Woodpeckers head Second Annual “Backpacks for Patriots”

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are teaming up with the Military Luggage Company, Off-Road Outreach, Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch, and Veterans Services of the Carolinas for the second annual “Backpacks for Patriots” program. This initiative provides backpacks and other essential items for unhoused veterans and low-income military families.

The Woodpeckers Foundation and Community Leaders Program have donated $7,500 for the purchase of 200 backpacks from the Military Luggage Company. The backpacks and essential items will be distributed to unhoused veterans and low-income military families on Monday, January 9th, 2023, at Operation Inasmuch. Several other services will also be available to those in need at this event.

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers will be collecting donations for Backpacks for Patriots over the duration of their annual Fayetteville Holiday Lights, which runs December 8th through 23rd, 2022. Attendees are encouraged to bring new, packaged donations of paper towels, toilet paper, athletic clothing, handwarmers, deodorant and over-the-counter medicine. In return for donating, attendees will receive a voucher for a discounted ticket to the Fayetteville Holiday Lights night of their choosing. Donations will be collected beside the Truist Box Office at Segra Stadium nightly from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. during Fayetteville Holiday Lights.

Backpacks for Patriots is part of the Community Leaders Program, which supports youth sports and military initiatives. For more information about the Woodpeckers, Community Leaders Program, or Fayetteville Holiday Lights, please visit https://www.milb.com/fayetteville

Bulls & Blue Cross NC Partner On Wellness Program

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Wool E. Bull and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina present “Wool E. Wellness”, a free educational program showcasing how to live a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition, exercise and sleep.

This program is available for all elementary schools in Durham, Wake and Orange Counties and consists of school visit from Wool E. Bull, show highlighting proper wellness practices, giveaways from the Bulls and Blue Cross NC and opportunities for unique experiences at Durham Bulls Athletic Park during the 2023 season.

CLICK TO SCHEDULE A SHOW

“The Durham Bulls are proud to partner with Blue Cross NC to help educate youth on healthy lifestyle habits”, said Michael Ward, Durham Bulls Director of Marketing and Communications. “Proper wellness starts at a young age, and with the help of Wool E. Bull, Blue Cross NC and area schools, we can positively impact the health of youth in the Triangle.”

“Access to nutritious foods is integral to preventing diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure,” said Cheryl Parquet, director, Community Engagement and Marketing Activation at Blue Cross NC. “Teaching local youth healthy recipes and basic kitchen techniques is an opportunity to help improve health outcomes for the future of North Carolina.”

Interested schools can click here to learn more about the program and schedule a show or call Eric Topolewski with the Durham Bulls at 919.687.6533.

Woodpeckers To Host Annual ‘Fayetteville Holiday Lights’ Event 

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Fayetteville Woodpeckers **will host ‘Fayetteville Holiday Lights’ for fifteen days this December at Segra Stadium in the heart of downtown. Fayetteville Holiday Lights, presented by **AEVEX Aerospace, will take place December 8th – 23rd from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. each night.

The event will include tens of thousands of holiday lights around the stadium, with displays on the concourse and a path of walk-through lights on the warning track of the field. Each night will bring a different theme, including fireworks, Christmas-themed characters, Beers & Cheers, and more. Patrons can also get their picture taken with Santa and participate in holiday crafts for free.

Not only will Fayetteville Holiday Lights give joy to families for the holiday season, but it will give back to the community as well. Community members and organizations can participate in the “Trees for Charity” portion of the event. Organizations can purchase a tree for $200 (which includes a six-foot live tree and tree stand) and partner with a local 501(c)(3) non-profit of their choice to decorate the tree for display during the duration of Fayetteville Holiday Lights. Throughout the event, spectators will vote on the best decorated tree and cash prizes will be awarded to the three non-profits with the most votes, courtesy of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers and the Woodpeckers Foundation. To purchase a tree, visit the following link: https://form.jotform.com/fayettevillewoodpeckers/trees-for-charity

Tickets for Fayetteville Holiday Lights are available now. Adult tickets are $10 and children’s tickets (12u) are $8 if you buy in advance. If purchased the day of, tickets will be an additional $2. All current or former military will receive $1 off their ticket with proof of ID at the Truist Box Office. To purchase tickets for Fayetteville Holiday Lights or for more information on the event, visit our website or call the front office at (910) 339-1989.

Segra Stadium to Host Annual “United for Veterans”

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Fayetteville Woodpeckers will host the annual “United for Veterans” event on Friday, November 11th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Segra Stadium. This event is free, open to the public and will have activities for all ages.

United for Veterans will feature a resource fair that will bring dozens of organizations together, offering services for veterans and military families. Among these will be organizations providing education services, medical information, employment assistance, mental health care, housing, fitness, recreational activities and more.

Along with the resource fair, there will be family activities around the concourse and a “Woodpeckers Yard Sale,” in which exclusive Woodpeckers jerseys and other items will be available for purchase. The Woodpeckers will also collect donations at this event for unhoused veterans. Anyone is welcome to bring donations such as shoes, handwarmers, paper towels, toilet paper and athletic clothing.

United for Veterans is one of over fifteen events happening in Cumberland County during Heroes Homecoming, a weeklong celebration of veterans and military families, organized by the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Heroes Homecoming is honoring the “Heroes at Home,” military families and spouses, along with veterans and active-duty members. Heroes Homecoming kicks off on Saturday, November 5th with the annual Veterans Day parade, and festivities continue through Saturday, November 12th.

For more information about United for Veterans or other upcoming events, please visit www.fayettevillewoodpeckers.com.

Crawdads to Host Strike Out Cancer Night

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Hickory, NC- The Crawdads are excited to announce a Strike Out Cancer Night to be held on Saturday, September 9th, 2023, as they take on the Winston-Salem Dash.

During the game, the Crawdads players will wear special jerseys featuring the names of loved ones that have been affected by cancer. Fans can add a first and last name to the jersey and receive two tickets to Strikeout Cancer Night for $50. Season ticket holders can purchase a name for $25. Funds raised from the names will be donated to cancer research. To secure a spot on the jersey, please call the Crawdads’ front office at 828-322-3000.

Along with the names, the jerseys will feature a shoulder pattern of the different cancer ribbon colors. A limited number of names can be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Names are guaranteed to be featured on the jersey in a visible spot. Due to the high level of customization with the jerseys, the exact artwork pictured is subject to change.

The jerseys will be worn in-game on Saturday, September 9th. All jerseys will be up for auction as part of the Crawdads’ fundraising efforts.

Tickets purchased with the package will be emailed to the provided email at a later date. Additional tickets for the game can be purchased along with the package for $6.

Single game tickets for Strikeout Cancer Night and the Crawdads’ other 65 home games will go on sale in March. To book a group outing for the 2023 season, please call 828-322-3000.

More details of the night will be announced soon. For questions, please call the Crawdads front office at 828-322-3000 or email Ashley at [email protected]

Knights to Host Inaugural HBCU Night Presented by Truist on Friday, September 2nd 

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(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) – The Charlotte Knights are pleased to partner with Johnson C. Smith University to host HBCU Night presented by Truist on September 2 at Truist Field. The inaugural event will take place as the Knights host the Durham Bulls in a doubleheader with first pitch of game one set for 5:35 p.m. from Uptown Charlotte.

Gates for the doubleheader will open at 5:00 p.m. and the first 2,000 fans will receive a special HBCU T-Shirt. The night will feature special pre-game performances by the Golden Bullettes as fans enter the ballpark. In addition, there will be a pre-game, on-field performance by Blue Satin from JCSU. The ceremonial first pitch of the night will be thrown by Dr. Jemayne King, a JCSU professor. Dr. King was a contributing author to “The New York Mets and Popular Culture” book, which is enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Throughout the night, fans can expect performances by Divine 9 from JCSU, as well as a special appearance from Smitty, JCSU’s beloved mascot. After the game, the JCSU Drumline will perform for fans on the field. Following the performance, the Knights will light up the Uptown Charlotte skyline with post-game fireworks presented by Truist and WBT Radio.

For more information about this inaugural event, as well as information on purchasing tickets to Friday’s twin bill, please visit www.CharlotteKnights.com. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 704-274-8300 or at the Truist Field ticket office, located at 324 S. Mint Street.

Woodpeckers Announce Sponsorship of The Big Tiny Project

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are sponsoring The Big Tiny Project, an initiative to support homeless and at-risk veterans. The Big Tiny Project, created by the Fayetteville-based nonprofit Off-Road Outreach, is a planned tiny home community designed to be a bridge between being on the street and permanent housing. All services will be free of charge to veterans.

The Woodpeckers Foundation and Community Leaders Program donated $10,000 to The Big Tiny Project to cover the renovation of three 290-square-foot tiny homes that will house homeless and at- risk veterans. Other sponsors of The Big Tiny Project include Lowe’s, Wells Fargo, the All-Veteran Group, U.S. Veterans Corps, Window World and ServiceSource.

The purpose of The Big Tiny Project is to provide up to 180 days of bridge housing to homeless and at- risk veterans. The Big Tiny Project will provide on-site support for navigating benefits, identification services, mental and physical health referrals, financial counseling and employment. In addition, veterans can utilize a food pantry, community garden and transportation services. The project is set to be completed by the start of 2023.

“We are incredibly thankful to the Woodpeckers Foundation for their support of The Big Tiny Project,” said Stacey Buckner, the director and founder of Off-Road Outreach. “This bridge housing program is long overdue in Fayetteville and will satisfy an immediate need. We can’t wait to show the impact this will have on our veterans.”

For more information on the Woodpeckers Foundation and Community Leaders Program, please visit www.fayettevillewoodpeckers.com.

Segra Stadium to Host 4th Annual Fayetteville 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The 4th Annual Fayetteville 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb will be held on the morning of Saturday, September 10th at Segra Stadium. Opening ceremonies will begin at approximately 8:25am and the climb will start at 8:47am, a time significant on 9-11-2001.

The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is a way to honor and remember the FDNY firefighters, police, and EMS who selflessly gave their lives on that tragic day 21 years ago. Each participant will pay tribute to those brave souls by climbing the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Your individual tribute not only remembers the sacrifice, but symbolically completes their heroic journey to save others. Through community participation we can ensure that each of the 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, and 10 EMS are never forgotten.

Registration fees are $35 per person and include your participation in the climb, an honor badge of a fallen first responder, and a t-shirt. Online registration closes on Thursday, September 8th. Anyone interested in registering on event morning can begin doing so at 7:00am. All proceeds from the Stair Climb will benefit programs provided by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support the families of your local fallen firefighters and the FDNY Counseling Services Unit. To register, please visit the Fayetteville 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Facebook page or the registration page.

Woodpeckers to host Alzheimer's Awareness Night at Segra Stadium

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – AUGUST 3, 2022 – The Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Chapter is teaming up with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers for Paint the Park Purple — Alzheimer’s Awareness Night on Friday, August 12 at Segra Stadium.

Proceeds from Paint the Park Purple will support the Association’s 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fayetteville taking place on October 29 —to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

The game against the Down East Wood Ducks begins at 7:05 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m. The game will conclude with fireworks. Fans are encouraged to wear purple and the first 1,000 fans through the gates will take home a custom purple hat sponsored by Edward Jones Cumberland County featuring the Woodpeckers signature logo.

The Woodpeckers will take the field wearing purple jerseys in honor of all who have been impacted by Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. A jersey auction will take place both in-game and online with the proceeds benefiting the Fayetteville Walk.

Those wishing to learn more about Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fayetteville are invited to come early and stop by the Walk Kickoff Tent to learn more, meet the local committee, register for the Walk and pick up information and team captain resources. The tent will be located outside next to the stadium’s box office from 1 – 3 p.m.

The inaugural Paint the Park Purple took place in 2019 and has since raised over $16,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.

“We appreciate the Fayetteville Woodpeckers support over the last several years to raise funds and awareness for a world without Alzheimer’s,” said Lisa Roberts, executive director for the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “Alzheimer’s Association Awareness Nights like this provide the opportunity for us to talk about the impact Alzheimer’s and all other dementia has and the care and support the Association can provide to local families in Cumberland County and surrounding areas.”

To purchase tickets for Paint the Park Purple — Alzheimer’s Awareness Night click here.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In North Carolina alone, there are more than 180,000 people living with the disease and 356,000 caregivers.

To sign up as a walker or Team Captain or to learn more about becoming a sponsor of Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fayetteville, visit act.alz.org/fayettevillenc or call 800-272-3900.

The Alzheimer’s Association hosts 17 walks across North Carolina including: Alamance County, Asheville, Charlotte, Gaston/Cleveland/Lincoln Counties, Fayetteville, Guilford County, Henderson County, Iredell County, Jacksonville, Moore County, Mount Airy, New Bern, Rowan-Cabarrus Counties, Triangle (Raleigh and Durham), Unifour (formerly Hickory), Wilmington and Winston-Salem. To register and receive the latest updates on any of this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit: alz.org/walk.

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association® mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Association®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call (800) 272-3900.

About the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter

The Eastern North Carolina Chapter provides patient and family services, information and referral, education, and advocacy in 51 eastern North Carolina counties. It offers opportunities to get involved and to make a difference, in addition to a variety of services including: a 24/7 Helpline, support groups, educational programs, and MedicAlert®. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, or the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter, visit alz.org/nc or call 800-272-3900. For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Woodpeckers Launch First Ability Inclusive Themed Game

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Fayetteville Woodpeckers, in partnership with ServiceSource, Miller’s Crew, Bravery Kids Gym and the Vision Resource Center, will host its first-ever “Ability Awareness Day” at Segra Stadium. “Ability Awareness Day” will take place during the Woodpeckers game on Sunday, August 14th at 2:05 pm vs the Down East Wood Ducks. The goal of the initiative is to promote inclusion and celebrate the abilities of all people within Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

The day will kick off with a free baseball skills clinic for Special Olympics Cumberland County athletes. Prior to the first pitch, the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Buddy Sports baseball team will take the field with the Woodpeckers for starting lineups and the national anthem. Throughout the game, the Woodpeckers will hold a Houston Astros autographed baseball auction, with all proceeds benefitting ServiceSource, Miller’s Crew, Bravery Kids Gym and the Vision Resource Center. In addition, fans can purchase food at the Miller’s Crew food truck outside the front gates.

The Woodpeckers will transform a room inside the stadium into a sensory friendly space for those who may feel overwhelmed by the crowd, noise or other factors. Sensory friendly stations provided by Bravery Kids Gym will be set up around the concourse. Fans can also check out sensory friendly bags that include headphones, fidget toys and cue cards (available at the guest services table during every Woodpeckers game).

Fans can purchase tickets for the “Ability Awareness Day” game at fayettevillewoodpeckers.com/tickets or by visiting the Truist Box Office at Segra Stadium. For more information on “Ability Awareness Day,” please visit www.fayettevillewoodpeckers.com.

Mudcats to Host Play Ball Weekend Event

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ZEBULON – The Carolina Mudcats, in partnership with Major League Baseball, will host a free Play Ball Weekend baseball skills clinic at Five County Stadium on Saturday, June 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This free event is open to all kids ages 5-12.

Spaces are limited, register online below:

http://carolinamudcats.leagueapps.com/events/3087310-pbw-carolina-mudcats-play-ball-clinic

The first 200 kids to register will receive a Franklin bat and ball set and a free reserved ticket for Carolina’s game versus the Myrtle Beach Pelicans at Five County Stadium that same night.

Saturday’s June 11 game features a souvenir giveaway with the first 1,500 fans at Five County Stadium receiving a replica of Carolina’s road jersey.

AgCarolina Agriculture Night Set For June 10

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ZEBULON – The Carolina Mudcats once again team with AgCarolina Farm Credit for Agriculture Night on Friday, June 10 at Five County Stadium. Agriculture Night is highlighted by post-game fireworks and a one-of-kind souvenir t-shirt giveaway for the first 1,000 fans with paid admission at Five County Stadium.

AgCarolina Farm Credit’s Agriculture Night starts with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch, but the Five County Stadium gates will open at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at www.carolinamudcats.com.

For the full schedule, visit www.carolinamudcats.com/schedule. Single-game tickets, season ticket packages, mini plans, suite and DRB HOmes Sky Lounge packages in the US Foods Club Level are all on sale now at www.carolinamudcats.com, (919) 269-CATS (2287), and the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon.

The Carolina Mudcats are the officially licensed Carolina League, Class-A, affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. First established in 1991, the Mudcats have provided affordable family fun for over 30 years at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Follow the Mudcats online at www.carolinamudcats.com, and on social media at facebook.com/carolinamudcats, twitter.com/carolinamudcats, tiktok.com/@carolinamudcats and instagram.com/carolinamudcats.

Local Black Owned Businesses Will Be Featured At Five Games This Season

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ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists in conjunction with the Western NC Black Business Expo are proud to announce Black Business Nights Presented by UScellular.

During five designated nights during the 2022 season five local Black-owned Businesses will be able to showcase their products or professional services on the concourse during Asheville Tourists Games. The first featured game is this Saturday, May 28. The remaining four games are scheduled for June 15, June 29, July 26, and August 12.

This Saturday’s game at McCormick Field will feature the following local Black-owned Businesses: HOTWORX, The Plug Chiropractic, Makeba Loving Hands, Rita Lee & Associates, and Upstate Essential Solutions, LLC.

The initiative is part of Minor League Baseballs “The Nine” outreach platform. Prior to the 2022 season Minor League Baseball launched “The Nine,” a new, Black-community focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous Black baseball pioneers made on the sport, provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation, further diversify the business of baseball, and embrace millions of passionate fans throughout MiLB’s 120 communities nationwide.

It is named for the number Jackie Robinson wore during his only season playing in MiLB with the Triple-A Montreal Royals in 1946

The Western NC Black Business Expo is a creation of the Western NC Minority Business Association. The WNCMBA is a non-profit organization created to advocate and promote the development of minority-owned businesses in Western North Carolina through networking events, workshops, and annual business expos.

Tickets for this Saturday’s game are on sale at TouristsTickets.com and will feature the ZOOperstars entertainment.

Woodpeckers Establish Youth Baseball Team with Boys & Girls Club 

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. —The Fayetteville Woodpeckers have partnered with the Boys & Girls Club to establish a youth baseball team. The “Junior Woodpeckers” provide members of the Boys & Girls Club with the opportunity to participate in baseball. As a 12U team, the “Junior Woodpeckers” compete in the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation youth baseball league.

The Woodpeckers Foundation and Community Leaders Program donated $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Club to cover the costs of fees, uniforms and other expenses related to the baseball season. Uniforms include custom-made “Junior Woodpeckers” jerseys with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers logo on the sleeve. The purpose of the initiative is to provide children with the opportunity to compete in youth sports without financial barriers. The “Junior Woodpeckers” team is part of the Community Leaders Program, which supports youth sports and military initiatives in the Fayetteville area.

Members of the “Junior Woodpeckers” team will be showcased at the Fayetteville Woodpeckers game on Saturday, June 18th as the Fayetteville Woodpeckers take on the Fredericksburg Nationals. For more information on the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, or to buy tickets for the game on June 18th, please visit www.fayettevillewoodpeckers.com.

Major Composting Effort Highlights Cannon Ballers Earth Day Initiatives

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 (KANNAPOLIS, N.C.) – Expanding the team’s commitment to making Atrium Health Ballpark one of the “greenest” venues in Minor League Baseball, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers have announced new composting efforts aimed at reducing gameday waste.

During each Cannon Ballers home game, fans will now see green composting receptacles located throughout the ballpark concourse. Although locations for trash and recycle still exist, the green bins provide an opportunity for fans to dispose of compostable items which will transform into nutrient-rich soil within a few months. Since their inaugural season, the team had already taken strides to ensure all food waste from kitchen preparations were properly composted.

Concessions at sporting events traditionally create massive amounts of waste each year. As a result, the Cannon Ballers set out to focus their efforts on utilizing more environmentally friendly products in all concession and food service areas. Partnering with Colorado-based Eco-Products, the team has migrated the majority of their food packaging to new items made out of compostable materials. Such items include food containers, beer and soda cups, straws and lids, utensils, napkins, and plastic bags. Along with any leftover food, all of these items can be diverted from landfills and redirected to composting facilities.

“We have been working diligently with all of our vendors to utilize as many compostable products as possible,” said Chris Beasley, Director of Food & Beverage at Atrium Health Ballpark. “Team leadership is deeply committed to a sustainable future and I am confident that our efforts will lead to long term impacts.”

Another key contributor to the Cannon Ballers initiative is locally based Crown Town Compost. Once items are properly placed in the composting receptacles, they are delivered to Crown Town’s Charlotte location for sorting and then redirected to their composting facility that creates soils, mulches, and other landscaping materials from the compost.

Over the course of the season, the team will be educating fans and building awareness on the impact of composting and why it is important for the environment. “Our goal is to educate the community while making it fun at the same time,” remarked Cannon Ballers General Manager Matt Millward. “We will be creating videos with our players that will be shown each night, as well as doing some interactive in-game promotions that bring awareness to what items are compostable.”

In addition to waste diversion, LED field lights and motion sensor lighting assist with energy conservation at Atrium Health Ballpark. The Cannon Ballers also have plans to further reduce their carbon footprint by focusing on strategies aimed at water conservation.