Give a Glove, Get Two Tickets

June 6, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Fifth Third Bank, the YMCA and the Whitecaps are teaming up to put the game of baseball in the hands of underprivileged kids. Through June 16, fans can drop off a gently used baseball glove at Fifth Third Ballpark and receive two free tickets to a 2006 Whitecaps game. All the gloves collected will go to the Whitecaps Inner-City Youth Baseball and Softball Program.

"Every kid deserves a chance to play baseball and the glove drive will ensure that any kid who wants to play in the Whitecaps Inner-City Youth Baseball and Softball Program has the proper equipment," said Whitecaps marketing manager Mickey Graham. "We're excited to be partnering with all of these great organizations to make the program a success."

The Whitecaps Inner-City Youth Baseball Softball Program has been the primary recipient of the Whitecaps' charitable efforts since the team's second season. The Inner-City Youth Baseball and Softball Program is designed to teach the fundamentals of baseball, sportsmanship and the positive values of respect, responsibility, honesty and caring. Hundreds of volunteers serve as coaches, assistant coaches, drivers and scorekeepers. Each volunteer gives more than 100 hours of time each season to help make a difference in the lives of inner-city children.

"At Fifth Third, we strongly believe in helping today's youth become tomorrow's leaders, which is one of the goals of this program," said Byron Butler, Retail Marketing Manager for Fifth Third Bank of Western Michigan. "I encourage everyone to help a deserving child - please stop by one of the drop off locations and donate a glove."

Gloves can be dropped off at any Kent County Fifth Third Bank location from Wednesday, June 7 through Saturday, June 10 and from now until next Friday, June 16 at Fifth Third Ballpark. Crash and Maranda from WOTV 4 will also be collecting gloves on Thursday, June 8 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 p.m. at the Eastbrook Fifth Third Bank branch near Woodland Mall.

For more information on the glove drive or the Inner-City Youth Baseball and Softball Program, you can log onto the Whitecaps website, whitecapsbaseball.com.

Midwest League Stories from June 6, 2006

• MWL announces all-star roster - MWL1
• Chiefs win with five run first - Peoria Chiefs
• Rowlett clubs game-winner in 12th - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Lugnuts top Dragons 3-2 - Lansing Lugnuts
• Close games continue to go against Dragons - Dayton Dragons
• Devil Rays Groce out Silver Hawks - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Whitecaps defeat Wizards 8-2 - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Rain stops Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Cougars and Rattlers rained out up north - Kane County Cougars
• Devil Rays Pitch Their Way to Davenport - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• Swing get six All-Stars for June Classic - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Hawks To Fly In Davenport - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Arroyo Slides onto Disabled List; Thibault Activated - Burlington Bees
• Three 'Caps Players Chosen for MWL All-Star Team - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Five Wizards Named to Midwest League All-Star Team - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• MWL Announces All-Stars - MWL1
• Dragons Re-tool Staff with Addition of Mallett - Dayton Dragons
• Wizards Roster Undergoes Changes - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Give a Glove, Get Two Tickets - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Bees Win Series at Cedar Rapids - Burlington Bees
• Burlington takes series finale from Kernels 6-5 - Cedar Rapids Kernels

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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