Charitable Tuesdays Returns in 2017

One organization will be featured at every Tuesday home game and receive;

  • A display table in the stadium to display and distribute promotional literature and materials
  • A live on-field interview before the game
  • Ceremonial 1st pitch honors for the organization
  • The opportunity to be a guest on the Crosscutters radio broadcast for one inning
  • A $250 donation to the organization courtesy of Woodlands Bank and the Crosscutters presented during an on-field ceremony

“Woodlands Bank is excited to, once again, sponsor Charitable Tuesdays with the Crosscutters.”, stated Jon P. Conklin, President & CEO of Woodlands Bank. “Our team of employees are passionate about volunteering their time and efforts in giving back to the communities we serve. Our partnership with the Crosscutters just reiterates the commitment that we have to our local communities and to the charitable organizations that do so much for them.”

Interested organizations should submit an application, available for download HERE or in-person at BB&T Ballpark. Applications must be received by June 2, 2017. More information is available by contacting the Cutters Director of Community Relations, Sarah Budd at (570) 326-3389 or email sarah@crosscutters.com

The Crosscutters 2017 season opens on June 20 when they host the State College Spikes. The full schedule can be found HERE.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

U.S. Cellular and Timber Rattlers Bring Back Little League Takeovers!

GRAND CHUTE, WI – Everyone had so much fun last year, they wanted to do it again! U.S. Cellular and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are taking over Appleton Little League at the Scheels USA Youth Sports Complex on Monday, May 8.

Next Monday will be the first of several “Little League Takeovers” sponsored by U.S. Cellular and the Timber Rattlers. Fang’s Fanatics and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers promo crew along with staff from the Timber Rattlers and volunteers from U.S. Cellular will bring their high energy and fun in-game promotions to a girls’ softball game at 5:00pm and a baseball game that will follow the conclusion of the softball game.

“We’re focused on making connections that serve our local community,” said Eric Larson, U.S. Cellular’s area sales manager in Northern Wisconsin. “By teaming up with the Timber Rattlers, we will bring additional excitement and fun for the whole family to Appleton’s Little League Monday night games. Maybe in a few years, we’ll see these young athletes playing for the Timber Rattlers or the Brewers.”

Timber Rattlers public address announcer Joey D. will announce kids’ names prior to each at-bat and the team’s production staff will provide walk-up songs as well. The team will bring the Bratzooka!, the Bubble Ball Battle, and the Sub Race Characters and have an array of t-shirt tosses and other in-game surprises. U.S. Cellular volunteers will be distributing customized t-shirts and will also hand out complimentary hot dogs to fans throughout the games.

A highlight video of the day’s festivities will be produced and shown on the Timber Rattlers video board during Appleton Little League’s night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on June 8.

“The Timber Rattlers are excited to once again team up with U.S. Cellular and local youth baseball and softball leagues to provide some fun-filled entertainment and lasting memories,” said Timber Rattlers Assistant General Manager, Jerrad Radocay. “These three leagues already do a great job of providing an awesome experience for these kids, so for us to be involved in bringing our on-field promotions, PA announcer Joey D., and world famous Bratzooka! is a win-win for everyone.”

U.S. Cellular and the Timber Rattlers have scheduled two other Takeovers this summer: June 14 at Plamann Park for Grand Chute Baseball and July 29 at O’Hauser Park for Suburban Athletics.

“We’re looking forward to the Timber Rattlers and U.S. Cellular again knocking our Takeover Event out of the park, as we dedicate our fields at Scheels USA Youth Sports Complex to the Kratzer and Gromer families, and unveil many great field improvements,” said Appleton Little League President Kevin Kostelecky.

Partial season and group ticket packages are currently available for the 2017 season. Tickets packages are available online, over the phone at (920) 733-4152 or (800) WI-TIMBER, and in person. Individual game tickets for this season are also on sale now.   Groups of 20 or more may order tickets over the phone or in person. The Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium Box Office is open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and from 10:00am to 3:00pm on Saturdays.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Lake Monsters and Five Guys Team Back Up In 2017 For May Days Fundraising Program

BURLINGTON, VT — The Vermont Lake Monsters are excited to announce the continued partnership with Five Guys Burgers and Fries during the annual May Days fundraiser to benefit non-profits from across the state of Vermont. “Five Guys May Days” fundraiser will launch May 1st as a month-long program devoted to helping raise funds and awareness for state wide non-profits.

Support of local non-profits has demonstrated the strong commitment both the Lake Monsters and Five Guys have to the greater Burlington community. The goal of this program is not only to provide the opportunity for organizations to raise money, but also raise awareness for their programs while providing a chance for supporters to come together at the ballpark.

The Howard Center is just one of the many local non-profits who has benefitted from participating in Five Guys May Days and will continue the tradition this year. “Throughout the year, we benefit from the generous support of the Lake Monsters.” said Catherine Shahan, Director of Community Friends Mentoring at the Howard Center. “We appreciate our community partnership as it provides opportunities for many of our clients to enjoy an afternoon or evening of baseball, hot dogs, and fun!” Thank you, Lake Monsters for giving back and ensuring the whole community has access to your programs.”

Participating non-profits will have the entire month of May to promote and sell $6 Lake Monsters tickets through a specific URL link designated to their organization for a specific game during the season. After the month of May is completed, the Lake Monsters will donate half of the proceeds back to the organization. Following the selling period, Five Guys will donate up to $500 to match the amount raised by the highest selling non-profit in the program. Organizations will then be recognized on field with a check presentation at a Lake Monsters game this season.

For more information, please email our Box Office Manager, Frank Fanning, at:

frank@vermontlakemonsters.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Shuckers present check for $6,090 to William Carey University

BILOXI, MS – Prior to the Shuckers game against the Jackson Generals on April 24 at MGM Park, Biloxi Shuckers general manager Chuck Arnold and field manager Mike Guerrero presented William Carey University senior project manager Richard Vogel and athletic director D.J. Pulley with a check for $6,090.

“We can’t thank the Shuckers enough for what they have done for us,” said Vogel. “For the Shuckers to play a NAIA school in an exhibition game gained us much exposure on the coast. The contributed funds from tickets sold will go a long way to help our recovery and greatly improve our university. We have a vision of where we are going as a university, and we know the Shuckers will be a great partner for what we are trying to accomplish going forward.”

The check was net ticket proceeds from the exhibition game played between the Shuckers and Crusaders on April 4 at MGM Park. William Carey’s Hattiesburg campus was impacted by tornadoes in January with damages occurring to dorms, Tatum Court, Thomas Hall and the library.

“We are honored to have played a small role in the recovery efforts at William Carey University,” said Arnold. “We want to thank our fans for their generous support of this great cause.”

The Biloxi Shuckers are committed to their community and are proactively seeking ways to improve the quality of life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Shuckers partner with non-profits, military, schools and youth athletic organizations to provide benevolent outreach. In addition to financial assistance, the Shuckers front office staff has volunteered 144 hours so far in the community this year.

The Shuckers return to action tonight at 6:35 pm for game four of the series against the Jackson Generals. The Shuckers will offer $2 Polk’s hot dogs on Tuesdays this season and fans can bring in their Polk’s Meat Products label to the MGM Park box office and receive a buy one, get one Box or Reserved Level ticket! Also on Tuesday, the Gulf Coast Corvette Club will have a pregame parade around the warning track (weather permitting).The homestand continues through Wednesday with the first Education Day of the year on Wednesday with a Business Person’s special.

Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at any Ticketmaster outlet or at biloxishuckers.com.

ABOUT THE BILOXI SHUCKERS:

The Biloxi Shuckers are the Double-A Southern League Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Shuckers play at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. For more information please visit biloxishuckers.com and follow us on Twitter @biloxishuckers and at facebook.com/biloxishuckers.com.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

NATURALS PARTNER WITH GRAND LAKE CASINO ON WINNING FOR CHARITY PROMOTION

SPRINGDALE, Ark – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Grand Lake Casino are proud to support the Northwest Arkansas community by partnering on a new ‘Winning for Charity’ promotion that will be instituted during regular season home games.

For each Naturals’ victory at Arvest Ballpark during the 2017 regular season, Grand Lake Casino will donate $100 to a local charity. For all April and May wins, the donation will be given to Lifeline of Northwest Arkansas, proceeds from June and July victories will be given to Cancer Charity 4 Life, and Arkansas Children’s Northwest will be the beneficiary of wins in August.

“Grand Lake Casino is committed to giving back” said Grand Lake Casino General Manager Dusty Logan. “The Northwest Arkansas community are our neighbors and we are so pleased to partner with the Naturals to donate to charities that do such great work in the Northwest Arkansas area.”

The ‘Winning for Charity’ partnership with Grand Lake Casino continues with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ tradition of giving back to the local community as the Naturals’ ticket fundraising program has helped raise over $100,000 in six straight seasons for area groups, including over $20,000 in the first homestand of 2017 alone. In addition to the ticket fundraising program, the organization has also contributed to over 200 non-profit events and silent auctions so far this year.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Facebook and Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on Season 10 of Naturals baseball.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information, including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.

-Naturals-

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Rattlers and Thrivent Financial Team Up for Make-A-Difference Mondays

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Thrivent Financial are getting together to present Make-A-Difference Mondays at the ballpark this season. There will be four special Monday games over the remainder of the 2017 season to aid local non-profit organizations.

Fans who choose to donate to the non-profit will receive a discounted box seat ticket for $10 (normally $14) to these special Monday games. Additionally, $5 of the $10 for the ticket will be donated to the non-profit scheduled to be a partner for that game.

To purchase discounted tickets for Make-A-Difference Mondays in advance, visit TimberRattlers.com and use the promo code: thrivent. Fans will receive a discounted ticket on the day of the game by donating items to the non-profit organization at the time of purchase.

“Thrivent Financial is a financial services organization that helps Christians be wise with money and live generously. For more than a century we’ve helped our more than 2 million member-owners make wise money choices that reflect their values, and we provide opportunities for them to be even more generous where they live, work and worship,” said Jenny Rohan, Community Engagement Leader for Thrivent Financial. “Our partnership with the Timber Rattlers is an opportunity for our members and the community to see what living our mission looks like and will make an impact for churches and non-profit organizations in our community.”

The schedule for the four Make-A-Difference Mondays and the non-profit organizations and the most-needed items they need for donations on those days are:

May 15: Feeding America

  • Canned Fruits (preferably low sugar)
  • Peanut Butter
  • Canned Meats (such as tuna, chicken, etc.)
  • Cereal (hot & cold)
  • Grains (such as rice, pasta, etc.)
  • Soups (or other “heat & eat” meal-like items)

June 12: Building for Kids

  • Brightly Colored Paper Plates, Cups, and Napkins
  • 9″ Balloons
  • Small Bottles of White Glue
  • Glue Sticks
  • Gallons of Vinegar

June 26: Center for Veterans Issues, LLC

  • Pre-packaged snacks (granola bars, pudding, oatmeal, etc.)
  • Canned Goods
  • Personal Hygiene Items (toothbrush, toothpaste, travel size shampoo/conditioner, deodorant)

August 7: Homeless Connections

  • Size 5 diapers
  • Napkins
  • Coffee (ground or Kcups)
  • Alarm clocks
  • Dryer sheets
  • Cans of Fruit
  • Bike Locks
  • Bike Helmets: youth and adult
  • Nuks for babies

The Timber Rattlers are currently on the road. They will return home to begin a seven-game homestand on Thursday, April 20 with a game against the Peoria Chiefs.

Partial season and group ticket packages are currently available for the 2017 season. Tickets packages are available online, over the phone at (920) 733-4152 or (800) WI-TIMBER, and in person. Individual game tickets for this season are also on sale now.   Groups of 20 or more may order tickets over the phone or in person. The Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium Box Office is open from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and from 10:00am to 3:00pm on Saturdays.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

MBF Exceeds $1 Million in Grant Donations

MIDLAND, Mich. – The Michigan Baseball Foundation is pleased to announce that after awarding grants for the 2017 cycle, MBF has exceeded $1 million donated to non-profit organizations since 2008. This month, MBF distributed 26 grants totaling $104,515 across seven counties in the Great Lakes Bay Region this past year.

“Giving back to our local youth has been something we have taken pride in since MBF started awarding grants,” Michigan Baseball Foundation vice president Paul Barbeau said. “It’s an important part of what we do at Dow Diamond, not just providing fun entertainment during the baseball season, but also supporting the communities that surround us.”

MBF has awarded 283 grants totaling $1,022,761 to deserving non-profit organizations across 14 counties in the Great Lakes Bay Region over the past 10 years.

This year the Friends of Hoyt Park Foundation in Saginaw received $6,600 for dugout benches and a tractor. Midland Center for the Arts received a grant in the amount of $6,250 to upgrade the permanent microscope exhibit in the museum’s “Hall of Ideas.” The Bay Community Tennis Center will install net posts, while Gladwin Community Schools will use $3,000 to upgrade their athletic building and batting cages.

The Foundation began its annual grant process in April 2016 and solicited grant applications from non-profit organizations throughout the region. All applicants were required to meet one or more of the following guidelines, which reflected the purposes for which the Michigan Baseball Foundation was organized:

•   The organization contributes to regional economic development.
•   The organization is based in Mid-Michigan and serves young people.
•   The organization promotes amateur sports and fitness

The Michigan Baseball Foundation considers funding mid-Michigan non-profit organizations that use the grant money to fund projects; the grants are not intended to fund day-to-day operations. Primary consideration will be given to organizations in the Midland, Bay, Saginaw, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Genesee, Isabella, Tuscola, Huron, Arenac, Ogemaw, Sanilac and Iosco counties.

The 2018 grant process is currently in the planning stage. Updates will be communicated once the plans are finalized for the next cycle. For more information contact Carol VanWert at 989.837.6144, or at cvanwert@loons.com.

The Michigan Baseball Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity that was founded in 2006 to create regional economic development through creative partnerships, and to enhance the efforts of regional organizations that serve young people. The Michigan Baseball Foundation owns and operates Dow Diamond, home of the Great Lakes Loons, a Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Dragons to Participate in Great American Cleanup Event

As part of the Great American Cleanup, the Dayton Dragons, Montgomery County Environmental Services, and Dayton Inspires will host a cleanup event on May 20th from 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at 42 N. Orchard Ave. in Dayton.

The Dragons will be there from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. to get the event started with hats, raffle prizes, Dragons players, members of the Dragons Green Team, and a mascot. The cleanup of the area will begin at 10:00 a.m. and continue until 2:00 p.m.

Individual participants as well as groups like boy scouts, girls scouts, church groups, and others are invited to participate in the event. The Great American Cleanup is a terrific way to give back to the community. All registered volunteers at the cleanup will be entered into a drawing for a variety of great Dragons prizes.

About the Great American Cleanup

The Great American Cleanup is the largest organized volunteer litter cleanup and community improvement program in the country. This long standing Keep America Beautiful event, which runs annually from March 1 until May 31, is sponsored locally by the Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) program. Keep Montgomery County Beautiful provides volunteers with cleanup supplies and can assist with litter disposal. KMCB can also help coordinate cleanup events and provide other resources for large scale community projects. For more information on KMCB programs, please visit www.kmcbohio.org or call (937) 225-4999.

More Information: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and play a 70-game home schedule at beautiful Fifth Third Field in downtown Dayton, easily accessible from Interstate 75. Individuals and groups seeking information about Dayton Dragons group tickets, lawn tickets, the season ticket wait list, sponsorship opportunities or booking a Dragons speaker are encouraged to contact the Dragons by calling (937) 228-2287, by email at dragons@daytondragons.com, or on the web at daytondragons.com

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

ValleyCats to revamp four youth ballfields on April 13

TROY, NY- The Tri-City ValleyCats and their corporate partners, BlueShield of Northeastern New York and Hannaford Supermarkets, have teamed up on the 7th Annual ‘4 in 24’ Field Renovation Project, where four youth ball fields will be renovated in a 24-hour time period on Thursday, April 13.

The four leagues to receive the work will be Amsterdam Youth Baseball, Colonie Little League, Tri-Village Little League, and RC Little League. Each field will receive new sod placed on the infield, a rebuilding of the pitcher’s mound and home plate areas, raking and grading of the infield dirt, cutting the baselines to the correct specifications, and much more.

“Since we began the ‘4 in 24’ project back in 2011, it has been one of our most impactful community outreach events each year that has positively affected thousands of youth ballplayers within the Capital Region,” said ValleyCats General Manager Matt Callahan. “We can’t thank BlueShield and Hannaford enough for their tremendous support of this important initiative.”

This year marks the seventh consecutive ‘4 in 24’ project, and upon its completion, 28 youth ballfields will have been renovated. What has made it all possible is the support of the ValleyCats partners, who have aided in supplying the necessary resources and volunteer commitment to complete these renovations.

“BlueShield knows the importance of supporting programs that provide healthy opportunities for the children throughout our community to play and learn,” said Dr. Kirk Panneton, Vice President, Regional Executive and Medical Director, BlueShield of Northeastern New York.  “Our company and employees have helped to transform more than 24 fields since partnering with the Tri-City ValleyCats, and we are thrilled to support the ‘4 in 24’ program again this year.”

“Youth development and wellness are two of the things that matter most to our communities and to Hannaford,” said Hannaford Supermarkets Community Relations Specialist Brian Fabre. “Through this partnership with the ValleyCats and BlueShield, we are proud to provide young people with wonderfully improved facilities for healthy play and for growth as individuals and as members of a team.”

Work on each field will commence at daybreak, and will continue through the night if needed. The efforts will also be assisted by BrightView (the ValleyCats official grounds crew), Admar Construction, Turface, and SiteOne Landscape Supplies, who are contributing some of the necessary equipment, materials, and volunteers. Additional support comes from ‘Cats Care, the ValleyCats’ arm of the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation.

2017 ‘4 in 24’ Youth League Snapshots

Amsterdam Youth Baseball

Field Address: Lower Veterans Field, Locust Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010

Opening Day: Saturday, April 22

League Information:

Over 625 kids and 70 adult volunteers devote thousands of hours of cumulative time to making Amsterdam Youth Baseball run, and are the only organization in Montgomery and Fulton County that offers baseball to youngsters in the spring, summer and fall. They have T-Ball (5-6), Rookies (7-8), Minors (9-10) and Majors (11-12) as well as a travel team for each age group – 9U, 10U, 11U and 12U.

The 2017 renovation will focus on their lower Veteran’s Field, in order to make it a 50’/70′ field so that youngsters ages 5-12 can play. This renovation will allow for the field to also serve as a practice field, which the league doesn’t currently have. With over 600 children, this second field is crucial to providing adequate practice and playing time for each team.

League Statement:

“We appreciate everything that the ValleyCats do for local youth baseball leagues. We were in dire need of a secondary field and now we are able to accommodate the influx of kids ages 4-12 who play in our spring league as well as our fall league that had 18 teams last season – the largest in our 67-year history.”

-Paul Antonelli, President, Amsterdam Youth Baseball

Colonie Little League

Field Address: Pee Wee Field, Cook Park, Colonie, NY 12205

Opening Day: Saturday, April 29

League Information:

With 32 teams and almost 400 registered members, Colonie Little League has a big impact on their community. However, their Pee Wee level field is in need of repair, as the mound has sunken down, the home plate area has very poor drainage, which has caused an uneven batters box, and the infield grass is uneven and unsafe. Given the importance of providing a safe and fun place for the youngest level players to play and learn, where the love for the game is born, this project is of utter importance.

League Statement:

“I wanted to take a moment to extend our most sincere thank you for selecting Colonie Little League for this year’s 4 in 24. You have no idea how excited we are to have received notification that we were selected for the field makeover. It was truly a welcomed surprise and will save us time and money.

It is so exciting and terrific that the ValleyCats and their partners sponsor programs that continue to give to communities like ours. Having the field redone will be great for our kids and the league for years to come.

-Ron Filkins, President, Colonie Little League

Tri-Village Little League

Field Address: Magee Park, 23 Kenwood Avenue, Glenmont, NY 12077

Opening Day: Monday, April 24

League Information:

The Community Grounds Crew will be renovating Tri-Village’s Farm field, where the infield and mounds are dire need of replacement. The field also has grading issues which need to be resolved in order to improve water run-off. Tri-Village currently serves over 400 youth ballplayers aged 5-12.

League Statement:

“On behalf of Tri-Village Little League, our board of directors and all the kids that play in our league, I want to thank the Tri-City ValleyCats for selecting our organization to be part of their community field renovation program. The ValleyCats’ commitment to youth baseball is extraordinary and this is just another example of the tremendous support they are providing to the local baseball communities and the community at large. Having one of our fields selected for renovation is a tremendous support to our league from a financial perspective, but more importantly, it will create a safer and more enjoyable baseball experience for our kids.”

-Tyler Kattrein, President, Tri-Village Little League

RC Little League

Field Address: Major Field, 2445 1st Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12303

Opening Day: Friday, April 28

League Information:

RC’s Major field, which is in need of a complete overhaul of the infield, will be the recipient of the field renovation at their LCW Complex in Rotterdam. RC Little League, which was the result of a merger between Rotterdam and Carman Little Leagues in 2014, serves 430 players across 43 total teams.

League Statement:

RC Little League is anxiously awaiting the start of its 2017 season. We have many exciting changes for the league, as we have begun to work on player development for all divisions. RC Little Leagues major excitement is that we are the recipient of the Tri-City ValleyCats ‘4 in 24’ field renovation program, which will renovate our Major field at the LCW Complex in Rotterdam, NY into a field of dreams. We are anxiously looking forward to volunteering along with the Tri-City ValleyCats and their partners to create a safe and well-maintained field that our players, managers, coaches, their families, and the community will be anxious to come, play and/or watch a ball game!

-Chad Quinlivan, President, RC Little League

OKC Dodgers Hosting Fan Fest and CommUNITY Run Saturday

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers will host their third annual Fan Fest as well as the inaugural CommUNITY Run Saturday, March 25 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The CommUNITY Run begins at 8:30 a.m. and Fan Fest will take place from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Both events are open to the public, and admission is free.

“Fan Fest has become an event that is highly anticipated by our fans,” said OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes. “We can’t wait to open up the gates to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark and get Oklahoma City ready for baseball season.”

Gates will open at 10 a.m. for Fan Fest, and the festivities will begin at 10:30 with a question-and-answer session with former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman and 1992 National League Rookie of the Year Eric Karros. Karros played 14 seasons in the Major Leagues, including 12 with the Dodgers. Karros will be available to the media following the question-and-answer session, and he will be available for autographs at 11:30 a.m. in the Legends Lounge.

Fan Fest will also feature the second annual Dodger Dog eating contest at 11 a.m, and fans can watch the area’s top adult home run hitters put on a power display during a home run derby beginning at noon.

Events also include behind-the-scenes tours of the ballpark, giving fans special access to areas they normally cannot see, such as the home clubhouse. While visiting the clubhouse, fans of all ages can take batting practice in the team’s indoor batting cages.

Team mascots Brix and Brooklyn will be available to take pictures with fans throughout the day. There will be plenty of family-friendly activities, including inflatable games, a balloon artist and a face painter.

Fans will have the chance to purchase ticket packages and pick their seats for the season. Ticket representatives will be on hand to assist and answer any questions, and the ticket office will be open to sell single-game tickets. The OKC Dodgers Team Store will be open with brand new merchandise for the 2017 season, with certain items in the store on clearance.

Fan Fest will also coincide with the OKC Dodgers CommUNITY Run. The 5K and 1K fun run will start at the ballpark and finish on the field. Registration is still open at okcdodgers.com, with entry fees ranging from $25-$30. Additionally, a special kids’ run will take place on the field, with a registration cost of only $10. All entry fees and monetary donations at the event will go directly to the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation and the OKC Police Athletic League.

Runners who participate in the 1K and 5K will receive a race t-shirt and commemorative medal. All kids race participants will receive an OKC Dodgers baseball. Top finishers in the 5K will receive a separate medal during the winner’s ceremony.

Minor League Baseball launched the CommUNITY initiative in Aug. 2016 to create a call to action to encourage fans to think of ways to be a positive influence on their families and communities to help end senseless violence and discrimination. As a result, the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation and OKC Police Athletic League are partnering together to create positive opportunities for youth in the Oklahoma City area through sports and education.

“The OKC Dodgers CommUNITY Run is more than a race,” said OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation Managing Director Jennifer Van Tuyl. “It is an opportunity for the community to come together and showcase our ability to have a positive impact in the place we live and with the people that make this place so great.”

Free parking for all events will be available in the Joe Carter Lot, located behind right field at the northeast corner of Reno and Joe Carter Avenues. Due to construction, those parking in the Joe Carter Lot must enter from Reno Ave.

The Oklahoma City Dodgers open the 2017 season Thursday, April 6 against the Iowa Cubs at 7:05 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. For more information about Fan Fest or the 2017 OKC Dodgers season, visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-1000.

Sky Sox and Domino’s Announce Charity Spotlight

The Sky Sox are proud to announce that they will be partnering with Domino’s to showcase local charities in Colorado Springs during the 2017 season. The joint venture, named the “Charity Spotlight”, is designed to help charities in the Colorado Springs area who are working harder than ever to meet budgets to support the ever increasing demand for their services. Domino’s will provide these charities with an opportunity to market themselves and raise awareness for their causes at Security Service Field during the 2017 Sky Sox season free of charge.

“At Domino’s, we recognize the importance of the many charities here in Colorado Springs and we are proud to once again team up with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox to spotlight local non-profits while providing them with a night of fun at the ballpark”, said Domino’s Franchisee Craig Williams.

Throughout the season, Domino’s will provide 30 charities with the following marketing package at one of 30 individual Sky Sox home games:

  1. A marketing table in the main concourse to showcase their organization
  2. Four tickets to the game, parking & two medium Domino’s pizzas
  3. Public address announcement and live in-game scoreboard recognition
  4. A ceremonial first pitch
  5. On-air interview during the Sky Sox broadcast on AM 1300 “The Animal”

Spots for the Charity Spotlight will be filling up quickly so please call Tricia Metzger at 719-304-5612 for additional assistance. Any charity wishing to be considered for the “Charity Spotlight” must download the form linked here, and email the completed form to Tricia Metzger at tmetzger@skysox.com.

“The Sky Sox are proud to continue this partnership with Domino’s while assisting area non-profit organizations with their marketing efforts”, said Sky Sox President and General Manager Tony Ensor. “Colorado charities survive on bringing awareness to their organizations and the services they provide. Our local Colorado Springs charities are an integral part of this community and we are proud to lend a helping hand in their effort.”

The 30th season of Sky Sox Baseball begins April 6, 2017. For information about the Sky Sox and the 2017 season at Security Service Field, please call (719) 597-1449 or email info@skysox.com. Get the latest Sky Sox news on Facebook or follow the team on Twitter at @skysox.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Helping Hands: 2016 Power Donation Review

The annual Trick-or-Treat at Appalachian Power Park saw record attendance in 2016 with over 3,000 in attendance for the free event.

CHARLESTON, WV (February 16, 2017) – The West Virginia Power strive to build stronger relationships within the Kanawha Valley and surrounding communities. During the 2016 calendar year, the Power made donations totaling $93,800 through monetary, stadium events at Appalachian Power Park and in-kind contributions.

 

“We believe it is important to support the people in the community who support us,” said Ken Fogel, the Executive Vice President of the West Virginia Power. “We have the unique opportunity to work with a captive audience at the ballpark during the season and also help organizations raise funds through their own events.”

 

The most sizable donation was made to the American Red Cross in September. In response to the June floods, the Power worked with fans, vendors, sponsorship partners and the Pittsburgh Pirates to raise $51,115 for relief efforts. The club also made financial donations to a variety of charitable efforts like Thomas Health System’s Keys for Healthy Kids. Walks, charity functions and similar events are held at Appalachian Power Park each year, including the Polar Plunge, benefiting Special Olympics West Virginia, the Alzheimer’s Walk and Autism Awareness Day. The

Power once again hosted the BridgeValley Community and Technical College Pumpkin Drop, where 1,200 students from 38 schools converge through a fun engineering project. The club also hosts an annual trick-or-treat event each Halloween with the 2016 version being the most successful to date.

 

The West Virginia Power also fulfill a multitude of requests for donations throughout the each year. The club has donated items for auctions and raffles to organizations like Charleston Montessori School, Read Aloud WV, FestivALL, and the March of Dimes. The Power donated hundreds of game tickets in 2016, including 285 free tickets to veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Autographed items or merchandise are also popular donation requests and are used in raffles or auctions to raise money for a variety of charities.

 

Charitable organizations interested in receiving items for auctions or raffles must fill out a donation request form, available online by clicking here or submit their written request to the Power front office. For more information, call 304-344-BATS.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Sea Dogs Now Accepting Nominations for William Troubh Community Service Award

Portland, Maine– The Portland Sea Dogs are now accepting nominations for the “William Troubh Community Service Award.” The award recognizes a local citizen who is making a positive impact within the city of Portland. It may be a public employee or private citizen who, through their efforts, makes Portland a great city to live and or work in.

The Sea Dogs established the award to honor Mr. Troubh in April of 2014. Mr. Troubh was a lifelong resident of the city of Portland, who dedicated his life to making Portland a great place to live and work. He served multiple terms on the Portland City Council and was Mayor of the city in 1974 and 1975 and again in 1983 and 1984. Troubh was instrumental in bringing the Portland Sea Dogs to the city in 1994. He also played a major role in the development of the Portland Waterfront, Cumberland County Civic Center and the Portland Ice Arena, now named in his honor. His contributions will be enjoyed by residents and visitors of the city for generations to come.

Additionally, Mr. Troubh was a passionate baseball fan. He stayed involved after his key role in helping to bring the Sea Dogs to Portland, serving as the team’s legal counsel and served six years as President of the Eastern League from 1997 through 2002. On most summer nights Troubh could be found at Hadlock Field enjoying a Sea Dogs game with family and friends. He was inducted into the Portland Sea Dogs Hall of Fame in 2010.

Nominations must be received by Friday, March 17th. Online nomination forms are available at www.seadogs.com. On the nomination form, people will be asked to describe the actions their nominee takes to make Portland a great place to live and work. Nominations may also be mailed to:

Portland Sea Dogs
ATTN: William Troubh Community Service Award
271 Park Avenue
Portland, ME 04102

When submitting a nomination please also include your contact information.

The winner will be announced and honored in a pre-game ceremony on Saturday, May 6th when the Sea Dogs host the Reading Fightin Phils at 1:00 PM at Hadlock Field.

Past winners include John Menario in 2015 and Roger Goodoak from the Maine Maine Homeless Veteran’s Alliance in 2016.

Thunder Eclipse $6,000,000 in Community Engagement in Franchise History

Throughout the 23 years that your Thunder have brought affordable, family-friendly entertainment to the greater Mercer and Bucks County region, the team has engaged in community partnerships and projects to aid people and organizations.

The Thunder are pleased to announce that the team’s, 501(c)(3), Grand Slam We Care Foundation has donated over $6,000,000 in goods, services and monetary donations in its history.

“Since our first game at beautiful ARM & HAMMER Park, we have engaged with non-profit organizations, fundraisers, and community organizations to support those in need,” said Thunder GM/COO Jeff Hurley. “I am thrilled with the programs and intitiatives that we have currently and look forward to our Director of Community Affairs, Vince Marcucci, building on the momentum of this past season to help even more familes and organizations in 2017 and beyond.”

In 2016, the Thunder engaged in more than 20 community related programs such as the NJM Safe at Home Program, PNC First Strikeout, Good Deed Day, HOPE Week, and Group Sales Fundraising to donate more than $400,000 in goods, services and monetary donations. The team also added new initiatives, one with the Vs. Cancer Foundation to raise money for pediatric cancer research and the F.I.E.L.D. Program.

On June 18th, Thunder front office staff members and Thunder players Daniel Camarena, Dietrich Enns, and Jose Rosario shaved their heads to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research through the Vs. Cancer Foundation. The Vs. Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving kids’ lives by empowering athletes and communities to fund lifesaving childhood cancer efforts. Money raised from the event at ARM & HAMMER Park went to national childhood cancer research as well as the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. See photos from the event by clicking here.

The Thunder debuted their F.I.E.L.D. Program on Wednesday, July 20. F.I.E.L.D. is a Thunder initiative that stands for Focused Initiative for Enhanced Learning and Development. The program supports youth baseball in the area and in partnership with Merck, a health care leader worked to help the world be well for 125 years, Thunder front office members and volunteers came together to rebuild the fields at West End Little League in Trenton, NJ. As part of the rebuild, Diamond Pro provided professional infield materials and Finch Services Inc. donated equipment delivery in support of the rebuild. See a video recap of the program by clicking here.

The Thunder’s annual Community Grant Program supports organizations that enhance the educational opportunities and quality of life for children in our surrounding area as well as programs that support the betterment of the local community in general. The Grant Program will disperse $10,000 equally to five different organizations this year. In the five-year history of the program, the Thunder have donated more than $50,000 to grant recipients.

Your Thunder will again take part in many community-related programs during the 2017 season.

Friday, April 21 – F.I.E.L.D. Program. The Thunder will again renovate a Trenton-area Little League.
Saturday, May 20 – Trenton Thunder Treasure Hunt. Take part in the annual scavengar hunt around Bucks and Mercer County for a chance to win a $1,000 cash prize! To sign up to be a sponsor of the Treasure Hunt, click here.
Tuesday, June 6 – Saturday, June 10 – HOPE Week. A New York Yankees initiative that is designed to reach out to remarkable people and organizations who are worthy of recognition for their inspiring actions and support of their communities. HOPE Week stands for Helping Others Perservere and Excel, the Thunder will honor an outstanding organization and take part in outreach programs during each day of the week.
Saturday, August 5 – Good Deed Day. Do good for those in your community by bringing donations to various non-profit organizations at ARM & HAMMER Park.
Tuesday, August 22 – Vs. Cancer. Following that night’s game against the Portland Sea Dogs, Thunder front office members and players will shave their heads to raise money for the Vs. Cancer Foundation and a local research partner.
Wednesday August 23 – Trenton Economic Development Networking Extravaganza. Join the Thunder for a day of networking at the ballpark and enjoy a night visiting some of the brightest night life in the city of Trenton.

The Thunder will also continue to engage in more than 20 community-related programs throughout the 2017 season. For more information on these programs, contact Director of Community Affairs, Vince Marcucci at 609-394-3300 x118 or at VMarcucci@TrentonThunder.com.

The 2017 season, the 24th in franchise history, will begin at ARM & HAMMER Park on April 13 when the Thunder host the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox) at 7:00 p.m. Single game tickets will go on sale in March 2017. For more information on the Thunder, visit www.TrentonThunder.com or call 609-394-3300.

Grasshoppers Step Up to Help GUM Food Pantry

GREENSBORO, N.C. – With less than a week’s supply of food on the shelves, Greensboro Urban Ministry’s executive director turned to the community for help on Monday afternoon. On Wednesday, Greensboro Grasshoppers President and General Manager Donald Moore delivered a home run.

The Hoppers presented Greensboro Urban Ministry (GUM) with a check for $5,000 to purchase needed food items immediately.

“Hunger and food insecurity create a terrible need in our community, and we thought it was the right thing to do to get involved and encourage others to step up so that our neighbors who need food can continue to receive help,” Moore said Wednesday afternoon. “This donation – and the tremendous support it represents – is such a blessing to the households who are counting on food assistance to make ends meet,” said Rev. Myron W. Wilkins, GUM executive director. “We are thankful and grateful for the Grasshoppers’ quick and generous response.”
The Greensboro Grasshoppers are a key partner in GUM and Church World Service’s annual CROP Hunger Walk.

Greensboro Urban Ministry’s Food Pantry is the largest local resource for men, women and families who lack adequate access to food. Requests for assistance continue to increase. In the first 12 business days in January, GUM distributed 49,686 pounds of food through emergency assistance food bags, compared with 59,132 pounds for the entire month of January 2016.

GUM distributed 1,058,152 pounds of food to the community in 2016 through the food pantry and Potter’s House Community Kitchen, which serves lunch daily to anyone in the community who is hungry. The majority of the food, 759,737 pounds, was distributed through the food pantry to men, women and families with children needing food assistance. GUM assisted 38,429 individuals and 20,947 households with food assistance in 2016.

About Greensboro Urban Ministry
Greensboro Urban Ministry, since 1967, has worked to share the love of God with people in need through practical action. The agency’s work centers on several programs: emergency financial and food assistance to help households avoid eviction; shelter for men and women at Weaver House and families at Pathways Center; daily lunch in Potter’s House Community Kitchen; and case management and financial assistance to support men, women and families moving back into permanent housing.

Please learn more about Greensboro Urban Ministry by visiting our website: www.greensborourbanministry.org.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.