This initiative represents the Hooks’ goal to positively impact the community of Corpus Christi and surrounding areas. 


 
Field of Dreams
Through Field of Dreams, the Hooks renovate or build a youth field in the Coastal Bend. Baseball and softball leagues complete an application for submission to the Hooks for consideration. The annual South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet and Astros Caravan Luncheon fund Field of Dreams.

Robstown Little League was the first beneficiary of Field of Dreams. A new Miracle League Field in Corpus Christi has been the most recent project. For more information on Corpus Christi’s Miracle League campaign, contact Brian Devaney at 855-9778. The national website is www.miracleleague.com

Get Hooked on Reading
Sponsored by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Flint Hills Resources, Get Hooked on Reading began in 2004. The program encourages children in Grades 1-8 to read during the summer months. Participants receive Hooks tickets and a pregame parade opportunity around the Whataburger Field warning track.

Hooks Honor Roll
The focus of this new program is academic performance by high school students. A-B students in grades 9-12 are rewarded with complimentary tickets to Hooks games. Flint Hills Resources is the sponsor.

Stripes Diamond
Besides donating raffle and auction items to area youth baseball and softball leagues and providing additional assistance with ticket coupon booklets, the Hooks maintain and manage Stripes Diamond. Located just beyond the batter’s eye of Whataburger Field, this regulation youth baseball field is the site of numerous games throughout the season.

In 2008, 72 teams from 14 different leagues played games at the facility. Coastal Bend teams with children 12-and-under are eligible to play at no cost. To inquire about field availability, contact Elisa Macias at 361-561-4673. Little Leagues included: Beeville, Buccaneer, Challenger, Freer, Gregory-Portland, International, Laguna, National, North Live Oak, Oso, Padre, Robstown, South Live Oak and Southside.

Stripes Diamond is part of Driscoll Children’s Hospital Kids Zone, a comprehensive youth recreation area at Whataburger Field.

Rusty’s Kids Club
Rusty’s Kids Club, for children 12 and under, is a great way to get your child involved in Hooks Baseball. For $15 annually, each member receives a backpack, custom cap, membership card, 10 percent discount at Hook, Line & Sinker and up to 35 general admission tickets to Hooks games and special Kids Club events. Members also may participate in parties before Sunday home games. 

Sammy’s Birthday Club
Sammy’s Birthday Club is for children 12 and under. For a $5 annual fee, kids receive a birthday card from Sammy Seagull, a gift, and two reserved seat tickets to a Hooks game and a chance to run in the Birthday Parade. 

Silver Sluggers
The Silver Sluggers is for young-at-heart Hooks fans age 55+. The annual cost of $15 yields a battery-operated personal fan, t-shirt, cap or visor, membership card, 10 percent discount at Hook, Line & Sinker and three vouchers good for two reserved tickets.

South Texas Winter Baseball Banquet
This annual function honoring area high school, college and pro players is held in January. The event also recognizes the top Hooks pitcher and position player from the previous season. Corpus Christi's Bart Shirley was the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award winner. Proceeds go to Hooks Help.

Astros Caravan Luncheon 
Each winter, Astros players and executives come to Corpus Christi to preview the upcoming season. This event enables fans to meet the Astros up close and personal. The 2009 function featured Astros outfielder and former Hook Hunter Pence, staff ace Roy Oswalt, Assistant GM Ricky Bennett and TV analyst Jim Deshaies. Money raised goes to Hooks Help.

Shirt off the Back Night
During a game late in the season, Hooks players wear special jerseys that are raffled off to fans in attendance. Each patron receives one raffle ticket upon entry to Whataburger Field and has the option to purchase additional tickets for $1, with proceeds going to a non-profit organization. Last year’s beneficiary was The Miracle League. The 2006 recipient was the Muscular Dystrophy Association; the American Diabetes Association benefited in 2005. 

Breast Cancer Awareness The Hooks wore pink jerseys during a May game last year, then autographed and auctioned them on-line with proceeds earmarked for First Friday. Through First Friday, Christus Spohn Hospital provides free mammograms to uninsured women in the Coastal Bend. 

Habitat for Humanity In a similar endeavor, the players wore American flag-themed jerseys on Independence Day, then signed and auctioned them through cchooks.com with funds going to Habitat for Humanity. Former Hooks Josh Muecke and Neil Sellers also worked on a home for Habitat during the 2007 season. Reliant Energy was a partner on the project. 

Fill the Cable Truck
The Hooks partner with Time-Warner Cable to “Fill the Cable Truck.” Beneficiaries have included a local animal shelter, the Food Bank of Corpus Christi and the Gulf Coast Humane Society.

Toy Drive 
The Corpus Christi Police Department collects toys for underprivileged children at the Hooks’ July toy drive, as well as one in December. CCPD’s Wishes and Dreams program distributes the goodies throughout Corpus Christi. 
 

Grande Grand Prize Game
This popular fan activity occurs monthly during the season. Whataburger Field guests have the opportunity to win or share $1,000 by purchasing a baseball for $1 and tossing it into a wine barrel from the stands. The Food Bank of Corpus Christi, the Corpus Christi Police Athletic League (2006) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (2007) received funds from this promotion. 
 

Signed Tailgate
In 2006, Camp Aranzazu benefited from the raffling of a truck tailgate signed by the entire Hooks team, including Houston Astros who played at Whataburger Field on rehab assignments. This program was sponsored by ESPN Radio and the Champion Automotive group, which drew the winning raffle ticket at a late-season game.

Located near Rockport, Camp Aranzazu provides a place where children and adults with physical disabilities, chronic illnesses and terminal diseases enjoy the independence, fellowship and adventure provided by a camping experience.

One Sweet Ride
One Sweet Ride, a custom Hooks-themed motorcycle created by Rodney Serpa of Serpa Custom Cycles, was raffled off to a lucky fan in 2007. During a season-long campaign, fans purchased $10 tickets for an opportunity to win the $50,000 bike. Almost $40,000 went to the American Diabetes Association. This program was sponsored by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, KZTV, Classic Rock 104.5 and Morehead Dotts & Associates

Hurricane Relief
The Red Cross received a significant contribution from Hooks Help in 2005. Fans donated more than $10,000 in food and clothing to victims of Hurricane Katrina. 

American Diabetes Association 
ADA’s “Dancing Through Downtown,” an October event, begins at Whataburger Field and ends with a lap around the bases.  For more information on ADA events in the Coastal Bend, click here.

American Heart Association 
AHA’s “Choose to Move” is held in October. This event involves multiple exercise circuits throughout the facility. To learn more, click here

American Cancer Society 
The ACS holds its “Relay for Life” at the ballpark in July. This fundraising walk runs from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on the warning track.  Visit the ACS site by clicking here.

March of Dimes
In March, 2005, March of Dimes staged the first walk at Whataburger Field. The Corpus Christi portion of “Walk America” begins and ends in the south parking lot.

Junior Achievement
JA’s half-marathon, run for the first time last October, begins and ends at the Whataburger Field complex.

ALS 5K Walk
A 5K walk is held inside Whataburger Field in the fall to help raise funds and awareness for ALS, also known as ‘Lou Gehrig’s’ disease.
 
MS 150
A biking event held in the fall to help raise funds in the battle against Multiple Sclerosis. Approximately 4,000 riders participate in this Sunday event, which begins in San Antonio and ends at Whataburger Field. The event includes kids’ activities, while food and beverage are available inside the park.

Salvation Army Prayer Service
Congregations from approximately 100 area churches take part in prayer and worship at Whataburger Field during a Saturday in the fall.

In addition to fundraisers and community events, the Hooks take a few extra bases in giving back to the community.

High School Baseball
Since 2006 Whataburger Field has hosted numerous high school games, including regular-season contests and playoff action through the UIL regional finals. High school teams throughout South Texas have enjoyed competing on the award-winning playing surface.

In 2007, the second-round clash between area powers Calallen and Moody drew over 18,000 for three games. Moody ultimately captured the Texas 4-A championship that season.

College Baseball
Since its inception in March of 2006, the Whataburger College Classic has featured Arizona, Arizona State, Notre Dame, Rice, South Alabama, TCU, Texas Tech and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Proceeds from the three-day, round-robin event benefit scholarship funds at TAMUCC. The Islanders play other selected home dates at Whataburger Field. In March of 2007, one such game featured the nationally-ranked Texas Longhorns.  Texas A&M - Kingsville has also played selected regular season games at Whataburger Field.

Members of the Hooks front office staff are available for speaking engagements at no cost. You may contact Shayla Andreas at 361-561-4697 for more information.

Hooks players are available for public speaking and autograph sessions at a cost of $75 per player per appearance. Appointments involving players must be scheduled between 11 am and 1 pm on days when the team is in town.

Rusty and Sammy stand ready to make your next public event even more festive! Each mascot may be booked at a rate of $60 per hour, $30 for non-profit organizations. Rusty and Sammy can spice up your function, unless it is held during a Hooks home game. Both make appearances throughout the Coastal Bend, but drive time is added to appearance costs if outside the city limits. 
 

The Hooks are proud to call Corpus Christi, the Coastal Bend and South Texas home. Items for silent and live auctions, raffles and giveaways may be provided for fundraising purposes provided appropriate and subsequently approved documentation is received on company letterhead. Fax your requests for donations to 361-561-4666 or mail to Shayla Andreas, Community Relations Coordinator, Corpus Christi Hooks, 734 East Port Avenue, 78401. Please provide at least two weeks lead time. The Hooks do not make monetary donations.
 

Tours of Whataburger Field are by appointment only during the offseason and when the Hooks are traveling. Tours do not include recreation in the Driscoll Children’s Hospital Kids Zone. Dining at Whataburger Field is not permitted during tours. Tours are free of charge.