Autism Awareness Night is back!

For the Hillcats, baseball is our game and our business and everyone in the organization loves the sport. But in the grand scheme of things, baseball is just that: a game. With that in mind, the Lynchburg Hillcats are proud to continue supporting various local charities during the 2010 season. The second annual Autism Awareness Night presented by Physicians Treatment Center is scheduled for May 1st and the fourth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Centra Health takes place May 8th. Both games are 6:05 p.m. starts at City Stadium.

Funds from Autism Awareness Night will again be donated to Commonwealth Autism Services. The organization seeks to "provide leadership in the implementation of a statewide system of services to maximize the potential and quality of life of each Virginian with autism across the lifespan," according to its website. Over 1.5 million Americans are affected by autism.

Autism Awareness Night presented by Physicians Treatment Center is against Potomac at 6:05 p.m. on May 1st at Calvin Falwell Field. Half the cost of each ticket will be donated to Commonwealth Autism Services, and there will be free Autism Awareness t-shirts for the first 1,000 fans through the gates. Before the game, an official from Commonwealth Autism Services will speak on the field, and during the 8th inning the sponsors of the night will present a check.

This year's sponsors are: Physicians Treatment Center as the title sponsor, Woodridge Heating, Counts and Dobyns, Piedmont Eye Center - Pediatric Eye Care, Century Beverage Distributors and Flowers Baking Company. Last year's event raised over $3,000 for the organization.

Last year the Hillcats raised a combined amount of more than $30,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Hannah Johnson Fund, the Commonwealth Autism Services and the Free Clinic of Central Virginia. The organization has been and remains deeply committed to Central and Southwest Virginia and will continue to reach out to area causes and foundations by providing cash grants, player involvement, mascot appearances and volunteering.