Hammerheads' jerseys promote Hope At Bat initiative
This season, the Hammerheads debuted an alternate jersey that harnessed the powers of nostalgia and community to bring a personalized touch to a cause that affects just about everybody. The look of the alternate jersey for the Marlins’ Single-A affiliate pays homage to its parent club’s origins while also raising
This season, the Hammerheads debuted an alternate jersey that harnessed the powers of nostalgia and community to bring a personalized touch to a cause that affects just about everybody.
The look of the alternate jersey for the Marlins’ Single-A affiliate pays homage to its parent club’s origins while also raising awareness of the Hope At Bat program and Minor League Baseball’s partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Ready for our first Hope At Bat Night this season!
— Jupiter Hammerheads (@GoHammerheads) May 8, 2024
Join us for a night dedicated to fundraising and raising awareness in support of cancer research!
Our teal jerseys are now available for auction! 👇https://t.co/UwH2p7njvE
Get tickets for tonight! 👇https://t.co/618VgaNrwx pic.twitter.com/nDmQAjxmz8
The teal color scheme is reminiscent of the Marlins’ original look that Jupiter also adopted in the early 2000s. The jersey’s sleeve also features the multicolored ribbon that’s used as the Hope At Bat logo.
The club already had an existing partnership with its local ACS chapter before the Hope At Bat program began in 2022. Nick Bernabe, the club’s assistant general manager and director of sales, said that Hope At Bat gave the club an opportunity to take that partnership to the next level.
“It was something that we've kind of toyed around with for a few years as just an alternate jersey, but this gave us a platform to do something good for somebody else,” Bernabe said. “It was kind of one of those things that we had a lot of things that came together really well.”
The Hope At Bat program stretched across four days – one per month – during the MiLB season. Players’ on-field performance would generate donations to the ACS with a total fundraising goal of $50,000.
On Strike Out Breast Cancer Day (May 8), $10 was donated for every strikeout across MiLB. "Knocking Cancer Out of the Park" was celebrated June 12 with $100 donated for each homer to promote prostate cancer awareness.
Doubling Down on Sun Safety Day occurred July 10, where $50 was donated for every double to promote skin cancer awareness. Finally, the Give Every Child a Chance to Run program was featured on Aug. 14, when $15 was donated for every run scored in support of pediatric cancer awareness.
Overall, $37,120 of the total $50,000 donation was raised by clubs with Triple-A Albuquerque earning the largest sum of all teams ($975) and Minor League Baseball pitching in the rest.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month🩷
— Jupiter Hammerheads (@GoHammerheads) October 3, 2024
Earlier this summer we had a "Hope at Bat Night" dedicated to breast cancer awareness. We support those affected by this horrible disease. Keep fighting! #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #HammerTime pic.twitter.com/KGAVTwR0OR
But Jupiter’s efforts went beyond the regular campaign.
The Hammerheads auctioned the game-worn teal jerseys to fans with the proceeds going to their local ACS chapter. As of late June, the No. 35 jersey worn by second-ranked Marlins prospect Noble Meyer raised more money than any other MiLB auction in 2024 and, according to Bernabe, the auction produced a club-record $3,075 donation.
The jerseys were not only sought after on the auction block. The initial plan was for the club to wear them only during the first two Hope At Bat days. But after some lobbying from players and support from the fans both at the ballpark and on social media, Bernabe estimates that the team wore them about a dozen times throughout the season.
“It was just really cool to see the response from the fans,” Bernabe said. “If you want to wear the jersey that's going to give the American Cancer Society and the Hope At Bat program exposure, who are we to say no to that? So, not only the fans, but also the players and the organization showed support for it too.”
Prior to the Hammerheads' first Hope At Bat game in May, a pregame ceremony allowed players, coaches and staff to line the field holding personalized signs that said “I Go to Bat For …” with the names of family members and loved ones affected by cancer hand written below.
For Bernabe, the celebration made him think about Tottie Roetz.
Thelma “Tottie” Roetz and her husband, Ken, were longtime season-ticket holders for the Hammerheads and Palm Beach Cardinals, who also play at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Bernabe remembers seeing them at least weekly if not nightly at the ballpark.
Thank you @GoHammerheads for allowing us to celebrate Hope at Bat Night with you!
— Palm Beach Cardinals (@GoPBCardinals) May 9, 2024
The Hammerheads are also auctioning game-worn jerseys if you want to help support the American Cancer Society and their cause! https://t.co/8AiZT4egSP pic.twitter.com/9o5yYD8rxN
Tottie Roetz, 81, had been diagnosed with bone cancer prior to last season. She was able to stay in touch with the club as she underwent treatment and the Hammerheads fought for the Florida State League title last year.
Roetz listened along on the radio from her hospital bed as Jupiter won its first championship series. When she returned to the ballpark this season, the club presented her with a championship ring.
In June, just after the second Hope At Bat game, Roetz passed away. Her story illustrates the connection between the club, the community and the Hope At Bat program.
“It's special that we could do that as a kind of a tribute to her,” Bernabe said. “We obviously missed Tottie a lot. She was a great fixture in the stadium, and was a huge fan and a huge supporter of ours. And without really trying to do it directly for her, it kind of turned into that. It was really, really neat to be able to bring that in for her.”
Gerard Gilberto is a reporter for MiLB.com.
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring
'Hungry' Alcántara hoping to pounce on big league prey in '25
MESA, Ariz. -- The thing about jaguars is, you don’t want to see one when it’s hungry. So when Cubs legend Sammy Sosa spoke to the organization’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- and the No. 89 prospect overall -- the former slugger gave him some apt advice. “His
Rainiers broadcaster Pay talks historic role on MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Prospect Santos 'electric' in Spring Breakout start
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Malcolm Moore knew Winston Santos was locked in before he even threw a pitch. In the second annual Spring Breakout game, Santos -- the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- was throwing to Moore, the Rangers’ No. 4 prospect and highest-ranked catcher. The battery more
Switch-pitcher Cijntje deals from both sides in Spring Breakout
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jurrangelo Cijntje knew who’d be waiting for him in the batter’s box when he emerged from the visiting bullpen on Friday evening. The Mariners’ switch-pitcher had seen Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana recently at a card-signing event, to which they each joked, “I’m going to see you soon,”
Fans in this Minor League town are hungry for ... the Spicy Meatballs?!?
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Chandler adds mix to upper-90s heat in stellar Spring Breakout start
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In the inaugural Spring Breakout game a year ago, as he was coming out to pitch the ninth inning, Bubba Chandler slammed a Red Bull and declared “let’s do this” before pumping upper-90s heat.