Register for the Rip It Baseballtown Charities Fall Showcase 

 

Rip It Baseballtown Charities is excited to announce its fall showcases for 13U, 14U, 15/16U, and 18/19U. All games are played at America’s Classic Ballpark, FirstEnergy Stadium, the home of the Reading Fightin Phils!

With the uncertainty of fall sports, the Rip It Baseballtown Charities Showcase will provide athletes with the opportunity to play on a professional baseball field. The showcase is open to all teams within the age classification. Join us for two weekends filled with memorable baseball and fun!

Rip It Baseballtown Charities Showcase 15/16U

Friday, September 11 – Sunday, September 13

$750 for a two game showcase at America’s Classic Ballpark – FirstEnergy Stadium, the home of the Reading Fightin Phils!

Teams will be paired against like opponents.

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED! Enter today so you are not shut out!!!

Rip It Baseballtown Charities Showcase 18/19U

Friday, September 11 – Sunday, September 13

$750 for a two game showcase at America’s Classic Ballpark – FirstEnergy Stadium, the home of the Reading Fightin Phils!

Teams will be paired against like opponents.

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED! Enter today so you are not shut out!!!

Rip It Baseballtown Charities Showcase 13U

Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20

$750 for a two game showcase at America’s Classic Ballpark – FirstEnergy Stadium, the home of the Reading Fightin Phils!

Teams will be paired against like opponents.

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED! Enter today so you are not shut out!!!

Rip It Baseballtown Charities Showcase 14U

Friday, September 18 – Sunday, September 20

$750 for a two game showcase at America’s Classic Ballpark – FirstEnergy Stadium, the home of the Reading Fightin Phils!

Teams will be paired against like opponents.

SPACE IS VERY LIMITED! Enter today so you are not shut out!!!

Call C.J. Lindsay at 484-784-7392 or email *[email protected]* to reserve your spot.

Please note – if any games are unable to be played, either because of weather, or Covid-19 related issues, teams will receive a full prorated refund (ie. if you pay $750, and only play 1 game, you would receive a $375 refund). Teams must provide a Certificate of Insurance in advance.

This showcase is presented by T-Mobile, E.G.Smith, Inc, Abilities in Motion, Fleetwood Bank, Comfort Pro Inc, Albright College, Stoney Creek Rentals, Deer Country Farm & Lawn, Inc., and PSECU!

Proceeds will benefit Baseballtown Charities – helping more kids play baseball. Specifically – Inner-City kids, and physically and developmentally challenged kids. Thank you for supporting Baseballtown Charities. Admission, as well as parking, is FREE for all fans. R-Phils concessions will be open at all games for fans to enjoy their favorite ballpark food and drink.

All information about the showcase and FirstEnergy Stadium’s COVID safety guidelines can be found at milb.com/reading/events/showcase.

FirstEnergy stadium is the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and the home of the Reading Fightin Phils. The stadium is located at 1900 Centre Avenue, Reading, PA 19605.

“Week of Giving” Presented by Truist

 

2020 Week of Giving

 

The Charlotte Knights are pleased to announce that the team’s “Knights Care 4 CLT” initiative, which was launched back on April 15, has raised over $125,000 and the team will now disperse the funds to those affected by COVID-19. With help from a $75,000 donation from naming rights partner, Truist, and additional contributions from Charlotte Knights Charities, sponsors and fans, the team will donate those funds to healthcare workers, seven local-area charities, and Knights’ employees (part-time, game-day, and full-time) who are in need.

“As this pandemic continues to affect so many in our community, we are very pleased to begin dispersing these much-needed funds to those who need some help,” stated Dan Rajkowski, Charlotte Knights Chief Operating Officer. “We are so thankful to Truist, as well as our generous partners and fans who helped us raise these funds for those in need. Baseball has a way of bringing communities together and we hope that we are able to help those in the community who have been affected by this difficult time in our nation’s history.”

In addition to the funds dispersed to Knights’ displaced employees due to COVID-19 from the cancellation of the 2020 season, the team is also contributing $15,000 from the “Knights Care 4 CLT” fund to Atrium Health, one of the team’s founding partners.

Rajkowski added, “In the face of this pandemic, our healthcare workers rose to the challenge and continued to care for our community in this time of need. As a part of our Knights Care 4 CLT campaign, we are very pleased to donate a portion of the funds to the Atrium Health Essential Needs Fund, addressing PPE and supply shortages.”

“It’s generous support from community partners like the Charlotte Knights that continues to enhance Atrium Health’s efforts to fulfill its mission of providing the best care to all during the current pandemic,” said Armando Chardiet, President of Atrium Health Foundation. “The Charlotte Knights organization has been a close friend of the Foundation since 2002, and we are extremely grateful for their recent $15,000 contribution to the Atrium Health Essential Needs Fund.”

As part of this initiative, the Knights have selected seven local Charlotte area nonprofits who were in need of some extra funding during these unprecedented times. Organizations receiving the allocated funds — a total of $40,000 — include Bright Blessings, Care Ring, Classroom Central, Promising Pages, Roof Above, Second Harvest Food Bank and A Child’s Place | Thompson Child & Family Focus. As part of the financial donations to these organizations, members of the team’s front office staff will also volunteer their time from August 3-10 during the club’s annual “Week of Giving” presented by Truist. The Knights’ front office staff committed to a goal of 500 community service hours through non-profits, blood drive contributions, and an educational outreach program as part of the Knights Care 4 CLT campaign. To date, the Knights have given 550+ hours back to the community through various in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities.

TinCaps Donate $10,000 to the Parkview Foundations

Money Raised Through “IN This Together” T-Shirt Sales

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne TinCaps are proud to have donated $10,000 to the Parkview Foundations, as a way of expressing support and appreciation for healthcare workers during the fight against COVID-19. The money was raised through the sales of special edition TinCaps “IN This Together” t-shirts.

“We’re glad to support healthcare workers in our community while they’re protecting us during these uncertain times,” said Michael Limmer, TinCaps Vice President for Marketing and Promotions. “In addition to our tremendous appreciation for our healthcare heroes, we also send gratitude to all of our fans who purchased an ‘IN This Together’ t-shirt.”

Parkview Health is a not-for-profit health system. As a 501(c)(3), Parkview Foundations accept tax-deductible donations. These fund essential needs such as new equipment, enhanced health services, outreach programs, the expansion of medical facilities, access to medication, and assistance to patients and their families. 100% of every gift made through Parkview Foundations is used to benefit patients, their families, and the care received at Parkview Health locations.

“We’d like to thank each of the TinCaps fans who bought a t-shirt and supported the Parkview Foundations,” said Ben Miles, President of Parkview Regional Medical Center and Affiliates, and Interim Senior Vice President of Parkview Foundations. “These donations are going to support our Parkview Health frontline workers. Each of us has been impacted in some way during this pandemic. Your donation to the Parkview Foundations is helping us to keep patient care at the forefront of everything we do. We’re honored to serve you and to support our TinCaps as well.”

The t-shirts, which were produced by _18 Threads_, a Fort Wayne-based custom print apparel shop, are green and read “TinCaps” across the chest. While the team’s primary logo features a red apple at the center, this design substituted in a red heart. Below that is the phrase “IN This Together,” part of a statewide campaign to promote social distancing to keep Hoosiers healthy and return Indiana to normal social interactions and business operations. Nearly 1,000 shirts were sold from late April through late June.

Fans can continue to support the Parkview Foundations thanks to a partnership that allows tax-deductible monetary donations to be used to provide TinCaps Meal Kits to Parkview Health frontline workers. For more information on how you or your organization can donate to this program, call 260-407-2813 or email limmer@tincaps.com.

“Knights Care 4 CLT” Raised Over $125,000 

 

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) — The Charlotte Knights are pleased to announce that the team’s “Knights Care 4 CLT” initiative, which was launched back on April 15, has raised over $125,000 and the team will now disperse the funds to those affected by COVID-19. With help from a $75,000 donation from naming rights partner, Truist, and additional contributions from Charlotte Knights Charities, sponsors and fans, the team will donate those funds to healthcare workers, seven local-area charities, and Knights’ employees (part-time, game-day, and full-time) who are in need.

“As this pandemic continues to affect so many in our community, we are very pleased to begin dispersing these much-needed funds to those who need some help,” stated Dan Rajkowski, Charlotte Knights Chief Operating Officer. “We are so thankful to Truist, as well as our generous partners and fans who helped us raise these funds for those in need. Baseball has a way of bringing communities together and we hope that we are able to help those in the community who have been affected by this difficult time in our nation’s history.”

In addition to the funds dispersed to Knights’ displaced employees due to COVID-19 from the cancellation of the 2020 season, the team is also contributing $15,000 from the “Knights Care 4 CLT” fund to Atrium Health, one of the team’s founding partners.

Rajkowski added, “In the face of this pandemic, our healthcare workers rose to the challenge and continued to care for our community in this time of need. As a part of our Knights Care 4 CLT campaign, we are very pleased to donate a portion of the funds to the Atrium Health Essential Needs Fund, addressing PPE and supply shortages.”

“It’s generous support from community partners like the Charlotte Knights that continues to enhance Atrium Health’s efforts to fulfill its mission of providing the best care to all during the current pandemic,” said Armando Chardiet, President of Atrium Health Foundation. “The Charlotte Knights organization has been a close friend of the Foundation since 2002, and we are extremely grateful for their recent $15,000 contribution to the Atrium Health Essential Needs Fund.”

As part of this initiative, the Knights have selected seven local Charlotte area nonprofits who were in need of some extra funding during these unprecedented times. Organizations receiving the allocated funds — a total of $40,000 — include Bright Blessings, Care Ring, Classroom Central, Promising Pages, Roof Above, Second Harvest Food Bank and A Child’s Place | Thompson Child & Family Focus. As part of the financial donations to these organizations, members of the team’s front office staff will also volunteer their time from August 3-10 during the club’s annual “Week of Giving” presented by Truist. The Knights’ front office staff committed to a goal of 500 community service hours through non-profits, blood drive contributions, and an educational outreach program as part of the Knights Care 4 CLT campaign. To date, the Knights have given 550+ hours back to the community through various in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities..

For more information, or how fans, partners, and other interested parties can continue to help those in need, please visit the link here —> KNIGHTS CARE 4 CLT

Cardinals, American National to honor local Non-Profit Heroes

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield Cardinals are excited to partner with American National Insurance on a new program called Non-Profit Heroes to recognize local non-profit organizations that have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Non-Profit Heroes, presented by American National Insurance, is set to launch on July 27 and will give the public two weeks to submit nominations online at SpringfieldCardinals.com/heroes. All nominees should be local Southwest Missouri non-profit organizations who have made an impact on our community during COVID-19.

Once the nomination period ends, the Cardinals will recognize one hero organization per week for eight weeks on SpringfieldCardinals.com and on all Cardinals social media platforms. All selected heroes will receive a digital media spotlight and an array of prizes to reward their efforts.

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE YOUR NON-PROFIT HERO

“We really appreciate American National Insurance teaming up with us to recognize heroes in our community,” said Springfield Cardinals Vice President & General Manager Dan Reiter. “We’ve prided ourselves on our #FlyTogether Initiatives during the pandemic but also know that there have been so many organizations throughout our region that have really gone above and beyond in helping everyone get through this. We can’t wait to shine the spotlight with American National on these deserving heroes.”

Chuck La Tournous, Vice President of Marketing, Multiple Line Agencies at American National, said the program allows the entire community to engage with one another and spotlight acts of leadership.

“The Non-Profit Hero program is a great opportunity to help identify worthwhile causes and individuals throughout Springfield,” La Tournous said. “We always strive to be active contributors in the communities we serve.”

Fans have until August 10 to submit nominations for Non-Profit Heroes, presented by American National Insurance. Click the link below to nominate a local non-profit hero today.

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MODESTO NUTS PARTNER WITH CRYSTAL CREAMERY & SUTTER HEALTH TO RECOGNIZE FRONTLINE WORKERS

 

MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Nuts are proud to partner with Crystal Creamery and Sutter Health to recognize local Frontline workers as part of the 2020 “Hometown Heroes” promotion. During this pandemic, countless local heroes have risked their own well-being for the betterment of their community. These heroes will be recognized with a weekly campaign on social media highlighting all their extraordinary accomplishments.

Previous to the pandemic, the Modesto Nuts have executed the “Hometown Heroes” promotion annually in August. “It’s truly awesome to be able to continue this great promotion, even if baseball isn’t being played. We’re honored to have Crystal Creamery & Sutter Health assist with this effort.” said Zach Brockman, Modesto Nuts General Manager.

In addition to the recognition that these heroes will receive on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter the Modesto Nuts will be inviting all of them back to see a ballgame (as soon as circumstances allow). Each hero will receive 4 tickets to a future game and be invited to throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to game start.

If anyone would like to nominate a Hometown Hero*, head over to ModestoNuts.com/HometownHeroes. Anyone making a nomination will be asked to submit nominee contact information, a brief bio & photo. The Nuts look forward to learning more about local residents that have stepped up while the world was in crisis.

*For 2020/2021, Hometown Heroes to be categorized as medical personnel, grocery store workers, truck drivers, and delivery drivers.

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About the Nuts:

The Modesto Nuts Professional Baseball team is the Class A-Advanced Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. For more information visit modestonuts.com or call 209-572-HITS (4487)

Fireflies Launch “We Are Fireflies” Jersey Campaign

 

Columbia, S.C. – The Columbia Fireflies today announced the launch of the “We Are Fireflies” jersey campaign. Fans, season ticket and suite members, partners and Fireflies supporters across the Midlands and the country can have their names on a jersey that the Fireflies will wear on the first Saturday home game of the 2021 season.

”This is a great way for the community to join forces with the Fireflies as we launch this innovative initiative,” said Fireflies team president John Katz. “It represents an opportunity to support the team, support a fantastic non-profit in Homeless No More, and to represent you, your family or loved ones by adding a name or several names to the jersey. It’s a great win-win proposition.”

The jerseys are white with a block text “Fireflies” logo on the front and jersey numbers on the back with no name plate. The sleeves are colored blue with a yellow stripe and include the Fireflies bug logo on the right shoulder. The entire body of the jersey will be filled with the names of those who purchase the opportunity through the campaign.

Fans can purchase packages to add their name to the jersey starting at just $30. The $30 package gets one name on the jersey, a Palmetto Citizens FCU All-Star seat ticket for the game and a $5 donation to Homeless No More. There is a total of eight different packages, ranging from $30-$2,500, with varying tickets and hospitality, exclusive experiences and increased donations based on package selection.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Columbia Fireflies and are thankful for all they do in the community,” said Elizabeth Blake Dudek, Director of Development for Homeless No More. “We are honored to have them on our team as we end family homelessness!”

The jerseys worn during the game will be auctioned off during the game, with proceeds benefitting Homeless No More. The auction will be held both online and in-park. Players will autograph the jersey after the game and present it to the winning bidder on the field at Segra Park immediately after the game and prior to the fireworks; online winners will have their jersey shipped to them.

More information on the “We Are Fireflies” jersey campaign, and the various package options, can be found by clicking here. Packages can be purchased online here.

Timber Rattlers Donate over $3,600 from Udder Tuggers Sales

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The final numbers are in and June was a great month for Wisconsin Udder Tuggers sales in the Snake Pit Team Store and that means it was a great month for a pair of local charities supported by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Fans purchased nearly $18,500 in Udder Tuggers merchandise in June. The Timber Rattlers are donating 20% of those sales to Hunger Task Force Free & Local and Wisconsin Food & Farm Support Fund.

“We want to thank all of our fans who purchased Udder Tuggers merchandise during the month of June to help support the charities supported by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin,” said Dayna Baitinger, Director of Community Relations for the Timber Rattlers. “The donation will help support our state’s farmers and encourage consumption of milk and other agriculture products to ensure farmers continue to have a place to sell their products, and provide Wisconsinites access to nutritious, high-quality foods.”

The amount donated is $3,686.81.

A note to fans who pre-ordered the new Udder Tuggers hats in late June: Those hats have not arrived in the Snake Pit Team Store yet. Your order will be shipped as soon as they arrive.

The Snake Pit Team Store is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and has all the latest Timber Rattlers merchandise. Fans may also order from the online team store through this link at the Timber Rattlers website.

Drive continue to make impact in South Carolina



Summer nights at Fluor Field in Greenville, South Carolina, have the feel of a large neighborhood gathering with the beautiful 15-year-old facility serving as the “front porch” of the Greater Greenville and Upstate South Carolina area.

And while the coronavirus pandemic has prevented local fans from being able to support the Drive on the field in 2020, the team has not wavered from its commitment to the community, hosting the Underground Kitchen Community First Project, which provided nearly 1,000 free meals to those in need over three days in June.

For their efforts in the community, the Drive are the recipients of the Minor League Baseball Promotion of the Month Award for June.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on our work in the Greenville and Upstate area, but without baseball games this year, we really decided to double down on our efforts in the community and really try to wrap our arms around those who are struggling and help in any way we can,” said Drive General Manager Eric Jarinko. “We had to get creative and find ways where we could utilize our staff and really help as many people as we could.”

While the team had previously volunteered with FoodShare South Carolina, an organization that provides access to fresh produce to those in need, Jarinko said a conversation with volunteer Marylou Stinson got the ball rolling on what became a “no-brainer” of an event.

A suggestion by Stinson led the Drive and FoodShare South Carolina to combine forces with a Richmond, Virginia-based organization called the Underground Kitchen. The goal of the Underground Kitchen is to provide a diverse group of chefs, who are typically from places underrepresented in the culinary world, the opportunity to share their creative talents and tastes to create soups and meals for those in need.

“The Underground Kitchen had been looking to expand the scope of its program and FoodShare South Carolina has been expanding their efforts across the state so teaming up with the Drive was a perfect way to help a large number of people,” said Stinson. “The Drive were on board and had their entire staff leading the way. They were just tremendous.”

The Drive opened the kitchens at Fluor Field and the team’s Executive Chef, Wilbert Sauceda, himself a native of Honduras and a veteran of the restaurant business, helped coordinate efforts to produce nearly 1,000 free meals in just two days. Much of the food was donated by the Mill Village, a non-profit organization in Greenville that features food products from local farmers.

With the food preparation underway, the Drive relied on FoodShare South Carolina to spread the word of the opportunity to families who were known to be in need that meals made from scratch would be available free of charge.

“Wilbert took the lead in the kitchen, and the rest of our staff utilized other parts of the ballpark like our season ticket holder lounge to package the meals and prepare for a drive-thru distribution point in the Fluor Field parking lot,” said Jarinko. “The fact that we were able to host the pickup event on such a somber anniversary day in our state’s history was very uplifting to a lot of people.”

The meals were distributed on the fifth anniversary of the horrific shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston that claimed nine lives. In honor of the Charleston Nine, meal recipients also received a white rose in their bag to signify forgiveness and rosemary to signify remembrance. The bags also came with a tag that included the names of the nine victims to serve as a reminder of the lives lost five years ago.

“I can’t say enough great things about the Greenville Drive and everyone there, including owner Craig Brown, as they have transformed the landscape in South Carolina of what it means to be a community partner and they push other organizations to do more,” said Stinson. “Their impact here has had a ripple effect across Upstate South Carolina, and we hold this team and its ownership group in the highest regard.”

For Jarinko, the event had an immediate impact that left the Drive staff motivated to do more.

“When all of the food had been distributed and the day was done, we all left saying this is an event we need to do every year and hopefully multiple times a year.”

With a record number of Americans struggling to make ends meet, the Drive continue to answer the call of those most in need. That is how you become the front porch of a community.

Jeff Lantz is Minor League Baseball’s Senior Director of Communications.


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Berks Seniors Spend Memorable Night At First Energy Stadium

 

On Monday, July 13 the Berks County baseball seniors participated in the Rip It Baseballtown Charities All-Star Senior Classic. Players were honored before the game and competed in front of several hundred fans at FirstEnergy Stadium. A big thanks to EG Smith, Abilities in Motion, and Deer Country Farm & Lawn for sponsoring the nights action.

Twin Valley’s Trevor Laraia and Ryan Davis were excited for the opportunity. Davis noted the perfect field and evening for baseball. Laraia could not wait to get out and play as well. He explained, “I’ve been playing and competing against these kids for a while now so it’s nice to get to do it one last time.”

In the top of the fourth inning Reading’s Angel Velez starting off the scoring for the Red Team. He tripled to right field scoring Laraia and Governor Mifflin’s Danny Roesch. Laraia singled, while Roesch reached on a walk.

The Blue Team tied things up in the bottom half of the fourth inning. Fleetwood’s Zachary Sell tripled to score Muhlenberg’s K.J. Blanding. Jeb Kurtz from Daniel Boone then plated Sell on a sacrifice fly.

Things were quiet until the top of the ninth when the Red Team stirred some action. Reading’s Kristian Tirado walked and moved to second on a bunt from Hamburg’s Sean Evangelista. Gaige Brown (Muhlenberg) reached on an error and slid in to second due to defensive indifference. Tanner Vanderslice from Daniel Boone walked to load the bases. The MVP of the night belonged to Reading’s Nomar Torres when he shot a hard liner up the middle to score Tirado and Brown. With Davis at the plate, an error from the catcher allowed Vanderslice to score the third run of the inning, making it 5-2 in favor of the Red Team.

Both teams rotated players in and out so every senior had an opportunity to showcase their skills on the professional ball field.

The game was an important moment for some competitors who may have played their final game of baseball. Others will pursue the sport at a higher level, playing in different divisions of college ball. A few seniors will get the opportunity to play again in the Rip It Baseballtown Charities Showcase happening throughout July, starting tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14, with a double header. Check out milb.com/reading/events/showcase for more information.

Spectrum Field Host to Pinellas County High School Graduations

Senior Ceremonies Continued for the Class of 2020 with Safety Protocols in Place

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Spectrum Field in Clearwater was the host for 16 Pinellas County High School Graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 during the week of July 7-10. The Phillies and Threshers teamed up with the City of Clearwater, Pinellas County Schools and the Pinellas County Health Department to ensure that Pinellas County graduates were given an opportunity to walk in their cap and gown.

“We felt it was important and the right thing to do for our community. We were able to create a safe environment in which our graduates could be honored and participate in their graduation ceremonies,” said Doug Kemp, General Manager of Spectrum Field.

Four graduation ceremonies were held each day over the four-day period. To accommodate proper health guidelines, the schools and graduates were assigned specific times and locations to park and proceed into the ballpark and across the stage. Social distancing measures were in place and masks were mandatory for students, families and event staff. Although no one was allowed in the seating bowl, each graduate entered with their immediate families and walked across the stage to be recognized via the stadium’s PA and video board, serving as a photo opportunity. The ceremonies were live streamed on the Pinellas County Schools website.

“We are proud to have had such a significant role in honoring our Pinellas County graduating class,” added John Timberlake, The Phillies Director of Florida Operations. “I believe it underscores the commitment that the Phillies and the City of Clearwater maintain for our community and all of Pinellas County, even during these challenging times.”

Spectrum Field has been the site of Clearwater High School’s graduation ceremonies since 2007 and the ballpark has held as many as seven local high school graduations in previous years. The Clearwater Threshers have been playing their home games at Spectrum Field since the 2004 opening and the Philadelphia Phillies make the facility their Spring Training home.

Chihuahuas and Locomotive Front Office Staffs to Offer Support to Area Non-Profit Organizations 

The El Paso Chihuahuas and El Paso Locomotive FC announced today a plan to assist area non-profit organizations (NPOs).

NPOs interested in having a Chihuahuas and/or Locomotive staff member assist their organization, CLICK HERE!

EL PASO – July 8, 2020 – The El Paso Chihuahuas and El Paso Locomotive FC announced today a plan to assist area non-profit organizations (NPOs). This program will provide Chihuahuas and Locomotive staff with expertise in marketing, promotion, development, operations, and general administration to serve the non-profit community which has been so negatively affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“One of our greatest strengths and most significant assets are the people who comprise the staffs of the Chihuahuas and Locomotive,” said MountainStar Sports Group President Alan Ledford. “We are in the live event business and during this window when those events are severely limited, we cannot provide the level of service and memorable experiences we strive to deliver at Southwest University Park. This is also a period filled with extraordinary challenges for our local non-profit organizations. While their traditional functions are impacted by the pandemic, we are proud to offer our staff to help these NPOs continue to fulfill their respective missions.”

The staffs of both teams will be working as part of the Chihuahuas Volunteer Pack and Locomotive Heart of Goal programs, both of which are presented by Helen of Troy. “The Pack” and Heart of Goal are El Paso-wide volunteer forces created to give back to the Sun City and surrounding region.

Joining with non-profit organizations and community partners, the two volunteer groups are made up of Chihuahuas and Locomotive staff, fans, players, and coaches with the mission of making a positive impact in our community. From building homes to sorting food, both teams have put in more than 750 community service hours annually.

“We said from the beginning that this would be about more than baseball,” said MountainStar Sports Group Sr. Vice President and Chihuahuas General Manager Brad Taylor. “With a little more bandwidth than usual for the baseball staff, we have the chance to truly be effective and even more helpful in our community.”

While Minor League Baseball announced last week that the 2020 season will not be played, the United Soccer League (USL) Championship will return to play on July 11. The competition format and revised schedule for the USL was recently announced.

Non-profit organizations interested in having a Chihuahuas or Locomotive staff member assist your non-profit organization, CLICK HERE. Organizations must be registered as a 501(c)(3).

For more information, contact Angela Olivas at aolivas@epchihuahuas.com, visit epchihuahuas.com, text (915) 533-BASE, or email info@epchihuahuas.com.

Roster Announced For Baseballtown Charities Senior Classic

 

On Monday, July 13th, the Reading Fightin Phils are set to host the Baseballtown Charities Senior Classic for the Berks County 2020 graduating senior class. The R-Phils thank the Baseballtown Charities Senior Classic Sponsors: Abilities in Motion, Deer Country Farm & Lawn and EG Smith Inc.

The game will be played on the professional baseball field at FirstEnergy Stadium. First pitch is set for 6pm with gates opening at 5pm. This event is free for all to attend with stadium food and drink available for purchase.

Every year Baseballtown hosts this senior game to recognize the hard work and dedication of the graduating seniors. This year is extra special. The 2020 senior classes were unable to finish their final high school season due to COVID-19. Now, the R-Phils are pleased to offer them an opportunity for one last memorable moment on the field with their teams!

There will be over 60 seniors from the surrounding area participating. The Blue Team will play as the home team, while the Red Team will serve as the away team.

The Blue team will be led by Head Coach Brian Kopetsky from Muhlenberg. Kopetsky will be assisted by Jeff Manley (Muhl), Erron Archie (Muhl), Dan Louviaux (Muhl), Zach Milch (Muhl), and Boo Schaffer (Antietam – Head Coach), and student manager Nina Calvaresi from Muhlenberg.

Wilson – Brady Gibble

Wilson – Adam Vanino

Wilson – Trey Gehret

Kutztown – Tyler Reitenauer

Kutztown – Lewis Weaver

Brandywine – Brody Graff

Muhlenberg – Dan Clouser

Muhlenberg – K.J. Blanding

Muhlenberg – Yorfi Peralta

Reading – Likeiry Tavaras

Reading – Branden Boutte

Wyomissing – Ian Brunner

Twin Valley – Jevan Kennedy

Twin Valley – Jordan Lasak

Twin Valley – Joey Sciamanna

Daniel Boone – Jeb Kurtz

Daniel Boone – Teagan Duffie

Governor Mifflin – Andrew Kuczala

Governor Mifflin – Carson Kemery

Governor Mifflin – Darius Troche

Schuylkill Valley – Cody Eckenroth

Hamburg – Tarik Feick

Hamburg – P.J. Hanlon

Exeter – Dylan Fassbender

Exeter – Josh Shaffer

Oley – Payton Rowe

Fleetwood – Zachary Sell

Conrad Weiser – Turner Dianna

Conrad Weiser – Drew Druckenmiller

Berks Catholic – Brendan Long

Berks Catholic – Andrew Gordos

Antietam – Peyton Heck

The Red Team will be led by Head Coach Chris Hole from Governor Mifflin. Hole will be assisted by Bill Underwood (Wilson), Mike Zientek (Wilson), Adam Smith (Wilson), and Brandon Shurr (Berks Catholic – Head Coach), and student manager Morgan Jacobs from Wilson.

Wilson – Jack Gensemer

Wilson – Jacob Hartranft

Kutztown – Tyler Hugo

Brandywine – Aaron Jarrett

Muhlenberg – Gaige Brown

Muhlenberg – Matt Wanner

Reading – Angel Velez

Reading – Kristian Tirado

Reading – Nomar Torres

Wyomissing – Dayne Yourkavitch

Twin Valley – Ryan Davis

Twin Valley – Trevor Laraia

Daniel Boone – Aidan Landis

Daniel Boone – Tanner Vanderslice

Daniel Boone – Ethan Brown

Governor Mifflin – Kolbie Reeser

Governor Mifflin – Danny Roesch

Schuylkill Valley – Mason Gabel

Hamburg – Sean Evangelista

Hamburg – Mason Henne

Hamburg – Colby Gromlich

Hamburg – Owen Zimmerman

Exeter – Ryan Michalski

Oley – Blake Trumbore

Fleetwood – Jake Hess

Conrad Weiser – C.J. Civiello

Conrad Weiser – Joshua Meyers

Berks Catholic – Jake Buser

Berks Catholic – Chris Russel

Antietam- Cameron Yousaitis

Antietam – Kyle Reeves

FirstEnergy stadium is the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and the home of the Reading Fightin Phils. The stadium is located at 1900 Centre Avenue, Reading, PA 19605.

Baseballtown Charities Showcase Schedule Set For FirstEnergy Stadium

 

(READING, PA) – The Reading Fightin Phils will host the Baseballtown Charities Showcase featuring 12 teams of high school aged baseball players to give them a little part of the season they lost to COVID-19. It is set to kick off at the Double-A ballpark of the Philadelphia Phillies, FirstEnergy Stadium. We thank the Baseballtown Charities Showcase sponsors Abilities in Motion, Deer Country Farm & Lawn, and EG Smith.

Action will begin July 14 and end on August 3. Teams are from Eastern Pennsylvania, drawing from suburban Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Berks County, and Easton.

The majority of teams that enter will play three games versus an opponent of similar skill level on the professional field. Registration benefits Baseballtown Charities to help more kids play baseball and softball.

Admission, as well as parking, is FREE for all fans. R-Phils concessions will be open at all games for fans to enjoy their favorite ballpark food and drink.

Games are primarily scheduled every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday over a three-week period. Game times are 5pm & 7:30 pm, with a two-hour time limit for each game.

There are eight teams that represent areas from Berks County: Reading, Hamburg, The Berg (Muhlenberg), Mays Sandwich Shop (Wilson – West Lawn), Blazers (Daniel Boone – Birdsboro), Exeter, Weiser Scouts (Conrad Weiser), and Shillington Stangs (Governor Mifflin). They are joined by 4 teams from outside the local area: Wilson (Easton), Colonial Baseball (Plymouth Whitemarsh), Royersford Complete Game (Spring-Ford), and Wissahickon.

2020 Baseballtown Charities Showcase

14- Jul

Reading 3 vs Exeter 11

Wilson (Easton) 8 vs Weiser Scouts 1

15- Jul

Hamburg 11 vs Blazers 2

Colonial Baseball 9 vs Mays Sandwich Shop – Spring Township 8

16- Jul

Reading 7 vs Weiser Scouts 6

Royersford Complete Game 7 vs Wissahickon Blues 6

20- Jul

The Berg 11 vs Exeter 1

Hamburg 8 vs Wilson (Easton) 3

21- Jul

Reading 14 vs Wilson (Easton) 1

Colonial Baseball 8 vs Royersford Complete Game 10

27- Jul

Blazers 9 vs Weiser Scouts 5

Mays Sandwich Shop – Spring Township 0 vs Royersford Complete Game 2

28- Jul

Colonial Baseball 14 vs Exeter 5

29- Jul

Mays Sandwich Shop – Spring Township 11 vs Shillington Stangs 6

The Berg 15 vs Wissahickon Blues 10

3- Aug

The Berg 7 vs Blazers 3

12- Aug

6:30 Hamburg vs Wissahickon

The Showcase series will begin the day after the 2020 Baseballtown Charities Senior Classic scheduled for Monday, July 13. Over 60 seniors who played for high schools that participated in the BCIAA are scheduled to participate in the Senior Classic.

The R-Phils will also be hosting Rip It Baseballtown Charities showcase for area teams, 13U-19U, on weekends in July and August. Admission is free and stadium food and drink will be available. In addition, the Fightin’s will continue to have their Party with a Purpose nights at the ballpark on upcoming Thursdays.

FirstEnergy Stadium is the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and the home of the Reading Fightin Phils. The stadium is located at 1900 Centre Avenue, Reading, PA 19605.

Parkview Foundation Accepting Donations Toward TinCaps Meal Kits for Healthcare Workers

 

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne TinCaps have announced a partnership with the Parkview Foundation that allows tax-deductible monetary donations to be used to provide TinCaps Meal Kits to Parkview Health frontline workers.

“We’ve been offering the community the chance to provide a TinCaps Meal Kit to a Parkview Health frontline worker since the program’s launch,” said TinCaps Vice President Michael Limmer. “But this announcement allows individuals and companies to make tax deductible monetary donations to the Parkview Foundation that will be used to provide Parkview Health employees and families most in need with a TinCaps Meal Kit.”

The TinCaps Meal Kit program was launched in late April as the organization faces the uncertainty of a 2020 Minor League Baseball season.

“We wanted the opportunity to connect with our fans and the community,” Limmer said. “This program allows fans to bring a taste of Parkview Field home with them at a time where we aren’t able to open our doors for fans to come in.”

The opportunity to donate a TinCaps Meal Kit to a Parkview employee has been a part of the program since its inception, but now there is the opportunity for a monetary donation to be made directly to the Parkview Foundation to provide the Meal Kits.

“We are proud to be able to broker the generosity of our community through the Foundation in getting TinCaps Meal Kits to our healthcare team members,” said Denise Andorfer, Director of Leadership Gifts for the Parkview Foundation. “We know acts of kindness during these challenging times are so appreciated in lifting the spirits of those working hard to keep our community safe. Generosity is an empowering reminder of our solidarity.”

“I’m a single mom with four kids and I feel truly blessed by this,” said Brittany Smith, who works at the Parkview Cancer Institute and recently received a TinCaps Meal Kit. “This box had five meals in it with everything that’s needed. They were all different meals and everything was absolutely delicious. I’m very grateful for this meal kit and want to thank the TinCaps for doing this.”

TinCaps Meal Kits are $100 if portioned for two and $185 (tax included) for a family-size that’s designed to feed 4-6 people. Meal Kits can be ordered at tincaps.com. For more information on how you or your organization can donate to this program, please contact Michael Limmer with the TinCaps at limmer@tincaps.com or 260-407-2813.