Lugnuts to honor Bud Fowler, Page Fence Giants on June 24

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LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Lugnuts will honor incoming 2022 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Bud Fowler with a bobblehead giveaway on a special Page Fence Giants Night on June 24 at Jackson® Field™, the Lugnuts announced today.

The tribute night, honoring Fowler and the dominant trailblazing 19th-century team he co-founded, is part of Minor League Baseball’s “The Nine,” a Black-community focused initiative that will celebrate the legacies of Black baseball pioneers throughout the upcoming season. The Lugnuts will wear the Page Fence Giants’ black and maroon uniforms, with the first 1,000 fans through the gates receiving a special Bud Fowler commemorative bobblehead, presented by Physicians Health Plan. LAFCU Fireworks will follow the game.

“Our connection with Bud Fowler and the Page Fence Giants began last year, when we learned their story as they were inducted into the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame,” said Lansing Lugnuts owner Tom Dickson. “Theirs is an important story to retell: a Black professional baseball team based out of Michigan that won an overwhelming number of the games they played. We are proud to continue to tell their story and join The Nine during the same summer that Bud Fowler rightfully takes his place in Cooperstown.”

“Celebrating the rich history of baseball in Michigan, especially when we honor players like Bud Fowler and the rest of the Page Fence Giants, is absolutely incredible. Lansing is proud to be the home of the Lugnuts, and even prouder to join with them for this great night of baseball. I look forward to seeing the Page Fence Giants’ uniforms in action at Jackson Field this season and saluting the memory of Bud Fowler,” stated Lansing Mayor Andy Schor.

Bud Fowler, born John W. Jackson, Jr., in 1858, was the first professional Black baseball player. He began his baseball career as a fine pitcher and catcher before turning to the infield after developing arm troubles. Wrote the Sporting Life, “With his splendid abilities he would long ago have been on some good club had his color been white instead of black. Those who know say there is no better second baseman in the country.” By the time he was done, Fowler had logged over 2,000 at-bats during a career lasting two decades. His final team in organized baseball was the 1895 Lansing Senators, with whom he batted .331 in 31 games.

In August of 1894, Fowler broke his leg in a game. He spent his rehabilitation time joining with young slugger Grant “Home Run” Johnson and a trio of white businessmen in Adrian to found the Page Fence Giants in September 1894. Sponsored by the Page Woven Wire Fence Company, the Giants traveled around the Midwest and Canada in their own private railroad car, winning over 100 games each year from 1895 through 1898. In their most famous moment, they convincingly defeated the Cuban X-Giants in 1896 in a series that was promoted as determining the best Black baseball team of the era.

The Lugnuts will open 2022 on Wednesday, April 6, playing the Michigan State Spartans in the Crosstown Showdown, before welcoming the Lake County Captains to Jackson® Field™ on Friday, April 8, raising the curtain on the 132-game High-A season.

For more information on “The Nine,” visit milb.com. For the latest information about the Lansing Lugnuts, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.

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Stockton Ports Announce 2022 Job Fair February 26

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STOCKTON, Calif. –The Stockton Ports, in conjunction with Professional Sports Catering, are excited to announce the upcoming Ports Job Fair at Banner Island Ballpark on Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 9 AM – 12 PM. The Ports and Professional Sports Catering will be hiring for all positions and candidates that are interested in working for the Ports this season are highly encouraged to show up for the Ports Job Fair on Feb. 26.

The Stockton Ports and Professional Sports Catering are seeking people to fill a wide variety of roles for the 2022 season of Ports baseball. Positions include Box Office, Team Store, Press Box, Kids Zone, Food Service jobs, andmore that can be located in the Ports 2022 Job Fair application.

Open tryouts for Public Address, Master of Ceremonies, and National Anthem will be held on Saturday, March 5. Details of the event will be issued at a later time.

Job seekers are encouraged to fill out an application prior to the Job Fair, which can be found by clicking here, however, applications will be available at Banner Island Ballpark on the day of the Job Fair. The interview process should take less than 30 minutes and candidates should refrain from returning their application to Banner Island Ballpark prior to February 26.

As a member of the Ports staff, gameday employees will receive the following additional benefits:

  • Two complimentary Ports Tickets per month
  • Ports Merchandise Employee Discount
  • Ports End of the Season Staff Party

The ideal candidate must be trustworthy, outgoing, reliable, and enthusiastic. All applicants must be 16 years of age or older by April 8 in order to work for the Ports or Professional Sports Catering.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] or call 209-644-1900.

The Ports encourage all candidates to show up to the Ports Job Fair on February 26 to be part of Ports game day crew!

Celebrating Black History Month with the Top 5 Black Players in Las Vegas Professional Baseball History

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Aviators Recognize Top 5 Black Players in Franchise History

In honor of Black History Month, the ballclub gives a tip of the cap to five of its all-time greats

By Matt Jacob | Las Vegas Aviators | @MattRJacob

In celebration of Black History Month, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club.

While some of these standout performers went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers. Or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”

Here is a look at five of the best Black baseball players ever to don a Las Vegas Stars, 51s or Aviators uniform.

James Loney (Las Vegas 51s, 2006-07)

A first-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2002 amateur draft, James Loney had modest success during his first four professional seasons. Playing exclusively in the low minors, the Houston native batted .280 with 181 RBI in 431 games.

Loney then earned his first Triple-A promotion ahead of the 2006 season. Upon arriving at Cashman Field, the 22-year-old first baseman promptly showed why the Dodgers made him a first-round selection. Loney won the Pacific Coast League batting crown with a .380 average, collecting 136 hits — including 33 doubles — in 98 games. He finished the season with eight home runs, 67 RBI and 64 runs, and by the following April, he was on the Dodgers’ opening-day roster.

Loney returned to Las Vegas briefly in 2007, and finished his 51s career with a .341 batting average, nine homers, 99 RBI and 92 runs in 156 games. He went on to enjoy a productive 11-year Major League career with the Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. In nearly 1,500 big-league games, Loney batted .284 with 108 homers, 267 doubles and 669 RBI.

Matt Kemp (Las Vegas 51s, 2006-07)

It didn’t take Matt Kemp very long to race through the Los Angeles’ Dodgers minor-league system. Just three years after L.A. drafted him in the sixth round, Kemp was patrolling the outfield at Dodger Stadium and showcasing the hitting prowess that would make him a frequent MVP candidate.

Las Vegas baseball fans got a first-hand glimpse of Kemp’s five-tool talents during parts of two seasons with the 51s. The Oklahoma native was promoted from Double-A Jacksonville during the 2006 season and hit .368 with three homers and 36 RBI in 44 games in Las Vegas. After finishing the 2006 campaign in L.A., a 22-year-old Kemp returned to the 51s to start the 2007 season and he hit .329 with four homers and 20 RBI in 39 games.

That was enough for the Dodgers to come calling again, and Kemp never looked back. In 15 big-league seasons — the first nine of which were spent with the Dodgers — Kemp made three All-Star teams, won two Silver Slugger awards and two Gold Gloves.

During a particularly prolific three-year run from 2009-2011, Kemp hit .290 with 93 home runs, 83 doubles, 17 triples, 316 RBI and 294 runs. The best of those seasons was in 2011, when Kemp posted a career-best .324 batting average and led the National League with 39 homers, 126 RBI and 115 runs. In a controversial vote, he fell just short of winning the NL MVP.

Kemp retired after the 2020 season, finishing his career with a .284 average, 287 homers and 1,031 RBI in 1,750 Major League games.

Shane Mack (Las Vegas Stars, 1986-89)

Shane Mack’s baseball career began with a bit of a gamble: After the Kansas City Royals drafted him in the fourth round of the 1981 draft, the Los Angeles native declined to sign, instead accepting a scholarship from UCLA. The decision paid off, because three years later, the San Diego Padres selected Mack with the 11th overall pick of the 1984 draft and promptly sent the outfielder to Double-A.

After two solid seasons with the Beaumont (Texas) Golden Gators, Mack was elevated to Triple-A Las Vegas during the 1986 season. He would spend parts of the next four seasons with the Stars, batting .326 across 137 games.

In addition to being part of Las Vegas’ only two Pacific Coast League championship teams in 1986 and 1988, Mack earned his first two big-league promotions, playing a combined 201 games for the Padres in 1987 and 1988.

Prior to the start of the 1990 season, Mack was traded to the Minnesota Twins, where he enjoyed his greatest Major League success. In five seasons in Minnesota, he hit .309 with 67 homers, 119 doubles, 24 triples, 315 RBI, 351 runs and 71 stolen bases. At age 27, Mack was an integral part of the Twins’ 1991 World Series-winning team, batting .318 with 18 homers, 27 doubles and 74 RBI.

Mack ended his nine-year Major League career with a .299 batting average — and he finished it with the team that initially drafted him: the Royals.

Bip Roberts (Las Vegas Stars, 1987-88; 1995)

Like Mack, Leon “Bip” Roberts bypassed pro ball when he was initially drafted in 1981 by the Pittsburgh Pirates. But after the second baseman spent one season at Chabot College in Heyward, California, the Pirates came after Roberts again, selecting the Berkeley native in the first round of the 1982 draft.

This time, Roberts signed. However, he never played a game for the Pirates, as the San Diego Padres plucked him in the 1985 Rule 5 Draft. In so doing, the Padres had to keep Roberts on the big-league roster for the entire 1985 season or offer him back to Pittsburgh. They did just that, and Roberts hit .253 in 101 games with San Diego.

No longer under Rule 5 constraints, the Padres shipped diminutive infielder to Triple-A Las Vegas before the 1987 season. Needless to say, the 5-foot-7 Roberts rose to the challenge, as he batted .329, scored 139 runs and stole 56 bases in 198 games with the Stars in 1987-88.

Roberts was a huge contributor to the Stars’ 1988 Pacific Coast League championship club. He hit .353, posted a .406 on-base percentage, delivered 36 extra-base hits (including eight triples) and stole 29 bases in 36 attempts.

The Padres finally recalled Roberts in September 1988, and “The Bipster” spent the next decade as a big leaguer with six different teams (Padres, Royals, Reds, Indians, Tigers and his hometown A’s). In all, he played 12 Major League seasons and hit .294 with 30 home runs, 203 doubles, 31 triples, 663 runs, 352 RBI and 264 stolen bases.

Roberts, who played three games for Las Vegas in 1995 on an injury rehab stint, also made the 1992 National League All-Star team and finished among the top 10 NL hitters in 1990, 1992 and 1994.

Eddie Williams (Las Vegas Stars, 1990, 1994, 1998)

If ever there was a poster child for the phrase “baseball journeyman,” it was Eddie Williams.

Drafted by the New York Mets with the fourth-overall pick in 1983, Williams played for 11 different Major League organizations from 1983-1999. He then went on to play four seasons of independent ball and one season in the Mexican League.

A prodigious power hitter from San Diego, Williams did three tours of duty with his hometown Padres in 1990, 1994-95 and 1998. And each time the first baseman/third baseman returned to the San Diego organization, he found his way to Las Vegas, where he frequently tormented Pacific Coast League pitchers.

Never was this truer than on April 22, 1998, when Williams had a game for the ages north of the border: Facing the Calgary Cannons, Williams exploded for a Las Vegas franchise-record four home runs and 10 RBI in a wild 20-15 victory.

Every time he donned a Stars uniform, Williams delivered at the plate. He hit .316 with 17 homers and 75 RBI in 93 games in 1990; .352 with 20 homers and 54 RBI in 59 games in 1994; and .336 with 20 homers and 77 RBI in 90 games in 1998.

Altogether, Williams’ career statistics rank among the best in Las Vegas history: .332 batting average, 57 homers, 65 doubles, 176 runs and 206 RBI.

Williams spent parts of 10 seasons (395 games) with six big-league clubs, but he did the bulk of his damage for San Diego. In 177 games with the Padres, Williams hit .279 with 26 of his 39 career home runs and 96 of his 150 career RBI.

October 2020 Community Report

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In the month of October, The Stockton Ports delivered $200 worth of gift cards to six different schools in our local community. After raising $1,200 through a Virtual Back to School Drive, The Ports were able to purchase gift cards to support Hong Kingston, Pittman, Pulliam, Cleveland, Kennedy, and Adams Elementary schools in their efforts to adapt to virtual learning. With COVID-19 Guidelines followed, the gift cards were hand delivered to each school along with a personal message wishing them the best of luck during the school year. This was the first time The Ports held this event, and after the success that it brought about, it is safe to say that this will become an annual drive to benefit the Stockton Unified School District at the start of each school year.

Later in the month of October, Splash made some Halloween visits around town and participated in events taking place in our local community. The first stop was Chase Chevrolet’s “Trunk or Treat” where Splash handed out candy to children and families at this drive through event. Splash was greeted with smiles and cheers, although he did get frightened at times due to some scary costumes! After “Trunk or Treat”, Splash’s next stop was at a new venue in town called Stocklandia, a permanent location filled with a variety of local food trucks and boutiques that recently opened. Splash was given a plethora of different foods and desserts to try, all of which he loved. He was also greeted by many Stockton Ports fans asked to take pictures with all of them. The Stockton Ports were happy to be out in the community are excited to continue their community efforts in the upcoming months!

Las Vegas Ballpark, in partnership with Vitalant, will host the One October Memorial Blood Drive

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LAS VEGAS BALLPARK® HOSTS VITALANT ONE OCTOBER MEMORIAL BLOOD DRIVE

PRESENTED BY NEVADA HEALTH LINK

Together we are #VegasStronger

WHAT: Las Vegas Ballpark®, in partnership with Vitalant, the largest blood provider in Nevada, will host the One October Memorial Blood Drive, a one-day blood drive in memory of One October.

The public drive is presented by Nevada Health Link, the online insurance marketplace operated by Silver State Health Insurance Exchange that will offer this year more than 50 insurance plans and is the only place Nevadans can qualify for subsidies to offset the cost of insurance.

The One Memorial Blood Drive takes place at Las Vegas Ballpark from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 1.

Leadership from Las Vegas Ballpark as well as local icons will kick off the drive with personal donations starting at 9 a.m. They will be cheered on by Las Vegas Ballpark mascots – Spruce the Goose and Aviator – who will be on hand to greet donors.

Donors must make appointments in advance at www.bloodhero.com and are encouraged to keep social distance recommendations. Per state mandates, masks are required for entry into the facility and temperature checks will be enforced.

Vitalant, the largest blood provider in the state of Nevada, is providing COVID-19 antibody testing with every successful donation. Donors will receive their antibody test results on their private online donor profile. Donors that receive positive results can then choose to aid in the fight against COVID-19 by donating convalescent plasma, the only antibody treatment available for critically ill COVID-19 hospital patients. For those who have recovered from COVID-19, Vitalant will also be collecting convalescent plasma donations at this blood drive. For full eligibility requirements and application, go to www.Vitalant.org/COVIDFree. Appointments are strongly recommended.

WHEN: ** **Thursday, October — 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

WHERE: ** **Las Vegas Ballpark

_ 1650 S. Pavilion Center Drive_

Las Vegas, NV 89135

** About Las Vegas Ballpark**®

Las Vegas Ballpark®, located on eight acres in Downtown Summerlin® just south of City National Arena – practice facility for the Vegas Golden Knights, is the home of the Las Vegas Aviators®, the city’s professional Triple-A baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. The team is wholly owned by The Howard Hughes Corporation®, developer of the award-winning master-planned community of Summerlin® and developer of Las Vegas Ballpark. With a wide range of seating options including 22 suites, club seats, berm seating, party zones and decks, picnic tables, kids’ zone, bars and a pool beyond the outfield wall, Las Vegas Ballpark boasts a capacity of 10,000. Designed to host a variety of events in addition to baseball, the site is landscaped to complement the surrounding master-planned community. The site is easily accessed from all regions of the valley via the 215 Beltway. For more on Las Vegas Ballpark, visit www.thelvballpark.com.

About Nevada Health Link

Nevada Health Link is the online insurance marketplace operated by the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange), which was established per Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) in 2011 by the State of Nevada and began operations in 2013 on the belief that all Nevadans deserve access to health insurance. In 2019, the Exchange transitioned away from the federal marketplace, HealthCare.gov and became a fully operational State Based Exchange (SBE), in time for its seventh Open Enrollment Period (OEP). Nevada Health Link connects eligible Nevada residents to budget-appropriate health and dental coverage and is the only place where qualifying consumers can receive federal tax credits to help cover premium costs. Open Enrollment has concluded; for more information or to see if you’re eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, visit our website. Subscribe to Nevada Health Link’s Blog and YouTube channel, like them on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram. Nevada Health Link always encourages consumers to use the free assistance of a licensed enrollment professional by calling 1-800-547-2927 or by visiting NevadaHealthLink.com.

About Vitalant

Vitalant (“Vye-TAL-ent”) is the nation’s largest independent nonprofit blood service provider, supplying comprehensive transfusion medicine services for nearly 1,000 hospitals and health care partners for patients in need across 40 states. Vitalant inspires local communities to serve the needs of others and transform lives through the selfless act of donating blood. Every day, almost 5,000 blood donations are needed to meet the needs of people throughout the country, and Vitalant’s 800,000 donors supply 1.8 million donations a year. In addition to blood products, Vitalant offers customers transfusion services, medical consulting, quality guidance, ongoing education, research and more. For more information and to schedule a donation, visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). Join the conversation about impacting the lives of others on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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CONTACTS:

Faiss Foley Warren Public Relations

Melissa Warren / McKinzie Cogswell

702-528-6016; 702-234-5307

[email protected]; [email protected]

Ports Virtual Back to School Drive

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The Ports are excited to launch it’s Virtual Back to School Drive, starting today and running until September 14!

The purpose of this event is to support local schools in the community and provide schools, teachers, and students with the proper supplies and visual learning materials to enhance both online and in person education. This drive gives the Ports the opportunity to interact with the community and give back to those schools, especially during times where many schools are dealing with the downfalls of COVID-19. Schools we will be supporting are Hong Kingston Elementary, Pittman, Pulliam Elementary, John Adams Elementary, John F. Kennedy Elementary and Cleveland Elementary.

In order to follow safety protocols and guidelines regarding COVID, we will allow the local community to contribute to the back to school drive without having to leave their house! We are asking for Monetary Donations that will be used towards gift cards for teachers to purchase software educational enhancements to best supply their students with the proper learning material for virtual learning. Gift cards will be to Target, Walmart, Amazon, Office Depot, Teachers Paying Teachers, etc.Donations can be done online on the Ports Website. Donation values are in increments of $5, $10, $20, and $50, but multiple donations are able to be combined to add up to $15, $30, $40, etc.

Donor names will be featured on “The Honor Roll” page on the Stockton Ports website. Donors also have the opportunity to win one of the three special gifts – the more you donate, the more chances you have to win a gift!

Gift 1: A suite with 16 tickets to a game in 2021
Gift 2 and 3: 2020 Giveaways (One of each of the 2020 Giveaways)

Learn more and donate HERE!

To donate a specific amount, contact Christine in the Ports Front Office at 209-644-1967.

For additional information or questions, contact Jordy Feneck at [email protected]

School of Snappy Reading Club and Worksheets 

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April 13, 2020

Snappers Educational Tools

Beloit, WI – The Beloit Snappers are providing educational tools for children in the community to continue working on all core school subjects from the comfort of home. Completing these worksheets and challenges gives your child the opportunity to win prizes while also continuing to practice their valuable skills.

All worksheets can be found on our Educational Resources tab on our website, on the Beloit Snappers Facebook page and the Beloit Snappers Twitter page.

The Snappers Reading Club is sponsored by McDonald’s and completing the form can get your child a 4-piece McNuggets voucher and a free reserve ticket for a future Snappers game. Read to or with your children for at least 25 minutes per day, five days a week for four weeks and keep a log using the worksheet provided.

The Reading Club Challenge begins on Monday April 13, 2020 and goes through Monday May 11, 2020. To be eligible for this challenge, your child must be between the ages of 4-12.

Educators Credit Union and the Snappers have teamed up to provide children with Snappy’s School Worksheets. This baseball related packet is complete with Math, English, Science, Geography, History, and other fun activities to encourage learning while away from school.

These are designed to keep your child busy while learning and having fun! For any questions, please contact Kat Grzeszkiewicz at [email protected] .

West Bend Mutual & Senz Insurance Donate $1,500 to Stateline CF

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BELOIT, WI – On August 20, 2019, West Bend Mutual and Senz Insurance donated $1,500 to the Beloit Stateline Community Foundation for the Snappers hitting 30 home runs at Pohlman Field in the 2019 season.

The check was accompanied with a presentation during the game on Aug. 20th when the Snappers played the Burlington Bees. Snappers General Manager Jeff Gray, Sheryl Bell of West Bend Mutual, and Mark Senz, Dennis Senz, & Pete Marino of Senz Insurance were all on hand to donate the check to the Stateline Community Foundation.

“West Bend Mutual, Senz Insurance, and Stateline Community Foundation are great partners that have continued to support the Beloit Snappers throughout our history, and we are very grateful to have them as partners. They do a tremendous job of supporting the Snappers on and off the field and help strengthen the Stateline community,” said Jeff Gray talking about the partnership with the Snappers.

This strong, long-lasting bond has been in effect since 2007 and the group continues to make positive strides not only at Pohlman Field, but within our local community.

As another season has officially wrapped up, the Beloit Snappers are looking forward to the 2020 season and continuing the incredible experience of professional baseball right here in Beloit with terrific partners like West Bend Mutual, Senz Insurance, and Stateline Community Foundation.

Lastly, the Snappers would like to thank West Bend Mutual, Senz Insurance, and Stateline Community Foundation for their continuous support of Beloit Snappers professional baseball.

The Beloit Snappers are a member of the Midwest League and have been the Single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. For more ticket information, contact the Snappers office at (608) 362-2272 or visit our website, www.snappersbaseball.com

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

Winter Warmer Event A Huge Success!!!

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BURLINGTON, VT — The Vermont Lake Monsters are pleased to announce that $2,375 was raised for Vermont Community Foundation during the January 26th Winter Warmer, which featured speakers from the world of baseball in an interactive audience format.

“This event is a fantastic way for the Lake Monsters to continue the dialogue of baseball during the off-season, in a format that is both entertaining, but also allows us to raise monies for a deserving local community group”, says Vermont Lake Monsters General Manager Joe Doud.

This year’s event featured ESPN’s Buster Olney, Los Angeles Dodgers Director of Player Personnel Galen Carr, and Dodgers Radio Network play-by-play announcer Tim Neverett. Hosted at the Film House at Main Street Landing in Burlington, roughly 150 people attended the two hour-event, where audience questions were answered by the three-person panel.
Vermont Community Foundation was established in 1986 as a permanent source of support for the state. They are a family of hundreds of funds and foundations created by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals.

 

California League Baseball Teams Unite to Assist With Fire Relief Efforts

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Oxnard, CA – As California begins it’s slow recovery process after some of the most deadliest & destructive fires in California history, the baseball teams of the California League have decided to step up to the plate and do their part for the relief efforts.

The California League boasts eight teams located throughout the state: San Jose, Stockton, Modesto, Visalia, Lancaster, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, and Lake Elsinore. Each team will be producing their own logoed cap with a firefighter theme, created by Cotapaxi, a custom design and manufacturing corporation located in San Diego. These custom caps will only be available for a limited time from each team & can be purchased for $20. Net proceeds from these sales will be donated to support the disaster relief efforts as we enter this holiday season.

“Minor League Baseball is all about being involved with our local communities. These fires have affected everyone in the state, and we all want to do our part to help out as much as we can” stated California League President, Charlie Blaney.

If you would like to purchase one of these caps, you can contact each team individually via their respective websites:

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About the Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino
The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The 66ers will enter a new season on April 4, 2019, their 9th season as an Angels affiliate. Ticket packages and corporate sponsorship packages are now available. To be a part of the 2019 Inland Empire 66ers season, please contact the 66ers at (909)888-9922, visit us online at www.66ers.com, or follow us on Facebook (Inland Empire 66ers), Instagram (@66ersbaseball), and Twitter (@66ersbaseball).

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

Snappers Donate $1,500 To Stateline Foundation

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The Beloit Snappers hit 30 home runs this season at Pohlman Field. As part of their agreement with West Bend Mutual, Senz Insurance and the Stateline Community Foundation, the amount donated was $1,500 with $50 donated with each home run.

On August 21st in the Snappers home game against the Cedar Rapids Kernels, Jeff Gray of the Snappers, Sheryl Bell of West Bend Mutual and Mark Senz and Pete Marino of Senz Insurance donated the check prior to the game to Tara Tinder, the Executive Director of the Stateline Community Foundation.

“We are so thankful for the support from West Bend Mutual, Senz Insurance and the Stateline Community Foundation over the past few years with the Snappers. Having a community that backs your product on and off the field is so important and they do a tremendous job,” said Snappers General Manager Jeff Gray.

The agreement has been in effect between the Snappers, West Bend Mutual, Senz Insurance and the Stateline Community Foundation since 2007.

The Snappers look to continue their storied partnership for many years to come and thank West Bend Mutual, Senz Insurance and the Stateline Community Foundation for their many years of support and supporting Beloit Snappers baseball.

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

Sounds Expand “Hometown Hero” Program, Add Puckett’s as Presenting Sponsor

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The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club is proud to announce an expansion of its “Hometown Hero” program presented by Puckett’s. At all Saturday and Sunday games at First Tennessee Park in 2018, the Sounds and Puckett’s will honor active members of the armed forces, veterans, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers and firefighters.

Selected heroes will receive complimentary tickets to a Sounds game, a $50 Puckett’s gift card and swag. Additionally, the hero will be recognized on the iconic guitar scoreboard during a special in-between inning feature.

Nominations for heroes are now being accepted at www.nashvillesounds.com. All nominees must be, or have been, a paramedic, emergency medical technician, police officer, firefighter, or a member of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard.

The Sounds offer military family ticket discounts for every Sunday-Wednesday game at First Tennessee Park. A $2 discount on single-game ticket prices is available for any Reserved section seat – based on availability. The offer is valid for up to four tickets per government-issued military I.D. presented at the Sounds Ticket Office.

Additionally, the Sounds salute the troops every Sunday by wearing special military jerseys.

The 2018 season will be the Sounds’ 41st in franchise history and fourth as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Opening Day is set for Thursday, April 5 when the Sounds begin the season in New Orleans. Opening Night at First Tennessee Park is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10 when the Sounds host the Iowa Cubs at 6:35 p.m. Season ticket memberships are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

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

Sounds Scholarship Program Continues in 2018

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For the third consecutive year, the Nashville Sounds Foundation will award four scholarships worth $2,500 each to graduating high school seniors who plan to attend college in fall of 2018.

The program, which began in 2016, has awarded $20,000 in scholarships and is designed to help deserving Nashville and Middle Tennessee students help pay for college tuition during their freshman year.

“This program is one of the most rewarding initiatives our community relations team has accomplished,” said Sounds General Manager Adam Nuse. “With support from our fans through our fundraising efforts during the 2017 season, we’re able to help students pursue their dreams of a college education.”

Interested seniors must complete the application process at www.nashvillesounds.com. The process includes submitting a two to three-page essay answering the following prompt: “With today’s social climate, diversity and inclusion are more important now than ever. Using your own life experiences, explain why inclusion is so significant in bridging the divide.”

In addition to the essay, each submission must include at least two letters of recommendation from teachers and/or coaches, and an official high school transcript. The scholarship will be awarded based on the culmination of the student’s school work, extracurricular activities and involvement in the community.

Each winner will receive tickets to a select 2018 Nashville Sounds game of their choice and a special surprise from the Nashville Sounds Foundation. The deadline to be considered for the 2018 scholarships is Friday, February 16, 2018. Scholarship winners will be notified no later than March 23, 2018.

Winners from 2017 include Juanita Aguirre of Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School (Middle Tennessee State University), William Bell of Battle Ground Academy (Princeton University), Aijalon Carter of Goodpasture Christian School (Belmont University) and Asher Curnutte of Montgomery Bell Academy (Georgetown University).

The 2018 season will be the Sounds’ 41st in franchise history and fourth as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Opening Day is set for Thursday, April 5 when the Sounds begin the season in New Orleans. Opening Night at First Tennessee Park is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10 when the Sounds host the Iowa Cubs at 6:35 p.m. Season ticket memberships are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

About the Nashville Sounds Foundation:

The mission of the Nashville Sounds Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, is to positively impact the thriving Middle Tennessee community through various programs and initiatives. The Nashville Sounds Foundation supports programs that energize and influence youth through education, physical development and by maximizing community service.

The Nashville Sounds Foundation is funded through monetary donations, private entities, memorabilia auctions and in-game custom public address announcements.

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

Ports Release 2017 Community Relations Report

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

STOCKTON, Calif.- Through the organization’s non-profit sector, the Anchor Fund, the Ports gave $32,464 in monetary donations and nearly $240,000 of in-kind donations to local non-profits within the San Joaquin community in 2017. Through various fundraisers held at Banner Island Ballpark, the Ports were able to raise almost $11,000 with the help of generous fans.

The revenue-leading event was the eleventh annual Pink Night, in which $5,493 benefited Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center. Additional fundraisers included Root Beer Float Day and Youth Baseball Camps presented by Amy L. Scriven, DDS., and Anchor Fund Weekend.

The Ports also had over 50,000 individuals participate in community programs such as Silver Sluggers presented by SCAN Health Plan, Amy L. Scriven, DDS. Kids’ Club, Baseball by the Books courtesy of Smack Pie Pizza, and the Summer Reading Program in partnership with San Joaquin County Libraries. Additionally, the Ports teamed up with Valley First Credit Union for this year’s Community Corner. Valley First donated 625 tickets to the Anchor Fund, and the Ports matched that donation for tickets to be distributed in the community.

Through these outreach programs, the Ports were able to provide people of all ages with donated or discounted tickets.

New to the 2017 season, the Ports partnered with Sutter Gould Medical Foundation to create a program called “Community Person of the Month,” in which select members of the local community were recognized in a monthly pre-game ceremony and a $500 donation was made to a non-profit organization of each recipient’s choice.

Finally, the Ports’ mascot, members of the front office, and Ports players were out in the community approximately 180 days out of the 2017 calendar year for events such as Little League Opening Ceremonies, school and library visits, grassroots events, and more.

“We are proud of the impact the Ports Community Department has made in the city of Stockton and beyond, in conjunction with the many people and organizations in our market,” said President Pat Filippone. “Over the 10 years since we’ve established the Anchor Fund, the Ports have remained committed to supporting the community and we look forward to growing upon this season’s success in the upcoming year.

The Stockton Ports’ Anchor Fund was established in early 2007 and has helped support many community projects, with a primary focus on youth centers and youth sports. The charitable fund reflects and reaffirms the Ports’ commitment to strengthening the community using baseball and entertainment as a backdrop, with 457 non-profit organizations receiving donations in 2017.

To view the Community Relations Report and receive ticket information on the 2018 season, please visit www.stocktonports.com.

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

Sounds Donate to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee on Giving Tuesday

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

The Nashville Sounds announced today that, in partnership with BUSH’S® Beans, they will provide a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee as part of #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration, on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely-recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Since its inaugural year in 2012, #GivingTuesday has become a movement that celebrates and supports generosity and philanthropy.

This past season, Renato Nuñez was named the BUSH’S Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the Pacific Coast League at the 2017 Triple-A All-Star Game in Tacoma, Washington, after belting a three-run home run in the PCL’s 6-4 win over the International League. As an extension of this award, BUSH’S and the Sounds will provide a $1,000 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

“In the spirit of giving, the Sounds are pleased to team with BUSH’S Beans to make a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee on behalf of the MVP performance by slugger Renato Nuñez,” said Sounds General Manager Adam Nuse. “The effort and work of Second Harvest Food Bank is vital to providing meals for the hungry in Nashville and the surrounding communities. The Sounds organization is honored to pair with such outstanding people trying to better our community.”

BUSH’S Beans sponsored 11 All-Star Game MVP awards throughout Minor League Baseball this summer. BUSH’S is making a donation to a local charitable organization chosen by each MVP Award winner’s home club.

“One of the things that attracted BUSH’S to Minor League Baseball is how the clubs and their local communities support each other,” said Mike Morris, Senior Brand Manager at Bush Brothers & Company. “We are proud to recognize the contributions of each BUSH’S MVP Award winner by giving back to his team’s local charity.”

Minor League Baseball unveiled a multi-year, strategic partnership with BUSH’S Beans last December, making it the “Official Beans of Minor League Baseball,” and a “Preferred Partner” of a number of MiLB teams, beginning in 2017. Bush Brothers & Company is the recognized brand leader in beans. The partnership was activated across a range of touch-points this year, including in-ballpark celebrations such as National Baked Bean Month in July and the integration of a variety of BUSH’S Beans products in teams’ concessions.

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