Take me out to the ballgame (for Teal in the Park!)

This is the perfect time of year to take the kids to a baseball game — not too hot, not too cool. And the Arkansas Naturals have one of the most kid-friendly ballparks around. On Saturday, May 5, 2012, the Naturals will take on the Tulsa Drillers at 7 p.m. Ozark Guidance is partnering with the Naturals for this game for their annual “Teal in the Park Night”, which marks May as Mental Health Month.

Come to the game a little early (around 6:40) to watch the pre-game ceremony. Ozark Guidance CEO Tom Petrizzo — who also writes the “On Your Mind” column here on nwaMotherlode — will make some remarks at home plate and release “brain squeezes” to the crowd, which will symbolize the more than 110,000 people in Northwest Arkansas who will deal with a mental health challenge this year alone.

There will be special activities planned for kids during this event, so if you only go to one Naturals game this season, make it this one. The players will be wearing teal game jerseys with the mental wellness logo on the sleeve to support this cause, and fans will be able to purchase the limited edition jerseys.

Tickets are on sale now for $8 in advance and half of the proceeds benefit Ozark Guidance. To purchase advance tickets, click HERE To go to the Ozark Guidance website. Then just pick up your tickets on game day at the Ozark Guidance “will-call” table at Arvest Ballpark.

Please note that ALL proceeds from this event will stay in our area to provide counseling services for men, women and children.

Ozark Guidance is a local non-profit mental health center that helps more than 14,000 people in Northwest Arkansas (including 4,800 kids). You can get help from Ozark Guidance at clinics located in Bentonville, Berryville, Huntsville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale and Siloam Springs.