Dragons to Participate in Great American Cleanup

Dayton, Ohio – Montgomery County Environmental Services will host the Great American Cleanup event on Saturday, May 19 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Ft. McKinley United Methodist Church on 3721 W. Siebenthaler Ave. in Dayton.

The Dragons will kick off the event from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. with hats, raffle prizes, Dragons players, members of the Dragons Green Team, members of the front office staff, and a mascot. The cleanup of the area will begin at 10:00 a.m. and continue until 2:00 p.m. Dragons players, Green Team and staff will assist in the cleanup until 12:00 p.m.

At this time, 2018 Great American Cleanup registration is full, but you can still show up to the event to help cleanup and enter the raffle or organize your own cleanup. You can visit www.kmbcohio.org to organize your own event.

This is a rain or shine event. In the event of severe weather, keep an eye on the Dragons Facebook and Twitter pages for updates on the morning of May 19.

About the Great American Cleanup

The Great American Cleanup is the largest organized volunteer litter cleanup and community improvement program in the country. This long standing Keep America Beautiful event, which runs annually from March 1 until May 31, is sponsored locally by the Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) program. Keep Montgomery County Beautiful provides volunteers with cleanup supplies and can assist with litter disposal. KMCB can also help coordinate cleanup events and provide other resources for large scale community projects. For more information on KMCB programs, please visit www.kmcbohio.org or call (937) 225-4999.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com

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

Dragons Set for IGS Energy’s “Little Big Leagues” Takeover

DAYTON, OHIO – The Dayton Dragons and IGS Energy continue their partnership to enhance the youth baseball experience all over the Dayton area in 2018. The “Little Big Leagues” program, presented by IGS Energy, has been an integral part of connecting Dragons players with aspiring youth baseball players over the years, and this program extends out into the community as well.

The “Little Big Leagues” Takeover is one of the favorite events for youth baseball players in the area. The event, presented by IGS Energy, is on Saturday, June 9, and gives local kids the chance to “bring the Dragons to your home turf”. Not only will the famed Green Team, Heater, and Gem make appearances at local youth baseball fields and practices, but Dragons players will be in attendance too. Kids have the chance to learn baseball fundamentals from current Dragons players. Teams won this experience by signing up for a Little Big Leagues Pre-Game Parade.

Thousands of youth baseball players have the opportunity to participate in one of the IGS Little League Parades before a sold-out Dragons game this summer. Leagues that come to a Dragons game as part of a group outing will be escorted for a lap around the warning track at Fifth Third Field during pre-game warmups and have an opportunity to take a league-wide photo on the field. Leagues were encouraged to sign up early, so they could be entered to win the Grand Prize Game and other experiences.

For more information on how little league teams and players can get involved in the Dragons “Little Big Leagues” program, presented by IGS Energy, contact the Dragons group sales department at (937) 228-2287, email dragons@daytondragons.com, or visit www.daytondragons.com/IGS.

About IGS

IGS is a leading provider of retail energy supply, home services products, distributed generation such as solar and combined heat and power as well as compressed natural gas services. With over 25 years of experience, the company leverages extensive in-house expertise to bring innovation to the energy industry. By embracing new technologies, supporting alternative energy resources, and encouraging energy independence, IGS is inspiring homeowners, businesses, and communities to make smart energy decisions. The company also has a community investment program which provides employees with opportunities to get involved with and give to causes that are meaningful to the company and to them personally.

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

Dragons Baseball Camps Set for This Summer

DAYTON, OHIO – The Dayton Dragons and IGS Energy continue their partnership to enhance the youth baseball experience all over the Dayton area in 2018. The Little Big Leagues program has been an integral part of connecting Dragons players with aspiring young baseball players over the years, and this program expands out into the community as well.

This summer, the Dragons will host two baseball camps at Fifth Third Field as part of the Little Big Leagues program, presented by IGS Energy. The camps run for two days each from 9 AM to 1 PM each day. Participants will learn baseball fundamentals from Dragons players and coaches. The experience includes player autographs, a Dragons shirt, Dragons hat, certificate of participation, a gift from IGS Energy, and four tickets to a future Dragons home game.

The dates for the camps are June 25 and 26 as well as July 30 and 31. Any youth baseball or softball player ages 7 through 14 is eligible to participate in the two-day camp. The cost is $90 for the two-days and lunch will be provided at the ballpark on the second day of the camp.

For more information on how little league teams and players can get involved in the Dragons “Little Big Leagues” program, presented by IGS Energy, contact the Dragons group sales department at (937) 228-2287, email dragons@daytondragons.com, or visit www.daytondragons.com/IGS.

About IGS

IGS is a leading provider of retail energy supply, home services products, distributed generation such as solar and combined heat and power as well as compressed natural gas services. With over 25 years of experience, the company leverages extensive in-house expertise to bring innovation to the energy industry. By embracing new technologies, supporting alternative energy resources, and encouraging energy independence, IGS is inspiring homeowners, businesses, and communities to make smart energy decisions. The company also has a community investment program which provides employees with opportunities to get involved with and give to causes that are meaningful to the company and to them personally.

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

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Dragons and Wright State to Honor Top Teacher

Dayton, Ohio – The Dragons and Wright State University’s College of Education and Human Services will honor Missy Nix as a Dragons MVP Program Top Teacher on Tuesday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Fifth Third Field.

The Dragons MVP Program Top Teacher Award honors teachers for their outstanding accomplishments in his or her classroom and community.

Missy Nix- Top Teacher Award Honoree

Missy Nix is a 4th grade teacher at Shawnee Elementary. She is a proud Wright State University alum, earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees there.

She grew up thinking she would be an accountant, but the further along she went in life, she knew she was being called to something different. That something different was a career as a teacher.

“I believe God put me in the teaching position I am in,” Missy said. “I receive strength and joy from this direction he gave me.”

Missy also knows that teaching our children is definitely a team effort. “A lot of recognition belongs to the parents of these MVPs. They have instilled the values necessary for student success academically, behaviorally, and personally.”

Of many great stories Missy has, one student sticks out from the rest. Six years ago, Missy had a student who was struggling to improve his reading level from one year to the next. That summer, Missy was determined to help him improve his reading level. Every week the pair would get together and Missy would challenge him with progressively difficult passages to read. They would even talk each day on the phone so he could read the passage out loud to her. By the end of that summer, the student had made huge strides and caught up with his peers.

Missy has been using the Dragons MVP Program since the beginning. Her favorite part of the program is being able to give her students the power to nominate their peers for recognition as a Dragons MVP winner.

For her dedication to go above and beyond for her classroom and all of the students at Shawnee Elementary, Missy Nix is being honored as a Dragons MVP Program Top Teacher. This award is made possible by Wright State University’s College of Education and Human Services.

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

Dragons Players and Mascot to Visit Schools in Two Counties This Week

DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Dragons players and one of the team’s mascots, Gem, will visit schools in Montgomery and Greene County this week. The visits are part of the Dragons MVP program and members of the local media are invited to cover them. The players will introduce themselves to the students, answer questions, and are available for pictures. Each student will also receive a school folder and a Dragons pencil. The following schools are listed with an address, date, and time of visit:

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

10:00am-10:45am

Edison Elementary

228 N. Broadway St.

Dayton, OH 45402

Phone: 937-542-4540

11:15am-12:00pm

Pathway School of Discovery

173 Avondale Dr.

Dayton, OH 45404

Phone: 937-235-5498

Wednesday May 9, 2018

10:00am – 10:45am

Valley Elementary

3601 Jonathon Dr.

Dayton, OH 45434

Phone: 937-429-7597

11:15am – 12:00pm

Blairwood Elementary

1241 Blairwood Ave.

Dayton, OH 45417

Phone: 937-263-3504

Members of the media may contact schools individually at the numbers listed above if they intend to attend and cover the visits.

The Dragons MVP Program, a tool for teachers, uses the marketing power of Dayton Dragons Baseball as an educational tool for fourth and fifth grade teachers, helping them motivate and reward students for success both in and out of the classroom. The Dayton Dragons MVP Program presented by Bob Evans Farms is also made possible by CollegeAdvantage, Sinclair College, WDTN-TV and Dayton’s CW. For more information on the Dragons MVP Program, contact the Dayton Dragons or visit www.daytondragons.com/mvp.

More Information:  The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

Dragons and Vectren Present 2018 “Community All-Stars”

Dayton, Ohio – The Dragons and Vectren will honor Olivia Velez during the unique “Community All-Stars” program on Tuesday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. when the Dayton Dragons take on the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Fifth Third Field.

The Dayton community is a great place to live, work and play. But what makes Dayton truly great are the people that call Dayton home. We have great people and great organizations in our community that do incredible things each and every day. Throughout the season, the Dragons and Vectren will honor five “All-Stars” with a special inning break tribute in recognition of their service.

Olivia’s Story: “Little Girl, Big Heart”

At the age of 5, Olivia Velez’s life flipped upside down. She was uprooted from her home and sent to live with her grandma, but these moments never stopped her caring soul. She told her grandma, Tina, that she wanted to help kids in similar or worse situations. After brainstorming, they started collecting get-well-cards to send to children. These cards were full of googly eyes, funny jokes, and encouragement. Though she already brought smiles to hundreds of kids’ faces, she realized she could do more.

At the age of 7, Olivia started “Project Local Hugs”- an organization that takes donated goods and delivers them to those in need. Olivia and her grandma started collecting purses and included items like hair brushes, hand sanitizer, body wash, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Once completed, these purses are given to the local Young Women’s Christian Associate for women who are seeking a safe shelter from domestic violence or drug abuse.

Continuing to grow their organization, Olivia started collecting backpacks full of notebooks, pens and crayons to deliver to kids in situations similar to what she experienced. “It makes me feel better that I’ve done something good” Olivia said. “We should always be kind and think about others.”

As a 10-year-old, Olivia recently won the Domestic Violence Prevention Project awarded Montgomery County, and continues to shine throughout the Dayton Community. To learn more about Project Local Hugs, you can visit www.facebook.com/projectlocalhugs

The Dragons Community All-Stars Program is made possible by the generous support of Vectren. For more information or to nominate an All-Star in your life, visit www.daytondragons.com/communityallstar.

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

Fifth Third Bank Donates Dragons Tickets to over 100 Local Organizations

Dayton, Ohio-The Dayton Dragons announced today that Dragons stadium naming rights partner Fifth Third Bank has donated more than 100 Dragons season ticket packages to local charitable organizations for the 2018 season. Additionally, Fifth Third Bank has donated the use of a luxury suite at Fifth Third Field for numerous Dragons games this season to host charitable organizations serving the Dayton region.

Fifth Third Bank will donate tickets to more than 100 non-profit organizations in the Dayton area this season. Each organization will receive four tickets to 17 different Dragons games. The list of recipients includes March of Dimes, the Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics of Greater Dayton, American Heart Association, Boys & Girls Club, Pink Ribbon Girls, the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, the Alzheimer’s Association, Habitat for Humanity, Daybreak, Fisher House, and many others.

Dragons Team President, Bob Murphy, commented “Fifth Third Bank recognizes that these organizations are the heart of our region. These groups usually have small professional staffs and limited resources. These ticket packages are a great tool that they can use to recognize the amazing volunteers, thank donors, and use in other ways to support their cause.”

Fifth Third Bank’s Senior Vice President, Doug Compton, also commented, “We are proud to partner with the Dayton Dragons to provide season tickets to organizations that are serving members of our local community and are meeting some of their most important needs. We understand the value that these companies provide to our region and how impactful they are to our area.”

Fifth Third Bank has been a longtime corporate partner of the Dayton Dragons and the entire Dayton community. The Dragons are proud to work with Fifth Third Bank on this initiative.

More information: Fifth Third Bank can help provide professional banking solutions for your organization, staff, and clients. Should you need to reach out to Fifth Third Bank to inquire how they can assist your organization, please contact Mr. Scott Mumpower. Scott can be reached at Scott.Mumpower@53.com, or via phone at 937-227-6032.

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

Heater’s Recycling Bin Initiative

Dayton, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons and Montgomery County Environmental Services are once again teaming up for Heater’s RBI Program (Recycling Bin Initiative). It’s a free, fun and educational program for kids and families to learn about household recycling and its benefits to the earth. It only requires two weeks of tracking recycling to participate, but families are encouraged to keep up the good work after.

This is the 8th year for the RBI program and tens of thousands of cans, glass, cardboard and plastic have been saved from the landfill thanks for the recycling efforts of participants. The best part is, all participants will receive up to four Dragons lawn tickets for an exclusive RBI Night and be eligible to win other great prizes. Visit www.daytondragons.com/rbi to get more information and participate.

The RBI kickoff event will be after the Dragons game on Sunday, April 29 when the Dragons take on the Fort Wayne Tin Caps at 2:00 p.m. Fans can pick up a 10-gallon recycling bin (1 per household while supplies last), hang out with Curby the Cardinal and get more information on the RBI program upon leaving the game. Montgomery County Commissioner, Deborah Lieberman, will also be in attendance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and encourage the recycling efforts for the RBI program.

About Montgomery County Environmental Services

Montgomery County Environmental Services is more than 300 men and women who provide high-quality drinking water, solid waste, recycling, and wastewater reclamation services to the citizens of Montgomery County. They work to preserve public health, foster economic development, and protect the environment and our natural resources for future generations. They aim to be leaders and trusted stewards of the environment focused on service, collaboration, innovation, and financial responsibility.

Montgomery County Environmental Services also offers educational programs to local schools, community organizations and businesses that want to learn more about conservation and sustainability in the Miami Valley region.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

Dragons Players and Mascots to Visit Schools in Two Counties This Week

DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Dragons players and one of the team’s mascots, Gem, are visiting schools in two different counties across the Miami Valley this week. The visits are part of the Dragons MVP program and members of the local media are invited to cover them. The players will introduce themselves to the students, answer questions, and are available for pictures. Each student will also receive a school folder and a Dragons pencil. The following schools are listed with an address, date, and time of visit:

The Dragons visited Weller Elementary, 9600 Sheehan Rd. in Dayton today.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

10:00am – 10:45am

Newton Elementary

201 N. Long St.

Pleasant Hill, OH, 45359

Phone: 937-676-3081

11:15am – 12:00pm

Hook Elementary

729 Trade Square W.

Troy, OH, 45373

Phone: 937-332-6760

The Dragons MVP Program, a tool for teachers, uses the marketing power of Dayton Dragons Baseball as an educational tool for fourth and fifth grade teachers, helping them motivate and reward students for success both in and out of the classroom. The Dayton Dragons MVP Program presented by Bob Evans Farms is also made possible by CollegeAdvantage, Sinclair College, WDTN-TV and Dayton’s CW. For more information on the Dragons MVP Program, contact the Dayton Dragons or visit www.daytondragons.com/mvp.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Dragons present an Anthem Home Run for Life

Dayton, Ohio — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons will host 9-year-old JD Shope during the unique Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, April 18, at 7:00 p.m., when the Dayton Dragons take on the South Bend Cubs at Fifth Third Field.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region who are battling serious medical conditions with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each honoree gets to take a lap around the bases at Fifth Third Field during a sold-out Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

JD Shope is an active third grader at Arrowood Elementary. He spends his time hanging out with his friends, watching TV, and riding his horse Mac. His favorite passion is riding rollercoasters. While he sounds like a typical kid, JD’s journey in the last year has been far from typical.

In the spring of 2017, JD began vomiting somewhat regularly – enough that his parents took him to his pediatrician for an exam. After a visit to a gastroenterologist and additional testing, what seemed like a classic case of acid reflux turned out to be much more.

Doctors recommended that JD undergo neurological imaging to look for the cause of his symptoms. On his 9th birthday, JD had a CT scan done and, unfortunately, his scan revealed an egg-sized tumor in his brain.

The initial 72 hours after JD’s diagnosis was a whirlwind. JD was scheduled for a surgery to remove the tumor as soon as possible. The surgery was more complicated than surgeons initially thought but, thankfully, they were able to remove the entire tumor and the immediate results looked great.

Following surgery, JD began physical and occupational therapy to regain his strength. Through it all, JD’s personality shined. He was always upbeat, positive, and had a great sense of humor. JD’s most recent MRI showed no new tumor growth, meaning he will not have to have chemotherapy or any other treatments at this time.

JD is looking forward to living a normal life this summer. He hopes to visit a local waterpark or two. He has big dreams of attending The Ohio State University and focusing on either veterinary studies or the culinary arts. Since his experience with a brain tumor, JD has great advice for anyone going through a scary or overwhelming medical situation, “You have to be patient, confident and strong…The doctors and nurses will take the very best care of you they can!”

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in JD’s life, including his parents Jason and Pam, siblings Marissa and Megan, Dr. Lober, and his entire medical support team. Please join us in cheering on JD as he completes his Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on April 18.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

Dragons to Recognize Honor Flight Dayton Program on April 11

Dayton, Ohio-The Dayton Dragons will recognize the Honor Flight Dayton program during an inning break of their game on Wednesday, April 11 against the Lake County Captains at Fifth Third Field. The game will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday’s event is the first of four special Hometown Heroes program spotlights at Dragons games this season. At each Hometown Heroes event, the Dragons pay tribute to all service men and women past and present. Presenting sponsors are the Dayton Development Coalition and Leidos. Additional tributes are scheduled for May 8, June 24, and July 15, each focused on a different aspect or organization involved in the military. The season-long celebration will wrap up with a Celebration Night on August 18.

Many veterans and chaperones who will be participating in the scheduled April 14 Honor Flight will be in attendance at the Dragons Hometown Heroes spotlight during the game on April 11.

Honor Flight Dayton’s mission is to ensure that Dayton area veterans have the opportunity to see their national memorials in Washington, D.C. These once in a lifetime trips are provided at no cost to qualified veterans. Created in 2005, the first Honor Flight took 12 veterans on six small planes from Springfield, Ohio to D.C. Since then, thousands of veterans have been escorted to see their memorial. The program is still going strong with up to four flights per year. In 2017, year more than 440 veterans were able to enjoy this experience. This program started with WWII veterans, but now much of their impact is on Korean and Vietnam veterans.

To donate, volunteer, nominate a veteran, or learn more about Honor Flight Dayton, please visit www.honorflightdayton.org or call (937) 322-4448.

For more information on the Dragons Hometown Heroes program, go to daytondragons.com/hometownheroes.

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

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Dragons Players and Mascots to Visit Schools in Three Counties This Week

DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Dragons players and one of the team’s mascots, Gem, will visit schools in three different counties across the Miami Valley this week. The visits are part of the Dragons MVP program and members of the local media are invited to cover them. The players will introduce themselves to the students, answer questions, and are available for pictures. Each student will also receive a school folder and a Dragons pencil. The following schools are listed with an address, date, and time of visit:

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

10:00am-10:45am

Cox Elementary

506 Dayton Avenue

Xenia, OH, 45385

Phone: 937-372-9201

11:15am-12:00pm

Saville Elementary

5800 Burkhardt Rd.

Dayton, OH, 45431

Phone: 937-259-6625

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

10:00am – 10:45am

Warder Park-Wayne Elementary

2820 Hillside Ave.

Springfield, OH, 45503

Phone: 937-505-4459

11:15am – 12:00pm

Snyder Park Elementary

1600 Maiden Ln.

Springfield, OH, 45504

Phone: 937-505-4430

Members of the media may contact schools individually at the numbers listed above if they intend to attend and cover the visits.

The Dragons MVP Program, a tool for teachers, uses the marketing power of Dayton Dragons Baseball as an educational tool for fourth and fifth grade teachers, helping them motivate and reward students for success both in and out of the classroom. The Dayton Dragons MVP Program presented by Bob Evans Farms is also made possible by CollegeAdvantage, Sinclair College, WDTN-TV and Dayton’s CW. For more information on the Dragons MVP Program, contact the Dayton Dragons or visit www.daytondragons.com/mvp.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling at (937) 228-2287, emailing at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

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Scrappers Host Youth Baseball Camp & One Day Hitting & Pitching Clinics

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are excited to announce that they have partnered with Vlad Pediatircs to host a three-day Youth Baseball Camp July 24-26.

The Scrappers Youth Camp provides kids ages 8-13 a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from some of the very best players in Minor League Baseball. All exercises and instruction will be taught by Scrappers players and coaching staff, and will focus on baseball fundamentals, sportsmanship and healthy competition. Boys and girls of all ability levels are encouraged to participate and learn from Scrappers players and coaches in a small group setting.

Camp registration includes instruction each day from 9 am until 12 pm, a ticket to the Thursday, July 26th Scrappers game vs. the Brooklyn Cyclones, on field recognition prior to the July 26th game, a camp t-shirt, and lunch following the final day of camp. To ensure your child receives individualized attention, the Youth Baseball Camp has been limited to 100 campers and early registration is highly encouraged. The Scrappers Youth Baseball Camp is $100 per child.

Additionally, the Scrappers will host a one-day hitting and pitching clinic for teen’s ages 13 to 17 years old. The Hitting Clinic will be held on Saturday, July 7 fro 9am-12pm. The Pitching Clinic will be held on Saturday, July 14. Both clincs will be taught by Scrappers players and are $60 per clinic.

The Youth Camp and Hitting and Pitching Clincs can be purchased by calling 330-505-0000 or by clicking here to register online.

The Scrappers open their 20th season at Eastwood Field on June 15 vs. the West Virginia Black Bears. Ticket memberships and packages can be purchased online at mvscrappers.com, at the Chevy All Stars Box Office at Eastwood Field or by calling 330-505-0000.

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

Dragons Mascots, Green Team at Area Schools

Dayton, Ohio-Opening night for the 2018 baseball season is 10 weeks away, but Dayton Dragons mascots Heater and Gem along with the Dragons Green Team are already bringing the excitement of baseball season to local elementary schools. For the sixth straight year, the Dragons entertainment team is performing assemblies at Miami Valley elementary schools. The program continues into April.

Each 30-minute interactive, fun, high-energy performance includes a visit by Heater or Gem and members of the Green Team, the Dragons signature group that facilitates skits, contests, and sing-a-longs during Dragons games at Fifth Third Field. Each assembly in 2018 focuses on “Teamwork.” The performances, typically held in the school gymnasium, include some of the same entertainment skits seen at the ballpark, plus some new material designed specifically for the schools.

All Dragons assemblies are performed free of charge for schools that sign up. Participating elementary schools on board so far stretch from Springboro to Sidney.

The assemblies provide an introduction to the Dayton Dragons School Program, an incentive-based school fundraiser that provides prizes to students and allows the schools to keep a portion of ticket sales to Dragons games.

The Dragons are providing prizes as part of the program including team merchandise, an invitation to a Donatos Pizza Party with Dragons players, and the grand prize, a Google Chromebook.

The Dragons 19th Opening Night is set for Saturday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Field against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The Dragons will officially open the 2018 Midwest League season on the road on Thursday, April 5 against the Hot Rods in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

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

Columbus Clippers to Donate to The Buckeye Ranch on Giving Tuesday

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus Clippers announced today that, in partnership with BUSH’S® Beans, they will provide a donation to The Buckeye Ranch 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, Richie Shaffer was named the BUSH’S Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the International League at the 2017 Triple-A All-Star Game in Tacoma, Washington, after finishing 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in the International League’s 6-4 loss to the Pacific Coast League. As an extension of this award, BUSH’S and the Clippers will provide a $1,000 donation to The Buckeye Ranch.

The Columbus Clippers are proud to have teamed up with BUSH’S Beans on this season’s charitable event which benefited The Buckeye Ranch,” said Ken Schnacke, President/General Manager of the Columbus Clippers. “This combined initiative, created by BUSH’S Beans, has allowed us to make a difference in supporting our youth of central Ohio.”

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.

About Minor League Baseball

Minor League Baseball, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, is the governing body for all professional baseball teams in the United States, Canada and the Dominican Republic that are affiliated with Major League Baseball® clubs through their farm systems. Fans are coming out in unprecedented numbers to this one-of-a-kind experience that can only be found at Minor League Baseball ballparks. In 2017, Minor League Baseball attracted 41.8 million fans to its ballparks to see the future stars of the sport hone their skills. From the electricity in the stands to the excitement on the field, Minor League Baseball has provided affordable family-friendly entertainment to people of all ages since its founding in 1901. For more information, visit www.MiLB.com.

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About BUSH’S® Beans

BUSH’S® is all about friends & family, and a certain Secret Family Recipe. When you enjoy our beans (doesn’t matter if they’re baked beans, chili beans, black beans, pinto beans…well, you get the picture), you can trust that they’re the very best. Because we wouldn’t serve your family anything less. Since we got our start more than 100 years ago in Chestnut Hill, Tenn., BUSH’S® has always maintained that quality is the best policy. We pursue excellence and exceptional taste in our beans, sauces and everything we do. That’s why, from mouthwatering Baked Beans & Chili Beans to satisfying bean recipes, you’re cooking up the best with BUSH’S BEST®. For more information, visit www.bushbeans.com.

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