News release from the TinCaps:
TinCaps Honoring Heroes on Fourth of July
Salute to Heroes Night at Parkview Field(July 3, 2014) — In the spirit of Independence Day, the TinCaps will be honoring those who serve our country and community during Friday’s Salute to Heroes Night at Parkview Field.
Prior to a 7:05 p.m. first pitch against the West Michigan Whitecaps, the TinCaps will recognize a dozen military members from the Fort Wayne area, as well as a police detective. These heroes were nominated by their family when the TinCaps sought submissions earlier this season. (See below for names of heroes.)
The heroes, or their loved ones, will announce Fort Wayne’s starting lineup and join the TinCaps on the field for the national anthem. They’ll also be featured on Parkview Field’s video board throughout the game introducing each TinCaps player before their first at-bat and in photos with TinCaps players, rather than simply displaying customary player headshots.
In addition, during the middle of the first inning, a recorded video message from U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Jeremy Chandler, who is currently deployed in the Middle East, will be shown on the video board.
A photo of the late Rodney D. Zody from 1954 in his Navy uniform is featured on the front cover of the GAMEDAY program for Salute to Heroes Night. All members of the military and their families in the crowd will also be recognized during the game.
“We can’t thank our nation’s military, and all those in jobs of service for our community, enough,” TinCaps President Mike Nutter said. “With my grandfather being a World War II veteran and other members of my family having served, it’s always been important to me for the TinCaps to be committed to remembering those who make it possible for us to do what we do. Our fun wouldn’t be possible without the sacrifices our true heroes make. And we’re proud to follow the example of our parent club, the Padres, who pay tribute to our military better than anyone else in Major League Baseball.”
Fort Wayne will also be wearing its special red, white, and blue jerseys on Friday. An auction for the jerseys will be held during the game with all proceeds benefitting Honor Flight Northeast Indiana — a local non-profit organization that says “thank you” to veterans by covering their costs for trips to Washington, D.C., to visit the nation’s war memorials.
Following Friday’s game, fans at Parkview Field will be treated to the City of Fort Wayne’s downtown fireworks show.
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