FAIRFIELD, OH (August 1, 2024)—This year, Joe Nuxhall would have been 96 years old. It's safe to say that the celebration taking place in his honor at the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields would've put a huge smile on his face.
The Nuxy Bash presented by Ameritas took place at "The Joy Factory" on Saturday July 27 with a standing-room-only crowd and a huge crew of celebrities and all-stars. This free community event featured a celebrity softball game with athletes with special needs, along with an evening fireworks spectacular from our award-winning friends at Rozzi's. A full photo gallery of images taken at the event by talented photographer Matt Grimes is available online.
"This year's Bash felt magical in every way," says Kim Nuxhall, President and Board Chairman of The Nuxhall Foundation. "Since the time that this place was just an idea, our community has always turned out to help and hope right alongside us. Seeing them come out to have fun with us at this event honoring my Dad and our special needs all-stars brought many tears to my eyes."
The event also paid tribute to Cincinnati broadcasting icon and Local 12 legend, the late John Lomax. Each year, Lomax served as the Nuxy Bash Commissioner, bringing his trademark joy and optimism to the event. In a pre-game ceremony, Lomax's Local 12 colleagues Sheila Gray, Bob Herzog, Aleah Hordges, Jen Dalton, and John Gumm joined Lomax's family—his wife Donna, his son Brandon, his daughter-in-law Megan, and his granddaughter Lorelei—on the field for a moment of silence and a special announcement.
After the tribute, The Nuxhall Foundation announced a new name to the east pavilion: The John Lomax Pavilion of Character. In the coming months, signage will be unveiled honoring Lomax and telling his story.
Coached by Fairfield Mayor Mitch Rhodus and Hamilton Mayor Pat Moeller, the two teams then squared off in a game filled with fun and tremendous excitement. In addition to the team from Local 12, celebrities playing in this year's event included: WCPO's Cameron Hardin, WLWT's Kelly Rippin, 700 WLW's Bill "Seg" Dennison, Cincinnati television commercial superstar Ed Hartman, Reds Community Fund Executive Director Charley Frank, former Cincinnati Red Scott Williamson, Michael Pitman of the Journal-News, author and WVXU reporter John Kiesewetter, TRD Adult League board chairwoman Katie Baker, and legendary Cincinnati Reds batboy Teddy Kremer.
Fans and friends also got to take epic photos with the vintage ballplayers from the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings emerging from the corn on the Groh Family Farm that surrounds the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields. The evening also included free Nuxy giveaways, $1 concessions compliments of HYUR Staffing Services, and other fun activities.
Continuing their tradition of amazing generosity, Ameritas returns as the presenting sponsor for the Nuxy Bash. Ameritas provides insurance and financial products and services to individuals, families and businesses, while living out their corporate values through this sponsorship.
"This night was a blast for all the right reasons," says Nuxhall. "My Dad is looking down over all of us, and he's just so proud of what his community has done."
(Special thanks to Matt Grimes for capturing all the photos in this story.)
The Nuxhall Foundation is the legacy foundation for former Major League Baseball pitcher and longtime Cincinnati Reds broadcaster, the late Joe Nuxhall. The Nuxhall Foundation carries forward three important legacy projects. A central project of The Nuxhall Foundation is The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields—an entirely accessible baseball and recreational facility where every player with every challenge gets every chance to play. Historically, nearly 300 athletes with physical and developmental disabilities aged 4 to 80 participate in programs at the Miracle League Fields. The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Scholarship (in conjunction with the Fairfield Community Foundation) provides nearly $30,000 per year in scholarship money to student athletes at all 14 Butler County high schools. Very soon, the Joe Nuxhall Memorial Scholarship will cross the million-dollar mark in scholarship money awarded. The Joe Nuxhall Character Education Fund pitches good character to young leaders throughout Greater Cincinnati by delivering and supporting programs that stress the importance of integrity, humility, respect, and kindness. In 2024, The Nuxhall Foundation will launch a $12 million capital campaign to construct The Hope Center, a year-round recreational facility for athletes with special needs that will help to create the world's most comprehensive athletic campus for individuals with disabilities.
For more information, visit http://www.nuxhallmiracleleague.org.
About Ameritas: Presenting Sponsor of The Nuxy Bash
Ameritas is a marketing name for Ameritas Mutual Holding Company and its affiliated subsidiary companies, including Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. of New York. Founded in 1887, Ameritas offers a wide range of insurance and financial products and services to individuals, families and businesses. These products and services include life insurance; annuities; individual disability income insurance; group dental, vision and hearing care insurance; retirement plans; investments; asset management; and public finance. Securities offered through affiliate Ameritas Investment Company LLC, member FINRA/SIPC and investment advisory services offered through Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC. For more information, visit ameritas.com.
For all media inquiries or to schedule an appearance, please contact:
Tyler Bradshaw
(513) 839-6164
Comments