2. Eugene Emeralds Baseball Club
The Eugene Emeralds team and staff are dedicated to providing the best in family entertainment
and strongly believe in always giving back to our community. Making a difference is something
Emeralds Baseball believes in, and that was very evident in the 2015 season.
Between paying tribute to 60 years in Eugene and the new affiliation with the Chicago Cubs,
there was a lot to celebrate this season at PK Park.
3. Ems take the Polar Plunge
Even before the season started the Emeralds staff, and Sluggo,
were out in the community. After losing a bet with the Columbus
Clippers over the College National Football Championship, the
Ems staff banded together to take part in the Special Olympics’
Polar Plunge. The staff of nine quickly became the team with
the highest fundraising total in the Eugene/Springfield area
with $3,781 raised for Special Olympics Oregon. In Feburary,
Sluggo came out of hibernation early to cheer on the team as
they took a dip into the chilly Willamette River.
4. emazing reading program
In March, Sluggo kicked of his successful EMazing Reading
Program presented by Northwest Community Credit Union.
This program is designed to motivate students to become
better readers, and allow them the opportunity to earn tickets
to watch the Emeralds play at PK Park. Sluggo and the staff
traveled over 1,000 miles to bring the reading program to 41
schools. With over 15,400 students completing the program,
the Emeralds had to add a sixth redemption date to the program
to accommodate all the EMazing readers.
5. sluggo in the community
The Emeralds’ loveable mascot Sluggo made sure to get some face time in with the Eugene/
Springfield community this season. In addition to all of his home game appearances, the friendly
green bear made over 120 visits to local events and programs. His appearances have included
Oregon Supported Living Program, Kidsports, Little League games and the local hospital.
He has brought a lot of smiles to fans young and old.
6. your eugene emeralds
Not to be outdone by the big green bear, the Emeralds players made sure to get out to the
community as well. Members of the team took time out of their schedules to visit youth camps,
the YMCA, hospitals and the local Boys & Girls Club. During the three months the team was in
town, they made 24 appearances, totaling 190 hours.
7. jerseys for a cause
The Emeralds team donned five specialty jerseys this season to help raise funds for local
charities. Jerseys ranged from pink to plaid, nostalgia to pop culture. During the season, 186
jerseys were auctioned off, raising over $18,800 for local charities.
The Kilcullen Night’s police inspired
jerseys benefited the Kilcullen Project.
The Springfield jerseys, inspired by a
famous yellow cartoon family, benefited
Project Share.
8. jerseys for a cause
The Civic Stadium jerseys, in remembrance
of the Emeralds old stomping ground,
benefited the Eugene Civic Alliance.
The Portlandia jerseys, including denim pants, got
national attention from news outlets like MLB Network
and SB Nation. Those jerseys benefited Pro-Bone-O.
The Pink Breast Cancer jerseys benefited
Diver for a Cure and OHSU Knight
Cancer Institute.
9. good karma mondays
The Emeralds continued their successful Good Karma
Monday promotion presented by Northwest Community
Credit Union. For each of the team’s Monday games
fans could name their ticket price, with half of each
purchase going back to a local charity. This season
the Emeralds had four Monday games and raised
$3,954! This year’s selected nonprofits were: Bags of
Love, SMART (Start Making A Reader Today), Greenhill
Humane Society, and the Children’s Miracle Network.
10. funems draising
This season the Emeralds teamed up with Kendall to
shine a light on local nonprofits through the Kendall
Community Spotlight. During each home game a local
nonprofit was invited out to PK Park to promote their
program and inform Ems fans of their organization.
Participating groups received a table on the concourse,
a first pitch, recognition throughout the game and 20
tickets to the night’s game. In all 37 local nonprofits
took part in this program and 740 tickets were
distributed through the Kendall Community Spotlight.
The Eugene Emeralds FUNdraising Program is
designed to help nonprofits and organizations raise
money and enjoy a night at the ballpark. Through
this program, 17 local organizations took part in the
program and raised a combined total of $33,215.
Four of the groups were youth baseball programs.
11. theme nights
In 2015, the Emeralds broke a PK Park attendance record of 120,930 fans for the season. While
at the Park fans were treated to some amazing themes. Fan favorite theme nights were brought
back including Bark in the Park, Star Wars, Princesses, Animal House, and Superheroes. This
year Emerald fans were also treated to some new themes…
12. pediatric cancer awareness
On July 7, the Emeralds partnered with the Doernbecher
Foundation to ask players, staff and fans to Embrace Bald.
The purpose of the night was to help raise money and
awareness for pediatric cancer research for the Doernbecher
Foundation. Kicking off the night, GM Allan Benavides had
his head shaved on live TV and fans were encouraged to join
him in embracing bald. Manager Gary Van Tol and the team
also got into the action, with 20 members of the Emeralds
team and front office participating in the event. This
program was even nominated as a finalist for Best Charity
Promotion with the MiLB Golden Bobblehead Awards.
13. kilcullen night
On July 26, the Emeralds teamed up with the Kilcullen Project to host Kilcullen Night: A Salute to
Police and Military. This night was a way for the Emeralds and fans to thank those who bravely
serve in law enforcement and the military. Members of law enforcement, veterans, and currently
serving military personnel received special discounted tickets to the game, and members from
the local Honor Flight were in attendance. Outside the gates, the National Guard and Lane
Blood Center were on hand to entertain the fans. To start the game, some of the riders who
participated in the Chris Kilcullen Memorial Ride rode their motorcycles onto the field. Eight
local police officers were recognized on the field for their work on and off duty.
14. guest appearances
The Emeralds hosted several special guests throughout the season. Olympian Paula Berry came
out to celebrate Olympic Night, and baseball legends Bob Boone and Dale Murphy stopped by
the park to take in a game. Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson came out for Springfield
Night. Kids enjoyed visits from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Wars characters,
superheroes and princesses.
15. thank you eugene!
In 2015, the Eugene Emeralds were proud to donate to more than 150
organizations. The team donated a monetary value of over $205,510 in tickets,
suites and merchandise. We also donated over $60,097 to organizations
through check presentations, appearance fees and monetary support.
The Eugene Emeralds would like to thank all of our fans and partners
for your support during the 2015 season.
