MANKATO, MINN. — LEEP Legends: The Dugout Duel will be held at Franklin Rogers Park onWednesday July 15, 2015. The event is a celebrity softball fundraiser, involving over 20 of the area’s well known community members. Celebrities have been chosen by the event committee based on their passion for sports and recreation, as well as their contributions to the Mankato area in business, nonprofit work, and volunteering.
Leisure Education for Exceptional People (LEEP) is holding the event to raise funds for recreation and sports programming for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Mankato area. LEEP has teamed up with the Mankato MoonDogs to host this first ever event.
The Mankato MoonDogs have signed on as the presenting sponsor and is hosting the event on their playing field. LEEP Legends Chairperson and MoonDogs General Manager, , brought the idea to LEEP after volunteering on a Special Olympics team this past winter.
“I had such a great experience being a Unified Partner last basketball season that I wanted to find a way to partner with LEEP and support them as an organization. The MoonDogs love giving back to the community and this is a unique and fun way for us to do that,” Said Weis.
The event is not only a softball game. Gates will open at 5:30pm with a live band and vendors who will be tailgating and providing games and giveaways to attendees. Regular MoonDog concessions will be available throughout the event.
Each team will have 10 celebrities. Celebrity names will be announced on May 20th on the LEEP website at www.mankatoleep.org/LEEPLegends. Ticket sales will begin June 1st on the website. Tickets can also be purchased at the LEEP and Mankato MoonDogs offices. Tickets are $25 for a celebrity cheer zone, or $15 general admission.
For more information on the event, or to reserve press passes, contact Cate DeBates atoutreach@mankatoleep.org or call the LEEP office at 507-387-5122.
About Leisure Education for Exceptional People (LEEP)
Leisure Education for Exceptional People, Inc. (LEEP) is a non-profit, United Way supported organization that provides recreational and sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities so that they might achieve optimal levels of socialization and independence in the community.
About Mankato MoonDogs
The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information,