Bring shoes to the Tourists game Wednesday

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

1

Here’s the press release:

Asheville manager “Shoeless Joe” Mikulik will take the diamond at McCormick Field on Wednesday, July 16, without the support of cleats in order to raise money for the Asheville Tourists Children’s Fund and increase awareness for shoes for needy children throughout Western North Carolina.
Mikulik will remove his cleats during the pre-game meeting with the umpires at home plate, just prior to the start of the contest with the Delmarva Shorebirds. July 16th marks the 109th anniversary of the birth of legendary outfielder “Shoeless Joe” Jackson, who was born in Pickens County, South Carolina, on that date in 1889. Jackson acquired his nickname upon signing with the Class D Greenville club when a new pair of spikes caused blisters on his feet, forcing the outfielder to play the rest of the game in his stocking feet.
Every fan who donates a pair of shoes at McCormick Field on July 16 as well as the remainder of the homestand, excluding Tuesday, July 22, will receive a free general admission ticket to an upcoming Tourists game during the 2008 campaign. In addition, Global Dove will donate 20 cents per pound of used shoes collected over the course of the homestand to the Asheville Tourists Children’s Fund, which provides shoes to children in need throughout the region.