London Majors players line up along the third base line at Purple in the Park 2015. Photo courtesy of the London Abused Women's Centre. London Majors players line up along the third base line at Purple in the Park 2015. Photo courtesy of the London Abused Women's Centre.
London

Majors Go Purple Friday

The London Majors will pull on purple jerseys Friday to once again show their support for the London Abused Women's Centre (LAWC).

The sixth annual Purple In the Park game against the Guelph Royals at Labatt Park will see the Intercounty Baseball League team call attention to the issue of men's violence against women.

The Majors originally approached the LAWC about partnering for the initiative in 2012.

"We were really excited when we first heard from the London Majors because it is really important for us to always work with many different organizations within our community," said Fabienne Haller, fund development coordinator at LAWC. "To have a male sports team that wanted to make a stand and speak up about violence against women meant a lot to us and the partnership has now gone strong for six years. It's been an amazing experience."

The players' purple jerseys will be signed and auctioned off to fans during the game, with all proceeds going to the LAWC. The first 250 fans to arrive at the park will get free purple fan noise makers; and t-shirts with positive messages about women will be tossed into the crowd. Kids at the game will have the chance to run the bases and take part in the dizzy bat spin and water balloon toss.

LAWC officials will be on hand to distribute information about woman abuse and its impact on society.

"Creating that dialogue in itself is really important and this baseball game allows us to reach 1,000 plus people at once," said Haller.

Fans heading to the game, which begins at 7:35pm, are asked to wear purple to show their support for the cause.

Tickets for the game can be purchased online at www.purpleinthepark.ca, or by contacting the LAWC by phone at 519-432-2204.

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