Coast to Coast

ATLANTA
Braves welcome breast cancer survivors
The Atlanta Braves will hold Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Sept. 19 at Turner Field. The day is presented by Publix in partnership with American Cancer Society’s Making Strides for Breast Cancer. Breast cancer survivors will receive one free game ticket to that day’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, a commemorative T-shirt, admission to the pregame hospitality reception, and the opportunity to take part in a pregame ceremony on the field.

BOSTON
ESPNBoston.com launching next week
ESPN will launch ESPNBoston.com on Sept. 14, and will feature local news coverage, contributions from ESPN writers with Boston ties such as Peter Gammons, Bill Simmons and Michael Smith, locally oriented community tools and a localized three- to six-minute version of “SportsCenter.”

Pro cycling returns to Boston
Mayor Thomas Menino, the city of Boston and TD Bank formed a multiyear partnership to promote Boston as a top biking destination. The TD Bank Cycling Celebration Weekend, Sept. 26-27, will feature the city’s first pro cycling race in decades when more than 100 professional male and female cyclists compete in the inaugural TD Bank Mayor’s Cup.

BUFFALO
Bills add Power Trip to lineup
Power Trip will be the official energy drink of the Buffalo Bills and the exclusive energy drink and energy shot at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Other elements of the Power Trip Beverages partnership include product sampling during game days and advertising and promotional opportunities. 

EDMONTON
Katz takes step toward new Oilers arena
Edmonton Oilers President Patrick LaForge confirmed that team owner Daryl Katz’s real estate firm has agreements to buy the Baccarat Casino and land near a Greyhound bus terminal, according to a report in The Edmonton Journal. They are possible locations for a new downtown arena and entertainment complex, according to the report.

FONTANA, CALIF.
Nationwide Series race rebranded
The NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Auto Club Speedway on Oct. 10 has been rebranded as the Copart 300. The race was called the Camping World RV Service 300. All advertising and print material associated with the race will include the Copart name and brand.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Casino naming truck series race
WinStar World Casino secured the title sponsorship for the fall NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, giving the Oklahoma gaming facility the title rights for both truck series events at the track. WinStar replaces Chevrolet Silverado as title sponsor for the Nov. 6 race.

HOUSTON
Fox Sports pitches Astros on TV
Fox Sports Houston introduced a new reality-based series that takes fans inside the lives of Houston Astros players. “Here’s the Pitch” debuted Aug. 27 and airs Fridays this month at 5:30 or 6 p.m. The 30-minute program will focus on the lifestyles and personalities of players.

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
Target Field, Toro sign three-year deal
The Toro Co. will serve as the exclusive provider of turf maintenance equipment and irrigation sprinkler systems for Target Field in a new three-year deal. The Minnesota Twins will use large-area mowers, aerators, infield groomers, utility vehicles, debris blowers and line painters to maintain the playing surface.

Postseason tickets for non-season-ticket
holders will be scarce at Yankee Stadium.

NEW YORK
Yankees announce playoff pricing
The New York Yankees released pricing for playoff tickets this season, the majority of which will cost less than tickets for equivalent seating during the 2007 MLB postseason at the former Yankee Stadium. This year’s regular-season ticket prices for full-season, non-suite licensees will carry over to the AL Division Series. For full-season, non-suite ticket licensees, prices will range from $5-$275 per ticket for the ALDS, $10-$350 per ticket for the ALCS, and $50-$425 per ticket for the World Series.

PHILADELPHIA
Flyers sign affiliation deal with Mallards
The Philadelphia Flyers reached a minor league affiliation agreement with the Quad City Mallards of the International Hockey League for the 2009-10 season. The Mallards of Moline, Ill., join the Adirondack (N.Y.) Phantoms, the Flyers’ primary affiliate, of the American Hockey League, and the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Wings of the ECHL, as the Flyers’ minor league affiliates.

Phillies partner with Horizon Services
Horizon Services, a locally owned and operated plumbing, heating, and air conditioning company, and the Philadelphia Phillies formed a four-year partnership featuring a broad-based media package that includes sign space on the Phillies scoreboard in left field at Citizens Bank Park. The Horizon Services sign was installed late last month.

Hospital sponsoring expanded bike race
Grand View Hospital in Sellersville, Pa., reached a deal to be the hospital sponsor for Saturday’s Univest Grand Prix bicycle race. The medical center will provide paramedic support for all race participants. The Univest Grand Prix is expanding in its 12th year and now encompasses Bucks, Montgomery and Lehigh counties. Professional racers will compete in a 100-mile road race.

Becky Hammon went pink
from head to toe and helped
raise more than $38,000.

READING, PA.
Ballclub seeks grant for renovations
The Reading Phillies plan to give FirstEnergy Stadium a $10 million face-lift, provided state support can be secured for the project. The team, the Class AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, and the city of Reading are seeking a $5 million grant from the state for the project. The rest of the expense would be shared by the city and the team.

SAN ANTONIO
Silver Stars’ auction raises $38K
The San Antonio Silver Stars wore pink uniforms for their game against the Detroit Shock on Aug. 29 at the AT&T Center in support of Christus Santa Rosa Breast Health Awareness. The players auctioned their game-worn uniforms and shoes to fans and raised $38,125 to help local charities, surpassing last season’s auction total of $20,000. Becky Hammon’s uniform and shoes fetched $6,500.

Alamo Bowl, Pac-10 strike new deal
The Valero Alamo Bowl established a four-year partnership with the Pac-10, which will send the conference’s No. 2 team from the 2010-13 seasons to the bowl, according to a report in the San Antonio Express-News. The deal guarantees the conference $3 million a year to move from its current deal with the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, according to the report.

SEATTLE
Sounders launch Spanish Web site
The Seattle Sounders FC launched Espanol.SoundersFC.com, an official Spanish-language Web site. The site will feature occasional blogs from Spanish-speaking players in addition to the blogs and forums available in the site’s integrated social media platform.

WASHINGTON, D.C.
Wizards’ China trip under way
The Washington Wizards are commemorating their 1979 trip to China with a 10-day visit Sept. 5-15 to the cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu and Yingxiu. Former Washington Bullets players Wes Unseld and Gheorghe Muresan will be joined by current Wizards players Caron Butler and Randy Foye, as well as several team officials.