M-Braves schedule ALS Awareness Nights

PEARL, MS -- The Mississippi Braves baseball team is proud to announce three upcoming ALS Awareness Nights, benefiting The ALS Association: July 3, July 12 and August 22. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, has no known cause or cure and progressively paralyzes its victims, attacking nerve cells and pathways in the brain or spinal cord.

"We're honored to have the Mississippi Braves' support," said Brandi Nickles, Care Services Director of the Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter of The ALS Association. "These events at Trustmark Park will bring a tremendous amount of awareness to the disease, as well as provide a fun event for those living with ALS and their families. In addition, the dollars raised from these events will provide much needed funding for research for finding a treatment and ultimately a cure for ALS."

"Minor League Baseball is a major supporter of The ALS Association because of baseball's connection to Lou Gehrig," said Steve DeSalvo, M-Braves General Manager. "This year marks the 75th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's farewell speech. We've gotten behind the efforts of the Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter and plan to put on a lot of various events at Trustmark Park so we can help them not only find a cure but also a treatment for this fatal disease."

Since the M-Braves are not home on July 4, the anniversary of Gehrig's famous speech, the Double-A Braves will honor Gehrig's legacy and raise money for the fight against ALS on July 3. The Braves will also hold a charitable Tennis Ball Toss following the game prior to the Supersized Fireworks Show Independence Day Celebration. All proceeds will go to the fight against ALS.

On July 12, M-Braves players will wear special military/camouflage jerseys with ALS patches on the sleeves. The jerseys will be auctioned off during the game. Players will sign their respective jerseys after the game before handing them over to the highest bidders. 100% of the auction proceeds go to the ALS Association. The Braves will also donate $2 to the ALSA for every ticket purchased to the game. 

On August 22, M-Braves players will wear special military/camouflage caps with the ALS and Mississippi Army National Guard logos incorporated on them. Similar to the jerseys, each cap will be signed by the player and auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds going to the ALS Association. The first 1,500 fans through the gates will get one of the free replica caps. Once again, the Braves will donate $2 to the ALSA for every ticket purchased to the game along with 100% of that night's proceeds from the post-game Tennis Ball Toss.

As previously announced, the annual Walk to Defeat ALS has been relocated to Trustmark Park with the M-Braves commitment as presenting sponsor. The walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 27. The Walk to Defeat ALS is The ALS Association's signature event in which all funds directly support cutting-edge research, programs and patient care. All interested walkers should call 800-891-3746, or register online at http://web.alsa.org/Jackson2014.