Black History Month Feature: Five Notable Players in Franchise History

In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, 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 suit up for the Akron RubberDucks franchise.

Albert “Joey” Belle

Before becoming the big muscle in the middle of the Cleveland lineup in the mid-1990s, Albert Belle went by the name Joey and was a member of the brand-new Canton-Akron Indians in 1989. Belle was a force in the new franchise’s lineup, batting .282 with 20 homers, 20 doubles and 69 RBI for the “Little Indians” in 89 games.

Belle’s strong season caused Cleveland to promote the 22-year-old up to the Majors in 1989 where he appeared in 62 games and drove in 37 runs. Belle spent 12 years in MLB playing for Cleveland, Chicago and Baltimore while batting .293 with 381 home runs, 389 doubles and 1,239 RBI.

CC Sabathia

Photo credit Ken Carr, Akron Aeros

One of the biggest names to come through Canal Park, Sabathia made his debut for the Aeros in 2000 at the age of 19. Sabathia made 17 starts for Akron and went 3-7 with a 3.59 ERA, 90 strikeouts and an opponent’s batting average of .223 in 90.1 innings pitched.

The following season, 2001, Sabathia opened the season with Cleveland and never looked back en route to a 19-year career with Cleveland, Milwaukee and New York earning a Cy Young award in 2007 and a World Series ring in 2009. Sabathia finished his big-league career 251-161 with a 3.74 ERA and 3093 strikeouts.

Dave Roberts

Photo credit Ken Carr, Akron Aeros

Before swiping one of the biggest bases in ALCS history for the 2004 Boston Red Sox and before becoming just the second African American manager to win a World Series with the 2020 Dodgers, Roberts was traded from Detroit to Cleveland with Tim Worrell for Geronimo Berroa in late June 1998. After joining the organization, Roberts made an immediate impact in the Akron Aeros lineup batting .361 with seven home runs, 33 RBI and 28 stolen bases in 56 games.

His sparkling play earned him an end-of-year promotion to Triple-A Buffalo in 1998 and in 1999, Roberts made his Major League debut for Cleveland. Roberts spent 10 years in MLB for Cleveland, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Boston before becoming the first base coach for the Padres in 2010 and Dodgers manager in November 2015.

Grady Sizemore

Photo credit David Monseur, Accent Images Photography

Sizemore came to the Cleveland organization in late June 2002 as part of a blockbuster deal that sent Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew to the Montreal Expos for Sizemore, Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Lee Stevens. In 2003, Sizemore made himself a household name to the baseball world when he hit .304 with 13 home runs and 78 RBI while swiping 10 bases in 128 games for the Akron Aeros, leading them to their first Eastern League Championship. The follow offseason, Sizemore catapulted all the way up to number 9 on the Baseball America prospect rankings.

In 2004, Sizemore made his debut in Cleveland and began a six-year stretch as one of the top players in MLB, making three straight All-Star teams from 2006-2008 and leading Cleveland to the ALCS in 2007. Injuries unfortunately derailed Sizemore’s career, but in total the outfielder spent 10 years in MLB for Cleveland, Boston, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay hitting .265 with 150 home runs and 518 RBI.

Juan Hillman

Photo credit David Monseur, Accent Images Photography

In 2021, Hillman had his best professional season in 21 games with Akron, going 10-4 with a 3.77 ERA and 85 strikeouts. Hillman tossed the RubberDucks’ only complete game in 2021 when he tossed seven shutout innings, allowing four hits and striking out six against the Altoona Curve in the second game of a double header on Aug. 6.

Hillman led qualifying pitchers in the Double-A Northeast in ERA (3.77) and led the league in wins with 10 when he was promoted to Triple-A Columbus on Aug. 31. Hillman’s performance helped the RubberDucks finish a league-best 73-46, and the team won the league championship. After the season, Hillman was named to the Double-A Northeast All-Star team as the top left-handed pitcher.

The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. The RubberDucks season is powered by FirstEnergy at Canal Park, with the home opener April 12, 2022, against the Reading Fightin Phils at 7:05 PM. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 330-253-5151 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, or visit akronrubberducks.com/. For more information about the team, please call 330-253-5151, visit the website at akronrubberducks.com, Facebook page facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks, or on Twitter @AkronRubberDuck, and Instagram @akronrubberducks.

Celebrating Black History Month: Five Former Dragons Stars

In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, 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 suit up for the Dayton Dragons.

BILLY HAMILTON

Billy Hamilton produced one of the greatest base stealing seasons in baseball history with the Dayton Dragons in 2011 as he gained national recognition for his speed on the diamond, a quality that would continue to gain attention throughout his career.

Hamilton, a second round draft pick by the Reds in 2009 after a record-setting three-sport high school career (baseball, basketball, and football) in Taylorsville, Mississippi, began his season in Dayton by stealing second base in the first inning of his first game with the Dragons. Before the end of May of that season, Hamilton had already broken the club record for stolen bases in a season, and on September 3, he became the first player in the history of the Reds organization to reach the 100 steal mark. He finished the year with 103 stolen bases. Hamilton became so popular with fans at Day Air Ballpark that every time he reached safely, a growing murmur of excitement would fill the stadium as spectators waited to see when he would try to steal his next base.

In 2012, Hamilton moved up in the Reds system and surpassed his stolen base total from the previous year, swiping 155 bases over the course of a season split between High-A Bakersfield and Double-A Carolina. That total broke the all-time record for all of Minor League Baseball and was 25 more than Rickey Henderson’s Major League record. Hamilton made his Major League debut with the Reds late in the 2013 season and in 2014, still holding rookie status, stole 56 bases for the Reds to break their all-time rookie record.

Hamilton has more than 300 career stolen bases in the Major Leagues and finished second in the National League for five straight seasons from 2014-18. He emerged as one of the greatest defensive center fielders in baseball and was part of the Chicago White Sox division championship team in 2021.

HUNTER GREENE

Hunter Greene was only 18 years old when he opened the 2018 season with the Dragons, firing a 100 mph fastball with his very first pitch of the year at Day Air Ballpark in Dayton. By the time Greene was drafted by the Reds with the second overall selection of the 2017 draft out of Notre Dame High School in suburban Los Angeles, he had already appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Greene was undoubtably the most famous Minor League player in the nation in 2018 with the Dragons, thrilling fans with the tremendous velocity on his pitches and attracting sports media outlets from across the country. In July of that season, he broke the stadium record when his fastball reached 102 mph, topping the mark of MLB all-star Aroldis Chapman four years earlier when he appeared in Dayton on a Major League injury rehab assignment.

Greene, still only 22 years old, reached the Triple-A level in 2021 with Louisville in the Reds organization and is counted upon as future standout on the pitching staff in Cincinnati.

AMIR GARRETT

Amir Garrett spent two seasons with the Dragons in 2013-14 as he made the transition from college basketball star to professional baseball pitcher. Garrett had been drafted by the Reds as a developmental prospect in the 22nd round in 2011 out of Findlay College Prep School in Henderson, Nevada, a school that did not have a baseball program. Garrett was a 6’5” basketball player at St. John’s University in the Big East Conference who was able to spend part of 2013 with the Dragons before returning to college before the end of the baseball season to retain his eligibility on the hardwood.

In 2014, Garrett returned to the Dragons and made tremendous progress as a pitcher, dominating at times, which convinced him to give up his future basketball career to focus on baseball full-time.

Garrett continued to climb through the Reds farm system before earning a spot on the Reds Opening Day roster in 2017. He became a regular contributor out of the Reds bullpen, pitching in at least 60 games in 2018, ’19, and ’21, and in the abbreviated season of 2020, he posted an ERA of 2.45 while striking out 26 batters in 18 innings and allowing just 10 hits.

CHRIS DICKERSON

Chris Dickerson enjoyed an outstanding 2004 season with the Dragons on the way to a successful seven-year Major League career with the Reds, Brewers, Yankees, Orioles, and Indians from 2008-14.

Dickerson batted .303 for the Dragons in 2004, adding 27 stolen bases with a .410 on-base percentage. He represented the Dragons in the Midwest League all-star game and was also selected as an outfielder on the full-season league all-star team as selected by the circuit’s managers.

Dickerson reached the big leagues with the Reds in 2008, batting .304 in 31 games, and hitting .275 in 97 games the following year. Before his retirement, Dickerson played in 355 MLB games and was on the Yankees playoff roster in 2011.

TAYLOR TRAMMELL

Taylor Trammell was a key member of the Dragons playoff team in 2017 as a combination of power, speed, and toughness on the field. Trammell had been a high school football legend at Mount Paran Christian School in Kennesaw, Georgia, where he scored 39 touchdowns in one season as a senior. The Reds drafted Trammell in the supplemental first round in 2016 and he immediately became one of the top prospects in the organization.

Trammell was only 19 years old when he opened the 2017 season with the Dragons, but he emerged as one of the league’s best players and helped carry the Dayton club to the semi-final round of the post-season playoffs. Trammell was selected as a Baseball America Class-A All-Star and finished second in the league in runs batted in, stolen bases, and walks while ranking third in hits and triples.

In 2018, Trammell moved up in the Reds organization and was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the Sirius XM All-Star Futures Game. In 2021, he made his big league debut with the Seattle Mariners at the age of 23, appearing in 51 games with Seattle and blasting eight home runs.

Akron Black Tyrites Logo on Social Media for February

 

In honor of Black History Month and to help share the story of Negro League Baseball in Akron, the Akron RubberDucks will change their social media profile pictures to logos inspired by the Akron Black Tyrites for all of February.

The Akron Black Tyrites were a member of the Negro National League in 1933. The club began that year in Columbus before moving to Akron for just 10 games. The team finished the season in Cleveland as the Giants.

The name was originally supposed to be “Tyr-ites” from the British word for tire, “tyre,” but the name soon became “Ty-rites” to match Akronites.

The team played their games at Akron’s League Park, which was a $135,000 ballpark constructed in 1928 on property at Crosier Street, Park Avenue, and Long Street.

Since the team only played a small number of games in Akron, only a few photos of the front of the uniform jersey appeared when the RubberDucks front office staff began research. To celebrate and honor the original Akron Black Tyrites, the RubberDucks created logos and uniforms in a style the team might have worn in 1933. These designs and new uniforms were created and planned to be unveiled during the 2020 season to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Negro League Baseball.

However, the cancelled 2020 season pushed the re-debut of the Akron Black Tyrites until September 2, 2021. In a game against the Altoona Curve, the RubberDucks became the Akron Black Tyrites and took a combined no-hitter into the ninth inning before yielding a hit with two outs. Akron completed a one-hit shutout to defeat Altoona, 5-0.

The RubberDucks will honor the Black Tyrites in future seasons by wearing the uniforms for special games.

To help the RubberDucks celebrate and share the story of the Akron Black Tyrites, you can preorder your own Akron Black Tyrites merchandise by visiting https://bit.ly/3ue7ntl.

The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. The RubberDucks season is powered by FirstEnergy at Canal Park, with the home opener April 12, 2022, against the Reading Fightin Phils at 7:05 PM. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 330-253-5151 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, or visit akronrubberducks.com/. For more information about the team, please call 330-253-5151, visit the website at akronrubberducks.com, Facebook page facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks, or on Twitter @AkronRubberDuck, and Instagram @akronrubberducks.

Registration Underway for National Anthem Tryouts

 

DAYTON, OHIO – A traditional sign that baseball season is just around the corner in the Miami Valley is National Anthem Tryouts, presented by the Dayton Daily News. Auditions for this summer’s national anthem performers will be VIRTUAL on the Dragons website.

Audition videos, which are being accepted in lieu of in-person auditions this year, can be submitted beginning Monday, January 10, and should be uploaded at www.daytondragons.com/nationalanthem.

Finalists will perform the national anthem at Dragons games throughout the season, with the grand prize winner performing on Opening Day 2022 before the Dragons host the Fort Wayne TinCaps on Friday, April 8 at 7:05 p.m.

In addition, 25 national anthem finalists will be selected to not only sing to a sold-out crowd at Day Air Ballpark, but also to the entire Miami Valley region! These individuals or groups will perform LIVE on the Dragons television broadcast for 25 games during the 2022 season – games are broadcast on WDTN’s Dayton CW.

Deadline to apply is Friday, February 11, 2022.

The Dayton Dragons reserve the right to change performance details throughout the season to ensure health and safety has been met for all performers, fans, and staff.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the High-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 66-game home schedule at beautiful Day Air Ballpark 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 [email protected], or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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Now Accepting Internship Applications for the 2022 Season

 

The Columbus Clippers offer internships during the baseball season. We will be interviewing qualified candidates for the 2022 season starting in January 2022. You may submit your cover letter and resume, starting on November 8, 2021, to the attention of Scott Ziegler. Please have all resumes in by January 5, 2022. They may be mailed, or emailed to the address listed below.

The internships will begin January 2022 and run through the end of the season. Selected candidates will be required to work a minimum of six office hours per week from late January through March. In addition, there will be occasional weekend club related functions. Once the regular season begins our interns will be required to work all home games and arrive at the stadium about 3 hours before the gates open. Internships are structured on a rotating basis whereas the intern will spend time within all departments of the organization. This may include Marketing, Promotions, Community Relations, Fan Development, Sales, Tickets, Media Relations and Stadium Operations.

All internship positions will be unpaid until the actual games begin and then there will be an hourly rate paid. We do not provide housing. Parking is provided free of charge at the ballpark and we will also provide a meal during the games. We strictly enforce organizational policies and reserve the right to terminate internships should there be disregard for this policy.

We will interview candidates whose credentials, experience, and interests best suit the needs of the available internship positions.

To be considered for an internship, applicants must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program.

Columbus Clippers
Attn: Mr. Scott Ziegler
330 Huntington Park Lane
Columbus, OH 43215
[email protected]

 

50/50 Raffle Raises over $14,000 for Hannah’s Treasure Chest

 

DAYTON, OHIO — The Dayton Dragons Foundation and Day Air Credit Union announced today that $14,303.50 will be presented to Hannah’s Treasure Chest after completion of a special holiday online 50/50 raffle. The 50/50 raffle began on November 29 and continued until December 9. A total of $28,607 was generated and was split equally between Hannah’s Treasure Chest and the lucky winner, a woman from Springboro.

“We’re thankful to have been chosen by the Dayton Dragons and Day Air Credit Union as the charity partner in this fun, online raffle. Both organizations have proven to be committed to making the Dayton region a better place to live. This event was a perfect fit for us since all proceeds will benefit our mission of enriching the lives of local children in need. We remained open throughout the pandemic because children’s needs never stop and generous support like this when in-person fundraising isn’t an option means more children will receive the items they need to grow and thrive. That’s a home run in my book,” said Deanna Murphy, Executive Director at Hannah’s Treasure Chest.

“Day Air takes pride in supporting local organizations who share our passion for helping the community thrive,” Day Air Credit Union CEO and President, Bill Burke said. “This holiday season we’re excited to partner with the Dayton Dragons to sponsor this unique and fun opportunity for members and our community to give to Hanna’s Treasure Chest.”

Hannah’s Treasure Chest (HTC) is a local non-profit in Centerville that enriches the lives of children in need by creating care packages of clothes, toys, books, cribs, car seats, diapers, and more. They work through 70 community partners, including Homefull, YWCA, Daybreak, CareSource, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Dayton Children’s Hospital, to give children experiencing poverty the necessities required to support their dignity and to thrive. For 20 years, HTC has served over 4,000 children annually in the Dayton area. To learn more about the local charity benefitting from this 50/50 raffle, please check out www.hannahstreasure.org

“Each season, we host 50/50 raffles inside Day Air Ballpark and online to support various causes in our community through the Dragons Foundation,” said Dragons President, Robert Murphy as the most recent raffle began.

Throughout the 2021 baseball season, the Dragons conducted 50/50 raffles, raising thousands of dollars for local charities and the Dragons Foundation. The Hope Center for Families, the Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Live, and Muse Machine received money from the raffle, along with the Dragons Foundation, which provides necessary funding and resources to support the countless donations, charitable giving requests, in-kind donations, unique game experiences, and community wide Dragons programs.

Dragons Home Run Challenge Presented by Lexus of Dayton Raises More Than $17,000 for the Dayton Foodbank

 

As the Dayton Dragons entered the 2021 season, the organization developed a goal of doing more than saying “thank you” to the community. The Dragons organization felt that it was important to express its appreciation with action.

Fans throughout the region had provided an overwhelming outpouring of love and support towards the Dragons organization during the challenging summer of 2020. In response, the Dragons organization made a pledge to give back to the community in new and creative ways in 2021. That pledge led to the development of a new program called the “Home Run Challenge.”

The concept was simple: For every home run hit by the Dayton Dragons at Day Air Ballpark during the 2021 season, the Dragons and Lexus of Dayton would donate $200 to a worthy local charity.

As the Home Run Challenge got underway and Dragons fans learned about the program, they began contributing as well. By the end of the Dragons season, the Home Run Challenge had raised $17,798 for the Dayton Foodbank.

On October 25, the Dayton Dragons and Lexus of Dayton General Manager Aaron Forland presented The Foodbank with a check for $17,798. The Foodbank’s Chief Development Officer, Lee Truesdale, graciously accepted the donation.

ABOUT THE DAYTON FOODBANK:

The Foodbank’s mission is to relieve hunger in the community through a network of partner agencies by acquiring and distributing food. They are able to serve as the charitable hunger relief network in Montgomery, Greene, and Preble counties. Just one dollar donated provides those in need with 5 meals.

ABOUT THE HOME RUN CHALLENGE, PRESENTED BY LEXUS OF DAYTON:

https://www.milb.com/dayton/community/homerunchallenge

Dragons to Conduct Auditions for Green Team, Other On-Field Entertainment Positions

DAYTON, OH —The Dayton Dragons are conducting auditions for several professional entertainment positions with the team.

The Dragons are holding auditions for the “Green Team,” on-field entertainment hosts, and mascot performers for the 2022 season. The Dragons are seeking fun, energetic, and enthusiastic performers for these positions.

What is the Green Team?

Green Team members facilitate all in-game entertainment skits and entertain fans during home games and special events at Day Air Ballpark. Other duties include: selecting contestants, welcoming fans as they enter the stadium, preparing contestants for skits, assisting mascots and hosts, dancing on the dugouts, shooting t-shirts to the crowd, and creating a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

The Host with the Most

The Dragons on-field hosts serve as the emcees of the entire entertainment show that takes place during inning breaks throughout Dragons home games. The hosts introduce contestants, skits, and contests; provide personality and enthusiasm; and deliver witty commentary.

Mascot Performers

The Dragons’ two primary mascots, Heater and Gem, are the central characters and most visible entertainers at the ballpark. They dance, are part of nearly every skit, and constantly interact with fans as they visit various areas of the ballpark. Mascots also make appearances within the community outside of Dragons games.

Candidates must be at least 16 years old by January 1, 2022. They must be able to work nights and weekends; have strong communication skills; an outgoing personality; and be reliable, responsible, and confident performing in front of large crowds.

Individuals can audition for any or all of these three positions. Interested individuals can visit daytondragons.com/greenteam for more information. Applicants should submit a headshot, résumé with references, and cover letter to [email protected] by November 4, 2021, to begin the audition process.

Twenty-Third Annual “Trick or Treat” at Eastwood Field on Tuesday, October 26th presented by T-Mobile, media partners 21 WFMJ and WBCB and radio partner Mix 98.9

 

Niles, Ohio – The Scrappers are excited to announce the twenty-third annual “Trick or Treat” at Eastwood Field. The event will take place Tuesday, October 26th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. “Trick or Treat” at Eastwood Field is a fun and safe way to celebrate Halloween for children age 12 and under. Ticket quantities are limited and are available on a first come first served basis. Children and adults will require a ticket. Tickets are just $1 each and are available starting October 1st at the Scrappers Team Office located at Eastwood Field. In addition, anyone that donates canned goods at the “Trick or Treat” event for Feed Our Valley will receive a free general admission Scrappers ticket valid during the 2022 season.

Back for the 2022 Trick or Treat event is the “Fast Pass”. The “Fast Pass” is only available for the first 100 kids, includes admission for one child and two adult tickets and allows you to skip the line and get in at 5:45pm for only $10. Those that purchase the Fast Pass will receive a wristband upon purchase.

The Scrappers are looking for area businesses to participate in this year’s “Trick or Treat” event. Businesses will receive table space at Eastwood Field. This is a community event and a great way to promote your business to the public. Early reservations are encouraged as space is limited. Click here to download Table Registration Flyer . Please contact Heather Sahli for complete details by calling 330-505-0000 or emailing [email protected].

To stay up to date with the Scrappers in the offseason or for more information on 2022 ticket packages, visit www.mvscrappers.com or contact the front office at 330-505-0000. Mahoning Valley is one of six founding members of the MLB Draft League, joining the Frederick Keys, the State College Spikes, the Trenton Thunder, the West Virginia Black Bears and the Williamsport Crosscutters. The Scrappers 2021 season is presented by Lordstown Motors.

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Clippers Team Up with Mid-Ohio Food Collective for Canned Food Drive

 

The Columbus Clippers and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective are teaming up the last weekend of the 2021 season to help families in need while you receive free Clippers tickets for donating much needed food!

On October 1 – 3, bring at least 2 non-perishable items and receive a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE Reserved, Bleacher, Lawn, or Standing Room Only ticket.

To sweeten the deal, if you bring 2 or more high value items, i.e. peanut/almond butter or canned meat, then you will receive a FREE Reserved, Bleacher, Lawn, or Standing Room Only ticket.

Just drop by the Center Field Gate on the corner of Neil and Nationwide to donate your items, then head straight to the Box Office to redeem your offer.

BOGO ITEMS:

Boxed items

Canned vegetables

Canned fruit

Soup

FREE ITEMS:

Chili with beans

Tuna

Canned Meat

Peanut/almond butter

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective is unable to accept perishable, homemade, home-canned, outdated food, or food in glass containers.

RubberDucks to donate $1 of each walkup playoff ticket to Somerset Community

 

(AKRON, OHIO) September 22, 2021 – In the wake of the devastating flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida the Somerset County, New Jersey, community experienced on Sept. 2, the RubberDucks hope to aid in the rebuilding efforts by sending donations to the Somerset Patriots official charity. The club will donate $1 from every walkup ticket sold during RubberDucks home playoff games to The Somerset Patriots Children’s Educational and Sportsmanship Foundation.

“We are very appreciative of the Akron RubberDucks and their efforts to help raise funds to help the people in Central New Jersey affected by Tropical Storm Ida,” said Somerset Patriots President/General Manager Patrick McVerry. “Since the floods hit our area, we have received nothing but unbelievable support from our friends throughout the Northeast League. Whether that came from donated items for an online MiLB auction, Hartford taking on some of our games, and now Akron putting our fans at the forefront of their community efforts, we couldn’t be more grateful. A very special thank you to the Babby family, general manager Jim Pfander, and the entire RubberDucks organization for their generosity. It once again showcases how baseball can bring people together to make a difference for the communities that America’s favorite pastime so proudly serve.”

In addition to the donations from ticket sales, RubberDucks fans will have the opportunity to make donations at the box office and FirstEnergy Guest Services during each of the games at Canal Park.

the RubberDucks / our community want to do our part and help out another club in our league who experienced unimaginable / devastating loss. We are thinking about the Somerset community and want to help in a small way during their time of need, etc

“As our staff watched Somerset County, New Jersey, another community in our league, experience such devastating loss, we wanted to find a way to do our part in the recovery,” said RubberDucks General Manager/Chief Operating Officer Jim Pfander. “The RubberDucks family and fans in Northeast Ohio have shown incredible support for those in need, most recently amid the challenges of the pandemic. We hope this weekend can help make a difference for the Somerset community.”

The RubberDucks will host the Bowie Baysox for the Double-A Northeast Championship Series this weekend at Canal Park, presented by Brennan Manna Diamond. Game 3 of the best-of-five series is Friday, and Games 4 and 5, if necessary, will be Saturday and Sunday, respectively. All games will start at 6:05 p.m., with gates opening at 5:05 p.m.

The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The RubberDucks season is powered by FirstEnergy at Canal Park. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 330-253-5151 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, or visit akronrubberducks.com. For more information about the team, please call 330-253-5151, visit the website at akronrubberducks.com, Facebook page facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks, or on Twitter @AkronRubberDuck, and Instagram @akronrubberducks.

Hens to participate in Homers That Help campaign

 

Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced the creation of a charitable component to the 10-game Triple-A Final Stretch of games that will benefit 501(c)3 charities in each Triple-A city.

For each home run hit by Triple-A teams (home and road games) during the Triple-A Final Stretch, Minor League Baseball will donate $50 per home run to a local charity selected by the team. The team hitting the most home runs over the 10-game span will generate an extra $5,000 donation for their charity.

The Mud Hens have selected the Boys & Girls Club of Toledo as the charity to receive these donations. The Boys & Girls Club aims to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

The Triple-A Final Stretch begins tonight, when Jacksonville hosts Memphis, while the remaining Triple-A clubs will begin their Final Stretch games on Sept. 22 or 23.

“Minor League Baseball teams have long been great community partners, and we are pleased to make a donation to each of these local charities on behalf of our Triple-A teams for their performance during the Triple-A Final Stretch,” said Major League Baseball’s Vice President, Minor League Operations and Development, Peter Woodfork. “These charities provide a variety of valuable services to their community, and it is our honor to recognize their efforts.”

Triple-A Final Stretch to Benefit Local Charities 

 

New York, NY, September 21, 2021 — Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced the creation of a charitable component to the 10-game Triple-A Final Stretch of games that will benefit 501(c)3 charities in each Triple-A city.

For each home run hit by Triple-A teams (home and road games) during the Triple-A Final Stretch, Minor League Baseball will donate $50 per home run to a local charity selected by the team. The team hitting the most home runs over the 10-game span will generate an extra $5,000 donation for their charity.

The Triple-A Final Stretch begins tonight, when Jacksonville hosts Memphis, while the remaining Triple-A clubs will begin their Final Stretch games on Sept. 22 or 23. The Clippers will open their Final Stretch on Wednesday, September 22 in Nashville and return home to Huntington Park on Wednesday, September 29 against Louisville.

“Minor League Baseball teams have long been great community partners, and we are pleased to make a donation to each of these local charities on behalf of our Triple-A teams for their performance during the Triple-A Final Stretch,” said Major League Baseball’s Vice President, Minor League Operations and Development, Peter Woodfork. “These charities provide a variety of valuable services to their community, and it is our honor to recognize their efforts.”

“The Triple-A Final Stretch is another chance for us to strengthen our long standing relationship with the Buckeye Ranch,” said Clippers President and General Manager Ken Schnacke. “In celebration of the final five games of the 2021 season at Huntington Park, September 29 – October 3, all Reserved and Bleacher Seats are just $5!”

The local charities selected to receive the donation include:

Albuquerque Isotopes – Enlace Comunitario

Buffalo Bisons – WNY Heroes

Charlotte Knights – Baseball For Life

Columbus Clippers – The Buckeye Ranch

Durham Bulls – Durham Bulls Youth Athletic League

El Paso Chihuahuas – El Paso Border Youth Athletic Association

Gwinnett Stripers – Atlanta Trans Housing Coalition

Indianapolis Indians – Indianapolis RBI

Iowa Cubs – Kiwanis Miracle League

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp – 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project

Las Vegas Aviators – YMCA of Southern Nevada

Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Boys & Girls Club of Allentown

Louisville Bats – Boys & Girls Club of Kentuckiana

Memphis Redbirds – Memphis Little League

Nashville Sounds – Nashville RBI

Norfolk Tides – Booker T. Washington High School Friends and Alumni Association

Oklahoma City Dodgers – Cleats For Kids

Omaha Storm Chasers – B&B Sports Academy

Reno Aces – District 1 Little League

Rochester Red Wings – Pirate Toy Fund

Round Rock Express – Austin RBI

Sacramento River Cats – California Fire Foundation

St. Paul Saints – ACES4KIDS

Salt Lake Bees – Sons of Baseball Foundation

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders – Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball

Sugar Land Skeeters – Sugar Land Little League

Syracuse Mets – Syracuse Challenger Baseball

Tacoma Rainiers – Rebuilding Together South Sound

Toledo Mud Hens – Boys & Girls Club of Toledo

Worcester Red Sox – Why Me & Sherry’s House

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About Minor League Baseball

Minor League Baseball consists of 120 teams across four classification levels (Low-A, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A) that are affiliated with Major League Baseball’s 30 teams. Fans flock to Minor League Baseball games to see baseball’s future stars and experience the affordable family-friendly entertainment that has been a staple of Minor League Baseball since 1901. For more information, visit MiLB.com. Follow Minor League Baseball on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Captains announce Trick or Treat at Classic Park, powered by NOPEC

 

(Eastlake, OH) – The Lake County Captains are excited to announce a brand new Halloween-themed event coming to Classic Park this Fall. On Saturday, October 16, the Captains will host a special Trick or Treat at the ballpark event, powered by NOPEC.

The event will run from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature trick or treat stations, costume contests, photo opportunities, children’s characters, inflatables and more. Admission for the Captains Trick or Treat event is free.

Captains partners are invited to become a community partner for the event and pass out candy or promotional items. Space is limited. Interested organizations should email Ian Pertz at [email protected].

About the Captains

The Lake County Captains are the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. For more information, visit the Captains’ website at www.CaptainsBaseball.com, Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/CaptainsBaseball, Twitter @LCCaptains and Instagram @LCCaptains. Fans can also get the latest Captains news and offers by signing up for the Captains’ newsletter, The Anchor.

About NOPEC

NOPEC is a non-profit energy supplier that provides competitive energy cost savings to residents and small businesses using a buy-in-bulk method. NOPEC negotiates for lower energy rates and better terms and conditions, educates residents and customers on how they can conserve energy and save even more on their energy bills, and advocates for consumer-friendly energy legislation at both the state and federal level. Since 2001, NOPEC has saved Ohio consumers hundreds of millions of dollars on their energy costs and has awarded over $40 million in community energy-efficiency grants.

September 11th Remembrance at Huntington Park

 

Join Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, its Clubs, and players, as we pay tribute to those whose lives were lost on September 11th, 2001 and those who died from illnesses obtained at Ground Zero. We honor them with the pledge that ‘We Shall Not Forget.’

The Clippers host the Gwinnett Stripers at Huntington Park on Saturday, September 11th, first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm. Gates open at 5:30pm. Enjoy a post-game fireworks show set to a patriotic medley!

In recognition of the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001, we thank all Military and First Responders with an exclusive & unique Commemorative Coin while in attendance at Huntington Park on September 11, 2021. All Military and First Responders will be able to purchase Reserved Section Tickets for $5 per ticket and be guaranteed a Commemorative Coin (2 Commemorative Coins MAX per purchaser) OR receive up to 2 complimentary General Admission Tickets (Commemorative Coin NOT guaranteed with Complimentary Tickets). To receive Commemorative Coin, $5 Reserved Seat ticket must be purchased through special link. Order online here: https://fevo.me/clippers911anniversary

Other highlights for Saturday:

National Anthem – Trooper Jessica McIntyre, Ohio State Highway Patrol

First Pitch – Bob Meader: Commander Columbus Division of Police

Commander Bob Meader is a thirty-one veteran of Columbus Police. He served in patrol for eighteen years throughout the city and ten of those years on 3rd shift. Bob has also served in the legal unit, undercover, property crimes, communications, and the Training Bureau.

Bob is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving four years on active duty as a military police officer and six years in the US Air Force Reserves as a flight medic. He is also an adjunct professor at Franklin University, a lifelong Indians fan and he worked at the Cleveland Indians while in high school. Bob is married with three children. Bob’s wife Carrie recently retired as a police officer from the Groveport Police Department.

Honor Guard – Hilliard Police Department and Norwich Township Fire Department

Pipes and Drums – Columbus Police Department and Columbus Fire Department

HONOREES:

Marvin Hill: Captain, Ohio State Highway Patrol

Brian Taylor: Fire Chief Pleasant Twp. Fire Department

Greg Davies: Sergeant, Columbus Airport Police Department

Matt Bukala: Supervisory Department of Homeland Security Federal Agent

Don Barker: Federal Security Director & Lt Colonel USMC

Jim Gilbert: Chief Deputy Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

Rob Sagle: Commander Columbus Division of Police

Justin Alloway: Detective Lieutenant Westerville Division of Police

James Dennet: Columbus Division of Fire, TEMS tactical medic

Dan Wolf: Police Officer Columbus Division of Police,

Jeff Morales: Norwich Township Fire Department

Tammy Floyd: Worthington PD

Chief Bill Caskey: Granville Police Department

Jonathan Mott: Franklin County Sheriff Deputy

Nicole Mavormatis, 911 Dispatcher – City of Columbus

GAME BALL DELIVERY: Misty Blues All Woman Skydiving Team