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Hammerheads' jerseys promote Hope At Bat initiative

By Gerard Gilberto @Gerard_Gilberto
October 3, 2024

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).

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.

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.

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.

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