Nominate your Hometown Hero today

 

Together we’ll get through this. At a time when many are still out on the job keeping our nation going during this crisis, the Toledo Walleye and Toledo Mud Hens want to recognize those going above and beyond through the ‘Hometown Heroes’ campaign sponsored by Marathon Petroleum, Cousino Restoration and the Blade Newsslide.

So many are doing so much. Healthcare workers caring for the sick. Police officers and firefighters keeping our communities safe. Grocery store employees keeping our shelves stocked. Truck drivers delivering our much-needed goods. Utility workers keeping our lights on and water flowing. People volunteering to help those in need.

We want to hear about your hero. Submit your nomination and we’ll highlight selected Hometown Heroes on our social media pages.

Thanks to everyone who’s helping to keep Toledo strong!

To nominate your hero, click here.

RiverDogs, Boeing Introduce ‘Hall of Honor’ to memorialize military families in Lowcountry

 

On the eve of Armed Forces Day and the first scheduled RiverDogs Military Appreciation Night at The Joe, the ballclub is announcing the creation of the Hall of Honor, in partnership with Boeing, and asking for the public to nominate outstanding military veterans with Lowcountry ties.

The new recognition, which will feature new inductions at each Boeing Military Appreciation Night – starting June 15 whether or not there will be a live game at The Joe –, is meant to create a way for military veterans in the Lowcountry to be permanently recognized.

The Hall of Honor is the newest of Boeing and the RiverDogs’ joint military appreciation platform, which aims to honor and celebrate military families in the Lowcountry through various recognition programs. The team planned to roll out this program live in person at its Boeing Military Appreciation Night on May 16; however, although the season has begun in a delay due to COVID-19, the team decided not to postpone honoring our area’s military families.

“We at the RiverDogs think we can’t do enough to recognize the sacrifices and achievements of our country’s military heroes,” said RiverDogs president and general manager Dave Echols. “Adding a Hall of Honor allows us to immortalize Lowcountry military heroes to help ensure their stories are not forgotten.”

At each Boeing Military Appreciation Night moving forward, a minimum of two inductees will be enshrined in the Hall of Honor. A community committee will choose one nominee from a pool of high-profile local military heroes. The other inductee will be selected from open-to-the-public nominations, which can be submitted at https://forms.gle/fQJ5kicLxo8jpUbL7.

Inductees will be recognized on the field on a Military Appreciation Night, and will have their story told on the RiverDogs’ brand new Hall of Honor web site: https://www.milb.com/charleston/community/boeing-hall-of-honor​​​​​​​

“Boeing’s commitment to veterans and their families goes beyond the products we make, it includes our investments that highlight the vital role veterans play in our community,” said Boeing’s Lindsay Leonard, Senior Director of National Strategy and Engagement and Government Operations. “We are proud to continue our partnership with the Charleston RiverDogs to showcase our military heroes and forever recognize their service and sacrifice through the Hall of Honor.”

The Latest on the RiverDogs

The health and safety of RiverDogs fans and employees is of the utmost importance to the organization and we support Minor League Baseball’s decision to delay the start of the 2020 season in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This is a fluid, rapidly evolving situation and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure that our facilities are following the recommendations set forth by local, state and national officials. At this time, the RiverDogs remain unsure as to what extent this delay will have on our season. RiverDogs season tickets, partial season plans, and group tickets, including options to the Segra Club at Riley Park, are now available for the 2020 campaign at riverdogs.com/tickets. You can view the RiverDogs’ COVID-19 Readiness Plan at RiverDogs.com.

–RIVERDOGS–

Kayla Knotts Named Blue Rocks Teacher of the Year

 

Wilmington, DE – In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week the Wilmington Blue Rocks named Kayla Knotts the organization’s Teacher of The Year on Friday. Knotts, who teaches math and science at John Bassett Moore Intermediate School in Smyrna, received more online nominations than any other candidate.

Her students describe Knotts as an incredibly patient teacher, who is willing to pour extra time into any student that needs help. She makes difficult concepts like fractions and decimals seem simple thanks to her teaching style and Knotts’ students also appreciate her ability to make them feel at ease inside the classroom.

“A quality education is such an important part of any child’s development, and no one impacts that more than teachers,” said Blue Rocks director of community affairs Kevin Linton. “The Blue Rocks take great pride in our close working relationship with this community’s schools through programs like Rocky’s Reading Challenge and Outstanding Student. Those initiatives would not be possible without passionate support from teachers like Kayla Knotts. We salute her outstanding work in the classroom along with the rest of her invaluable peers.”

Knotts was named the winner by a committee compiled of Blue Rocks front office workers, who reviewed online nominations submitted by fans. Students were asked to nominate the teacher who had the biggest impact on their pupils during the 2019-20 school year and to explain what that impact was.

Knotts will receive a complimentary suite to a future Blue Rocks game, where she will be honored on the field before the contest and throw out a first pitch when baseball returns to The Riverfront. Wilmington mascot Rocky Bluewinkle will also pay Knotts and her students a future visit at John Bassett Moore Intermediate School to present her with the award.

Round Rock Express to Honor Class of 2020 on Dell Diamond Marquee

 

ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Round Rock Express and Dell Technologies want to tip their caps to the Class of 2020 through personalized messages on the outdoor marquee along Highway 79 at Dell Diamond. Fans are encouraged to submit names and photos of local high school graduates in the Class of 2020 to be featured by clicking here.

“Dell Diamond has been the home of countless milestone events for high school seniors over the years, including proms, graduation ceremonies, graduation parties and sports banquets. Our hearts go out to the seniors in the Class of 2020 that cannot experience these memories in the traditional sense, so with the help of Dell Technologies, we wanted to do something special for them,” Round Rock Express President Chris Almendarez said. “We look forward to sharing these messages not only with friends and family of the graduates, but with the thousands of people who pass by Dell Diamond along Highway 79 each day.”

The Round Rock Express graphic design team will create a personalized message of congratulations for each submission to be displayed on the Dell Diamond marquee on a date of the graduates’ choosing, free of charge. Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, May 25, messages will be displayed in alphabetical order by last name and will run for a minimum of 10 seconds each. The entire collection of messages for each day will run on a loop until 9:00 a.m. the following morning. A maximum of 100 messages can be displayed each day from Monday, May 25 until Friday, May 29. Additional days to honor more students will be added if demand allows.

Fans are encouraged to safely capture these moments from their vehicles in the Suite Lot at Dell Diamond and to tag the Round Rock Express when sharing on social media. The Express are asking for fans to submit the graduates’ name, high school and photo by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20 through this link. Please note, solo photos of the graduate only are preferred.

For more information about the Express, visit RRExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

IronPigs to celebrate Nurses Week

 

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs will celebrate Nurses Week presented by The GIANT Company, Friendly’s of the Lehigh Valley and NJM Insurance, which begins on Wednesday, May 6 and runs through Tuesday, May 12. The celebration will recognize nurses from Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke’s University Health Network and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation, who have been in the front lines battling COVID-19.

“With this week being Nurses Week, we want to celebrate it by honoring nurses in a very fun and special way,” said IronPigs President and General Manager Kurt Landes. “We hope this week will bring recognition to a special group of people who’ve endured so much throughout this pandemic.”

The IronPigs will be bringing the Pork Race to each facility throughout the week. Medical personnel will be able to see and cheer on their favorite pork racers as they battle it out and see a piece of IronPigs fun outside the confines of Coca-Cola Park.

Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke’s University Health Network and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation will each receive a balloon structure courtesy of BalloonWorks that says, “Thank You” and will be displayed for many to see. The balloon structure is a token of gratitude for each facility. To cap off the celebration for Nurses Week, the video board at Coca-Cola Park will be lit up at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 8 and streamed live on the IronPigs social media pages. The video board will consist of messages of gratitude to individual nurses. Those who would like to submit names of nurses they know, will be able to do so by commenting on the social media pages.

Throughout the week on social media, nurses will be highlighted on baseball cards. The baseball card will feature information about the nurse as it would about a baseball player. IronPigs staff members and players will be sending their gratitude throughout the week via video messages. Local businesses will be offering discounts for nurses and will be featured as well.

The 2020 IronPigs season is the team’s 13th at Coca-Cola Park. Follow the IronPigs on Twitter at @IronPigs and like them on Facebook via Facebook.com/LHVIronPigs.

The 2020 IronPigs season is presented by Capital BlueCross.

Home Run Community Heroes Starting Nine to be honored on Heroes Night, July 22nd

 

TROY, NY – The Tri-City ValleyCats have partnered with American National Insurance Company to present Heroes Night at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on Wednesday, July 22nd. Nine heroes within the Capital Region community will be recognized during a special on-field ceremony prior to the game vs. the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The “Home Run Community Heroes Starting Nine” will be chosen through a fan nomination process and will be recognized on the ‘Cats social media platforms.

The ‘Cats and American National Insurance Company are encouraging fans to nominate hospital staff, health care workers, military, law enforcement, firefighter/EMS agencies, non-profit organizations, as well as teachers, volunteers, children and everyday people that have helped make a positive impact within the Capital Region.

“The opportunity to recognize local heroes is something that we look forward to each and every year,” said Matt Callahan, ValleyCats General Manager.” In light of these unprecedented events and challenging times, we feel that it’s more important than ever to showcase and celebrate the efforts of people making a positive impact in the Capital Region community.” The Home Run Community Heroes Starting Nine will also be treated to a luxury suite as guests of American National Insurance, with complimentary food and beverage.

“American National Insurance Company is proud to partner with the Tri-City ValleyCats in honoring heroes who go above and beyond in making our community a wonderful place to live,” said Jim Marotta, Vice President of Human Resources, American National Insurance Company.

Fans who want to nominate a community hero can do so by filling out the form located online at tcvalleycats.com/communityheroes. The deadline for submissions is Monday, June 22. In the event that the 2020 season is delayed, the starting nine will be recognized at a later game, or during the 2021 season.

Individual tickets, Season tickets, mini plans and flex vouchers for the ValleyCats’ 2020 season are currently available for purchase online at tcvalleycats.com. In the event that the 2020 season is not played, tickets will become vouchers for the 2021 season.

BlueClaws Launch “Jersey Shore Hometown Heroes”

 

LAKEWOOD, NJ – The BlueClaws have launched the Jersey Shore Hometown Heroes Program to recognize those going above and beyond to help the community during the current pandemic.

Through the program, fans from around the Shore can nominate those that have shown to be true community heroes, serving the community during the current time of need. Selected nominees will be recognized digitally and later when BlueClaws baseball returns.

“Throughout the Jersey Shore, we have seen doctors, nurses, EMTs, police, fire fighters, teachers, grocery store workers, restaurant workers, and many others go above and beyond in helping those at the Jersey Shore during the current pandemic,” said BlueClaws Team President Joe Ricciutti.

“The BlueClaws want to play a part in recognizing these deserving men and women.”

While the start of the BlueClaws season is currently on hold, the team will collect nominations through BlueClaws.com (click here to nominate) from fans around the Shore to nominate those most-deserving.

Throughout the delay in the season, the BlueClaws will highlight nominees through the club’s social media channels and on BlueClaws.com. Upon the return of baseball, the BlueClaws will then recognize these deserving groups and individuals in the ballpark and in the Catch of the Day game program.

“We hope to be able to showcase the best of our community,” said Ricciutti. “While many of us wait at home for a return to our normal lives, these individuals risking their lives in support of the Jersey Shore at large.”

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. The 2020 season will be the team’s 20th at the Jersey Shore.

You can follow the BlueClaws on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit their official website at BlueClaws.com.

-BlueClaws-

Nominations Open for 2020 Kid Heroes Ceremony

 

Cedar Rapids, IA – The Cedar Rapids Kernels are seeking nominations for their third annual Kid Heroes Recognition Ceremony sponsored by O’Brien Family McDonald’s. This special group will represent kids who have used the services of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

The ceremony for the 2020 Kid Heroes will be at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Sunday, July 26, 2020. Those children selected as Kid Heroes and their families will be honored on the field prior to the game and will receive four complimentary tickets to that game.

The Kernels will begin taking nominations for the third annual Kid Heroes Recognition Ceremony on Monday, March 30th. The first 20 submissions will make it into the group, so we urge people to turn in their nominations right away. Nominations will be taken until Friday, May 8th, OR, until 20 submissions are received.

To give all these outstanding kids the opportunity to be honored in the Kid Heroes Recognition Ceremony, we ask that those kids included in previous ceremonies from 2018 and 2019 not be nominated.

Nominations can be made online with our online form. A special thank you is extended to our loyal sponsor, O’Brien Family McDonald’s restaurants and the partnership with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

For more information on the Kid Heroes Recognition Ceremony, or if you have questions, please contact Jessica Fergesen at (319) 896-7608 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Click here to access the online form | Kid Heroes Nomination Form
Single-game tickets for the Kernels 2020 season are available online now from May 11-August.  https://www.milb.com/cedar-rapids/tickets/single-game-tickets

 

2020 CT Military All-Star Nominations Now Open

 

NORWICH, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns, Class-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, and the Better Business Bureau Serving Connecticut are proud to announce that the nomination process for the 2020 CT Military All-Stars promotion is now open and will run through July 10th! The seventh annual promotion will honor nine current or former military personnel prior to Military Appreciation Night at Dodd Stadium on Friday, August 14th.

2020 will be the eighth consecutive season that the annual Military Appreciation Night will be presented by the Better Business Bureau Military Line which provides free services, consumer education and other resources for military families, to assist them during and after deployment. The nine honorees will be selected from the pool of nominations by a panel of community judges and will be honored on the field prior to the game. In addition, the first 1,000 fans through the gates on August 14th will receive a baseball card set featuring these heroes.

Nominations representing all branches of the military are welcome. The submission form can be found online by visiting goseaunicorns.com/military. Fans can also pick up a nomination form and submit their nomination in person at Dodd Stadium at the Dime Bank Information Booth during Tigers games or in the front office during regular business hours through July 10th.

In addition to the CT Military All-Stars ceremonies, the Sea Unicorns will be wearing specially designed and military themed jerseys during the game on August 14th. The jerseys will be auctioned off during the game. The proceeds will go towards a scholarship for a military family through the BBB Military Line.

The Norwich Sea Unicorns are the New York-Penn League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, Connecticut. 2020 season memberships for “The Captains Club”, mini plans, and team merchandise are now on sale! The 2020 season at Dodd Stadium kicks off on Sunday, June 21st at 7:05 pm with fireworks after the game. The front office and box office are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and can be accessed in person or by calling 860-887-7962.

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

Aces and 1868 FC Celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day

 

Today the Aces and 1868 FC shine a light on women in sports as we participate in National Girls & Women in Sports Day. Today is about showcasing the confidence, strength, and character of the women in our front office. As Oprah so astutely put, “you can’t be what you can’t see” so here we are, standing up for girls everywhere to show them that if they work hard, anything in life is achievable! There is a place for you to continue your career in sports whether it is on the field, in the training room, broadcast booth, or front office. We can’t wait for you to join us!

February 5, 2020, marks the 34th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). This celebration inspires girls and women to play and be active, to realize their full power. The confidence, strength and character gained through sports participation are the very tools girls and women need to become strong leaders in sports and life. We invite you to celebrate NGWSD in your community and to join the Women’s Sports Foundation as we Lead Her Forward in 2020.

For more information on how to get involved go to: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/get-involved/ngwsd/

Hear how sports and working in the industry have affected some of the women in our organization:

Emily Jaenson, Reno Aces General Manager, Hometown: Lake Villa, Illinois

“Participating in sports was everything to me starting from the age of five when I played my first season of t-ball through my junior year of college where I was lucky enough to continue to play soccer. It helped me to become a team player, a leader, someone dedicated to improvement, and someone willing to hustle.

“I have a tremendous amount of gratitude as my participation in baseball, soccer, gymnastics, iceless hockey, basketball, volleyball, track, cross country, and cheerleading all shaped the woman I am today. Here’s to the next generation of female leadership as we celebrate the importance of equal opportunity for all girls and women in sports today!”

Samantha Hicks, Chief Revenue Officer, Hometown: Milford, Michigan

“Sports unite people, getting to walk into a stadium every day to bring more fans to our games, how cool is that for work?!”

Courtney Baker, Corporate Partnerships Account Manager, Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona

“Growing up, my gym was my second home. My teammates were my second family. To have another place to feel safe and supported for eight years was such a blessing. Not only was cheerleading fun, it kept me in shape and allowed me to compete under the lights, on stage, in front of thousands of people.”

“Even while I was a cheerleader, I’d take every opportunity during my free time to attend a Diamondbacks game or watch on TV. I spent 20 years in Scottsdale, Arizona, so I grew up watching greats like Randy Johnson and local stars such as Luis Gonzalez, Tony Womack, and Steve Finley. To now have the opportunity to work full-time in the game (and for the Triple-A Affiliate of my hometown team) is surreal. I not only get to work in the sport I have lived and breathed for so many years; but I also get to work for our soccer club as well, Reno 1868 FC. One of the best parts about working in sports is that I’m constantly surrounded by so many strong, powerful women. I can’t wait to continue my career for decades to come!”

Leah Withrow, Assistant Groundskeeper, Hometown: Gardnerville, Nevada

“When I was younger, sports were a chance to run around with your friends and maybe get some orange slices. I really didn’t think too much of it because it was genuine fun and I was just there enjoying all of it. I think I just liked being a part of a team, the discipline and the drive it gave me to push myself. Nothing has really changed for me since deciding I wanted to make a career working in sports. I come into the stadium every day and I love being part the team, pushing myself, running around with my friends and maybe getting some orange slices.”

Ellie Stockwell, Group Sales Account Executive, Hometown: San Mateo, CA

“Sports always felt like home to me, giving me the opportunity to grow and learn and pave my own path, and so working in sports felt like the natural transition. It means more to me than I thought, and gives me opportunities to grow every day into someone I am more and more proud to be.”

Wilma Compton, Community Outreach Account Executive, Hometown: Chico, CA

“For me, sports are about the process: finding the right coach, following the system, doing your best, figuring out how to overcome weaknesses, capitalize on strengths, and collaborating with teammates. Working in sports means that every day I come in to work, I’m excited and enthusiastic to be here and just want to work through the process, because to borrow the title from one of my favorite sports books, “the score takes care of itself.”

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

Recognizing National Women In Sports Day

 

In honor of National Women in Sports Day (February 6th), the BlueClaws would like to highlight the outstanding female employees on our staff.

JoAnne Bell is in her 7th season as the BlueClaws Front Office Manager. JoAnne is in charge of everything related to making the office run smoothly. In addition, she helps with BlueClaws Charities events and the BlueClaws community relations efforts, and host family program. She is also in her first season being a part of Minor League Baseball’s LIFT (Leaders Inspiring Future Talent) program mentoring women all over the country working in the industry.

“It is a joy to come to work everyday and work with such a great staff. The women here are awesome. No matter what ages are (it is a wide range) we can work together and accomplish so much,” she said. “This is a dream for me to be here working in baseball and better yet since I am now a Phillies Phan, Here is to another great year.

Jamie Bertram began her career with the BlueClaws in 2011 and returned in 2014. She is now the team’s Vice President of Promotions & Entertainment, responsible for Promotions, Production, Entertainment, Community Involvement, and Marketing Internship Program. Her goal is to ensure when fans come to the ballpark they leave with nothing but great memories with their friends and family. She was named a “Phenomenal Woman Under 40″ by the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore in 2017.

” ‘Behind every successful WOMAN is a tribe of other successful WOMEN, who have her back.’ – Unknown. We have very talented women not only in our office but across all of Minor League Baseball. I am lucky to be part of such an amazing community of women in the sports industry,” she said. “We all have something in common, empowering and lifting each other to make a difference and be the best version of ourselves. When women support each other, incredible things happen!” ,

Annette Clark will start her 16th season with the BlueClaws this year. Currently the Accounting and Human Resources Manager, her responsibilities include payables, receivables, payroll and all human resources for the team. Annette previously served as a buyer for a national jewelry chain.

“I love that the front office is my second family with a lively and fun atmosphere. But the thing I enjoy the most is game day when you can feel the energy and excitement from our fans all around the ballpark,” she said.

Emily Gresco joined the BlueClaws this spring as a Marketing & Merchandise Intern from Temple University. She grew up in Manalapan.

“Growing up both my parents were teachers and I always thought that I would become one as well. But being a three-sport athlete showed me my love for sports and brought a desire to work in the industry,” she said. “It has been really fun and enjoyable being able to intern with the BlueClaws so far. Everyone is so caring and passionate about what they do and I am so happy I have been given the opportunity to be a part of this organization.”

Gianna Fiocco, from Lacey, joined the BlueClaws thorugh their Spring Internship Program in 2019 and is in her first season as a Marketing & Promotions Assistant.

“Working in the sports industry, and particularly for the BlueClaws has been an incredible experience for me,” she said. “I love being able to contribute to the fun experience that we provide for our fans at every game. Not only do I have the opportunity to work behind the scenes for the team, but I also get to work with an amazing group of women who continually support each other in a male-dominated industry.”

Kristina Poetsch started with the BlueClaws as an intern in January 2019. She became a member of the gameday staff during the 2019 season and is now working as a Ticket Operations Assistant. As a recent graduate from Montclair State University, Kristina will be assisting the Sales Department with ticket sales and various projects in preparation for the upcoming 20th season.

“Even though I’ve been a sports fan my entire life, I never considered working in sports until a few years ago when I switched majors. I’m excited to be a part of the continuously growing group of women working in the sports industry. Being a small part of this organization has been more than a dream come true and I don’t take any of it for granted. I’m looking forward to a fun season!”

Kathryn Raso is entering her 4th season with the BlueClaws. She joined the BlueClaws staff in 2017 as the Director of Concessions and also serves a Mentor through the Minor League Baseball LIFT (Leaders Inspiring Future Talent) Program. In her time away from work, Kathryn stays active with her home-based business Pink Zebra, as a volunteer for the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, and as a soccer coach for the Toms River Futbol Club (TRFC).

“It’s been a great experience being a part of the team here and I hope all young women can grow up to be involved in an organization like this one, providing great experiences and a sense of accomplishment,” she said. “Just walking through the gates here gives you a sense of family and community.”

Kayla Reilly is back and entering her 11th season with the BlueClaws. Kayla was hired in 2007 at the ripe age of 16 as a member of our part-time game day staff in the Kids Zone. Kayla briefly left the Jersey Shore to work for the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center in 2017, but recently found home calling her name. She is now the team’s Director of Events and Operations and directly oversees all functions of non-baseball events at FirstEnergy Park as well as overseeing the same group of 100+ game day staff that she was once a part of!

“I went to school to be a teacher, so I am still wondering how I ended up doing this crazy thing they call ‘working in sports,’ ” she said. “Super thankful for every single female (and male too!) that has shown me how important it is for us to have a voice in a male dominated industry and to fight for a seat at the table.”

Jess Szewczyk, joined the BlueClaws in 2019 as a Creative Services Assistant and she is now in her first year as the team’s Digital Marketing & Design Manager.

“I love being able to come in to work everyday and flex my creative muscles! There’s nothing as exciting (and nerve-wracking) as seeing my BlueClaws graphics go up on a billboard on a busy highway or to see a piece of BlueClaws social content get a lot of comments online. I’ve grown so much during my time with the BlueClaws – both professionally, personally, and creatively. And I think I bring a lot of GIRL POWER to the team!”

Jamie Wagner (not pictured) joined the Ticket Sales Team in October of 2019.

“The decision to come to the Jersey Shore and join the BlueClaws family was an easy one, from the first introduction to the team to seeing firsthand the BlueClaws impact within the community, I knew that this was where I wanted to grow my career in Sports,” she said. “I’m very proud to be the only woman currently on the sales team, and I consider myself lucky that I get to be in this office everyday surrounded by and constantly inspired by the amazing women that work here.”

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment.

2020 ticket packages and group outings are currently on sale by clicking here.

– BlueClaws –

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

Blue Wahoos Join National Girls And Women In Sports Day Celebration

 

 

Wednesday, February 5th is the 34th Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day, dedicated to honoring the achievements of women in sports, and the Blue Wahoos are celebrating being led by a front office in which women are well-represented.

Both the Vice President of Operations and the Chief Financial Officer, two of the most influential voices in the organization, are women. In total, five departments are headed by women. Two – both Finance and Human Resources – are staffed entirely by women.

“My priority is promoting good people. My intention isn’t to promote or hire men or women specifically,” Wahoos’ CFO Amber McClure shared on her all-female department.

In recent years, Minor League Baseball has focused efforts on encouraging teams to increase gender diversity in hiring. The Women in Baseball Leadership Committee was founded in 2008 and numerous programs emphasizing professional development and mentorship have grown out of their efforts. Among these programs is the Women in Baseball LIFT (Leaders Inspiring Future Talent) Mentorship Program, which pairs women new to the industry with mentors with years of experience in Minor League Baseball. Two women with the Wahoos are honored to be LIFT mentors: Merchandise manager Anna Striano and Vice President of Operations Donna Kirby.

“This is my fifth year in Minor League Baseball, and I would say it’s just an inspiring time to be a woman in sports,” Striano said. “I noticed a major increase in the number of women at the Winter Meetings in 2019 just compared to the year before.”

On her experience with the Wahoos, she added, “Just about every woman in the front office has been recognized for their contributions to the organization. We feel like our work is actually being valued, and that’s empowering.”

One of the younger front office leaders is group sales manager Bailie Tate.

“There are so many women in management positions here that it feels like we’ve at least achieved equality within the organization,” said Tate, who began her career with the Wahoos as an intern in 2017 and has earned multiple promotions to now lead the department. “Every year I’ve worked here I’ve been promoted, and I’ve never felt like the standard was different for me.”

Throughout the day on Wednesday, the Wahoos will be honoring these women and others whose strengths and diverse perspectives make the organization successful. You can follow along and get to know these valued team members on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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

CareSource Continues Partnership with Dragons to Salute Area Veterans

 

Dayton, Ohio–CareSource, a nonprofit multistate health plan, is partnering with the Dayton Dragons for the second year in a row for the CareSource Veteran Salute. The program is an extension of CareSource’s commitment to improve the lives of veterans and their families through innovative programs and partnerships to support their health and well-being.

CareSource’s Veteran Salute is open to any living military veteran in the Miami Valley. Five veterans will be selected from entries submitted between February 4, 2020 and June 30, 2020. Selected honorees will be recognized at a Dayton Dragons home game during an inning break at Day Air Ballpark, April through August 2020.

Each veteran will receive VIP treatment during their night, including pregame activities, in-game recognition, seating in a luxury suite at the ballpark, a special gift and more.

“At CareSource, we lead with heart. We see our service members, past and present, as the heartbeat of our nation and we are proud to partner with the Dayton Dragons to recognize our local veterans. This program is a way to bring their amazing stories of service to audiences across the region and thank all veterans for their valuable contributions,” said Rachel Goodspeed, Director of Veteran Relations and Outreach.

“The Dragons are excited to once again partner with CareSource to honor local veterans,” said Robert Murphy, Dragons President & General Manager. “We look forward to continuing to recognize these individuals who have served our country and sharing their stories with our fans at Day Air Ballpark in 2020.”

A look back to our veterans who were recognized during the 2019 season through CareSource’s Veteran Salute Program:

Robert Looper – U.S. Marine Corp, Korean War Veteran. Robert Looper joined the Marine Corps after graduating high school in 1949, and was sent to Korea once the Korean War began. Looper and his brigade survived negative 40-degree temperatures in the Taebaek Mountains, where 15,000 Marines fought over 200,000 Chinese. Looper participated in every single major battle in Korea and was also a Prisoner of War for 17 days before escaping. Looper was awarded the Purple Heart for his time in Korea.

Daniel and Nicole Powers – U.S. Air Force, Desert Storm Veterans. Husband and wife Daniel and Nicole Powers are no strangers to the military. Both joined the U.S. Air Force in college, and met while deployed in Iraq in 2006. Nicole was deployed multiple places including Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Iraq. During Daniel’s almost six years of deployment overseas, Daniel was an intelligence collector, where he would visit towns and gather human intelligence from local shops and people. Both have been deployed a number of times, and have over 40 years of combined service in the U.S. military.

John Brown – U.S. Army, World War II, Korean War, & Vietnam War Veteran. John Brown joined the Army when he was 18 years old, and is a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. During his career, Brown was stationed in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for reviewing and preparing the daily summary of intelligence that was presented to the high-level staff, including President Nixon. Brown had top-secret clearance in the Counterintelligence Corp for most of his service career, and served in the Army for almost 30 years.

Gene Camp – U.S. Marines, Vietnam War Veteran. Gene Camp joined the Marines in 1968 and was sent to fight in the Vietnam War. On his last patrol before he was scheduled to go back home to the U.S., Camp’s battalion was ambushed and Camp was severely injured in an explosion. Camp was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1973 and was awarded three Purple Hearts for his time in Vietnam and has over 17 years of service.

Ed Damron – U.S. Army, Vietnam War Veteran. Ed Damron enlisted with the United States Army in September of 1970 at the age of 23 and was sent to fight in the Vietnam War. On September 6, 1971, Damron’s helicopter went down in the middle of a North Vietnamese Army (NVA) base camp with 5,000 enemy soldiers. Damron saved the lives of his helicopter pilot and gunner and hid in the enemy camp for over three hours before help arrived. Because of his heroic actions on that day, Damron was awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star, and later was awarded the Bronze Star.

Nominations for CareSource’s Veteran Salute program are open to the public. Any living military veteran from the Miami Valley is eligible to be nominated. To nominate a veteran, go to www.daytondragons.com/veteransalute

About CareSource

CareSource is a nonprofit, multistate health plan recognized as a national leader in managed care. Founded in 1989, CareSource administers one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care plans and offers a lifetime of access to care through health insurance, including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare Advantage and a dual-eligible program.

Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, CareSource serves nearly 2 million members in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. CareSource understands the challenges consumers face navigating the health system and is transforming health care with industry-leading programs that improve the health and well-being of our members.

For more, visit caresource.com, follow @caresource on Twitter, or like CareSource on Facebook.

About the Dayton Dragons

The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Day Air Ballpark in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75.

Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, season tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com.

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

Jumbo Shrimp kick off Negro Leagues Centennial Celebration with High School Heritage Classic

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As part of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp’s salute to Black History Month and the Negro Leagues’ Centennial Celebration, the club is hosting the inaugural High School Heritage Classic exhibition game presented by Rubenstein Law Firm at 11:05 a.m. on Thursday, February 13 between historic Duval County Public Schools rivals William M. Raines High School and Jean Ribault High School at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

Raines and Ribault student-athletes will wear customized Jacksonville Red Caps uniforms in a tribute to the Negro Leagues team that resided in Jacksonville from 1938-42. The exhibition contest, coincides with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s commencement of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Negro Leagues, will also feature historical references to Negro Leagues players and teams throughout the game. The winning team will earn the inaugural A. Philip Randolph Cup, commemorating the civil rights activist who moved to Jacksonville in 1891.

“I am so proud to bring this one-of-a-kind game to celebrate the rich history of the Negro Leagues in Jacksonville and honoring the many Negro Leagues players who laid the foundation for our entire industry,” said Jumbo Shrimp executive vice president/general manager Harold Craw. “I want to thank the students and faculty of both Raines and Ribault High Schools for kicking off the Jumbo Shrimp’s year-long commitment to commemorate the Centennial Celebration of the Negro Leagues. We encourage all fans to learn about the extraordinary Negro Leagues players who complete the history of the sport we all love.”

Tickets for the High School Heritage Classic are $5 for reserved seats and $10 for 121 Financial Crustacean Corner seats and a limited number of seats in the PNC Home Plate Club. They can be purchased in-person at the Jumbo Shrimp box office at 301 A Philip Randolph Blvd or online by clicking here.

UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp’s 2020 Home Opening Day is Wednesday, April 15 against the Biloxi Shuckers at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Season tickets, mini plans and group outings are on sale now. Visit www.jaxshrimp.com or call 904-358-2846 to secure yours today.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League’s Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by General Manager Harold Craw. The club added its second Promotional Trophy in three years following the 2019 season. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.

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

Celebrate a Veteran with Customized Jerseys on Military Appreciation Night

 

(Reading, PA) – The Reading Fightin Phils will celebrate and honor veterans and active duty military at FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, July 2nd, when R-Phils players will wear custom jerseys featuring the names of current and former military members.

The first 25 groups who purchase 20 or more tickets to the July 2nd game will have the chance to choose any veteran or active duty military member’s last name to place on the back of an R-Phils jersey, for no additional cost.

Each Fightins player will be wearing one of these custom jerseys during the game, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m.

A special post-game jersey exchange will take place, with the 25 military honorees or their families receiving their individual game-worn jersey from the R-Phils player on the field.

The night will feature free tickets for all active military and veterans, and a ceremony will take place to honor those who have served prior to the game, thanks to Savage 61 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and 830 AM WEEU. Fans will also be treated to post-game fireworks.

Groups are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible, as this opportunity is limited to only 25 honorees. For ticket information, and to book a group outing for the chance to salute and honor your favorite veteran or military member, call or text 610-370-BALL, email Nick Mayer at nmayer@fightins.com, or submit an online reservation at https://www.milb.com/reading/forms/military-night.

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