MLB Umpires Ted Barrett and Lance Barksdale welcome Deirdre, Christine, Joseph, and Javonne to Fenway Park for a game between the Brewers and Red Sox. Deirdre is a Wendy's Wonderful Kids (WWK) recruiter for the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange. She works to move children in the Boston area from foster care into loving adoptive homes.

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids is the direct-service signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption that combines the fundraising of Wendy's and its customers, aggressive grants management of the Foundation, and the talent of experienced adoption recruiters like Deirdre throughout the nation and in Canada to move children from foster care into permanent, loving adoptive homes. Wendy's Wonderful Kids

Additional Photos:



Special thanks to:

• Sarah Stevenson, Kate Dempsey and the entire Red Sox community relations staff. See how the Red Sox are making a difference in the Boston and surrounding communities. Red Sox Community Overview


• Deirdre Madden of the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange for helping provide an enjoyable experience at the ballpark and for all that you do to find loving homes for children in the Boston area.
  
• The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA) for your dedication toward dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 140,000 children in North America’s foster care systems waiting to be adopted. Learn More about DTFA

Labels: barksdale, barrett, bos, crew, mlb, wwk

MLB Umpire Laz Diaz welcomes Lisa, Scott, Dashanique, and Donta to Citizen’s Bank Park for a game between the Blue Jays and Phillies. Lisa and Scott are caring mentors with Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the most effective youth mentoring organizations in the United States. BLUE for Kids recognizes the direct and lasting impact that adult mentors have in the lives of young people. Through the BLUE Crew Tickets program, umpires provide memorable sports experiences to strengthen the mentor/youth relationship. About Big Brothers Big Sisters

Comments from Lisa Knoflicek:

Thank you so much for the BLUE for Kids baseball experience. We all had an amazing time. Dashanique and Donta really enjoyed getting to go on the field and meet umpire Laz Diaz. Mr. Diaz was educational, very fun and inspirational. Dashanique now wants to start playing softball! The kids loved the signed baseballs and Philles hats. The game was great with an awesome Phillies win, despite the rain. Dashanique's favorite part was "seeing the guy hit all those home runs". Its not often you get to see a player tie a club record for RBI's! And I kept telling her every time Jayson Werth was up to bat, that no one gets home runs every time! Donta loved the Philly Phanatic. Please thank Umpire Diaz for taking the time to talk to Dashanique and Donta. Thanks so much to Umpire Diaz, the Phillies, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and BLUE for Kids. This is a memory we all will treasure forever. Thanks! Lisa, Scott, Dashanique, and Donta.

More Photos:



Special thanks to:

• Beth Paladino and the entire Phillies community relations staff. See how the Phillies are making a difference in the Philadelphia and surrounding communities. Phillies Community Overview


• Mentors Lisa and Scott Knoflicek for serving the all important role of youth mentor and for sharing in a unique baseball experience with the kids.
  
• Adrienne Hessert of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania for identifying two deserving matches for the game.

Labels: bbbs, crew, diaz, mlb, phi

MLB Umpire Greg Gibson welcomes Frank, Scott, Ramello, and Ricky to PNC Park for a scheduled game between the Braves and Pirates. Frank and Scott are caring mentors with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate and the game was rained out. Still, everyone had an opportunity to meet and chat for a while on the field.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the most effective youth mentoring organizations in the United States. BLUE for Kids recognizes the direct and lasting impact that adult mentors have in the lives of young people. Through the BLUE Crew Tickets program, umpires provide memorable sports experiences to strengthen the mentor/youth relationship. About Big Brothers Big Sisters

Comments from Scott Davidson:

Despite the complete rainout at our game, we still had a great time. It was my little brother's first time at PNC Park. Mr. Gibson was terrific. He spent a long time with us and answered all of our questions. He was great to the kids.

More Photos:



Special thanks to:

• Melissa Brozeski, Michelle Mejia and the entire Pirates community relations staff. See how the Pirates are making a difference in the Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. Pirates Community Overview


• Mentors Scott Davidson and Frank Triggiani for serving the all important role of youth mentor and for sharing in a unique baseball experience with the kids.
  
• Cheryl Jones of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh for identifying two deserving matches for the game. We'll get them out to a not so rainy day before the end of the season.

Labels: bbbs, crew, gibson, mlb, pit

MLB Umpire Sam Holbrook welcomes Jonathan, Bryan, Michael, and Evan to Safeco Field for a game between the White Sox and Mariners. Jonathan and Bryan are mentors with Big Brothers Big Sisters Puget Sound.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the most effective youth mentoring organizations in the United States. BLUE for Kids recognizes the direct and lasting impact that adult mentors have in the lives of young people. Through the BLUE Crew Tickets program, umpires provide memorable sports experiences to strengthen the mentor/youth relationship. About Big Brothers Big Sisters

Comments from Jonathan Bach:

I wanted to express my gratitude to BLUE for Kids for giving Michael the experience of meeting Mr. Holbrook. BLUE for Kids allowed Michael to have a once in a life time opportunity along with being able to share it with his best friend Squeal. Thanks again for your positive outreach to the city of Seattle.

Comments from Bryan Moran:

I just want to thank you for the opportunity to go on the field, meet the umpires, and enjoy the Mariners game. Evan and I had a great time and the Mariners won!

Special thanks to:

• Matt Wolcott and the entire Mariners community relations staff. The Mariners are in a unique position to connect the team with worthwhile endeavors, community partners and fundraising activities that make significant contributions to the Pacific Northwest. Mariners Community Overview


• Mentors Jonathan Bach and Bryan Moran for serving the all important role of youth mentor.
  
• Rianna Berkowitz of Big Brothers Big Sisters Puget Sound for identifying two deserving matches for this unique baseball experience.

Labels: bbbs, crew, holbrook, mlb, sea

MLB Umpires Sam Holbrook, Bruce Dreckman, Gerry Davis, and Brian Gorman welcome Matthew, Joshua, Josh, and Markell to Dolphin Stadium for a game between the Padres and Marlins. Matthew and Josh are mentors with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the most effective youth mentoring organizations in the United States. BLUE for Kids recognizes the direct and lasting impact that adult mentors have in the lives of young people. Through the BLUE Crew Tickets program, umpires provide memorable sports experiences to strengthen the mentor/youth relationship. About Big Brothers Big Sisters

Guest Comments:

"On Saturday, May 4, my little brother Markell and I, along with mentor Matthew Haggman and his little brother Joshua, were given the experience of a lifetime courtesy of BLUE for Kids and host umpire Sam Holbrook. We received star treatment at the Florida Marlins - San Diego Padres game.

Our day started with a brief tour of the inner stadium that led to the umpires' dressing room where we met with Sam Holbrook and the rest of the umpiring crew. It was amazing to see this side of a baseball game.

Sam and the umpires talked to Markell and Joshua and gave them a bag of goodies. Both boys were filled with excitement and smiles and Matt and I were pinching ourselves to make sure this experience was real.

Sam Holbrook then escorted us to the field and we got to spend about 10 minutes soaking up the atmosphere of being on a major league diamond. Markell and Joshua stared and stared at the breathtaking view that none of us had ever experienced. Then we were escorted to our seats which were right behind home plate -- the best seats in the house. Wow.

It was a great game -- especially because the Marlins won 10-2. Markell and Joshua enjoyed drinks, hotdogs, and snacks, and watched their first baseball game from up close. It was one of the most memorable experiences of our lives.

Thank you BLUE for Kids for your support of Big Brothers Big Sisters and for giving Markell and Joshua an experience few have had and one that definitely broadened their horizons forever." - Josh Young

"Thank you very much for a great day at the ballpark. Joshua and I had a fantastic time. Thank you! In fact, afterwards Joshua wanted to go play baseball, which we did at a park not far from his house. We are enormously grateful to you, the Florida Marlins, and all of the umpires. " - Matthew Haggman

Additional Photos:



Special thanks from the umpires to:

• Angela Smith and the entire Marlins community relations staff. The Marlins promote educational, athletic, health, social and community service programs with a particular focus on South Florida's youth. Marlins Community Overview


• Mentors Matthew Haggman and Josh Young for serving the all important role of youth mentor.
  
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami for identifying two deserving matches for this unique baseball experience.

Labels: bbbs, crew, davis, dreckman, fla, gorman, holbrook, mlb, mlbpaa, naso, neweracaps

MLB Umpires Marvin Hudson and Bob Davidson welcome Kristi, Jill, Troy, Dominick, Josh, Jasmine, Ian, and Dontae to Coors Field for a game between the Dodgers and Rockies. Kristi is a Wendy's Wonderful Kids (WWK) recruiter for Adoption Exchange in Aurora, CO. MLB Umpire Bob Davidson administers the oath to Dominick to never yell at the umpires.

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids is the direct-service signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption that combines the fundraising of Wendy's and its customers, aggressive grants management of the Foundation, and the talent of experienced adoption recruiters like Kristi throughout the nation and in Canada to move children from foster care into permanent, loving adoptive homes. Wendy's Wonderful Kids

Comments from Kristi:

Thanks to BLUE for Kids, MLB Umpires Marvin Hudson and Bob Davidson invited four children awaiting adoption to a Colorado Rockies baseball game on May 4th. The children, Ian, Jasmine, Josh, and Dominick were accompanied to the game by Kristi Griffith-Jones, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiter and Jill M. Lewien, Adoption Recruitment Coordinator with The Adoption Exchange. Prior to the first pitch, the kids were able to meet the umpires, take a tour of the stadium, and pose for pictures on the field. In addition, the children were presented with vouchers for food, signed baseballs, Colorado Rockies caps, and incredible seats behind home plate! The day was beautiful, the Rockies won, and more importantly, these kids has a special day just for them! Thank you BLUE for Kids and Colorado Rockies!

Visit http://www.adoptex.org/ to inquire about Ian, Jasmine, Josh or Dominick!

Additional Photos:



Special thanks to:

• Dallas Davis and the entire Rockies community relations staff. The Colorado Rockies operate two charities: the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club Foundation and the Colorado Rockies Charity Fund, a fund of the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation. Rockies Community Overview


• Kristi Griffith-Jones of Adoption Exchange for helping provide an enjoyable day at the ballpark and for all that you do to find loving homes for children in the Denver area.
  
• The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA) for your dedication toward dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 140,000 children in North America’s foster care systems waiting to be adopted. Learn More about DTFA

Labels: col, crew, davidson, hudson, mlb, wwk

MLB Umpires Wally Bell and Laz Diaz welcome Astrudge, Flora, Kelvis, and Russell to Yankee Stadium for a game between the Mariners and Yankees. Astrudge is a Wendy's Wonderful Kids (WWK) recruiter for You Gotta Believe! She works to move children in the New York area from foster care into permanent, loving adoptive homes.

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids is the direct-service signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption that combines the fundraising of Wendy's and its customers, aggressive grants management of the Foundation, and the talent of experienced adoption recruiters throughout the nation and in Canada to move children from foster care into permanent, loving adoptive homes. About the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program

Guest Comments:

"Kelvis and I were taken down beneath Yankee Stadium by Dan Weiss of the Yankees community relations group to meet umpires Wally Bell and Laz Diaz. Together, we walked out onto the baseball field. Mr. Bell and Mr. Diaz were very friendly and both have a great sense of humor; they had us laughing frequently while they described their jobs.

For Kelvis, a Yankee fan in his heart and soul, this was a very special day. I have never seen a more enthusiastic fan who predicted, rather accurately, that the Yankee would win.

Please thank the umpires and Mr. Weiss of the Yankees for giving another one of our WWK kids a fun filled time." - Astrudge McLean

Additional Photos:



Special thanks from the umpires to:

• Dan Weiss, Yankees Community Relations for taking part in BLUE Crew Tickets. The New York Yankees are committed to promoting and sustaining cordial and cooperative relationships with their neighbors and working with them to enhance the quality of life throughout the surrounding communities. Yankees Community Overview


• Chaperone Astrudge McLean for helping provide an enjoyable day at the ballpark.


• The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA) for your dedication toward dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 140,000 children in North America’s foster care systems waiting to be adopted. Learn More about DTFA

Labels: bell, crew, diaz, mlb, mlbpaa, naso, neweracaps, nyy, wwk

MLB Umpire Mike Di Muro welcomes Liz, Amber, Kendall, and Ricky to Busch Stadium for a game between the Cubs and Cardinals. Liz is a Wendy's Wonderful Kids (WWK) recruiter for Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition in St. Louis. She works to move children in the St. Louis area from foster care into permanent, loving adoptive homes.

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids is the direct-service signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption that combines the fundraising of Wendy's and its customers, aggressive grants management of the Foundation, and the talent of experienced adoption recruiters throughout the nation and in Canada to move children from foster care into permanent, loving adoptive homes. Learn More about the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program

Guest Comments:

"In one of the photos Fredbird paid us a visit as we were sitting in the waiting room for Jessica to take us back to meet with umpire Mike Di Muro. The kids absolutely loved it and thought his antics were one of the most hilarious things they’ve seen in a long time. Fredbird challenged Ricky to a dance off and when Ricky was a little hesitant to take on the challenge, Fredbird picked him up and dumped him in my lap on the sofa and then snapped a picture of us.

Kendall and Ricky said the best thing about the experience was getting to go out on the field before the game. They were in awe of the atmosphere! Meeting Mike and receiving a signed baseball from him was awesome. He was warm and welcoming and told the boys how he would look for them in the crowd during the game. Mike made us feel like he was lucky to meet us instead of us being lucky to meet him.

We all enjoyed meeting Jessica Illert of the Cardinals too! Jessica was great and had a lot of spunk and enthusiasm about showing us the pre-game ropes. Please pass along our thanks to Jessica and the Cardinals community relations group for helping create an incredible experience for the boys. " - Liz Johnson

Additional Photos:



Special thanks from the umpires to:

• Jessica Illert, St. Louis Cardinals Community Relations for taking part in BLUE Crew Tickets. Learn more about what the Cardinals do for nearby communities. Cardinals Community Overview


• Chaperones Liz Johnson and Amber Warren for helping provide an enjoyable day at the ballpark.


• The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA) for your dedication toward dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 140,000 children in North America’s foster care systems waiting to be adopted. Learn More about DTFA

Labels: crew, dimuro, mlb, mlbpaa, naso, neweracaps, stl, wwk

MLB Umpire Fieldin Culbreth welcomes Courtney, Kamali, Erica, and Andre to Nationals Park for a game between the Pirates and the Nationals. The youth mentoring group was invited to attend through the BLUE for Kids relationship with Most Valuable Kids of Washington.

Live sports and entertainment provide a positive source of inspiration for children in a world where there are many negative alternatives. Most Valuable Kids, Inc. (MVK) brings this inspiration, at no cost, to underserved children in the Washington, DC/Baltimore Metropolitan Areas. Learn More about Most Valuable Kids

Guest Comments:

"As promised, here are a few of the pictures that were taken at the ballpark. At the meet-and-greet, Mr. Fieldin Culbreth spoke about the duties of the umpires and how they rotate each position game to game. He also gave each of us a official game ball and told us that it was unique in that MLB will not make anymore quite like it. Thanks to Jenn and the wonderful people over at Most Valuable Kids and to Mr. Culbreth with BLUE for Kids for offering an invaluble experience." - Courtney Stewart of Mentoring Works2

Additional Photos:



Special Thanks From The Umpires To:

• Barbra Silva, Director of Community Relations for the Washington Nationals. The Washington Nationals are committed to providing programs that enhance education, increase participation in youth baseball and softball, while improving the quality of life in our local communities of the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Nationals Community Overview


• Jenn Skolochenko, Executive Director of MVK/Washington, for helping to coordinate an enjoyable day at the ballpark for mentors and kids.

Labels: crew, culbreth, mlb, mlbpaa, mvk, naso, neweracaps, was