ALS Association Driving Home ALS Message
at Minor League Baseball Games

Raley Field is the home of Sacramento River Cats, a Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A’s. The Greater Sacramento Chapter and the River Cats have worked closely together to raise awareness about ALS.

The ALS Association is “going deep” again in its fight against ALS as part of Minor League Baseball’s Charity Partners Program (CPP). By participating in the program in 2006 and 2007, the ALS Association’s slugging percentage against ALS will increase, a tape measure effort that will contribute to the day when “she’s gone” also means ALS is no more.

The strong bond between The ALS Association’s national network of chapters and Minor League Baseball dates back several decades and was fortified in 2003 when Minor League Baseball launched CPP and welcomed The ALS Association aboard to jointly create exciting public relations programs and fundraising events to benefit people with ALS as well as draw more fans to games.   

In 2005, the ALS Association-CPP hit parade was led with more radio interviews about ALS, game-day programs with Association advertisements and the portion of the sale of “It’s Fun to be a Fan” bracelets that went to The ALS Association. Rounding the bases were players and coaches who were more than willing to donate tips they received while masquerading as waiters and bartenders along with many other efforts.

“Town by town, local chapter by local chapter, The ALS Association is honored to be an official charity partner of Minor League Baseball,” said Association President and CEO Gary Leo. “Through the generosity of Minor League Baseball, The ALS Association has built a winning partnership that benefits teams, communities, fans, and most importantly, patients living with ALS in their hometowns.”

The ALS Association’s Walk to D’Feet ALS advertisement appears in game day programs.

“Minor League Baseball’s Charity Partners Program allows us to nurture the relationships between our clubs, fans and national charity partners,” said Minor League Baseball President Mike Moore. “It’s a pleasure for us to be involved with ALS and other such worthy causes and assist them in helping educate the public and to provide help for so many people.”

The number of teams involved in the fight against ALS has risen from approximately 25 in 2003, 46 in 2004 to 80 teams in 2005 and 2006, while donations have increased from $200,000 in 2004 to as much as a projected $400,000 in 2006.

The ALS Association’s New Mexico Chapter and the Albuquerque Isotopes are planning to make their fourth CPP season together bigger and better than ever with events such as ALS Night at the Ballpark and the Association’s national signature fundraising event, the Walk to D’Feet ALS® leading the way.

The team will host the Triple-A All-Star game, called the “Triple-A All-Star Fiesta” in 2007, and is looking forward to having the chapter participate in other activities.

The sharing of new ideas and the mutual respect the team and the chapter have for each other has been the key to success, said Isotopes Director of Community Relations Melissa Gomez.

“It has been a great and growing relationship. We’re working on expanding that every year,” Gomez said.   “We are looking for new ways to work with them and use our venue to get the word out about ALS. We’re more than happy and honored to work with The ALS Association.”

Gomez said baseball and community involvement with the ALS Association and other charities go hand in hand, like hot dogs and apple pie.  

ALS Association Greater Sacramento Chapter Board Member and Public Policy Chair Lori Reed sang the national anthem at the 2005 Triple-A All-Star game in Sacramento.

“People come to the stadium to watch the game and have fun,” continued Gomez, who found watching a person with ALS throw out a ceremonial first pitch emotional because it made her realize most people take their health for granted. “Hopefully the fan also takes away with him awareness about ALS and decides to participate in the Walk and make a donation.”

The ALS Association New Mexico Partner Executive Director Terie Baker believes holding the chapter’s Walk at Isotopes Park the last two years, combined with the Minor League Baseball front office encouraging teams to become more involved with chapters, has made all the difference in the world.

“The Albuquerque Isotopes want to do more events with us,” said Baker and that translates into more messages about ALS on the team’s scoreboard. “There are a lot of people who go to the games and for us to be on their Jumbotron, which has happened, has resulted in very good awareness about the disease.”

The general manager of the Rochester Red Wings, Dan Mason, lost his mother-in-law to ALS, a backdrop which provides extra inspiration, and a sense of urgency, in the relationship with the chapter.

Pushing the envelope type suggestions has helped the three-year relationship between the Upstate New York Chapter and the Rochester Red Wings flourish.

(L-R) ALS Association President and CEO Gary Leo with Sacramento River Cats CFO Dan Vistica and the ALS Association Greater Sacramento Chapter Board President Chuck Sievers. Leo praised the partnership between the ALS Association, the team and Minor League Baseball before the Triple-A All-Star game in Sacramento.

“I would probably have to say the hard work of chapter executive director Donna Mott-Lange is one of the most important reasons for the growth,” said Rochester Red Wings Director of Promotions Matt Cipro. “She is very easy to work with and is very receptive to our zany, crazy Minor League Baseball ideas. She is always willing to work with us and tries to get people out to the ballpark to help increase awareness of ALS.”

Under the category of new and exciting, businesses and vendors the team works with are being offered a season opener $300 package that includes 50 tickets and a hot dog and soda for each of those 50 people. The tickets will then be donated to 10 “Grand Slam” charities the team sponsors, including the ALS Association, which will be able to distribute the tickets to ALS patients, families and others to use on Opening Day. Mott-Lange, and representatives from the nine other organizations, will throw out the first pitch. She also will be presented with a donation from the team to the chapter in the form of a check.

In addition, the team is sponsoring an ALS Awareness Week during a four game series with the New York Yankees affiliate, the Columbus Clippers. Highlights will include former New York Yankees pitcher Goose Gossage signing autographs, the distribution of bronze Lou Gehrig statues, and the donation of a Frontier Field suite to the ALS Association for a game during that week. The Association can then sell tickets for the suite, where Gossage will make a special visit, and keep the proceeds.

“ALS is something that the community at large may not know a lot about, so we feel good that we help educate our fans about the disease,” Cipro said. It is my pleasure to be involved and to help out in as small a role that I play. I enjoy seeing the families affected by this having fun at the ballpark.”

A memory that reminds Cipro of why it is important for teams such as the Rochester Red Wings to stay involved in the fight against ALS is that of ALS patient Gordie Jewett throwing out the first pitch.

“His attitude is unbelievable. He has been dealt a pretty tough hand and the fact that his spirits are so high and he is willing to get out and do the things that he does is a real credit to him.”

Before wheeling himself out to the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Rochester Red Wings home game at Frontier Field, ALS patient Gordie Jewett receives a few tips from former Major League Baseball pitcher Tommy John, an ALS Association advocate.

The Charity Partners Program has “absolutely” resulted in more people knocking on the door of the ALS Association Upstate New York Chapter to offer assistance in fighting ALS, and has increased ALS awareness, which has delighted its executive director.

“The Rochester Red Wings are very accommodating to us,” Mott-Lange said. “They have really taken us under their wing and have helped us in every way possible, more than I could have ever imagined.”

Mott-Lange said the team “has a great understanding of the disease and how it affects people,” an intangible that has contributed to the success of the program, meaning ALS awareness has increased tremendously in the Rochester area.   “They are compassionate and know what the disease means.”

“You cannot put a price tag on what the team does for us,” Mott-Lange added. “You cannot put a price tag on ALS awareness.”

ALS Association Community Services Director Nancy Venner was very pleased that Minor League Baseball asked the Association to remain on the Charity Partners Program roster.

“Things are going so well that Minor League Baseball wanted The ALS Association as a partner for another two years,” Venner said. “Minor League Baseball has done a fabulous job of promoting the many mutually beneficial aspects of this program to its 160 teams, and the great majority of our national chapters also have really been diligent about pursuing teams to join us in our efforts to improve the quality of life for people living with the disease and to one day finding a cure.”

ALS Association New Mexico Chapter Board Member Renie Pedregon, who lost her husband to ALS four years ago, raises awareness about ALS at the chapter’s information booth on the concourse of Isotopes Park.

Venner estimates that in the last three years hundreds of thousands of people who have attended Minor League Baseball games across the United States have become more familiar with the disease. Public service announcements (PSAs) shown on Jumbotron scoreboards as well as on audio messages have complemented special pre-game promotion. During and following games, many individuals and families have dropped by to say hello at the ALS Association’s concourse information booth. Some have the disease and did not know where to turn to for help, and others know of someone with ALS who they can now refer to the ALS Association.

“It is these types of efforts on behalf of Minor League Baseball that helps The ALS Association accomplish its mission,” Venner said. “The extra exposure helps us recruit more volunteers and potential board members and obviously raises general awareness and money. There is no doubt that this partnership has lent us credibility.”

Venner also said that fans who are present at stadium and off-site events such as Lou Gehrig Day at the Ballpark and participate in K’s for a Cure – Help Strike Out ALS, Team Autograph Party and Auction and the Walk to D’Feet ALS understand teams are committed to more than developing Major League Baseball prospects and winning.

“They realize that their team cares about the community, and that is very important for Minor League Baseball because it is focused on creating a wholesome family experience,” Venner said. “This keeps people in a positive mind frame, one which brings them back to the stadium time and time again.”