The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will give one altruistic fan the opportunity to throw a ceremonial first pitch.
Jumbo Shrimp spokesman Scott Kornberg said the minor league baseball team is dedicating certain games this season to five local charities.
“We thought if people are going to be coming to the games anyway, like, what if they came and they also did something that would benefit this area, this community, this city and maybe also our military,” said Kornberg.
Fans can donate blank greeting cards for the troops on Military Appreciation Night. The Shrimp will also have a volunteer program for Education Day.
“We have a bunch of high school kids who have a sort-of service driven sports management-esque internship program with us through Andrew Jackson High School, so the students came up with a shoe drive,” Kornberg said.
Other games will include drives for food, toys and school supplies. Everyone who donates at all five gets a chance to win the first pitch honor at the game on August 25.
The campaign is called "A Better Jacksonville Series." More information about the campaign is available on the Jumbo Shrimp's website.
The Jumbo Shrimp’s season opener at the Jacksonville Baseball Grounds is April 4 against the Jackson Generals.
Contact reporter Cyd Hoskinson at choskinson@wjct.org, 904-358-6351 and on Twitter at @cydwjctnews.
