The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club is pleased to announce its renewed partnership with Vanderbilt Health. The Sounds welcomed Vanderbilt as a founding partner as part of the inaugural 2015 season at First Tennessee Park and the health system continues to be a mainstay for the organization.
Over the last three seasons, Sounds players have made numerous in-season trips to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to visit with patients and their families. Continuing a program that started in 2017, the Sounds will name two honorary players to the team in early April. The two players are patients picked by Children’s Hospital. The honorary players will be part of the team for the entire 2018 season, joining the Sounds during batting practice and taking the field during select home games.
“Our partnership with Vanderbilt University Medical Center is something we’re extremely proud of,” said Sounds General Manager Adam Nuse. “The care and support they provide the greater Nashville area and beyond is of utmost importance to the region.”
Vanderbilt Sports Medicine, which is part of the Medical Center’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, will continue to serve as the official sports medicine provider for Sounds players and on-field personnel, and will hold an exclusive presence within the ballpark in terms of hospitals and healthcare.
“We are excited to continue our longstanding relationship with the Sounds, a treasured Nashville institution,” said C. Wright Pinson, MBA, MD, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health System Officer for VUMC. “For nearly 20 years our organizations have worked together to benefit the team’s players and provide on-site urgent care for fans. The special relationship that has developed between Sounds players and the patients and families of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is especially rewarding.”
The Vanderbilt Health Picnic Place is one of the largest group areas at First Tennessee Park. Located in right-center field, the area can host up to 200 guests under the shadow of the iconic guitar scoreboard. The popular area has helped the Sounds draw more than 1.6 million fans during the ballpark’s first three seasons.
On Sunday, July 22, the Sounds will host the Oklahoma City Dodgers, and the first 2,000 fans will receive a Sounds duffle bag courtesy of Children’s Hospital.
The 2018 season will be the Sounds’ 41st in franchise history and fourth as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Opening Day is set for Thursday, April 5, when the Sounds begin the season in New Orleans. Opening Night at First Tennessee Park is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10, when the Sounds host the Iowa Cubs at 6:35 p.m. Season ticket memberships are available now by calling 615-690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.
