Jackson's wish comes true at Riders game
FRISCO, Texas (April 25, 2018) - A child's first professional baseball game is usually a special moment. Taking in America's pastime, seeing the players up close, hot dogs and high-fives wrapped in a beautiful ballpark leaves a last impression. For one North Texas boy, his first baseball experience was so much
FRISCO, Texas (April 25, 2018) - A child's first professional baseball game is usually a special moment. Taking in America's pastime, seeing the players up close, hot dogs and high-fives wrapped in a beautiful ballpark leaves a last impression.
For one North Texas boy, his first baseball experience was so much more. Jackson, along with his older brother, has cystic fibrosis, a life threatening disorder that attacks the lungs and digestive system, leaving the boys constantly in and out of the hospital.
The Frisco RoughRiders were able to surprise Jackson as the club's guest of honor, bringing him and his family onto the field to throw out the first pitch to Riders starter
"This was a great opportunity to kickoff our 15th Anniversary community partnerships every Monday and Tuesday throughout the season with such a wonderful organization," RoughRiders Foundation Executive Director Breon Dennis said. "We look forward to helping tell more stories like Jackson and bring more smiles to our community."
Jackson and his family leave for Florida on Wednesday, April 25 on an all-expense-paid vacation courtesy of a generous donation from the local community.
"We are fortunate to have partners in our communities like the Frisco RoughRiders who make life-changing wishes a possibility," Make-A-Wish North Texas Vice President of Development Tabatha Gonzalez-Olaechea said. "Jackson said it was the best night of his life and he is still shocked that his wish to go to Disney World is coming true."
The RoughRiders wish happy travels to Jackson and his family this week and look forward to Jackson's next game at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
Single-game tickets, season tickets, group and hospitality packages for all home games at Dr Pepper Ballpark during the RoughRiders' 15th Anniversary Season are available by calling (972) 731-9200, emailing [email protected] or visiting RidersBaseball.com.
About the RoughRiders Foundation
The mission of the RoughRiders Foundation is to enhance the community we serve through charitable contributions, grants, and programming initiatives. The RoughRiders Foundation supports programs and organizations in our community that motivate and reward children and families in the areas of education, good health and community services activities.
For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders Foundation, contact Breon Dennis at [email protected] or at [email protected].
About the RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 13 seasons (2005-2017). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg. Since then, the new ownership group, together with the City of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise enhancements, investing over $8 million in a wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including a state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, InTouch Grille, Riders Outpost Team Store and the world's largest water feature in a sports facility, the massive Choctaw Lazy River. These enhancements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco Ballpark Digest's prestigious "Best Ballpark Renovation" award for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016). More than 140 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars