Monday, July 9, 2018

Nationals, Cubs, Royals, Tigers, Rockies, Indians, Rays... OH MY!

This summer is turning out to be a hot one and so are the Law Enforcement Nights at Major League Baseball games across the country.

We kicked off May with National Police Week in Washington, DC, where the Washington Nationals honored law enforcement on May 15 as the Nationals took on the New York Yankees. Despite the rain, it was still a fun night out for all who attended. The National Law Enforcement Museum, which will open in October, received the Washington Nationals Spirit Award. Our thanks to Kevin Nawrocki and the Nationals for supporting and honoring law enforcement during National Police Week.

The honoring of law enforcement continued in the "Windy City" on May 23 as the Chicago Cubs hosted their annual law enforcement appreciation night at Wrigley Field. The Cubs battled the Cleveland Indians and fell short in a 1-0 score. Each fan that purchased the law enforcement package received a Cubs law enforcement tumbler. Prior to the game, members of the Chicago (IL) Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors and performed the national anthem while law enforcement officers and their families were honored throughout the game. Our thanks to Patrick Anhut and Jason Tuton of the Chicago Cubs Groups Sales Team for another first-class event.

May finished strong as the Kansas City Royals honored law enforcement on May 29 as they took on the Minnesota Twins and won in a final score of 2-1. It was also a win for law enforcement as prior to the game Les Kerr, a well-known native of Kansas and a law enforcement professional, threw out the ceremonial first pitch (it was a strike). Kansas City (MO) Police Officer Dustin Dierenfeldt sang the national anthem as the Olathe (KS) Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors. Each fan in attendance that bought the special law enforcement ticket package received a commemorative challenge coin. Our thanks to Scott Barthelmass, Ariel Peralta and the Royals for supporting local law enforcement.

The winning kept going on May 30 as National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund staff traveled to "Motor City" as the Detroit Tigers battled the Los Angeles Angels and won in a final score of 6-1. Comerica Park was again showing its support for law enforcement as fans were treated to a police car display in front of the ballpark from a variety of Michigan police agencies. During the pre-game ceremony, retired U.S. Border Patrol Agent Mark Hall was recognized for his 33 years of service to the Border Patrol and its Detroit Station. Mark was presented with a letter and gift on behalf of Memorial Fund CEO Craig Floyd.

Throwing out a fast ball for the ceremonial first pitch was Police Unity Tour Executive Director Harry Phillips. The Downriver Honor Guard, which is a part of the Michigan SMART Honor Guard, presented the colors. Fans also witnessed a Blackhawk helicopter flyover by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Detroit Air Station. Each fan that purchased the special ticket package received a law enforcement challenge coin and Thin Blue Line USA bracelet. During the game, fans were treated to a special video about StandWith Honor, a law enforcement membership at the National Law Enforcement Museum. At the game, a group of Police Unity Tour riders from the Capital City Chapter caught up with Harry Phillips and Memorial Fund staff. Due to the popularity and high demand of this event, a second date has been added for Sunday August 12. Tickets are on sale now at www.tigers.com/law2. Big shout-out and salute to Dan Foley, Mark Hall, Brent Clark, Kris Grogan, Jerry Connors, Betsy Bouillon and the Tigers staff for making this event one of the premier group events at Comerica Park.

We got a chance to catch our breath in June, which turned out to be a good month as the Memorial Fund paid a visit to the Colorado Rockies on June 10 and the Cleveland Indians on June 23. The Denver (CO) Police Department Honor Guard presented colors at the Rockies game. Our thanks to the Bill Swank organization and the Cleveland State University Honor Guard for presenting the colors at Progressive Field during the Indians Law Enforcement Night.

Summer is heating up and so are the sporting events. The July 4th week kicked off in Tampa Florida as the Rays hosted Law Enforcement Day at Tropicana Field. The Lakeland (FL) Police Honor Guard made the 60-mile trip south to St. Petersburg and presented the colors. The Rays took on the 2017 World Series Houston Astros and came out on top in a final 3-2 win! The Rays’ special ticket package included a Rays baseball cap, free parking, the Rays Touch Tank and access to the Ted Williams Museum. Thanks to Yolanda Fernandez, the St. Petersburg (FL) Police Department, Jeanne Drury, Kim Couts and the Tampa Bay Rays for the hospitality.

Still want more baseball? Want to work on your 7th inning stretch? For the latest schedule of sporting events visit www.LawMemorial.org/Sports. Upcoming teams include the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins, Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers.