Before baseball bats ruled the diamond, broomsticks were king of the streets. That’s why the New York Yankees are hosting a stickball tournament outside of Yankee Stadium as part of their annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
The team’s effort to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month is part of the league’s “Ponle Acento” (“Put an Accent on It”) campaign, launched in 2016 to highlight the distinctive mark that Hispanic and Latino players and fans leave on the game.
In addition to the stickball tournament, singers Frankie Negron and Toby Love will perform pregame concerts, Alianza Dominicana will offer free dance lessons at Yankee Stadium prior to a game for ticket-holding fans, and discounted tickets will be offered during the month of September for all Spanish-language Yankee Stadium tours.
Yankees players will also wear a “Ponle Acento” T-shirt during batting practice prior to their game on Friday, September 14 against Toronto. And, the stadium will offer two new items throughout September: “Fiesta de Leche,” a Latin-inspired shake that includes tres leches cake, condensed milk, cinnamon and horchata, rimmed with puffed rice and topped by a churro, and tostones sliders, which will be available in the Bleachers.
Fans who visit www.yankeesbeisbol.com/herenciahispana can find special ticket offers celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The offer for the Yankees’ game on August 31 vs. Detroit includes a ticket to the game and a redemption code for a future Classic Tour (offered in English and Spanish) of Yankee Stadium; offers for September 14 vs. Toronto and September 21 vs. Baltimore include a ticket for the game, a commemorative Hispanic Heritage Month hat and a redemption code for a future Classic Tour of Yankee Stadium.
BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 03: Luis Severino #40 of the New York Yankees pitches in the bottom of the first inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
To learn more about these and other events and initiatives, fans can visit the team’s official Spanish-language website, www.yankeesbeisbol.com, and click on the special Hispanic Heritage Month section.
SUMMARY OF YANKEES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS
Friday, August 31: Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off when gates open at 4:00 p.m. with a set from La Mega 97.9 FM host DJ Kazzanova, who will be the guest DJ for the Yankees Batting Practice Block Party taking place that night. He will be immediately followed at approximately 5:30 p.m. by salsa artist Frankie Negron, who will also perform for fans on the Masterpass Batter’s Eye Deck. Negron has garnered numerous plaudits, including two Premio Lo Nuestro Awards for “Song of the Year” and multiple Grammy and Billboard Award nominations. Both DJ Kazzanova and Negron will be available for interviews and photos. Later that evening the New York Yankees Foundation will continue their support for the New York League of Puerto Rican Women, which assists young Hispanic women in their pursuit of higher education, by awarding scholarships to five recipients during a ceremony prior to the Yankees’ 7:05 p.m. game vs. Detroit.
Sunday, September 2: In a ceremony prior to the Yankees’ 1:05 p.m. game vs. Detroit, the Yankees will recognize the “Cyclones” team from the Bronx-based International Baseball Little League, who recently won the New York Baseball Fever Under-12 baseball tournament.
Friday, September 14: La Mega 97.9 FM’s weekday morning host DJ Aneudy will play a set for the crowd prior to the Yankees’ 7:05 p.m. game vs. Toronto. At the Pepsi Food Court in Section 126, free dance classes presented by Alianza Dominicana will be held for fans in attendance. Additionally, Yankees players will wear a “Ponle Acento” T-shirt during batting practice in support of MLB’s league-wide initiative.
Saturday, September 15: Major League Baseball and the New York Yankees — in partnership with the New York Emperors Stickball League (NYESL) and the 161st Street Business Improvement District — will host a “PLAY BALL: Stickball” event on River Avenue between 158th and 161st Streets featuring youth participants from the New York Emperors Stickball League and other local youth organizations. Additionally, prior to the Yankees’ 4:05 p.m. game vs. Toronto, the Yankees’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award (to be revealed on September 4) will be honored for his contributions to the community.
Sunday, September 16: In a ceremony prior to the Yankees’ 1:05 p.m. game vs. Toronto, the Yankees will present their Hispanic Heritage Month Community Achievement Awards to individuals and organizations who have made a profound difference in the lives of others. Winners this year are: Elizabeth Lagos (business); Melissa Salguero (arts); “Part of the Solution” (social responsibility); and Lang Youth Medical Program (education).
Monday, September 17: The Hispanic/Latino Organization for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA) — under the Bank of America Diversity & Inclusion Framework — will provide a financial education workshop to a group of Bronx middle school students selected by the New York City Department of Education. HOLA’s mission is to support financial wellness in the community and promote economic and social growth. The Yankees are proud to host this event at Yankee Stadium.
Friday, September 21: Prior to the Yankees’ 7:05 p.m. game vs. Baltimore, Toby Love, an American singer and songwriter from the Bronx, will perform at approximately 5:30 p.m. at the Masterpass Batter’s Eye Deck. Love was originally a backup singer for the bachata band Aventura before beginning his solo career. In 2008, he received four Billboard Latin Music Awards nominations, winning in two categories.
Saturday, September 22: The second “PLAY BALL: Stickball” event will take place on the streets just outside of Yankee Stadium with the winners of the championship final rounds recognized in a ceremony prior to the Yankees’ 4:05 p.m. game vs. Baltimore.
Sunday, September 23: Winners of the yankeesbeisbol.com ticket sweepstakes will attend the Yankees’ 1:05 p.m. game vs. Baltimore.
