Sports
Bright House Field, Threshers Turning Pink for a Cause
Pink will be the color of the day Friday for a day dedicated to raise funds for breast cancer services.
For those attending the Clearwater Threshers game against Fort Myers Friday at Bright House Field, no, no need to run to an optometrist or put down your cheesesteak and beer. Your eyes are fine.
There's a reason why the place has gone pink.
On this evening, for the sixth straight year, the Threshers will sport pink jerseys and use pink bats as the Threshers will host a benefit for Pitch for Pink Strikes Out Breast Cancer, a fundraiser for breast health and services with Morton Plant Mease health services.
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All proceeds from the game and the celebrity charity softball game prior will towards Morton Plant Mease, with all the funds to stay in the local community.
The Threshers will then auction off the jerseys to donate the proceeds to Morton Plant Mease as well. Other items to be auctioned will be sports collectables including a Mike Alstott autographed football.
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The team will also sell pink balloons for a raffle.
In the past five seasons, the event has raised over $130,000.
The softball game, which begins at 4:30 p.m., is loaded with local celebrities highlighted by former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star and current president of the Tampa Bay Storm Derrick Brooks. Others committed to playing in the softball game are Bucs wide receiver Maurice Stovall, TV personalities former news anchor Jennifer Holloway, sports anchor Victoria Lim, WFTS's Meredyth Censullo and Dennis Phillips, WFLA's Leslee Lacey, WTSP's Ginger Gaddsen along with local radio personalities Dana M, Paul Porter, Third Leg Greg and Fisher.
In addition, breast cancer survivor Maryann Cagen will sing the national anthem and fellow breast cancer survivors will walk a lap around the field.
Gates open at 4 p.m.
Ground balls: The Threshers pitching is still dominant. RHP Jonathan Pettibone is fourth among Florida State League pitchers with an ERA at 2.71. ... RHP Trevor May leads the league in strikeouts with 140, 33 more than second-best Darin Gorski of St. Lucie. ... RHP Julio Rodriguez leads the FSL in wins with 11.
Threshers 1B Darin Ruf is one of the few Clearwater hitters among the FSL's best. He has 32 doubles, most in the league.
