Second Annual “Stand Up For Blue” Night To Be Held August 10th

From the Southern Illinois Miners

The Southern Illinois Miners announce that they will hold their second annual “Stand Up For Blue” Law Enforcement Appreciation Night, sponsored by AmVets and WSIL-TV 3, at Rent One Park on Thursday, August 10th when they take on the Normal CornBelters at 7:05 p.m., honoring and recognizing the contributions made to the region by law enforcement officers.

“We are very excited to be bringing back Stand Up For Blue night again this year,” Miners manager and COO Mike Pinto said. “The Miners have a deep connection with law enforcement- eight of our former players are in law enforcement, including three from last season who joined police departments. Not to mention our first base coach and advance scout John Lakin, who is a career officer and now the Sheriff of Madison County. These heroes put their lives on the line each day and we are thrilled to be honoring them.”

More than 6,400 fans from our region came out to recognize local law enforcement last season for the first “Stand Up For Blue” Night in 2016. As part of the promotion this year, all law enforcement officers attending the game will receive free admission for themselves and a guest. All fans are also encouraged to wear blue that night, with the first 1,500 fans receiving a “Stand Up For Blue” t-shirt compliments of Midwest Office Supply and First Southern Bank at the front gate. ALL tickets for the evening will be $5, with half of the proceeds being donated to the James Brockmeyer Memorial Fund, named after officer James Brockmeyer of the Chester Police Department, who was killed in a crash in pursuit of a suspect last October.

Also, 1,000 “Back The Badge” bracelets, compliments of Fowler Heating & Air, will be distributed. Local heroes from the law enforcement community will also throw out ceremonial first pitches, including officers Chris Robinson and Cale Bastien from the Du Quoin Police Department, who saved the life of an infant who was not breathing on February 5th of this year, and officers Ryan Prather and Travis Morgan of the Carterville Police Department as well as officer Sean Dobbins of the Crainville Police Department, who rescued a man whose truck had fallen on top of him on February 8th. The current Miners players will don blue wristbands and blue socks as they play the game, along with caps from local police departments.

All fans in attendance will also be given a blank “Stand Up For Blue” placard, and they are encouraged to write the name of a friend or family member who works in law enforcement. This will be part of an on-field recognition in the fifth inning. For more information, contact the Miners’ box office at (618) 998-8499.

The Southern Illinois Miners are the 2016 Frontier League West Division Champions, the 2014 and 2015 Frontier League East Division Champions and the 2012 Frontier League Champions. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007, their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the Rent One Park box office at (618) 998-8499. For any additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.