BlueClaws, RWJBarnabas Health to Host Equipment Drive Over Last Homestand

The BlueClaws and RWJBarnabas Health are pleased to host a baseball equipment drive at the games from September 6th – 11th! The drive will benefit communities in the Dominican Republic and provide education and life skills using baseball at the foundation.

Donate at the NJEA Ticket Kiosk on the concourse behind home plate.

Fans that donate will receive two complimentary tickets to BlueClaws Opening Night, set for April 11, 2023.

Click here to order tickets to the final homestand of the season.

-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-

Bluefield Ridge Runners announced as recipient of Lee Landers Community Service Award

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the Bluefield Ridge Runners have been named the recipient of the 2022 Lee Landers Community Service Award. The Lee Landers Community Service Award is presented to the club that demonstrates an outstanding, ongoing commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within their local community and within the baseball industry.

The staff of the Bluefield Ridge Runners has contributed $259,307 in cash and in-kind services through July 31, along with 866 hours to various community organizations. The Ridge Runners participated in Project Graduation, charity car shows, concerts, food drives and flood relief efforts. The Ridge Runners have also contributed to community organizations such as Rotary International, the Chamber of the Two Virginia’s, Sacred Heart Catholic Church Food Bank, Bluefield Area Little League, the Union Mission, the annual Mountain Festival, the Bluefield Restoration Committee and the Bluefield Beautification Committee.

“The Bluefield Ridge Runners are honored to be presented the Lee Landers Community Service Award for 2022,” said Ridge Runners general manager Rocky Malamisura. “The receipt of this award affirms the efforts of the club to be an integral part of the surrounding community.”

This season, Ridge Runners players volunteered a recorded 370 hours in the community at places like food pantries to reading programs and autograph sessions. Two baseball camps were provided by the Ridge Runners at no cost to the participants, which allowed more than 70 children to benefit from these camps. The Bluefield Club also participated in the Play Ball initiative with area Little Leagues and Vet Tix.

ThAdditionally, Ridge Runners catcher Parker Redden (Delaware) was named the Appalachian League Humanitarian of the Year. When the Ridge Runners were in town, Redden drove approximately 35 miles each way to volunteer at Freedom Farms, a nonprofit, faith-based organization for at-risk youth in West Virginia.

“It is especially satisfying to uphold the values of the award’s namesake Mr. Lee Landers,” Malamisura added. “Service before self is a trademark of what we value here with the Ridge Runners. Our staff, coaches, players and patrons strive to give back to the community that has itself given so much to us.”

Lee Landers served as the Appalachian League president from 1996-2018 and passed away May 17, 2021. Lee always placed others first and encouraged all clubs and staff to become involved and give back to their communities. Lee’s involvement over the years included: Roman Cultural Society, Jaycees, Police Benevolent Association, D.A.R.E, Senior Olympics Board, Baseball Chapel, American Heart Association and Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

First National Bank & Trust to renovate Little League field

BELOIT — First National Bank and Trust has partnered with the Beloit Sky Carp to continue the mission of improving the quality of life in our community.

The latest project? Selecting a local Little League field and giving it professional attention with the goal of increasing safety for all children that play on it.

“Our partnership as the Exclusive Bank for the Beloit Sky Carp allows First National Bank and Trust the opportunity to engage in great community outreach programs such as this little league field renovation,” said David McCoy, President and CEO of FNBT. “Providing resources to beautify our local ball fields along with the expertise of the Beloit Sky Carp team is just another way we hope to help our community families succeed.”

Community members are encouraged to submit a local field (must be in the Stateline region) that needs a makeover. A committee, comprised of Sky Carp and First National Bank and Trust employees, will review all submissions and determine the field most in need.

The field will be selected by the committee by mid-September.

“This is just another way we can give back to the community that has supported us so well,” Sky Carp President Zach Brockman said. “We are so grateful that First National Bank and Trust has stepped in to make this happen, and we are happy to lend our expertise to see it through. ”

Know of a field in need? Submit it by Friday, September 2 through this link: https://www.milb.com/beloit/community/field-renovation.

The Beloit Sky Carp are the High-A Affiliate of the Miami Marlins and play their games at ABC Supply Stadium — the heart of the Riverbend District.

Get tickets at SkyCarp.com or call the Box Office at 608-362-2272.

Follow the Sky Carp on Twitter at @BeloitSkyCarp, on Instagram at @BeloitSkyCarp, and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/SkyCarpBaseball.

Redden named Appalachian League Humanitarian of the Year 

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield’s Parker Redden (Delaware) was named the Humanitarian of the Year. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season through active participation in community service projects.

Redden works closely with Freedom Farms, a nonprofit, faith-based organization for at-risk youth in West Virginia. When the Ridge Runners were in town, Redden drove approximately 35 miles each way to help with meal preparation, maintenance, agricultural activities and his mentoring opportunities. Redden also delivered leftover food to Freedom Farms as quantities allowed so that waste was minimized. Baseball and softball lessons are an integral part of his focus with the youth. Redden and his family have also worked to establish a 4H club as an outlet for the kids from their day-to-day trials.

“Parker unselfishly gives of himself to others and conducts himself in such a way that you know that he understands that the game will end but his mission in life will continue,” said Ridge Runners general manager Rocky Malamisura. “Parker is the epitome of what we cherish most in athletes and what baseball teaches those who pay attention. We are so proud to have had such a young man as a member of the Ridge Runners.”

During the 2022 season, Redden volunteered for each of the Ridge Runners community service projects that were scheduled. The projects included working at local food pantries, stadium walkabouts with fans and autograph sessions. Redden also worked both kids camps as an instructor, mentored several local at-risk children and provided baseball lessons for numerous little league children.

“Parker was a catalyst in helping our organization educate and encourage the attitude and spirit of giving back,” said Bluefield manager Mike Weatherford. “Once his teammates recognized Parker’s contributions in Bluefield and the surrounding communities, it became enjoyable for our players to routinely volunteer. Parker was a leader in getting teammates involved off the field and that dedication to others followed him on the field.”

The 20-year-old catcher from Shady Spring, W.V., is heading into his sophomore year at the University of Delaware. Redden played in 15 games for the Ridge Runners this summer after he played for the Burlington Sock Puppets in 2021.

Baseball Clinics with Homer Bush & Players Aug 18 & 25

The Scrappers Announce two Baseball Clinics at Eastwood Field with MLB Player and World Series Champion, Scrappers Manager Homer Bush. All ages are welcome! Participants will be grouped by age.

HITTING CLINIC – AUGUST 18th from 9am to noon

  • Hitting Clinic run by Mahoning Valley Scrappers Coaching Staff, including Manager Homer Bush and players
  • Lunch with the players and coaches after the clinic

PITCHING CLINIC – AUGUST 25th from 9am to noon

  • Pitching Clinic run by Mahoning Valley Scrappers Coaching Staff, including Manager Homer Bush and players
  • Lunch with the players and coaches after the clinic

$35 for one clinic or $60 for both!

BUY HITTING CLINIC – AUG 18

BUY PITCHING CLINIC – AUG 25

BUY BOTH CLINICS

DOWNLOAD ORDER FORM HERE

Saints Announce Winners Of Inaugural Jimmy Lee Umpire Awards, Headlined By Larry Gallagher, As Part of Minor League Baseball's “The Nine” Initiative

ST. PAUL, MN — (August 5, 2022) – Umpires are rarely honored for their hard, often underappreciated work, let alone with an award named for a man as well-respected as the late, great Jimmy Lee. To provide the recognition they so richly deserve, the Saints have introduced an initiative to promote the importance of, and the need for, great umpires and have selected seven winners in the inaugural Jimmy Lee Umpire Awards class.

The following exemplary umpires will be honored during a pregame ceremony celebrating Jimmy Lee and his impact on the Saint Paul community, prior to the Saints August 9 home game:

Lifetime Achievement in Umpiring – Larry Gallagher and Bryan DeVos

Most Dedicated Umpire – Duane Reed & Peyton Yurek

Rookie Umpire of the Year – Nathan O’Brien

Young Umpire of the Year – Ethan Agre

Most Improved Umpire – Chase Hebel

Both baseball and softball umpires were nominated by their league’s assignors in five different categories and a panel including Saints leadership and leaders in the officiating community selected the final award winners. This class of winners is headlined by one of the most respected umpires in Minnesota, Larry Gallagher.

The 82-year-old Gallagher retired in 2020 after 59-years as an umpire and is the Dean of the Northwest Umpires Association. During his final year playing catcher at Augsburg in 1961, an umpire working one of the games thought Gallagher would be a good ump, based on the fact he had been a catcher his entire life. Gallagher, who had a passion for the game and a teaching degree, agreed with the sentiment and thus a long and storied career began.

By his estimation, Gallagher believes he umpired well over 5,000 games and acquired the nickname “Dr. Balk.” A typical season saw Gallagher umpire between 100-150 games, and he was known for studying the rule book intently.

Gallagher got his opportunity to umpire in the Major Leagues in 1979 when the umpires went on strike at the start of the season. In his first Major League game on May 3, he was the first base umpire as the Minnesota Twins hosted the Detroit Tigers at Metropolitan Stadium. All told, Gallagher umpired seven games in the Major Leagues, two behind the plate.

He continued umpiring at various levels of amateur baseball as well as officiating high-school football, basketball, and wrestling. He was a high-school physical-education teacher and coach until he retired in 1999. In addition to umpiring, which he still does, Gallagher is a baseball rules interpreter and coordinator for the Minnesota State High School League.

The Jimmy Lee Umpire Award will be an annual honor given out by the Saints to the most deserving umpires in the area. The award is named after one of the most well-respected officials in Minnesota history. Jim “Jimmy” Lee was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, moved to St. Paul when he was 23, and got a job with a downtown bank. He was involved in sports and played on the Uptown Sanitary Shop and the Twin Cities Colored Gophers, two of the most renowned Black baseball teams at the time. He became a local referee in both football and basketball and an umpire in baseball, considered by many the greatest official in the area at all three sports. He was the first black baseball umpire in the Big 10. He wrote columns for the _Minneapolis Spokesman _for over a decade. Lee was inducted into the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame (1972), the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame (1982) and posthumously into the Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame in 2013.

This is the second of two nights promoting “The Nine,” a new, Black-community focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous Black baseball pioneers made on the sport, provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation, further diversify the business of baseball, and embrace millions of passionate fans throughout MiLB’s 120 communities nationwide.

The award ceremony will take place prior to the Tuesday, August 9 game between the Saints and the Columbus Clippers.

Saints tickets continue to be a tremendous value. Tickets begin at $5 for the Treasure Island berm seating, $6 bleacher seats, $15 for outfield reserved, $18 for drink rail, infield reserved, and home plate reserved. Friday home games with Post-Game Fireworks are an additional $2 per ticket. Post-Game Fireworks Supershows (September 4) are an additional $3 per ticket. Tickets purchased on the day of the game are an additional $2 per ticket. Children under the age of 12 and seniors 65 and older receive $1 off the admission price. Children under 2 that don’t require a seat are free.

Second Annual “WooSox Foundation Golf Classic” Presented by Hanover Insurance, scheduled for Monday, August 29

WORCESTER, MA — The Second Annual “WooSox Foundation Golf Classic,” presented by Hanover Insurance, is scheduled for Monday, August 29, at the Haven Country Club in Boylston, MA. Worcester Red Sox players and coaches will attend, and proceeds will directly benefit the many programs run by the WooSox Foundation, the charitable arm of the WooSox.

The registration donation of $1,200 per foursome includes greens, cart fees for 18 holes, lunch, dinner, and a complimentary WooSox swag bag. In addition, tee box signs are available for $1,000. Two raffles and a live auction will provide opportunities for special gifts, memorabilia, and exclusive experiences.

Attendees can register now at woosoxfoundation.org/golf.

Day-of registration will open at 9:30 a.m. August 29, with golf beginning at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start in a Texas Scramble tournament format. Each golfer tees off, then plays their own ball from the location of the foursome’s best drive until each golfer holes out. The lowest score in the foursome is counted toward the team’s score.

The Haven Country Club, located at 369 Cross Street, is a private country club featuring a gorgeous 18-hole, par-72, 6,800-yard course.

Comprising four pillars—Education, Social Justice, Conquering Cancer, and Diamond Sports—the WooSox Foundation funds many programs that benefit the community.

  • The WooSox Scholars program annually awards a $10,000 college scholarship to four exceptional eighth grade students in Worcester Public Schools.
  • The “WooSox Most Valuable Teachers” program, presented by Country Bank, awards stipends to nominated teachers in the area.
  • Created in the loving memory of Paxton Little Leaguer Tyler Trudell, “Tyler’s Teammates” helps aspiring ballplayers afford the registration fees and equipment required to play organized baseball and softball.
  • The WooSox Familia honors the loving memory of Officer Manny Familia by supporting the Manny 267 Foundation.
  • Foundation volunteers take the WooSox Foundation Care-A-Van, presented by Bank of America, out into the community to provide various services and resources.

To learn more about the Foundation’s programs and initiatives, visit woosoxfoundation.org.

Senators and First National Bank Partner for “Homefield Makeover” Initiative

The Harrisburg Senators and First National Bank, the largest subsidiary of F.N.B. Corporation (FNB), are pleased to announce the start of their “Homefield Makeover” initiative which gives one local youth baseball or softball league an updated field. The renovation will consist of $10,000 in goods and services from the Senators and FNB.

The goal of the initiative is to provide a safe, playable field for a local youth sports league. The field makeover will take place this fall so the field is ready for the upcoming youth baseball and softball season. Members of the Senators front office and FNB employees are donating their time to help with the field renovation. The renovation will tentatively take place in October with a grand opening slated for the 2023 season.

One youth baseball or softball league will be chosen for the field makeover based on an application process. The nature of the renovation will be based on the needs of the field chosen and could vary from fencing to supplying new infield dirt. Field equipment, such as rakes and shovels, will be donated to the league for upkeep of the field, along with a professional consultation with the Harrisburg Senators Grounds Crew team. Leagues can apply on the Senators website (www.senatorsbaseball.com). Leagues may apply beginning Tuesday, August 2 and applications close Tuesday, August 16.

“This is an idea that was part of a brainstorming session with our partners at First National Bank,” said Senators President Kevin Kulp. “We are always wanting to collaborate on community initiatives together and this is one that we plan on starting this year. To be able to help provide our kids a safer and more professional place to play baseball or softball is very exciting. The plan is that this is something that will be done annually so that we can touch more parts of our community over the years.”

“First National Bank is proud to continue to partner with the Senators on new community outreach projects that drive change in our region,” said Tony Sacco, Regional Market Executive and President of FNB’s Capital Region. “The Homefield Makeover initiative is representative of our commitment to improving the communities we serve and will create better places for local teams and their families to play.”

The Senators offices are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Tickets for any game this season are available online 24 hours a day or in person at the box office or over the phone during normal business hours. For information about Sensylvania Club Season Memberships please call the Senators at 717-231-4444 or visit the Senators online at www.senatorsbaseball.com. You can find the Senators on Facebook at facebook.com/senatorsbaseball or @hbgsenators on Twitter.

Spokane Indians and Les Schwab Tires Team Up to Restore Fairchild AFB Softball Fields

The Spokane Indians and Les Schwab Tires teamed up in support of our Armed Forces and restored a pair of softball fields at Fairchild Air Force Base on Tuesday, July 19th as part of the team’s Community Fields Project presented by Les Schwab Tires.

“We always enjoy supporting baseball and softball at a grassroots level in our community and getting the chance to do it for our friends at Fairchild was especially meaningful,” said Otto Klein, Spokane Indians Senior Vice President. “We’re grateful for the sacrifices they’ve made and hope they enjoy utilizing these refurbished fields.”

Indians front office staff and members of the grounds crew as well as volunteers from Les Schwab removed weeds and rocks, added new sod to the infield skirt, spread field conditioner, installed new mounds and bases on both fields, and striped and prepped the fields.

“Les Schwab is proud to invest time and resources into events and organizations that promote responsibility, hard work and serving the community – values our company believes in,” said Chris Zimmerman, Airway Heights Les Schwab Store Manager. “We are happy to have the opportunity to support our friends at Fairchild.”

Additional supplies and materials for the project were made possible by supporting sponsors AAA and Bulldog Rooter.

Previously restored fields include War Veterans Memorial Field in Wellpinit, Washington in 2021 and Glover Field (now Redband Park) in Peaceful Valley in 2017.

Through the Community Fields Project, the Indians and partners have pledged to restore a minimum of one baseball/softball field in the Spokane region each year. Suggestions for new fields to be included in the program can be submitted to: [email protected].

Louisville Bats Partner with Louisville Sports Commission to Collect Sports Equipment

LOUISVILLE, KY- The Louisville Bats have partnered with the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) and Humana to host a drive to collect new and outgrown youth baseball and softball equipment to support the LSC’s Playing It Forward program. Items collected will be distributed later this year to youth in Louisville’s marginalized areas.

The program’s goal is to help eliminate the cost of equipment as a barrier for kids to participate in organized sports. The equipment collection will help Louisville-area kids take part in sports in their own neighborhoods as a means to getting and staying active.

The event will take place tomorrow night, Tuesday, July 26 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field before the Louisville Bats host game one of a six game series with the Columbus Clippers (Triple-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians).

Collections will be taking place at all four of the primary entrances into the ballpark. Fans who donate sports equipment will receive a voucher good for a free hot dog, small popcorn and small Pepsi.

Fans can purchase tickets to tomorrow night’s game via the following link:

[LSC’s Playing It Forward Program]

**More About the Louisville Sports Commission**

The Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) is a Louisville, Kentucky-based 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to create a legacy of economic and social vitality through sports. The LSC attracts and hosts sporting events and activities that have a positive economic impact on Louisville, enhance the area’s image as a premier sports destination, promote healthy lifestyles and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages. More information is available online at www.louisvillesports.org, www.facebook.com/louisvillesportscommission and @SportsinLou on Twitter and Instagram.

Woodpeckers Launch First Ability Inclusive Themed Game

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Fayetteville Woodpeckers, in partnership with ServiceSource, Miller’s Crew, Bravery Kids Gym and the Vision Resource Center, will host its first-ever “Ability Awareness Day” at Segra Stadium. “Ability Awareness Day” will take place during the Woodpeckers game on Sunday, August 14th at 2:05 pm vs the Down East Wood Ducks. The goal of the initiative is to promote inclusion and celebrate the abilities of all people within Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

The day will kick off with a free baseball skills clinic for Special Olympics Cumberland County athletes. Prior to the first pitch, the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Buddy Sports baseball team will take the field with the Woodpeckers for starting lineups and the national anthem. Throughout the game, the Woodpeckers will hold a Houston Astros autographed baseball auction, with all proceeds benefitting ServiceSource, Miller’s Crew, Bravery Kids Gym and the Vision Resource Center. In addition, fans can purchase food at the Miller’s Crew food truck outside the front gates.

The Woodpeckers will transform a room inside the stadium into a sensory friendly space for those who may feel overwhelmed by the crowd, noise or other factors. Sensory friendly stations provided by Bravery Kids Gym will be set up around the concourse. Fans can also check out sensory friendly bags that include headphones, fidget toys and cue cards (available at the guest services table during every Woodpeckers game).

Fans can purchase tickets for the “Ability Awareness Day” game at fayettevillewoodpeckers.com/tickets or by visiting the Truist Box Office at Segra Stadium. For more information on “Ability Awareness Day,” please visit www.fayettevillewoodpeckers.com.

Chevy Youth Camp: Play Like the Pros!

ZEBULON – The Carolina Mudcats are partnering with your local Central Carolina Chevy Dealers for two Chevy Youth Baseball and Softball clinics on Wednesday, July 27, and Thursday, July 28, at Five County Stadium. The camps will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and are open to children ages five to 14.

For additional information, visit baseball.youthsportsclinics.com/faq or contact CYB coordinator, Beth Caldwell, at (678) 852-5379, or [email protected]

Here’s how to register:

1. Go to chevy.com/youthsports.

2. Click on the gold “Clinic Registration” box, and then click “Register Now”.

3. Select the following name from the dropdown menu: “Raleigh”.

4. Enter the registration password “playball” for free entry into the clinic, and then click “Submit”.

5. Complete the registration form, and download the waiver. In addition to registering before the event, participants are required to bring a signed waiver form to the registration table on the day of the clinic.

6. Check your email (including your spam) for your registration confirmation.

Clinic Details:

DATE: Wednesday, July 27, 2022
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Five County Stadium, 1501 NC HWY 39, Zebulon, NC 27597

– OR –

DATE: Thursday, July 28, 2022
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Five County Stadium, 1501 NC HWY 39, Zebulon, NC 27597

*NO CLEATS ALLOWED! Please note: On-field clinic participants may not wear cleats of any kind – only closed-toed shoes are allowed.

Syracuse Mets 2022 Youth Baseball Clinic: August 27th, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

SYRACUSE, NY – The Syracuse Mets will hold a Youth Baseball Clinic for kids ages 5-15 years old on Saturday, August 27th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at NBT Bank Stadium (1 Tex Simone Drive, Syracuse, NY 13208). The cost is just $100/person for the unique opportunity to learn from professional baseball players, and so much more!

The Clinic includes:

· Baseball instruction from professional baseball players & coaches

· A Syracuse Mets youth jersey

· A game-used baseball

· A voucher for a ticket to a future Syracuse Mets home game

· Lunch – hot dogs, chips & water

· An autograph session with some of your favorite Syracuse Mets!

“We are thrilled to be able to offer kids in Central New York the chance to hone their baseball skills from professionals,” said Jason Smorol, Syracuse Mets general manager. “Not only that, the kids will get to play on a real, professional baseball field, take home a real professional baseball, and get some awesome autographs!”

Youth can sign up for the Syracuse Mets 2022 Youth Baseball Clinic by contacting Nick Costanzo at 315-474-7833 or [email protected] or by visiting syracusemets.milbstore.com.

Tickets for all Syracuse Mets home games are on sale at the Onondaga Coach Ticket Office at NBT Bank Stadium, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone at 315-474-7833 ext.1 or by visiting syracusemets.com.

WooSox Hold First Youth Clinic with Player and Coach Instruction

First In-Person Youth Clinic since 2019

The Worcester Red Sox hosted their second Youth Clinic on Saturday, July 9, 2022. This clinic was the first one to be held in Worcester, and the first one to be held by the club since 2019. At the clinic, over 100 kids of various ages got the chance to play ball and hear words of wisdom from WooSox players, and coaches. receive free tips and tricks from WooSox players and coaches on four major aspects of baseball: pop flies, ground balls, hitting, and pitching.

Hitting was manned by hitting coach Rich Gedman and assistant hitting coach Michael Montville. Here, kids practiced their hitting skills through mock at-bats where they got advice from the duo. Montville told one kid, “Try to hit me square in the mouth.” Fortunately, the kid did not hit Montville in the mouth, but he had more powerful hits after this advice. Montville even made a note of that by saying, “See what happens when you try to hit me.”

Youngsters learned pitching tips from pitching coach Paul Abbott who spoke to them about the mechanics needed to throw “Powerfully, properly [and] so we can throw repetitively and not get hurt.” He told kids that the best way to pitch was by “Thinking of your back side as the power and your front side as the steering wheel.” Abbott finished the station by having participants practice mock throws to him and catcher Deivy Grullón.

At ground ball station, participants learned the basics of good fielding from manager Chad Tracy and bench coach Jose Flores. The duo made it clear that they were impressed by the kids’ ability to take their advice and quickly apply it to their fielding. With the fast improvement in their game, Flores commented “You guys make great throws and are very great listeners…[it’s] very, very impressive.”

The pop flies station was run by infielder Ryan Fitzgerald and outfielder Devlin Granberg. There, kids were thrown balls by the duo that they had to field and throw back to them accurately. In addition to helpful tips and drills, both players were energetic and engaging with the kids. Many of the youngsters were unfortunately Yankees fans or named a Yankee as their favorite player, to which Granberg joked, “Sorry if you’re a Yankees fan, you can’t participate.” Of course, all these kids got to catch pop flies from both these players, and got to see Fitzgerald’s baseball magic trick, picking a ball off the ground and making it disappear, which Granberg confessed confused him when he was college teammates with Fitzgerald at Creighton University.

After the stations, Fitzgerald, Granberg, and Grullón stayed until every child had all the signatures they desired, from posters to playing cards even to shirts.

At the end of the day, all participants walked away with tips to help them improve their baseball skills. Tracy even remarked, “If you keep practicing these tricks from today, you can be playing at Polar Park] in 15 years.”

The WooSox will hold three more free youth clinics: July 23, August 6, and August 20. You can sign your youngster up here.

REGISTER TODAY: Bisons 2-Day Youth Clinic returns July 26-27

REGISTER YOUR CHILD TODAY

A Sahlen Field tradition that is one of our favorite events every year… The Bisons 2-Day Youth Clinic featuring Manager Casey Candaele and Herd coaches in players returns, Tuesday, July 26 & Wednesday, July 27, presented by ADPRO Sports (9a-12p each day!). REGISTER TODAY

Each year, the Bisons manager, coaches and players met with kids aged 5-16 for two days at Sahlen Field to learn the fundamentals of the game. There will be lessons in pitching, throwing, fielding, base running, hitting, bunting and much more, while participants will be grouped by age so that the proper level of instruction can be given to each additional group. The cost of this year’s 2-Day Youth Clinic is $110 and includes Clinic Admission, a Bisons T-Shirt and 2 Flex Tickets that can be use for any remaining 2022 Bisons home game.