Bisons’ Adoption of Buffalo High School Baseball Program Enters Fourth Season

Led by team owners Bob and Mindy Rich, the Buffalo Bisons have extended their adoption of the City of Buffalo High School Baseball Program for a fourth season in 2010. The adoption will include 14 high schools –with the recent additions of Buffalo Early Middle College and Vocational and Performing Arts High School- and the continuation of the “Junior Bisons” summer team.

The Rich Foundation and the Buffalo Bisons officially adopted the City of Buffalo High School Baseball Program in April of 2007 as a commitment to assist in the revival and development of the city’s high school program. In the four years since, the Bisons have facilitated and assisted in the funding of the renovation of Johnnie B. Wiley Stadium, provided stipends for each school to hire assistant coaches and purchased extensive baseball equipment for schools that lacked even basic supplies.

The Bisons have also invited teams to use the faculties located at Coca-Cola Field, including the team’s indoor batting cages. Each year, the Bisons coaches and players have held one-day clinics for both the coaches and players of Buffalo high school teams.

One of the highlights of this adoption is the Junior Bisons. Each year, around 18 players are selected from the 14 Buffalo public high schools for a team that competes in the scholastic division of the CEBA -the County of Erie Baseball Association. The team has made the post season in each of the past two seasons. Two former Junior Bisons are currently playing baseball at the collegiate level.

With the growing interest this adoption has created, the Bisons have also found it necessary to be active in Buffalo middle schools as well. In 2008, the Bisons assisted in the forming of the Buffalo Middle School Developmental Fall Baseball Program where three to four teams (60 total students) are formed from area seventh and eighth grade students. The season is run at no-cost to the players and is the first of its kind in the city of Buffalo. This league focuses on skill development, sportsmanship and team building.

Bisons adopt Buffalo Public School baseball program on April 23,2007. Pictured are Mindy Rich (far left), Bob Rich (second in from right) and Dave Thomas (far right), Athletic Director, City of Buffalo Public High Schools (now retired). (Photo by James P. McCoy Buffalo News staff photographer)

RiverDogs Team Up with Charleston Miracle League

Fans who frequent Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on a nightly basis hear the crack of the bat, the roar of the Charleston faithful and the laughter and joy that permeates the air.

In another part of Charleston, there exists another game for those who will never play in the big leagues, but the enthusiasm and teamwork that persists makes this a league where dreams become reality.

The Charleston RiverDogs most recent monthly volunteer project involved an afternoon spent with the Charleston Miracle League, which gives children and adults with special needs (i.e. mental and/or physical challenges) the opportunity to play baseball, for free, in formally organized league at a state-of-the-art complex in the City of Charleston’s Forrest Park Playground located in West Ashley built specifically for them.

“The City of Charleston and our fans have brought so much joy to Joseph P. Riley Park through the years,” said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. “It’s always great to get the opportunity to give something back to our deserving community, especially by teaming up with such a great organization as the Charleston Miracle League.”

The heart of this complex is our specially designed, rubberized-surface Joe Griffith Miracle Field, which allows players to fully participate regardless of their challenges. In addition, our complex boasts a fully functional concession stand, press box, covered picnic pavilion and handicap accessible restroom suites complete with lifts. Covered stands with viewing platforms ensure that everyone, regardless of his or her abilities, can enjoy watching a Miracle League game.

In addition, the CML is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that teaches volunteers of all ages, who typically serve as buddies for our players, the value of giving back to others and their community.

The Charleston Miracle League also engages in a yearly partnership with the Cooper River Bridge Run called “Bridging the Gap Through Baseball.” Interested participants may sign up for the bridge run as a representative of the league with 100% of the proceeds raised from this going directly to helping the Charleston Miracle League fund their Youth and Adult league programs. For 2010, the Charleston Miracle League has been selected as one of the official 2010 Cooper River Bridge Run charities.
For more information about the league or to donate or become a volunteer, visit the league’s website online at www.charlestonmiracleleauge.org.

Ports 3rd Annual Hot Stove Banquet Successful

The Stockton Ports are pleased to announce that, through the generosity of the Stockton community, they were able to raise more than $7,000 at the Ports 3rd Annual Hot Stove Banquet to benefit their community fund, the Anchor Fund, which was held on February 4.

“The Hot Stove Banquet was a tremendous success, and we appreciate the support of keynote speaker Glen Kuiper, A’s Director of Player Development Keith Lieppman, Ports Manager Steve Scarsone, Ports pitcher Justin Friend, A’s Director of Scouting Eric Kubota, and all of the fans who attended,” said Ports President and General Manager Pat Filippone. “Through the generosity of Ports fans, we were able to raise money for the Anchor Fund, which will enable us to help give back to our community.”

The Anchor Fund, which aids several community projects, with a focus on youth centers and youth sports, benefits from the funds generated through the Banquet’s ticket sales, raffle and silent auction sales, and donations.

The Hot Stove Banquet, the first Ports event in 2010 to benefit the Stockton Ports Anchor Fund, provided fans with an opportunity to participate in a night of baseball, complete with a keynote address and Q &A session with Oakland Athletics TV Play-by-Play Announcer Glen Kuiper, memorabilia raffles and a silent auction. Fans also enjoyed a Q&A session with Lieppman and an address by Scarsone.

The 130 attendees enjoyed cocktails and a slideshow highlighting the 2009 season before dinner began, and they were able to purchase raffle mini-bats for items from major and minor league baseball teams from around the nation. Such items included team autographed baseballs, bobbleheads, photos, and merchandise. A silent auction was also open to fans, with autographed memorabilia from athletes such as Dallas Braden, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, Roger Clemens, Maury Wills, Duke Snider and much more. The Ports also auctioned off gift certificates to area restaurants, hotels, golf clubs and more.

Before the speakers took the podium, the Stockton Ports honored area high school stars Louie Lechich of St. Mary’s High School in Stockton and Tori Shepard of Lodi High School as the Greater Stockton Area High School Baseball and Softball Players of the Year, respectively.

Filippone was the first to address the crowd, highlighting the importance of community involvement and the Ports continuing support to the Stockton community. Filippone also stressed the value of Stockton’s affiliation with the Oakland A’s and the hope for another strong season with A’s prospects.

Lieppman was the next to speak, and discussed the strength of the A’s farm system, and the important role the Ports play in developing players for the major league level. He also opened up the floor to questions, answering fans’ queries on Barry Bonds, Dallas Braden and recently acquired prospect Michael Taylor. Scarsone was formally introduced to fans next. He encouraged fans to speak to him and get to know him during the season, and joked that he would win 2 of the first 12 games, improving on the Ports’ 1-12 start in 2009.

The event finished with Kuiper delivering his keynote address. Kuiper related some anecdotes about his past experiences with Scarsone, assuring fans that they were getting a top notch manager for the 2010 season. He also talked of his past visit to Stockton, in which he saw Dennis Eckersley make his professional debut against the Ports in 1972. Kuiper added he hoped to get to Stockton again in the 2010 season. Kuiper then opened the floor for questions. He answered questions ranging from the A’s radio and television broadcasts in 2010, to his relationship with the San Francisco Giants and his brother.

With Spring Training just around the corner, fans are close to seeing the Stockton Ports and Oakland A’s begin their search for greatness in 2010.

“Following a year in which the Ports donated approximately $35,500 and nearly $107,500 of in-kind donations, including 13,250 tickets to local non-profit organizations, charities and schools through the Anchor Fund, we definitely look forward to another successful year on and off the field,” Filippone said.

Ports President/GM Pat Filippone addresses the audience at the Ports 3rd Annual Hot Stove Banquet.
Keynote Speaker and Oakland A’s TV play-by-play announcer Glen Kuiper talks of his past experiences with new Ports manager Steve Scarsone.

Blue Rocks Donate Nearly Half a Million for Local Causes

The Wilmington Blue Rocks proudly announce that the 2009 season saw the team, in tandem with its marketing partners and fans, donate and raise $424,000 worth of contributions to local charities, schools and community organizations. The sum represents a collective of many different types of contributions with the majority coming from monetary and ticket donations.

“We take pride in being able to contribute at this level to youth and charitable organizations in the greater Wilmington area,” said Blue Rocks general manager Chris Kemple. “I’m certain that we could not have done this without assistance from our 2009 marketing partners and fans that also played a large role in raising these funds.”

Blue Rocks concessionaire, Centerplate, allows community organizations the opportunity to volunteer at the concession stands during home games in return for a percentage of the money received at each stand. Thanks to this program almost $74,000 was given back to community organizations.

The Blue Rocks continue to support local youth baseball and donated over $1,600 as well as used baseball equipment to local Little League organizations.

Game-worn memorabilia auctions saw an increase in frequency and dollar amounts, helping to raise over $6,300. On April 19, the Blue Rocks wore purple hats to raise money for the Bernadette Farrell Memorial Fund as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Night. The Rocks sported pink jerseys on May 29 to benefit the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.

The Rocks wore camouflage hats on May 30 and August 1 to raise money for Delaware Boots on the Ground and USO Delaware. On July 3, Wilmington donned patriotic jerseys to support United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware (UCP). The Rocks wore Red hats on June 25 to raise funds for the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula. The Rocks also sported gold jerseys on Aug. 13 for Elvis Night to benefit the local chapter of the American Lung Association. Blue Rocks players went beyond the laundry too, donating game-worn cleats and batting gloves that were auctioned off for charity.

Almost 60,000 tickets were distributed to area schools over the course of the season. Mascot Rocky Bluewinkle led the charge to promote literacy with

his Reading Challenge, presented by the Delaware State Education Association. The Blue Rocks worked with local schools to reward kids who met their reading goal. In 2009, over 150 area schools were awarded a total of 57,000 tickets. Along with Rocky’s Reading Challenge the Blue Rocks donated over 2,500 tickets through programs like the IFS Outstanding Students Program, which allows teachers to reward students who display excellence in behavior and performance in the classroom.

The team also donated over 8,000 tickets to community organizations throughout the 2009 campaign with 6,000 going to local fundraisers, 1,000 donated to the USO Delaware to use for their soldiers and staff, and the remainder finding a number of other local non-profit organizations in need. Those same non-profit groups received another $2,000 worth of free/discounted video board advertising and concourse tables to promote themselves and their worthy events.

The Blue Rocks organized special events to collect money and goods for those less fortunate. Before the season, the team held a gift drive for kids at the Mary Campbell Center. The team also offered ticket discounts to fans that donated items to the Food Bank of Delaware. The Blue Rocks Charity Golf Classic, held at Deerfield Golf and Tennis Club on Aug. 17, raised over $1,500 for UCP and CHILD, Inc. in one day.

Community appearances proved a regular item on the team’s calendar. Mascot Rocky Bluewinkle and numerous Blue Rocks players visited A.I. duPont Hospital for Children at least once a month throughout the season in addition to other appearances. Rocky logged over 60 community service hours at schools and charitable events as well. Rocks’ players put in over 20 hours despite their grueling 140-game schedule over five-plus months time. The Blue Rocks visited schools and community organizations throughout the Delaware Valley, tallying over 40 hours of their time throughout the season.

The K’s for Kids Program presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware (BCBSDE) completed its fourth season with great success. BCBSDE donated $10 to a local charity for every home game strikeout the Blue Rocks pitching staff recorded. Thanks to this program, BCBSDE presented Girls on the Run a check for $5,000 before the Blue Rocks game on Sept. 2.

Challenger Little League returned for its annual day of baseball on May 12. Teams from the league were able to play their games on Judy Johnson Field before the Rocks’ contest later that night in a tradition that has spanned over a decade.

During the last homestand of the regular season, the Wilmington police department collected donations for the daughter of a slain Georgetown police officer Chad Spicer. The generosity of Blue Rocks fans contributed over $5,000 to Aubrey Spicer’s trust fund.

Blue Rocks players (left to right) Clint Robinson, Adrian Ortiz and Ryan Eigsti joined with Rocky Bluewinkle for a visit at A.I. duPont Hospital during the season. (Brad Glazier)

Inaugural Float for the Fund Raises Over $2,475

Thanks to the help of local celebrities the Inaugural Shorebirds Float for the Fund was a huge success. On Sunday, August 23 beginning at 5pm WBOC Meteorologist Dennis Ketterer, Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton, Sheriff Mike Lewis, Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt, District States Attorney Davis Ruark and the B95.3 & 101.7’s Karen Stevenson began serving delicious rootbeer floats made up of Georgeo’s Vanilla ice cream and MUG Rootbeer to hundreds of fans, and when it was all said and done over 1,500 floats were dished out to some very happy Shorebird Fans.

Here are some of the stats of the day: 495 commemorative cups sold at $5 apiece, 74 gallons of icecream, 104 2-liters of MUG rootbeer and hours of hard work from our celebrity scoopers. All of this help raised $2,475 for the Shorebirds Community Fund, a newly founded fund through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, which will be used by the Shorebirds to assist in local youth sports programs.

The Shorebirds would like to thank everyone who helped in support of the event and we look forward to doing it again next season!

A Field of Dreams for Middle School Clubs

On Tuesday afternoon, two local middle school teams from Prince William County took to the field to live out one of their lifelong dreams of one day playing their favorite game on a professional baseball field.

That dream was realized when St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School took on Manassas Christian School in front of hundreds of family and friends from G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium, the home of the defending Carolina League champion Potomac Nationals.

As an added bonus, the participating players got to watch some of their favorite P-Nats players prior to their game as the Nationals hosted the Salem Red Sox in a Business Persons’ special that featured an 11:00 a.m. start time.

Aquinas jumped out to an early lead scoring a 1st inning run and the score would remain 1-0 until the bottom half of the 4th. The bats then came alive for Manassas Christian as they scored eight times in that frame and wound up pulling away with an 8-2 victory over their neighbors from Woodbridge.

In the end, the final score wasn’t the most important set of numbers that were posted on the scoreboard. As part of a fundraiser set up by each institution, the players involved sold a total of 250 tickets (125 each) to their loved ones so that they could share in the experience of seeing their sons and daughters play our national pastime on the same field where future Nationals’ all-stars are born.

The Potomac Nationals offer several ticket deals that accommodate groups of 20 or more. P-Nats Ticket Fundraisers are an excellent way to generate revenue for your non-profit organization. Organizations such as Little Leagues, civic organizations, churches, schools and charities will enjoy great benefits such as: video board and public address recognition, group names printed on tickets, and at least 50% profit on each ticket sold. For more information, call (703) 590-2311.

Regardless of the outcome, both teams were happy to play their favorite game at Pfitzner Stadium. (Potomac Nationals)