Jacks' Morgan to honor mom in 'Pink' game, 'thankful she is still around to see me play'

BATTLE CREEK - For any of the Battle Jacks players, having their parents in the stands to watch them play means a lot.

For Justin Morgan, having his mom in Battle Creek to watch him play this Friday will mean everything.

As the Battle Creek Battle Jacks host Pink Out The Park Night at MCCU Field at C.O. Brown Stadium June 20, Morgan will be wearing his Pink Battle Jacks jersey with a smile on his face. He will be taking the field with his mom — happy and healthy — watching from the stands. Pink Out The Park Night was created with the idea to raise awareness for breast cancer.

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Amber Morgan is a breast cancer survivor and will be watching her son play for the Battle Jacks for the first time, making the trip in from Utah.

"She is always excited to watch me play and I am so thankful she is still around to see me play," Morgan said.

Amber had breast cancer in 2013 when Justin was 10 years old.

"I was really scared at the time. My parents were really protective and didn't tell me a lot about what was going on," Justin said. "Later, I found out she had stage 2 breast cancer. She is better now and I'm really glad she will be here to watch me play."

Not only will she be in Battle Creek to see her son play, she will be honored as one the participants to throw out the first pitch for Friday's game.

Pink Out The Park Night is presented by Oaklawn Hospital. A special $20 ticket package for the game includes seating, a meal voucher, a Battle Jacks hat and a donation to the Oaklawn Women's Diagnostic Center.

"It's a huge community thing for us to do this kind of game," Battle Jacks General Manager Brody Conaty said. "It's great to give back to the community that has given us so much over the past couple years."

Justin, who plays for Central Michigan University and is in his second year with the Battle Jacks as a pitcher, is happy the Battle Creek franchise is supporting such a good cause.

"Things like Pink Out The Park Night brings awareness to breast cancer and if it also brings in some donations, that is great," he said.

Future Game Promotions

Battle Creek will host Kids TV Takeover Night June 21 where there will be photo ops with some your favorite TV show characters as the Jacks take on Rockford.

Battle Creek will have its Independence Day Celebration July 5. A $33 Bud Light Dog House ticket will include a beer voucher, good for one draft option, and an all-you-can-eat buffet and a Battle Jacks hat.

In The Running

The Battle Jacks are still in the hunt in the standings in the Great Lakes East Division of the Northwoods League, sitting 2.5 games behind rival Kalamazoo Growlers. The Growlers sit in first place at 12-8 with the Jacks at 10-11 heading into Tuesday's games.

Battle Jacks Players To Watch

Battle Jacks starter Dutch Deprospero, from Towson University, has been dealing in the early going for Battle Creek, starting the season at 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA over three games with 15 strikeouts in 17 innings.

Battle Creek outfielder Josh Algarin is among the leaders in the Northwoods League with a .386 batting average with 22 hits in 15 games and 11 RBIs.

Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek Battle Jacks to host Pink Out The Park Night