Jumbo Shrimp Youth Baseball Camp runs from July 20-24

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are offering young fans of Crustacean Nation the chance to learn the fundamentals of baseball in a fun environment. The club’s Youth Baseball Camp will run from 9 a.m.-noon during the week of July 20-24 at 121 Financial Ballpark.

Former college baseball and softball players and Jumbo Shrimp staff members will teach children ages 5-12 right on the field of 121 Financial Ballpark. Campers will be served lunch daily upon the conclusion of camp, and each camper will receive a special camp T-shirt. Daily arrival begins at 8:30 a.m., with camp starting at 9 a.m. The cost is $200 per camper.

In accordance with city and state health officials, face coverings are mandatory for all Jumbo Shrimp employees, coaches and counselors. Camp groups will be divided by ages with groupings capped at 10 campers. Each group will have one coach and one counselor with them at all times.

Campers are instructed to bring their own hats, gloves, bats, personal water bottles and flat tennis shoes – no cleats will be accepted.

Camp size is limited to 50 attendees. To register, please contact Jumbo Shrimp assistant director, ticket sales James Abbatinozzi at (904) 374-4569 or [email protected].

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at 121 Financial Ballpark. 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.

Campout on field highlights Jumbo Shrimp Scout Night

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are inviting Scouts to sleep under the stars at 121 Financial Ballpark on Saturday, July 18 for Scout Night presented by Flamingo Lake RV Resort. The event, which begins at 4 p.m. on July 18, allows Scouts to take swings on the field and features stadium game and activity stations, a baseball movie on the video board and an overnight campout on the field.

For just $25, Scouts will receive an on-field campout, 2020 Jumbo Shrimp Scout Patch, one burger, chips and 12 oz. soft drink and five swings from the batter’s box at 121 Financial Ballpark. Of each ticket purchased, $5 will be donated to the Boy Scouts of America North Florida Council.

The Jumbo Shrimp will also provide stadium game and activity stations for Scouts throughout the event, with all Scouts able to enjoy a baseball movie on the high-definition video board prior to the night’s camp out. Check-in for Scout Night is at 3 p.m., with events commencing at 4 p.m. Following the campout, wake up will be at 7 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, with exit by 8 a.m.

Space is extremely limited to register. Fans must register by July 15 by contacting Jumbo Shrimp assistant director, ticket operations Peter Ercey at (904) 374-4548 or [email protected]. There will be no on-site registration for Scout Night.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at 121 Financial Ballpark. 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.

Blue Wahoos Join With V. Randolph Brown Consulting To Evaluate And Improve Diversity And Inclusiveness

 

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Beloit Snappers have jointly hired V. Randolph Brown Consulting, an organization that specializes in helping companies evaluate their diversity, inclusion, and equity. V. Randolph Brown will evaluate the inclusiveness of the organizations, identify areas for improvement, and develop action plans to help both teams eliminate bias and become more equitable to fans and staff.

“We do many things well. We measure employee engagement, provide lots of development opportunities, are transparent, include peers in staff selection, and did not lay off any staff during the ongoing pandemic. However, I am convinced we can and must be better in the areas of eliminating bias and becoming more diverse and inclusive,” Quint Studer, owner of the Blue Wahoos and managing partner of the Snappers, said.

V. Randolph Brown Consulting, based in Cincinnati, provides companies across America with strategic consulting, advisory, education, and training services on topics including diversity, equity, and inclusion. Their portfolio includes advising the National Basketball Association and NCAA.

The firm will work with both teams to identify and eliminate possible bias in their organizations, educate and train the team’s full- and part-time staff, and improve the teams’ hiring and staff development processes.

“The Blue Wahoos staff has been representative of our community demographically, however being representative is not enough. We need to seek out and actively eliminate bias within our organization to ensure that Blue Wahoos Stadium is a welcoming, inclusive gathering place for all members of our community,” Studer said. “Beloit is one of the most diverse cities in Wisconsin. As we expand the team’s staff in preparation of the new ballpark opening in 2021, we need to be sure that our hiring and training processes are correct. We will not window dress this. We will dig in and do this right.”

The Studer Family of Companies, which includes both the Blue Wahoos and Snappers, has established a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force to work alongside V. Randolph Brown Consulting to advance the organization’s efforts to promote a culture of inclusiveness and embrace its diversity. The task force will provide training to Studer Family of Companies staff and to the local community, identify causes and charities to receive fundraising dollars, and implement changes within the organization based on the firm’s recommendations.

 

Tennessee Smokies Announce East Tennessee High School Baseball League All-Star Game Rosters

SEVIERVILLE –The Tennessee Smokies have announced the rosters for the East Tennessee High School Baseball League All-Star game to take place on Friday, July 3 at Smokies Stadium.

The two teams are split into a ‘East vs West’ format. The ‘East’ team consists of players from the Sevier, Jefferson County, Morristown, Kodak, Gatlinburg, and Newport areas. The ‘West’ team features players from the Hardin Valley, Seymour, South Doyle, Clinton, and Carter regions.

Main gates open at Smokies Stadium on July 3 at 4pm, and things kick off with the East Tennessee High School Baseball League (ETHSBL) Senior Game. This will be a 7 inning contest that will showcase just the senior talent participating in the league. At 7:30pm a second 7 inning game will begin, showcasing the top performers of the ETHSBL in the All-Star Game.

The Tennessee Smokies will host a fireworks show, provided by Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, in honor of Independence Day immediately following the conclusion of a packed day of baseball.

Tickets start at $7.50 each and are on sale now at smokiesbaseball.com. Tickets will be $10 each on the day of the game. Tennessee Smokies Full Season Ticket Holders will receive free admission. Tickets are good for both baseball games and fireworks show.

The Tennessee Smokies have made it a priority to practice social distancing, as tickets will be assigned seats and spaced out accordingly.

For league standings, statistics, and more information on the East Tennessee High School Baseball League, presented by Garza Law Firm, visit the Smokies online at Smokiesbaseball.com/SummerBall.

The Ballpark at Jackson to Host High School Baseball Tournaments

 

JACKSON, TN – Baseball is set to make its return to The Ballpark at Jackson, as the Jackson Generals announced Monday a partnership with Net Elite Baseball and Pastime Tournaments, which will bring high school tournaments to town over the summer. Tournament dates range from June 11th through August 2nd, and team registration is now available.

“The Generals are pleased to enter into a partnership with Net Elite Baseball and Pastime Tournaments and host baseball tournaments at The Ballpark at Jackson,” said Jackson Generals GM Marcus Sabata. “With the Minor League Baseball season in doubt, we were not going to let this beautiful ballpark sit idle this summer. If things change and we do play Minor League Baseball, then we will adjust, but until then, we look forward to hosting some of the best high school teams the region has to offer.”

In lieu of the temporarily suspended minor league season, the Generals recently repurposed to The Ballpark for outside community events, including Madison Academic and Liberty Tech High School graduations on May 21st. The Ballpark is scheduled to host a Father’s Day movie event on June 20th, plus the much-anticipated Snoop Dogg Concert on July 20th. The ball club hopes that the influx of hundreds of high school games between the Ballpark and the neighboring Sportsplex will provide the area with an entertainment resurgence.

“We believe that the ballpark is a great community asset and we will continue to be creative in providing entertainment events that appeal to Jackson and West Tennessee,” said Sabata.

Tournament dates and corresponding registration links are below:

– June 11th-14th (Net Elite HS Tournament): https://netelitesports.com/jackson-generals-summer-event-1/

– June 18th-21st (Pastime HS Tournament): https://pastimetournaments.com/team-event/?eid=2260

– June 25th-28th (Net Elite HS Tournament): https://netelitesports.com/jackson-generals-summer-event-2/

– July 2nd-5th (Pastime HS Tournament): https://pastimetournaments.com/team-event/?eid=2261

– July 9th-12th (Net Elite HS Tournament): https://netelitesports.com/jackson-generals-summer-event-3/

– July 16th-19th (Net Elite HS Tournament): https://netelitesports.com/jackson-generals-summer-event-4/

– July 23rd- 26th (Pastime HS Tournament): https://pastimetournaments.com/team-event/?eid=2262

– July 31st-Aug. 2nd (Net Elite HS Tournament): https://netelitesports.com/jackson-generals-summer-event-5/

For more information on Net Elite and Pastime Tournaments visit https://netelitesports.com/ & https://pastimetournaments.com/.

ABOUT THE GENERALS

The Jackson Generals, a West Tennessee franchise since 1998, are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Generals play at The Ballpark at Jackson, Tennessee’s 2017 & 2018 Pro Sports Field of the Year. For more information, call 731-988-5299 or visit JacksonGeneralsBaseball.com.

Generals Open Gates For Local Graduation Ceremonies 

 

As the public health risk escalated through March and April, thousands of Tennessee seniors nearing the finish line of their high school journey were left in limbo. After four laborious years, the chances of a traditional graduation were slim, and school officials were left seeking alternatives.

“We started tossing ideas around to see what other places were doing, like virtual, and things of that nature,” said JMCSS Superintendent Ray Washington. “Then my wife and I were talking, and she said, ‘what about Generals park? You should have plenty of room to space out,’ and I said, ‘Ya, I’ll float that passed the mayor.’”

“The Mayor and the Health Department said ‘yes,’ and we started formulating the plans about two weeks ago.”

The plans consisted of limiting tickets to six per student, placing spectators in alternating rows, and limiting the 6,500-seat stadium to roughly 20% capacity. Many wore masks, student chairs would be spaced out six-feet apart across the Ballpark’s infield, and staff members would maintain distance while handing out diplomas. Madison Academic Magnet High School Principal Chad Guthrie was mapping the ceremony with fellow staffers 24 hours before Pomp and Circumstance echoed through the stadium speakers.

“I’m usually shaking their hands and we are pretty much shoulder-to-shoulder for the photo,” said Guthrie. “When we have it in our auditorium at Madison they are probably about a foot or two apart, and here they are going to be six feet apart, all the way around. So that is different. It doesn’t have the feeling of closeness, but they all know that we care about them and that we are going to give them something for graduation this year.”

Walking down the third base line to home plate and receiving honors offers quite a unique landscape to that of a school auditorium, but it’s a scene that many students won’t soon forget.

“This will be an event that these kids will have that other generations of Madison academic students won’t have,” said Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris. “The School system has done and excellent job in trying to get everything arranged, and we appreciate the Generals allowing us to use this stadium out here. It’s going to be a great event.”

Liberty Tech Magnet High School Principal Brad Barnett stood near the railing of the home dugout prior to his school’s ceremony. A former college baseball player himself, Barnett chuckled and shook his head when asked if he pictured graduating students on a professional baseball diamond.

“I didn’t even know if we would be able to have any kind of a ceremony,” Barnett acknowledged. “I didn’t dream about this, but I’m really happy to have it and we’re really thankful to be here tonight. [The students] wanted to have something as close to what a traditional graduation ceremony is, that every other kid has had for the last 50 or 75 years. This is a real once-in-a-century kind of deal.”

The Ballpark of Jackson hosted Madison and Liberty graduations on Thursday night, and was also scheduled to host Jackson Central-Merry Early College High and North Side High School on Friday. Due to impending rain, those graduation events were moved indoors to Oman Arena.

Generals and RIFA Pack Meals For Jackson Community

 

The Jackson Generals spent the week teaming up with the Regional Inter-Faith Association, helping pack snack backpacks and provide meals to the Jackson community. RIFA is a local faith-based organization that has been helping curb hunger throughout the city since its founding in 1976.

Volunteer Coordinator Dan Ward says that RIFA’s combined ministries were able to provide 518,000 meals to those in need in 2019. The organization hopes to reach equal numbers this year, but like many, is also feeling the strain of the coronavirus pandemic.

“All of our ministries are dependent upon volunteers,” explained Ward. “Last year there were 25,216 volunteer hours. Since Covid-19, I have been limited to eight or ten in a group. So with more demand than ever for our services and with fewer volunteer hands to do it, our staff is very overworked.”

According to the RIFA official website, one out of every five people living in Jackson are unsure where their next meal will come from, and 18.9% of people in Madison County live below the poverty line. Those are pre-pandemic numbers, and as Ward references, meal demand continues to grow.

“The Generals staff have made it a top priority to repurpose our time by getting out into the Jackson community and surrounding cities as much as possible,” said Generals Entertainment Director Vincent Zielen. “We want to help wherever and however we can for the fans who have supported the Generals throughout the years.

“Groups such as [the Generals] are the lifeblood of RIFA,” Ward said.

The Generals front office will continue to band with RIFA during the summer months and encourages other local charities to request the team’s help whenever needed. If you need an extra set of hands, please reach out to Vincent Zielen by email at [email protected] or call the Generals office at (731) 988-5299.

Outside organizations also looking to join RIFA’s cause are encouraged to contact Ward at [email protected] or by phone at (731) 427-7963.

M-Braves Partnering With MiLB To Launch CommUNITY First Campaign

For every $10 donated, the M-Braves will donate one ticket to a future home game to a local hero

PEARL, April 28, 2020 – The Mississippi Braves today announced they are joining MiLB CommUNITY First, a new national initiative developed by Minor League Baseball, in conjunction with Feeding America® and Mississippi Food Network to raise funds for local food banks and to honor individuals risking their lives on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

M-Braves fans are encouraged to visit MiLB.com/CommUNITYFirstthrough May 31 to donate. Once on the site, fans can choose their donation amount and the Mississippi Braves as the recipient of their donation to direct funds to the central Mississippi community. For every $10 donated, the M-Braves will donate one ticket to a future home game this season or in 2021 to a local hero of the pandemic.

“The central Mississippi community is known for rallying around those that are in need. The M-Braves, together with our fans, look forward to partnering with MiLB CommUNITY First, Feeding America and our friends at the Mississippi Food Network on this important initiative.”

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

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

 

Tennessee Smokies Join Minor League Baseball’s CommUNITY First Campaign

 

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

Smokies fans are encouraged to visit MiLB.com/CommUNITYFirst through May 31 to donate. Once on the site, fans can choose their donation amount and the Tennessee Smokies as the recipient of their donation to direct funds to the Eastern Tennessee community. For every $10 donated, the Smokies will donate one ticket to a future home game this season or in 2021 to a local hero of the pandemic.

“The core behind the Tennessee Smokies and across Minor League Baseball is the community,” stated Tim Volk, Smokies General Manager. “During this unprecedented time, we want to make sure our community members are taken care of which is why we are joining Minor League Baseball in the CommUNITY First Campaign.”

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

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

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES

The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.

ABOUT FEEDING AMERICA

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

Smokies Offer Free Lunch to First Responders & Health Care Workers

 

SEVIERVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Smokies have announced all first responders are able to pick up a free lunch on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 from 11:30am-1:00pm. Curbside pickup is available in front of the restaurant located on the left-hand side of Smokies Stadium.

First responders including medical staff, police officers, fire fighters, and military personnel do not have to leave the comfort of their own vehicles to pick up their food. Upon arrival, a Smokies Staff Member will take their order and deliver the food back to their car.

“During this unprecedented time, the Smokies keep looking for ways to support our local first responders,” said Boyd Sports Director of Food & Beverage Chris Franklin. “Being able to provide them a free meal is just one way we are able to support them for all they do in our community.”

In partnership with BUSH’S® Beans, the Tennessee Smokies menu options include either a cheeseburger, tenderloin sandwich, or hot dog with a bag of Uncle Rays chips, Bush’s Baked Beans, and a bottle of water.

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES

The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.

DROP OFF NASHVILLE RELIEF DONATIONS AT SMOKIES STADIUM

 

SEVIERVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Smokies work with the Nashville Sounds collecting donations to support the surrounding Nashville area during their tornado relief efforts. Smokies Stadium will be a drop off location for sealed and unused goods on Friday, March 6th and Monday, March 9th from 10 am – 4 pm.

Tim Volk, Tennessee Smokies General Manager commented, “Our thoughts go out to the Nashville community at this time. We are here to support in any way we can as they overcome this tragedy.”

All donations can be dropped off inside GoTeez Locker Room.
The Tennessee Smokies will be accepting the following unused and sealed items:

  • Individually wrapped snacks
  • Toiletries
  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Baby food
  • Baby wipes
  • Child and adult diapers
  • Paper towels
  • Work gloves
  • Toilet paper
  • Gatorade
  • Trash bags

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.

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M-Braves Holding National Anthem and Mascot Auditions Saturday, March 7th

 

PEARL, MS — The Mississippi Braves are once again looking for local talent to perform at games this season. Auditions for the National Anthem and mascots will be held Saturday, March 7 at Trustmark Park, from 10 am to 2 pm. Individuals or groups may participate.

WHAT: National Anthem and Mascot Auditions
WHEN: Saturday, March 7 from 10 am-2 pm
WHERE: Trustmark Park

“We are excited to be having our annual National Anthem tryouts for the upcoming season,” said Mississippi Braves promotions and entertainment manager Ali Nerini. “We are looking for individuals who will represent the M-Braves in performing a powerful rendition of our National Anthem.”

National Anthem Auditions: 
Candidates will perform over the stadium PA system. Come prepared with a traditional rendition of the National Anthem. The chosen singers will perform at M-Braves’ home games during the 2020 season. Choirs and larger groups are welcome to audition to deliver the National Anthem. Participants will be judged on a cappella and acoustic instrumental renditions only, as no electric or amplified instruments can be utilized for game day performances. All singers who would like to sing the anthem in 2020, including those who have sung at an M-Braves game in the past, are required to attend this audition. Video audition tapes will not be accepted.

“Our mascots are an important part of the experience at Trustmark Park,” added Nerini. “We will be looking for energetic, fun-loving people who love nothing more than bringing smiles to fans’ faces!”

Mascot Auditions:
The Braves are looking for energetic, friendly and enthusiastic individuals to fulfill this position. A suit will not be provided for your audition, so bring your own or be prepared to audition without a suit. Come prepared with a 30-second routine of your choice as well as being ready for an improv performance.
Auditions will take place inside Trustmark Park, and participants will enter through the main gate. Local celebrities and Braves staff will judge the auditions. There is no appointment necessary, and performers will audition in the order in which they arrive. The tryout is open to all area performers and musicians, allowing Braves fans the unique chance to be a valuable part of the game-day atmosphere. Also, any tryout participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the audition.

The 2020 season begins on Thursday, April 9, when the M-Braves host the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. 2020 season tickets, group outings, and sponsorship are on sale through the Mississippi Braves front office. For more information on membership packages, call 888-BRAVES4 or visit mississippibraves.com.

 

SMOKIES HOST SECOND JOB FAIR AT SMOKIES STADIUM

SEVIERVILLE – The Tennessee Smokies have announced that the club will be hosting a second Job Fair at Smokies Stadium on Saturday, March 7 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. When arriving at the stadium, please enter at the Restaurant located on the left-hand side of the stadium.

The job fair will feature positions from many departments with part-time and seasonal positions within Smokies Stadium. The Tennessee Smokies are looking for employees who are able to work all home games and additional events as needed inside Smokies Stadium. Most games are held during evening hours of the week and many weekends.

Available departments include new hires for food and beverage, ticketing, production, promotions, merchandise, and stadium operations.

Food and Beverage is looking to fill positions for cooks, cashiers, runners, servers, picnic attendants, and group area attendants. Other available positions in the Restaurant include cooks, servers, bartenders, and hosts.

Ticketing is looking to fill positions for ticket takers and ticket sellers.

Promotions and Production are looking to fill positions for mascots, rally crew promotion team members, camera operators, and press box personnel.

Merchandise is looking to fill team store representatives.

Stadium Operations is looking for fill positions in first aid, ushers, bat boys, and kid zone attendants.

Most Smokies Stadium positions require a person to stand and walk for extended periods of time, as well as run, sit, navigate stairs, kneel or crouch. Prospective employees may also be asked to occasionally lift and/or move up to approximately 25 pounds and be exposed to various weather conditions and noise levels.

Potential employees will be asked to fill out their top three job choices on their interview questionnaire, which will be provided at the job fair. All persons seeking employment may not be able to work in their area of choice, as jobs will be offered by strength of application and/or resume.

The Smokies will commence their 2020 home opener against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Season ticket information can be found online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.

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Inaugural Wahoos Classic A Home Run For Area Economic Impact

Virginia, Oklahoma series brings success on field, box office, local businesses

The teams’ first look at the baseball setting which frames Blue Wahoos Stadium created a lasting impression during the inaugural Wahoos Classic.

Before unpacking their equipment, players on both the Oklahoma Sooners and Virginia Cavaliers reached for cellphones.

“It’s really cool to play in a stadium that is kept up super-nice like this,” said Oklahoma first baseman Tyler Hardman, who created his own memory by blasting the only home run struck in last weekend’s, three-game event – a cannon shot that headed into the water beyond left field and helped the 19th-ranked Sooners to a series-deciding victory.
“You get out the first day and everyone has phones out taking pictures of where you’re going to play,” said the Sooners’ junior first baseman, after his team won the twinbill 7-2 and 5-1, following a 6-0 loss in Friday’s opening game. “It is just really cool to have that experience on different fields and we’re super appreciative for it.”

The event was beneficial in other ways, too.

Blue Wahoos team president Jonathan Griffith said the three-game event, which included a schedule change into a doubleheader last Saturday, thus avoiding inclement weather the next day, generated approximately $500,000 in economic impact for the Pensacola area.
Money spent included hotel rooms for the teams, support staff, players’ parents and fans traveling to Pensacola, ticket sales, transportation, meals at area restaurants, merchandise purchased at the stadium and concession sales.

Saturday’s doubleheader attracted more than 1,400 fans, which was among the largest crowds for a non-Blue Wahoos game at the ballpark. Included in attendance were a large number of Major League Baseball scouts representing various teams to check out talent on the field.

“We basically had 600 people coming from out of town for the games,” he said. “They flew down here. They used local bus companies. They used local restaurants for catering. They used local hotels and some Airbnbs.

“We had rooms booked through ResortQuest, our Highpointe Hotels. By using a lot of local businesses in town who we work with, it drove business to all of those different locations.

“To me, it’s about what did it do for the local economy here.”

The games were televised by Cox Sports Television and aired throughout the nation, including the Washington, D.C. market and in Oklahoma. The weather for both game days was clear-blue sky and multicolor sunsets, so that part became good fortune.

“Live television for two days is a big deal,” Griffith said. “That was essentially a television broadcast of ‘Come Visit Pensacola’ all over the country.”

The event was first broached seven years ago by UVA, which was looking for a season-opening place to play in 2020. Like most major college programs, Virginia fills a schedule years in advance.

Griffith said discussions have begun for the Cavaliers to return, possibly for an expanded event with more teams. That’s fine with Virginia baseball coach Brian O’Connor.

“Very, very happy,” O’Connor said. “Pensacola is a great community. They were great hosts. It’s a beautiful ballpark. They did a terrific job. The field plays really, really good. I hope we have the opportunity come back here, because it’s a first-class operation.

“It was a good crowd for two teams that are not from here. Really nice, energetic crowd so a good environment to play college baseball in, for sure.”

It was the first time either team had been to Pensacola or had anyone from the teams visit the ballpark. The newness of the venue, plus the reputation of Blue Wahoos Stadium, were among reasons why Oklahoma leaped at Virginia’s invitation to be the opponent.

“I think it was a breath of fresh air playing in a minor league stadium that they take care of so well,” said Sooners’ head coach Skip Johnson, who is in his 27th year as a college baseball coach. “The ground crew was unbelievable. I mean, everything we asked for, needed, they were always there for us.

“The biggest thing was more of the hospitality. The field played great, the mound was good. If I would have lost I would have said the same thing.”

The Wahoos Classic began a busy prelude to the Blue Wahoos opening day on April 9 against the Tennessee Smokies.

On March 6-8, Pensacola Sports is presenting the annual Cox Diamond Invitational, sponsored by Cox Communications. The participating teams are Troy University, Louisiana-Lafayette, Samford and Michigan State, which is returning from a previous year in the event.

On March 16, Escambia High will host Gulf Breeze in one-game event. That will be followed on March 17 by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater – alma mater of Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer — traveling to Pensacola with other NCAA Division III teams — to play a full week of games.

The busy month concludes on March 26-27 with the “Battle of the Bay” prep tournament featuring Pensacola Catholic, Tate, West Florida High and Pace in a two-day tournament.

Barons to Host Annual Job Fair on February 29th

 

BIRMINGHAM, AL. – The Birmingham Barons will host their annual job fair on Saturday, February 29th at Regions Field in the Dread River Lounge from 9 am-12 pm.

The Barons are looking for qualified, hardworking candidates, with an emphasis on customer service skills who want to help provide a fun, family entertainment for our guests. Parkview Catering, the official concessionaire of Regions Field, will also be conducting interviews.

A variety of seasonal positions are available and vary based upon skill set. The Barons are seeking staff that can work all home games and additional events as needed at Regions Field. Most games are held in the evening hours during the week and weekend. Candidates must be able to accommodate the schedule, stand for long periods of time and must be able to work outdoors.

Interviews will be conducted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applicants are encouraged to bring a resume and dress for a job interview.

The following Barons part-time seasonal positions are available:
• Bat Boy/Girl
• Parking Lot Attendant
• ID Checker
• Ticket Attendant
• Mascot
• Ticket Seller
• Usher
• Promotional Team
• Retail
• Camera Operator
• Technical Director

The following Parkview Catering part-time seasonal positions are available:
• Club Lounge Server
• Set-Up Staff
• Event Server
• Warehouse Runner
• Suite Attendant
• Concessions Cook
• Cart Cook
• Cashiers
• Bartenders

For a complete list of jobs and descriptions, please visit Teamwork Online.

The Birmingham Barons are the proud Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The Barons 2020 home opener at Regions Field will take place on Thursday, April 9th against the Rocket City Trash Pandas, Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. For ticket information, game schedule, promotions calendar, or for additional information about Regions Field, visit barons.com or call (205) 988-3200.

Southern League Champions: 1906 • 1912 • 1914 • 1928 • 1929 • 1931 • 1958 • 1967 •1983 • 1987 • 1989 • 1993 • 2002 • 2013 31-Year Double-A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox