Results tagged ‘ Cleveland Indians Charities ’
Michael Bourn introduced as newest Indians player
Michael Bourn (and his son) introduced as newest members of the Cleveland Indians.
The Indians introduced Outfielder Michael Bourn as the newest member of the team today in an afternoon press conference at the club’s Spring Training facility in Goodyear, Arizona. The Bourn signing was made official Friday, as he signed a 4-year contract, with a club option for the 2017 season.
Bourn, Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti, and Bourn’s agent Scott Boras were on hand at the press conference and explained how the signing came together, and their plans for 2013 and beyond.
New Indians Outfielder Michael Bourn:
On signing for the Indians…
“I want to thank the Dolan family for giving me the opportunity to play in Cleveland, and be a part of their organization, and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity. It was a long off-season for me, but it was fun, and it was an experience. It taught me patience – it taught me a lot – but it was interesting. I landed in the spot I think that I wanted, and that was my main focus – somebody that wants me, somebody that’s committed to me, and I’m committed to them. And I’m ready to rock and roll here for them.
On where he was expecting to sign…
“Every team was on my radar when the process began, so yes [the Indians] were on my radar. I knew they were trying to compete, and any team that’s trying to compete, I’m with them. Like you said, I’m a competitor. That’s what my father taught me since I was little, so any team that’s trying to win, I want to be a part of.
“I had a good supporting cast with my mom, my dad, my girlfriend, my little boy; he always keeps a smile on my face. It was just something I had to go through, a process I had to just let unfold. I feel like I landed in a place that wants me, a place I want to be, a place with a lot of talent that has a chance to do some good things.”
On playing in an outfield with Michael Brantley and Drew Stubbs:
“Yes of course, you always want to be next to people that can play it out, I come from that with Martin [Prado] and [Jason] Heyward. I think with this one I have even more speed out there, both of those players can run, they run just like I run, so it will be exciting to watch.”
MLB Authenticators work to ensure the validity of rare autographed items
Photo by Ian A.C. Johnson
Ever wonder how an autographed or game-used item is deemed “authentic” by Major League Baseball and its clubs?
Well, for those in the market for such an item, there is a small sticker to look for on each item which guarantees its authenticity. Each club in MLB has a group of official Authenticators, whose job is to keep track of autographed and game-used items to confirm that they are genuine.
Linda Kaspar is one of four authenticators assigned to the Indians. One authenticator is required to be on hand at each game, and Kaspar rotates with her colleagues to split up the 81 home games.
“We have to be present,” she explained. “We have to witness everything that is either signed or comes off the field as it comes off the field to make sure that it’s valid, and the person signing it is the real person.”
Kaspar, like many of her co-workers, is a retired Cleveland Police Officer, and she has worked in this role with the Indians for the past five seasons.
“I happened to know somebody that was going for an interview for an authenticator [position], and they needed more people so I was asked to come to the interview and I got hired,” said Kaspar.
These authenticated items are often an important fundraising source for charity organizations that wish to raise money by selling similar items. Having the official sticker to mark an item’s legitimacy is an important way to protect both fans and the charity organizations.
Cleveland Indians Charities uses the money raised through a series of auctions to fund programs such as the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s baseball and softball programs, as well as making a significant annual donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland.
Currently, there are several authenticated items available through the Indians official online auction, with proceeds from each benefiting CIC and its partner programs.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the current auction items.
Indians Welcome Guests for ‘Dream Day’ Experience at Progressive Field
The Indians partnered with Our Lady of the Wayside, Rising Star, and the Strike Force Baseball Academy to host a Dream Day Experience at Progressive Field yesterday for a group of baseball fans with developmental disabilities.
The group completed a series of baseball activities focused on different aspects of the sport, including pitching and fielding drills, and a unique batting practice in the outfield. Jonathan Schulz is a coach at the Strike Force Baseball Academy and served as Camp Director for the day, after helping to plan the event with the Indians over the last eight months.
“The idea was to make everyone seem like they were a pro today,” said Schulz. “Regardless of age, regardless of ability level – just to come out and have fun with smiles and laughter – everybody is just having a blast, and that’s the most we can ask for.”
After being approached by Schulz about the Dream Day event, the Indians reached out to Our Lady of the Wayside – a long-time partner of the organization that works to enrich the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities – to gauge their interest in participating.
“We have a lot of individuals that we care for who are huge Tribe fans, so it took about a minute to get the number of people that we needed to complete the day,” said Meg Downey – the Director of Specialized Services at Wayside. “Our partner in this is Rising Star, and they take care of children with Cerebral Palsy. They were able to bring some of the kids down and I can’t tell you how grateful we are.”
Earlier this summer, the Indians partnered with Majestic Steel to host a group from the “Up to Bat” program at Progressive Field, and the club hopes to hold similar events in the future. Dream Day participants and organizers agreed they would welcome another opportunity to play on the major league diamond.
Schulz concluded, “[It’s great] to come out here after putting the details together over the last several months, and have it all culminate in today’s event. It is a first-time thing, and we hope to continue for years to come, and continue to grow.”
ImpACTA Kids Foundation: Celebrity Bowling Charity Fundraiser
Indians manager Manny Acta is gearing up for the second annual Celebrity Bowling Charity Fundraiser that will take place August 23rd from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Corner Alley.
All fans are invited to purchase tickets to the event, which is run by Cleveland Indians Charities and the ImpACTA Kids Foundation.
Acta has invited the entire Cleveland Indians team as well as the New York Yankees team, which will be in town to face the Tribe.
“We’re very happy to be able to have our second event. I hope we’re able to get support because it goes to a very good cause. Our players have been very supportive of it, and they’re going to be supportive of it again,” Acta said. “We’re going to have some fun. It’s a way for us to pay back our fans.”
Individual tickets can be purchased for $125.00, giving fans access to the celebrity bowling area, photograph and signing opportunities, the chance to win Bowl-with-Celebrity tickets, access to auction and raffle, fan giveaways, and dinner and two drink tickets.
Group VIP Sponsorship & Bowl with Celebrities offers a package of five tickets with exclusive access to the player VIP area for $5,000.00 ($1,000 per person). Fans purchasing this package also receive a special red carpet photograph with a celebrity, five free raffle tickets, dinner and open bar, a VIP gift bag, and complimentary VIP parking.
All proceeds will benefit Cleveland Indians Charities, ImpACTA Kids Foundation (see photos above), and Mission Possible.
Acta said he encourages fans to support those in need in the Cleveland area and in the Dominican Republic.
“Support the event, not only because it’s a great cause, but also because it’s an opportunity to see our players up-close and be able to chat with some of them and take pictures,” he said. “Also, because helping needy kids is very important in our lives. Baseball is our job, our passion, but it’s not everything we’re all about. Helping kids is a big part of our lives.”
-Megan Golden, TribeVibe contributor
