“This is something that we not only want to do this year, but do every year” said Rainiers President Aaron Artman.  “The fact of the matter is that law enforcement personnel are too often underappreciated, and this tragedy – and perhaps equally as important - the groundswell of support and appreciation that the people have shown, needs to be remembered for years to come.”

On April 10^th, Rainiers players will also be wearing Lakewood Police Department patches on the sleeves of their uniforms with the initials ‘MR,’ ‘TG,’ ‘RO,’ and ‘GR.’ Those patches will remain on the Rainiers jerseys throughout the entire 2010 season.

“I know that Rainiers’ games hold a special spot in the hearts of thousands in the South Sound including many in our department” said LPIG President Brian Wurts.  “April 10^th will be a celebration of the lives of Mark, Tina, Ronald and Greg as well as honoring the service of all peace officers while spending time with friends and family.”

More details about the exact activities and tributes to take place on April 10^th will be released closer to the start of the 2010 Tacoma Rainiers season.

“Many of us … have been waiting for this for a long time,” Mayor Bill Baarsma said of the project.

The nearly 50-year-old ballpark’s first general remodeling is the biggest piece of as much as $51 million in general obligation bond sales to cover a host of pressing capital projects.

Click here to read the entire story from The News Tribune.

Although the minor-league ball club’s lease hinges on major upgrades to the city-owned ballpark by March 2011, the City Council has all but approved a bond issue to cover the bulk of a $30 million renovation plan.

Click here to read the rest of the story….

http://tacoma.rainiers.milb.com/tickets/page.jsp?ymd=20091110&content_id=7646778&vkey=tickets_t529&fext=.jsp&sid=t529