Washington – Page 4

Money From Last Homestand Given to Red Cross

August 23, 2012

More than $1,000 to be used to help fire victimes

The Yakima Bears were proud to present the American Red Cross with $1,110 Wednesday. The funds were raised during the team’s most recent homestand to help the victims of the Taylor Bridge Fire in central Washington.

Money was accepted at each of the six games the Bears played from Thursday to Tuesday. There were cups at each concession stand and a bucket near the front gate where fans could drop cash donations. Bears fans also participated in nightly raffles with the winners taking home a variety of jerseys and team-signed baseballs.

“It was exciting to see the response from our fans, who were inspiring with their generosity,” said Bears general manager K.L. Wombacher.

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

Bears to Accept Donations for Fire Victims

August 16, 2012

Fans can donate in a variety of ways

The Yakima Bears have announced that throughout the six-game homestand beginning today the team will be collecting donations for the victims of the Taylor Bridge fire.

“While we can only imagine the hardships suffered by our neighbors in central Washington, we know that with roughly 10,000 people expected to come through Yakima County Stadium over the next six days we can provide an avenue for aid,” said Bears General Manager K.L. Wombacher.

The Bears will have a bucket at the front gate and collection jars at concession stands for all six games. The team will also be holding a raffle for game-worn jerseys and team signed baseballs on a nightly basis. The Bears will give 100% of the funds collected to the Ellensburg Chapter of the American Red Cross to help victims of the fire.

As of Wednesday, it had been reported the fire near Ellensburg and Cle Elum in central Washington had burned approximately 22,000 acres and hundreds of people had been displaced.

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

Rainiers, Union Bank Homer For Kids

August 3, 2012

South Sound organizations help send kids to baseball camp

TACOMA, Wash. — The Tacoma Rainiers and Union Bank have partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound to swing for the fences and send underprivileged youth to baseball camp this summer. For every home run hit by a Rainiers player during home games played from July 12th-August 20th, Union Bank has pledged to donate $50 toward scholarships to the Boys and Girls Club baseball camp held at Cheney Stadium on Tuesday, August 21st. The Rainiers have committed to matching the donation contributed by Union Bank and will give an equal amount dedicated to sponsoring underprivileged youth at this year’s camp.

“Investing in the youth in our communities is a priority for Union Bank, and we are delighted to partner with the Tacoma Rainiers to further strengthen our relationship with Boys and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound,” said Maryetta Williams, Union Bank’s SVP and Regional Manager for the bank’s South Puget Sound branches. “We look forward to seeing you at Cheney Stadium and providing yet another reason to cheer for every home run hit by a Rainiers’ player.”

Along with lunch and a complimentary T-shirt, every participant at this year’s baseball camp will be provided an opportunity to interact with and learn from some of the top players and premium prospects on the Rainiers. Campers will sit in on a team meeting with Tacoma manager Daren Brown before taking part in a variety of baseball drills. An autograph session will be held at the conclusion of the camp.

The following night, Wednesday, August 22nd, every participant at the camp and their families will be treated to a night out at the ballpark as the Rainiers host a 7:05 p.m. contest against the Las Vegas 51s.

For any additional information regarding this year’s camp or to donate a scholarship for a camper, please contact Jinnie Hanson, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Boy and Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, at (253) 502-4618 or by emailing hansonj@bgcsps.org.

To purchase season tickets, group packages or party decks for the 2012 season, please call (253) 752-7707 or email tickets@tacomarainiers.com. Up-to-date news and notes leading up to the season can be found at www.tacomarainiers.com and by following the Rainiers on Twitter or liking the team on Facebook

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

Pitch for the Cure Breast Cancer Walk Returns for 2012

July 24, 2012

SpokaneIndians_2012-07-24 — The 7th Annual Pitch for the Cure raises money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

Spokane, WA – The Spokane Indians announced today that their annual Pitch for the Cure Breast Cancer Walk presented by Mike’s Hard Pink Lemonade will return for 2012 on Saturday, August 25th at Avista Stadium. This marks the seventh consecutive year that the Indians and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation have collaborated on the event, with proceeds benefiting the Eastern Washington Chapter of the Komen Foundation.”The Eastern Washington Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is excited about the Pitch for the Cure,” said Executive Director Claudia Bell. “We appreciate the on-going support of the Spokane Indians, who over the last seven years have raised nearly $20,000 for our mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever.”

Check in for the event is at 5:30 p.m. with the walk set to begin at 6:00 p.m. The one mile, flat walk circles around Avista Stadium before finishing on the field, where the participants will be recognized in a special pre-game ceremony. The game against Salem-Keizer begins at 6:30 p.m. as Spokane players will be wearing special pink jerseys that will be auctioned off to support the cause.

The cost for the walk is $25 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under. Participants receive a technical t-shirt, a donation in their name to the Eastern WA affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and a ticket to the Spokane Indians baseball game that night against Salem-Keizer.

Deadline for registration is Wednesday, August 8th, with a late registration fee of $5. Packet pick-up is scheduled for Friday, August 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Avista Stadium and the day of the walk starting at 5:00 p.m. at Avista Stadium.

In addition to Mike’s Hard Pink Lemonade, supporting sponsors for this year’s Pitch for the Cure include Itron, Pepsi, and Ross Printing. Media sponsors include The Big 99.9 Coyote Country and KXLY 920 AM.

Registration is now open at active.com. For more information about the event, call the Indians at (509) 535-2992 or visit Pitch-For-The-Cure.com.

The Spokane Indians return to Avista Stadium on Friday, July 27th for Ian Kinsler Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Alaska Airlines, KREM-2 TV, 103.1 KCDA, and Out There Monthly. On this highly-anticipated night, the first 1,000 fans and all Banner Bank Diamond Club Members will receive a limited edition bobblehead of former Spokane Indian and current Texas Rangers All-Star Ian Kinsler. Tickets for all Spokane Indians home games are available for purchase at the Indians Ticket Office or at spokaneindians.com. Reserve your seats today by calling (509) 343-OTTO (6886) or TicketsWest at 1-800-325-SEAT.

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

Premera Care-A-Van Provides Smiles and Hope to Local Children

July 17, 2012

Spokane, WA – For over 10 years the Spokane Indians and Premera Blue Cross have teamed up for the Premera Care-A-Van, a program where children in local hospitals receive a visit from OTTO the Mascot and current Indians players. The first of three Care-A-Van visits is today at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Premera Blue Cross and the Indians to bring hope to children at our local hospitals,” said Senior Vice President Otto Klein. “These brave kids are going through a lot and its rewarding for all of us to see smiles on their faces.”

In addition to the visit from players and mascots, the children will receive a Care-A-Van Backpack full of Spokane Indians items courtesy of Premera Blue Cross. The Indians also provide tickets for former patients who have now recovered and are living in the Spokane area.

“I’ll never forget how happy the kids were to see us and how much our visit lifted their spirits,” said former Indians player Brett Nicholas. “I’m glad to see the program will continue in 2012, and that new players will be able to experience what I did.”

The Indians and Premera Blue Cross have three Care-A-Vans planned for this year, including today at Sacred Heart, August 14th at Deaconess Medical Center, and August 21st at Shriners Hospital for Children. All media are invited to attend.

For more information about the Premera Care-A-Van program, please call (509) 535-2922.

Tonight’s game is the second game of a three game series against the Tri-City Dust Devils and is Baseball Hat Giveaway presented by Pepsi, Arby’s, and The Inlander. The first 1,000 fans and all Banner Bank Diamond Club Members will receive a FREE limited edition Spokane Indians Baseball Hat. Also tonight, kids are encouraged to stick around after the game for the Supercuts Post-Game Circle the Bases promotion. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets for all Spokane Indians home games are available for purchase at the Indians Ticket Office or at spokaneindians.com. Reserve your seats today by calling (509) 343-OTTO (6886) or TicketsWest at 1-800-325-SEAT.

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

Saturday is Prostate Cancer Awareness Night

June 29, 2012

All-Star Luis Gonzalez among honored guests

The Yakima Bears will host Prostate Cancer Awareness Night during a 7:05 game against the Tri-City Dust Devils at Yakima County Stadium on Saturday. The event is sponsored by Washington Hematology-Oncology and will feature some special appearances and a fireworks extravaganza.

The Bears parent club, the Arizona Diamondbacks will be sending former Major League All-Star Luis Gonzalez to the game along with team President and CEO Derrick Hall. Gonzalez, whose 19-year Major League career was highlighted by a game-winning hit for the Diamondbacks in game seven of the 2001 World Series, will sign autographs on the concourse from 6:15 to 6:45 that evening. Hall, who has been team president since 2006, will speak to the audience before the game about his own battle with prostate cancer last year.

Following the game, there will be a fireworks show courtesy of the night’s sponsor, Dr. Al Brady of Washington Hematology-Oncology.

Single game tickets are available at the downtown Bears office at 17 N. 3rd Street, Suite 101, by calling (509) 457-5151, and online at yakimabears.com.

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

2012 Itron Champions Program Schools Selected

June 6, 2012

SpokaneIndians_2012-06-06 — The Itron Champions Program donates 250 tickets to schools to encourage hard work in the classroom.

Spokane, WA–The Spokane Indians announced today that Madison Elementary and Logan Elementary have been selected to participate in this year’s Itron Champions Program. Every year, the Itron Champions Program provides two low-income Spokane schools with a visit from OTTO the Mascot and 250 Indians tickets to distribute to their students as a reward for good attendance, hard work, and achievement in the classroom.

“We love bringing the Itron Champions Program to schools and getting kids excited about learning,” said Indians Senior Vice President, Otto Klein. “This is a great opportunity for the Indians to support our local schools and students.”

Logan Elementary will have their assembly on Thursday, June 7th at 1:00 p.m. while Madison Elementary will have their assembly on Monday, June 11th at 2:15 p.m.

“Supporting young people is of great importance to Itron and that is why we are proud to support local students through the Itron Champions Program,” said Diane Vanos, Manager, Community Investment. “Encouraging hard work, good attendance and achievement in the classroom today will help shape the future leaders of tomorrow.”

All media members are invited to attend the assemblies.

The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate for the Texas Rangers. The Indians open the 2012 season on Friday, June 15th against the Vancouver Canadians with Opening Night Fireworks & AAA Magnet Schedule Giveaway presented by Les Schwab Tires, KREM-2 TV, 93.7 The Mountain, and SportsRadio 1510 KGA. Single game tickets for the 2012 season are now available for purchase at the Indians Ticket Office or at spokaneindians.com. Reserve your seats today by calling (509) 343-OTTO (6886).
This article originally appeared on the official website of the Spokane Indians. Click here to view the original story.

2012 Banner Bank Scholarship Winners Announced

June 4, 2012

Spokane, WA–For the seventh consecutive year, Banner Bank and the Spokane Indians have teamed up to reward talented high school seniors with college scholarships. The winners of the $500 awards were announced today and include: Marina DeFrates (North Central), Ben Goodwin (Joel E. Ferris), Marque Jones (Rogers) Emily Korotish (Central Valley), and James Volz (Mead).”Banner Bank is proud to reward these local students for their hard work,” said Kirk Quillin, Banner Bank Senior Vice President. “We enjoy having the chance to help these outstanding students further their education.”

The scholarships were open to any student who attended a high school in Spokane County and were based on achievement in four areas: scholarship, leadership, community involvement, and character.

“This was a phenomenal group of students and it was very difficult to select just five winners,” said Indians Senior Vice President, Otto Klein. “The scholarship program illustrates the Spokane Indians and Banner Bank’s continued commitment to education in our community.”

During the seven-year partnership between Banner Bank and the Spokane Indians, 36 area students have received a total of $18,000 to help fund their college education.

The students and their families will be guests on Wednesday, July 11th for $100 Strikeout Night presented by Banner Bank and Rock 94.5 FM, and will be honored in a pre-game ceremony.