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Browsing all 12 posts in baseball.
09/14/11
Chicago Cubs Kerry Wood 6th Annual Strike Zone Celebrity Bowling Tournament
Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood and his wife, Sarah, are holding the 6th Annual Kerry Wood Strike Zone Celebrity Bowling Tournament. Over the years with this fundraiser, they have raised over 2 million dollars for children in and around the Chicagoland area!
There will be 24 corporate-sponsored teams along with a celebrity captain on each one. This event takes place on September 18th at 10Pin and is hosted by Eric & Kathy of 101.9fm THE MIX. If you want to get involved with this fundraiser you can! There is a silent auction taking place right NOW and closes at 10pm on Saturday, September 17th. Online bidders will be represented by proxy at the event and notified about their winning bids. Definitely go take a look at what’s available- there are autographed baseballs, tickets to Saturday Night Live, and so much more!
The Wood Family Foundation is really dedicated to raising funds for children’s charities and causes, and overall just improving their lives. Take a look at what they do here www.WoodFamilyFoundation.org and for more information on the Celebrity Bowling Tournament!
Tags: 101.9, 10Pin, Celebrity Bowling Tournament, charity events, chicago, chicago cubs, chicago weekend events, cubs, eric and kathy, kerry wood, Kerry Wood Strike Zone Celebrity Bowling, online auction, Sarah Wood, Saturday night live, the mix, Wood Family Foundation
07/13/11
Dempster Family Foundation’s “Casino Night”
Ryan Dempster is a starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and has over thirteen years of MLB experience. He has been with the Cubs for the past eight years! His daughter, Riley, was born in 2009 with the genetic disorder 22q, which prompted him and his wife to start the Dempster Family foundation. The disease is a chromosomal abnormality that causes a very wide range of health issues. Not only does the disease cause developmental issues, but it also is the source of heart defects, autism, and immune system problems. Currently, a cure does not exist and children suffering from the disease require significant medical attention.
I strongly urge you to support the cause. A night filled with mingling with sports celebrities, dining on fabulous food & drinks, gambling, & bidding in a unique auction will be taking place at the Palmer House Hilton on July 20th. Ryan and Jenny Dempster are hosting their second annual Casino Night benefiting the Dempster Family Foundation. The Dempster Family Foundation supports those suffering with 22q11.2 deletion (DiGeorge Syndrome/VCFS). Help raise awareness and support research of the disease by attending this extraordinary event. General Admission, along with “high roller”, tickets are still available through the Foundation’s website: http://dempsterfamilyfoundation.org/casinonight/casino-night-tickets/.
The Ryan and Jenny Dempster Family Foundation aims to support families with children suffering from 22q. The foundation gives back through increased awareness, monetary grants to charities, and programs. Researching for early detection of the disorder and helping children gain confidence and strength is of utmost importance. Along with supporting research and awareness, the Dempster Foundation helps foster a network for the families affected by the disease. This network allows families to determine the best treatment path for the diagnosed and connect with others enduring the same difficult situation.
-Kaitlin Kelly, Intern
Tags: 22Q, auction, autism, Casino NIght, celebrities, charity, Dempster Family Foundation, Drink, food, Heart Defects, Immune System, Jenny Dempster, palmer house, ryan dempster, sports
06/16/11
Chicago Cubs’ 1st Annual “Wrigleyville Block Party!”
Hey BillyDec.com readers! Matt Kochis here, Summer Intern for Billy – thought I would share this fun event happening this weekend! The Chicago Cubs are throwing their first ever “Wrigleyville Block Party!” This block party is inspired by the one-day festival held last year during the Northwestern-Illinois football game at Wrigley. The festival, nicknamed “Wildcat Way,” ended up being a great success and the Cubs are hoping the same for their three-day one. I was able to attend the Wildcat Way last year and had a blast at it. Between the food, drinks, good people, and the game, what was not to like? This block party will take place across three weekends during the summer weekend series against the Yankees, Sox, and Cardinals.
The Wrigleyville Block Party will feature live music from some of Chicago’s top cover bands, family-friendly activities such as arts and crafts, a basketball hoop attached to PNC Bank’s Virtual Wallet Van, a photo booth, a Wii Home Run Derby station, and the new Cubs Trolley complete with eight flat-screen TVs, video game consoles and more. This block party sounds like it is going to be a lot of fun and a great way for the Cubs to provide something extra for their fans. It’s nice to see them giving back to their supporters and wanting them to have an awesome time at Wrigley besides just watching the game. Rockit Wrigley is also right across the street so if you ever get hungry or thirsty and don’t want what the block party offers, there are other options out there!
The festivities will take place on the Cubs’ red and purple parking lots which are located on the west side of Wrigley Field. Party will start at 11 a.m. and go until 8 p.m. daily throughout the festival weekends starting on June 17. Come on out and support the Cubs and join in on the fun that Wrigleyville has to offer!
Tags: chicago, chicago cubs, chicago festivals, cubs, family events in chicago, home run derby, northwestern, pnc bank, summer in chicago, trolley, wii, wildcat way, wrigley field, wrigleyville block party
03/23/11
March Madness Benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago
baseball, basketball, celebrities, charity, chicago, cubs, Food, General, Homepage Feature, restaurants, sports
Good morning readers! Amanda Weir from Billy’s office here today – March Madness is finally here and what would this month be without a party at Rockit to celebrate and give thanks to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago. Big Brothers Big Sisters has become a cornerstone of community service to help youth mentoring programs. They have made more than 20,000 one-to-one mentoring matches since 1967, with around 3 million hours of contact between “Bigs” ( mentors) and “Littles” (mentees).
Come celebrate on Sunday, March 27 from 4-6 p.m at Rockit Bar and Grill (22 W. Hubbard) with cocktails, appetizers and a variety of raffle prizes including one night stay at The Wit Hotel, Signed basketballs from Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, East Bank Club membership, Akira certificates, tickets to Cubs and Joeffrey Ballet and dozens of other goodies!
Ticket prices are $35 for individuals, 5 ticket pack for $125 or 8 ticket VIP booth for $400 for more information visit www.bbbschgo.org.
Tags: akira, big brother big sisters chicago, big brothers, big sisters, billy dec, bulls, charity, chicago, chicago bulls, chicago events, cubs, derrick rose, east bank, east bank club, joakim noah, joffrey ballet, march madness, ncaa, raffle prizes, rockit, rockit bar and grill, tickets
06/30/10
muscle milk event w/chicago cubs ryan dempster tonite!
My friends on facebook & twitter always get mad when they miss a player or celeb hanging out at rockit Wrigley after a game so I am giving you all heads up now! One of my favorite chicago cubs players ryan dempster will be hosting a really cool event launching the new limited edition cubs-themed muscle milk bottle after the game at rockit Wrigley today, and as a friend of my blog / facebook / twitter, I’m inviting you to hang out w/us!
And btw, if you are also huge fan of drinking Muscle Milk like I am (especially post work-out which I never knew was important until this last year when researched it!), they are giving away muscle milk, cubs-themed products, and a chance to throw out a 1st pitch at a game (video attached has small clip of me almost puking in fear about to throw out first pitch, which can be you!)! See ya after the game for the party today/Weds 30th from 6-9pm, Rockit Wrigley… if rsvp to vip@rockitranch.com asap!
Tags: baseball, billy dec, billy dec facbook, billy dec reel, chicago cubs, chicago cubs muscle milk, contest, cubs, facebook, first pitch, muscle milk, rockit, rockit wrigley, ryan dempster, twitter
06/28/10
Twitter pics of Piven, Mayer, Lookingglass, Cubs, Sox, Press, Mayhem & More!
Art, baseball, celebrities, charity, chicago, cubs, Food, General, Movies, Music, nightlife, Pictures, Radio, restaurants, sports, Theater
If you follow me on twitter, you know my life is crazy, and that last weekend was no exception. Photos showed me splitting a bottle of patron tequila w/ buddy John Mayer at underground, vacuum packing Jeremy Piven’s cell phone in rice after he dropped it in the toilet at sunda, jumping on a dozen tv & radio stations live talking about raising money for art & theatre programs for kids, taste testing more food than most eat in a week, trying to fit more crazy tasks & adventures in a day/night than humanly possible to do whatever I can for my team & city!
It occurred to me though that some of you aren’t following me on twitter and are missing out on it all! That’s not good! So I included a sample of my tweetpics / life in the last couple days here so you can get a feel for what you are missing! It’s always random, always crazy, always entertaining.. and most important.. a great way to stay in touch and create a relationship as I have with so many others! Enjoy- and then click here to follow me on twitter too!
Tags: annual event, billy dec, charity, chicago, entourage, facebook, hbo, jeremy piven, john mayer, live radio, piven, piven theatre workshop benefit, rockit, rockit bar and grill, rockit ranch productions, sunda, the underground, theatre, twitter
06/09/10
Victoria's Secret Models join Cubs vs Sox Party at Rockit Wrigley w/ B96.3 Broadcasting Live!
baseball, celebrities, chicago, Chicago White Sox, cubs, fashion, Food, General, Music, Pictures, sports
We now have the most epic preparty combo ever in chicago this Friday at rockit wrigley! our cubs vs white sox “crosstown classic” kickoff party is now adding b96 radio “stylz & roman” broadcasting live from inside rockit wrigley from 10a-2p (fyi, last time we joined forces the party was over the top!)… and we now have a couple Victoria’s secret pink supermodels joining the party as well as they stop into chicago to promote the new cubs/sox pink gear that rocks! Doors open 9am as we are also showing world cup kickoff… everyone is invited!
And, just to share in the fun as I always do, I am giving one twitter follower or facebook friend a chance to be my personal guest from the time we eat, drink, hang w/ the Victoria’s secret supermodels & b96 at rockit Wrigley for the big preparty… all the way through sitting front row at the cubs vs sox game with me as I got you a ticket!!!! All you have to do is tweet me or post on my page, the craziest pickup line you’ve ever heard (as suggested by a twitter follower) and include in that message, to follow me/friend my page…I will pick the best one by midnight tomorrow/Thursday! Better hurry!
Read more for contest specifics, cross town classic history and new victoria’s secret pink line….
Tags: B96.3, baseball, billydec, cellular field, chicago, comisky park, contest, crosstown classic, cubs, facebook, lingere, pink, Radio, roman, stylz, ticket win, twitter, victoria's secret, victoria's secret angels, white sox, wrigley, wrigley field
04/23/10
World Malaria Day in Chicago
First of all- check this quick video made by 4th & 5th graders in Kyoto, Japan- about the horrible malaria problem in Africa they are trying to help- a fight that we here in chicago will be supporting this weekend!
In partnership w/ the Chicago White Sox, Malaria No More will recognize World Malaria Day on Sunday, April 25th during the White Sox/Mariners game in a variety of ways to raise awareness & funds to support their mission to end malaria deaths by 2015. The day will start off w/ my long time buddy, 3-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Jeremy Piven throwing out the 1st pitch. Then American Idol Finalist, Elliott Yamin will lend his phenomenal voice to the National Anthem and God Bless America. Also in attendance will be our Governor, Pat Quinn, showing his support for the continent of Africa.
Why are all parts of chicago & the world coming together? Because every 30 seconds, a child dies of malaria in Africa. Approximately 250 million people are infected with it every year. 90% of those terribly unfortunate people, are under the age of 5 years or pregnant women. Malaria no more has set out to end these deaths in just five short years. Seems almost impossible, doesn’t it? But oddly enough, it’s not – and you can help! It’s a known fact that malaria comes from malaria-carrying mosquitoes, but it might not be known that this disease and subsequently this epidemic can be solved with just a $10 mosquito net!!! You can donate a life-saving net by texting the word “NET” to 85944 - this will last for five years and can cover two people. It’s so easy to help!
For more information about Malaria No More and what you can do to help – visit www.malarianomore.org
***UPDATED MAY 17TH 2011***
This is the 2nd year in a row that the Chicago White Sox have partnered with Malaria No More to help educate and prevent this treatable disease that claims the lives of over 1700 a day in Africa (this time last year, that number was up to 2200 a day!). This Thursday, May 19th, come out and see the Sox take on the Cleveland Indians – former Chicago Bear Jerry Azumah along with long-time supporter Governor Pat Quinn will be on hand to help host the evening. Although these devastating statics are slowly getting better, there is still so much work to do – please visit www.malarianomore.org for more information and to see first hand how anything you can do to help, makes a world of difference.
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First of all- check this quick video made by 4th & 5th graders in Kyoto, Japan- about the horrible malaria problem in Africa they are trying to help- a fight that we here in chicago will be supporting this weekend!
In partnership w/ the Chicago White Sox, Malaria No More will recognize World Malaria Day on Sunday, April 25th during the White Sox/Mariners game in a variety of ways to raise awareness & funds to support their mission to end malaria deaths by 2015. The day will start off w/ my long time buddy, 3-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Jeremy Piven throwing out the 1st pitch. Then American Idol Finalist, Elliott Yamin will lend his phenomenal voice to the National Anthem and God Bless America. Also in attendance will be our Governor, Pat Quinn, showing his support for the continent of Africa.
Why are all parts of Chicago & the world coming together? Because every 30 seconds, a child dies of malaria in Africa. Approximately 250 million people are infected with it every year. 90% of those terribly unfortunate people, are under the age of 5 years or pregnant women. Malaria no more has set out to end these deaths in just five short years. Seems almost impossible, doesn’t it? But oddly enough, it’s not – and you can help! It’s a known fact that malaria comes from malaria-carrying mosquitoes, but it might not be known that this disease and subsequently this epidemic can be solved with just a $10 mosquito net!!! You can donate a life-saving net by texting the word “NET” to 85944 - this will last for five years and can cover two people. It’s so easy to help!
For more information about Malaria No More and what you can do to help – visit www.malarianomore.org
Tags: africa, american idol, charity, chicago bears, elliott yamin, emmy, entourage, golden globes, governor pat quinn, idol gives back, japan, jeremy piven, jerry azumah, kyoto, malaria, malaria no more, mariners, pat quinn, white sox, world malaria day
04/08/10
Cubs Opener Party Monday! Wrigleyville will be NUTS!
It’s a party every summer in wrigleyville, but w/new owners of the cubs, not having the best weather last year, and it being our 1st cubs opening day celebration at the new rockit Wrigley, I get the feeling my team & I will be immersed in extra fun this summer in wrigleyville… and we hope you will be a part of it too!
I’m hearing 1st of all that the biggest “do not miss” party day is opening day, this Monday (4/12)! Rockit Wrigley for example has b96 (96.3fm) airing live from Wrigley’s cubs opener on our patio from 10a-2p! you for sure should tune in to hear the energy, or better yet, with or w/o tix, just come & join us! If you do, you could win “impossible to find” tix for the opening game, concert seats to rihanna, cool gear, gift certificates,… trust me, insane giveaways w/insane parties! You just need to be there!
And as for us, we are just gonna keep the party going thru game 2 (weds 4/14)! Somehow we have the honor of being chosen as the actual location for the official post game radio show “Cubs 10th Inning on the WGN Cubs Radio Network!” yes, you have to turn in again, but if you or anyone you know is going to the game, or is near the neighborhood, there is only one way to be a part of the culture, fun, energy & celebration, and its to be live w/us!
in just the 1st two games of the year next week, looks to me like are going to have a great summer.. all you have to do is jump in and live it up! If we can help in anyway, whether you need our private party room that looks directly across the street at Wrigley (click here for pics & info), a table reservation, or just anything… email Kris@RockitRanch.com! For other radio fun, Click here for a fun quick clip of me live yesterday on wgn giving away killer stuff on Michigan ave in the rain- and answering questions about how we all started in the biz- haha! and then click here to enjoy that new commercial I tweeted about yesterday when in the editing room- just telling it how it is I guess- notice us laughing about the 9a-2a party opening day- just ridiculous!
It’s a party every summer in wrigleyville, but w/new owners of the cubs, not having the best weather last year, and it being our 1st cubs opening day celebration at the new rockit Wrigley, I get the feeling my team & I will be immersed in extra fun this summer in wrigleyville… and we hope you will be a part of it too!
I’m hearing 1st of all that the biggest “do not miss” party day is opening day, this Monday (4/12)! Rockit Wrigley for example has b96 ( click to hear on radio ) airing live from Wrigley’s cubs opener on our patio from 10a-2p! you for sure should tune in to hear the energy, or better yet, with or w/o tix, just come & join us! If you do, you could win “impossible to find” tix for the opening game, concert seats to rihanna, cool gear, gift certificates… trust me, insane giveaways w/insane parties! You just need to be there!
And as for us, we are just going to keep the party going thru game 2 (weds 4/14)! Somehow we have the honor of being chosen as the actual location for the official post game radio show “Cubs 10th Inning on WGN!” yes, you have to turn in again, but if you or anyone you know is going to the game, or is near the neighborhood, there is only one way to be a part of the culture, fun, energy & celebration, and its to be live w/us!
in just the 1st two games of the year next week, looks to me like are going to have a great summer.. all you have to do is jump in and live it up! If we can help in anyway, whether you need our private party room that looks directly across the street at Wrigley (click here for pics and info), a table reservation, or just anything… email Kris@RockitRanch.com! For other radio fun, click here for a fun quick clip of me live yesterday on wgn giving away killer stuff on Michigan ave in the rain- and answering questions about how we all started in the biz- haha! and then click here to enjoy that new commercial I tweeted about yesterday when in the editing room- just telling it how it is I guess- notice us laughing about the 9a-2a party opening day- just ridiculous!
Want to win tickets from me? Be the 1st five people to have 20 friends sign up as a fan of this page www.facebook.com/rockitwrigley and mention your name…and win 2 tickets (i have 10 tix, so 5 winners!) to Opening Day! Winners announced by this Sunday at 6pm!!!
Tags: b96, B96.3, chicago cubs, cubs, cubs 10th inning on the wgn cubs radio network, home opener, opener, opening day, Radio, rihanna, rockit, rockit wrigley, stylz and roman, wgn, wgn radio, wrigley field, wrigleyville
04/06/10
My First Chicago Radio Promotion!
If you are all about immediate gratification & want to win stuff fast, click the radio segment above as we are giving away a ton of gift certificates & pre/post cubs parties at Rockit Wrigley on wgn tomorrow (weds 4/7)! If want to hear a little backstory on it… read on…
(kr don’t do the click here to read on…)
Having started out in the biz w/pretty much nothing but hunger, I was never able to afford the luxury of advertising on tv, radio,… or really anything outside of a handshake and a chance to make an impression good enough to allow me the opportunity to maybe build a nice long lasting relationship, as those mean everything to me. Although it caused me to work a million times harder along with my team of 500+ a rockit ranch who have evolved the practice of building relationships aggressively, we have thankfully become a whole lot stronger because of it. Cut to 2010 w/ businesses like sunda, rockit and underground, and you may have heard that most of our ad/marketing focus is now all about social media and new forms of communicating online… so you are probably wondering, why radio now!?!? Well, for what its worth, here’s what I’m thinking…
Its very targeted for something that is usually seen to be so broad. Our newest property Rockit Wrigley is special because it is nestled in the smack dab middle of the wonderful neighborhood Wrigleyville on the northside, where I was born and raised. Wrigleyville is special because for 5mos or so a year, millions of people from around the planet celebrate the world famous chicago cubs baseball games that go on in the middle of wrigleyville at Wrigley field, which is across the street from our place rockit Wrigley. Wgn radio, has covered those Wrigley field games, and has spoken to those millions of fans, for decades, or should I say generations,… and to me, that’s a sign of a ton of real long term relationships built, which again, means everything to me.
I also think in general the relationship between radio and baseball fans has always been unique on its own no matter where it is…Its like a conversation amongst friends about an ongoing passion and experience… and like any other marketing initiative these days, in addition to sticking with all the tactics you obsess about, you have to include everyone and everything if you can no matter what, so I thought I would take a modest little attempt, by accepting a very reasonable radio partnership offer, to try to share with the great big baseball/wrigleyfield/cubs/wrigleyville conversation too, and give a way some really fun things to people I admire, enjoying experiences I enjoy too! Not sure if its the right move, but sometimes you just got to do whatever it takes, to keep creating great relationships out there… because that means everything…… let ya know how it goes!!
Info on giveaway:
Wgn’s Garry Meier will be doing his infamous Drive-Thru Window giveaway shortly after 2:30pm on Wednesday, 4/7/10. He will encourage his listeners to drive up to WGN Radio’s Showcase Studio on Michigan Avenue (on the plaza level of the Tribune Tower). As long as you are on wheels, and are one of the first twenty-five people, you qualify for the prize. He will then reward the first (25) listeners that correctly recite the Phrase That Pays with a $25 Gift Card for Rockit Wrigley. In addition, (3) of the envelopes will include the Golden Ticket, which is good for a Cubs Party at Rockit Wrigley ($150 value)…. You should have this party- it rocks! listen to the radio announcement above if haven’t already… and win!
Oh, and check out my second big radio event next week- for opening day of cubs season 2010!!!!!!!!!!! April 12th at 10a sharp to 2p we have my friends stylz & roman from b96 coming out to do a live remote at rockit wrigley! They have a huge fun party following so it’s the perfect crew for one of the biggest cubs’ parties of the year- opening day!!!!!!! And!! For all those on site they are raffling off two tix to that cubs season opener, rihanna concert tix, and a ton more!! Rockit Wrigley is opening at 9a sharp that day! Be there!
And the very next game, on weds 4/14, we are back with wgn doing a live remote after the Milwaukee game at rockit Wrigley into the night!!!!! Can’t wait! Hope you will spread the news and join us!
If you are all about immediate gratification & want to win stuff fast, click the radio segment above as we are giving away a ton of gift certificates & pre/post cubs parties at Rockit Wrigley on wgn tomorrow (weds 4/7)! If want to hear a little backstory on it… read on…
Tags: b96, B96.3, chicago cubs, cubs, gary meier, giveaway, phrase that pays, Radio, rihanna, rockit, rockit wrigley, stylz and roman, wgn, wgn radio showcase studio, wrigley field