BlueClaws Collecting Nominations to Honor Breast Cancer Survivors

 

JERSEY SHORE, NJ – Breast Cancer Awareness Night, presented by New Jersey Natural Gas, is set for Wednesday, August 4th and the BlueClaws are collecting names of survivors to honor at the game that night.

CLICK HERE and fill out this form to nominate a Breast Cancer survivor for a VIP experience at the the August 4th BlueClaws game.

Additionally, the first 1,500 fans receive a BlueClaws Beach Bag thanks to New Jersey Natural Gas and fireworks will follow the game. This fireworks show is one of just seven remaining shows on the schedule for 2021.

Finally, the night will include a post-game Diamond Dig, where women can go on the field and literally dig for a diamond! Space is limited and fans will be required to sign up at the game.

For tickets to Breast Cancer Awareness Night, click here.

-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-

Spikes Paint the Park Pink on Saturday

 

BOX SCORE/PLAY-BY-PLAY (via PitchAware)

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The State College Spikes and Mount Nittany Health partnered for another successful Paint the Park Pink Night on Saturday night as fans joined the fight against breast cancer and put the spotlight on community health during the Spikes’ 10-3 loss to the Williamsport Crosscutters at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

The festivities began with a Pink Spikes Mask Giveaway for the first 250 fans, with additional masks on sale for $5 apiece inside the Off the Rack Outfitters team store. Part of the proceeds from the mask sales will benefit the Mount Nittany Health Foundation. Fans also held up “I Wear Pink For” signs before the post-game FIREWORKS show to pay homage to family and friends who have fought breast cancer.

The night also spotlighted Mount Nittany Health’s One Thing initiative, challenging fans to commit to one thing this summer that will make a positive impact on their health, with a free gift for joining the initiative at MountNittany.org/onething.

In game action, Spikes (17-23) starter Jason Alvarez did not allow a hit over the first four innings, walking two batters and striking out four before departing the mound. However, the Crosscutters (17-19) took advantage of three State College errors in the fifth inning to take a 3-1 lead, with Steven Nitch’s two-run double serving as the only hit of the frame.

Williamsport then drew six consecutive walks in the eighth inning, followed by a Freddie Matos RBI fielder’s choice and a Dakota Kotowski two-run double to complete a seven-run frame.

Newcomer Darryl Loyd III drove in a run for State College with a single in the eighth, and Brady Brecklin’s sacrifice fly in the same frame completed the scoring.

The Spikes had taken the opening lead of the game in the second when Lukas Cook doubled and scored on Kevin Karstetter’s single one batter later.

Drew Garrett (1-1) took the loss in relief for State College after being charged with three unearned runs on one hit and two walks over an inning of work. Garrett also matched teammate Blake Seigler’s feat of striking out four batters in one inning, doing so in the fifth.

Williamsport reliever Kyle Murphy (1-0) picked up the win in his first appearance with the club, retiring all six batters he faced over two innings, one via strikeout.

Sunday, the Spikes and Crosscutters finish their two-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with a 4:05 p.m. matinee matchup. Right-hander Louis Davenport III (2-1) gets the start on the mound for State College. Williamsport will counter with right-hander Troy Taylor (3-1), who was drafted in the 20th round by the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, but elected to return to the MLB Draft League.

It’s TikTok Night at the ballpark, featuring interactive fun and a new dance to be performed when the Spikes score thanks to the #TokAboutTheSpikes challenge on the Spikes’ account (@statecollegespikes) this past week.

Youngsters can also enjoy a FREE Kids Zone! presented by Friends of Jake Corman on Philipsburg Community Day, and after the game it’s another Kids Run the Bases Home Run Edition.

Plus, it’s Sunday Funday, presented by Bigfoot Country Legends, with $3 hard seltzers from 3-5 p.m. and $3 ice cream sundaes all game long.

Tickets for Sunday’s game, as well as every game remaining on the 2021 home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Ticket Office. Tickets can be purchased by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting the Ticket Office in person from 9 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-gamedays Monday through Friday.

Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Sunday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics, starting with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The game can be viewed worldwide on the *MLB Draft League *streaming platform at MLBDraftLeague.com/streaming, along with the “Listen Live” link on StateCollegeSpikes.com and the *TuneIn Radio *app.

Attendance: 2,948

Time of Game: 3:18

Sea Dogs to Host Yoga in the Outfield on July 24

 

Click here to register

The Portland Sea Dogs are happy to partner with Crisp Studio to present our 5th annual Yoga in the Outfield event on Saturday, July 24th. Take part in a morning yoga class in the outfield at Hadlock Field and enjoy Sea Dogs baseball in the evening!

Bring your own mats and roll them out on the gorgeous green outfield grass for a unique yoga experience.

Gates will open at 8:45 AM for all participants and the class will run from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM. The class will be taught by Crisp Studio instructor Debbie Duryee. This class is also designed to be accessible to yogis of all levels in experience (ages 10+).

Tickets are $20 and include a General Admission ticket to the Sea Dogs game that evening at 6:00 PM. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Maine Children’s Cancer Program.

Please note, this is a BYOM (Bring your own mat) event!

International Yoga Day at Four Winds Field

 

SOUTH BEND, IN – The First Bank Performance Center, in conjunction with the South Bend Cubs, will be hosting yoga at Four Winds Field on Monday, June 21 to help celebrate International Yoga Day.

This event is to help promote health and wellness and the inner peace and balance achieved through mind and body connection. Individuals, families and everyone of all skill level are welcome! International Yoga Day at Four Winds Field will start at 7 p.m. ET, with gates opening at 6 p.m. Tickets for the first-ever yoga session at the ballpark are $25.

Four Winds Field expansive outfield grass is kept in pristine condition throughout the summer and is the perfect location to enjoy outdoor yoga with the community.

Mind Body Movement Instructor and Youth Development Specialist Amanda Alwine will lead the event. Alwine is a strength, flexibility, and mobility trainer with a Master’s Certification in Bioenergetics.

Any Yoga instructors in the region who would like to be involved or bring your group or studio out to the event please contact Amanda Alwine at [email protected].

About the South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs are the Class A-Advanced minor league affiliate of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 33 years, the team has won four Midwest League titles, most recently in 2019, and has captured eight division titles. In 2019, the South Bend Cubs hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game. In June 2017, Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, was voted Best Class A ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest. In 2015 the team was named Ballpark Digest’s Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President’s Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose principal shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill.

Jumbo Shrimp, Hearts 4 Minds to unveil mural on May 30 to raise mental health awareness

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and Hearts 4 Minds, Inc. are excited to create positive change in crafting a community mural designed to bring the entire community of Jacksonville together. The mural is being sponsored by Baptist Health and will be unveiled at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 30 at 121 Financial Ballpark. Its theme touches on the importance of addressing mental health.

The Jumbo Shrimp and Hearts 4 Minds mural will be made up of handprints and will also include a QR code to connect people in Jacksonville to needed resources to address mental health. This original mural will be the first mental health mural in Jacksonville and represents the launch of a broader city-wide campaign to raise awareness about mental health. The mural is a reminder that each person has the power to change in the palm of their own hand.

“The Jumbo Shrimp are proud to be great partners in the launch of this initiative,” said Jumbo Shrimp executive vice president/general manager Harold Craw. “Mental health touches every aspect of our community, and we are proud to do our part to bring access to resources to all of Jacksonville.”

Hearts 4 Minds’ core mission is about saving lives. With Mental Health America reporting that nearly 60 percent of those in the United States are not getting the help they need and stigma being one of the largest barriers to the help, Hearts 4 Minds seeks to connect people in need with mental health providers or a supportive community, partnering with hospitals and medical providers to change the healthcare ecosystem and developing programs that break the stigma of mental illness. Hearts 4 Minds believes that when people normalize the conversation regarding mental health, it can save lives.

“We are very excited for our fans to be included in the unveiling of this beautiful mural at 121 Financial Ballpark,” Jumbo Shrimp Senior Director of Community Engagement Andrea Williams said. “Thank you to Hearts 4 Minds in working with our organization to help inspire positive change, and we cannot wait to see the unveiling on May 30.”

The Jumbo Shrimp host the Durham Bulls at 3:05 p.m. on Sunday, May 30. The mural will be unveiled prior to the game and fans are invited to take pictures and engage on social media in regards to it. Mental health resource partners will also be on-hand that day at 121 Financial Ballpark.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at 121 Financial Ballpark. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League’s Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by general manager Harold Craw. The club added its second Promotional Trophy in three years following the 2019 season. The 2021 season marks the return of Triple-A baseball in Jacksonville. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.

Annual Cutters 5K Race Set for June 12

 

The Williamsport Crosscutters, in partnership with Hope Enterprises, will be holding the Annual Cutters 5K on Saturday, June 12 at Historic Bowman Field sponsored in part by; Hamilton Patriot, Horizon FCU, iHeart Media, Lamar, Muncy Bank & Trust, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, & Woodlands Bank.

The race, through Williamsport’s West End, begins at 9am with registration open at 8am. The course has runners starting outside the ballpark entrance with the final leg taking place inside the stadium. Both runners and walkers are encouraged to take part in the event.

All proceeds benefit the Hope Foundation and Hope’s TeenLink facility. The TeenLink site, located next to the McCall Middle School in Montoursville, is a community-based learning opportunity for local school districts, BLaST IU 17, autism support coordination and Hope individuals.

“Hope Enterprises is honored to once again be the beneficiary of the 2021 Cutters 5k race,” stated Hope’s CEO/President Rob Labatch. “We are blessed to have the support of the Williamsport Crosscutters, as their devotion to the philanthropic needs of our community is truly remarkable.”

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place runners in seven male and female age categories with the first-place runners having the opportunity to throw out ceremonial first pitches at the Williamsport Crosscutters game on June 19. Additionally, prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female walkers. In keeping with
health and safety guidelines, there will not be a Kids Fun Run held in conjunction with the event this year.

Last year’s race was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and this year’s event will follow CDC guidelines including masking during check-in, and post-race awards along with a timed staggered start to assure safety and social distancing.

Cutters Vice-President of Marketing Gabe Sinicropi said, “The Cutters 5K continues to be one of our signature charity events and are thrilled that we can bring it back this year after a year layoff. We are long-time supporters of Hope Enterprises and their mission and are happy to assist in supporting all they do in our community.”

Registration is $20 per person. All participants registering by June 1 are guaranteed a free a race t-shirt. Online registration is available at FalconRaceTiming.com (click on Registration). Entry forms and more information can be found by clicking the link below, or at the Crosscutters offices at Historic Bowman Field. Sponsorship opportunities are also still available.

The 2021 Williamsport Crosscutters home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, May 25 at Historic Bowman Field as the Cutters begin play in the new MLB Draft League. MVP Club Season Ticket Plans and Bonus Book Mini-Plans are now available online at crosscutters.com or by calling (570) 326-3389. Tickets for Opening Night and other select games go on sale to the general public May 10 at 10am and can be ordered online, by phone or in-person at the Cutters Box Office.

CLICK HERE A PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM & FOR MORE CUTTERS 5K INFO!

Johnny TinCap Joins Fight Against Breast Cancer, Teams with Rival

 

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Fort Wayne TinCaps mascot Johnny TinCap is joining the fight against breast cancer. As part of the American Cancer Society’s “Real Men Wear Pink of Fort Wayne” campaign, Johnny is raising money and awareness to help save lives from breast cancer.

For an added incentive, Johnny is competing against the South Bend Cubs’ mascot, Stu, to see who can raise more money. Johnny and Stu have agreed that whoever comes up short in their challenge will have to wear the opposing team’s gear for a day with proof shared on social media.

Neither Johnny nor Stu could be reached for comment. However, through a team spokesperson, Johnny said, “Everyone knows my favorite colors are TinCaps green and red, but for October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’ll be rocking pink. That’s because breast cancer affects everyone, not just women. The American Cancer Society is helping people take steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer or find it early, when it’s easier to treat. I’m glad my friend Stu is teaming up with me to support this important cause.”

Johnny TinCap is one of 11 Fort Wayne area community leaders fundraising for the American Cancer Society (ACS). Donations will be counted through Nov. 2.

The ACS says it’s in need of help now more than ever. Since February, mammograms have declined by 87%, which can delay an important diagnosis for women. COVID-19 will likely reduce the American Cancer Society’s ability to fund cancer research by 50% in 2020 if current trends continue.

In addition to more than 240,000 women, the ACS notes that thousands of men also are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States every year.

Despite the 2020 Minor League Baseball season being lost, the TinCaps have remained committed to community service. Through “IN This Together” t-shirt sales, the team donated $10,000 to the Parkview Foundations in August as a way of expressing appreciation for healthcare workers during the fight against COVID-19. In a similar fashion, the TinCaps have rallied their fans to donate meals to local healthcare workers. Meanwhile, Parkview Field has also served as a food distribution site for Community Harvest Food Bank and Aging & In-Home Services. The ballpark continues to host other events for non-profits as well.

OKC Dodgers and MidFirst Bank Present “Pack the Park Pink” T-shirt Design Contest

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and MidFirst Bank are calling for submissions to design this season’s “Pack the Park Pink” T-shirt.

The 2020 “Pack the Park Pink” game to benefit Susan G. Komen Oklahoma and promote breast cancer awareness is scheduled for Friday, July 31, when the Dodgers face the Las Vegas Aviators.

The special limited-edition T-shirt will be gifted to all breast cancer survivors attending the game, and it will as be distributed to fans attending the game through the “Pack the Park Pink” group ticket package.

The template for T-shirt design submissions is now available to download at okcdodgers.com/pink. Each T-shirt design can feature two colors, one of which must be pink. There are no limits on the amount of submissions an individual can make, but all submissions must be received by April 3 by uploading them to okcdodgers.com/pink or via email to [email protected].

The winning design will be announced in June. The winner will receive four complimentary tickets to the “Pack the Park Pink” game and will be recognized during an on-field presentation.

“Pack the Park Pink” is an annual tradition between the Dodgers, MidFirst Bank and Susan G. Komen Oklahoma. Unique events will be held throughout the evening and “Pack the Park Pink” will culminate with a pink fireworks show following the game. More details regarding the game will be released in the future.

The Dodgers’ game-worn pink jerseys and hats, in addition to pink bats, breast cancer awareness baseballs and game-used bases will be auctioned off throughout the night to benefit Susan G. Komen Oklahoma. The mission of Susan G. Komen Oklahoma is “to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.”

A special “Pack the Park Pink” ticket package is currently available for purchase starting at $12 per person for groups of 10 or more and includes the new T-shirt and a pink Dodgers hat.
Other season ticket packages and group outings for the 2020 season are currently on sale. For more information, call (405) 218-2182 or visit okcdodgers.com.

 

Honor a Loved One who has Battled Breast Cancer this Mother’s Day

 

(Reading, PA) – The Reading Fightin Phils will honor those who have battled breast cancer this Mother’s Day, when Fightins players and coaches will wear custom jerseys featuring the names of people who have fought the disease.

Fans can purchase a special ticket package and have the name of a loved one who has been afflicted with breast cancer represented on the back of a Fightin Phils jersey for no additional cost. Each Fightins player will be wearing one of these custom pink Breast Cancer Awareness jerseys during the game.

This opportunity is available to the first 25 groups who purchase 20 or more tickets to the May 10th Mother’s Day game at FirstEnergy Stadium.

A special post-game jersey exchange will take place, where the the 25 honorees or their families will receive their individual game-worn jersey from the R-Phils player or coach on the field.

First pitch on Mother’s Day is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. when the Fightins host the Harrisburg Senators. The day will also feature a Mother’s Day PINK Out, with all fans encouraged to wear pink. The first 1,500 women in attendance will receive a PINK Out for Breast Cancer giveaway, thanks to Reading Hospital McGlinn Cancer Institute.

Groups are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible, as this opportunity is limited to only 25 honorees. For ticket information, and to book a group outing for the chance to honor a loved one, call or text 610-370-BALL, email Nick Mayer at nmayer@fightins.com, or submit an online reservation at https://www.milb.com/reading/forms/mothers_day.

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

Fifth Third Field to Host Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Oct. 19

 

DAYTON, OHIO – The 2019 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk will take place at Fifth Third Field on Saturday, October 19. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a rolling start from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

This event is part of a national fundraising effort. In 2019 alone, over 1 million walkers across the country collected more than $60 million to help fight this disease.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and it is estimated that over 40,000 lives will be lost to breast cancer in 2019. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women (excluding skin cancer) and second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in women.

You can help win the fight. The walk and donations go directly to the support, transportation, recovery, and other needs that arise with the diagnosis of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society also invests in groundbreaking breast cancer research to better understand, prevent, find, and treat the disease.

The Dragons website, www.daytondragons.com, and all Dragons social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) will remain pink for the month of October to help draw attention to the efforts by Kettering Health Network to increase breast cancer awareness in the Miami Valley.

To register for the walk and get more information, please visit www.makingstrideswalk.org/Dayton.

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

Dragons Website Going Pink in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

DAYTON, OHIO – The Dayton Dragons have gone pink during the month of October. In partnership with Kettering Health Network, the Dragons have turned their website pink to raise breast cancer awareness and support the upcoming Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

The Dragons website, www.daytondragons.com, and all Dragons social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) will remain pink for the month of October to help draw attention to the efforts by Kettering Health Network to increase breast cancer awareness in the Miami Valley.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and it is estimated that over 40,000 lives will be lost to breast cancer in 2019. And while the breast cancer diagnosis rate has increased, there has been a steady drop in the overall breast cancer death rate since the early 1990’s.

You can help win the fight. The walk and donations go directly to the support, transportation, recovery, and other needs that arise with the diagnosis of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society also invests in groundbreaking breast cancer research to better understand, prevent, find, and treat the disease.

The 2019 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will be at Fifth Third Field on October 19 starting at 8:30 a.m. This event is part of a national fundraising effort. In 2019 alone, over 1 million walkers across the country collected more than $60 million to help fight this disease. To register for the walk and get more information, please visit www.makingstrideswalk.org/Dayton.

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

Chukars Celebrating Jerseys For Charity Program

 

Idaho Falls, ID – The Idaho Falls Chukars at 4 PM on Friday will be presenting the funds raised by the Jerseys For Charity program inside the front office at Melaleuca Field. This year the Chukars donned six different special jerseys in support of community charities.

The East Idaho Public Health Department Mammogram Voucher Program, EIRMC Auxiliary, the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket, Mountain View Charity, the John L Scott Foundation, YMCA STEM Scholarship Fund, Haven, and City of Refuge are the programs supported by the money raised from these jerseys. These programs are sponsored by East Idaho Regional Medical Center, Idaho Potato Commission, Teton Cancer Institute, John L Scott Real Estate, Elevation Labs and the International Institute of Massage Therapy respectively. Representatives from these charities will be at Melaleuca Field to collect the money raised by the jersey auctions for their specific charities.

Following the presentation, members of the Chukars front office will head over to Buffalo Wild Wings at Snake River Landing to display the Pioneer League Championship Trophy. Fans can take a photo with the trophy from 5-7 PM and there will be order forms available for 2019 Pioneer League Championship T-Shirts.

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

Breast Cancer Awareness Night a Home Run

The BlueClaws hosted Breast Cancer Awareness Night in conjunction with the American Cancer Society on Thursday night.

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LAKEWOOD, NJ – The BlueClaws and the American Cancer Society partnered on a successful Breast Cancer Awareness Night on Thursday at FirstEnergy Park. The event raised money through jersey and hat sales and included special ceremonies honoring survivors.

BlueClaws players and coaches wore special pink jerseys and caps that were auctioned off to benefit the American Cancer Society, netting almost $4,000.

There are a limited number of fitted hats and adjustable hats that are still available in the Claws Cove. All proceeds from these caps will benefit the American Cancer Society. These hats can be purchased online (fitted, adjustable).

PHOTO GALLERY – Click here to view a photo gallery.

“The American Cancer Society was thrilled to partner with the BlueClaws in helping to raise both money and awareness at the game on Thursday,” said Jennifer Lefthand, Senior Manager of Community Development for the American Cancer Society. “It was a special night, attended by many cancer survivors and we look forward to more events like this in the future.”

Video: Breast Cancer Awareness Night

Additionally, the BlueClaws honored several breast cancer survivors on the field before the game. These honorees were selected from a group of nominees submitted over the previous weeks through BlueClaws.com.

The crowd of 7,986 was the team’s third largest of the season and marked the 18th sell-out crowd of 2019.

The BlueClaws won the game 3-2 on a two-run walk-off home run by Ben Pelletier in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. The BlueClaws have fireworks following games on August 16th, 17th, and 29th with the home schedule running through August 29th. Tickets are available by calling 732-901-7000 option 2 or online at BlueClaws.com.

– BlueClaws –

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

Rockies Partner With Community Hospital For 2019 Jerseys

The Grand Junction Rockies are partnering up once again with Community Hospital for a 2019 jersey auction. This year’s theme is Breast Cancer Awareness. Fans can purchase space for the name of a loved one who is battling or has battled breast cancer. The signatures and names will be placed on the GJ Rockies players’ pink jerseys that will be worn Saturday, June 29, 2019 for Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Community Hospital’s Grand Valley Oncology. After the game, the jerseys will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to Grand Valley Oncology. Each name space is available for puchase at $20 each and will include four reserved tickets to the game on Saturday, June 29, 2019. More information is available by calling the Grand Junction Rockies at 970-255-7625. The deadline to purchase the name spaces is April 30th or until the name spaces are full.

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

13th Annual Hot Stove Banquet to Benefit NAMI

The Williamsport Crosscutters 13th Annual Hot Stove Banquet will be held on Wednesday, January 16 in the Grand Ballroom of the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport. The event is presented in part by Panda Patriot Power, River Valley Transit, WRAK 1400AM, and the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.

A portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of North Central PA is very excited and honored to be selected as the beneficiary of the Hot Stove Banquet charity funds,” stated NAMI chairperson Carol Sides. “We will utilize the donation towards educational opportunities for our community on mental health awareness, suicide prevention and suicide awareness.”

Guests at this year’s event include former Phillies outfielder Gary “Sarge” Matthews, ESPN baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian and from the Academy Award nominated movie “Field of Dreams”, actor Dwier Brown.

Matthews, a first round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants in 1968, hit .281 in his 16-year major league career with 234 home runs and 978 RBI’s. Matthews was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1973 with the San Francisco Giants and the MVP of the National League Championship Series in 1983 with the Phillies. After his playing and coaching career, he was a popular broadcaster for the Phillies from 2007-2013.

Kurkjian has covered baseball since 1978 and has been a baseball writer, reporter, analyst and host at ESPN since 1998. He has been a regular on Baseball Tonight and Sportscenter. Kurkjian has been part of ESPN’s coverage of the MLB Little League Classic the last two years at Williamsport’s BB&T Ballpark.

Brown, an actor for 37 years, has appeared in hundreds of films, plays and televisions shows, but it was his role as Kevin Costner’s father, John Kinsella, in “Field of Dreams” that changed his life.

The evening will consist of a full-course dinner, live and silent auctions of sports memorabilia along with interviews and question and answer segments with the special guests. Additionally, Brown will speak about the making of “Field of Dreams” and the special bond between fathers, sons and the game of baseball. Other highlights of the event include the inductions of the latest members to the Bowman Field Hall of Fame and the Lycoming County Sports Walk. Those inductees are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The ballroom doors open at 5:30 PM with the dinner and entertainment portion of the event kicking off at 6:30 PM. An autograph session will take place at the close of evening.

Tickets are $59 per person and can be purchased by calling the Cutters offices at (570) 326-3389 or ordering online at the link below. This event is a virtual sell-out every year, so fans are encouraged to purchase tickets now. Reserved seating is assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis as tickets are ordered. Business sponsorships for the event are also available.
Tickets – Order Now!

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