As the summer sun sets on Joe O’Brien Field, the Elizabethton Twins organization is looking to give the players a well-versed experience as they move throughout their professional career.
With over 40 players fixing to take part in this year’s Appalachian League season, there are still opportunities for the community to come out and support the team.
Tom and Karen McNeil, who have been heavily involved with the organization over the year, alluded to the fact there is an urgent need for transportation to assist the players.
“Our biggest problem right now is transportation,” Karen said. “A lot of the players come from places a little ways from the area. One had one player come in today from Hawaii. They come from all over the United States, out of the country, and they don’t have transportation.”
Karen added that some players are within walking distance thanks to host families being near the park, but that the organization is looking at ways to help the players during the season.
“There are still opportunities for residents to be host families,” she said. “But the biggest issue is transportation. If the players had ways to make it to the field, we could probably figure out the rest.”
The organization is encouraging the public to assist if they can. Karen added that bike donations could also be of assistance to help players with transportation.
“If there are any host families within walking distance of the field, that would be great too,” she said. “There are at least 10 to 12 players were looking to help as soon as possible.”
Anybody looking to assist can contact Elizabethton Parks & Recreation at (423) 547-6441 or contact Karen at (423) 416-1062.
The Elizabethton Twins opened up the 2017 season with a doubleheader Friday after Thursday’s postponed contest with the Danville Braves.
Excitement continues to brew at the field and General Manager Mike Mains encouraged the public to come out and see what there is to be offered at Joe O’Brien Field.
“We’re definitely excited about this season,” he said. “We’re looking forward to another successful year of Elizabethton Twins baseball. We encourage the public to come out and show their support for this team. They’ve been such an asset to the community over the past 40 years.”
Along with catching a game, advertisement opportunities are also available for businesses, Mains said, with a “limited amount of signage” still available inside the park.
Individuals looking for more information on promotional nights, ticket prices or advertisement opportunities can contact Parks & Rec.