An Okotoks Dawg isn’t letting the fact he is hitting around the .400 mark go to his head, however, he does feel he should get more money this year.
No, Austin Voros isn’t pulling an A-Rod trying to sign with the New York Yankees, he is hoping his name will help sell his jersey for some bigger dollars this year at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation/Wear Pink Day July 22 at Seaman Stadium when Okotoks takes on the Moose Jaw Miller Express at 2 p.m.
“It is such a cool experience,” Voros said. “They call you up there and there is 3,000 people watching and the auctioneer is real good and he starts throwing out numbers and the fans are bidding. It is fun and a good cause. It’s just a t-shirt, but the fans are willing to pay and help out.”
The Wear Pink Day game has the Dawgs playing in pink t-shirts instead of their jerseys. Selected Dawgs players’ t-shirts are auctioned off between innings.
The Dawgs have raised more than $110,000 at the four previous Wear Pink Days. The proceeds go towards the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Voros said he believes his shirt was auctioned for $500 his rookie year in 2010 and $1,200 last season. He’s hoping for bigger things this year.
“I am not too sure but I hope some people can help out,” Voros said.
“It would be nice to get two grand for breast cancer. That would be cool.”
Voros was the designated hitter his first two Wear Pink days. He said the auction can be a distraction for the guys out in the field.
“The thing about the breast cancer game is it can get long because they are auctioning off the t-shirts,” said Voros. “For the guys out in the field it can be tough to stay mentally focused because you are standing out there longer.”
He said the veterans will talk to the new players about what the day is like.
Okotoks Dawgs catcher Jordan Procyshen has some idea of what the day is like. He is going to his second Wear Pink Day.
However, this time he might be squatting behind home plate rather than enjoying a Manny Dog from the stands.
“In 2009 I went as a fan because we (the Midget Dawgs) didn’t have baseball that day,” Procyshen said. “It was just a blast as a fan. What I have heard from the guys is it is just a fun day.”
He considered the Wear Pink Day, along with Opening Day and Canada Day, as one of the highlight dates on the Dawgs’ calendar.
However, he doesn’t know yet if he is on the block.
“I guess I will find out that day,” Procyshen said. “I would like to try and get out there and raise some money. I have no clue at all what I would sell for.”
He said his other job in the game would be to keep the pitcher focused despite an auction going on.
“I have to make sure he is dialed in and talk to him the entire game,” Procyshen said. “It’s not that much different than a game except that there is a fundraiser going on.
“It’s a lot longer between innings so I will tell him to make sure he gets the proper amount of throws in and don’t rush himself.”
Okotoks Dawg Drew Pettit has been at the hot corner the last two Wear Pink Days.
“It is a lot of fun because you don’t do this kind of thing when you play at school,” Pettit said. “It’s for a really good cause. It’s not a distraction for a good cause like that.”
Pettit has been just like his playing at the auction block — nothing flashy, but gets the job done.
“I have been around $500 each time,” Pettit said. “We have a lot of fun with it, but you have to remember there is also a game to go to.”
He admitted things have gone really well thanks in part to the scoreboard.
“When you are out there being auctioned off you are smiling and waving to the fans,” Pettit said. “Both years it’s been easy to do that because we were winning.
“We haven’t had that experience in which were losing in the breast cancer game and we had to go out there and we got auctioned off.”
Dawgs coach Brandon Newell said this is one game in which the off-field activity is more important than what goes on between the lines.
“I look forward to this game because what it means to our community,” Newell said. “It’s a huge game in terms of fundraising and awareness. Cancer has touched everyone’s lives — it’s very non-discriminatory. Anytime an organization like ours to give back to the community that gives us some much support, I’m all for it.”
