media sponsor for both the event and program.

Click here to register for the chance to be a part of this year’s Little Lake Monsters Community All Star Team

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Vermont Lake Monsters. Click here to view the original story.

Staten Island Yankees to Host Megan’s Lemonade Stand to Support Wounded Warriors Project

Staten-Island-YankeesOn Sunday, June 15, the Staten Island Yankees are partnering with the Ajello’s to host a fundraising event at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. All funds generated will go to the Wounded Warriors Project.

Megan’s Lemonade Stand will start when the gates at Richmond County Bank Ballpark open at 3 p.m. Staten Island Yankees fans will be able to donate to the lemonade that is prepared by Megan Ajello to raise money for the Wounded Warriors. Also, the first 2,500 fans in the ballpark will receive a “Megan’s Lemonade Stand” souvenir cup.

Wounded-Warrior-ProjectAbout Megan’s Lemonade Stand

The lemonade stand for charity started over five years ago in the Ajello driveway. It was the idea of Megan’s sister, Erin. Erin decided the first lemonade stand would benefit West Shore Little League, which was the first Staten Island Little League to include physically disabled children, the Challengers. The 2008 Megan’s Lemonade stand went to the Strong Kids Campaign for the YMCA. The Ajello family, including parents Linda and Danny, has been members of the South Shore YMCA since 2000. The lemonade stands continued to make thousands of dollars for charities over the years. In 2011, Linda Ajello nominated Megan as a HOPE Week nominee as part of the New York Yankees HOPE Week initiative. The New York Yankees were impressed with Megan’s determination. Megan has cerebral palsy, has a seizure disorder, cannot walk, and has gone for more than five major operations, including a spinal fusion which placed metal rods and over 37 screws in her spine. Megan has never let that stop her, and she is always smiling. The New York Yankees not only picked Megan as their nominee for July 28, 2011, they made Megan’s Lemonade Stand for charity famous. The generous New York Yankees built a lemonade stand that is truly accessible for Megan, supported the Special Olympics and also the Seton Foundation for Education.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Staten Island Yankees. Click here to view the original story.

CYCLONES ANNOUNCE SEAT OF HONOR FOR 2014

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Brooklyn-CyclonesOn a day in our nation’s history that is forever connected to the sacrifices made by the members of our armed forces, the Cyclones have announced that they will partner with Rolling Thunder – NYC Chapters to have a Chair of Honor at MCU Park. The chair, which will be painted black and feature the POW / MIA emblem, will remain unoccupied in perpetuity in honor of the more than 80,000 American soldiers who have gone missing in action.

“As a nation, we are eternally grateful for the sacrifices the men and women of our armed forces have made, and continue to make, so that we can enjoy the freedoms that come with being an American,” said Cyclones Vice President Steve Cohen. “This is our organization’s way of showing that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.”

Rolling-ThunderThe seat, which will be located in the first row of section seven, will be unveiled in a pre-game ceremony prior to the July 4th game against the Aberdeen IronBirds.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Rolling Thunder for this endeavor,” said Brooklyn Cyclones Account Executive Angelina Tennis, whose husband is an Army veteran that served in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of a POW / MIA task force, and is heading this project for the Cyclones. “I have a personal connection to the POW/ MIA cause, so I’m especially proud that our organization is the first team in New York City to join with Rolling Thunder for this project.”

Rolling Thunder is a not-for-profit organization that focuses on POW / MIA initiatives. With over 90-chartered chapters across the United States, Rolling Thunder looks to educate the public about the tens of thousands of men and women unaccounted for in past conflicts, while also aiming to protect future veterans from being left behind. The addition of the Chair of Honor at MCU Park is another step towards the Rolling Thunder’s goal of having a POW / MIA chair in every professional sports venue across the United States of America.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Brooklyn Cyclones. Click here to view the original story.

2014 NYPL Scholarship Contest

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The Class-A Short-Season New York-Penn League and its member clubs are proud to announce that the league’s philanthropic arm, the NYPL Charitable Foundation, will once again award over $10,000 in scholarships this summer to deserving high school graduates from the league’s 14 markets.

Download Application Form »

Now in its sixth year, the 2014 NYPL Scholarship Contest is open to any graduating senior from a public or private high school within the league’s footprint. Any student who has been accepted at a two or four-year college or university, vocational school, or technical education institution is eligible. Applicants will be judged based on academic performance, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and the impact their local NYPL club and Minor League Baseball have had on their lives.

The scholarship contest will consist of two stages – a local round and a divisional round. In the local stage, students will apply directly to their local NYPL team, with one applicant chosen by each of the 14 teams to advance to the divisional/final round. The 14 finalists will then be separated by the division of the team they represent. The winning application from each of the NYPL’s three divisions (McNamara, Pinckney and Stedler) will receive the top prize of a $2,500 scholarship. All other finalists will receive a $250 book award.

“The New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation and our 14 member clubs are pleased to have the opportunity to assist outstanding high school seniors within our league’s footprint for the sixth consecutive season,” said Ben J. Hayes, President of the New York-Penn League. “This program will again recognize those seniors who not only meet and exceed traditional scholarship criteria, but demonstrate the positive community impact and lifelong memories fostered by their local NYPL clubs throughout the year.”

High school seniors interested in entering the 2014 Scholarship Contest can obtain the official application from their local NYPL club, or by visiting the league’s official website, New York-Penn League.com.

The deadline to submit applications to the nearest NYPL team is June 27, 2014. Each club’s winner, including the three $2,500 scholarship recipients, will be selected in late July and honored at a game in August.

Download Application Form »

The New York-Penn League and its 14 member clubs created the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, in 2003. The mission of the Foundation is to provide focus and support for the collective and individual charitable and community efforts of the New York-Penn League, its Clubs, and their staff.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Aberdeen IronBirds. Click here to view the original story.

Scrappers Partner With Krinos Group to Honor Members of the Community

Mahoning-Valley-Scrappers-2014This season, the Scrappers and Krinos Group, a Family of Financial Services, have partnered together to honor upstanding members of our community who have shown the qualities associated with being Scrappy; resiliency and a determined spirit.

Fan are encouraged to nominate members of the community who encompass these traits and the selected nominees will receive four all inclusive seats in the Mr. Rooter Diamond Club. A different winner will be honored during each 2014 Scrappers home game, courtesy of Krinos Group.

All ages will be considered. Fans recommending nominees should provide a brief overview of why the nominee should be selected as well as contact information for both the nominator and the nominee. The form may be downloaded here.

Nominations can be emailed to astoltenberg@mvscrappers.com or sent to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 111 Eastwood Mall Blvd, Niles, OH 4446 Attn: Annie Stoltenberg. Nomination forms are available at www.mvscrappers.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Click here to view the original story.

Support Uplifting Athletes by attending tonight’s game

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State-College-SpikesPlease join the Penn State Chapter of Uplifting Athletes in fighting kidney cancer with the State College Spikes on Friday, July 11! A portion of tickets sold will be donated to Uplifting Athletes to assist in the fight against rare diseases.

Tickets can be purchased at TicketReturn.com for $12 each. When ordering your tickets, use the Username “Uplifting” and the password “Athletes“ to receive your discount and benefit Uplifting Athletes. Uplifting Athletes tickets are also available by calling 814-272-0237.

Uplifting-AthletesEven if you are unable to attend the game, you can still help! We will be taking ticket orders as donations for any family who is affected by a rare disease. Too often a baseball game is not in the budget for some of these families, but you can indicate that your ticket donation is for a family in need and we will make sure they gain free admittance. Even better, a portion of your donation will also be given to Uplifting Athletes to help fight rare diseases.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the State College Spikes. Click here to view the original story.

Spikes, First National Bank form CCUW Home Run Club

Pledge donations for Spikes homers, earn free Spikes tickets!

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State-College-SpikesThe State College Spikes will be providing fans a new way to show their support for the Centre County United Way in 2014 with the Home Run Club, presented by First National Bank. Fans will be able to make a pledge for each time a Spikes player hits a homer at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park this summer, and the donations will benefit the Centre County United Way and its 34 partner agencies.

Spikes fans will be encouraged to join First National Bank and the Spikes in making a pledge through public address announcements and videos during each game. Pledge cards can be filled out at Spikes games throughout the season at the Collegiate Pride Customer Service Center on the main concourse behind home plate.

United-WayAt the end of the season, businesses and individuals who have made home run pledges will be invited to participate in an on-field check presentation with First National Bank, Spikes and Centre County United Way representatives. Plus, any individual who joins the Home Run Club will receive two (2) free Spikes tickets to a future game.

“Our ability to improve lives in Centre County is a direct result of the support and advocacy of the Spikes and First National Bank,” said Tammy Gentzel, Executive Director of Centre County United Way. “We are having fun with this opportunity to ‘play ball’ and to Live United with two incredible community partners. We hope Spikes fans will join in the fun and make the Home Run Club a great success.”

The Spikes’ partnership with the Centre County United Way this season also includes the seventh annual Centre County United Way Partner Agency Series. The Partner Agency Series will shine the spotlight on 15 different organizations over the course of the summer.

The dates and spotlighted agencies for the Spikes’ CCUW Partner Agency Series are as follows:

  • June 27: Mid-State Literacy Council
  • June 29: Child Development & Family Council, Centre Crest Auxiliary and Centre County Youth Service Bureau
  • July 6: Centre County Youth Service Bureau
  • July 10: The Arc of Centre County
  • July 12: House of Care and Centre County Child Access Center
  • July 13: Centre County Youth Service Bureau
  • July 22: Centre HomeCare/Crossing Hospice
  • July 24: Easter Seals
  • July 26: Centre County Youth Service Bureau – presented by Stocker Chevrolet Subaru
  • August 1: Juniata Boy Scout Council and Skills of Central PA
  • August 2: TIDES
  • August 3: Centre County Youth Service Bureau
  • August 4: Centre for Alternatives in Community Justice
  • August 14: Strawberry Fields

This article originally appeared on the official website of the State College Spikes1. Click here to view the original story.