Erik Macke to Celebrate “Home Run For Life” Friday

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS continue the 2017 “Home Run for Life” series Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark by recognizing Erik Macke, who was involved in a high-speed motorcycle accident that led to a fractured spine, partial paralysis and amputation of his lower left leg.

Originally expected to be confined to a wheelchair, Macke, now 23, has mastered driving, began walking with a prosthetic and arm crutches and also started a successful leathercrafting business.

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

“We are proud to continue the Home Run For Life Series this season and honor some remarkable individuals in our community who have battled exceptional challenges with their health,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Their resolve and courage offer great inspiration for us all and we are pleased to join with INTEGRIS to recognize their triumphs.”

Motorcycles were always part of Macke’s life and he started taking long distance trips across the country at age 18.

He was recently married with a daughter on the way in July 2015 when a motorcycle ride changed his life. Macke was involved in an accident and taken to the hospital with a fractured spine and severe damage to his left leg.

He underwent surgery to fuse his spine and his leg had to be amputated above the knee. He remained in the intensive care unit for one week before being moved to Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation at INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center for three weeks of inpatient therapy.

Due to his spinal cord injury, Macke lost all function from his waist down for about six months. He required the assistance of two people to get in and out of bed and to his wheelchair. He also needed assistance sitting up and completing routine daily activities.

Macke worked hard to build his upper body strength and sitting balance and left his first stay at Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation as a wheelchair user in August 2015. Macke continued his hard work, learning how to drive with adaptive hand controls and mastering other daily tasks through numerous hours of outpatient therapy.

A year later, Macke returned to Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation for three weeks to begin inpatient prosthetic therapy. With a new prosthetic leg and the use of forearm crutches, Macke learned to stand and walk.

“Getting to stand tall again was one of the greatest feelings,” Macke said.

Macke said he had a great experience with the staff and care he received at INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation and now works as a peer mentor there, encouraging young spinal cord injury patients.

“I feel very blessed and thankful for my recovery so far,” Macke said. “I believe a positive mind helps with positive healing. Life’s too short to not be happy all the time. We all have problems going on in life, but if everyone takes a minute and thinks about all the blessings around them then you realize there is nothing to worry about.”

His daughter is now 1 1/2 years old and he and his wife Emily are expecting a baby boy in October.

During his recovery, Macke started a business called Macke Leatherworks and now works fulltime as a leathersmith crafting various leather products such as wallets, belts, purses, keychains and more, selling them both locally and online.

“Leather work was an escape for me through some of the worst times in my recovery,” Macke said. “It has been a great success so far and I can’t thank my customers enough for that.”

To read Macke’s full story, visit okcdodgers.com.

Watch Erik Macke complete his “Home Run for Life” following the third inning of Friday’s 7:05 p.m. game against the Reno Aces at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The gates open at 6 p.m. and the first 2,000 fans through the gates receive an OKC Dodgers blanket presented by New Amsterdam. Fireworks are scheduled to follow the game presented by Francis Tuttle.

The Dodgers continue their current eight-game homestand tonight at 7:05 against Reno. The teams meet again at 7:05 p.m. on a $2 Thursday, featuring $2 soda, water and beer from a line of Pepsi and Budweiser products.

The Dodgers remain at home through Tuesday, Aug. 1, including a four-game series against the Tacoma Rainiers starting at 7:05 p.m. Saturday in Bricktown.

For tickets or additional information, please call (405) 218-1000, go online to okcdodgers.com or visit the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark ticket office located on South Mickey Mantle Drive.

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

OBI All-American Blood Drive Saturday in Bricktown

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers will team up with the Oklahoma Blood Institute to host the All-American Blood Drive from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The All-American Blood Drive aims to boost the supply of blood available in the state of Oklahoma in preparation for Independence Day weekend, as holidays often put stress on the area’s blood reserve.

All healthy adults age 16* and older who donate blood during the drive will receive two tickets to an upcoming 2017 OKC Dodgers game at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, and 125 donors will have the opportunity to select tickets to the Dodgers’ July 4 game against the Iowa Cubs. First-time donors will be entered in a raffle for a VIP experience with the OKC Dodgers, including four all-inclusive club tickets.

“Each summer the All-American Blood Drive helps maintain the necessary blood supply for our state during a busy time of year,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “We are grateful for everyone who comes out to donate and want to have them return to the ballpark and enjoy a game this season as a thank you for their generosity.”

Hot dogs will be served throughout the blood drive and free parking will be available for donors Saturday in the Joe Carter Lot, located just east of the ballpark at the corner of East Reno Avenue and Joe Carter Avenue. A golf cart will be available to shuttle donors back to the parking lot from the donation site along South Mickey Mantle Drive.

Oklahoma Blood Institute is the ninth-largest non-profit blood center in America and employs nearly 800 Oklahomans. OBI works with an estimated 1,000 volunteers and 2,600 blood drive coordinators. OBI donors provide blood utilized in more than 160 medical facilities in Oklahoma.

The Dodgers open a home series tonight against the Nashville Sounds starting at 5:35 p.m. with the conclusion of a suspended game from April 21. The game will resume in the eighth inning tied, 1-1. The regularly scheduled game will then follow. Both games fall on a $2 Thursday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, featuring $2 soda, bottled water and beer from a line of Pepsi and Budweiser products.

First pitch for Friday night’s game is 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m. The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive a pair of OKC Dodgers socks, presented by Topgolf. Fireworks are scheduled to follow the game. The series continues with a 7:05 p.m. game against the Sounds Saturday and then concludes at 2:05 p.m. on a Chaparral Energy Family Sunday, offering family friendly activities throughout the afternoon, including pregame player autographs and kids can run the bases after the game.

Tickets are available through the OKC Dodgers box office on South Mickey Mantle Drive, by calling (405) 218-1000, or ordering through okcdodgers.com.

*Donors age 16 must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission. Donors age 17 must weigh at least 125 pounds, while donors age 18 must weigh at least 110 pounds.

Staci Johnson to Celebrate “Home Run For Life” Saturday

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS continue the 2017 “Home Run for Life” series Saturday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark by recognizing Staci Johnson, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year at the age of 36.

Johnson was proactive in her treatment after discovering an unusual lump in early 2016, and embraced positivity throughout her treatment at INTEGRIS Cancer Institute and INTEGRIS Comprehensive Breast Center.

The Bethany resident is now in remission, back to work and enjoying her time with her husband Mike and sons Hunter, 9, and Wyatt, 5, with a fresh perspective.

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

“We are proud to continue the Home Run For Life Series this season and honor some remarkable individuals in our community who have battled exceptional challenges with their health,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Their resolve and courage offer great inspiration for us all and we are pleased to join with INTEGRIS to recognize their triumphs.”

In January 2016, Johnson noticed an unusual lump after exiting the shower. She made an appointment with her physician, but didn’t give it much thought otherwise as she had no history of breast cancer in her family.

An ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy followed in the coming weeks at the INTEGRIS Comprehensive Breast Center, and in February 2016, Johnson was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma.

She allowed herself to be distraught for the next two days, but then decided that to beat this, she needed to keep a positive mimndset throughout the coming months.

“For the most part I didn’t let it get me down. I was very positive,” she said. “I had that initial couple of days, but then I just thought: ‘Nope we’re going to get this taken care of.'”

She started her first chemotherapy treatment March 10, 2016 at the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute and had eight rounds of chemotherapy total that lasted into July.

“They didn’t waste any time which is a blessing because they just took over,” Johnson said. “Your brain is muddled. There is so much information being fed to you that you just kind of follow the path and I knew I was in good hands.”

Her first four rounds of chemotherapy were strong and came every two weeks. She started to lose her hair before her second treatment and asked her husband to help shave her head. The last four rounds of chemo came every three weeks.

Exhaustion, aches and pains followed each round. She would go in for chemo on Thursdays and return to work on Tuesdays. Some days were more difficult than others.

She had surgery in September and then radiation treatments in November and December. She received the encouraging news that she was in remission in the fall of 2016.

Throughout her treatments, appointments and recovery, positivity and support enveloped her.

Johnson said the staff at INTEGRIS Cancer Institute became part of her family because of the encouragement and outstanding care they offered.

Her friends and family offered other forms of support, bringing food to her family, helping with shopping and assisting in keeping her sons’ lives as normal as possible through it all.

“It’s just so amazing that when you need it, there is so much compassion,” Johnson said.

Her illness initially forced her to slow down. But slowing down also brought her a new perspective and is a practice she continues today.

“Just being willing to say no and making certain things the priority and cherishing the moments you do have,” Johnson said. “That was my big thing. Those things you do pick to do with your friends and family, just cherishing them because life is so short.”

To read Johnson’s full story, visit okcdodgers.com. Watch Staci Johnson complete her “Home Run for Life” following the third inning of Saturday’s 7:05 p.m. game against the Round Rock Express at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The Dodgers open a seven-game homestand at 7:05 p.m. Friday and fireworks are scheduled to follow the game. The series continues at 7:05 p.m. Saturday.

Sunday’s 6:05 p.m. game falls on a Chaparral Energy Family Sunday filled with family-oriented activities, including pregame player autographs and kids can run the bases after the game.

The homestand continues with a four-game series against the Omaha Storm Chasers starting at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, June 13. A Field Trip Day game follows at 11:05 a.m. Wednesday, June 14.

Thursday, June 15’s 7:05 p.m. game against Omaha falls on a $2 Thursday, featuring $2 soda, water and beer from a line of Pepsi and Budweiser products. Fireworks are scheduled to follow the homestand finale that starts at 7:05 p.m. Friday, June 16 against Omaha.

For tickets or additional information, please call (405) 218-1000, go online to okcdodgers.com or visit the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark ticket office located on South Mickey Mantle Drive.

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

MVP Program Rewards STEM Achievements of Local Students

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and Devon Energy partnered this past school year to create a free program for area elementary students to recognize and reward their achievements in science and math. Approximately 1,000 third- and fourth-grade students in Oklahoma City Public Schools were impacted by the first-year OKC Dodgers MVP Program presented by Devon Energy.

“Devon Energy is committed to helping communities inspire young people to pursue an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects by working with schools and community organizations to enhance access to STEM education,” said Christina Rehkop, supervisor of community affairs for Devon Energy. “Partnering with the OKC Dodgers for the MVP Program provided an ideal opportunity to further this goal.”

The MVP Program encourages area students and their teachers to participate in STEM curriculum. Top-performing MVP students in participating classrooms received tickets to an OKC Dodgers game and a commemorative MVP baseball hat.

The first year of the program culminates Saturday with MVP Field Day at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – an event for MVP students and teachers, as well as their families. STEM activities will be available throughout MVP Field Day, presented by Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, iFly OKC, Devon Energy, Science Museum Oklahoma and the OKC Dodgers. OKC Dodgers players will also participate in the event, helping with hitting and throwing instruction, as well as signing autographs.

“We received an incredible response from Oklahoma City third- and fourth-grade teachers and their students during the first year of the OKC Dodgers MVP Program presented by Devon Energy,” said OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes. “We are proud to have the chance to reward these students and teachers for their hard work throughout the school year and encourage future participation in STEM education throughout the Oklahoma City community.”

The OKC Dodgers MVP Program presented by Devon Energy will resume in August for the 2017-18 school year. Teachers seeking additional information about the OKC Dodgers MVP Program and how to participate in the second year of the program may contact Katy White at katy.white@okcdodgers.com or (405) 218-2105.

The OKC Dodgers open a four-game series tonight against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on a $2 Thursday that features $2 soda, bottled water and beer from a line of Pepsi and Budweiser products.

Friday is Hometown Heroes Military Celebration Night and special festivities will be held throughout the evening, culminating with postgame fireworks presented by LifeShare. A variety of armored vehicles will be on display on the ballpark’s plazas starting at 5 p.m. and first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Saturday’s 7:05 p.m. game against the Sky Sox falls on Marvel Super Hero Night and fans can meet Spider-Man and Captain America throughout the evening. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the first 500 fans age 12 and under will receive a free Dodgers cape.

Sunday’s game starts at 2:05 p.m. on Faith Night and a Chaparral Energy Family Sunday. Each Sunday home game offers family friendly activities throughout the afternoon, including pregame player autographs and kids can run the bases after the game. A special $15 ticket will provide admission to a postgame concert by Sanctus Real.

Tickets are available through the OKC Dodgers ticket office located on South Mickey Mantle Drive, by phone at (405) 218-1000, or by visiting okcdodgers.com.

OKC Dodgers to Host Hometown Heroes Military Celebration Night Friday

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers will honor the service and dedication of local military members and their families Friday on Hometown Heroes Military Celebration Night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The Dodgers play the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at 7:05 p.m. Friday, and special festivities will be held throughout the evening, culminating with postgame fireworks presented by LifeShare.

“Friday allows us to recognize the commitments made by our local service men, women and their families and show them how grateful the Oklahoma City community is for their service,” said OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes. “The Hometown Heroes Military Celebration Nights we hold each season have become some of the most anticipated dates on our schedule as we honor these devoted individuals.”

A swearing-in ceremony of new Air Force recruits and a ceremonial first pitch by Colonel Kenyon Bell, Commander, 72nd Air Base Wing from Tinker Air Force Base, will take place on the field prior to the game. A variety of armored vehicles will be on display on the ballpark’s plazas starting at 5 p.m. Friday.

The Honor Guard from Tinker Air Force Base will present the colors during the singing of the national anthem performed by Master Sergeant Robert Alford II, 552 Maintenance Group, Tinker Air Force Base. Alford will also perform “God Bless America” during the game.

Representatives from each branch of the military, as well as other military and veteran organizations, will be available on the concourse throughout the evening to share information with fans.

The Dodgers open a four-game home series against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at 7:05 p.m. tomorrow on a $2 Thursday that features $2 soda, bottled water and beer from a line of Pepsi and Budweiser products.

Friday is Hometown Heroes Military Celebration Night with Friday Fireworks presented by LifeShare.

Saturday’s 7:05 p.m. game against the Sky Sox falls on Marvel Super Hero Night and fans can meet Spider-Man and Captain America throughout the evening. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the first 500 fans age 12 and under will receive a free Dodgers cape.

Sunday’s game starts at 2:05 p.m. on Faith Night and a Chaparral Energy Family Sunday. Each Sunday home game offers family friendly activities throughout the afternoon, including pregame player autographs and kids can run the bases after the game. A special $15 ticket will provide admission to a postgame concert by Sanctus Real.

Tickets are available through the OKC Dodgers ticket office located on South Mickey Mantle Drive, by phone at (405) 218-1000, or by visiting okcdodgers.com.

Brandi Rutherford to Celebrate “Home Run For Life” Friday

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS continue the 2017 “Home Run for Life” series Friday, May 12 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark by recognizing Brandi Rutherford, who received a life-saving heart transplant at the age of 32.

Rutherford was in dire health in the spring of 2015 and on a waiting list for a heart transplant. Thanks to the generous spirit of a young Oklahoma Army National Guardsman named Teddy Keys, and the care she received at the INTEGRIS Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute at Baptist Medical Center, her life was saved.

Now two years later and emboldened with a new heart, Rutherford is healthy and back to work. She volunteers her time to speak about her journey and encourage others to continue the gift of organ donation that gave her a new lease on life.

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

“We are proud to continue the Home Run For Life Series this season and honor some remarkable individuals in our community who have battled exceptional challenges with their health,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Their resolve and courage offer great inspiration for us all and we are pleased to join with INTEGRIS to recognize their triumphs.”

Rutherford’s health quickly deteriorated in December 2014 as she was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, meaning her heart’s pumping chamber was stretched and not able to contract normally to pump blood properly. Her heart was functioning at about 10 percent. She was eventually diagnosed with congestive heart failure at the end of 2014.

“I was being treated for that and eventually they told me I’d never recover and I’d need a heart transplant,” she said. “It was very shocking.”

She was admitted to the intensive care unit at INTEGRIS where she awaited a new heart in March 2015. Complications arose in late April 2015, leading to emergency surgery and having a stent inserted into her artery.

That same night, on April 27, 2015, Teddy Keys died tragically at the age of 21 in a motorcycle accident near Tulsa.

Keys was an organ donor and was able to donate his bones, tissues and other organs, in part, to his excellent physical health that the athlete and active outdoorsman maintained throughout his life.

The following morning, Rutherford learned of a perfect match for a heart. That night she underwent a five-hour transplant surgery, receiving her new heart April 29, 2015.

“I woke up in ICU and the heart was so strong that I remember my doctor saying, ‘Brandi, you got one beast of a heart,'” she recalled. “I remember the heart beat being so strong that I could feel it beat and then I could hear it in my ears all night long. It was a welcoming sound for sure.”

As she recovered from her surgery, Rutherford sought information about her donor. She had heard about Keys’ tragic accident near her hometown and started to match up their timelines. She turned to social media to try to connect the missing dots. She checked her heart rate one night before climbing into bed and it was at 77 beats per minute. Then she started looking at Facebook photos of Keys and his family.

“My heart started beating out of control,” she said. “My fingertips felt like they were on fire and tears were streaming down. I went to go take my heart rate and it had jumped to 114.”

She knew in that moment she had found her donor. It was as if Keys’ heart, now her heart, was reacting to the images of his family on the screen. That was all the confirmation she needed. Later she received a letter from Keys’ step-mother, who said that seven individuals were helped by Keys, including Rutherford. She learned about Keys, his love for the outdoors, his strong faith and all-around good nature, and that he grew up in the same county as her family, about 30 minutes away in the town of Oologah. Their families eventually met to have dinner and celebrate Keys. She remains in touch with his family via social media and they even have shared holidays together.

Now two years after receiving her new heart, Rutherford is healthy and back to work in Texarkana, Texas. She volunteers for LifeShare of Oklahoma, serving as a vibrant example of what is possible through organ donation.

“I think giving is the best thing,” Rutherford said. “So, to give the gift of life, what a way to go out. Of course, I encourage everybody to be an organ donor.”

Watch Brandi Rutherford complete her “Home Run for Life” following the third inning of Friday night’s 7:05 p.m. game against the Fresno Grizzlies. Fireworks are scheduled to follow the game, presented by True Sky Credit Union. Interview requests for Rutherford, as well as INTEGRIS or Dodgers personnel can be made through the Dodgers communications department.

The Dodgers open an eight-game homestand at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The game against Fresno falls on a $2 Thursday, featuring $2 soda (21 ounces), bottled water (20 ounces) and beer (16 ounces) from a line of Pepsi and Budweiser products.

Fans can enjoy Saturday’s 7:05 p.m. game against Fresno with a Braum’s Friends and Family 4 Pack. This special ticket package includes four tickets, as well as four Braum’s combo meal vouchers and four OKC Dodgers hats for as low as $39.99 per package. The first 2,000 fans through the gates Saturday will receive a free hat.

Sunday afternoon’s 2:05 p.m. game against Fresno is a Chaparral Energy Family Sunday filled with family-oriented activities everyone can enjoy. The OKC Dodgers wrap up their homestand at 7:05 p.m. Thursday, May 18 against the Sacramento River Cats on a $2 Thursday.

For tickets or additional information, please call (405) 218-1000, go online to okcdodgers.com or visit the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark ticket office located on South Mickey Mantle Drive. Season ticket packages and group outings are also still available for the OKC Dodgers’ 2017 season. Call (405) 218-1000 to speak to a ticket representative.

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

OKC Dodgers and American Fidelity to Honor All-Stars in Civic Service

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers are partnering with American Fidelity Assurance Company to honor 20 outstanding individuals as All-Stars in Civic Service throughout the 2017 Pacific Coast League season.

These All-Stars in Civic Service make differences in their communities by working as municipal employees, and are prime examples of what civic service is all about as they strive to create a better place for all to live.

The Dodgers and American Fidelity will recognize two area municipal employees as part of Public Service Recognition Week during the team’s upcoming home series against the Fresno Grizzles. Public Service Recognition Week started in 1985 and is celebrated each May to honor federal, state, county and local government employees.

Honorees will be recognized on the field after the end of the second inning of their respective games.

This week’s honorees are:

  • Thursday, May 11 – Jon Friesen, City of Kingfisher
  • Saturday, May 13 – Dee Dee Baird, City of Blanchard

The Dodgers open an eight-game homestand with a 7:05 p.m. game Thursday against Fresno at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on a $2 Thursday, featuring $2 soda (21 ounces), bottled water (20 ounces) and beer (16 ounces) from a line of Pepsi and Budweiser products.

Fireworks will follow Friday night’s 7:05 p.m. game against the Grizzlies, presented by True Sky Credit Union. The first 2,000 fans through the gates for Saturday’s 7:05 p.m. game against Fresno will receive a free hat.

The Dodgers’ homestand then continues through Thursday, May 18. For a full list of 2017 promotions, visit okcdodgers.com. OKC Dodgers tickets are available through the box office on South Mickey Mantle Drive, by calling (405) 218-1000, or by ordering through okcdodgers.com.

American Fidelity Assurance Company is a supplemental benefits provider with a focus on offering a different opinion for customers in education, municipality, auto retail and healthcare. American Fidelity serves more than one million customers across 49 states in the U.S. More information can be found at americanfidelity.com.

OKC Dodgers to Honor Esurance Rising Star Students Program Winner

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers, Esurance and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma will recognize Nate Peters, a senior at Union High School in Tulsa, Okla. and one of 14 Esurance Rising Star Students program winners, during a pregame presentation at tonight’s 7:05 p.m. game against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The Esurance Rising Star Students program, which highlights and celebrates Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) participants for their outstanding service to their local communities, awards select high school students a $5,000 college stipend each, courtesy of Esurance.

Peters plans to major in sports business at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and go on to play football at a Division I school. Balancing academics and football was a challenge for the Tulsa, Okla. native, but he maintained his grades and made the honor roll. Nate credits his “Big” from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma for giving him “many life lessons, most importantly, how to be a man.”

The Esurance Rising Star Students program submissions included unique and inspirational stories, academic accolades, college and career plans and more, emphasizing why each individual was a “Rising Star” in his or her community. To be eligible, nominees were required to be “Bigs” or “Littles” in Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“With the help of Esurance and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, we can recognize a Rising Star Student in our community getting ready for his own call-up to college, and honor the student with a unique ballpark celebration,” said Michael Byrnes, OKC Dodgers President/General Manager.

Last June, Esurance and Minor League Baseball announced a multi-year partnership making it the exclusive home and auto insurance partner of Minor League Baseball. Together, they created the Esurance Call-Up Worthy platform, which launched exclusively on MiLB.com and MiLB team websites. The platform celebrates the iconic moment in Minor League Baseball when a player is called up to Major League Baseball®, highlighting his journey through shareable digital and social content, such as virtual trading cards, video highlights and the Esurance Farm Report.

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

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OKC Dodgers and OHSO Aim to ENDUI Through “Road to the Show” Promotion

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office are partnering on the “Road to the Show” this season to give away a trip for two to watch the Los Angeles Dodgers play at Dodger Stadium in August by encouraging fans to ENDUI.

One lucky winner will receive a trip for two to Los Angeles to watch the Los Angeles Dodgers play the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. The winning trip includes roundtrip airfare for two, a two-night stay in a downtown Los Angeles hotel, as well as two Dodgers game tickets.

Starting today, fans can enter the “Road to the Show” contest by interacting with the OKC Dodgers’ social media using the hashtag #ENDUI or by visiting okcdodgers.com/roadtotheshow and filling out the online form for a chance to win.

The final day to submit contest entries is July 6, 2017 and fans can enter an unlimited number of times between now and July 6. For a full list of rules and regulations for the “Road to the Show” promotion, visit okcdodgers.com/roadtotheshow or call (405) 218-1000.

ENDUI is a statewide campaign to end impaired driving. The mission of the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO) is to combat the number and severity of traffic crashes by developing and supporting educational, enforcement and engineering programs.

The OKC Dodgers open a four-game home series tonight against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. For ticket information, visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-1000.

Teague Moore to Celebrate “Home Life For Life” Saturday with OKC Dodgers

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS Health open the 2017 “Home Run for Life” series Saturday, April 8 as part of Opening Weekend at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark by recognizing Teague Moore, who suffered severe burns in a house fire at the age of 4.

Moore, from Chickasha, was burned over 40 percent of his body during the fire that destroyed his family’s home. He would endure 14 surgeries in a span of less than six months to help his skin and body heal, including seven surgeries at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Today, almost two years after the fire, Moore is in kindergarten and enjoying life as an energetic 6-year-old thanks to the care he received at INTEGRIS.

“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

“We are proud to continue the Home Run For Life Series this season and honor some remarkable individuals in our community who have battled exceptional challenges with their health,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Their resolve and courage offer great inspiration for us all and we are pleased to join with INTEGRIS to recognize their triumphs.”

On a warm, rainy evening in June 2015, a fire ignited in the garage of the Moore family home where the young boy was playing with his pet dog Ranger. Moore got caught in the flames and screamed for his mother. Shelby Moore rushed from the kitchen into the garage to save her son, instinctively rolling him on the ground to put out the flames that had quickly enveloped him.

He was transported by ambulance to emergency care in Oklahoma City and later that night traveled by MediFlight on a plane to a Texas hospital.

“Things were touch-and-go in the beginning,” Shelby Moore said. “We did not know if he would survive for the first 12 days.”

After spending a total of 48 days out of state, including 32 days in intensive care, 28 days on a ventilator and enduring seven surgeries, he returned home to Oklahoma.

Upon returning to Oklahoma, Teague spent approximately two more months in the hospital during two stays at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center. When he was first admitted to the Paul Silverstein Burn Center, Teague underwent sedated dressing changings and cleanings on his wounds every few days and was fed through a tube and IV to help improve his nutrition levels as his body healed.

Once he was healthy enough for additional surgery, Teague had three major grafting sessions and was placed on a ventilator to help him heal. A few months later, he returned to INTEGRIS for additional corrective surgeries.

Shelby Moore praised the care her son received at INTEGRIS, in both the pediatric unit and the burn center.

“When we got to Baptist, everyone – I mean everyone down to the kitchen staff – was so kind and patient,” Shelby Moore said. “They almost went at his pace. The nurses and staff truly started the healing process, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. They are some of the most amazing people I have ever encountered in my life. They became family.”

Shelby Moore, her oldest son Trace, and Ranger were fortunate to not suffer significant physical injuries from the fire, but the injuries to Teague and loss of their family home and belongings took mental tolls on all. The staff at INTEGRIS aided them as well.

“They are equipped to treat not only the burn patient, but the burn families,” Shelby Moore said. “Everyone in the family is injured, not just the child that was burned.

“They healed us.”

The family moved into a new house in Chickasha in the fall of 2016 and they regularly return to INTEGRIS on an outpatient basis to ensure Teague’s grafts are growing with him. Shelby Moore describes her son Teague’s physical scars as “intense,” but said he does not have any physical limitations due to his injuries.

“I hope he never changes,” Shelby Moore said. “I hope he stays brave and fearless. And I hope he uses it to show the world that it doesn’t matter what you look like – that it’s your brain and soul that does amazing things.

“He is the bravest and most strong person I know.”

To read Moore’s full story, visit okcdodgers.com. Interview requests for the family of Moore, as well as INTEGRIS or Dodgers personnel can be made through the Dodgers communications department.

The OKC Dodgers open the 2017 season with a five-game home series against the Iowa Cubs. Opening Weekend begins at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on a $2 Thursday featuring $2 select beer, soda and water from our line of Pepsi and Budweiser products. Fireworks will follow Friday night’s 7:05 p.m. game. Watch Teague Moore complete his “Home Run for Life” following the third inning of Saturday’s game. The first 2,000 fans through the gates Saturday will also receive a 2017 magnetic schedule. Sunday’s 2:05 p.m. game marks the first Chaparral Energy Family Sunday of the season. The series then wraps up with an 11:05 a.m. game Monday. To purchase tickets, or for additional information, please call (405) 218-1000 or visit okcdodgers.com.

OKC Dodgers Hosting Fan Fest and CommUNITY Run Saturday

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers will host their third annual Fan Fest as well as the inaugural CommUNITY Run Saturday, March 25 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The CommUNITY Run begins at 8:30 a.m. and Fan Fest will take place from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Both events are open to the public, and admission is free.

“Fan Fest has become an event that is highly anticipated by our fans,” said OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes. “We can’t wait to open up the gates to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark and get Oklahoma City ready for baseball season.”

Gates will open at 10 a.m. for Fan Fest, and the festivities will begin at 10:30 with a question-and-answer session with former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman and 1992 National League Rookie of the Year Eric Karros. Karros played 14 seasons in the Major Leagues, including 12 with the Dodgers. Karros will be available to the media following the question-and-answer session, and he will be available for autographs at 11:30 a.m. in the Legends Lounge.

Fan Fest will also feature the second annual Dodger Dog eating contest at 11 a.m, and fans can watch the area’s top adult home run hitters put on a power display during a home run derby beginning at noon.

Events also include behind-the-scenes tours of the ballpark, giving fans special access to areas they normally cannot see, such as the home clubhouse. While visiting the clubhouse, fans of all ages can take batting practice in the team’s indoor batting cages.

Team mascots Brix and Brooklyn will be available to take pictures with fans throughout the day. There will be plenty of family-friendly activities, including inflatable games, a balloon artist and a face painter.

Fans will have the chance to purchase ticket packages and pick their seats for the season. Ticket representatives will be on hand to assist and answer any questions, and the ticket office will be open to sell single-game tickets. The OKC Dodgers Team Store will be open with brand new merchandise for the 2017 season, with certain items in the store on clearance.

Fan Fest will also coincide with the OKC Dodgers CommUNITY Run. The 5K and 1K fun run will start at the ballpark and finish on the field. Registration is still open at okcdodgers.com, with entry fees ranging from $25-$30. Additionally, a special kids’ run will take place on the field, with a registration cost of only $10. All entry fees and monetary donations at the event will go directly to the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation and the OKC Police Athletic League.

Runners who participate in the 1K and 5K will receive a race t-shirt and commemorative medal. All kids race participants will receive an OKC Dodgers baseball. Top finishers in the 5K will receive a separate medal during the winner’s ceremony.

Minor League Baseball launched the CommUNITY initiative in Aug. 2016 to create a call to action to encourage fans to think of ways to be a positive influence on their families and communities to help end senseless violence and discrimination. As a result, the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation and OKC Police Athletic League are partnering together to create positive opportunities for youth in the Oklahoma City area through sports and education.

“The OKC Dodgers CommUNITY Run is more than a race,” said OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation Managing Director Jennifer Van Tuyl. “It is an opportunity for the community to come together and showcase our ability to have a positive impact in the place we live and with the people that make this place so great.”

Free parking for all events will be available in the Joe Carter Lot, located behind right field at the northeast corner of Reno and Joe Carter Avenues. Due to construction, those parking in the Joe Carter Lot must enter from Reno Ave.

The Oklahoma City Dodgers open the 2017 season Thursday, April 6 against the Iowa Cubs at 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. For more information about Fan Fest or the 2017 OKC Dodgers season, visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-1000.

OKC Dodgers Introduce Inaugural CommUNITY Run

OKLAHOMA CITY – The OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation, in conjunction with the Oklahoma City Police Athletic League, will host the first OKC Dodgers CommUNITY Run on March 25, 2017.

Runners can participate in a 5K or 1K Fun Run, and all runners will receive a t-shirt and commemorative medal. Each run will start at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark and end on the field.

There will be also be a special Kids Run for children ages 5-10 that will take place on the warning track inside Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Kids Run participants will receive an OKC Dodgers baseball.

Registration fees range from $5-25, and runners can sign up by clicking here. All entry fees and monetary donations at the event will go directly to the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation and the OKC Police Athletic League.

Minor League Baseball launched the CommUNITY initiative in Aug. 2016 to create a call to action to encourage fans to think of ways to be a positive influence on their families and communities to help end senseless violence and discrimination. As a result, the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation and OKC Police Athletic League are partnering together to creative positive opportunities for youth in the Oklahoma City area through sports and education.

“The OKC Dodgers CommUNITY Run is more than a race,” said OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation Managing Director Jennifer Van Tuyl. “It is an opportunity for the community to come together and showcase our ability to have a positive impact in the place we live and with the people that make this place so great.”

The CommUNITY run will be held before the Dodgers’ third annual First Look Fan Fest. All runners and spectators are encouraged to stay at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark to enjoy the festivities, as the Dodgers gear up to start the team’s 20th season in Bricktown.

The OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation was established in 2015 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit in the state of Oklahoma. Its mission is to impact the lives of the families in the state of Oklahoma, provide educational opportunities for our youth and support the first responders of our great state, through charitable contributions and programming initiatives.

The Oklahoma City Police Athletic League (OKC PAL) is a 501(c)(3) organization that exists, in partnership with the Oklahoma City Police Department, to serve students and schools in Oklahoma City. OKC PAL strives to better the relationship between police officers and kids by providing students and schools with a variety of athletic outlets, mentoring programs, and service opportunities.

For more information about the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation, please contact Jennifer Van Tuyl at (405) 218-2104 or jennifer.vantuyl@okcdodgers.com.

OKC Dodgers to Host Free Car Seat Check Saturday

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers, the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, and Safe Kids Oklahoma are teaming up to sponsor a free car seat check from 9 a.m. – noon Saturday, Sept. 10 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

Child Passenger Safety Week runs Sept. 18-24, but organizations such as the Dodgers are hosting events throughout the month of September to benefit the campaign, which is dedicated to helping parents and caregivers make sure their children ride as safely as possible, every trip, every time.

Certified technicians will be on hand to install car seats and booster seats, and to check previously installed seats, at no charge. Car seats will also be available for $10 for those who can provide proof of government assistance. To receive a car seat check or be eligible to receive a car seat, the child must be present and an expectant mother must be within six weeks of delivery.

“The Dodgers are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office and offer free car seat checks to the Oklahoma City community,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “OHSO is among the leaders in communicating important safety measures to the public, and their partnership with Safe Kids in organizing these events further shows what an asset they are to our state.”

Technicians will be stationed just east of Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in the Joe Carter Lot, located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Joe Carter Avenue and East Reno Avenue, on Saturday.

“It’s our job to keep our children safe,” Devon Sisson, director of Safe Kids Oklahoma, said. “Get your car seats checked. Make certain they’re installed correctly, that your kids are in the right seats and are buckled in correctly. Even if you think your child is safe, check again, so you can be sure that your child is the safest he or she can be while traveling.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends keeping children in rear-facing seats as long as possible. Once the child outgrows the rear-facing seat size limits, the child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether. After outgrowing that type of seat, children should be placed in booster seats until they are the right size to use seat belts safely.

For more information about car seat safety or to locate a certified technician, visit: safercar.gov/parents.

The OKC Dodgers continue play in the American Conference Finals against the Nashville Sounds at 7:05 p.m. today at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Nashville leads the best-of-five series, 1-0. Today is a $2 Thursday featuring $2 soda, water and select draft beer. For tickets, please call (405) 218-1000 or visit: okcdodgers.com.

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

Dodgers to Honor Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma as Chesapeake Community All-Stars

Organization to become first honoree of the 2015 season Saturday

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and Chesapeake Energy Corporation are proud to honor Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma as Chesapeake Energy Community All-Stars during Saturday’s Dodgers’ game against the Omaha Storm Chasers at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The Chesapeake Energy Community All-Stars program identifies organizations that have gone above and beyond to make a difference in their communities. In partnership with the Dodgers, Chesapeake will honor five organizations throughout the 2015 baseball season.

“We’re so fortunate to live in the state of Oklahoma, which is full of so many generous organizations,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Dodgers games provide an ideal platform to assist in Chesapeake’s mission of recognizing deserving organizations that better their communities.”

More than 14,000 people are involved with Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma, which aims to build “girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place,” according to the organization’s mission statement.

“At Girl Scouts, girls have the opportunity to do something big,” Shannon Evers, chief executive officer at Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma said. “They discover themselves and they learn about who they are, what they care about and what interests they may have.”

Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma will be honored at the end of the third inning of Saturday’s game.

Lindsay McIntyre, with Chesapeake, will present the award. Karen Sandlin, public relations and marketing specialist for Girls Scouts Western Oklahoma, will accept the award on behalf of the organization.

First pitch for Saturday’s game is set for 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The award presentation, including an informational video about Girls Scouts Western Oklahoma, will follow the end of the third inning.

For more information about the Chesapeake Energy Community All-Stars program, visit okcdodgers.com.

Tickets for tonight’s game are available through the OKC Dodgers ticket office at (405) 218-1000 or through okcdodgers.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Click here to view the original story.

Kela Robinson Celebrates “Home Run For Life” Opening Night with the OKC Dodgers

Young Mother is First Oklahoman to Benefit from New INTEGRIS ECMO Life Support Program

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS Health proudly begin the 2015 “Home Run for Life” series on Opening Night Thursday, April 9 during the Dodgers’ game against the Round Rock Express at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The Dodgers and INTEGRIS will recognize Shaquile “Kela” Robinson, a young mother who became the first patient in the state of Oklahoma to undergo a new specialized life support program at INTEGRIS that utilizes extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

“Home Run For Life” recognizes people in the Oklahoma City area who, with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals, have overcome a significant medical event. Honorees are recognized during a Dodgers’ game and take a home run “lap” around the bases, symbolizing the end of their battle against adversity.

“We are so pleased to continue the ‘Home Run For Life’ series with our partner INTEGRIS Health,” Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Throughout the season, ‘Home Run For Life’ allows us to feature several extraordinary individuals from the local community who summoned a great deal of tenacity and courage to get where they are today.”

Robinson, 21, began experiencing chest pains shortly after the birth of her son in June 2014. Breathing became difficult and she fatigued so easily she was unable to hold her newborn baby.

Doctors soon discovered her heart was working at just 10 percent capacity. Her condition continued to worsen, despite the implantation of a defibrillator. She developed pneumonia and coughed up blood. Her heart and lungs were shutting down and Robinson’s life was in immediate danger.

A newly created specialized life support program at INTEGRIS Health saved the Oklahoma City resident’s life.

INTEGRIS became the first hospital in Oklahoma to establish an ECMO program for adults facing imminent death caused by heart or respiratory failure. Robinson was the first patient to benefit from the INTEGRIS program.

“I had no idea what ECMO was, but I know it saved my life,” Robinson said.

The last-resort lifesaving technique provides both cardiac and respiratory support oxygen to patients whose heart and/or lungs are so severely diseased or damaged they can no longer serve their function, such as after a heart attack, cardio surgery, pulmonary embolism, near drowning or lung-related issues like flu or pneumonia.

ECMO therapy continually pumps blood from the patient via a tube to a membrane oxygenator that imitates the gas exchange process of the lungs, removing carbon dioxide and adding oxygen before returning the blood to the patient.

The therapy aims to allow the heart and lungs to rest and recover while the machine does the work. Once the heart and or lungs have healed, and can function on their own, the support of the ECMO machine is gradually removed.

Doctors told Robinson’s family that if they didn’t try the ECMO therapy, death was the only alternative.

“Given those odds, we chose life,” Robinson’s mom, Kerri Harkey, said.

ECMO technology has traditionally been used to support underdeveloped hearts and lungs in premature babies. Medical adaptations and advancements have led to increased, and extended, adult usage.

Robinson was on the ECMO device for seven days. Once her heart and lungs were strong enough to tolerate the medications she needed to stabilize her condition, she was removed from the therapy. She then received a left ventricular assist device, known as a heart pump.

ECMO saved Robinson’s life, and the new INTEGRIS therapy gave her the chance to move forward with her now 10-month-old son, Thomas.

Come see Shaquile “Kela” Robinson complete her “Home Run For Life,” following the third inning of the OKC Dodgers’ Opening Night game Thursday, April 9 against the Round Rock Express. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Click here to view the original story.