Press Release: Staten Island Yankees Present Special Olympics NYC Day

LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS TO CONCLUDE AT THE RICHMOND COUNTY BANK BALLPARK AT ST. GEORGE JULY 10

Staten Island Yankees hosting Special Olympics NYC Day, featuring special on-field jerseys 

STATEN ISLAND- On Sunday, July 10 at 4 p.m., the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George will serve as the finish line for the Staten Island leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics New York. During the Staten Island Yankees game against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers following the Torch Run, the team will wear special jerseys designed by Rodney Hankins, who has competed in bowling with Special Olympics NYC for over 20 years. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off during the game with all proceeds going to Special Olympics NYC.



LETR for Special Olympics is the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. At its most basic level, the Torch Run is an actual running event in which officers and athletes run the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremonies of local & statewide Special Olympics competitions. Annually, more than 85,000 dedicated, compassionate and volunteer law enforcement officers participate in the torch run throughout 35 nations, 12 Canadian provinces and 50 US States, raising more than $50 million for local Special Olympics programs in 2015 and over $500 million since its inception in 1981.



2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the Law Enforcement Torch Run in New York State. This year, over 200 officers and athletes ran in the Queens leg on June 4th, into the annual Metro Tournament at Queens College. On Sunday, July 10, local officers and local athletes will run in the second LETR leg in Staten Island, making this the first ceremonial run for the borough. These officers and athletes will carry the Flame of Hope into the Staten Island Yankees game to throw the ceremonial first pitch at 3:45 p.m. For more information, please visit www.nycletr.kintera.org.



Gates for Sunday’s baseball game open at 3 p.m. with first pitch occurring at 4 p.m. Prior to the game, mascots from across the New York Metro area will be in ballpark for a pre-game event as part of “Scooter’s Summer Olympics” sponsored by Fidelis, then will escort Special Olympics NYC athletes to the field for various in-game activities. Attending the event are mascots from organizations including the College of Staten Island, Seton Hall, Fidelis, Trenton Thunder and more. Also in attendance will be Chad Spencer and Chris Hall from Hulu’s “Behind the Mask”. For tickets to the Sunday’s game, fans can visit www.siyanks.com or call 718-720-9265.

THUNDER TO HOST SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES INAUGURAL BASEBALL FINALS

THUNDER TO HOST SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA GAMES INAUGURAL BASEBALL FINALS
Free Event Will See Bronze, Silver, & Gold Medals Decided

A national championship will be decided at ARM & HAMMER Park, home of the Trenton Thunder, when the Special Olympics USA Games Inaugural Baseball Finals are held on Thursday, June 19. "We've had High School, College, and Eastern League championships decided at ARM & HAMMER Park, and now we get to see Olympic medals up for grabs," said Thunder COO/GM Will Smith. "The Special Olympics USA Games is a huge event for the state of New Jersey and we are thrilled to host the baseball medal games.  Come see the best athletes in the United States of America go for the gold in this historic inaugural event!" The Baseball Finals will include the Bronze Medal Game at 4:30pm followed by the Gold Medal Game at 7:00pm. This is a General Admission event and it is free and open to the public. The normal parking fee of $3 per car will be charged.  The gates at ARM & HAMMER Park will open at4:00pm. "The Trenton Thunder organization has demonstrated the ultimate level of respect for our athletes with the hosting of the medal rounds of our first ever national baseball event at these 2014 USA Games,” stated Marc Edenzon, President of Special Olympics New Jersey.   “Our athletes have waited over 45 years for this opportunity and now will experience playing at ARM & HAMMER Park, on the very same field that Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, Tony Clark and other baseball greats have played.” The Special Olymics USA Baseball tournament includes teams from New Jersey, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Alabama. With this being the first time that the sport of baseball is included in the Special Olympics USA Games, the National Baseball Hall of Fame will be on hand for a ceremony between games. The Special Olympics USA Games will be hosted by New Jersey June 14-21, 2014. Nearly 3,500 athletes will compete in 16 Olympic-style team and individual sports, with the support of 1,000 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 70,000 family, friends and spectators. For more information, please visit www.2014specialolympics.org.  The Thunder will begin a three-game weekend series with the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh) on Friday, June 6 at ARM & HAMMER Park.  Tickets are available at trentonthunder.com or by calling 609-394-3300.