JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp recently signed a big name to its roster: Sgt. Scampi from the group K-9s For Warriors, the team announced Tuesday.
Sgt. Scampi will be the team’s bat dog for a designated half inning at each Friday’s home game for the 2017 season. Sgt. Scampi will debut at this week’s matchup.
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“Sgt. Scampi brings special talent to the Jumbo Shrimp team, and our fans will enjoy his bat retrieving every Friday this season,” Jumbo Shrimp General Manager Harold Craw said. “He represents a great organization, K9s For Warriors, and the military personnel they serve. We are excited to include them in our military appreciation promotions.”
Sgt. Scampi is now a part of the team’s weekly tributes to members of the military, which take place on Red Shirt Friday. Those who wear red to the ballpark on Fridays may save $1 per ticket at the box office or donate the $1 to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. The Jumbo Shrimp players also wear red “Bold City” jerseys.
The Jumbo Shrimp also plan to continue offering active military and veterans $5 reserved tickets to every home game. This season’s Military Family Appreciation Nights -- when active military and veterans and their immediate families receive free general admission or reserved tickets -- are set for May 28 (presented by Navy Mutual Life Insurance), June 29 (presented by Navy Federal Credit Union) and Aug. 23.
K9s For Warriors is based in Ponte Vedra. The organization helps veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. The nonprofit group carefully selects dogs for the program from animal shelters across the country and professionally trains them at their facility.