Corvallis Knights Sponsors Make it Extra Fun.

Popular Free Youth Clinic and New Science & Art Day are Two Special Kids Events

The Corvallis Knights and several local businesses and organizations have partnered to sponsor events to improve the quality of life in the Mid-Valley by exposing kids to positive activities, to grow the game with young fans, and to provide fun entertainment options to residents throughout the region.

The newest collaboration is PEAK Internet Science and Art Day, presented by da Vinci Days, set for 11 a.m. June 6, when the Knights host the Klamath Falls Gems. Elementary school students from Linn and Benton counties have been invited to the ballpark to learn more about science, art and baseball.

"PEAK is very excited at the opportunity to support the elementary students in the mid-valley with a fun and educational day at the ballpark for their end-of-the-school-year-celebration," said PEAK Internet Director of Marketing Bobby Samai. "Being able to provide scholarship tickets to elementary students in need is an honor."

Interactivity is the name of the game, as students will be encouraged to participate in science and art projects, some related to baseball, at various stations set up throughout the ballpark. The interactive stations will be manned by local inventors and artists. Their objective is to expose area school children to science and art, outside the classroom, in a venue that is fun and unique.

The younger set will also be the focus of the Starker Forests Youth Baseball Clinic, to be held from 9 a.m. until noon on June 30 at Goss Stadium. It's open to boys and girls age 5 through 18, and is free (pictured is a shot from the 2010 clinic).

The clinic will be supervised by Knights' head coach Brooke Knight. Team players and staff will be the instructors; the clinic will emphasize the basics of baseball and ways to have fun with the game, Campers can expect lots of interaction with players and coaches.

"Starker Forests, Inc., is a proud sponsor of this event," said company co-owner Barte Starker. "Sports provide a team-building experience that teaches our youth the value of working together for a common goal.

"Teaching those skills is a good investment in our community. Team sports provide a model for this cooperative environment that lasts a lifetime."

The Knights have also teamed up with the United Way of Lincoln and Benton County for United Way Night, set for 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, when the Knights face the Bellingham Bells. The team will donate 20 percent of all walk-up ticket sales to the United Way.

"United Way is proud to partner with the Corvallis Knights to offer the community a night of affordable family fun and create opportunities to put the UNITY back in community," said Corrie Schwab, the Director of Resource Development of United Way of Benton and Lincoln Counties. "Together, united, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a good life for a better tomorrow.

"Thank you to the Corvallis Knights for their generosity and we look forward to many more years of continued partnership."

The American Red Cross bloodmobile will be at Goss Stadium prior to the Twilight Twi-Night doubleheader with Kelowna, sponsored by Mid-Valley Dental Associates. The opener will start at 5:05 p.m.; anyone donating blood between 2-7 p.m. will receive a free general admission ticket to the July 25 game against the Klamath Falls Gems.

"Mid-Valley Dental Associates has a great enthusiasm for the Knights as a provider of wholesome, public-spirited fun for our community," said Mid-Valley Dental spokesman Vynn Berg. "They also give back to our community with a caring attitude toward the athletes, and a variety of other causes, not the least of which is the American Red Cross.

"The Knights have our whole-hearted support."