Public Recognition/Celebrations/Events

Wings to Honor First Responders, Military on Opening Day

April 8, 2015

Amy Pierson to throw out 1st pitch

For Opening Day on Saturday, April 11 the Rochester Red Wings will honor local police, fire fighters, emergency medical responders, military branches and their families for all they do serving this community. Over 2,000 of these local men and women will be in attendance thanks to the generosity of over 50 local businesses and individuals who donated tickets to our local heroes. Game time is 1:35 p.m. and the gates will open to fans at noon.

Red Wings players and field staff will wear commemorative hats on Saturday in honor of fallen Rochester Police Department Officer Daryl Pierson. The game-used hats will be autographed and auctioned off during the game with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the Rochester Police Foundation which will benefit Officer Pierson’s wife, Amy, and children; Christian and Charity. Amy will be in attendance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

“Opening Day is always a special day and this year figures to be no different,” General Manager Dan Mason said. “We are thrilled to host so many of our local heroes and their families at Opening Day. We look forward to honoring Officer Pierson with our commemorative cap and raising money for his family.”

Rochester opens the 2015 season in Buffalo on Thursday at 2:05 p.m.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Rochester Red Wings. Click here to view the original story.

San Jose Giants’ Unveil 2015 Salute to the Military Trading Card Set

April 7, 2015

Willie Mays headlines group of honorees that include every branch of the military

San Jose, CA– The San Jose Giants unveiled today their 2015 Salute to the Military Trading Card Set, presented by Operation: Care and Comfort. All branches of the United States Military are represented in the set. In addition, the trading cards include current military personnel, individuals killed in action as well as veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Gulf Wars. Included in the set are San Francisco Giants Hall of Fame outfielder Willie Mays, who served in the Army during the 1950’s, as well as heroic Navy Seal, and author of the book Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell. The following is a complete list of all selections for the 2015 San Jose Giants Military Trading Card Set:

Willie Mays, Marcus Luttrell, Harold E. Adams, Alvaro G. Alvarado, Andrews Family, Vanessa Barquero, Nicholas P. Barthel, Ernest Bizzozero, Joseph Bojo, Paris Cervantes, Tomas Cortez, Donald Crawford, Milan Dungjen, Peter Filice, Miguel Gastelo, Gary Ginestra, Michael R. Gomez, Mike C. Gomez, Keffer Family, Rob Knepper, Travis Layfield, Edward Moss, Nick Nardolillo, Robert Orum, Earl Orum, Jerimy Y. Pickering, John G. Rally, Jimmie C. Ruiz, Romeo Delos Santos, Tipi Soli, Louis P. Swan and Brothers, Garrett C. Unruh, Teryl G. Vogler, James R. West and Henry Zatarain.

“It is truly an honor to have San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays and national hero Marcus Luttrell join these amazing brave men and women in our 2015 Salute to the Military Trading Card Set, presented by Operation: Care and Comfort,” said Juliana Paoli, San Jose Giants Chief Marketing Officer. “For the second straight year, we received an incredible number of stories of the heroes among us and we want to thank everyone who submitted a nomination. We feel privileged to have each of the honorees in our set and hope that they will help remind people of all the brave men and women who have protected and are still protecting our country.”

The sets will be given away to the first 1,000 fans through the gates on Salute to the Military Night on April 18. The game will be an entire evening dedicated to honoring the brave men and women defending our country. The pregame festivities will include a first pitch ceremony, color guard presentation and on-field recognition of the individuals chosen for the 2015 Military Trading Card Set. The team will also wear special military themed jerseys and don these jerseys again on Memorial Day, May 25, where they will be part of an in-game silent auction directly benefiting Operation: Care and Comfort. On May 25, each of the highest bidders will be able to go on the field following the game and receive their new autographed jersey right off the respective San Jose Giant’s back.

“It is a privilege for Operation: Care and Comfort to be a part of this promotion and we want to thank our partners BAE Systems, USAA and the San Jose Rotary Club Military Care Package Committee for helping make the set possible,” said Julie DeMaria, Operation: Care and Comfort President and Co-Founder. “The trading card set is a memorable way to honor the brave men and women who serve our country and the individuals who make up this set not only span generations, but are a tremendous representation of the heroes in our community.”

First pitch for the San Jose Giants home opener will take place at 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 16 against the Bakersfield Blaze. Opening Night festivities include postgame fireworks presented by State Farm, magnet schedule giveaway to the first 4,000 fans, San Francisco Giants World Champion Affiliate Flag Raising Ceremony and a historic first pitch that Giants fans will not want to miss! The Giants will host games at Municipal Stadium on Mother’s Day (May 10), Memorial Day (May 25), and Independence Day (July 4). For information on the 2015 season and ticket packages please visit sjgiants.com, call (408) 297-1435 or stop by the Municipal Stadium Box Office Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the San Jose Giants. Click here to view the original story.

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

April 7, 2015

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.

TD Bank and Sparks Toyota team up for Community Corner program

April 5, 2015

Two companies to donate nearly 2,000 tickets to non-profits

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (APRIL 6, 2015) – The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, are pleased to announce that TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, will return as a partner in the Pelicans TD Bank Community Corner program for the 2015 regular season. Joining TD Bank this season is Sparks Toyota. The two organizations will provide approximately 1,750 tickets to local non-profit organizations in Horry and Georgetown counties.

The Community Corner program enters its fifth season, and this year, tickets will be provided for all 70 Pelicans home games. Each night, a non-profit organization will receive 25 tickets as part of the expanded program.

The groups will enjoy a unique night out at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark with tickets in the reserved box seating area. The group will have the name of their organization appear on the video board during the game as well.

“Every year it is such a pleasure to work with an organization that cares so much for its community,” said Scott Sharp, Regional Vice President, TD Bank. “The Community Corner Program is dedicated to giving back and providing a wonderful opportunity for its residents and we are thrilled to support such meaningful efforts.”

“We are proud to partner with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and TD Bank to provide tickets for our local nonprofit organizations,” said Patrick Sparks, General Manager of Sparks Toyota. “Giving back to our community has been a cornerstone belief for Sparks Toyota for over 30 years and we are thrilled to have this opportunity.”

Non-profits interested in joining the TD Bank Community Corner program are encouraged to contact Becca Holtgreive, Pelicans Community Relations Assistant, by telephone at (843) 918-6003 or by e-mail at BHoltgreive@MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

The 2015 season marks the 17th season for the franchise and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The Pelicans begin their defense of their 2014 Southern Division Championship on Thursday, April 9, when the team plays host to the Wilmington Blue Rocks at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark at 7:05 p.m. Season Seats, Mini Plans, Flex Books, and single game tickets for the 2015 season are on sale now For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com, or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, or visit the Pelicans box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

About TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank^®

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at approximately 1,300 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth^®, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US.

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol “TD”. To learn more, visit www.td.com.

About Sparks Toyota

Sparks Toyota works to provide each and every one of their customers with the best experience possible. For more than 33 years, Sparks Toyota has been proudly serving the Grand Strand with a continuous commitment to the community. Their loyal customers have made it possible for for them to donate over $500,000 to many local civic and charitable organizations.

The Spark Toyota team of highly qualified professionals knows there’s more to this industry than just selling cars; they value one-on-one relationships with every one of their customers and take the time to build them. Customers can trust that Sparks Toyota will find them the car or truck they want with professionalism and attention to their needs.

From new and used Toyota vehicles, to auto loans and OEM car parts, Sparks Toyota really is the one and only full-service dealership you need. Whether you need vehicle repair, financial assistance, a new car or anything else, their friendly and knowledgeable staff will point you in the right direction. Visit the newly expanded dealership and check out everything that Sparks Toyota has to offer at 4855 Highway 501 Myrtle Beach, SC 29579. They go the extra mile to make sure your car-buying and servicing experience is quick and hassle-free! Sparks Toyota-where the dealer’s always in.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Click here to view the original story.

Drive Celebrate Reading All-Stars on April 13th

April 3, 2015

Accomplishments to be celebrated with entertainment and pregame parade

Fluor Field will host its first Reading All-Stars Night of the 2015 season on Monday, April 13^th at 7:05! Monday’s game marks the first of the Drive’s three-game series against the Lexington Legends, affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

Along with Michelin, N.A., the Drive are excited to welcome students from Greenville County Elementary Schools and Pickens County Schools to Fluor Field for a fun evening of celebration! The Drive’s eighth annual Reading All-Stars program is designed to encourage learning and education success through reading.

A pregame parade of champions around Fluor Field that celebrates their success in the program begins at 6:30 PM, and each student will be provided with a Drive-Michelin Reading All-Star t-shirt.

During the game, schools with continued success in the program will be inducted into the Reading All-Star Hall of Fame, and top performers for the school year will be recognized. In addition, students will participate in the in-game entertainment, including a tug-of-war, shoe scramble, sack race and more!

Come out and support the Reading All-Stars on all their hard work in school this year! To purchase tickets, stop by the Main Street Box Office, call (864) 240-4528 or click here.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Greenville Drive. Click here to view the original story.

Safe Kids Upstate Day on April 12th

April 3, 2015

The first 300 kids at the Main St. gate will be fitted for bike helmets

The Drive will host Safe Kids Upstate Day at Fluor Field on Sunday, April 12^th vs. the Augusta GreenJackets. Sunday’s game begins at 4:05 PM, and gates will open at 3:00 PM.

The first 300 kids through the Main Street gate on Sunday will be fitted for bicycle helmets from Safe Kids Upstate. A pregame parade for Upstate safety patrols will begin at 3:30 PM, and during the game, Drive players/coaches will be wearing special Safe Kids jerseys that will be available for fans in a silent auction.

To purchase tickets to Safe Kids Upstate Day, stop by the Main Street Box Office, call (864) 240-4528 or click here.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Greenville Drive. Click here to view the original story.

Miracle League Game Set for Prior to 4/25 Game

April 2, 2015

Gates Open Early at 5:30 p.m.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs will play host to a Miracle League exhibition game and also wear commemorative Miracle League inspired jerseys provided by Majestic Athletic during their game against the Buffalo Bisons on Saturday, April 25 at Coca-Cola Park. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting the Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley and the Miracle League of Northampton County.

The Miracle League exhibition game between the Lehigh Valley team and the Northampton squad will take place from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. In order to allow fans to watch the one-inning contest, all Coca-Cola Park gates will also open promptly at 5 p.m. Dozens of children will take part in the 8^th annual Miracle League game at Coca-Cola Park. During the game, each child will have the opportunity to bat and play in the field and the IronPigs players will serve as “angels” and assist the players in all areas of the game.

The Miracle League is dedicated to providing children with special needs and other development disabilities an opportunity to play baseball. Presently there are 250 Miracle League organizations worldwide that provide opportunities to over 200,000 children and young adults with disabilities. For more information on how you can make a difference and support the local Miracle League chapters, please visit miracleleaguelv.org and miracleleagueofnc.org.

IronPigs fans can bid on their favorite player’s jerseys from anywhere with the easy-to-use Qtego service that allows fans to place bids, receive notifications when outbid and check the status of their item via text messages on their mobile phones. Fans without texting access can even call in their bid after registering their phone at Coca-Cola Park.

Register your phone from anywhere in the U.S. by texting “Pigs” to 79230. The bidding begins on April 24 and ends promptly at the end of 7^th inning of the April 25 game. Detailed instructions on how to place your bid will be made available at ironpigsbaseball.com.

Winning bidders will have the opportunity to go on the field immediately following the game to have their jersey autographed. Bidders not in attendance at Coca-Cola Park can either pick up their signed jersey at a later date or have it mailed directly to them.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Click here to view the original story.

APD Officer Golson To Throw Out First Pitch

April 1, 2015

Golson Is Recovering From Being Shot In The Line Of Duty January 3

Albuquerque Police Officer Lou Golson is scheduled to throw out the first pitch for the Albuquerque Isotopes on Opening Night, April 9, when the Isotopes host the Reno Aces at 6:35 p.m.

Officer Golson was shot four times on January 3 when he initiated a traffic stop for a suspected DWI. Upon Golson approaching the vehicle, the driver flung open his door and fired five shots at Golson, striking him four times. He was shot in the leg, breaking his left femur, while another bullet penetrated his bulletproof vest. He also broke his wrist when he fell to the pavement.

Golson returned fire as the suspect fled the scene and maintained his composure to call for help on his radio. Golson was able to accurately identify the suspect, and the suspect was apprehended a few days later.

“We are honored to have Officer Golson joining us for Opening Night,” Isotopes General Manager John Traub said. “He has been making a remarkable recovery since being shot in the line of duty earlier this year, and we’re thrilled he will be able to throw out the first pitch of the 2015 season. We are very thankful for his service to the community as well as the service of all of our military members and public safety officers.”

A 31-year veteran of the Albuquerque Police Department, Golson also served in the Armed Forces in many different capacities. He’s worked a variety of beats at APD, including traffic and SWAT, but recently volunteered to return to DWI Patrol. He was also honored by MADD as a hero awardee on November 8.

Mayor Richard J. Berry, Colorado Rockies Senior Director of Player Development Zach Wilson and Isotopes President Ken Young are also scheduled to be on hand for the Opening Night festivities.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Albuquerque Isotopes. Click here to view the original story.

RiverDogs Named “Best Local Sports Team” AGAIN by Charleston City Paper

April 1, 2015

Charleston City Paper readers continue to endorse the ‘Dogs

The Charleston RiverDogs’ “Fun Is Good” philosophy seeks to make each and every fan’s experience a special one at The Joe. Judging by the Lowcountry’s response, the initiative continues to be very successful.

For the 11th consecutive year, readers of the Charleston City Paper selected the RiverDogs as the city’s “Best Local Sports Team.”

“We are excited once again to be named the ‘Best Local Sports Team’ by the readership of the Charleston City Paper,” said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. “The Charleston City Paper is an integral part of our community, so this award is a big one for us to receive once again. All the thanks for this award go to our fans, because without them the RiverDogs baseball experience wouldn’t be possible.”

Known for wholesome family entertainment, RiverDogs games are a fun experience for people of all ages. This past year was especially special for the club as they donned new seersucker uniforms for Sunday games, brought back Disco Demolition on its 35^th anniversary, gave away Bill Veeck “bobble-legs” and staged Rainbows Night while entertaining scores of fans on a consistent basis.

Whether it is the game between the foul lines, the tasty food and beverage options at The Joe, the unique merchandise available in the souvenir store, the Kids Zone or the always entertaining between-innings promotions, RiverDogs baseball has become synonymous for a great night out with family and friends in Charleston.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Charleston RiverDogs. Click here to view the original story.

Fifth Annual EasterFest to Flood BGBP with Easter Eggs on Saturday, April 4

March 27, 2015

Kids Set to Find 50,000 Easter Eggs in BG’s Largest Easter Celebration

The Bowling Green Hot Rods and Crossland Community Church are proud to partner up and bring EasterFest to Bowling Green Ballpark on Saturday, April 4. The completely free event will run from Noon CT until 3 p.m., and it will feature the largest Easter egg hunt in the South-Central Kentucky region. Over 50,000 Easter eggs will grace the field with four different age groups set to take the field and find their Easter treasure.

“We love what Crossland Community Church does for the community, and their outreach fits right into what we’re trying to do with the ball club,” said Hot Rods Assistant General Manager Eric C. Leach. “We’re proud to once again partner with hem for this event, and we can’t wait to provide families a superb venue for what will surely be the biggest Easter celebration in the area.”

Over 50,000 Easter eggs will blanket the field at Bowling Green Ballpark, and four different age groups will get the chance to showcase their Easter-egg hunting prowess. The age groups go all the way up to fifth graders, and smaller children will get to explore separately. Entry to the event is completely free, and 16 bicycles will be given away to those in attendance. Free popcorn and Pepsi products will be served in the concession stands, and the Easter bunny will make a grand entrance to help celebrate the event.

“We consider EasterFest a great opportunity to express our love and gratitude to our community. We are blessed to live in South-Central Kentucky and feel a very strong responsibility to help, encourage and bless the people of this community and not just the members of our church,” said Gregg Farrell of Crossland Community Church. “Jesus gave up His life for us and we feel a strong calling and responsibility to give of ourselves to this community.”

The newly-minted Axle’s Adventureland presented by VanMeter Insurance will be open and ready for play, and just like Easterfest itself, entry to the play area is completely free. Popular inflatables like the bounce house and speed pitch will also be ready for big outdoor party. All of the fun begins right at Noon, and the gates will remain open until 3 p.m. CT.

EasterFest will be the first event held in the ballpark in April, but it will the lid-lifter of a very busy month. That following Tuesday, on April 7, the Hot Rods will take the field as a team for the first time this season and host Western Kentucky University in a historic exhibition contest. Season ticket packages are on sale now, and they provide the most savings while offering the greatest flexibility. For more information about EasterFest, upcoming games, or anything else Hot Rods, please visit BGHotRods.com, call 270-901-2121, or folks can stop by the ballpark in downtown Bowling Green.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Click here to view the original story.

Chico Makes 500th Community Appearance!

March 27, 2015

As Chico entertained the students at Dr. Green Elementary School’s State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Pep Rally, the Chihuahuas mascot recorded his 500^th community appearance since he wandered onto the steps of Southwest University Park less than one year ago.

“_______________________________________,” said Chico. “_____________________ _____________________________!”

The Chihuahuas debuted a silent Chico on their flagship radio station, Team 600 ESPN El Paso on April 14^th, 2014. Since his introduction Chico has become the face of the Chihuahuas brand.

Chico’s 500 appearances included school visits, military Welcome Home ceremonies, grand openings of businesses, parades and birthday parties to name a few.

Aside from baseball, Chico is an advocate of education having assisted in such programs as Read Across America, Red Ribbon Week, Anti-Bullying Week, STAAR Testing Rallies and more.

In February 2015, Chico was invited to represent El Paso in Austin, Texas for El Paso Days, a series of meetings between local leaders and state officials, becoming a true ambassador for the city.

“We are proud to hit this community milestone so quickly with our goodwill ambassador, Chico,” said Chihuahuas General Manager Brad Taylor. “He is the one member of our team that will be here year after year while supporting all of the great groups in our region.”

If you are interested in having Chico at your next event, go to www.epchihuhauas.com under the ‘Community’ tab and fill out the online ‘Mascot Appearances Form.’

This article originally appeared on the official website of the El Paso. Click here to view the original story.

Barons Searching for Community Heroes

March 26, 2015

Five to be recognized on-field July 28 – August 1

The Birmingham Barons announced Thursday they are searching for five Birmingham area citizens to be recognized as the team’s inaugural “Barons Community Heroes” class in 2015.

Beginning today, fans have the opportunity to nominate individuals who they believe are deserving of recognition at a Barons baseball game. By visiting Barons.com and clicking “Barons Community Heroes” on the community tab, fans will be instructed to complete a nomination form that can be submitted during home games or emailed.

Whether the nominee is currently/formerly a teacher, firefighter, law enforcement officer, military personnel or a volunteer, the Barons are looking for those who have made a difference in the Birmingham community and want to recognize those unsung heroes.

“The Barons are a community-driven business, and we believe this is a great way to give back to a community that has shown us so much support for so many years,” Barons General Manager Jonathan Nelson said. “We want to be able to give those individuals the attention and recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication to the Birmingham area, and who better to ask for suggestions than those whose lives they have impacted most; their neighbors.”

If chosen, one person shall be recognized on-field each night July 28 – August 1 as the Barons host the Mississippi Braves at Regions Field. Nomination forms are due Sunday, May 31 at midnight.

Birmingham opens the 2015 season Thursday, April 9 as Regions Field hosts the Mobile BayBears at 7:05 p.m. To order tickets, visit Barons.com or call (205) 988-3200. For more information, visit us at www.barons.com, www.facebook.com/birminghambarons or on Twitter: @bhambarons.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Birmingham Barons. Click here to view the original story.

Celebrate National Siblings Day at April 10th Game

March 26, 2015

Includes $1 tickets and post-game fireworks

Join the BlueClaws and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County for National Siblings Day at the Friday, April 10th BlueClaws game which starts at 7:05.

Tickets for the game are just $1 thanks to the Asbury Park Press and there will be post-game fireworks thanks to River Rock Restaurant & Marina Bar.

Fans are encouraged to send in a funny picture(s) with their siblings prior to the game. The best ones will be used during the game on the video board (bonus points for pictures taken at FirstEnergy Park or in BlueClaws gear). Please email all photos to Ryan Cassirer at rcassirer@blueclaws.com.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County will have a table on the concourse, and fans can take pictures with their siblings at the table and share on Twitter & Instagram using the hashtag #BCSibsDay. Winners will be selected and prizes, including tickets to a future game, will be awarded.

There will also be sibling movie clips shown throughout the game as well plus on-field promotions pitting siblings against each other.

To order tickets, call 732-901-7000 option 2 or order online by clicking here.

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County, please click here.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lakewood BlueClaws. Click here to view the original story.

Local Military Members Honored In Squirrels Card Set Giveaway

March 25, 2015

The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the World Champion San Francisco Giants, are excited to announce they are currently accepting nominations for their inaugural Military Card Set Giveaway on May 26^th presented by Verizon. The trading card set will be comprised solely of current or former members of the military that have been nominated by fans. Nominations will be accepted through April 10^th online at www.squirrelsbaseball.com or at any Verizon Wireless Store in Central Virginia. Military card sets will be distributed to the first 2,000 fans on May 26^th at The Diamond. Gates open on May 26^th at 5:30PM and a pre-game ceremony to honor all Military members will take place before the first pitch against Harrisburg. SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS HERE

“We have always had strong a place in our heart for our Military personnel and all they do to protect our freedom and allow us to do what we do for and in our community,” Said Squirrels VP & COO Todd “Parney” Parnell. “We could not be more pleased to highlight these heroes in this commemorative and limited edition card set.

Any questions regarding the Military Card Set Giveaway can be directed to erin.mcdonald@squirrelsbaseball.com. The Flying Squirrels 2015 season begins on Thursday, April 9^th. Single-Game tickets are currently on sale at The Diamond, over the phone and online. Opening Night April 9^th will feature the Squirrels first eve dueling fireworks and dueling piano show. For a full list of the 2015 season promotions, visit www.squirrrelsbaseball.com.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Click here to view the original story.

Honor Your Hero On Opening Day

March 24, 2015

BlueClaws to honor 15 heroes during pre-game ceremony on April 9th

In celebration of the start of the BlueClaws 15th season, the team will be honoring 15 BlueClaws Community Heroes on Opening Day!

Fans are encouraged to nominate their heroes – first responders, teachers, coaches, parents, or anyone else – by emailing heroes@blueclaws.com.

Please include your hero’s name, connection to the nominating individual, a description as to why they are being nominated (such as why your hero is important to you or what he/she does for your family or the community) and contact information.

15 winners will be selected and honored on the field in a pregame ceremony on Opening Day. Plus, all 15 heroes will take the field with BlueClaws players during the traditional player introductions. Each will also receive two complimentary tickets to the game.

Winners will be notified via phone call. All submissions must be made by April 1st.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Lakewood BlueClaws. Click here to view the original story.