Skyhawks return home tomorrow night
Published on June 24, 2009 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Sussex Skyhawks News Release
Reading Program a Huge Success!! 8000 Students take part in Score an A, Score a Ticket
The Skyhawks would love to thank all who contributed to such an overwhelming response to our "Score An A, Score A Ticket" program. 2009 saw our biggest reading program ever, with over 8,000 children completing the program and coming out to a ballgame!!
"Score an 'A', Score a Ticket" began four years ago with the simple intention of rewarding students for their academic achievements. What began as an idea has turned into a countywide success and is continuing to grow. With a record enrollment of 41 schools and over 8,000 students this year, the program has been a major success and has soared past expectations. Students in the program are from Sussex, Morris, Warren, Passaic, and Pike Counties.
"Score an "A", Score a Ticket" is completely free for schools to participate. The program can be adapted to any curriculum and teachers are given the freedom to adjust the program to the needs of their classroom. The program is a great opportunity to reward students for the academic achievements. Schools are encouraged to become involved in this great opportunity for their students. Please contact the Skyhawks office at 973-300-1000 for more information about the program or to request an enrollment form.
Congratulations to all of the students who participated. We hope that you continue reading and will be apart of the program next season.
Next Homestand Starts Tomorrow
Thursday 6/25 - 103.7 WNNJ will at Skylands Park pre-game with the Miller Lite girls. Enter to win tickets to the Pennsylvania 500 on the spot! Also, remember it's dollar beer & soda night!
Friday 6/26 - Mini helmet giveaway for the first 1000 fans in attendance, Fireworks, NJ Martial Arts Academy pre-game demonstration on the field, Sussex Wantage Little League Parade.
Saturday 6/27 - Food Drive (see following article for more information) Skyhawks Logo Ball Giveaway, first 1000 fans in attendance. Tailgate in the picnic area (see below for more information)
Sunday 6/28 - Dog Days of Summer sponsored by Treasured Creatures Pet Care of Sparta (Bring 1your dog to the park, hot dogs $1), Kids Eat Free with coupon brought from the Sunday NJ Herald.
Tuesday 6/30 - Our very first "Ladies Night" sponsored by Ultima Hair Designers & Spa. Mini-makeovers, chari massages, vendors, giveaways AND it's two for Tuesday! TWO people can enjoy the game and dinner for just $22 TOTAL...just $11 per person!!
Wednesday 7/1 - Our very first Seniors Night sponsored by Bristol Glen, Independent and Assisted Living, in Newton. Vendors, games, giveaways and seniors can attend for just $5 reserved or $7 box seats. Also Seniors eat free when they bring the coupon from the NJ Herald
Thursday 7/2- Military Appreciation Night and Fireworks!!
Ruwe Named Pitcher of the Week
The Can-Am League has announced Sussex Skyhawks RHP Kyle Ruwe as Player of the Week. Ruwe currently leads the Can-Am League as the number one pitcher with an ERA of 1.26 and a record of 3-0. Ruwe has pitched 35.2 innings throughout five games this season. With 26 strikeouts, he has the third highest strikeout number in the league.
The 26 year old Florida native is currently in his 2nd season with the Skyhawks. Before joining the Skyhawks, Ruwe played for Lincoln for three seasons with an average ERA of 4.01 in 89 innings before coming to Sussex.
In Thursday, June 18th's game, Ruwe scattered nine hits, struck out eight and walked just two in a complete game shutout as the Skyhawks rolled to a 9-0 win at home against New Hampshire. "We had to feel good with our number one guy on the mound," Skyhawks manager Hal Lanier said. "He has a good track record. He knows how to win."
Two Former Skyhawks Players Playing for Class A Teams
The Sussex Skyhawks finished the 2008 season as Can-Am Champions. This season, two of those players, first baseman Matt Weston, and pitcher Mike LaLuna, are currently playing for class A teams.
First baseman, Matt Weston, a key player of the 2008 championship team, finished the 2008 season second in home runs and fifth in total bases and extra-base hits. On June 3, his contract was sold to the Lancaster Jet Hawks, the Houston Astros' class A affiliate of the California League, in Lancaster, California. The Chino Hills, CA resident was in his second season with the Skyhawks. In his five games with the Skyhawks this year, Weston batted .391 with nine hits, four runs scored, and three runs batted in. Since joining the Jet Hawks, Weston is currently batting .263, with 15 hits, four doubles, one triple, and 5 home runs, and 16 RBI's through 16 games.
RHP Mike LaLuna, another player of the 2008 Skyhawks team, pitched 42 innings throughout 26 games. He finished the 2008 season with the Skyhawks with a record of 2-1 and ERA of 2.79. A native of Merrick, New York, LaLuna joins the Oneonta Tigers this year, the Detroit Tigers Class A Affiliate Short Season team of the New York Penn League in Oneonta, New York. The Tigers' 2009 season began Friday, June 19 against Tri-City, where LaLuna pitched the last three innings, earning his first save of the seaon. The Tigers won 2-0.
Skyhawks' Food Drive to Benefit Social Services' Food Pantry
Skyhawks Baseball will be sponsoring a food drive during two of their regularly scheduled games to benefit the food pantry at the Sussex County Social Services. Come enjoy America's favorite pastime and contribute toward an extremely worthy cause at the same time on June 27, 2009 when the Skyhawks verse the Quebec Capitales at 2:05 p.m. and on July 25, 2009 when the Skyhawks verse the Worcester Tornadoes at 5:05 p.m. At the June 27th game, the Skyhawks will give a Skyhawks Collectible Logo Baseball to the first 1,000 fans. There will be a tailgate party in the picnic area: be part of a great pre-game picnic catered by the Homestead Restaurant. Call the Skyhawks Box Office to reserve your spot. The July 25th game offers the D&H Alternative Risk Solutions "Knot Hole Gang" Kids Clinic; this is a free clinic. Contact D&H to register your child.
The Skyhawks Baseball Park is located at 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ, at the intersection of Routes 15, 206 and 565. Call the Skyhawks Box Office at 973-300-1000 x21 to reserve your seats or visit www.sussexskyhawks.com to purchase your tickets on-line or obtain travel directions and further information about the park. A Sussex County Skylands Ride bus will be parked on location to accept donations.
Suggested food donations include non-perishable milk, juice, tuna, meals in a can (spaghetti-o's, stew, etc.) soup, peanut butter & jelly, granola bars, crackers, cereal, macaroni and cheese, pasta and sauce. Personal items such as toilet paper, soap, shampoo, etc. are always needed as well. Thousands of Sussex County residents visit the Social Services' office each year. During the past twelve months in particular, Social Services has experienced difficulty in keeping the food pantry's shelves stocked. The Social Services' food pantry operates primarily on donations. Donations to the Skyhawks' food drive will help to feed our families and home-bound individuals who would go hungry without this assistance.
If anyone is in need of food for themselves or their family they can stop by the Division of Social Services, 83 Spring Street, Newton on Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. No appointments are necessary. Food donations are accepted during these hours or special arrangements can be made for after hour donations by calling 973-383-3600.
Social Services is thankful to Ben Wittkowski and the staff of the Skyhawks Baseball Park for their generous donation of time and effort.
Please join this cause to help our neighbors in need.
Tailgate in the Picnic Area this Saturday!!
The Skyhawks are bringing back their wildly successful picnic area tailgate parties for the 2009 season. The first one is this Saturday and is sponsored by the Homestead Rest in Sparta. The menu includes Beer Brats, Hamburgers, Wings, Hot Dogs, Rolls, 2 Sides, Brownies & Cookies. Tickets for this event must be purchased ahead of time (no day of game sales). The price is $17 if you already have a ticket to the game and $27 if you need a ticket to the game. For more information or to book your ticket(s), please give the box office a call at 973-300-1000x21.
Price with ticket already purchased: $17.00 Price without ticket already purchased: $27.00
Canadian American League Stories from June 24, 2009
- Can-Am Recap June 24 - Can-Am
- Worcester Will Roll into NJ with Win - Worcester Tornadoes
- Skyhawks return home tomorrow night - Sussex Skyhawks
- Topps and Goldklang Group Announce 2009 Inductees for Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame - Brockton Rox
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.
