All Aboard the Fit Track Program

RailRiders’ Community Program Encourages Healthy Lifestyle

Moosic, Pa. – “All aboard” has taken on a whole new meaning. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) are coming down the stretch run for registration in their new Fit Track Program for the 2014 season. Fit Track is designed to enhance schools’ physical education programs and educate children, grades K-5, on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Area schools are encouraged to register for the free program. Registration concludes Friday, Dec. 20 and is limited to the first 15,000 students.

“We are delighted to do whatever we can to promote a healthy lifestyle among our children,” said RailRiders president/GM Rob Crain. “The habits for making healthy decisions begun at a young age can last a lifetime. We hope this program will trigger more and more smart choices.”

Fit Track focuses on three main healthy behaviors: being active at least 60 minutes per day; making healthy food choices; and getting at least eight hours of sleep a night. The RailRiders encourage kids to follow Fit Track by rewarding them with free admission to select SWB RailRiders home games and the chance for pre-game recognition at PNC Field.

For participating in the Fit Track program, each child will receive a RailRiders jump rope, meant to serve as a tool to get kids active outside of school. Jump ropes will be distributed to schools immediately following the return of the school’s registration form to the RailRiders front office, or during the kick-off assembly if applicable. The flexible program allows each school to create a four, eight or 12-week program.

CLICK HERE for registration forms and more information. All contact information is listed on the registration form. For any additional information or questions, please contact community relations manager Rachel Mark at 570-969-2255 ext. 3140 or rmark@swbrailriders.com.

The RailRiders’ 2014 season begins on Thursday, April 3 when the club kicks off a seven-game road trip at Syracuse against the Chiefs (Washington Nationals).The home slate commences a week later on Thursday, April 10 when the Chiefs visit PNC Field for a four-game series and homestand. For season ticket information or to book a ballpark group outing, call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

– SWB RailRiders – All Aboard! –

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Click here to view the original story.

Military Recognition Program Returns

RailRiders Searching for Military Members & Families to Honor

Moosic, Pa. – Veterans Day is a time of reflection, thanks and love for the brave men and women that defend our nation. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) are no exception on this special day. Today, the team announced the formal return of its Military Recognition Program for the 2014 season that will pay tribute to those that serve in our nation’s armed forces and their loved ones in NEPA. The search is on for the special folks that will receive these recognitions.

Each 2014 home game will spotlight these local heroes with recognition on the video board at PNC Field, the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch, and four field reserved seats to enjoy the game. The team is actively searching for a title sponsor of the program that will all the more solidify PNC Field as NEPA’s community ballpark.

“On behalf of our entire organization, a huge thank you to all of our veterans,” said RailRiders president/GM Rob Crain. “We try to do what we can for our own here in NEPA, but this program truly stands out since it helps those that help us all on the ultimate level.”

Area veterans, active military and families thereof are encouraged to contact the team’s community relations department with their armed forces tale as the nightly honors are expected to go quickly. Please submit the military member’s name, military branch, preferred month to attend, telephone number, e-mail address and street address. E-mails can be sent to SWB’s community relations manager, Rachel Mark, at rmark@swbrailriders.com. Or fans may mail their tales to the address below:

SWB RailRiders
ATTN: Community Relations
235 Montage Mountain Rd.
Moosic, PA 18507

The RailRiders’ 2014 season begins on Thursday, April 3 when the club kicks off a seven-game road trip at Syracuse against the Chiefs (Washington Nationals). The home slate commences a week later on Thursday, April 10 when the Chiefs visit PNC Field for a four-game series and homestand. For season ticket information, call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

– SWB RailRiders – All Aboard! –

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Click here to view the original story.

Community Love: 2013 Thus Far

Scranton-W-B-RailRiders-logoIt’s more than numbers. It’s more than hours or dollars. It’s human. It’s real. It’s one of life’s most paradoxical, yet overwhelming true truths. An intangible concept, an experience really, that resounds with a firmness greater than Montage Mountain herself. It is better to give than to receive. Year one of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) and the new PNC Field afforded the new-look franchise and the good folks of NEPA to get to know each other once more through more than just baseball. And the giving? Well, it sure felt good.

Below is a quick checklist of the highlight totals in 2013:

  • Front office staff hours volunteered: 890.5
  • Player hours volunteered: 202.5
  • Mascot appearances: 130
  • Donations: $24,044 (tickets/merchandise/autographed memorabilia)
  • Hurl the Pearl donation (Boys & Girls Club): $12,092
  • Allied Health Services donation: $16,000

Total donation including monetary value of volunteered hours from team/staff, all monetary donations and in-kind donations: $217,737

“The sum totals sound good, but what sticks with me are the individual moments,” said RailRiders president/GM Rob Crain. “I got more goosebumps from seeing the impact of the efforts spearheaded by our staff and community relations manager Rachel Mark than I’ve had at any other point in my life. It was a very good year.”

The Community Organization of the Night program made its debut this season. Each of the team’s 72 home games spotlighted a local non-profit/civic organization. That CON had the opportunity to spread its message to every guest through a pre-game on-field interview, a ceremonial first pitch, an on-air radio interview and a concourse table display.

The RailRiders’ Military Appreciation Program was implemented this season to show the team’s support of our nation’s active and retired military. The service person and his/her family were honored. Activities included complimentary game tickets, a pre-game on-field interview and a ceremonial first pitch.

SWB’s patriotic pride continued with another new tip of the cap, Setting A Seat Aside. To honor men and women affiliated with our nation’s military whom could not be at PNC Field, one significant seat (section 13, row 15, seat one) will forever remain empty and unsold.

A standard from previous years got a big boost as the Adopt-A-Field Program upped the number of local fields renovated to four. Front office staff and grounds crew members combined to give the area little league/softball fields a big league facelift. Staffers spent the entire day at each park cutting the infield, rebuilding pitching mounds, fertilizing/mowing grass, cleaning dugouts and more. The fields were chosen through a contest on the team’s Facebook page with representatives of local leagues posting pictures of their field and describing its renovation needs. The four photos that received the most “likes” on Facebook were the lucky winners (Avoca/Dupont Little League; South Scranton Little League; Staback Park; Marvine Dutch Gap).

As the top affiliate of the New York Yankees, the RailRiders proudly played their part in the organization’s annual HOPE (Helping Others Persevere and Excel) Week effort. The week-long community outreach program’s purpose is to touch as many liveChildrens-Miracle-Network-logo125s as possible in your area. Members of the RailRiders’ coaching staff, players and front office folks made their way throughout NEPA.

The week included a Children’s Miracle Network Day at the Ballpark on July 7. Twin boys who have overcome the worst of health adversities spent time on the field with players during batting practice, Little-League-Challenger-lostopped by the pre-game clubhouse, threw out ceremonial first pitches and spent the game in the owner’s suite with friends and family. One day later, the RailRiders hosted a baseball game for the Lackawanna County Challenger Little League. LCCLL gives children with special needs the chance to participate in athletics. RailRiders coaches and players spent the entire game on the field, coaching and encouraging the boys and girls while helping them to bat, run and slide. A ballpark lunch followed. July 9 meant two surprise hospital visits to Moses Taylor and Geisinger in downtown Scranton. Patients interacted with the players while receiving giveaways, autographs and an overall fun time. The week concluded with players and front office staffers visiting thB&G-of-NEPA-logoe Boys & Girls Club of NEPA. The morning was spent playing baseball, billiards and computer games. The epic conclusion sported a dodgeball match between the RailRiders and the Boys & Girls club.

Voluntary-Action-Center-logoOn Aug. 21, a tag-team food drive by the RailRiders and the Voluntary Action Center of NEPA sought out to stock as many food pantries in NEPA as possible. Fans received free game tickets in exchange for non-perishable food items. In addition to the food from fans, the RailRiders also presented the Voluntary Action Center with a check for $1,300 to assist with the fight against hunger in NEPA.

– SWB RailRiders – All Aboard! –

 

Community Love: 2013 Thus Far

Thousands of Hours, Over $200,000 Given Back to NEPA

Moosic, Pa. – It’s more than numbers. It’s more than hours or dollars. It’s human. It’s real. It’s one of life’s most paradoxical, yet overwhelming true truths. An intangible concept, an experience really, that resounds with a firmness greater than Montage Mountain herself. It is better to give than to receive. Year one of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) and the new PNC Field afforded the new-look franchise and the good folks of NEPA to get to know each other once more through more than just baseball. And the giving? Well, it sure felt good.

Below is a quick checklist of the highlight totals in 2013:

Front office staff hours volunteered: 890.5

Player hours volunteered: 202.5

Mascot appearances: 130

Donations: $24,044 (tickets/merchandise/autographed memorabilia)

Hurl the Pearl donation (Boys & Girls Club): $12,092

Allied Health Services donation: $16,000

Total donation including monetary value of volunteered hours from team/staff, all monetary donations and in-kind donations: $217,737

“The sum totals sound good, but what sticks with me are the individual moments,” said RailRiders president/GM Rob Crain. “I got more goosebumps from seeing the impact of the efforts spearheaded by our staff and community relations manager Rachel Mark than I’ve had at any other point in my life. It was a very good year.”

The Community Organization of the Night program made its debut this season. Each of the team’s 72 home games spotlighted a local non-profit/civic organization. That CON had the opportunity to spread its message to every guest through a pre-game on-field interview, a ceremonial first pitch, an on-air radio interview and a concourse table display.

The RailRiders’ Military Appreciation Program was implemented this season to show the team’s support of our nation’s active and retired military. The serviceperson and his/her family were honored. Activities included complimentary game tickets, a pre-game on-field interview and a ceremonial first pitch.

SWB’s patriotic pride continued with another new tip of the cap, Setting A Seat Aside. To honor men and women affiliated with our nation’s military whom could not be at PNC Field, one significant seat (section 13, row 15, seat one) will forever remain empty and unsold.

A standard from previous years got a big boost as the Adopt-A-Field Program upped the number of local fields renovated to four. Front office staff and grounds crew members combined to give the area little league/softball fields a big league facelift. Staffers spent the entire day at each park cutting the infield, rebuilding pitching mounds, fertilizing/mowing grass, cleaning dugouts and more. The fields were chosen through a contest on the team’s Facebook page with representatives of local leagues posting pictures of their field and describing its renovation needs. The four photos that received the most “likes” on Facebook were the lucky winners (Avoca/Dupont Little League; South Scranton Little League; Staback Park; Marvine Dutch Gap).

As the top affiliate of the New York Yankees, the RailRiders proudly played their part in the organization’s annual HOPE (Helping Others Persevere and Excel) Week effort. The week-long community outreach program’s purpose is to touch as many lives as possible in your area. Members of the RailRiders’ coaching staff, players and front office folks made their way throughout NEPA.

The week included a Children’s Miracle Network Day at the Ballpark on July 7. Twin boys who have overcome the worst of health adversities spent time on the field with players during batting practice, stopped by the pre-game clubhouse, threw out ceremonial first pitches and spent the game in the owner’s suite with friends and family. One day later, the RailRiders hosted a baseball game for the Lackawanna County Challenger Little League. LCCLL gives children with special needs the chance to participate in athletics. RailRiders coaches and players spent the entire game on the field, coaching and encouraging the boys and girls while helping them to bat, run and slide. A ballpark lunch followed. July 9 meant two surprise hospital visits to Moses Taylor and Geisinger in downtown Scranton. Patients interacted with the players while receiving giveaways, autographs and an overall fun time. The week concluded with players and front office staffers visiting the Boys & Girls Club of NEPA. The morning was spent playing baseball, billiards and computer games. The epic conclusion sported a dodgeball match between the RailRiders and the Boys & Girls club.

On Aug. 21, a tag-team food drive by the RailRiders and the Voluntary Action Center of NEPA sought out to stock as many food pantries in NEPA as possible. Fans received free game tickets in exchange for non-perishable food items. In addition to the food from fans, the RailRiders also presented the Voluntary Action Center with a check for $1,300 to assist with the fight against hunger in NEPA.

The RailRiders’ 2014 season begins on Thursday, April 3 when the club kicks off a seven-game road trip at Syracuse against the Chiefs (Washington Nationals). The home slate commences a week later on Thursday, April 10 when the Chiefs visit PNC Field for a four-game series and homestand. For season ticket information, call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

– SWB RailRiders – All Aboard! –

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Click here to view the original story.

Hurl the Pearl a Big Hit for Boys & Girls Club

RailRiders & Kost Tire to Present Check on Wednesday after Season-Long Fundraiser

Moosic, Pa. – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) have found a number of ways to further their community impact. A creative fan-favorite this season has been the “Hurl the Pearl” contest, presented by Kost Tire. For the contest, fans purchase “pearls”, soft baseballs, to hurl at the team’s pinstriped truck for prizes as it circles the warning track. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of NEPA. This unique fundraiser has raised $11,877 so far, with Wednesday’s game still left to add to that total.

“Kost Tire and Auto Service has been a long-time supporter of the Boys and Girls Club for over 10 years now because they do such a great job of keeping the kids in our community safe,” said Erwin Kost, Jr., Kost Tire vice president and club secretary.

The RailRiders and Kost Tire will present a check to the Boys & Girls Club of NEPA at the end of the sixth inning during Wednesday night’s game at PNC Field. This will come on the heels of the final “Hurl the Pearl” half-inning of the season, as fans will help add to the $11,877 total being donated.

“We’ve stepped up our community involvement in a number of ways, but ‘Hurl the Pearl’ is one of my favorites,” said RailRiders president/GM Rob Crain. “This unique event is not only fun for fans to purchase a pearl and try to toss it into a moving truck, but it also provides an avenue to make an impact with a very important organization in NEPA, the Boys & Girls Club.”

Nightly “Hurl the Pearl” winners receive a $25 gift certificate to Kost Tire and Auto. The grand prize winner receives four tickets to a Yankees game; a $50 gas card; the chance to throw out a first pitch at PNC Field on Opening Night 2014; and a suite at PNC during the 2014 season. There will be a grand prize drawing on Thursday and participants must be in attendance to win.

The RailRiders will return home for their final two home games of the season on Wednesday night, and will host the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies) as the two teams continue the inaugural IronRail series. SWB trails in the rivalry series, 7-5. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Wednesday is both Public Service Appreciation Night and a Kid’s Eat Free Wednesday thanks to Minooka Subaru. Every child 12 & under will receive a voucher for a free hot dog, bag of chips, and soda. Gates will open at PNC Field at 6 p.m. and the game will air live locally on My Network TV with the Voice of the RailRiders, John Sadak, on the call alongside FOX56 sports director Bob Ide. The RailRiders will play the final regular-season game of their inaugural season on Thursday. It will be Fan Appreciation Night at the ballpark, and a Thirsty Thursday presented by Budweiser. Thursday’s game is also a 7:05 p.m. first pitch and will include post-game fireworks.

– SWB RailRiders – All Aboard! –

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Click here to view the original story.

2013 FSL Scholarship Winner: Michael Cook

Asst. GM Matt Gess presented Michael with the FSL Scholarship. (Mark LoMoglio/Yankees)
Asst. GM Matt Gess presented Michael with the FSL Scholarship. (Mark LoMoglio/Yankees)

Tampa, FL. – The Tampa Yankees, in conjunction with the Florida State League and the Miami Marlins, are pleased to announce Michael Cook as their 2013 scholarship award winner. The Florida State League Scholarship committee award 12 individuals with $1,500 educational scholarships. The committee approved the awards after a review of the applications submitted by all the Florida State League teams.

Michael Cook is a graduate of Plant City High School. He has recently been attending Hillsborough Community College and has one semester left before he plans to transfer to the University of Tampa. Michael plans to get his degree in either Business or Accounting with a minor in Sport Management. This is Michael’s first season with the Yankees working for both New York Yankees Spring Training and the Tampa Yankees regular season.

Michael was honored at the Tampa Yankees home game on August 16th, versus the Lakeland Flying Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field. In addition, he will be introduced during a pre-game ceremony at the Miami Marlins game on Sunday, August 18th along with the other Florida State League teams’ award winners.

The Miami Marlins/Florida State League scholarship program is awarded to students that are an employee of, or the child or grandchild of an employee of the participating club and must be at least a high school junior by the 2013 fall term. The Miami Marlins have sponsored this program for fourteen years and have contributed a total of $136,500 to the Florida State Program.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single-A Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information on the Tampa Yankees visit www.tybaseball.com or call (813) 673-3055.

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

RiverDogs Donate $20,000 to MUSC Storm Eye Institute

Charleston-RiverDogsThe Charleston RiverDogs have yet again left a large paw print on the fight against blindness and retinitis pigmentosa.

During the Friday, August 9 contest against the Rome Braves at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols presented a check for $20,000 to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Storm Eye Institute and its director, Dr. Lucian Del Priore.

The donation comes from proceeds from the RiverDogs’ 14th annual Kindness Beats Blindness Auction, the 10th Annual “Run Forrest Run” 5K, the 9th Annual Hot Stove Banquet and the 8th Annual Golf Outing.

MUSC-Health-Storm-EyeThe Storm Eye Institute was selected as a result of RiverDogs President Mike Veeck’s daughter, Rebecca, being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of inherited diseases causing retinal degeneration. Veeck and his wife, Libby, have dedicated themselves and most of their charitable efforts toward fighting blindness.

“To work hand-in-hand with the Charleston community for the Storm Eye Institute is something we, as an organization, really look forward to every year,” said Echols. “Seeing first-hand the effect this disease can have on a family adds a level of personality and affection to our fundraising efforts.”

“We are immensely grateful for the RiverDogs’ continued support in our quest to find cures and treatments for blinding eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa,” said Dr. Del Priore. “The RiverDogs’ extraordinary generosity over the last 14 years has been critical to the work that our vision scientists are doing in this area.”

With proceeds from the various RiverDogs special event projects, the team and the Charleston community as a whole have raised more than $500,000 towards preventative research for the degenerative disease.

For more information on the MUSC Storm Eye institute and their effort to battle RP and other degenerative retinal diseases visit www.muschealth.com/eyes.

This article originally appeared on the website of the Charleston RiverDogs.  Click here for the original story.

Tampa & Gulf Coast League Yankees Recognize HOPE Week

TampaYankees_2013-07-03

 

TAMPA, FL. – The Tampa Yankees & Gulf Coast League Yankees will be participating in HOPE Week (Helping Others Preserve & Excel) during the week of July 8-15, 2013. HOPE Week is a New York Yankees initiative designed to reach out to remarkable people who are worthy of recognition for their inspiring actions and support of their communities.

The Tampa based minor league Yankees players will be visiting the Police Athletic League: a registered non-profit 501c3 organization that is dedicated to providing affordable after school, summer and athletic opportunities to more than 500 Tampa Bay youth. The Children’s Home: a child-and family-centered organization that is positioned to care for struggling families and children seeking the comfort of a loving family. Warriors for Autism: a non-profit organization dedicated to enlightening, empowering and enriching the lives of families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Players will also pay a visit to patients and their families at local area hospitals including Shriners Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Tampa General Hospital.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single-A Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information on the Tampa Yankees visit www.tybaseball.com or call (813) 673-3055.

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

RailRiders to Hold Baseball Equipment Drive Saturday

Adult Equipment to be Sent to Troops Overseas, Youth Donations to Local Little Leagues

Moosic, Pa. – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) will hold a baseball equipment drive to benefit both soldiers in Afghanistan and local little leagues. The drive will take place on Saturday, June 22, when the RailRiders host the Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles) in a split doubleheader. Equipment will be accepted at both games with the first contest starting at 12:05 p.m. and game two getting underway at 7:05 p.m.

“We wanted to bring a little piece of home to our troops overseas,” said RailRiders community relations manager Rachel Mark. “Giving them the ability to participate in America’s favorite pastime is the least we can do for the men and women who have given so much.”

Donation bins will be set up at the front gates at PNC Field and will be manned by volunteers from The American Legion Post 665 in Dickson City until the third inning of each game. This will allow fans to drop off their gently-used equipment as they enter the ballpark. The drive is designed to bring a piece of home to our soldiers, and also make a direct impact in the NEPA community.

Following the game, all of the equipment that was donated will be sorted by the volunteers. The adult equipment will be shipped to soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, while the youth equipment will be donated throughout the NEPA area. The RailRiders will be accepting all baseball equipment that is in usable condition.

Gates will open up at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 22. The first 2,500 fans in game one will receive a free bat courtesy of Kost Tire & Auto. The gates for game two will open at 6 p.m. and the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo will perform after the nightcap. With no upper deck at PNC Field anymore, every seat in the ballpark provides the supreme views and intimacy that make minor league baseball so special at incredibly affordable prices. For more information, please visit the team’s official website, www.swbrailriders.com, or call 570-969-BALL (2255).

– SWB RailRiders – All Aboard! –

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Click here to view the original story.

Tampa Yankees Raise Money For Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer survivors took the field with the T-Yanks for the National Anthem. (Mark LoMoglio/Yankees)
Breast Cancer survivors took the field with the T-Yanks for the National Anthem. (Mark LoMoglio/Yankees)

Tampa, FL – The Tampa Yankees and The Container Store teamed up for this year’s Annual Pink Out Night held on Saturday, May 4th. This event raised over $2,200 this year for the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Research Center and Institute and has raised over $20,000 since 2007.

Over 3,600 fans, the majority clad in pink attire, entered the stadium to enjoy the Tampa Yankees game and post game fireworks. Players wore pink and blue jerseys, which were auctioned off during the game. Auction winners were invited to go onto the field after the game to meet the player who wore the jersey and get it autographed.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single-A Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information on the Tampa Yankees visit www.tybaseball.com or call (813) 673-3055.

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

Tampa Yankees Raise Money For Humane Society

(Mark LoMoglio/Yankees)
(Mark LoMoglio/Yankees)

 

Tampa, Fla. – The Tampa Yankees and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay teamed up for the 7th Annual Bark at the Ballpark held on Saturday, May 18th. The event was sponsored by Fuzzie Buddies and Urgent Pet Care.

Over 125 dogs and their owners enjoyed the pre-game dog fair and then watched the Tampa Yankees win in extra innings against the Clearwater Threshers. Throughout the game, there were raffles every inning in which fans won prize packs with various types of goodies for their dogs. Tampa Bay area pet vendors were at the event promoting their local canine friendly business and to show their support of the Humane Society.

Each dog to enter the stadium was required to have a “dog” ticket. This year was the first time the Tampa Yankees held a silent auction for the canine theme game worn jerseys the players and coaches were wearing. In total, the “dog” tickets, vendor donations, and jersey auctions raised over $2,800 for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, which is the largest donation the T-Yanks have been able to make over the past seven seasons.

The Tampa Yankees are the Single-A Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees. For more information call (813) 673-3055 or visit www.tybaseball.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Tampa Yankees1. Click here to view the original story.

The Charleston RiverDogs bring “Pink in the Park” to The Joe

Charleston-RiverDogsOn Sunday, May 12th, Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park became a vision in pink to help Save the Milkshakes. To celebrate Mother’s Day, and to raise awareness for Breast Cancer, the Charleston RiverDogs teamed up with a locally founded Breast Cancer Awareness nonprofit, Save the Milkshakes for the inaugural Pink in the Park event at The Joe.

“Since Breast Cancer Awareness Month does not fall within our season, it was important for us to show our support somehow.” says Director of Community Relations, Lauren Allio. “We feel that the inaugural Pink in the Park event went very well! And we look forward to continuing it in the future.”

Save-the-Milkshakes-logoAs a special promotion for Pink in the Park, $1 from every Beer Shake sold on Sunday May 12th was donated to Save the Milkshakes. These proceeds, along with the funds collected from selling “Save the Milkshake” t-shirts, which you can purchase for the rest of the RiverDogs season at the Pie House, located within Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, will go towards breast cancer research.

Save the Milkshakes is a locally founded Breast Cancer Awareness Organization with the goal to help local women diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant. Save the Milkshakes hopes to provide funding to breast cancer research while bringing together mothers that have just been diagnosed with breast cancer with those that are able to donate breast milk to newborn babies. For more information about save the Milkshakes visit http://www.savethemilkshakes.org/.

RiverDogs Buddy up with the Summerville Miracle League

Charleston-RiverDogsOn Saturday, May 11th, the Summerville Miracle League welcomed the Charleston RiverDogs to their facilities in Summerville for a morning of fun, and baseball. Ten players from the 2013 RiverDogs team volunteered as “Buddies” for the league, assisting the young players hit the ball, run the bases, and play the field.

“It was amazing to watch these kids on the field,” says Community Relations Intern, Lily Belter. “They were having so much fun! And it was great to see them interacting with the RiverDogs players.”

Miracle-League-SummervilleThe goal of The Summerville Miracle League is to enhance the lives of people with special needs. The league uses primarily the national pastime of baseball, as well as other activities, to bring together the athletes and their families and enrich their lives in a meaningful way. For more information about the Summerville Miracle League, how to join or how to volunteer, please visit http://www.summervillemiracleleague.org/

The Charleston RiverDogs join the Summerville Miracle League RiverDogs for a team cheer!
The Charleston RiverDogs join the Summerville Miracle League RiverDogs for a team cheer!
The Charleston RiverDogs buddy up with the Summerville Miracle League
The Charleston RiverDogs buddy up with the Summerville Miracle League

 

RiverDogs Donations Amounts to Peanuts

Charleston-RiverDogsLeave it to the Charleston RiverDogs to come to the aid of one of their own.

“Tony the Peanut Man,” the moniker for Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park’s long-time peanut vendor Anthony Wright, suffered a tremendous loss this week with a home fire as chronicled by local media.

Wright reportedly suffered approximately $10,000 in damages to his peanut-boiling equipment that included steel pots and other gear. They were located in the back yard of his West Ashley home.

The RiverDogs, where Tony consistently toils in front of large crowds with his specially-made t-shirt and renowned sweetgrass hat with no top, will donate to him a portion of the club’s peanut sales for this entire four-game homestand (April 19-22). The club will also have a donation station for Wright at Guest Services throughout the homestand. Piggly Wiggly has also pledged to replace all of the peanuts that he lost in the fire.

“We feel for Tony,” said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. “He’s been a Riley Park staple for so long that we felt that we had to do something for him. We’re certain that many of his customers will come to his need during this delicate time.”

The club will also have a between-inning salute for Wright to help raise awareness when the entire Riley Park audience will be invited to participate in singing his famed composition (“Haaaay, haaaay; what I saaaay”) that he includes while dancing his jig after a sale of one of his bags of roasted or boiled peanuts. The ceremony will also acknowledge the contribution the RiverDogs will be making to Tony and hopefully encourage fans to lend a hand and make their own donation.

CSC-Tony the Peanut Man

Adopt-a-Field Program Returns

Four Area Little League Fields to Receive Much-Needed Help

Moosic, Pa. – When the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre baseball franchise spent 2012 on the road, it still had its home at heart. The team christened a program that focused on rejuvenating area Little League fields. Even though the now-RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) have a home of their own in the beautifully reconstructed PNC Field, the Adopt-a-Field Program is back and better than ever.

What began with two teams getting the annual makeover, one each from Lackawanna County and Luzerne County, has blossomed into a four-team program in 2013. A Facebook contest chose the four lucky recipients. It gets underway Wednesday, May 1 when Scranton’s Marvine Dutch Gap Little League gets some love for its field. On June 3, the attention shifts to the Avoca/Dupont Little League. Come June 14, the RailRiders will adopt the South Scranton Little League field before closing things out on June 27 at Staback Park in Archbald.

“Let’s spread the wealth a bit and bring the beauty of the new PNC Field to the Little League fields right here in our communities,” said RailRiders team president/GM Rob Crain. “I love this program. We as a franchise are committed to doing what we can for our neighbors and this is one of the most fun and directly impactful efforts we can provide.”

The program provides an individualized evaluation and athletic field maintenance clinic to the chosen leagues. More than the initial facelift the RailRiders’ raw manpower provides, the teams will be taught how to keep up that same professional-level look for years to come. Last season, Moosic Little League and Kingston/Forty Fort Little League were the benefactors of the program’s launch.

“This is a great opportunity to provide those maintaining local Little League fields with the knowledge needed to maintain a safe and beautiful playing surface,” said the team’s director of field operations, Steve Horne. “Many leagues don’t have the tools, manpower or guidance needed to keep their fields in good shape. Hopefully, after our crew comes in to help get them started, we can develop a plan that will benefit the leagues and their players for years to come.”

The makeover will get underway at 8 a.m. on each date listed above and will run until around 5 p.m. Media members and fans are invited to document and watch the progress throughout the day. Below are the addresses of the four sites:

Marvine Dutch Gap, 170 Wells, Scranton 18508

Avoca/Dupont, Mill & Commerce Streets, Avoca 18641

South Scranton, 430 Meadow Ave., Scranton 18505

Staback Park, Eynon Jermyn Rd., Archbald 18403

The RailRiders are in the midst of a nine-day, eight-game road trip before returning home for an eight-game homestand on Monday, May 6. It starts with the first of four against the Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh Pirates) at 6:35 p.m. Fans will be able to dine on just a few dimes with dollar hot dogs all night long at PNC Field. Great ticket packages, group deals and single-game tickets are available. With no upper deck at PNC Field anymore, every seat in the ballpark provides the supreme views and intimacy that make minor league baseball so special at incredibly affordable prices. For more information, please visit the team’s official website, www.swbrailriders.com, or call 570-969-BALL (2255).

– SWB RailRiders – All Aboard! –

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Click here to view the original story.