UFT members and families turned out in force for two minor league baseball games in the early summer days of June, chomping on hot dogs and burgers while representing the union and its initiatives. June 21 was UFT BRAVE night at the Staten Island Yankees game at Richmond County Bank Ballpark, an event where Staten Island staff and teachers promoted the union’s anti-bullying initiative. They gave away BRAVE pennants and cheered on the Yankees’ farm team to 10-6 triumph over the Hudson Valley Renegades. A few days later, against the backdrop of Coney Island’s new Thunderbolt roller coaster and the towering Parachute ride, the UFT hosted a June 26 cookout in the parking lot of MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones. As the lights came up for the start of the game, UFT Secretary Emil Pietromonaco gathered several members’ children to throw out ceremonial first pitches. The Cyclones trumped the Aberdeen Ironbirds, 5-1, to end a perfect evening.