L.B. Dantzler and Jorge Saez Named Dunedin Blue Jays Community Service Award Co-Recipients
September 9, 2015 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Dunedin Blue Jays News Release
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays are dedicated to strengthening the community each year that the ball club calls the Tampa Bay area home. The club is pleased to announce that L.B. Dantzler and Jorge Saez are the 2015 Community Service Award so-recipients for their efforts throughout the year.
Dantzler and Saez were honored on the field prior to the first pitch of the final game of the 2015 season on Thursday, September 3rd. The pair received plaques, gift cards and scratch off tickets from the Florida Lottery.
During the 2015 season, the Dunedin Blue Jays players, staff and DJ frequented schools for reading visits, boys and girls clubs for kickball games and even Cobb Theatres to catch a flick with Jr. Jays members. The entire team also participated in the Dunedin Blue Jays Charity Bowling Tournament for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay and made pottery prior to the event to be auctioned as a fundraiser.
L.B. Dantzler, infielder, and Jorge Saez, catcher, in particular personified strong community spirit and went above and beyond expectations during the year.
The pair made a combined 16 community appearances. "It's a lot of fun and it gives you something to do in the morning so you aren't sitting at home all day. It also gave you a great feeling knowing that you were trying to help out others," Saez said.
For both players, the desire to strengthen their community stems from childhood. "I'm coming from Miami, I've seen that side of society and I remember growing up and having the Dolphins and different organizations do some community service at my elementary school and it was a lot of fun and I really like all of that," Saez said.
For Dantzler, making a good impression is the most important thing. "I remember when I was younger I got the chance to batboy for the Cleveland Indians. I just thought that was the coolest thing ever, being around all those big leaguers and even some minor leaguers who got called up for Spring Training games. I just thought that was so awesome and I remember that vividly still to this day. If I can even have just a portion of the impact that those guys had on me then it makes it all worth it," said Dantzler.
"It's a huge honor, Georgie [Jorge] and I have been out there a lot this season, but you don't do it for the awards you do it because it helps the kids and I really enjoy doing that kind of stuff," Dantzler continued.
The Winter Haven, Florida native, Dantzler, said he especially enjoyed the Dunedin Blue Jays Charity Bowling Tournament benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay and painting pottery.
For Saez, his favorite part was seeing the culmination of effects his involvement during events had on kids.
"It's a cool feeling and just to be able to give them words of encouragement, hope and some sense of direction. Just any little thing that can encourage them throughout the day or encourage their lives," Saez said. "Drop those seeds in them and that right there is the most important thing of doing community service."
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Florida State League Stories from September 9, 2015
- Season Comes to Close in 2-1 Loss - Clearwater Threshers
- L.B. Dantzler and Jorge Saez Named Dunedin Blue Jays Community Service Award Co-Recipients - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Garrett Shuts Down Threshers in Game 1 Win - Daytona Tortugas
- Threshers Shut Out, 3-0 in Playoff Opener - Clearwater Threshers
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