Night game set for Aug. 24 at Modern Woodmen Park
Posted on 22 July 2009
By Matt Veto
Minor League lights will shine on sandlot ballplayers for a second season.
Veto League Baseball will again play its annual night game under the bright bulbs of Modern Woodmen Park — home to the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits. The sandlot league, in its 11th year, will play its fifth night game in history, this chapter to play out on Monday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.
In the case of rain, Aug. 31 has been secured as a rain date.
And for the second season the VLB will be playing to collect non-perishable food items to donate to the River Bend Foodbank, which helps to service the nutritional needs of those battling hunger in the Quad-Cities area and 22 surrounding counties. In difficult economic times, the management of the River Bend Foodbank says they are in great need of donations.
Please invite family and friends to watch us play, and please ask them to bring a non-perishable food item, or two, or more, in exchange for a raffle ticket. Raffles will take place each half inning.
The night-game roster will be filled by invitation, with 24 players receiving an invite based on the number of regular season games played. For ease of setting the roster and creating the programs, invites will be sent out after the Aug. 16 contests. Games played after that date will not count toward night-game participation.
Players who earn a night-game invite are asked to obtain a VLB jersey and contribute a donation to cover the cost of the lights and field rental. Please see Josh Paul to complete these transactions. We are, of course, very thankful to the River Bandits for allowing us to play this contest in such a venue.
Night-game participants are also asked to wear long pants and a hat, though the hat does not have to be a VLB hat. Those, however, can also be obtained through Josh Paul.
Howard Zimmerle, the VLB director of special events, will be creating a roster of volunteers to fill certain game-night positions — including concessionaires, a grillmaster and greeters. Ideally I wish those VLB members that do not make the cut fill these roles. Otherwise, friends and family have been gracious with their time.
Jason Nunn, director of promotions, will be acquiring prize donations. If you have helpful leads, please see Nunn. Those who donate may have their name, slogan and other brief information read during their prize draw.
Jeff Kilgard, concessions manager, will be collecting food donations and concession area materials, such as coolers, tables, etc. Please considering purchasing a pack of hot dogs and buns. Condiment, beverage and baked goods donations are also greatly appreciated. Concession funds go back to the league for equipment purchases.
If there are any ideas, or questions, please contact Matt Veto.
Thank you for making this the most successful season in VLB history.
8 responses to Night game set for Aug. 24 at Modern Woodmen Park
Extra opening available! I’ll be in Italy (as wierd as that is to say). Get your games in.
OH NO! I’m sorry Howie… ummm… I need someone to step up in your role, then, don’t I? Shoot.
Volunteers?
What does his role consist of? I probably can’t make the game either, but I don’t know yet. Getting sent out of town for a week of training, late in August. I’m hoping it misses the 24th.
Essentially gathering and organizing our volunteer roster. It’s in the story. Someone to grill is always the most difficult. My dad has done it at least a portion of every night game. I’d like to get him off it once so he can watch.
I haven’t asked him yet, but I could see my dad working the grill.
Meggan and Dawn said they would help out at the night game
Hey Brandon James and Jacob Hunter said they would work concessions and possably a couple of more just let me know.
Cool, nite games are always so cool