At Nat Bailey Stadium, a Cs strikeout means more than a strong arm and good defence. A strikeout means money for St. Pauls Hospital.
Strike Out Heart Disease began in 2012 when the St. Pauls Hospital Foundation and the Vancouver Canadians partnered to raise money to fund research and purchase enhanced, cutting-edge technology for the hospital. Corporate and individual fans pledged money for each strikeout thrown by a Canadians pitcher and last year raised $14,250 when 570 batters were sent packing.
The campaign continues this year, and Canadians chairman Jake Kerr will match all donations up to $25,000. All the proceeds will benefit the St. Pauls Hospital Foundation.
The Cs start their season on the road Friday against Tri-City and return to Nat Bailey Stadium June 17 for a three-game home stand against Spokane.
To launch the 2013 fundraising campaign, the baseball club is hosting a charity slow pitch game they call it a celebrity game this Wednesday, June 12, 7:05 p.m. at Nat Bailey Stadium. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $2. The concession will be open.
Ill be playing, so come cheer for me when I hit an infield single and steal second on a wild pitch from Matt Sekeres of the Team 1040. The Couriers social columnist Fred Lee, blogger Miss 604 Rebecca Bolwitt, CBC sportscaster Shane Foxman and a grab bag of Vancouver reporters and broadcasters like Scott Rintoul, Dawn Chubai, Drew Savage and Barry Macdonald will be playing.
I have a handful of tickets to give away. Please email me at before 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Twitter.com/MHStewart
