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

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers are partnering with the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office on the “Road to the Show” promotion, offering fans the chance to become an OKC Dodger for a day by encouraging them to share why they want to ENDUI.

From now through early September, fans can register for the opportunity to become a Dodger for a day with one lucky winner being invited to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in September for an ultimate OKC Dodgers experience. The winner receives a customized Dodgers jersey, additional Dodger swag, gets to spend time on the field, throw out the first pitch and enjoy that night’s baseball game with exclusive club seats and access to the Oklahoma Fidelity Bank Club for food and drinks.

To register, fans can visit okcdodgers.com/roadtotheshow and fill out the online form, including why they think it is important to end impaired driving. Fans can also enter via social media by posting on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook about why they would like to end impaired driving using the hashtag #ENDUIOK. Fans also have the option to register in person by visiting the promotions kiosk located on the concourse behind section 109. Only one entry per person will be accepted.

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 education, enforcement and engineering programs.

The Dodgers wrap up their current six-game series against the Sugar Land Skeeters at 7:05 p.m. on a $2 Tuesday, featuring $2 select beer, soda and bottled water from a line of Budweiser and Pepsi products. COOP Ale Works draft beer will also be available at a special rate of $3.

Tickets are available by visiting okcdodgers.com/tickets. Live radio coverage of each OKC Dodgers game begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 “The Game,” 1340thegame.com and through the free iHeartRadio or MiLB First Pitch apps. All OKC Dodgers games are also available streamed live on MiLB.TV with a subscription.

Brandy Warehime to Celebrate “Home Run For Life” 

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS Health continue the “Home Run For Life” series Saturday by honoring Brandy Warehime of Weatherford, Okla., during the Dodgers’ 6:05 p.m. game against the Sugar Land Skeeters at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

While driving on the John Kilpatrick Turnpike in March 2018, Warehime lost control of her car and spun three times before her car rolled four times. The then-24-year-old was ejected from the vehicle and thrown about 70 feet, suffering extensive injuries.

Her journey to recovery involved almost three months in hospitals and care centers, concluding with three weeks at INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation where she started to resume everyday activities before finally returning home.

“My learning and starting to live life normal were all done at Jim Thorpe,” she said. “I remember my first therapist helping me put on a pair of pants, which seems so small, but at the time it was such a big thing because I hadn’t had pants on in a long time. I remember getting to stand up and getting to learn how to walk and start doing all the things that were normal and I wanted to be back to myself as soon as possible.

“The words thank you can never be enough to every single therapist that helped me along the way.”

“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 prerecorded home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.

“’Home Run For Life’ allows us to uniquely recognize some amazing Oklahomans who have endured significant health challenges,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Each month during the baseball season, we are proud to partner with INTEGRIS Health to honor the perseverance and courage displayed by these individuals and to help inspire others with their incredible stories.”

Warehime was driving westbound on the John Kilpatrick Turnpike and went to take the May Avenue exit in north Oklahoma City when she lost control of her car and spun three times before her car rolled four times

She was ejected from the vehicle and thrown about 70 feet, breaking her clavicle, scapula, pelvis, 12 ribs and her femur. She shattered her back and thoracic spine. She suffered a stroke, coma and a traumatic brain injury.

During surgery, doctors learned she had a stroke. Then following the surgery she didn’t wake up for eight days.

“I have two rods and four screws in my leg and I have two rods and 12 screws in my back holding me together now,” she said.

At INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation, she re-learned how to do everyday activities like put on clothes and shower.

Warehime said she never wanted to stop trying. She never missed a therapy session and persevered.

“I just kept going and kept trying,” she said. “All of my therapists, we’re still friends to this day. They were incredible people and that’s why I get to be where I am right now.”

Now more than three years later, Warehime is enjoying life with a new perspective thanks to the care she received at INTEGRIS Health. She married her husband Jake in June 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the couple is now expecting their first child.

“Life has changed a lot since my accident,” Warehime said. “You enjoy the little things, so I take life a little bit slower…Find time to (do things) because you are not promised tomorrow…Now we are so excited because we will be welcoming our sweet little baby in February.”

To read Warehime’s full story, visit the OKC Dodgers’ “Beyond the Bricks” website at: medium.com/beyond-the-bricks.

The OKC Dodgers continue their homestand and open a six-game series tonight against the Sugar Land Skeeters at 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Promotional highlights of the series, include:

• Friday: Loop Rawlins will perform his one-man Wild West show, presented by Heartland Flyer. The trick roper, whip cracker and gun spinner will perform a variety of jaw-dropping feats throughout the night. Fireworks are scheduled to follow the 7:05 p.m. game.

• Saturday: Enjoy the OKC Dodgers’ 6:05 p.m. game before taking in a postgame concert by Crowder presented by Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association on Faith and Family Night. Groups of 10 or more will receive a special rate and an OKC Dodgers hat in addition to the postgame concert. Also during the game, the INTEGRIS Home Run For Life series continues, featuring July’s honoree Warehime.

• Sunday: Kids can run the bases following each Sunday home game throughout the Oklahoma City Dodgers’ season. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

• Tuesday: Throughout the season, $2 Tuesdays feature $2 select beer, soda and bottled water from a line of Budweiser and Pepsi products. COOP Ale Works draft beer will also be available at a special rate of $3. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased through okcdodgers.com/tickets. For general information or inquiries, please visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182. Live radio coverage of each OKC Dodgers game begins 15 minutes before first pitch on AM 1340 “The Game,” 1340thegame.com and through the free iHeartRadio or MiLB First Pitch apps. All OKC Dodgers games are also available streamed live on MiLB.TV with a subscription.

Students, Teachers Celebrate STEM Achievements at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Hundreds of third- and fourth-grade students across the state of Oklahoma celebrated the culmination of the fifth year of the Oklahoma City Dodgers MVP Program: Encouraging STEM Education Saturday morning at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The program is free to all participants thanks to partners Devon Energy and Olsson and rewards area elementary students’ achievements in science and math while incentivizing students as well as their teachers to participate in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum. Top-performing MVP students received tickets to an OKC Dodgers game as well as a commemorative MVP baseball hat.

The fifth year of the program wrapped up on Saturday with MVP Field Day at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark — an exclusive event for participating MVP students and teachers, as well as their families.

Attendees enjoyed participating in a variety of STEM activities and demonstrations presented by Devon Energy, Olsson, NASA, COSTEMA (Central Oklahoma Regional STEM Alliance), Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum as well as Mad Science of Central Oklahoma.

“MVP Field Day allows us to reward MVP Program students, teachers and their families with a day filled with fun STEM activities and learning opportunities at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “STEM education is so important for our youth and we thank all who participated this school year for their hard work and efforts throughout Oklahoma.”

Participation in the MVP Program was initially open only to Oklahoma City Public Schools in 2017. After a successful start, the program expanded in 2018 to include additional metro-area classrooms in the Mid-Del, Putnam City, Edmond and Norman school districts. The OKC Dodgers MVP Program became available statewide in 2019.

The program was offered throughout Oklahoma for the third straight year in 2021 and has experienced increases of more than 1,000 percent in both participating classrooms and total students impacted since the program’s inaugural year in 2017. The 2020 and 2021 programs each impacted more than 10,000 students per school year, even in the midst of the unique challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The OKC Dodgers MVP Program will resume in September for the 2021-22 school year, which will be the program’s sixth year. For additional information about the OKC Dodgers MVP Program, or to register as a participating teacher, visit okcdodgers.com/mvp or email [email protected].

The Dodgers opened a 12-game homestand earlier this week with a six-game series against the Reno Aces. Highlights for the Dodgers’ remaining July home schedule during the 12-game span include:

• Sunday, July 18 vs. Reno Aces and Sunday, July 25 vs. Sugar Land Skeeters: Kids can run the bases following each Sunday home game throughout the Oklahoma City Dodgers’ season.

• Tuesday, July 20 vs. Reno Aces and Tuesday, July 27 vs. Sugar Land Skeeters: Throughout the season, $2 Tuesdays feature $2 select beer, soda and bottled water from a line of Budweiser and Pepsi products. COOP Ale Works draft beer will also be available at a special rate of $3. First pitch for both games is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

• Friday, July 23 vs. Sugar Land Skeeters: Loop Rawlins will perform his one-man Wild West show, presented by Heartland Flyer. The trick roper, whip cracker and gun spinner will perform a variety of jaw-dropping feats throughout the night. Fireworks are scheduled to follow the 7:05 p.m. game.

• Saturday, July 24 vs. Sugar Land Skeeters: Enjoy the OKC Dodgers’ 6:05 p.m. game before taking in a postgame concert by Crowder presented by Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association on Faith and Family Night. Groups of 10 or more will receive a special rate and an OKC Dodgers hat in addition to the postgame concert. Also during the game, the INTEGRIS Home Run For Life series continues, featuring July’s honoree.

OKC Dodgers single-game tickets are available by visiting okcdodgers.com/tickets.

Tickets for the OKC Dodgers’ 2021 season are digital and will be scanned at a touchless scanner upon entry. Additionally, the new clear bag policy will continue to be enforced at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark and face masks are encouraged­. A full list of ballpark health and safety regulations can be found at okcdodgers.com/safety.

For more information, please call (405) 218-2182 or visit okcdodgers.com.

Drillers Help to Renovate Historic Lacy Park 

 

The Tulsa Rumblers, a sandlot baseball club, and the Tulsa Drillers teamed up to give the Lacy Park ballpark a much-needed makeover.

The field is more than just your average neighborhood sandlot. In the 1950s, it was home to Tulsa’s Negro League semi-pro team, the T-Town Clowns. The Tulsa Rumblers started playing pickup ball on Sunday afternoons at Lacy in 2019, but the field was in desperate need of repairs

When public funding to fix the ballpark wasn’t available, a grassroots community project took shape with help from the Tulsa Drillers staff, the Rumblers, and other local sandlot clubs.

“It’s inspiring to see a group of hard-working, passionate volunteers come together to improve this piece of Tulsa’s history,” said Anna America, Chief of Culture and Parks and Recreation said. “This project alone will save Tulsa Parks tens of thousands of dollars in renovation costs.”

Lowe’s donated $8000 in building supplies for the project. Drillers staff members, the Rumblers and other local sandlot players are providing the labor.

The Drillers also auctioned off their “T-town Clowns” replica jerseys worn during the Juneteenth game, raising more than $3500 for the project.

“All of us on the Drillers staff are excited to be able to help with the renovation work at Lacy Park,” said Drillers President Mike Melega. “Lacy Park has played an important role in the history of baseball in Tulsa. With the work now being done to the facility, it should continue to be a great place for the community to come together and enjoy the great game of baseball while also helping younger folks understand its wonderful history.”

Volunteers will spend several days renovating the broken stadium lights, refurbishing the dilapidated bathrooms and fieldhouse, and fixing the bleachers.

Volunteers and community members will celebrate the ballpark’s new look Sunday, July 11 at 5 p.m., with a sandlot game against Drillers staff members. The public is welcome to attend and even play in the game.

Free COVID-19 Vaccinations to be Available Friday at ONEOK Field

 

The Muscogee Nation Department of Health, in partnership with the Tulsa Drillers, will be offering free COVID-19 vaccinations at ONEOK Field prior to and during the Drillers game on Friday, June 25. The vaccinations are available for everyone who is interested in getting vaccinated.

The Muscogee Nation Department of Health will have a mobile medical unit located just outside the First Base Gate at ONEOK Field on Elgin Avenue from 5:30 – 8:30pm.

A ticket to the game is NOT required in order to receive the vaccination.

The Muscogee Nation is presenting the Friday Night Fireworks Show following the Drillers game with the Springfield Cardinals on Friday night.

Drillers Uniforms to Feature Special Patches to Help Raise Awareness of 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial

 

The Tulsa Drillers, in conjunction with the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, have announced plans to wear a special patch during the first month of the 2021 season to raise awareness and encourage Drillers fans to educate themselves about the massacre while honoring its victims and their families.

The Drillers received permission from Major League Baseball to feature the patch on the fronts of their home jerseys. It will be located just above the Drillers logo that runs across the jersey fronts.

The Drillers will wear the jerseys for all home games during the month of May. At the conclusion of the month, the jerseys will be available for purchase using an auction process. Proceeds will benefit the programs and operations of the Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center (“Greenwood Rising”), currently under construction. Greenwood Rising will be a state-of-the-art history center located at the southeast corner of Greenwood Avenue & Archer Street, the gateway to “Black Wall Street.” This museum-grade facility will showcase all aspects of Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District, triumph, tragedy, and everything in between, from its origins to the present day.

Phil Armstrong, Project Director for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, shared his excitement about the added exposure the uniform patch will bring.

“Having this logo on the Tulsa Drillers jerseys gives us the opportunity to enlighten and educate baseball fans who may have thought they were just out for a day at the ballpark,” said Armstrong. “We are loading the bases for awareness of Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District, a history of tragedy and triumph, punctuated by reminders about the indomitable human spirit, in this space the Tulsa Drillers call home.”

The Drillers have called Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District home since moving to ONEOK Field for the 2010 season.

“We are honored and fortunate to have our home, ONEOK Field, in Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District,” said Drillers General Manager Mike Melega. “The ability to wear these special patches is a small way that the Drillers organization can help to raise awareness of the tragic events that took place in 1921. We appreciate the willingness of Phil Armstrong and the other members of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission to give us this opportunity.”

The jerseys with the patches will not be the only commemorative attire for the Drillers during the upcoming season. In honor of this year’s Juneteenth celebration, the Drillers players will wear throwback T-Town Clowns jerseys for three games, June 11-13. The T-Town Clowns, a popular team from the historic Negro Baseball Leagues era, played in Tulsa for many years.

The Drillers first wore replicas of the T-Town Clowns original jerseys during the 2011 season. The jerseys from this year will also be sold through an auction process, with those proceeds going to the Lacy Park baseball field renovation project. The original baseball diamond at Lacy Park, located at 2134 N. Madison Place, served as the home of the T-Town Clowns from 1952 through 1965.

Earlier this year, the Drillers and the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce announced plans for a large, Jackie Robinson mural to be added to the back of one of the historic Greenwood buildings that faces ONEOK Field. Work on the permanent mural has just been completed.

Drillers to Unveil Jackie Robinson Mural

 

The Tulsa Drillers, in conjunction with the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, announced plans today to add a 26 ft. by 40 ft. mural beyond the left field concourse at ONEOK Field that will feature Jackie Robinson. The full-color mural will pay tribute to Robinson, the former Brooklyn Dodgers great who broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947.

The Robinson artwork will be located just steps from the Osage Casino Greenwood Entrance at the northeast corner of ONEOK Field and painted directly onto the brick wall of the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce West Building facing into the stadium.

It is the Drillers’ goal to increase traffic through the Greenwood District on game days, as well as when the team is on the road, while also beautifying the space. The mural will be visible throughout ONEOK Field, and will have public access for visitors year-round.

“We are very proud and honored to be able to say that Drillers Baseball and ONEOK Field are located in the Historic Greenwood District,” said Drillers General Manager Mike Melega. “We have always looked for ways to increase our association with the Greenwood Chamber, and we thought a tribute to Mr. Robinson would be a great addition. He did so much for our country and the game of baseball, and with us being an affiliate of the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, it made for a perfect fit.”

Greenwood Chamber of Commerce President Freeman Culver hopes the project will bring wide exposure. “It is important to continue to honor the memories of Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, and others that paved the way for the United States to distance itself from its dark past of racial segregation,” said Culver. “What better place to house the Jackie Robinson mural than the back of the Neeley and Vaden Building also called the Greenwood Chamber – West Building. There are people who live in Tulsa today who have no idea or knowledge of the historical significance of the 100 N. Block of Greenwood Avenue.”

“This mural will expose the Greenwood District to residents and businesses who do not know much about Deep Greenwood. We are excited to partner with the Tulsa Drillers on this endeavor,” added Culver.

Tulsa-born, African American artist Chris “Sker” Rogers and Denver-based artist Thomas “Detour” Evans will collaborate on the project. Both artists come with high credentials.

Sker has been commissioned for professional graffiti artwork by numerous companies, private clients and organizations. He was the project manager for the Black Wall Street in Greenwood Tulsa, and he created the “Welcome to Greenwood” mural. He has also done work for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Guthrie Green, Booker T. Washington High School and the American Idol TV show.

“I’m humbled to do the work that I do, and I’m privileged to play my part in Tulsa’s creative scene,” said Sker. “I want to thank the Drillers organization and the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce for their vision in creating this project. I’m excited to partner with such a talented artist as Detour, working together to create a dynamic new mural for all of Tulsa to enjoy.”

Detour specializes in large-scale public art, portraiture, immersive spaces and creative directing while mixing traditional mediums with new approaches. He previously created the “Tulsa Sound” downtown mural.

The Robinson mural is planned to be completed in time for the start of the Drillers 2021 season and joins other projects being completed in Greenwood this year, including the Greenwood Rising historical center and the Pathway to Hope in this 100-year anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

“This painting is our way of celebrating Jackie Robinson and the Historic Greenwood District, and we feel it will become an iconic part of the district and the ballpark,” said Melega. “We hope that it will increase traffic in the area while also becoming an often-used entrance and exit to and from the stadium. With the addition, we will now offer most giveaway items at the Osage Casino Hotel Greenwood Entrance.”

The final design for the mural will released in the coming weeks.

Tulsa County Election Board Names ONEOK Field Early-Voting Location

 

The Tulsa County Election Board has announced that ONEOK Field will be used as the early voting location for the November 3rd election. ONEOK Field is normally home to the Tulsa Drillers, but it will open for three different periods for Tulsa County voters to complete ballots for the November election.

Throughout the country, several stadiums and arenas have been chosen as voting locations to help provide safe facilities for voters during the COVID pandemic.

The Tulsa County Election Board will be conducting in-person, early voting at ONEOK Field on Thursday and Friday October 29 and 30 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday October 31 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The election board is anticipating record-breaking voter participation for this three-day early voting period.

“We are pleased to announce that we will be partnering with ONEOK Field, home of the Tulsa Drillers in downtown Tulsa, as our chosen location for in-person, early voting,” said Election Board Secretary Gwen Freeman.

“The ONEOK Field location will enable Tulsa County voters to vote at a large, centrally-located venue where our staff and resources can be combined to ensure the success of our early voting teams and to assist in the implementation of CDC guidelines. These guidelines includes adequate room for large crowds and social distancing in a covered but open-air facility that helps prevent the spread of COVID. The venue is ADA compliant, has ample available parking areas, is easily accessible by public transportation and is a well-known and familiar location.”

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to ONEOK Field management and the Tulsa Drillers team for offering the voters of Tulsa County the use of their location for this event,” said Freeman.

The election board is encouraging voters to wear masks and social distance while voting.

Freeman added that since the election board we will be utilizing all available staff members to facilitate early voting at one large site, the Tulsa County Election Board will not be available for early voting but will be open for other business, including in-person absentee ballot drop-off. Absentee ballots cannot be dropped off at ONEOK Field.

It is the first time that ONEOK Field has been utilized as a voting place. It joins other sports venues in large markets that are being used in this election, including Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and the Toyota Center in Houston.

“We are thrilled to be able to make ONEOK Field available for early voting and to help provide a safe, outdoor, polling location for all voters, including those with health concerns,” said Drillers President Mike Melega. “It’s a simple, yet impactful, way that the Drillers organization can give back to a Tulsa community that has always been there for us.”

Quick facts for early in-person voting for the November 2020 Presidential Election

Location: ONEOK Field (201 N Elgin Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120)

Dates and times: Thursday, October 29, 2020 8am-6pm
Friday, October 30, 2020 8am-6pm
Saturday, October 31, 2020 9am-2pm

Drillers Bringing the Arts to ONEOK Field

 

In a normal year, September at ONEOK Field, which is located in downtown Tulsa in the historic Greenwood District, usually features the sounds of baseball. The familiar sounds of a baseball hitting a leather glove or being struck by a wooden bat. But 2020 has been anything but normal, resulting in the cancellation of the Tulsa Drillers Minor League Baseball season. With no baseball in September, ONEOK Field is being filled with new sounds. The sounds of the performing arts.

The Tulsa Drillers are working with several organizations to bring four unique, outdoor arts events to downtown Tulsa. The events include three symphonies and one opera presentation.

The presentations will begin with A Celebration of Beethoven from the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, September 5.

Two weeks later, on Saturday, September 19, the Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College will present Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.

The Tulsa Opera will come to ONEOK Field on Friday, October 9 with its presentation of Verdi’s Rigoletto in a baseball-themed production directed by James Robinson.

The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra will return for a second performance, a matinee presentation on Sunday, October 18.

“We are thrilled to have found a way to partner with these great Tulsa arts institutions to bring their amazing talents to life here at ONEOK Field,” said Drillers General Manager Mike Melega. “These events are a perfect example of how the Tulsa entertainment community can come together to help each other during these trying times.”

All three performances will take place on the playing field at ONEOK Field with the downtown Tulsa skyline providing the backdrop.

COVID-19 safety standards will be utilized, limiting attendance capacity to approximately 20% of normal.

Tickets are currently available for all three events with links provided below.

PERFORMING ARTS SCHEDULE AT ONEOK FIELD

Tulsa Symphony – A Celebration of Beethoven on September 5

Signature Symphony at TCC – Beethoven’s 5th Symphony on September 19

Tulsa Opera – Verdi’s Rigoletto on October 9

Tulsa Symphony – Triple Play: Brahms 4 on October 18

Tulsa Opera to Perform at ONEOK Field

 

The Tulsa Opera will open the company’s 2020-21 season at ONEOK Field on Friday, October 9 with an outdoor presentation of Verdi’s Rigoletto. It will mark Tulsa Opera’s first-ever performance at ONEOK Field. The outdoor semi-staged, baseball-themed production will be directed by James Robinson.

For complete information on Rigoletto, visit the Tulsa Opera by clicking HERE.

Tulsa Symphony Coming to ONEOK Field

 

The Tulsa Symphony is coming to ONEOK Field! On Saturday, September 5, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra will go outdoors for its 2020 Opening Night with a powerful, all-Beethoven program in honor of the famed composer’s upcoming 250th birthday. The “Celebration of Beethoven” concert will begin at 8:00 p.m. and will be followed by a brilliant fireworks display.

The unique concert will be the first of its kind at ONEOK Field, which is normally home to the Tulsa Drillers baseball club and to the F.C. Tulsa soccer team.

The performance will spotlight world-renowned pianist Yefim Bronfman who will play the historic Piano Concerto No. 3 in C-Minor that was premiered by Beethoven, as the soloist, in 1803. Daniel Hege, Principal Guest Conductor, will also conduct the turbulent Coriolan Overture and the captivating Symphony No. 7.

Masks will be required for all attendees, and social distancing will be accomplished by limiting stadium capacity to only 19%; therefore, tickets are limited.

The stadium will also employ its disinfecting system and sanitary stations that have been used extensively at recent baseball games.

Tickets for this open-air, socially-distanced performance are available by clicking HERE.

For any questions or concerns, please call the Tulsa Symphony box office at (918) 584-3645.

THE LINEUP FOR CELEBRATION OF BEETHOVEN AT ONEOK FIELD
Beethoven – Coriolan Overture
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 3
Beethoven – Symphony No. 7

Yefim Bronfman,Piano
Daniel Hege, Principal Guest Conductor

Please note that this performance was initially scheduled for September 12. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 6.

OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation Participating in MiLB CommUNITY First Campaign

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers Baseball Foundation, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball and Feeding America, is participating in the new CommUNITY First campaign, aimed at helping fight hunger while also recognizing frontline workers battling against the COVID-19 pandemic.

From now through May 31, fans can visit milb.com/CommUNITYFirst to donate and select the community they want to support. All proceeds pledged to Oklahoma City will be given to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

For every $10 donated, the Oklahoma City Dodgers and OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation will provide one ticket to a local first responder and/or frontline worker during the 2020 or 2021 baseball season through the team’s Community Night Out program. Between 2018-19, approximately $60,000 was raised through Community Night Out to provide 6,000 tickets to families and individuals in need.

Fans are encouraged to donate on Giving Tuesday, May 5, and use #MILBCommUNITYFirst and tag the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation (@OKCDBFoundation) on social media to show support.

“At this time it’s especially important to recognize community victories, and we see this as a true win-win situation,” said OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation Executive Director Carol Herrick. “Not only does this program allow us to provide for those in need, but we can also say ‘thank you’ to those who are doing their best to fight this pandemic.”

Per Feeding America, an estimated additional 17.1 million people will experience food insecurity within the next six months. As a result, Feeding America is projecting a $1.4 billion shortfall during that time.

“In times of uncertainty, coming together to help others is crucial to the health, well-being and stability of our local communities,” said Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O’Conner. “With the support of our fans and through the Feeding America network of food banks, we want to do our part to continue to fight hunger across America during this pandemic. When it is possible to hold games once again, our teams will provide local heroes across the country with unforgettable experiences in our ballparks.”

For more information about the CommUNITY First campaign or the Oklahoma City Dodgers Baseball Foundation, visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2104.

Drillers Join Minor League Baseball’s CommUNITY First Campaign

 

National initiative will raise funds for Feeding America in response to global pandemic

Tulsa, OK, – The Tulsa Drillers today announced that they are joining MiLB CommUNITY First, a new national initiative developed by Minor League Baseball (MiLB™) in conjunction with Feeding America. CommUNITY First has been developed to raise funds for local food banks and to honor individuals risking their lives on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drillers fans are encouraged to click HERE from now through May 31 to donate. Once on the site, fans can choose their donation amount and the Tulsa Drillers as the recipient of their donation to direct funds to the Tulsa community. For every $10 donated, the Drillers will donate one ticket to a local hero of the pandemic for a game this season or in 2021.

“The Drillers are proud to participate in Minor League Baseball’s CommUNITY First program,” said Drillers President Mike Melega. “We all currently have neighbors in need of help, and there are so many unsung heroes fighting on the frontlines in this battle.”

“This program is a great way to help those who need it and to say thank you to those working in dangerous situations. Any donations that one can make can affect so many, and we appreciate the efforts of Minor League Baseball to help aid folks in all of our communities during these uncertain times.”

School closures, rising unemployment and rising poverty due to quarantine and extended stay-at-home orders have disproportionately impacted people already at risk of hunger and could result in an estimated additional 17.1 million people experiencing food insecurity in the next six months, according to Feeding America. As the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a network of more than 200 affiliates, Feeding America has projected a $1.4 billion shortfall in the next six months alone.

In response, contributions from Drillers fans and Minor League Baseball will help ensure families and individuals across the country most impacted by the pandemic are fed and cared for during these uncertain times. Join the national campaign by donating and selecting Tulsa Drillers at MiLB.com/CommUNITYFirst and use #MiLBCommUNITYFirst on social media to show your support.

###
About Tulsa Drillers
The Tulsa Drillers are the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the longest-tenured professional sports franchise in the city of Tulsa. Former Drillers players include Walker Buehler, Corey Seager, Will Smith Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, 2019 Minor League Player of the Year Gavin Lux and 2019 National League MVP Cody Bellinger.

About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 40 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

 

Drillers Join Tulsa Kitchens Unite to Help Feed Those in Need

 

The Tulsa Drillers organization will begin to participate in Tulsa Kitchens Unite, a program that has been developed by Hunger Free Oklahoma to help feed families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the program, the Drillers’ food and beverage personnel, who normally work the games at ONEOK Field, will now instead provide a minimum of 250 meals daily that will be distributed free of charge through the program.

In addition, the Drillers have also pledged to donate proceeds from all online merchandise sales during the month of April to Hunger Free Oklahoma. For the remainder of this month, 100% of the proceeds from sales of any items listed under the “COVID-19 Relief” tab in the Drillers online store will be donated to Hunger Free Oklahoma. Also, 20% of the total on purchases of all other items in the Team Store will be donated. The Drillers online store can be accessed by clicking HERE.

Under the Tulsa Kitchens Unite program, Hunger Free Oklahoma is partnering with locally owned restaurants, food trucks, caterers and other local businesses like the Drillers that have the ability to produce pre-prepared and refrigerated to-go style meals. In turn, the meals are provided to families in this time of crisis. The program goals are to keep local kitchens open, keep workers paid and keep local families fed.

The Drillers food and beverage staff will began preparing meals this week using the facilities at ONEOK Field.

The prepared dinners are distributed at sites set up by Hunger Free Oklahoma, including at schools and at nonprofit and faith-based organizations. The meals are provided at no cost to the recipients. Tulsans who are struggling during this unprecedented economic downturn will be able to pick up the free meals and feed their families.

“We are appreciative of the opportunity to partner with Hunger Free Oklahoma in the Tulsa Kitchens Unite program,” said Drillers President Mike Melega. “These are difficult and unsure times for so many of us, and we hope that the work of our folks to provide quality meals will be a comfort to local families. It is a just a small part that we can play in a very important program that Hunger Free Oklahoma has developed.”

Hunger Free Oklahoma Executive Director Chris Bernard said, “We are grateful to so many of our community partners who are working at or above capacity to make sure Tulsans in need have access to food.”

“We are also grateful to the Foundations who are supporting so many efforts around the city, including this one.”
Through the generous donations of many individuals and foundations, Tulsa Kitchens Unite has reached nearly 70% of its funding goal. The program has set an initial goal of running the program for 12 weeks, averaging 30,000 meals per week.

 

OKC Dodgers and LifeShare of Oklahoma Encourage Organ Donation Through Continued Partnership in 2020

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and LifeShare of Oklahoma are continuing their partnership throughout 2020 to assist LifeShare’s mission of gaining and educating organ donors across the state of Oklahoma.

With the start of April and National Donate Life Month, the first 250 individuals to register to become an organ donor at okcdodgers.com/everlastingfans will receive an exclusive LifeShare Everlasting Fans T-shirt, plus have a chance to win four Oklahoma Fidelity Bank Club tickets and a VIP experience at a future OKC Dodgers game. Once registered at okcdodgers.com/everlastingfans individuals should screenshot the completed page and email it to [email protected] to secure their T-shirt.

This partnership between the OKC Dodgers and LifeShare will continue throughout 2020, and once baseball season begins, guests to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark will be able to sign up during Dodgers home games to become LifeShare Everlasting Fans. Individuals who register in person will receive an exclusive LifeShare Everlasting Fans T-Shirt by visiting the promotions table located on the concourse behind section 110.

Last season, 1,400 people registered to become an organ donor at OKC Dodgers games, and since the partnership between LifeShare of Oklahoma and the OKC Dodgers began in 2015, more than 4,500 people have registered to become organ donors at Dodgers games.

“LifeShare is honored to partner with the Oklahoma City Dodgers again this season to raise awareness about organ donation,” said Jeffrey Orlowski, President and CEO of LifeShare. “We have had great success in the past with our Everlasting Fan promotion and we look forward to more Oklahomans making a decision to save lives this year as well.”

LifeShare of Oklahoma was created in 1986 and is a nonprofit, federally designed organ procurement organization dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant purposes. LifeShare works closely with four transplant centers and 145 health care organizations in Oklahoma to facilitate donation. LifeShare of Oklahoma strives “to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation through public education,” according to the organization’s website.

National Donate Life Month began in 2003 and is celebrated in April to “help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to celebrate those that have saved lives through the gift of donation,” according to the Donate Life America website.

To stay current on the latest information regarding the OKC Dodgers’ upcoming season, please visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182.