BlueClaws Charities Announces 2019 Grant Recipients

 

BlueClaws Charities raises money throughout the year across various platforms such as special fundraising events like their Nine & Dine charity golf outing, BlueClaws jersey auctions, a nightly 50/50 raffle that is held at home games. At the conclusion of the season, money raised is distributed through a grant application process.

“We are very proud to support these outstanding Community Partner organizations,” said BlueClaws Charities Executive Director Jim DeAngelis. “Not only are these groups on the ground helping the underserved in our communities, but we are pleased that all grant money stays local here in Ocean & Monmouth Counties.”

Find the organizations and grant descriptions below:

American Cancer Society – To help fund rides to treatment for cancer patients, a free place to stay when a patient needs to travel for treatment, as well as free wigs for patients.

ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia – To help subsidize our Care Services Program that offers programs and services to families living with ALS at no cost and who live in the surrounding communities of BlueClaws Charities.

Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter – To support youth in our area who are experiencing Alzheimer’s in their family.

The Arc, Ocean County Chapter – To support the general operating budget of the agency in order to continue to provide and support 1,500 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Ashley Lauren Foundation – To assist children with cancer and their families through direct family financial assistance.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County – To fund current community mentorship programs.

Jersey Shore Council, Boy Scouts of America – To provide direct support to our Scoutreach (youth at risk) Cub Scout pack at the Clark Elementary School in Lakewood, New Jersey.

Brodie Fund – To financially assist families with pets fighting cancer.

Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey – To help defray the cost of criminal background checks completed on all volunteers prior to assignments.

David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation – To provide direct financial aid to New Jersey families affected by cancer during the holiday season.

Dottie’s House – To offset the cost of a backflow repair at the facility.

Easterseals New Jersey – To ensure the continuation of employment services programs featuring skills evaluation, resume building, interview skills in addition to placing our participants into jobs within the community.

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore – To purchase a storage shed to allow the robotics team to store their robot and its components.

Go4theGoal – To support our Kart 4 Kids program in local hospitals that will bring smiles to kids battling cancer.

Guidinglight House Inc. – Fund housing and program services to female veterans transitioning out of the military.

HABcore Inc. – To help fund the supportive services program component of HABcore’s Rapid Re-Housing Program in Ocean County.

JAR of Hope – To bring awareness directed to finding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

JF Party Dragon – To purchase food for those in need in Ocean County.

Kids Need More – To enhance the lives of children, families, and young adults coping with cancer and life-threatening illness.

LADACIN Network – To support our Child Care and Preschool program which integrates children with and without disabilities.

Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski Memorial Fund – To assist our organization in its mission of aiding and assisting our wounded warriors and their families.

Mya Lin Terry Foundation – To support our Friends of Michael Campaign, sibling support of oncology children.

NJ TEARS Foundation – To provide assistance to families who have lost a child due to pregnancy or infant loss or sudden loss of a school-aged child in New Jersey with programs offered through our Center for Child Loss in Wall.

Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity – To support elderly neighbors in their progressing age and the infirmities that often come with it by providing safety-related maintenance (such as grab bars and wheelchair ramps) and other home repairs necessary to alleviate structural violations, serious health issues, and code violations.

Ocean County Family Support Organization – To offset the costs of trips for our Youth Partnership Program.

Ocean County Shrine Club – To purchase surgical hardware to scoliosis patients at Shriners Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, specifically, metal instrumentation including, but not limited to, surgical rods and cages used in spinal fusion implant procedures to straighten severe curvatures.

Ocean’s Harbor House – To provide housing for homeless, abused, neglected, and tossaway youth between the ages of 16 and 21, serving Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Ocean Partnership for Children – To provide emergency fund for youth and famliies for immediate needs that cannot be secured at no cost or covered by Medicad or flex funds.

Piece of the Puzzle – To expand our special education curriculum for students with autism and developmental disabilities.

Parents of Autistic Children – To provide a challenger sports league designed to offer a socialization opportunity, through athletic participation, between disabled students and their typically developing peers.

Probation Association of New Jersey Education Fund – To foster and enhance educational/training opportunities for members of PA/NJ through the operation of an annual training conference.

Raising Hope for Others, Inc. – To offset costs of their August fundraiser.

RJM Sportsgroup – To provide support for students in the Jackson school districts with scholarships.

Salvation Army of Ocean County – To support our weekly soup kitchen, which serves 50-100 meals per week.

Seabrook Village – To support the Library at Seabrook Village.

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide – To support our Ocean County Youth Wellness Summit. This summit is specifically designed to provide students, school administrators, and school staff with the necessary resources needed to encourage and support overall wellness, including the prevention of teen suicide and other upstream prevention measures.

Tom Giannattasio Jr. Memorial Fund – To provide scholarships for graduating high school seniors.

United Way of Monmouth & Ocean Counties – To purchase warm clothing for lower-income children.

USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey – To provide funding for 2020 activities and events in support of the annual Month of the Military Child Celebrations throughout April.

BlueClaws Charities unveiled their 2019 Community Impact Report earlier this week. You can view the report by clicking here.

BlueClaws Charities is the official 501c3 of the Lakewood BlueClaws. The organization supports its Community Partners in Monmouth and Ocean Counties with cash grants and other organizations with in-kind donations throughout the year.

The Lakewood BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable, family entertainment. BlueClaws ticket packages and group outings are currently on sale by calling 732-901-7000 option 3 or online at BlueClaws.com. Opening Night of the 2020 season is on Thursday, April 16th.

– BlueClaws –

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

Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team Coming to Neuroscience Group Field on September 3

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team will play a pair of games at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Sunday, September 3. The contests, presented by Scheels, will raise money to send young amputee children to a life changing camp, fund important amputee related medical research, provide medical equipment to veterans, and allow America’s favorite team to compete, inspire and educate children, veterans and families all around the country.

The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team™ (WWAST) is a 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is to inspire and educate others while enhancing the health and welfare of Wounded Warrior Amputees. They are not affiliated with other Wounded Warriors charities. Since the inception of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, over 85% of their donations have supported programs helping Wounded Warrior Amputees, amputee children, and medical research.

The WWAST is comprised of young, competitive, athletic veterans and active duty soldiers who have lost limbs. The team includes individuals with a variety of amputations – of the arm, above knee, below knee, bilateral below knee, and foot. Their goal is to support and honor our soldiers and veterans sacrifices, and to show other amputees and everyone who sees or hears about us that life without a limb is limitless.

“We look forward to hosting the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team at the ballpark,” said Aaron Hahn, Vice President of the Timber Rattlers. “This is going to be a great event for the community and our fans.”

The first game on September 3 is a seven-inning game between the WWAST and Screwballs Bar. It will start at 10:30am. The second game of the doubleheader will be a seven-inning game that pits the WWAST against a team of area celebrities, including former Green Bay Packers Bill Schroeder and Chris Samp; former Milwaukee Brewers Don August, Larry Hisle, and Paul Wagner; FOX 11 sports reporters Josh Moser and Dylan Scott; Super Bowl Champion and Shiocton native Clint Kriewaldt; former MLB pitcher and Milwaukee native Jack Taschner; and members of the USA softball teams.

The WWAST players will sign autographs after the second game on September 3.

Fans can meet the players before September 3 in a pair of appearances at the Scheels in the Fox River Mall in August and again on September 2. Contact the store for more information and times.

Tickets for the game are available now! They are $10 for box, bleacher, or grass seats and are available in one of the following ways: Over the phone at 800-WI-TIMBER or (920) 733-4152; in person at the Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium Box Office; or through the internet at on the Timber Rattlers ticket page.

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.

Sky Sox Host Heroes Classic Batting Practice

On a beautiful afternoon at Security Service Field, batting practice was in full swing. The crack of the bat filled the air as baseballs from the Colorado Springs coaching staff flew through the high altitude.

It was the beginning of another home game for the Sky Sox, but the top Brewers prospects weren’t in the cages this time around.

Instead, members of the Colorado Springs service community stood in the batter’s box, as representatives of the Colorado Springs Police Department, Colorado Springs Fire Department and the Colorado Springs chapter of the Wounded Warriors Project gathered to help kick off the 2017 Heroes Classic.

“It’s always fun to meet people that protect and serve our country,” said Sky Sox Manager Rick Sweet. “Any time I get an opportunity to spend time with these people and for my players to spend quality time with these people is always a great for them and for us.”

The annual batting practice was part of the Heroes Classic schedule, which aims to raise money and support for the men and women of the Colorado Springs community that choose to protect and serve the freedom and rights both at home and abroad.

“It’s an honor to serve the citizens of Colorado Springs and be able to do the things that I do,” said CSFD’s Ryan Pighetti, a 10-year firefighter at Station 17. “Being recognized for something like this is just icing on the cake. I have service inside of me and that’s why I do what I do.”

Pighetti and many others from across the three organizations had the opportunity to step onto the field and interact with players who share common values of hard work, determination, camaraderie and sacrifice.

“We talked about the camaraderie between the fire department, between their teammates, and a lot of it is the same,” said Pighetti. “These guys have put just as much hard work and determination into their career as I’ve put into my career to get to where we’ve ended up to this point.”

“It’s incredible when our warriors and their family members can come out on the field with professional baseball players and take some swings in the batting cages,” said Greg Monck, Alumni Manager for the Colorado Springs chapter of the Wounded Warrior Project. “It’s an awesome time for them and it helps get them out of the house and hang out with their families.”

For the Sox, an event such as the Heroes Classic batting practice allows the team to show gratitude for those who allow them to play their favorite game.

“For the players, it gives them a chance to touch base with people that allow us to have fun playing the sport that we get to play,” said Sweet. “It’s because of our warriors and the police and fire departments that we have the freedom to play baseball.”

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

River Cats set to salute Armed Forces during homestand

The Sacramento River Cats are back for a four-game homestand against the Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks) starting Saturday, May 6. The homestand may be brief, but includes the annual fan-favorite Salute to Armed Forces celebration as well as the return of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST) for a special softball match against the Sacramento All-Stars.

Saturday, May 6 – River Cats vs. Reno Aces

  • WWAST: The Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team will take on the Sacramento All-Stars at 3:30 pm. Tickets for tonight’s River Cats game also include the exhibition softball game. Gates open at 3 pm.
  • Game Time: First pitch for the River Cats game is at 7:05 p.m. Raley Field gates will open to all fans at 3 p.m.
  • Broadcast: Today’s game will be broadcast live online at rivercats.com and on River Cats radio affiliate ESPN 1320.
  • Salute to Armed Forces: The celebration will include a flyover, National Anthem by Band of the Golden West (Travis AFB), and a special recognition of a WWII veteran who survived Pearl Harbor.
  • Armed Forces Specialty Jerseys: The River Cats will take the field in specialty jerseys which feature images of local active and retired service members, all submitted by fans. These game-worn jerseys will be available via auction and all proceeds will benefit Women’s Veterans Alliance
  • Saturday Night Fireworks: Enjoy themed fireworks shows after every Saturday game, courtesy of Sutter Health.

Sunday, May 7 – River Cats vs. Reno Aces

  • Game Time: First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. Raley Field gates will open to all fans at 11 am.
  • Broadcast: Tonight’s game will be broadcast live online at rivercats.com and on River Cats radio affiliate ESPN 1320.
  • Sunday Funday: K-LOVE Sunday Funday features pregame player autographs, face painters, and Kids Run the Bases after the game.
  • Little League Day: Pregame Little League parade presented by California Family Fitness.

Monday, May 8 – River Cats vs. Reno Aces

  • Game Time: First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Raley Field gates will open to all fans at 6 p.m.
  • Broadcast: Tonight’s game will be broadcast live online at rivercats.com and on River Cats radio affiliate ESPN 1320.
  • Baseball Bingo Monday: Each play on the field corresponds to a square on your Bingo card, presented by Cache Creek Casino Resort.

Tuesday, May 9 – River Cats vs. Reno Aces

  • Game Time: First pitch is at 12:05 p.m. Raley Field gates will open to all fans at 9:30 a.m.
  • Broadcast: Today’s game will be broadcast live online at rivercats.com.
  • Toyota Family Value Tuesdays: Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and ice cream cups every Tuesday, presented by Toyota.
  • AAA School Day: Students from across the Sacramento Region can enjoy a pregame AAA Assembly, courtesy of the Division of Boating and Waterways.

Tickets are still available for all games and can be purchased online at rivercats.com or over the phone by calling (916) 371-HITS (4487) or by visiting the Round Table Pizza Ticket Office at Raley Field.

***

The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the three-time World Champion San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. River Cats Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the 2017 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). For more information about the River Cats, visit www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.

– CLAWS UP –

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

Wounded Warriors return to Raley Field this weekend

The Sacramento River Cats are honored to welcome the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST) to Raley Field this Saturday, May 6. The WWAST will take on the Sacramento All-Stars at 3:30 p.m. in Game One of a Raley Field doubleheader. The River Cats will then host the division rival Reno Aces at 7:05 p.m. for Salute to Armed Forces

This is the second time the WWAST will take the field here in West Sacramento after making their Raley Field debut in July of 2015. They’ll take on the Sacramento All-Stars, a team composed of local personalities and celebrities, including KCRA sports anchor Michelle Dapper and former NFL player Adrian Ross.

The WWAST is made up of brave men and women, both veterans and active duty soldiers, from four of the five service branches, who have sustained injuries resulting in amputation. Through extensive rehabilitation, they have become competitive athletes again, playing against able-bodied teams in competitive, celebrity, and exhibition games across the country.

In addition to functioning as an outlet for veterans and active duty soldiers to compete athletically, the WWAST uses these cross-country games to raise funds for the WWAST Kids Camp, medical research, and rehabilitation equipment. Now in its fifth year, the WWAST Kids Camp seeks to empower young boys and girls with amputations. The camps are led by WWAST players who work as coaches and mentors, helping teach not just softball skills, but more importantly life skills as well.

The WWAST game is proudly presented by Aerojet Rocketdyne, Wells Fargo, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Securitas, Roebbelen, and Safe Credit Union. KCRA is also a presenting member of Saturday’s game.

Following the WWAST/Sacramento All-Stars game, the River Cats will host the Reno Aces in game one of a four-game set. First pitch for part two of the doubleheader is set for 7:05 p.m. with gates to open at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets for the doubleheader are available now and can be purchased by visiting rivercats.com/tickets or calling the River Cats ticket line at (916) 371-HITS (4487).

***

The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A affiliate of the three-time World Champion San Francisco Giants. The team plays at Raley Field in West Sacramento, consistently voted one of the top ballparks in America. River Cats Season Tickets, Mini-Plans, and Flex Plans can be purchased for the 2017 season by calling the River Cats Ticket Hotline at (916) 371-HITS (4487). For more information about the River Cats, visit www.rivercats.com. For information on other events at Raley Field, visit www.raleyfield.com.

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

Photo submission for Salute to Armed Forces specialty jersey

The Sacramento River Cats will host their annual Salute to Armed Forces Night on Saturday, May 6th when they take on the Reno Aces at Raley Field.

If you or a loved one has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, or know someone who is currently serving, please submit your photo to the “Salute to Armed Forces Jersey Submission” tab by clicking here.

Selected photos will be featured on specialty jerseys worn by River Cats players and will be auctioned off during the game. That night’s game will be proceeded by the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team game, which will conclude a day dedicated to commemorating those who serve.

Fans wishing to submit a photo of a service member must click on the link below and then email the correct contact with a high-resolution (300dpi) photo of the service member in uniform (must be a picture of just them) and a 2-3 sentence description of said person.

If your photo is selected, you will be contacted with information on how you can preorder the jersey. All proceeds will go toward USAA, who proudly serve millions of military members and their families with competitive rates on insurance, banking and investment services.

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

Baseball Dinner Donates Over $127K

In the spirit of the holiday season, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats announced today the proceeds generated by the 2016 Granite State Baseball Dinner, presented by Northeast Delta Dental. Through sponsorship donations, ticket sales, silent and live auctions, and raffle ticket sales, more than $127,000 was donated from the Nov. 19 event to benefit the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD), the Ted Williams Foundation, and the Fisher Cats Foundation.

“We’re honored to host this event every year, and we’re proud of the impact it makes in our community,” said Art Solomon, Fisher Cats owner and Chairman of the Fisher Cats Foundation board. “The work of our Foundation is at the forefront of what we do as an organization, and we’re so thankful for the support of all of the sponsors and fans who make the Baseball Dinner successful each year.”

“On behalf of everyone at CHaD, especially the kids and families we serve, I would like to express our deepest thanks for the wonderful partnership we have with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats,” said Dr. Keith Loud, Director, Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. “The Granite State Baseball Dinner committee, the Fisher Cats staff and the entire Fisher Cats’ organization are truly champions for kids. They make a difference for all the children of our region, but especially those who are sick and injured, and for that we are extremely grateful.”

“This announcement has become a holiday tradition for us, and it means so much to our staff and the entire Fisher Cats family,” said Fisher Cats President Mike Ramshaw. “The Baseball Dinner is the highlight of our offseason. It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to donate to these great charities, and the support of our fans and partners in the community really makes a difference.”

“We are honored to participate in the Granite State Baseball Dinner every year,” said Ted Williams Foundation Executive Director Dave McCarthy. “Through our partnership with the Fisher Cats and CHaD, and the generosity of the sponsors, fans, and athletes, we can further our initiatives to honor and celebrate the game of baseball.”

Since the Fisher Cats became involved with the dinner in 2007, more than $1.5 million has been donated to the three charitable groups.

In addition to the main fundraising efforts of the event, the Fisher Cats and Primary Bank partnered to host a coat drive to benefit New Horizons for New Hampshire. Dinner patrons donated dozens of coats, which will be used by New Horizons to provide warm clothing for those in need during the winter months.

The 2016 dinner featured another unique panel of celebrity guests, including New Hampshire native and Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter and Hall of Famer Wade Boggs. Additional guests included former Red Sox Luis Tiant, Lou Merloni and Rich Gedman, along with pitching greats Denny McLain and Scott McGregor.

Several Granite Staters were also featured at the head table, including minor league infielder Michael Fransoso of Portsmouth and pitchers Carson Cross of Brentwood, and Nashua’s Kevin McGowan.

A group of New England prospects also attended the event, including Alex Powers of Hyannis, Mass. and the Cincinnati Reds farm system, Keene State standout and Orioles prospect Cody Dube, and former St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Dover, N.H.) star Ryan McKenna, who Baltimore drafted in the fourth round last year.

The Fisher Cats were honored to host two members of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, Brian Gentilotti and Matthew Pennington, as well as 2012 Paralympic gold medalist Victoria Arlen of Exeter.

The dinner tradition will continue in 2017 on Saturday, Nov. 19.

The Fisher Cats open the 2017 season on Thursday, April 6, versus the recently renamed Binghamton Rumble Ponies (AA-New York Mets). On July 12, the team will host the 2017 Northeast Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star Classic at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium featuring the top prospects from each of the league’s 12 teams.

Fisher Cats full and half-season tickets are available now and feature a wide variety of benefits, including reserved seating for the 2017 Northeast Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star Classic, up to $100 in Fisher Cash, access to exclusive events like on-field batting practice, team autograph signings and more. Visit nhfishercats.com for more information.

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

RiverDogs Honored with Inaugural Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award from MiLB

CHARLESTON, SC – With a vibrant military community right in their backyard, the Charleston RiverDogs have consistently expressed their gratitude to the service men and women in the Lowcountry. Through their continued efforts, the RiverDogs have been awarded the inaugural Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award recognizing an individual or club for its outstanding support of the military branches and engagement with veterans as announced by the Minor League Baseball office.

As the South Atlantic League’s nominee for the newly minted award, the RiverDogs continued to go beyond paying their respects to the Lowcountry’s strong military family in 2016. The club hosted three Military Appreciation nights during the season where all active and retired service members enjoyed complementary tickets. The club also continued their support of the Wounded Warrior Corps on “Red Shirt Fridays” where fans wore red in their support of the military along with a portion of the ticket proceeds benefitting the nonprofit.

“With the strong military community that we have in Charleston, recognizing both veterans and active service members has always been a focal point for us as an organization,” said RiverDogs President and General Manager Dave Echols. “This award is as much recognition of our efforts as it is to the fantastic support we have had from the Charleston community to show solidarity with our men and women in uniform.”

In addition to hosting several Military Appreciation Nights, the RiverDogs also honored a Military Family of the Game with the featured veteran at each home game receiving complimentary tickets, food, and merchandise along with an in-game recognition of their service.

The RiverDogs were also an instrumental part in the founding of the Palmetto Military Support Group, a civilian organization focused on the backing of the extended military family in the Lowcountry. Echols currently serves as the Vice President on the PMSG board.

“It is exciting to see the RiverDogs nationally recognized for their outstanding support to our military. It comes as no surprise to those of us who serve at Joint Base Charleston who have been the focus of their support. I’m glad to see it recognized by others,” said Colonel Robert Lyman, Commanding Officer of Joint Base Charleston and the 628th Air Base Wing. “The RiverDogs have continuously supported our Joint Base Charleston active duty, reservists, retirees and their families. We are grateful, and excited to see them recognized.”

Service men and were also frequent performers of the National Anthem at The Joe and the club had honorary commander participation to the annual “Citadel Night” where the famed Summerall Guards perform and the Cadet Chorale sings “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Additionally in 2016, the RiverDogs strengthened their ties with the local military community through the hiring of Alfonso Rogers, a recent sport management graduate of The Citadel who previously earned an associate’s degree in Aviation / Airway Management and Operations from the Community College of the Air Force in 2014, as a sales executive. Rogers also served as president of the Student Veterans of America while at the Military College of South Carolina.

The Patriot Award is named in honor of the longtime Florida State League president and U.S. Army veteran who passed away Feb. 21, 2015, at the age of 83. Murphy retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 21 years in the U.S. Army, broke into professional baseball in 1975 and led the Florida State League from 1990 until his passing. He received the Warren Giles Award for outstanding service as a league president in both 2011 and 1991, and the Friends of Baseball Chapel Award in 1994.

RiverDogs season tickets, half-season ticket packages and mini plans are now available for the 2017 campaign. The RiverDogs begin the season on April 6 when they host the Lexington Legends at Joseph P Riley, Jr. Park. Ticket information can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com

–RIVERDOGS–

Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team To Play At Centennial Field August 1st

BURLINGTON, VT – Historic Centennial Field will once again play host to a truly magical event as the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team will play an exhibition against Vermont-based celebrities August 1st, 2015. Made up of Veterans and Active-Duty Soldiers and Marines who have lost a limb(s) in post 9/11 combat, the WWAST tours the country in hopes of raising awareness of the sacrifices of braves soldiers and to show that through extensive training and rehabilitation, that these Soldiers, and others like them, that life without a limb is limitless.

The August 1st event will include an exhibition game with former Major League Pitchers Bill “Spaceman” Lee and Len Whitehouse. Actor, producer, and writer Rusty “The Logger” Dewees, country music star Jamie Lee Thurston, and Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger are also among those scheduled to appear. This has been made possible through support from the Four Aces Family Foundation.

Game time is 6:05 PM with gates opening at Centennial Field at 5:00 PM. All tickets are $5 and will be available at select Jolley locations and at the Vermont Lake Monsters ticket office or by calling (802) 655-6611, starting July 6th. All ticket proceeds will benefit the mission of the WWAST, as well as to the creation of an annual WWAST Kids Camp for children amputees.

For further information, please call the Lake Monsters front office at (802) 655 4200 or visit http://www.woundedwarrioramputeesoftballteam.org

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

Lexington Legends donations top $800,000 for the 2012 season

The Lexington Legends announced donations for the 2012 season totaling $800,629.43 to a variety of non-profit organizations serving Central Kentucky. The Ivy Walls Charitable Giving Foundation Fund at Bluegrass Community Foundation, in cooperation with the Legends and business sponsors, presented checks to organization representatives today in the Kentucky Ale Taproom at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

Ivy Walls Management is a Lexington-based organization that manages the operation of Minor League Baseball teams, including the Legends.

In its 12-year history, the Legends organization has donated more than $11 million to the region.

“It’s a pleasure to work with the representatives of these organizations all year round,” said Legends Director of Community Relations and Special Events Sarah Bosso. “We’re looking forward to another great year in 2013.”

“The Legends have always made community involvement a high priority,” added Legends President/COO Andy Shea. “This event is a nice celebration that brings our business partners together with the organizations that we are proud to support.”

Among organizations receiving funds were:

Autism Society of the Bluegrass: Autism Awareness Night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark was sponsored by Eastern Kentucky University, which purchased special caps worn by Legends players in that night’s game. The caps were auctioned after the game to support the Autism Society.

Boy Scouts of America Bluegrass Council: Sponsored by Windstream, a $25 donation was made to the Boy Scouts for every double or triple by a Legends player during home games.

Bluegrass Military Affairs Coalition (BMAC) Kentucky Wounded Warriors: The Legends supported BMAC with an auction of autographed baseballs and equipment on Military Appreciation Night July 28.

Breast Cancer Research and Awareness: Sleep Outfitters donated five dollars for every strikeout recorded by Legends’ pitchers during home games. The total donated was divided among three organizations: The Pink Connection, which serves breast cancer patients on a personal basis by reducing or eliminating barriers to screening, diagnosis, and treatment; The Markey Cancer Center, established in 1983 as a Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Susan G. Komen For the Cure, the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. The Legends and Sleep Outfitters also hold an annual dinner, with proceeds going to those same three breast cancer charities. In addition, pink jerseys worn by Legends players in that night’s game are sold through a silent auction.

Folds of Honor: For every run the Legends scored at home in 2012, Kentucky Eagle donated $10 to the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides scholarships and other assistance to spouses and dependents of military personnel who were killed or disabled in military operations.

Kentucky Children’s Hospital: For every stolen base by a Legends’ player during a home game, Insight donated $10 to Kentucky Children’s Hospital, which provides advanced care for children, including specialized emergency transport and Level III Care at the Neonatal ICU.

LexArts: LexArts, Lexington’s cultural development, advocacy and fund raising organization, was a beneficiary of the 2012 Whitaker Insurance Group W.I.G. 5K run/walk held at Whitaker Bank Ballpark August 25.

P.A.W.S.: Sponsored by IncrediPet, two “Bark in the Park” nights were held during the 2012 season, on which dog owners were invited to bring their dogs to a Legends game. The “admission” price for dogs was a donation to the Paris Animal Welfare Society (P.A.W.S.)

Salvation Army: The Whitaker Bank Piggy Bank stationed on the concourse gave Legends’ fans an opportunity to make donations to the Salvation Army.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation: The volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers was another beneficiary of the 2012 Whitaker Insurance Group W.I.G. 5K run/walk held at Whitaker Bank Ballpark August 25.

St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Program: At the end of every baseball season, the Legends hold a silent auction for the home jerseys worn during the season with proceeds going to the St. Joseph Hospital Nursing Scholarship Program.

United Way of the Bluegrass: The United Way was the beneficiary of the LexMark Softball Invitational in July. The Legends also worked with United Way on ticket giveaways to United Way donors, listed below.

In-kind donations

The Legends also make substantial in-kind donations throughout the year to many groups and organizations, including a long-standing relationship with United Way of the Bluegrass. Donors to the annual United Way of the Bluegrass campaign receive two free box seat tickets to a Legends home game. In the 2012 season, more than 38,000 box seat tickets were given to United Way donors.

In-kind projects were also associated with YMCA of Central Kentucky, Lexington Clinic, American Diabetes Association, Bluegrass Regional Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board, DanceBlue, a student-run philanthropy at the University of Kentucky, and Hit the Books, a joint effort between the Legends and Chick-Fil-A to encourage Central Kentucky students to read.