Strikeout-Cancer Night to celebrate honorary BC Bomber Caitlyn Jackson

BATTLE CREEK, MI--The Battle Creek Bombers are saddened to announce the recent passing of one of our own – Caitlyn Jackson.  Caitlyn was a beloved member of the Bombers family, and attended nearly every home game with the Jackson family, many of whom work for the franchise throughout the season.

Caitlyn Jackson, at just eight-years-old, was diagnosed with leukemia.  She bravely battled for years, and even finished treatment in July of 2012.  Unfortunately, during July of this past baseball season, Caitlyn relapsed.  Sadly, due to complications related to her treatments, this past weekend Caitlyn Jackson “earned her angel wings” as her friends and family would describe.

The outpouring of support and love for Caitlyn’s family has been incredible, and recently grabbed national headlines when students at Caitlyn’s school were shockingly asked to cover up shirts in Caitlyn’s honor.  Fortunately for the family, this situation has recently been resolved.

Now, Caitlyn’s baseball family and her summer home, wish to honor her as well.  The Bombers plan to celebrate the life of Caitlyn Jackson throughout the 2014 season, and have some very special plans in particular during their annual Strike-Out Cancer Night.

The Bombers, as they typically do, will wear special Strikeout-Cancer jerseys for this game night.  However, these jerseys will now incorporate Caitlyn’s favorite colors blue and orange, to pay homage to those still fighting leukemia.

In addition, the Bombers are enthused to announce the new, “Caitlyn Jackson Spirit Award” – which will be presented annually to the game-day employee whom best represents Caitlyn’s love of the ballpark, the Bombers, and her fellow fans.  A special plaque will remain on display in the ballpark to honor Caitlyn, and the annual recipients of this award.  The Bombers hope, that for years to come, this award will remind and inform others of Caitlyn’s incredible life.

Bombers General Manager Anthony Iovieno added, “This little girl and her family have meant a great deal to this franchise, our fans, and our community.  If you ever had the pleasure of meeting Caitlyn, or any one of her family members for that matter, you’d understand.  The entire Jackson family epitomizes the ideal human spirit; these are special, special people.”

The time and date for this special night will be released with the Battle Creek Bombers promotional schedule later this spring.  Additional details will also be made available at that time.

The Battle Creek Bombers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21^st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel.  For more information, visit www.battlecreekbombers.com