Savannah Sand Gnats

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.

Sand Gnats to Honor Military on Thursday with Free Admission to JCB Military Appreciation Night

July 30, 2014

The Savannah Sand Gnats will hold JCB Military Appreciation Night at Historic Grayson Stadium this Thursday, July 31. The Gnats will honor the service off Savannah’s military community by offering free general admission tickets to any military, both veteran and active duty, with a valid military I.D.

Sand Gnats players and coaches will wear special military camouflaged jerseys as they take on the Hickory Crawdads, a Texas Rangers affiliate. The jerseys will be auctioned off for charity during the game, with winners receiving their autographed jerseys from players and coaches on-field after the game.

“We all owe a debt of gratitude for the brave men and women serving stateside and abroad, and we hope to see plenty of military families from across the Coastal Empire for a great night of baseball and a tribute to their service,” said Sand Gnats president John Katz. “Thanks to JCB, we were able to coordinate this great camouflaged jersey auction in an effort to raise funds for military charities,” continued Katz.

Fans will also be treated to half-priced draft beer and soda thanks to Thirsty Thursday sponsored by Budweiser, Coors Light, Miller Lite, Connect Savannah, E93, and I-95 FM.

The Third Infantry Division’s Third CAB Color Guard will present the colors, while Third CAB Commander Colonel John Kline will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Sergeant First Class Dana Fischl, also of the Third Infantry Division, will sing the National Anthem as part of the pre-game ceremonies.

Gates will open at 6:00 p.m. and first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. For tickets and information please call (912) 351- 9150 or visit SandGnats.com

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

Kia Country Pink in the Park This Saturday

May 14, 2014

On Saturday, May 17, the Savannah Sand Gnats will join forces with Kia Country of Savannah and Susan G. Komen For the Cure Coastal Georgia Affiliate to bring awareness to breast cancer education and research.

“Pink in the Park is one of the most emotional nights of the season,” said team president, John Katz. “We celebrate the Survivors, remember those that lost the fight, and reinforce the message that early detection is critical.”

As in years past, Sand Gnats players and coaches will take the field in special pink jerseys. Throughout the game, fans are encouraged to bid on each jersey. After the game, the highest bidders will be presented with their jersey by their respective player or coach.

All proceeds from the pink jersey auction go directly to Susan G. Komen For the Cure Coastal Georgia Affiliate.

“It is through the generous support of Kia Country of Savannah that provides the opportunity for us to donate 100% of the proceeds from the Jersey Auction to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Coastal Georgia Affiliate,” added Katz.

Any breast cancer survivors who participated in the most recent Race for the Cure on April 12, are asked to wear their race t-shirt for free admission to the baseball game. Please contact Beth Desloges, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Coastal Georgia Affiliate at (912) 232-2535 or beth@komencoastalgeorgia.org for more information.

Fans are also encouraged to stay after the game for a spectacular fireworks show. Gates to Historic Grayson Stadium will open at 5:00 p.m. and first pitch against the Charleston RiverDogs is set for 6:05 p.m.

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

Jacob G. Smith Wins Doubles for Technology Grant

April 25, 2014

Thomas and Hutton supports technology needs with generous donation

The 2013 South Atlantic League Champion Sand Gnats were fantastic to watch throughout last season. While their pitching was dominant from Opening Night through the League Championship, one offensive stat will pay dividends for school children in the Savannah area.

Thanks to a generous pledge from Thomas & Hutton and 116 doubles at Historic Grayson Stadium from the potent Gnats’ lineup, Jacob G. Smith Elementary will receive a $2,900 technology grant. Thomas and Hutton will present the check to the school on the field at Historic Grayson Stadium just before the Sand Gnats game on Friday, May 16.

“This is a great partnership between Thomas & Hutton and the Sand Gnats,” said Sand Gnats team president, John Katz. “Both of our organizations are passionate about education and we’re excited to be able to help Jacob G. Smith Elementary expand their access to technology.”

“Thomas & Hutton is excited about providing this grant to Jacob G. Smith Elementary for their use in expanding technology,” stated Ben Jones with Thomas & Hutton. “Our partnership with the Sand Gnats provided us with a great opportunity to place technology directly into a classroom and to help our students prepare for a successful future.”

J.G. Smith Elementary was named a “Title I Highest-Performing Reward School” in 2014 by the Georgia Department of Education and is ranked among the top five percent of Title I schools in Georgia, having the highest absolute performance over three years for the “All Students” group on the statewide assessments.

The grant will be used for the school to purchase Chromebooks, providing second grade students and their teachers the opportunity to utilize another technology resource that will enhance instructional practices in reading and math and help students prepare for testing such as the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) and Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). Additionally, students will be more prepared for the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) which begin in the third grade.

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

Sand Gnats Annual ‘Pink in the Park’ this Saturday, May 11

May 7, 2013

Savannah, GA – On Saturday, May 11, the Savannah Sand Gnats join forces with the Coastal Georgia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to bring awareness to breast cancer and raise funds for local breast health programs and critical breast cancer research.

As in years past, Sand Gnats players will take the field in special pink jerseys. Throughout the game, fans are encouraged to bid on each jersey. After the game, the highest bidders will be presented with their jersey by their respective player.

The Sand Gnats will donate All proceeds of the pink jersey auction to Komen Coastal Georgia. Pink bases and coaches jerseys will also be auctioned.

“It’s a great night for a great cause,” says President John Katz.

Any breast cancer survivors who participated in the most recent Savannah Race for the Cure on April 13 are asked to wear their race t-shirt for free admission to the baseball game.

Fans are encouraged to stay afterward for a free fireworks show.

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UPCOMING SERIES VS. ROME BRAVES, MAY 9-12

This will be the first full four-game series at home against the Rome Braves for the Sand Gnats, Thursday May 9 to Sunday May 12. After two different split series in April, the Sand Gnats are 3-4 against the Braves (one game had been postponed due to inclement weather). Probable pitchers are RHP Gabriel Ynoa (3-2, 3.49), RHP Steven Matz (1-0, 1.96), RHP Rainy Lara (4-1, 1.45) and LHP Matthew Koch (1-1, 6.75). Enjoy half off small sodas and draft beers on Thirsty Thursday presented by Budweiser.

ABOUT THE SAVANNAH SAND GNATS
The Savannah Sand Gnats, the Class-A affiliate of the New York Mets, is a professional minor league baseball team and a member of the South Atlantic League. Savannah plays its home games at Historic Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia, just minutes from downtown Savannah. Historic Grayson Stadium is situated within Savannah’s Daffin Park, creating a unique atmosphere and a “Park within a Park” setting. Follow the Savannah Sand Gnats at www.sandgnats.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sandgnats and on twitter at @gnatsbaseball.

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