Public Recognition/Celebrations/Events

Trick or Treat at Eastwood Field Set for October 22

September 22, 2014

The Scrappers and Talmer Bank and Trust present the sixteenth annual “Trick or Treat” at Eastwood Field, with media partners 21 WFMJ, WBCB, and Hot 101. The event will take place Wednesday, October 22^nd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. “Trick or Treat” at Eastwood Field is a fun and safe way to celebrate Halloween for children age 12 and under. Ticket quantities are limited and are available on a first come first served basis. Children and adults will require a ticket. Tickets are just $1 each and are available starting Monday, September 29th at the Scrappers Team Office located at Eastwood Field. In addition, anyone that donates canned goods at the “Trick or Treat” event for Project Feed Our Valley will receive a free general admission Scrappers ticket valid during the 2015 season.

The Scrappers are looking for area businesses to participate in this year’s “Trick or Treat” event. Businesses will receive table space on the Eastwood Field concourse. This is a community event and a great way to promote your business to the public. Early reservations are encouraged as space is limited. Please contact Annie Stoltenberg for complete details by calling 330-505-0000 or emailing astoltenberg@mvscrappers.com.

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

Timber Rattlers win Midwest League Community Service Award

September 19, 2014

Brewers affiliate is up for National John H. Moss Award

Members of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers joined The Miracle League of the Fox Valley on July 14, 2014. (Ann Mollica/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers)

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have been named as the recipients of the Midwest League’s 2014 community service award. The league award means that the Milwaukee Brewers affiliate has been nominated for the national John H. Moss Award.

The Timber Rattlers are in a pool of nominees that includes teams from other participating leagues in the National Association of Professional Baseball League. The John H. Moss Award will be presented at the 2014 Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego on Sunday, December 7. The Moss Award is presented to a Minor League club for their ongoing commitment to charitable service and their support and leadership within the community and the baseball industry.

“We measure our success in ways that go beyond wins and attendance,” said Timber Rattlers president Rob Zerjav. “I am extremely proud of our front office for all of their hard work and dedication to giving back to our community. We also appreciate the Brewers support and encouragement of the players to be involved in this area. To win this award was truly a team effort.”

Charitable initiatives undertaken by the Timber Rattlers include: Fang’s Reading Program, a school-based program that provides children from kindergarten through fifth grade with incentives to reach reading goals; The annual Golf Outing that supports Miracle League of the Fox Valley, an organization for children with cognitive or physical disabilities; Ballpark Community Garden, a vegetable garden on the stadium grounds which sends the produce to St. Joseph’s Food Program; and STEM in Sports, a partnership with Time Warner Cable to use baseball to help introduce science, technology, engineering, and math to area schoolchildren.

The Timber Rattlers have also worked with Coats for Kids, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Strike Out Cancer, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and many other local and national charities.

The John H. Moss Award is named after the former South Atlantic League president, who founded the circuit and presided over it for a half-century from 1959-2008.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Click here to view the original story.

Grand Strand Happening name Pelicans “Best Family Outing”

September 18, 2014

Readers voted Pelicans to top spot in inaugural list

Grand Strand Happening announced the winners of their “Happening List,” and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans were named the “Best Family Outing” in the first ever incarnation of the award.

The Happening List is a people’s choice award list of Grand Strand Happening readers’ favorite people, places, events, and businesses on the Grand Strand. The publication handed out over 100 different awards from “Best Day Spa,” to “Best Sushi,” and “Best Senior Living.” The Pelicans beat out fellow finalists Brookgreen Gardens and Ripley’s Aquarium for the Best Family Outing label.

All of the winners will be honored at the first Grand Strand Happening List Bash on September 25.

To view details on the event as well as the finalists and award winners, visit the Grand Strand Happening website.

The Pelicans have provided top-flight family entertainment at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark since the team’s inaugural season in 1999. Stadium Journey ranked the Pelicans in the Top 25 Stadium Experiences in all of sports in 2012 and 2013 as well as third in Minor League Baseball in 2013. The club has been nominee for the Golden Bobblehead Awards, which honors the best promotions in Minor League Baseball, in three seasons, and the Pelicans have three nominees for the 2014 season.

Focused on entertainment, the Pelicans are also committed to the community and, this season, won the Community Service Award from the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. After donating $397,187 to the community in monies and man-hours in 2013, the Pelicans surpassed $465,000 this season.

The Pelicans return to TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in 2015 for their 17th season, and first as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, looking to defend their Southern Division Championship. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2015, please call (843) 918-6002, e-mail info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com, or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

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

Sky Sox support National Developmental Disability Awareness Month

September 12, 2014

Jon Eddy emcees 2nd Annual Achieve with us. Colorado Film Festival

ColoradoSpringsSkySox_2014-03-12 — Jon Eddy, the director of marketing and promotions for Sky Sox baseball, emcees the 2nd Annual Achieve with us. Colorado Film Festival. The event was hosted by The Arc of the Pikes Peak Region and The Arc of Colorado to help raise awareness of intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

In honor of National Developmental Disability Awareness Month, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox continued their support of local charitable organizations last week.

At the Stargazers Theatre, Sky Sox Director of Marketing and Promotions Jon Eddy emceed the 2nd Annual Achieve with us. Colorado Film Festival hosted by The Arc of Pikes Peak Region and The Arc of Colorado. The festival featured 15 short films written by, starring or produced by people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities from the state of Colorado, as well as the entire United States.

Eddy, who has emceed the event both years, has a personal connection to supporting people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and is extremely supportive of the cause.

“My sister has a disability on the Autism spectrum, Aspergers (syndrome), so this is something I really care about,” Eddy said. “This whole film fest is geared around showing these people can be, and are, astounding in some ways that you and I aren’t. It’s overwhelming.”

Eddy’s sister is currently a teacher of young children in a suburb of New York and found a way to make her disadvantage an advantage by being able to connect so well with children of younger ages.

“The idea (of the festival) is to help educate the community about intellectual and developmental disabilities and to celebrate their achievements,” said Christina Butero, guardianship director of The ARC of Pikes Peak Region. “Our partnership with Sky Sox stems from the ARC Thrift (Stores) and Jon just became a champion of what we’ve been doing because of his sister, and he knows how difficult it is to be accepted in our society.”

Butero said ARC tries to partner with lots of different organizations to help try and build awareness and help create jobs for people with disabilities.

During the festival, Eddy enjoyed all the films, but particularly enjoyed “Pretty Girls” and “Aaron ‘Wheelz’ Fotheringham – The Story”.

“Pretty Girls” is a short film by 14-year-old Jack Williams and is shot like all his films – with his phone. Jack was functionally nonverbal until he was nine years old when he started shooting videos which have helped him capture the world from his point of view. His films have gone on to win numerous of local and national awards.

“Aaron ‘Wheelz’ Fotheringham – The Story” is about Aaron Fotheringham, a wheelchair motocross athlete from Las Vegas. He was born with Spina Bifida and has no usage of his legs. Spina Bifida is a birth defect of the spinal cord. Fotheringham has been doing extreme tricks the past several years and has traveled with the Nitro Circus led by world-famous motorsports performer Travis Pastrana.

Included in the festival is a movement that has made national news in the past few years, which is to stop saying the R-word – ‘retard(ed).’ Since the word is offensive and derogatory to people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, the festival gave attendees an opportunity to pledge against the word.

Jack and Aaron are just two of many examples of people with disabilities succeeding despite their “disadvantages,” and continue to inspire people all over the country and world.

“It was an emotional night for all involved,” Eddy said. “I’m overwhelmed by the work that The Arc is doing in Colorado, and proud of the continued partnership between The Arc and The Sky Sox.”

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Click here to view the original story.

Little Lake Monsters Program Wins Award

September 8, 2014

Minor League Baseball has announced today that the Vermont Lake Monsters‘ “Little Lake Monsters Community All Stars” program has won their Promotion of the Month for August/September.

The program, presented by Northwestern Urgent Care, named nine winners based on their answers to three questions that focused on sportsmanship, living a healthy lifestyles and community. Each of the winners were rewarded with an experience of a lifetime, and saw what it was like to be a professional baseball player for a day. The promotion held a four-week entry period, and culminated with the event day on Friday, August 22nd at historic Centennial Field.

During each month of the 2014 season, Minor League Baseball recognizes one promotion as the Promotion of the Month. Organizations that are named Promotion of the Month winners are be automatically designated as a finalist for a Golden Bobblehead Award, presented at the Promotional Seminar in Oklahoma City.

Each of the winners:
• Signed a one-day promotional baseball contract at a press conference at the Free Press Media’s headquarters, where they received their very own custom Lake Monsters jersey and cap. Their contracts were signed by Oakland’s Athletics Vice President and General Manager, Billy Beane, and they were represented by Vermont’s own, professional sports agent, Jamie Murphy, whose agency represents several Major League players, such as Troy Tulowitzki, Evan Longoria, Nick Markakis, Tim Hudson, Mark Ellis, and several other professional baseball players
• Took a limousine from the press conference to Centennial Field, where they met the Vermont Lake Monsters team and took batting practice, infield, and ran the bases with the team
• Threw out a ceremonial first pitch
• Joined the Lake Monsters on the field for the National Anthem
• Sat in the dugout during the game
• Received their very own custom Vermont Lake Monsters baseball card, which was a giveaway for the fans on the night of the game
•In the spirit of the promotion, each of the kids donated and paid forward their $50 salary for the day to their local United Way

For more information on the Vermont Lake Monsters community efforts, please visit the Community tab at here on the website.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Vermont Lake Monsters. Click here to view the original story.

BB&T Ballpark Awarded Prestigious LEED ® Green Building Certification

September 4, 2014

CharlotteKnights_2014-09-04 — LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices.

The Charlotte Knights announced that BB&T Ballpark has been awarded LEED ® (level of certification). LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices.

“The Knights organization was committed to the LEED certification of the ballpark,” said Gau Gupte, Odell. “The entire team, including the architects, contractors and engineers, focused the goal of being LEED certified from day one. This included energy efficient systems, high performance building envelope design and green material choices and construction processes.”

The LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for buildings, homes, and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. More than 58,000 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, comprising more than 10.7 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and more than 140 countries.

BB&T Ballpark achieved LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at achieving high performance in: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

“The green building movement offers an unprecedented opportunity to respond to the most-important challenges of our time, including global climate change, dependence on non-sustainable and expensive sources of energy and threats to human health,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “The work of innovative building projects such as BB&T Ballpark is a fundamental driving force in the green building movement.”

The 2014 inaugural season at BB&T Ballpark was a record-breaking one for the Knights, who led all of Minor League Baseball in attendance with 687,715 fans in 71 games. With 31 sell-out crowds, and an average of 9,686 fans per game, BB&T Ballpark was the most visited ballpark in the country in just its first season.

In anticipation of more interest in the Knights Uptown, Charlotte Knights ownership authorized the creation of a new 501 (c) (3) organization named Knights Charities. The first initiative involved a commemorative brick program installed in phases at BB&T Ballpark’s main gate. Fans responded by investing in hundreds of bricks that netted more than $75,000 to the coffers of Knights Charities.

Knights Charities has already made an impact in the Charlotte community. With help of corporate sponsors, the team has generated more than $70,000. Annual events such as Pink Knights, the Charlotte Knights Golf Classic, and others resulted in more than $35,000. Knights players contributed to the cause with funds raised for runs scored, double plays, and triples.

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

Blackmar Honored for Outstanding Community Service

September 4, 2014

Former Keys Pitcher Receives Elrod Hendricks Award

On Thursday, the Baltimore Orioles announced Mark Blackmar as the organization’s winner of the 2014 Elrod Hendricks Award. Given out annually since 1992, the award honors one player whose level of community involvement is worthy of special recognition and that truly stands out within the Orioles Minor League Organization. Blackmar will receive the award on Thursday night during a pregame ceremony at Camden Yards.

Blackmar, 22, becomes the third Key in as many years to win the Hendricks award. In 2013, Anthony Caronia received the award, while Trent Howard was recognized in 2012. Since 2004, seven Frederick players have been recognized with Orioles top minor league prize for community involvement.

During his time in Frederick, Blackmar visited the Frederick County libraries to read to children, spent time with fans at the Frederick Celtic Festival and served as a camp counselor at the Keys Youth Baseball Camp.

“Mark was always very eager to go out into the community and had a really positive attitude,” said Keys Promotions Manager Christine Roy. “He was friendly with everyone and was really a pleasure to work with.”

For his commitment to community service, Blackmar was honored with the Steve Bechler Award last Saturday, which recognizes the Keys player who best represents the value, character and commitment of Joel Stephens in community service.

On the same night he was recognized, Blackmar was traded to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Alejandro De Aza. Former Keys pitcher Miguel Chalas was also involved in the trade. One of the Orioles top minor league pitchers in 2014, Blackmar finished the year with the second-best ERA (3.18) among Baltimore minor leaguers. He was also tied for fourth in wins (10). The Corpus Christi, TX native ended the year with the fifth-best ERA in the Carolina League, and was third in WHIP (1.08) and batting average against (.229).

In addition to Blackmar, the Orioles will recognize former Keys Christian Walker and Tyler Wilson on Thursday night. Walker will receive the Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year award while Wilson will be recognized with the Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year award.

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

Ege wins second annual Bruce Dal Canton Service Award

September 2, 2014

Award given to player with significant contributions to community

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Texas Rangers, are pleased to announce that left-hander reliever Cody Ege was named the second-ever recipient of the Bruce Dal Canton Service Award for his efforts in the community this season. He was given the award before the Pelicans regular season finale on Monday at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. Catcher Pat Cantwell won the award in 2013.

The award is presented to a player that has demonstrated significant contributions to the Grand Strand community, the Carolina League and the baseball industry as a whole. Cody showed an ongoing commitment to charitable service throughout the season with his involvement in the Pelicans 3-Day Youth Clinic as well as school and summer camp appearances, just to name a few.

“Cody has been an excellent influence on all of the young children that he has worked with this season,” explained Pelicans Senior Director of Marketing Jen Borowski. She went on to add, “most importantly, from our end, he has helped us with every activity that we have asked of him and done it with a smile on his face. I am sure that, if the award was not involved, he still would have been willing to help out; that’s the kind of personality he has-always willing to help out, and he’s a great community leader.”

This award is named after the late Bruce Dal Canton. Bruce Dal Canton was the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Pitching Coach from the inaugural season in 1999 until his passing in 2008. Before joining the Pelicans, Dal Canton was a Major League pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves and Chicago White Sox. He coached for 26 years, including ten with the Pelicans, until he prematurely passed away due to esophageal cancer on October 7, 2008. Dal Canton was heavy involved in charitable endeavors and constantly striving to make the community a better place to live, work and play. In 2009, the Pelicans named the home clubhouse after him and retired his number 43, one of just two past Pelicans retired numbers.

Ege was not alone. The Pelicans players and coaches donated countless man-hours in the community with events like the Home Run for Autism Camp, a day with Grand Strand Miracle Leagues, the 3-Day Youth Clinic, the Sanofi Healthy Living outings to two local YMCAs and the Boys and Girls Club of the Grand Strand, as well as food packing initiatives with the Lowcountry Food Bank and the Help4Kids’ Backpack Buddies program.

On a nightly basis, Pelicans players volunteered time before the games to sign autographs to fans behind home plate and caught ceremonial first pitches prior to each Pelicans home game. The Pelicans front office is grateful for all their hard work. Although Ege’s accomplishment is an individual award, the impact that the 2014 Pelicans achieved in the community mirrored the tremendous success of the group on the diamond.

On the field, Ege sported 3.88 ERA and a 4-1 record in 37 outings out of the bullpen for the Pelicans during the regular season. He punched out 76 batters and walked just 17 and had a 46-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio during the second half. He did not allow a run in 10 1/3 August innings.

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

Cyclones Get Slimed For ALS Association

August 27, 2014

On Wednesday, August 27th the Brooklyn Cyclones and Staten Island Yankees will square off at MCU Park on 90s Night at the ballpark. As part of the evening’s festivities, the Cyclones will be wearing special Nickeldeon “90s Are All That” jerseys that will be raffled off throughout the game with all proceeds to benefit the ALS Association. To kick things off, the Cyclones front office had their own twist on the “Ice Bucket Challenege” with the Slime Bucket Challenge thanks to our friends at Nickelodeon.

During the game on August 27th, fans will have the chance to make a donation to ALS and then join the team on the field post-game to participate in the ice bucket challenge around the infield. It’s going to be a great night, to benefit a great cause.

“We’ll be celebrating alot of things from the 90s that will make people say ‘Oh yeah, I remember that,'” said Cyclones Vice President Steve Cohen. “And we hope that through all of the money raised through the ice bucket challenege and other events like our jersey raffle, that in the not-to-distant future people will be able to make Lou Gehrig’s disease a distant memory as well.”

All tickets for the game on August 27th will have special throwback pricing of just $10.

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

Dragons Host Human Services Fair Sunday

August 23, 2014

The Dayton Dragons will host a Human Services Fair on the plaza outside Fifth Third Field from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 24. The event will help raise awareness about Montgomery County’s Human Services agencies and provide more information about the specific services delivered by the agencies and related non-profits.

Visitors to the Human Services Fair on the plaza (prior to the Dragons game vs. Great Lakes) can browse 30 booths for more information about the work of Children Services; Developmental Disabilities Services; Public Health-Dayton & Montgomery County; and Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) as well as key senior services, the Job Center and selected social services delivered by non-profit agencies.

Fair booths will include volunteers from United Way of the Greater Dayton Area; Sinclair Community College Fast Forward; Alzheimer’s Association; Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Miami Valley; Center for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Services (CADAS); Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley; Suicide Prevention Center; Clothes That Work; Rebuilding Together; Dakota Center; Stillwater Center; Daybreak; Family Services Association; Homefull; Nova Behavioral Health; Parity, Inc; Places, Inc.; Project C.U.R.E., Inc.; Samaritan Behavioral Health; Senior Resource Connection; and United Rehabilitation Services of Greater Dayton.

Montgomery County voters will vote on a Human Services levy this November 4. Based on recommendations by the Human Services Levy Council, Montgomery County Commissioners placed a renewal of an existing Human Services levy plus an increase of 1 mill on the November 4, 2014 ballot. If voters pass the levy request, the owner of a home valued at $100,000 would pay an additional $3 per month.

“For over 50,000 children, families and seniors in communities across Montgomery County, these services are vital,” said County Commissioner Judy Dodge. “We are thankful for the opportunity presented with the Human Services Fair on August 24 to raise awareness with residents and voters about the critical, effective, life-changing services funded by the levy.”

“Right now, displaced workers are getting the valuable help they need at the Job Center and thousands of children are receiving immunizations, counseling or care because of this critical human services funding,” said Montgomery County Commissioner Debbie Lieberman.

“Every service is reviewed regularly by a hard-working local panel, the Human Services Levy Council, that includes independent business leaders, financial experts, and citizen volunteers,” said County Commission President Dan Foley. “We are committed to providing quality services to the most vulnerable in our community.”

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

Stand Up to Cancer at Fifth Third Field this Sunday

August 20, 2014

Fifth Third Bank will host Stand Up To Cancer Night at Fifth Third Field on Sunday, August 24! Tickets for Sunday’s 6 p.m. game between the Mud Hens and Louisville Bats can be purchased at 419-725-4367 or online.

The special games are part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to raise money in support of cancer research. To date, the bank has helped to raise more than $2.3 million in donations for Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C). Fifth Third Bank offers special credit and debit cards, which generate donations to SU2C for every qualifying purchase made using those cards. Through its “Pay to the Order of” campaign, the bank will give $150 to the customer and donate $150 to SU2C each time a new customer opens a checking account with direct deposit and makes three online bill payments. The campaign runs through October 17.

“It is our hope that those touched by cancer will come out and be part of this special event with us,” said Bob LaClair, CEO & president, Fifth Third Bank (Northwestern Ohio). “Far too many have experienced the heartbreak of this devastating disease and we are honored to have the opportunity to work with Stand Up To Cancer to raise awareness and funds that will advance the scientific breakthroughs necessary to bring the possibility of a cure even closer.”

At each ballpark, guests will enjoy special promotions and giveaways, have the opportunity to donate to the cause and even memorialize their wishes for someone they know affected by cancer by adding their name to an SU2C signing wall. For every strikeout in the game, the bank will donate an additional $53 to SU2C. Special guests, including cancer survivors, will serve as game ambassadors, with one special guest throwing out the game’s first pitch.

SU2C, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is a groundbreaking initiative that raises funds to accelerate innovative cancer research, enabling scientific collaboration in order to quickly bring new therapies to patients. Fifth Third began working with SU2C in 2013 when the bank launched the Fifth Third SU2C credit and debit cards. Fifth Third Bank is the only card issuer to offer payment cards that directly benefit SU2C.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Toledo Mud Hens. Click here to view the original story.

Little League State Champs to Be Honored Sunday

August 18, 2014

Toms River Little League team recognized in ceremony before the game

The Toms River Little League team that won the New Jersey State Little League Championship will be honored at FirstEnergy Park in a pre-game ceremony on Sunday prior to the BlueClaws 5:05 pm game against Greensboro.

The Toms River Little Leaguers won the New Jersey State Championship at the Berkeley Little League complex on July 28th, defeating Ocean City in the championship game. They then went to the Mid-Atlantic Regional in Bristol, Connecticut, where they went 4-0 in pool play before falling in the semi-finals to Newark, Delaware.

“These young players captured the attention of everyone at the Jersey Shore while they made their magical run,” said BlueClaws General Manager Chris Tafrow. “We are honored to bring them out on Sunday and give them the recognition that they deserve.”

In addition to the ceremony on Sunday, the BlueClaws could reach the 6-million fan plateau at this game. They return home on Friday night and are within 12,245 fans of the milestone.

At the game on Sunday, the first 2,000 fans 17 & under will receive a BlueClaws Back-to-School Folder. Plus, Kids Eat Free thanks to ShopRite and Kids Run the Bases after the game thanks to Brick Plaza. Adults can enjoy $2 Corona throughout the game as well.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. They have led the South Atlantic League in attendance in all 13 years of existence.

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

Sand Gnats Team President to Get Prostate Exam While Singing ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’

August 15, 2014

The Savannah Sand Gnats will be raising awareness for cancer during their game on Saturday, August 16, at Historic Grayson Stadium as part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Night. Sand Gnats team president John Katz will receive a prostate exam while singing the seventh inning stretch classic, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

Katz was nominated as the next participant among baseball executives to help raise awareness for cancer by “Playing it Forward.” Myrtle Beach Pelicans vice president and general manager Andy Milovich first received a prostate exam during a Pelicans game and then nominated Lake Elsinore Storm president Dave Oster to take the challenge. Oster complied, and challenged Charleston RiverDogs general manager Dave Echols to do the same. Echols used the “Two Knuckle Challenge” to gain Facebook “likes” for “Fierce Fallon,” a page dedicated to fundraising for nine-year-old cancer patient Fallon Emery of Carolina Forest, S.C.

“Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer among men after skin cancer,” said Katz. “Early detection and treatment leads to high survival and cure rates.”

Katz, 44, has never been known to back down from a challenge. He enlisted his physician, Dr. John Barrett, to lend a “helping hand” and administer the exam.

The Sand Gnats will continue that trend, asking to gain Facebook “likes” for “Fierce Fallon,” as well as “Team Alexa- Fight Back.” Alexa, a five-year-old brain tumor patient, formed a close connection with several Sand Gnats players during a recent hospital visit, and spent the day Tuesday playing with her new friends at the ballpark.

“I’m proud to have the opportunity to raise awareness for Fallon and Alexa,” Katz added. “Ed Randall’s Bat for the Cure has made amazing strides in educating men about prostate cancer, and I am honored to do my part and take one for the team.”

Ed Randall’s Bat for the Cure organization will also be on hand, distributing information on prostate cancer and the importance of screening for the dangerous disease. A Sand Gnats team autographed baseball bat will be raffled off by Ed Randall’s Bat for the Cure.

The Gnats will be taking on the Greenville Drive with a first pitch of 6:05 p.m. Gates to Historic Grayson Stadium will open at 5:00 p.m. Fans can stay after the game for a spectacular fireworks display brought to you by Pruitt Health.

Check the Sand Gnats Facebook page next week for video highlights, and to see who Katz will challenge next.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the Savannah Sand Gnats. Click here to view the original story.

Silver Hawks Recognize Local Heroes

August 15, 2014

Sunday, August 17th is Fallen Heroes Day at Four Winds Field presented by Midland Engineering. Each year your Silver Hawks pay tribute to police, fire and EMS workers for their extraordinary community service. Tickets to Sunday’s game are buy one get one free for police, fire and EMS workers. Must present an ID or badge at the Four Winds Field Box Office to purchase tickets.

In addition to recognizing all local responders, one Silver Hawks’ player will also be honored with the Corporal Paul Deguch Community Service Award for the 14th year. The award is named after Paul Deguch, a former South Bend police officer, killed in the line of duty in 1997. The Silver Hawks’ player who demonstrated outstanding community service throughout the course of the season will be presented with the award during pre-game activities on Sunday.

The South Bend Silver Hawks are a Class A minor league team affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose sole shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, IL.

This article originally appeared on the official website of the South Bend Silver Hawks. Click here to view the original story.

Generals Take On Childhood Cancer on Friday, August 22

August 14, 2014

Jackson Raises Awareness with Special Night

The Jackson Generals have teamed up with Ellie’s Hats and the Vs Cancer Foundation to take a swing against childhood cancer.

On August 22^nd at 7:05, the Generals will be taking on the Chattanooga Lookouts in the hunt for a playoff spot. But, the battle on the field will be in support of those children who are entrenched in a battle of their own – one against cancer.

The Generals have spent months collecting hundreds hats from teams and individuals across the country. These hats will be donated on the field that night to the charity, “Ellie’s Hats,” who will give them to children receiving cancer treatments. These kids often lose hair from harsh treatments and the hats often become an extension of themselves, almost like a badge of courage.

But, the donation isn’t all that’s going on. Some of the Generals players have volunteered to have their heads shaved that night to help raise money with the Vs. Cancer Foundation. Any individual attending the game will also have the opportunity to shave their heads in support.

The Vs. Cancer Foundation has set up a website here to help the Generals raise even more for the cause. These donations will be split between Ellie’s Hats and a local Jackson cancer treatment center, meaning every penny is used to fight childhood cancer.

Fans are encouraged to bring a new hat to the game to donate to the cause, and if they do they’ll receive free admission.

The Generals have been recognized for their efforts by Minor League Baseball. They have been named one of five finalists for the top charity event/program in all of Minor League Baseball. MiLB gives a number of “Golden Bobblehead Awards” out every season to recognize the best of the best from around the country. This is the first time the Generals have been a finalist in any category.

Jackson Generals GM, Jason Compton said the support for night has been overwhelming. “We’ve had teams from all over the country send in hats. We’ve had individuals sending along hats or making a donation to the Vs. Cancer web page,” Compton said. “It just goes to show how when it comes to a cause like this, we’re all on the same team. The response for this has been nothing short of inspiring. The recognition from MiLB is just icing on the cake. Any added exposure and awareness that comes from our efforts will just get everyone behind these children who are fighting for their lives.”

For more information, or to get your ticket to help end childhood cancer, call 988-5299 or click here. The Jackson Generals are the Double-A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. For more information visit jacksongeneralsbaseball.com, like the Generals on Facebook (Facebook.com/jacksongenerals) or follow us on twitter (@jacksongenerals).

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