A League of Her Own

 

The Fresno Grizzlies are proud to announce a new initiative to support and encourage girls in the sports industry-whether on the field or in the front office. Through the overarching initiative “A League of Her Own,” we aim to provide real and meaningful experiences for girls to participate in sports. The Grizzlies will implement this new mission through three unique programs: Summer Shadow Program, Women in Sports Speaker Series and a Girls’ Baseball Clinic.

This summer, the Fresno Grizzlies will kick off the Summer Shadow Program. This program aims to give young girls a meaningful opportunity to explore their options for a career in the sports industry. There will be two week-long cohorts from June 15-20 and July 13-18. Up to five young women between the ages of 14-18 and who are currently enrolled in high school will be selected for each cohort. The selected participants will rotate through each department within the Fresno Grizzlies’ front office and game day operations. At the end of the week program, each girl will be recognized during a pre-game, on field ceremony. To apply for the program, click here.

Another program that the Grizzlies will kick off this summer is the Women in Sports Speaker Series. The series aims to give young women inspiration to follow their sports dreams through role models already in the industry. The program will take place one Sunday a month, prior to a Grizzlies home game. Speakers will highlight local women who have pioneered a career in the sports industry, whether on-field or in the front office. There will be a free pre-game forum with purchase of any ticket to the game.

Finally, the Grizzlies are partnering with the Visalia Rawhide to provide two back-to-back weekends of Girls’ Clinics for the Central Valley. Both clinics will provide young women with the opportunity to learn baseball fundamentals from each team’s own players. The Grizzlies clinic will highlight keynote speaker Ila Borders; who is the first woman to pitch and win a game on a professional men’s baseball team. The Grizzlies clinic will also be free for young women ages 5 – 12 and will take place Saturday, May 23 from 8 am to 1 pm at Chukchansi Park. To register for the clinic, click here.

The Grizzlies support and encourage all girls and women who aspire to pursue a career in the sports industry to be involved in this new initiative. If you would like to learn more information about the programs listed, please click here.

 

#Growlifornia

 

ABOUT THE FRESNO GRIZZLIES

The Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals, are a member of the 16-team Pacific Coast League (PCL) and one of 30 clubs in the world playing the highest level of Minor League Baseball. The team plays at Chukchansi Park in Downtown Fresno, which is also a year-round community venue, hosting a myriad of other special events beyond Grizzlies’ games, such as concerts, festivals, high school baseball and over 100 non-profit community events every year. The Grizzlies enter the 2020 season – their 23rd in Fresno – on the momentum of the fifth championship in 10 years by their big league affiliate. The team celebrated their own PCL title in 2015.

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

Jumbo Shrimp kick off Negro Leagues Centennial Celebration with High School Heritage Classic

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As part of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp’s salute to Black History Month and the Negro Leagues’ Centennial Celebration, the club is hosting the inaugural High School Heritage Classic exhibition game presented by Rubenstein Law Firm at 11:05 a.m. on Thursday, February 13 between historic Duval County Public Schools rivals William M. Raines High School and Jean Ribault High School at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

Raines and Ribault student-athletes will wear customized Jacksonville Red Caps uniforms in a tribute to the Negro Leagues team that resided in Jacksonville from 1938-42. The exhibition contest, coincides with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s commencement of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Negro Leagues, will also feature historical references to Negro Leagues players and teams throughout the game. The winning team will earn the inaugural A. Philip Randolph Cup, commemorating the civil rights activist who moved to Jacksonville in 1891.

“I am so proud to bring this one-of-a-kind game to celebrate the rich history of the Negro Leagues in Jacksonville and honoring the many Negro Leagues players who laid the foundation for our entire industry,” said Jumbo Shrimp executive vice president/general manager Harold Craw. “I want to thank the students and faculty of both Raines and Ribault High Schools for kicking off the Jumbo Shrimp’s year-long commitment to commemorate the Centennial Celebration of the Negro Leagues. We encourage all fans to learn about the extraordinary Negro Leagues players who complete the history of the sport we all love.”

Tickets for the High School Heritage Classic are $5 for reserved seats and $10 for 121 Financial Crustacean Corner seats and a limited number of seats in the PNC Home Plate Club. They can be purchased in-person at the Jumbo Shrimp box office at 301 A Philip Randolph Blvd or online by clicking here.

UP NEXT: The Jumbo Shrimp’s 2020 Home Opening Day is Wednesday, April 15 against the Biloxi Shuckers at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Season tickets, mini plans and group outings are on sale now. Visit www.jaxshrimp.com or call 904-358-2846 to secure yours today.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. 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. 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.

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

Blanton’s Announced as Sixth Community Leaders Program Partner

 

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Fayetteville Woodpeckers, Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Houston Astros, announced today their heightened partnership with Blanton’s Air, Plumbing, & Electric heading into the upcoming 2020 season. The new agreement includes two pivotal aspects that current and future Woodpeckers fans will enjoy, while promoting the level of dedication to community involvement that fans have come to expect from their hometown baseball team.

Blanton’s has signed on to be the team’s sixth Community Leaders Program Corporate Partner. The program is a part of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers official team charity, The Fayetteville Woodpeckers Fund. The Community Leaders Program works with corporate partners to make a tangible impact on the Greater Fayetteville community with an emphasis in Youth Sports and Military causes. Since its inception in March 2019, the charity has invested over $70,000 in philanthropic efforts. Blanton’s joins Segra, AEVEX, ASUS, Walsingham Group, and CarolinasDentist in this partnership.

“The Blanton’s team is proud and excited to become an official Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing partner of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers,” says Shanna Blanton, Blanton’s Chief Branding Officer. “As Community Leaders, our love and passion for Fayetteville will continue to grow as we enter the 2020 season and beyond.”

Additionally, groups of twenty or more will enjoy the option of celebrating their special occasion in the newly branded Blanton’s Picnic Zone. Featuring upgrades to the current design of the popular Segra Stadium seating location, fans will watch the Woodpeckers play the All-American pastime with their group of family, friends, or coworkers in style. Blanton’s also plans to continue their ‘Very Important Veteran’ campaign they began in 2019 where individuals can nominate local Veterans to attend a Woodpeckers Game in specially marked seating in the ballpark.

“I love seeing a locally-owned company like Blanton’s stand behind our mission of making a tangible impact on the Fayetteville community”, says Chaz Dawson, the Woodpeckers’ Director of Sales. “Blanton’s has supported us since the beginning, making the decision to partner with us even when the stadium was still under construction. I look forward to continuing our partnership and ultimately the impact this will have on our city’s young athletes and military families”

The Woodpeckers open their second season of play against the Frederick Keys on Thursday, April 9th at Segra Stadium.

ABOUT BLANTON’S AIR PLUMBING ELECTRIC
Specializing in heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services since 1951, the Blanton’s Air, Plumbing, & Electric family of highly skilled, home service professionals has been proudly building a tradition of outstanding service. Blanton’s is 100% dedicated to bringing their core values to life through a shared commitment to being kind, doing the right thing, and growing every day. Working this way is what fuels their business to consistently create extraordinary experiences and to do whatever it takes – to wow their customers. For more information, please visit https://www.blantonsair.com/

ABOUT THE HOUSTON ASTROS
The 2017 World Champion Houston Astros have been Houston’s hometown baseball team since 1962, when the Colt .45s first took the field in Colt Stadium. Three years later, the team became the Houston Astros as a tribute to America’s “Space City” and will be entering their 58th season in Major League Baseball. In 2013, the Astros moved to the American League West Division, becoming the first franchise to move from the National League to the American League. The Astros are also the only team in MLB history to have won both an American and National League pennant. For 81 regular season games a year, the Astros can be found on their home field at Minute Maid Park, where families and friends come together to enjoy America’s favorite pastime in one of baseball’s most comfortable and fan-friendly ballparks. In addition to striving for success on the field, the Astros take pride in their local community and are committed to making Houston a better place by honoring our nation’s military, combatting homelessness, aiding in the fight against cancer and supporting youth baseball and softball through the Astros Foundation’s cornerstone programs. For more information on the Astros, please visit www.astros.com.

ABOUT SEGRA STADIUM
Segra Stadium, named a Ballpark Digest ‘Ballpark of the Decade’, is a $40 million state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue is a catalyzing economic development tool that attracts and retains business, provides national exposure, increases civic and community pride, and provides for an improved quality of life for residents. Designed for baseball, concerts, and a host of other activities the venue seats 5,242 for baseball and up to 10,000 for major outdoor events. It features natural grass, a 25×70 LED scoreboard, six luxury suites, four field boxes, a premium club level, outdoor party deck, a kids zone, and more. For more information, please visit www.fayettevillewoodpeckers.com

ABOUT THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.
Fayetteville is proud of its rich role in our nation’s history and holds fast to the friendly feel of a true hometown, while providing the cultural and entertainment amenities of bigger cities. The city boasts sophisticated restaurants, museums, musical and sporting events, and nearby Fort Bragg – the nation’s largest military installation – that solidifies the city’s deep roots in all things military. Fayetteville is the sixth-largest city in the state and home to more than 208,000 residents. For more information, please visit www.fayettevillenc.gov.

ABOUT THE CAROLINA LEAGUE
The Carolina League consists of 10 teams and is within the Class A-Advanced level of Minor League Baseball. Founded in 1945, the Carolina League strives to provide a first-class baseball experience for its players and fans. For more information on the Carolina League, please visit www.carolinaleague.com

– WOODPECKERS –

 

Hooks Roll Out 2020 Spring High School Schedule

 

CORPUS CHRISTI – The full slate of games at Whataburger Field featuring high school baseball teams from the Coastal Bend region was announced Monday.

A total of 14 games are on tap for area schools playing at the home of the Corpus Christi Hooks, including Veterans Memorial (No. 2 in 5A) and reigning TAPPS state semifinalist Incarnate Word Academy as highlights on the schedule.

Tickets for all games are priced at $6.50 for adults, $3.50 for students and free for children under four. Parking at the stadium will be $5.

High school general admission seating goes on sale at the Whataburger Field Box Office each game date at 9 a.m. Make gameday purchases by phone at 361-561-HOOK (4665).

Several of the student-athletes set to play at Whataburger Field were named South Texas Preseason all-stars, who will be honored Thursday, January 30 at the annual Winter Banquet. Tickets to the event, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Ortiz Center, are on sale now.

The 2020 amateur slate at Whataburger Field kicks off with the Kleberg Bank College Classic, set for February 21-23. The tournament features Kansas State, Utah, Missouri and host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

The 16th season of Hooks Baseball begins Thursday, April 9 at Whataburger Field against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Click here to learn more about season memberships.

2020 Whataburger Field High School Schedule

Monday, Feb. 24
Odem vs. West Oso, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 25
Tuloso-Midway vs. Kingsville, 7 p.m.

Monday, March 2
Aransas Pass vs. Ingleside, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, March 3
Moody vs. Miller, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10
Ingleside vs. Rockport-Fulton, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, March 17
Beeville (A.C. Jones) vs. Ingleside, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, March 18
John Paul II vs. Incarnate Word Academy, 7 p.m.

Friday, March 20
John Paul II vs. Gregory-Portland, 7 p.m.

Monday, March 23
Ray vs. Carroll, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, March 24
King vs. Veterans Memorial, 6 p.m.

Friday, March 27
Miller vs. Carroll, 5:30 p.m.
Moody vs. King, 8 p.m.

Monday, March 30
Laredo-Martin vs. Alice, 5:30 p.m.
Veterans Memorial vs. Ray, 8 p.m.

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

Diamond in the Rough program returns in 2020

 

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Jan. 23, 2020) – The Winston-Salem Dash are once again partnering with Flow Chevrolet to hold the 2020 Flow Chevrolet Diamond in the Rough Ballpark Renovation, during which one local baseball field will be selected to win a Major League makeover.

Area Little Leagues and softball leagues may submit videos to the Dash’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram, showing why their field is in need of renovation. Entries will be accepted through February 15th.

The Dash will select a winner to be announced in February. The Dash grounds crew will head to the winning site to refurbish the field later this year. Representatives from the selected field will also be recognized at BB&T Ballpark during a 2020 Dash home game.

In 2014, the Dash and Flow Chevrolet partnered for their inaugural field renovation at South Little League (SLL) in Winston-Salem. Other recipients include Winston-Salem National Little League in, Northwest Forsyth Little League and Parkland High School in. While most fields have received playing surface upgrades, each recipient has had different needs. Tha Dash and Flow Chevrolet aim to address these needs to provide youngsters with opportunities to enjoy our game. The City of Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks WePlay League participants were rewarded last year with a clinic with the Dash players and coaches, tickets and meal vouchers to a Dash game as well as a commemorative t-shirt.

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

JetHawks Hot Stove Banquet Sold Out

Lancaster, CA – The Lancaster JetHawks are excited to announce that the JetHawks Baseball Foundation’s Hot Stove Banquet has sold out for the fourth consecutive year. The Hot Stove Banquet, sponsored by Learn4Life, will be hosted on January 23rd at the University of Antelope Valley Grand Ballroom. There will be a Q&A, live music from Rat Pack Ricky, a silent auction with great items, delicious dinner, and more. Doors open at 5:30 for cocktail hour, with the program beginning at 6:35.

Ramón Vázquez, former JetHawks player, manager and coach, and current Boston Red Sox coach, will be the keynote speaker for the event. Joining Vázquez will be Colorado Rockies prospect, 2017 JetHawks player, and Santa Clarita native Brian Mundell. Both will dive in to more detail about their careers, their teams, and their time with the JetHawks.

Proceeds from the Hot Stove Banquet and the Silent Auction will benefit the JetHawks Baseball League, which in partnership with the Antelope Valley Boys & Girls Clubs will provides over 150 local youth with the opportunity to play baseball on a team right here at The Hangar each summer. The youth are outfitted with jerseys, gloves, hats and helmets, play their games on the same field as the JetHawks, all at no cost to themselves or their families.

The JetHawks 2020 season kicks off on April 9, 2020 against the San Jose Giants. Season tickets and Hawks Packs, as well as group options, are available now by calling the JetHawks offices at 661-726-5400 or visiting jethawks.com.

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

Grizzlies Give Back More Than $1M in 2019

Chukchansi Park thrived in 2019, playing home to more than 135 non-profit events, with a total of nearly 25,000 attendees. The Grizzlies also gave more than $1 million in monetary and in-kind donations, which was the most in Minor League Baseball’s Triple-A Pacific Coast League.

The Fresno Grizzlies take pride in assisting, rewarding and supporting worthwhile causes throughout the Central Valley. In 2019, the Grizzlies and Chukchansi Park were grateful to help out so many individuals and organizations.

“Giving back to the community is in our DNA at the Fresno Grizzlies, and these efforts extend far beyond the baseball diamond,” said Madeline Hamada, Community Engagement Manager. “Grizzlies’ programs and community initiatives are helping fulfill our vision of giving back and making the Central Valley a better place to live.”

Non-profit events held at the ballpark included the Cen Cal Fury softball clinic, the Downtown Academy graduation, the Valley Children’s water safety presentation and the Exceptional Needs Formal. Also, the Fresno American Indian Health Project company retreat, Valley PBS end-of-year awards and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk held their events in the friendly confines of Chukchansi Park.

“The Grizzlies are an integral part of Downtown Fresno and we are so thankful for the team’s exceptional community contributions,” stated Lee Brand, Fresno mayor. “The array of events that Chukchansi Park hosted last year clearly demonstrate the organization’s dedication to the City and its residents.”

Besides these non-profit events, the Grizzlies continued a trio of programs with amazing community benefits. Junior Grizzlies, a 10-week, non-competitive, adaptive baseball league for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities had more than 160 children and adults participate during the 2019 season. Wild About Reading, which incentivizes students to read frequently celebrated its 16th season in 2019. Since 2012, Wild About Reading has reached 95,000 students with more than 160 schools involved. Finally, Making the Grade allows area schools to reward hard-working students with an afternoon at Chukchansi Park. Nearly 20,000 students and 224 schools participated this year.

Overall, the Grizzlies gave $1,038,310 in monetary and in-kind donations during 2019. $65,500 was raised in ticket fundraisers for non-profits and little leagues, $11,500 was earned through theme jersey auctions, $10,530 was raised through food donations to the Poverello House through the Zero Waste Policy and $10,500 was awarded in Farm Grown Scholarships. On top of that, the Grizzlies front office spent 400 plus hours volunteering around the Central Valley. If you would like to help around your community, join one of these amazing events or be apart of helping the Grizzlies in 2020, click here to learn more.

#Growlifornia

ABOUT THE FRESNO GRIZZLIES

The Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals, are a member of the 16-team Pacific Coast League (PCL) and one of 30 clubs in the world playing the highest level of Minor League Baseball. The team plays at Chukchansi Park in Downtown Fresno, which is also a year-round community venue, hosting a myriad of other special events beyond Grizzlies’ games, such as concerts, festivals, high school baseball and over 100 non-profit community events every year. The Grizzlies enter the 2020 season – their 23rd in Fresno – on the momentum of the fifth championship in 10 years by their big league affiliate. The team celebrated their own PCL title in 2015.

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

Registration Open for OKC Dodgers Rookie League 2020 Season

 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Area youth baseball players can register now to participate in the upcoming third season of the Oklahoma City Dodgers Rookie League, as well as sign up for hitting clinics to be held Jan. 18-19 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

The OKC Dodgers Rookie League is a youth baseball league formed in 2018 in partnership with Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation to help increase youth baseball participation in the community, as well as foster an environment that emphasizes leadership, teamwork and sportsmanship.

The league consists of four baseball divisions to accommodate boys and girls in multiple skill levels and age groups. Teams compete in divisions of 4U T-Ball, 6U T-Ball, 8U Coach Pitch and 10U Kid Pitch. Practices will be held once per week starting March 23. Game play begins April 4 and runs through June 13.

New for 2020, two OKC Dodgers Rookie League Hitting Clinics will take place Jan. 18-19 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Participants will learn the fundamentals of baseball and have the opportunity to hit in the batting cages used by OKC Dodgers players. A clinic for 4U and 6U participants will take place from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18. A clinic for 8U and 10U participants will take place from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19. OKC Parks and Rec staff will be on hand both days to assist with clinic and season registration.

The cost to attend is $20 and can be applied toward the participant’s OKC Dodgers Rookie League registration fees. If the participant is already registered for the 2020 Rookie League season, the clinic is free to attend. Registration is available now at okcdodgers.com/rookieleague. Spots are limited, so early registration is encouraged.

“Through the Rookie League, we are directly impacting the Oklahoma City community by providing opportunities for area youth to participate in baseball and to help grow the game we know and love,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “We are proud to partner with OKC Parks and Rec to help our youth learn valuable lessons such as teamwork and sportsmanship, while having fun and being active. The Rookie League continues to expand each year and we look forward to opening 2020 with our new hitting clinics later this month.”

The OKC Dodgers Rookie League originally formed in 2018 when the OKC Dodgers partnered with Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation to provide resources and help reduce costs in order to make baseball more accessible to area youth.

The OKC Dodgers Rookie League has already experienced substantial growth. Starting with more than 200 players in 2018, participation quickly grew by 40 percent in 2019 during the league’s second season. Rookie League players hailed from throughout Oklahoma City last season, representing 52 of the 74 zip codes in the metro area.

The OKC Dodgers provide jerseys, hats, belts and equipment for each team. Registration fees for 4U and 6U participants are $35 and for 8U and 10U participants are $55 to help cover operation expenses such as umpires and field maintenance.

The OKC Dodgers Rookie League season schedule consists of seven games played at Wheeler Park, located at 1120 S. Western Ave. in Oklahoma City.

An on-field parade for OKC Dodgers Rookie League participants will be held prior to an OKC Dodgers game at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in May and closing ceremonies will take place at the ballpark in June.

The deadline to register is Feb. 24 and players can register online or find more information about the OKC Dodgers Rookie League at okcdodgers.com/rookieleague. A limited number of complimentary baseball bat/baseball combo packs are available to registrants, so early registration is encouraged.

Individuals interested in coaching or volunteering for the OKC Dodgers Rookie League can email ryan.hill@okc.gov or call (405) 297-2477.

Season ticket and group packages for the OKC Dodgers’ 2020 season are available now for purchase as the team’s home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14 against Nashville. Visit okcdodgers.com or call (405) 218-2182 for more information.

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

Steve Jeltz Baseball Clinic at Rip It Batting Cages to Benefit Baseballtown Charities

 

(Reading, PA) – The Reading Fightin Phils announced on Thursday that former R-Phils and Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Steve Jeltz will be hosting a special baseball clinic at Rip It Batting Cages on Saturday, February 1st to benefit Baseballtown Charities.

The three-hour clinic will include instruction on hitting, infield, baserunning, and the mental approach to the game, as well as free autographs and photos with Steve Jeltz.

Jeltz played eight years in Major League Baseball from 1983-90, spending seven of those seasons with the Phillies. Primarily a shortstop, Jeltz saw time at six different positions throughout his Major League career. Jeltz was a ninth round draft pick of the Phillies in 1980, and was a member of the R-Phils in 1982.

Since then, Jeltz has become a renowned baseball instructor, teaching kids the mental side of the game as well as the importance of having fun on the field. Guest instructors at the clinic will include the 2020 King of Baseballtown Greg Edge, a former Spring Training teammate of Jeltz’s and an R-Phils shortstop in the late ’80s.

The clinic will benefit Baseballtown Charities, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization which was founded to keep baseball alive in Reading, allowing the area’s youth to benefit from the many life lessons the game teaches. Parents can register their child to participate in the clinic for $60 per player. Groups of four or more players who register together can sign up for a discounted rate of $50 per player.

To register for the Steve Jeltz Baseball Clinic, please email Roberto Sanchez at ripitbattingcages@gmail.com.

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

RiverDogs Introduce First Ever RiverDogs Youth Travel Baseball Team

 

CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston RiverDogs are for the first time introducing a youth travel team program affiliated with the team, the New York Yankees’ Class-A South Atlantic League affiliate. The program will kick off with its first open tryout and information session, to be held on Saturday, Jan. 11 at the West Ashley High School baseball field. Check-in will start at 9:00 a.m., and the tryout will begin at 10:00a.m. Players who are eligible to participate in 9u through 12u programs are invited.

The program will be led by RiverDogs director of community outreach Chris Singleton, formerly a minor league outfielder with the Chicago Cubs. Through Chris’ leadership, the RiverDogs’ youth travel teams will function differently than most other area travel baseball programs. In joining the RiverDogs’ teams, players will learn and play competitive baseball at a high level, but an equally important part of the program will be exposing players to RiverDogs initiatives of philanthropy and community outreach.

“I’m excited to begin this youth baseball program because it focuses not just on baseball, but will give kids a path to make a significant impact in the community,” Singleton said. “The RiverDogs are looking forward to teaching both on field skills and life skills by requiring every player and coach to continually engage in philanthropic activities throughout the season.”

In addition to tournament play – which will largely be regional-focused – team members will have access to one-of-a-kind experiences, such as interaction with the RiverDogs team and playing time on the field at Riley Park.

For more information, contact Chris Singleton directly at 843-577-3647 or csingleton@riverdogs.com.

–RIVERDOGS–

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

Pinstripe Pals: Little League program returns in 2020

 

MOOSIC, PA (December 20, 2019) – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, in partnership with Maines Food and Party Warehouse, will once again offering the Pinstripe Pals program, supporting area youth softball and baseball leagues. Applications are being accepted now and 10 youth leagues will be chosen to receive a sponsorship from The SWB Pinstripes Foundation and a gift card from Maines.

Pinstripe Pals heads for year six in 2020. Each of the ten leagues selected will receive a $500 sponsorship to help pay for costly supplies, such as uniforms and equipment, as well as a $500 gift card to Maines Food and Party Warehouse, which can be used to help teams pay for items for concessions, thus raising more money for their respective league.

Click here to print the application.

Each league selected will have the opportunity to participate in a pre-game parade at PNC Field before a RailRiders home game and the opportunity for RailRiders assistance with league fundraising. Selected leagues will have a photo of their choice placed in the GuideRail game day program on your league’s night and one of the teams in each league will serve as the “Field of Dreams” club on that night and take the field with our players.

League representatives are encouraged to fill out the Pinstripe Pals application form and submit a 500 word essay describing why their league should be chosen. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 21, 2020.

Completed applications can be emailed to Jordan Maydole at jmaydole@swbrailriders.com, faxed to 570-963-6564 or mailed to:
SWB RailRiders
Attn: Pinstripe Pals
235 Montage Mountain Rd.
Moosic, PA 18507

For more information on the Pinstripe Pals program, presented by Maines Food and Party Warehouse, please contact Jordan Maydole or Robby Judge at 570-969-2255. The 2020 season opens on April 9 at PNC Field against the Buffalo Bisons.

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

NATURALS IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY

The Naturals’ fundraising program has helped raise over one million dollars since the 2010 season

SPRINGDALE, Ark – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are proud to continue to have a positive impact on Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding communities as over one million dollars has been raised for participating groups since the start of the 2010 season through the team’s fundraising and community partners program.

 During the 2019 season alone, the Naturals partnered with 173 groups and those participants combined to raise $121,898.00 through the Naturals’ in-stadium fundraising programs. Groups included but were not limited to High School Baseball teams, school and music groups, youth sports teams and organizations, churches, and non-profits.

In addition to in-stadium fundraising programs, the Naturals also help out local events through donations and mascot appearances. Over the past year, the Naturals fulfilled around 375 donation requests that equal nearly $32,000.00 in in-kind donations while sending out a mascot, either Strike or Sinker, to 65 different local events.

Visit www.nwanaturals.com, call us at (479) 927-4900, or visit our Administrative Offices located at Arvest Ballpark to learn more about the fundraising programs that the Naturals offer, donation requests, and mascot appearances.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals will return to Arvest Ballpark on Thursday, April 16th, 2019 at 6:35 p.m. when they play host to the Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A Affiliate of the Houston Astros) for 2020 Opening Night.

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 ticket options, group events and more, 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.

Chasers in the Community 2019 Review

 

The Omaha Storm Chasers in conjunction with Chasers Charities and Spectra Food Services and Hospitality donated $571,229.19 to numerous Omaha Metro charities in 2019, with the Storm Chasers aligning with more than 300 different organizations. Storm Chasers front office members also combined for nearly 600 hours of community service in the Omaha Metro this year.

“Relationships and community are imperative to what this organization is about,” said Storm Chasers President Martie Cordaro. “Werner Park is a community center so we have a responsibility to Sarpy County and the Omaha Metro to continue to be engaged by being present and giving back.”

During the 2019 season, the Storm Chasers organization provided a platform for 70 non-profit organizations at Werner Park as its Community Organization of the Night. The McDonald’s and Huber Chevrolet Hurl the Pearl promotion also raised $13,378 for the Ronald McDonald House. In addition, $21,395 was donated to various Omaha Metro charities, including Make-a-Wish Nebraska, Gold Glove Charities and Food Bank for the Heartland, through six different Jersey Auctions throughout the season. More than 4,000 canned goods were also donated to Heartland Hope Mission through the Storm Chasers’ Hy-Vee Canned Food Sunday promotion.

A total of $10,865.20 was also raised through the Storm Chasers’ Omaha Potholes promotion to help repair local little league fields with City of Bellevue Recreation and DC West Youth Sports damaged by historic floods this spring, along with matching donations from the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers organizations. The Storm Chasers organization’s relationship with Minor League Baseball and the efforts of President and General Manager Martie Cordaro also helped secure a joint $50,000 donation from Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association to Team Rubicon to support Winter Storm Ulmer disaster relief efforts.

The Storm Chasers organization was also visible throughout the Omaha Metro community, as the combined number of mascot and player appearances totaled nearly 300. Chasers Charities in partnership with The Weitz Company also awarded two $1,000 college scholarships through the Jackie Robinson Scholarship program to Jaden Ferguson and Damicah Dutton-Burton.

Furthermore, the Storm Chasers and Spectra Food Services and Hospitality once again provided local non-profit organizations and community groups to raise funds by volunteering at concessions stands during the season. A total of $51,531 was raised by those volunteers through this program.

In addition, over 9,000 cocktails were sold in the Jack Daniel’s Club over the course of the 2019 season, raising over $4,500 in partnership with Jack Daniel’s for Operation Ride Home.

A full overview of the Storm Chasers’ 2019 Community Relations efforts can be found online at this link: https://www.milb.com/omaha/community/home

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

Indians Set New Records for Charitable Giving

 

INDIANAPOLIS – For the third consecutive year, the Indianapolis Indians set a franchise record for total charitable giving. Including monetary donations and in-kind contributions, the Tribe gave back $583,623 to community organizations in fiscal year 2019. The Indians operate with a fiscal year of October 1-September 30.

Earlier this offseason, the team announced a new 501(C)(3) organization, Indianapolis Indians Charities, focused on uplifting Central Indiana youth and families through partnerships with local nonprofits who work in youth development, family success, education and neighborhood development.

Of the $583,623 in charitable contributions in 2019, $307,823 came from monetary donations to community events and in-stadium fundraising during Tribe games. The other $275,800 came from gifts in-kind of donated tickets, merchandise and mascot appearances.

“The Indians have been a community asset for a long time, and we continue to value our role in giving back,” said Indians President and General Manager Randy Lewandowski. “One of the most impactful ways we work with our partners is providing them the platform of Victory Field and the nearly 600,000 fans that attend home games each season. Now we’re finding new ways to work outside our walls, like Indianapolis Indians Charities and the continued dedication of our staff volunteering their time around Central Indiana.”

The Indians front office volunteered for 40 organizations in 2019, totaling more than 1,486 hours, another team record. The club instituted a staff volunteer program last season that allows employees to volunteer for local organizations during office hours throughout the year. Tribe players also got involved, making 40 appearances for 175 service hours.

Fans were instrumental in two initiatives in 2019-specialty jersey auctions and Thirsty Thursdays at Victory Field. The Indians auctioned off eight specialty jerseys for themes ranging from the team’s new Circle City alternate logo to MARVEL Super Heroes to Indy 500 Night to Stars & Stripes on Independence Day. Fan participation from the auctions drove the total donation for the season to nearly $55,500, another franchise record.

Thirsty Thursdays also received strong fan support in 2019. The new promotion offered discounted soda and draft domestic, premium and craft beer, including $1 from every Sun King craft beer purchase going to a different local nonprofit every Thursday night. The Tribe donated nearly $10,000 to eight non-profits through the Thursday promotion.

Tickets for the 2020 season of Indianapolis Indians baseball are on sale now in full- and half-season plans, plus mini and flex plans. Groups can also purchase tickets for the new Elements Financial Club, a social VIP space scheduled to open in time for Opening Night on Thursday, April 9. Single-game tickets go on sale March 1.

For more on the Indianapolis Indians, visit IndyIndians.com.

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

Weyauwega Baseball Diamond Receives Makeover from Rattlers Grounds Crew

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Weyauwega Community Baseball Field received a makeover courtesy of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers before the snow started to fall. The field was chosen in a random drawing of participants in a fundraising program that was available to youth baseball programs during the 2019 season.

The Timber Rattlers grounds crew edged the diamond, leveled the playing surface, and cleaned up the fence line at the Little League field.

“The City of Weyauwega is very grateful to have been selected for this work and for the graciousness of the Timber Rattlers to use their time and talents to better community ball fields such as ours,” said city administrator Jeremy Schroeder. “We extend a huge thank you to the Timber Rattlers and their staff for the work at the community park ball diamond.”

The fund raising program in 2020 will allow youth sports leagues and eligible non-profit organizations to purchase undated Timber Rattlers ticket vouchers at $7, resell the vouchers for $12, and keep the difference for their group.

There are some exciting new additions coming to the 2020 fund raising program this offseason. Contact Kyle Fargen at (920)733-4152 Ext. 225 or kfargen@timberrattlers.com for the latest information on how you can participate next season.

Ticket packages for the 2020 season are available online through timberrattlers.com, over the phone at (920) 733-4152 or (800) WI-TIMBER or in person at the Timber Rattlers Box Office located at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The box office is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

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