{"id":13676,"date":"2019-04-23T14:18:37","date_gmt":"2019-04-23T14:18:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/kalamazoo-growlers\/?p=13676"},"modified":"2019-04-23T14:18:37","modified_gmt":"2019-04-23T14:18:37","slug":"growlers-announce-phone-free-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/kalamazoo-growlers\/growlers-announce-phone-free-night\/","title":{"rendered":"Growlers Announce \u2018Phone Free Night’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Team banning cell phones for a night to promote distracted driving awareness and limiting screen time usage<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Kalamazoo, MI –<\/i><\/b> Today, it\u2019s hard to go 10 minutes without a quick glance on your cell phone. Whether it\u2019s during meetings, at the dinner table, watching a movie or, unfortunately, when driving. This season, on June 3rd, the Kalamazoo Growlers will jump back to a simpler time, when the cell phone never existed. To achieve that, <\/span>they\u2019re banning cell phones from their ballpark for a night.<\/b><\/p>\n

All fans attending the game will be forced to check their cell phones when entering the stadium. Fans who manage to sneak their phones into the stadium during the game will be asked to hand them over or be ejected by specially trained Phone Umpires.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Growlers, aware that most use their phone as a camera, will staff the game with more photographers to take photos of fans enjoying their time together, not through a screen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vice President Brian Colopy said \u201cWhile the cell phone has changed most of our lives for the better, it\u2019s a double-edged sword. We\u2019re more disconnected with each other now than ever before. On June 3rd, we want everyone to put the phones away for a few hours and enjoy time together with their loved ones. To do this, we\u2019re taking this drastic action.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Growlers will be teaming up with Mattawan High School students to educate fans on the dangers of using a phone while driving. The students, recently led an \u201cEvery Distraction Limits Reaction” campaign which reached more than 1,200 students at Mattawan High School.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brooke Hinz, who received statewide recognition for the campaign, said \u201cSpreading the message about the dangers of distracted driving is crucial in today\u2019s world. I am so honored to not only bring that message to Mattawan High School with the help of my team, but to have a night for all ages to realize how one text or call can alter a lifetime.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout the game, the Growlers will be sharing tips with fans on how to limit screen time with their phones. These includes:<\/span><\/p>\n