Blue Wahoos Partnership With Cox Communications Provides Memorable Day For Area Youth

The kids arrived sporting colorful T-shirts and carrying wide smiles.

For so many, it was their first experience watching the Pensacola Blue Wahoos play June 11 against the Montgomery Biscuits at the bayfront, Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Their visit on this sun-splashed day was made possible by Cox Communications, a corporate partner with the Blue Wahoos since the team’s inaugural season in 2012. The company provided 100 tickets to area children connected to the Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida.

One of the youths was chosen to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the game. David Deliman, area market vice president for Cox Communications, also threw a first pitch and did an in-game interview with Blue Wahoos’ broadcaster Erik Bremer in the press box.

“It created memories for these kids and we thank Cox Communications for providing that,” said Blue Wahoos president Jonathan Griffith. “Getting that kind of experience that Cox provided was very special.

The kids got to be on the field before the game, see the Blue Wahoos play and experience the Cox Clubhouse (located behind home plate on the second-level concourse) and have fun with their friends.”

Cox Communications was also the sponsor of the Pensacola Seagulls Day. The Blue Wahoos wore the Seagulls uniforms to honor the team which played in the 1940’s as a feeder affiliate with the Negro Southern League.

After baseball’s color barrier was broken in 1947 by Jackie Robinson, who played an exhibition game in Pensacola, during his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947-1956, the Seagulls remained an amateur team in Pensacola all the way through the 1960’s and early 1970’s.

This season, the Blue Wahoos are part of “The Nine,” an initiative in Minor League Baseball to honor and celebrate the historic impact of Black baseball players of that 1930-50’s era.

The Blue Wahoos affiliation with the Miami Marlins and Major League Baseball includes various ways to grow baseball bring more community diversity into the game.

Cox Communications stepped forward to provide the special event that day. There were images of Seagulls players displayed on the stadium videoboard to bring awareness to the Seagulls legacy.

Following the game, as part of Family Sunday at Blue Wahoos Stadium, the kids were able to circle the bases and toss soft, rubber baseballs in the outfield.

“It was all part of a great partnership that Cox provides us,” Griffith said. “Among the many things Cox has done for us is install the high-speed wireless connections throughout the stadium to enhance the game experience for fans, along with the Cox Clubhouse area and that’s popular spot for kids.”

The moment was the kind which leaves a lasting memory for the youths at the game and develops new baseball fans.