Month: May 2018

NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson to headline Ignition Garage appearances May 12

Seven-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson headlines the list of drivers participating in question-and-answer sessions in Kansas Speedway’s new Ignition Garage Fan Hospitality area on May 12. In addition to Johnson, Alex Bowman and Michael McDowell will participate in Q&A sessions.

Also joining Ignition Garage, will be Reviver Records recording artist Michael Tyler, who will perform a short acoustic set prior to singing the National Anthem for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race.

The Ignition Garage, which will be offered for the first time on May 12, is located in the support series garage, and includes a hospitality parking pass, pre-race pass for access to the pre-race concert, driver introductions and the DC Solar FanWalk, a guided tour of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garage, Q&A sessions with NASCAR drivers and VIPs, exclusive gifts, and an opportunity to watch Stage 1 of the race from a designated area near pit road.

The Ignition Garage will open when the grandstand gates open and closes at the conclusion of Stage 1. Transportation to and from the infield until the end of Stage 1 is available for fans who need assistance.

This one-day hospitality option is $199 per person. To purchase the Ignition Garage hospitality, fans must have a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series grandstand ticket or RV admission.

All Kansas Speedway tickets are currently on sale by calling 866.460.RACE (7223) or by logging onto www.kansasspeedway.com.

Kansas Speedway, a premier motorsports facility in the Midwest, hosts two NASCAR race weekends a year, in addition to hosting approximately 200 other events throughout the year. Kansas Speedway’s first race weekend of the season is May 11-12 with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series under the lights. In the fall, the NASCAR playoffs return Oct. 20-21 with the NASCAR XFINITY Series and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Also in the fall is the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards series finale. To purchase season or single day tickets, call 866.460.RACE (7223) or log onto www.kansaspeedway.com.

General parking is free at Kansas Speedway and fans can bring in one 14x14x14-inch soft-sided cooler with their favorite food and beverages.

T-Bones make trades in advance of spring training

The Kansas City T-Bones have acquired infielder Dylan Tice, and right-handed pitcher, and former big leaguer Cody Martin via a trade from Sugarland in the Atlantic League. They also traded outfielder Dillon Thomas to Texas in exchange for a player to be named later.

The trade with Sugarland completes an earlier deal between the two clubs, according to the T-Bones.

Dylan Tice comes to Kansas City following an All-Star season where he hit .327 for the Rockland Boulders of the CAN-AM League. Tice was tied for the team lead in batting average and finished fifth overall in the circuit at the plate. He added four home runs and 49 RBIs while scoring 72 runs. His 122 hits were good for fifth in the league, and he led the Boulders and the CAN-AM with 32 stolen bases. The Boulders traded Tice to Sugarland on Feb. 26.

Tice was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 36th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of West Chester University of Pennsylvania. He spent parts of two seasons with the Cardinals organization, reaching high A Palm Beach in the Florida State League in 2016. In 40 games he hit .288 with a homer and 18 RBIs in 2016.

Tice spent eight games at low A Peoria in the Midwest League, hitting a home run and driving in six runs in 35 at bats, and he spent another 20 games at short season A State College in the New York-Penn League with two long balls, 10 RBIs and a .281 batting average. Tice spent 41 games following the 2015 draft with the Cardinals Gulf Coast League club. He hit .280 with one home run and 22 RBIs in his rookie season.

Cody Martin brings parts of three seasons in the Major Leagues to the T-Bones, the most recent being the 2017 season. He appeared in one game for the Seattle Mariners last season and another 20 games at AAA Tacoma in the Pacific Coast League. In the PCL Martin went 0-2 with a save, posting a 4.29 ERA in 56.2 innings for the Rainiers.

In 2016 Martin worked 25.2 innings for the Mariners going 1-2 in 25.2 innings in nine games, including two starts and a 3.86 ERA. For Tacoma Martin went 10-7 with a 3.62 ERA in 114.1 innings, adding 114 strike outs in 2016.

A native of Dos Palos, California, Martin was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 7th round on the MLB June draft out of Gonzaga University. He climbed through the Braves system eventually making his Major League debut on April 7, 2015, for Atlanta in a 12-2 Braves win over the Miami Marlins.

Martin worked two scoreless innings while striking out four. Martin made the Big League club out of spring training in 2015 and was optioned back to AAA on May 19th but not before he picked up his first Major League win on April 17 at Toronto, working a scoreless seventh inning of relief in an 8-7 win for Atlanta.

Martin was recalled on June 1 and appeared in 21 games for Atlanta, posting a 5.40 ERA in 2015, going 2-3 in 21.2 innings. On July 2 the Braves traded Martin to the Oakland Athletics where he was assigned to AAA Nashville. He went 4-4 with the Sounds, tossing 60 innings while making 11 starts with a 5.10 ERA and 58 strike outs.

Oakland summoned Martin to the Big Leagues on Sept. 2 where he made two starts and appeared in four games overall. In nine innings he was charged with two losses while striking out three.

Martin spent all of 2014 at AAA Gwinnett, notching a 7-8 record and pitching a career high 156.1 innings for the Braves, posting a 3.52 ERA. He split time between AAA and AA Mississippi in 2013. For the M-Braves Martin worked 67 innings with a 2.82 ERA and 71 strike outs while going 3-3. With Gwinnett he tossed 69.2 innings, going 3-4 with a 3.49 ERA.

Martin won a career high 12 games at high A Lynchburg in the Carolina League in 2012 with a 2.93 ERA in 107.1 innings of work. Martin began his pro career with the Braves in 2011, sharing time between rookie level Danville in the Appalachian League and low A Rome in the South Atlantic. In both stops combined, he went 1-0 in 22 games of relief with nine saves and a 1.08 ERA.

Dillon Thomas was acquired by the T-Bones on March 19 after spending seven seasons in the Colorado Rockies organization, reaching AAA in 2017. Thomas was the Rockies 4th round pick in the 2011 MLB draft out of Westbury Christian School in Houston, Texas.

With these moves, the T-Bones roster stands at 27. Per American Association rules, Kansas City can carry 28 players into spring training, which is set to begin at T-Bones Stadium, the first exhibition game against the Lees Summit Monarchs at 7:05 p.m. on May 8.

Season, group, mini-plans and nightly party suites are on sale and can be purchased by visiting the Box Office at T-Bones Stadium. Call the Box Office at 913-328-5618 or purchase and print at www.tbonesbaseball.com. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday – Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Home opening night is May 22 when the T-Bones play host to Gary SouthShore at T-Bones Stadium at 7:05 p.m.

Bike safety event planned May 19

Elementary-aged kids will have the opportunity to learn tips on cycling safety, to get free bike safety helmets and t-shirts and to sneak a peek at the attractions at Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City at a free family event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 19.

The annual Kansas City, Kansas, Kiwanis West Bike Rodeo is back for the 12th year with expanded offerings and the same great location. The event will be held rain or shine in the parking lot and entrance area of Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Kansas City, 9400 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

The KCK Kiwanis West, in partnership with Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City, Big D Cycling, Midwest Trauma Society and numerous other community businesses and organizations, are committed to helping area youth ride their bicycles safely.

“Cycling is a fun and healthy way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors,” said Jan Wiley, KCK Kiwanis West event chair. “It’s also a leading cause of unexpected and sometimes serious injuries. Our goal is to ensure that youth learn the rules of the road and understand the importance of wearing well-fitted safety helmets.”

Kids are encouraged to bring their bicycles to the event to have their bikes inspected free and to complete the bicycle safety course. Youth must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate. The first 300 to arrive will receive a free bike safety helmet and T-shirt. Participants will rotate through seven bike riding skill stations and have the opportunity to earn a bicycle safety certificate.

“Every year, more than half a million bicyclists visit hospital emergency rooms because of cycling mishaps,” Wiley said. “Nearly one quarter of those injured in bike-related accidents are youth. A properly fitted helmet can reduce the risk of brain injury by as much as 88 percent if a fall occurs. As the main sponsor of this bike rodeo, the Kansas City, Kansas, Kiwanis West Club is committed to making sure area youth understand the importance of riding safely.”

Back again this year will be a free, drive-through car seat safety check. Experts will inspect car seats and ensure they are installed securely in families’ vehicles.

Lana Martin, Children’s Mercy Kansas City trauma program manager, Lana Martin said, “Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of children from ages 1 to 14. Even though most parents understand the importance of putting their children in car and booster seats, seven out of 10 kids in child safety restraints are not buckled in properly. We want to reduce that number.”

Schlitterbahn season passes will be on sale for $5 off the full gate price. Season pass holders will have an exclusive opportunity to beat the rush and process their season pass ID cards during the event.

“Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City is thrilled to host this popular community event,” says Jeff Hays, cirector of marketing and sales. “In addition to helping kids gear up for a safe bike-riding season, the event promises to offer a morning packed with free family fun.”

Bike rodeo participants will get to tour attractions at Schlitterbahn; get a close up look at emergency vehicles, get into the groove with Zumbatronics workouts; and engage in other activities, games and crafts provided by local businesses and organizations.

Those with questions or who need directions on the day of the event, may call 816-751-4227. To get to Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City from I-435, take Exit 13 – State Avenue East. Turn left at the second traffic light and enter the parking lot.

Event sponsors include Kiwanis Club of KCK West, Schlitterbahn Waterpark Kansas City, Big-D Cycling, Healthy Communities Wyandotte, Midwest Trauma Society, Providence Medical Center, Atmos Energy, Board of Public Utilities, Country Club Bank, August Resources, Paces, DeGoler’s Pharmacy, Edward Jones-Eric McTye, Kansas City Kansas Community College, KVC Hospitals, Inc., Leadership 2000 Class #32, Security Bank of Kansas City, Sunflower Family Dentistry, Wyandotte County Historical Museum, Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department, Kansas City Kansas Fire Department and the Kansas City Kansas Police Department.