Moore / Tornado Red Cross Relief Drive at Citibank Ballpark

RockHounds and Sockers Team up with ICA Broadcasting

Anyone that donates at the Citibank Ballpark location will receive a ticket voucher to a future game
Anyone that donates at the Citibank Ballpark location will receive a ticket voucher to a future game

ICA Broadcasting has seeded a drive for families affected by the severe weather in Oklahoma (Moore, Oklahoma City area), with a donation of $150,000 and are asking local residents to contribute as well. Cash donations (or check) will go to the Red Cross efforts in the area.

CBS 7, KISSFM, My Country 96.1, Mix 106, Classic Rock 102 and News Talk 550 are all under ICA’s umbrella and are helping with the drive. Due to a lack of a Midland location, the Midland RockHounds and SockersFC have stepped up and will be accepting donations in Midland at the Citibank Ballpark Box Office. Donations will be accepted from noon until 7:00 PM at the ballpark and from noon until 7:00 PM in Odessa at the Music City Mall Parking Lot.

Anyone that donates at Citibank Ballpark will receive a ticket voucher to a future RockHounds home game.

– Donate online by going to www.redcross.org  and click on the DONATE NOW button on the home page.

– Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10.00 contribution that will be added to the donor’s cell phone bill.

– Credit card gifts can be made by phone by calling 1-800-Red Cross and/or calling the local office at 432-563-2267.

– Checks may be mailed to P.O. Box 60310, Midland, Texas 79711 or dropped off at 9601 Wright Drive (Just East of the Commemorative Air Force Museum). Write Disaster Relief or Spring Tornadoes in the Memo Line of the check.

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

Snappers Donate Over $1,000 to Cancer Research

Funds From Jersey Auction Donated to Mercy Foundation

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BELOIT, WI – On Thursday, May 16th, the Beloit Snappers presented the Mercy Foundation with a donation of $1,150 for breast cancer research. The Snappers raised this money during the team’s pink jersey auction on Mother’s Day, May 12th.

Mercy Health Systems is a group whose mission is to inspire positive change and healing through philanthropic giving. Their purpose is defined as “to make a difference by creatively connecting your philanthropic goals with opportunities to support healing in the broadest sense in every community Mercy serves.”

“We’re just happy that we’re able to contribute to this great organization,” said Snappers Community Relations Director Natalie Tobey. “This is an extremely important issue to all of us and we wanted to do whatever we could to help the Mercy Foundation in its fight to find a cure.”

The pink jersey auction was the first of four jersey auctions the Snappers will be doing this year. The team will pay tribute to local firefighters and police with a Guns N’ Hoses jersey auction on June 2nd. They will be sporting military themed threads on July 14th for a National Guard Jersey Auction. Finally, an A’s themed jersey auction is scheduled for August 18th, with the team wearing jersey’s similar to those of their Major League affiliates.

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

River Cats to Honor Valley High School Baseball Team

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2013

RIVER CATS TO HONOR VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM

On-field recognition ceremony scheduled for Friday, May 17

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats will honor the heroic act of the Valley High School baseball team this Friday, May 17, with an on-field ceremony, in addition to treating the entire team to a night of baseball at Raley Field.

The Valley High School team received national attention recently for pulling a car off a young girl and saving her life on Tuesday, May 7. According to the Sacramento Bee, players from Valley High’s varsity and JV baseball teams heard a girl screaming and came to her aid, pulling a sedan off her and allowing their coaches to pull her from underneath the car.

In addition to the on-field recognition prior to Friday’s 7:05 p.m. game, the Cats are treating both teams and their coaches to complimentary tickets to Friday’s game against the Oklahoma City RedHawks.

Valley High School co-head coach Brett Sawyer said that his team is “beyond ecstatic” for the opportunity to take his players to Raley Field this weekend.

“John Wooden once said, Sports don’t build character, they reveal it,” Sawyer said. “The Valley baseball team exuded character in the truest form that day, and the school, administration, community and coaching staff are proud of each and every one of them.”

The Cats open an eight-game homestand beginning Thursday, May 16, at 7:05 p.m. During the homestand, fans will be treated to two nights of fireworks, two Miller Lite Thirsty Thursdays, and the first of nine bobblehead giveaways of the season, scheduled for Sunday, May 19, when 2,500 fans will receive Barry Zito bobbleheads. Tickets are available at rivercats.com, ticketmaster.com, Raley Field’s Round Table Pizza Ticket Office, or by calling (916) 371-HITS.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Sacramento River Cats. Click here to view the original story.

Our visit to Feed My Starving Children

The Kane County Cougars front office staff has been fortunate to send their staff to do a 2-hour shift at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora, which is about 20 minutes from their ballpark in Geneva. FMSC is a non-profit Christian organization that relies on volunteers to hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children. Those meals go to nearly 70 countries around the world.

The photo below shows how many meals Cougars staff packed during their shift. FMSC has several locations. It’s an incredibly fun atmosphere. Everyone has a role in the packing process – some are pouring the ingredients into the bag, others are weighing the items, others are boxing up the meals and placing the boxes in their warehouse. Upbeat music is playing the entire time and it really builds up a sense of camaraderie among our staff who are offering their time. We’d encourage any other minor league team to see if they are close to a FMSC, and have their staff and players volunteer to help.

Oftentimes during the busy portion of the season, it’s tough for our staff to simply be around each other, outside of the ballpark. These monthly initiatives we’ve set up really build team morale among our staff. More importantly, the giving of our time for these causes and seeing the impact we can make in the community (and in the case of FMSC, the world), it’s incredibly rewarding.

Samantha Haab Wins NYPL Scholarship

Stowe Resident One of Three $2,500 Scholarship Winners

BURLINGTON, VT — Samantha Haab, from Stowe, has been announced as one of three winners of a $2,500 scholarship through the 2012 New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation Scholarship program, the NY-Penn League and Vermont Lake Monsters announced today.

In addition to Haab, who was selected as the winner of the $2,500 scholarship among the four Stedler Division teams, Connor Grey (Jamestown) and Eleanor McCabe (Staten Island) were also selected as $2,500 recipients for the Pinckney and McNamara Divisions. The NY-Penn League Charitable Foundation also awarded $250 towards books to individuals representing the other 11 NY-Penn League teams.

The 2012 NYPL Scholarship Program was open to any graduating senior from a public or private high school, who has been accepted at any two or four-year college or university, vocational or technical education institution or program. Applicants were judged based on academic performance, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and the impact that their local team and Minor League Baseball have had on their lives.

Haab, who graduated from Stowe High School in June, says that her first memories of Vermont Lake Monsters/ Expos games came from the Lake Monsters’ Hit the Books program, which promotes reading among kids.

“I think I was in first grade at the time, and that was the first time that I had been acknowledged and awarded for my pursuit of education.” Haab said, “It felt good to be recognized, and the fun that ensued at the game helped me realize the importance and valued of education.”

In addition to working with Students Helping Achieve Philanthropic Excellence (SHAPE) and the Environmental club at her school, Haab was a three sport athlete in high school. She played field hockey, ice hockey, and softball all four years of high school, being selected to Vermont’s All State second team in both ice and field hockey, and was named a captain of her softball team her senior year. Haab will be attending St. Lawrence University in New York, where she will look to major Environmental Studies/ English or Conservation Biology.

Haab was honored by the Lake Monsters on Friday, August 17th before Vermont’s game with the Staten Island Yankees at historic Centennial Field.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Vermont Lake Monsters. Click here to view the original story.

Travelers Night July 4th Raised $5,000

Money Raised For Turning Point Center of Chittenden County

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BURLINGTON, VT — On Wednesday, July 4, Travelers, a leading provider of auto, home and business insurance, and the 2012 Vermont Lake Monsters hosted “Travelers Night at the Ballpark.” Mayor Miro Weinberger joined fans to “Chip for Charity” at the Travelers Chipping Challenge and Fan Zone, and later threw out the first pitch, helping Travelers raise $5,000 for the Turning Point Center of Chittenden County. Travelers and Mayor Weinberger presented the check on field following the first pitch at Centennial Field.
The Travelers Chipping Challenge is an interactive experience that includes taking a golf shot at a floating green in the shape of the iconic Travelers red umbrella for the chance to win some great prizes. Additional fan activities at the Travelers Night at the Ballpark included the Travelers Putting Challenge, where fans who made two out of three putts received a prize, as well as the Travelers photo experience, where fans posed for their personalized cover of the Lake Monsters game program.Be sure to sign up for the ultimate Travelers VIP experience out at Centennial Field at the fans relations table. The Travelers VIP Fan Experience includes 25 tickets for a lucky winner and his/her friends, on-field access to meet the Vermont Lake Monsters field manager and current players, and a signed Lake Monsters Jersey. The contest runs through Tuesday, August 21.
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Vermont Lake Monsters. Click here to view the original story.

Team Urges Kids To “Hit The Books”

COLCHESTER, VT – At the Burnham Memorial Library in Colchester on June 28th, Vermont Lake Monster pitchers’ Kurt Wunderlich and Tucker Healy read to approximately 50 kids, promoting reading among children with the Lake Monsters ‘Hit the Books’ program sponsored by Price Chopper.

“It is so wonderful for the players to take time out of their schedules to read to children in different communities.” Youth Service Librarian Hannah Peters said. “I think it is important for the players to read to the kids too as it reminds them about the importance of education while pursuing your dream of being a professional athlete or any other vocation. The connection to literacy is an essential component to the program.”

Both pitchers believe that reading is an important activity for kids- Wunderlich saying that when kids read “they get to use their imagination… because sometimes they don’t have pictures.” Healy agreed with his teammate’s sentiments, saying that the “[kids’] vocabulary can grow from reading… [learning new words] and how those go together with other words and sentences.”

The ‘Hit the Books’ program, which is open to kids in kindergarten through eighth grade, calls for kids to read four books and send in an entry by August 1st. In return, the child will receive a ticket for a Lake Monsters baseball game this summer for their efforts. There is also an on-field recognition ceremony for all the kids who participated in the program on the September 1st game against the Tri-City ValleyCats.

For more information on the ‘Hit the Books’ program call the Lake Monsters at 802-655-4200. Forms may be mailed to the Lake Monsters at 1 King Street Ferry Dock, Burlington, Vermont 05401.

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

Farrell/Monsters Team To Give Back

Two $5,000 Scholarships Through Folds of Honor Foundation

BURLINGTON, VT — Farrell Distributing and the Vermont Lake Monsters teamed up to raise money during the 2011 season to give back to those who gave so much for us. Now through Budweiser’s Folds of Honor Foundation, Farrell Distributing and the Lake Monsters will be giving away two (2) $5,000 scholarships to eligible applicants.

The mission of the Folds of Honor Foundation includes “giving back to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country through scholarships and other programs”, according to the Foundation’s website.

The website also states that “the unique scholarships awarded by the Folds of Honor Foundation are intended to offset the rising costs of post-secondary tuition and fees, textbooks, room and board, course-required tools, approved tutoring, and other school-related expenses. Scholarships can be used immediately, or can be held with the Foundation on behalf of young children until their time of enrollment.”

“Once we learned of the Folds of Honor Foundation it was clear we wanted to do more to support our nation’s heroes and establish a scholarship” said David J Farrell, President of Farrell Distributing. ” Our partnership with the Vermont Lake Monsters provided a perfect vehicle to build awareness and raise money for these honorable families.”

“It is an honor to team up with Farrell Distributing and the Folds of Honor Foundation to say thank you to those who have risked so much for us,” said Lake Monsters General Manager, Nate Cloutier. “It is a nice feeling knowing that there are organizations out there that can help these families realize their dreams and put a smile on their face.”

Interested individuals should complete and submit either an immediate or future-use application as appropriate, as well as satisfactory evidence that they qualify according to the existing eligibility requirements.

For more information and eligibility information, please visit the Folds of Honor Foundation website at www.foldsofhonor.org/scholarships.

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

Ports Hit Cancer out of the Park on Pink Night

Stockton-PortsThe Stockton Ports held their fifth annual breast cancer awareness night on August 26 at Banner Island Ballpark. All proceeds from the night benefited St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Breast Health Services. On this night, the Ports raised close to $5,000, bringing the total monies raised in five seasons to just over $25,000.

In 2010, Pink Night hit close to home with the Stockton Ports family when Becki Scarsone, wife of then manager Steve Scarsone, was battling through the disease. Today Becki is doing great and is cancer free.

Prior to the game against the Inland Empire 66’ers, the Ports hosted the second annual “Bombs 4 Bombs Home-Run-a-thon” presented by Turner Construction. The Ports recruited 24 participants who were eager to hit home runs to help fight breast cancer. Each softball that crossed the pink line in the outfield was counted as a home run. Fans were encouraged to make pledges to support the event. This year 73 home runs were hit, compared to the 48 hit in 2010. With the home run event alone, close to $500 was raised.

Stockton-Pink-ribbonThe roster for the event included Ports manager Webster Garrison, hitting coach Brian McArn, pitching coach Craig Lefferts, athletic trainer Nate Brooks, strength coach Chris Borgard, clubhouse manager Vic Zapien, Thunder Hockey front office staff, Ports front office staff, Port City Pirates Basketball head coach Wallace Bryant, Mega 100 representative Christie James, Sacramento Kings announcer Scott Moak, Eddie Maria from the Stockton Fire Auxiliary, California Cougars Soccer player Chris Handsor, DJ Walker from KAT Country, Norma DePauli from St. Joseph’s Medical Center, former San Francisco Giant Patrick Dobson, and the coaching staff from Inland Empire.

“Pink Night was such a success in 2010, so I had a lot of work ahead of me for the event this season!” said Community Relations Manager Margaret Sacchet. “Over all, the event went really well. We had a lot of great vendors out at the ballpark and a lot of people willing to donate to a great cause. The home run contest was a lot of fun and St. Joseph’s was happy at the end of the night, and that is what really counts.”

St-Josephs-Medical-Center-StocktonNot only did $1 from every ticket sold that night go to St. Josephs, but the Ports had a number of events going on through out the ballpark to help raise as much money as possible. Fans had the opportunity to bid on the specialty pink pinstriped jerseys being worn by the players, there was a 50/50 raffle, a player memorabilia raffle, specialty pink T-shirt sales, pink baseball sales for the Pink Wall, and KAT Country even raffled off tickets to an upcoming Taylor Swift concert. The popular ‘How Ya Bean’ kiosk also contributed by donating $1 for every pink Volcano drink sold that evening.

Before the game between the Ports and the 66’ers even began, nine courageous breast cancer survivors took the field with our players for the national anthem as Pink Ports. Each woman got to stand with a favorite player through the duration of the opening ceremony.

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A group of courageous cancer survivors joined the Ports player on the field as Pink Ports during the national anthem.

 

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From left to right, Ports hitting coach Brian McArn, athletic trainer Nate Brooks, pitching coach Craig Lefferts, manager Webster Garrison, and strength coach Chris Borgard all participated in the pre-game “Bombs 4 Bombs Home-Run-a-thon” presented by Turner Construction.

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Community Relations Manager Margaret Sacchet lost a bet with on-field MC Hot Rod & was pied in the face for charity in front of the Pink Night crowd.

 

 

Annual Community Events Raise Money for Ports Anchor Fund

Two very popular events for the Stockton Ports were recently held at Banner Island Ballpark. Root Beer Float Day was held on Sunday, July 10.  Not only did fans get to cool down with “bottomless” root beer floats on a hot day, but the proceeds from the event went towards the Ports Anchor Fund, which in turn helps local youth centers and youth sports.

The event was sponsored by Metro PCS and all of the root beer and ice cream was generously donated by Sunnyside Farms and Super Store Industries. Metro PCS also donated all of the mugs used for the event.

Root Beer Float Day also gives fans the opportunity to interact with their favorite Ports players. Ports pitchers Scott Deal, Mike Hart, Josh Lansford, and Rob Gilliam helped out with the event by scooping ice cream and pouring root beer for eager fans. Alongside the players, the Ports had help form radio DJ Lucas from KWIN, Dinger from the Sacramento River Cats, several Sunnyside Farms employees, and of course Splash got in on the fun as well.

The Ports were also host to two sessions of a youth baseball camp. Youth camp serves a number of purposes. First, all proceeds from the camp go to the Ports Anchor Fund. Camp also gives kids, boys and girls alike, ages 5-13 the chance to learn from the pros. Campers are able to get up close and personal with the Ports players and coaches. Youth camp is all about a fun experience for the kids, but it is also organized each year to teach young kids the fundamentals of baseball. Kids look up to the Ports players, so they always enjoy learning a few new skills from them.

Session one of baseball camp was held on June 17 & 18 and session two on July 16 & 17, both from 9 AM to 2 PM. Campers started the day with a warm-up with Ports Strength and Conditioning coach Chris Borgard. After the warm-up, the kids were broken up in to six different groups, according to age. Each station was staffed with a Ports player and the kids were taught a different skill at each one. Ports Manager Webster Garrison & Pitching Coach Craig Lefferts roamed through out each station to ensure the camp ran smoothly.

Campers learned all about outfield throwing, base running, hitting, in field throwing, and pitching. The campers also got a special treat with a visit to the clubhouse. A favorite of camp was the end-of-the-day game that they played with the Ports players. The group was divided into four different teams. Two teams in left field, two in right. Each camper had a chance at bat as well as in the outfield.

Joining Webster Garrison, Craig Lefferts and Chris Borgard was Ports Hitting Coach Brian McArn. Position players Connor Crumbliss, Leonardo Gil, Ryan Lipkin, Anthony Aliotti, Michael Choice, Rashun Dixon, and pitchers Jose Guzman, AJ Huttenlocker, Connor Hoehn, Scott Deal, and Murphy Smith all helped out.

Not only did the campers receive detailed instruction and advice from the players, they were also given a camp T-shirt, were entered in a raffle to win prizes, were given a free Ports ticket, took part in our Jr. Ports program, and were provided lunch each day of camp by Subway and Pizza Guys.

If you would like any information on any of these events, or would like to donate to the Anchor Fund, please contact Community Relations Manager Margaret Sacchet at (209) 644-1900 or msacchet@stocktonports.com.

Ports pitchers Scott Deal & Mike Hart scoop ice cream and pour root beer for fans.
Ports coaches, along with former Oakland A Rickey Henderson, and University of the Pacific baseball coaches all participating in the Home-Run-a-thon.

Ports host two successful Education Days

Education Days are two of the biggest days of the season for the Stockton Ports, Single-A Advanced affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, but this year they were bigger and better than ever. This year, the Ports Education Days were held on May 11 & May 23, both 11:05 AM day games. A total of more than 50 different schools attended the Education Days. Each child and teacher received a $6 package that included a ticket to the game, a hot dog, chips and a drink. Not only do schools use these days as an end-of-the-year field trip, but the students have a chance to interact with the players, as well as learn new things about baseball.

Before the games on May 11 & May 23, four students were chosen to ask Ports pitchers Josh Lansford, Gary Daley, Jr., AJ Huttenlocker, Chris Mederos and Scott Deal educational questions down on the field in front of the crowd. Afterwards the students were able to get autographs from the players.

During each game, students were randomly chosen to be a guest PA announcer, Radio announcer, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, as well as start the game as our Play Ball Kid and to lead the crowd in “Take me out to the Ballgame”. Stockton’s very own 6-year-old super star Kayla Talania from Creekside Elementary blew the crowd away with her version of the national anthem on May 11. Sisters Micah & Grace Ann sang for the crowd on May 23.

Clifford the Big Red Dog from Barnes and Noble was at both games, as were many local businesses promoting their education programs including Sylvan Learning Center and University of the Pacific.

“This is my first year with the Ports, so it was my first year coordinating the Education Days,” said Account Executive Peter Lopez. “With two sold out crowds, I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out. You could tell that all the kids were having a great time and were really enjoying their time at the ballpark.”

For more information on the Ports Education Days, contact (209) 644-1900.

Ports pitchers Chris Mederos, Scott Deal, Josh Lansford & AJ Huttenlocker take a picture with students from Carroll Fowler Elementary School after the pre-game educational Q&A on the field at Banner Island Ballpark.
A 6-year-old Kayla Talania belts out the national anthem during Education Day.

Ports Hit Home Run with Challenger Little League Game

The Stockton Ports and District 8 Little League hit a home run yesterday, May 12, after hosting the first Challenger Little League game at Banner Island Ballpark. Participants from the Special Children’s Sports League took to the diamond Thursday with the Stockton Ports players for what some might say the highlight of their little league careers.

“You could just tell how much fun the kids were having,” said Community Relations Manager Margaret Sacchet. “This was the first time that we have held an event like this, and it was a huge success. I think our Ports players had just as much fun as the kids did! We are already looking forward to having another game next season!”

It was the orange Tigers versus the maroon Bulldogs, but it was all friendly competition. With on-field MC ‘Hot Rod’ on the mic introducing each batter, every child had a chance at bat with help from their buddies as well as the Ports players. Pitchers Scott Deal, AJ Huttenlocker, Dan Straily, Murphy Smith, as well as position players Rashun Dixon, Michael Choice, Max Stassi, Mitch LeVier, and Myrio Richard, took part in the event and couldn’t have been happier to be involved. When AJ Huttenlocker was told that a hug from him had made a little girl’s day, he in turn said, “No, she made mine.”

At the end of the game, everyone gathered together for a big group photo and autographs from the Ports players. This gave all the parents and families the opportunity to snap a few photos of their children with the Ports and mascot Splash.

A special ‘thank you’ to Dee Dee Martinez, District 8 Little League Administrator, for helping put the event together.

Ports pitcher AJ Huttenlocker hangs out with one of his biggest fans.
Group shot with Ports mascot Splash.

Stockton Ports contribute to local Little League renovation

The Stockton Ports teamed up with the California District 8 Little League to help enrich the lives of Stockton youth through the gift of baseball. The Ports and District 8 Little League announced that Eastern Little League had been selected as the recipient of a grant that helped with field renovation.

“The 12 Little Leagues within California District 8 are extremely fortunate to have the ongoing support of the Stockton Ports,” said Dee Dee Martinez, a CA District 8 Little League Administrator. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Stockton Ports as we work together to provide a program of service to the youth of our community through our baseball and softball programs.”

The grant, worth $1,146, went to the renovation of the East Side Community Park in Stockton where the Eastern Little League plays. The Ports have worked with California District 8 Little Leagues in the past, with the League being active participants in the Ports Little League days. The grant, which was from the Player Fine Money distributed by the California League, marks the first time the Ports have partnered with the League to renovate a field. In addition to the Ports grant, We Paint donated all painting supplies and a free power washing to the renovation efforts.

“We are proud of the relationship we have established with our area little leagues and are looking forward to being able to give back to the league by improving their field for the upcoming season.” said Tim Pasisz, the Ports Director of Business Development and coordinator of the team’s youth baseball programs.

The Ports front office staff donated their time to help with the renovation on March 5. The Ports spent the morning tearing down the worn and broken fence surrounding the little league field.

“Believe it or not, tearing down this fence was a lot of work,” said Community Relations Manager Margaret Sacchet. “We are just happy that we have the opportunity to help out with projects like this. This is where it all starts for these kids. We want them to have a nice, safe field to play on. We may see them play at Banner Island Ballpark one day!”

Stockton Ports raise close to $8,000 for St. Joseph’s Foundation Breast Health Services

The Stockton Ports held their fourth annual breast cancer awareness night on August 27 at Banner Island Ballpark. This was the most successful “Pink with the Ports” event that the Ports have hosted since beginning the fundraiser in 2007. With over 4,100 fans in attendance for the night’s game, support for St. Joseph’s was overwhelming.

This event hit close to home with the Ports this year. Becki Scarsone, wife of Ports manager Steve Scarsone, is a recent breast cancer survivor, and has early self-detection and the overwhelming love and support of family and friends to thank for her recovery. The goal of the “Pink with the Ports” event was to raise as much money possible for St. Joseph’s Foundation Breast Health Services. The Ports also wanted to stress the importance of catching cancer early, and that doing self-exams could make all of the difference.

Prior to the game against the San Jose Giants, the Ports hosted a “Bombs 4 Bombs Home-Run-a-thon” to help raise even more money for St. Joseph’s. This event was a first for the Ports. Both teams gathered on the field to participate in a friendly home run competition. Each team consisted of about 15 people, and everyone was thrown 10 pitches each. Pledges were made by fans and Ports Alumni prior to the event, so every home run hit earned money for St. Joseph’s Medical Center. Former Oakland Athletics hall-of-famer Rickey Henderson participated in the event, and dance team members from the University of the Pacific were on the field dressed in pink dance tops cheering on both teams.

One dollar from every ticket sold to that night’s game was donated to the foundation’s breast health services. Ports players and coaches also wore special pink jerseys, belts, and socks. The jerseys were auctioned off after the game and that money was also given to St. Joseph’s. Another unique fundraiser that the Ports hosted weeks leading up to Pink Night consisted of selling pink paper baseballs for $1. Messages were written on the baseballs and were made into a “Pink Wall” that was displayed at the front of the ballpark on “Pink Night”. Ports players and coaches also donated memorabilia that was used in a raffle to benefit St. Joseph’s.

Former Oakland A’s hall-of-famer Rickey Henderson participated in the Ports “Bombs 4 Bombs Home-Run-a-thon” benefitting St. Joseph’s Medical Center.
The women of St. Joseph’s raised breast cancer awareness during “Pink Night” on August 27.

American Heart Association receives support from Ports Players

Giving back and supporting local charities is important to any sports organization, and the Stockton Ports are no different.

The Stockton Ports were asked to take part in the Go Red for Women Luncheon on April 29, 2010 at The Hilton Stockton to help raise money and awareness for Go Red for Women and the American Heart Association. The luncheon provided a Healthy Lifestyle Expo & Boutique, Breakout Session, Keynote Speaker Neha Sangwan, Survivor Speaker James Niskanen, and Master of Ceremonies Jennifer Smith of News 10. The Ports players took part in the luncheon portion of the event and provided a lot of smiles and laughs for all in attendance.

The players had the responsibility of collecting donations during the lunch. But the fun part was what happened once the donations were collected. The boys were provided with red feather boas. Each person who donated received a boa from one of the players. It was a fun way to get the crowd smiling and gave them a way to interact with the Ports. Eight Ports players were involved in this wonderful event: catcher Ryan Ortiz, pitcher Kenny Smalley, pitcher Scott Deal, pitcher Trey Barham, catcher Dusty Napoleon, pitcher Paul Smyth, shortstop Grant Green, and designated hitter Kala Ka’aihue.