Sky Sox Announce Heroes Classic
UPDATE: (6/21 3PM) The Sky Sox are disappointed to announce that due to travel issues, former Major Leaguer Lee Smith will not be in attendance at this evening's Heroes Classic. There are still plenty of former Major League players that will be on hand tonight including Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson and former All-Star Darrell Evans. The Celebrity softball game featuring former Major League stars, local celebrities, and members the Police, Fire and Wounded Warriors organizations will be capped off by a fantastic fireworks show as well. $5 from every ticket sold to tonight's game will go to benefit the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs, the Colorado Springs Fire Protective Association, and the Wounded Warrior Project.
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox, in conjunction with Verizon Wireless, Memorial Hospital and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA), have announced that the 2014 Heroes Classic is set for Saturday, June 21. The third annual charity softball game will be held at Security Service Field at 7:05 PM and will salute local Colorado Springs heroes including injured service members who have served our nation's military, and the Colorado Springs and El Paso County Fire and Safety Departments.
The event will also raise funds for three outstanding charities, the Colorado Springs Fire Protective Association, The Police Foundation of Colorado Springs, and the Wounded Warrior Project. For each ticket purchased for the event, five dollars will go towards raising funds for these very worthy organizations. In addition, as part of the game day activities, the teams will don custom made uniforms and these unique, game worn jerseys will be auctioned off during and after the game with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the selected charities. To date, this event has raised close to $40,000 for charity.
During the game, there will be a special silent auction of all the players' jerseys which will be held in the concourse at the main entrance of the stadium. Following the game, a live auction will be held on the Sky Sox dugout that will feature a select number of jerseys including Brooks Robinson's. All jerseys will be autographed by the player that wore them and will be accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. The MLBPAA will also auction off a variety of baseball memorabilia during the game with a portion of the proceeds benefitting all three charities.
The two teams playing the game will consist of members of the Colorado Springs Police and Fire Departments as well as injured service members who will represent the Wounded Warrior Project.
"On behalf of the men and women of the Colorado Springs Fire Department, I would like to thank the Sky Sox Baseball Club for organizing this event, which will benefit three worthy causes," said Fire Chef Chris Riley. "The Colorado Springs Fire Protective Association, the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs, and the Wounded Warrior Project are all organizations that support the dedicated men and women who serve their communities and our great nation."
"I am looking forward to going to bat against the fire department to raise money for the Colorado Springs Fire Protective Association, Police Foundation of Colorado Springs and the Wounded Warrior Project," said Police Chief Peter Carey. "CSPD took some lumps last year, and we're anxious to make up for it this year."
In addition, each team will also include several former Major League baseball players, local media members and local dignitaries. Highlighting the former Major League players who will be attending the event is Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson who will be signing autographs for fans throughout the game. The night will culminate with a tremendous fireworks display following the game.
"Through our strong partnership with the Sky Sox organization, we are beyond thrilled to bring back the Heroes Classic to the Colorado Springs community with the help of many Major League Baseball Alumni Association players," said MLBPAA's Director of Communications Nikki Warner. "We hope that through the children's experience at the Legends for Youth skills clinic and interacting with these legends of the game, they will be inspired to achieve their full potential both on and off the baseball field. The Sky Sox organization is a dream of a partner in this effort and we look forward to raising more awareness of the heroes' funds benefitting from the Heroes Classic game."
Tickets for the event come in two different options and can be purchased online at www.skysox.com, in person at the Sky Sox box office or by calling (719) 591-SOXX. Five dollars from each ticket purchased will be donated to and split evenly amongst the Colorado Springs Fire Protective Association, The Police Foundation of Colorado Springs, and the Wounded Warrior Project.
- • A limited number of special VIP package tickets are available for $30 and include:
- o An Upper Reserved ticket to the game.
- o Access to a special VIP autograph session before the game with the former Major League players, including Brooks Robinson
- o Membership in the MLBPAA
- o Upgrade to a box seat for just $3 more
- • Regular game tickets to the game will be $10 for Upper Reserved and $13 for Box Seats
- • Group tickets can be purchased in advance for groups of 20 or more through the Sky Sox group sales department for $7 each.
Former Major League players that will be participating in the game include:
- • Brooks Robinson: Hall of Fame third baseman, American League MVP in 1964, World Series MVP in 1970, 14-time All-Star, 16-time Gold Glove winner, played 23 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, won two World Series with Baltimore 1966 & 1970.
- • Bob Knepper: Two-time All-Star, pitcher played 15 seasons with San Francisco & Houston, won 146 games in his career including six season with 10 or more wins.
- • Mark Knudson: A member of the Rockies inaugural 1993 team, pitcher played in eight seasons with Houston, Milwaukee & Colorado.
- • Mark Lee: Pitcher played four seasons with Kansas City, Milwaukee & Baltimore.
- • Gary Krug: Mitchell High School grad and current Pine Creek JV Baseball Head Coach played for the Cubs in 1981, former Head Baseball Coach at Cheyenne Mountain High School.
- • Brian Fisher: A 2nd round draft pick of the Atlanta Braves in 1980, the righty won 36 games in seven seasons with the Yankees, Pirates, Astros and Mariners.
- • Bobby Johnson: A catcher & first baseman who played three season with the Texas Rangers. He is also the nephew of Hall of Famer Ernie Banks.
"The Heroes Classic has become such a fantastic family event for the Colorado Springs community as it gives us all an opportunity to recognize and raise funds for the many heroes in our proud city," said Sky Sox President & General Manager Tony Ensor. "We are honored to pay tribute to our local heroes for not only the heroics they have shown in recent events like the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires, and conflicts across the globe, but also for what they do day-in and day-out to make Colorado Springs one of the best communities in America."