Whitecaps To Host Autism Awareness Night On Saturday, April 17
April 14, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps will help raise awareness and funds for the fight against Autism this Saturday, April 17, in a 6:35 p.m. game against the Great Lakes Loons.
Autism is a developmental disorder that typically appears in the first 3 years of life and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. Autism is a physical condition linked to abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain. The exact causes of these abnormalities remain unknown, but this is a very active area of research. Autism is a spectrum disorder, with symptoms and characteristics that can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe.
The Whitecaps' partner for Autism Awareness Night is Autism Support of Kent County (ASK), a non-profit organization of parents, school staff and others who actively seek to support and advocate for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. Fifty cents from each ticket sold for the April 17 game will be donated to ASK, as will the proceeds from a game-worn jersey auction.
Evette Pittman, vice president of ASK, said the partnership between the Whitecaps and ASK for this special game will help empower and provide social and educational opportunities for those affected by the disorder and their families.
"With the support of the Whitecaps, ASK hopes to raise awareness about this developmental disorder that affects more children than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined," Pittman said. "Join ASK at Fifth Third Ballpark as the Whitecaps help to strike out autism!"
The Whitecaps team will wear autism-themed jerseys with the symbolic puzzle design on the sleeves. A dozen of the jerseys, including the jersey worn by Tigers #1 draft pick Jacob Turner, will be auctioned off during the game. Immediately following the game, players will autograph their jerseys for the auction winners.
Before the game, ASK families will be invited onto the field to play catch in the outfield and during the game, the Pepsi Stadium Club will be designated as a quiet area for ASK families.
More information about autism and how to participate in Autism Support of Kent County can be found on the ASK website at autismsupportofkentcounty.org.
Saturday's Autism Awareness Night is one of three "awareness" games on the Whitecaps' 2010 schedule. Breast Cancer Awareness Day presented by Sprint will take place on May 9, and on August 4, Van Andel Institute presents Community for a Cure Purple Games to Benefit Cancer Research.
Tickets for Autism Awareness Night as well as all other home games are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting whitecapsbaseball.com, by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131, or in person at the Fifth Third Ballpark box office (open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays (as well as during games). Ticket prices are $13.00 for premium box seats, $11.00 for box seats, $9.50 for reserved seats including the Alpine Collision Center Family Section, and $5.00 for McCain Foods Lawn seating. Children 2 and under are free. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., pregame activities begin at 5:45 p.m. and game time is 6:35 p.m.
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