Bays Donating Sunday’s Proceeds to Injured Player

The Sister Bay Bays have locked up a spot in the Door County League baseball playoffs for the first time in Adam Biwer’s 11 years with the team. Unfortunately, Biwer won’t be able to take the field when the playoffs start Aug. 14.

The speedy right fielder suffered a severe injury when he lost a fly ball in the sun July 15 – it hit him directly in his eye. The blow broke the lower orbital bone and left him with secondary glaucoma.

“It was a straight eyeball shot,” Biwer said. “I went down immediately, and by the time I hit the ground it was swollen shut.”

He’s recovering nicely and his doctors are extremely optimistic that his vision will be fine, but the injury not only knocked him out of the season but also out of work. Biwer is a server at Sister Bay’s Inn at Kristofer’s and has health insurance, but like many who work in the service industry, he carries a high deductible in order to afford coverage. Even though he’s insured, he is facing large out-of-pocket costs in addition to missing eight days of work in peak season.

Now, the team he has played with for more than a decade is stepping up to help him out. The Bays will donate all proceeds from concession stand sales at Sunday’s final home game July 31 to Biwer to help offset his medical costs and lost wages.

“I don’t like the attention much, but it’s a really nice thing of them to do,” Biwer said.

After the game, Husby’s Food and Spirits is throwing a fan appreciation party from 5 – 8 pm. The team is donating Marchants ribs and Husby’s is supplying beer at The Garage bar next door to the restaurant. Food and drinks are $15, with all proceeds going to Biwer as well.

“Adam’s a great guy and it’s a tough time for a server up here to miss work,” said Husby’s General Manager James Larsen, who is also a teammate of Biwer’s on the Bays. “We wanted to do something to at least offset a little of the cost for him, and we really hope a lot of people come out for the game to support the team and Adam. It should be a great time.”

Sunday’s game is at the Sister Bay Sports Complex and starts at 1:30 pm.