AUSTIN — Today Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., announced the Texas General Land Office will be pitching a new baseball themed public outreach campaign with major league messages to keep Texans safe on and off the field this summer. Stepping up to the plate to join the lineup are a handful of first round draft picks including five of Texas’ all-star Abuelitas, Peter Holt and pitchers Bobby Milacki and Jason Blanchard from the San Antonio Missions’ Copa de la Diversión (Fun Cup) team, the Flying Chanclas de San Antonio.

"As a mom, I know the importance of being prepared for Texas weather, but I like to have a big league coaching staff to help call the plays," said Commissioner Buckingham. "We don’t want Texans to strike out when it comes to hurricane/disaster preparedness. Together, my team of All-Star Abuelitas and our Flying Chanclas de San Antonio baseball team are hitting the ball out of the park in this series of videos about being prepared and staying safe during hurricane season."

"Right off the bat, this campaign is a grand slam with its important safety calls," said former Secretary of State, Hope Andrade. "Don't strike out on Texas roads, be sure to turn around, don’t drown. Swing for safety with these tips on how to be prepared and stay safe!"

"As my abuelita used to say, cuidate mijita," said former Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte. "Don't get caught off base — have your evacuation plan ready and practice it with the home team. Be a preparedness MVP - step up to the plate and stay safe!"

The All-Star Abuelitas coaching staff features:

• Hope Andrade (3 grandchildren/nietos)
• Leticia Van de Putte (14 grandchildren/nietos)
• Lidia Martinez (5 grandchildren/nietos and 1 great grandchild/bisnieto)
• Lourdes Galvan (12 grandchildren/nietos and 14 great grandchild/bisnietos)
• Lupe Torres (3 grandchildren/nietos)

This six-part video series will be rolled out on the GLO’s social media throughout the 2024 Hurricane Season, which goes until Nov. 30.

"Texas weather is really bringing the heat this year," said Buckingham. "As a result, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service forecasters predicted an 85% chance of an above-normal season with a range of 17 to 25 total named storms."

Flying Chanclas Be Prepared Video Line Up:

Background on Flying Chanclas:

(Credit San Antonio Missions website )

For 12 regular season games in 2018 the San Antonio Missions became the Flying Chanclas de San Antonio for Minor League Baseball's Copa de la Diversión (Fun Cup). The Flying Chanclas will return again in 2024. The Copa de la Diversión celebrates Minor League Baseball's Hispanic fans and communities with teams transforming into Hispanic-themed alter-egos with specialty logos, jerseys, and caps. The name "Flying Chanclas" honors the matriarch of the Latino family, the Abuelita (grandmother), and her symbol of strength, discipline and love with its on-field persona for this special series of events. The chancla has long been symbolic of the Abuelita as she maintains the structure and order of the family.

Special Thanks

Commissioner Buckingham and the Texas GLO would like to express our sincere appreciation to Peter Holt; the All-Star Abuelitas: Hope Andrade, Leticia Van de Putte, Lupe Torres, Lourdes Galvan and Lidia Martinez; Jeremy Sneed (San Antonio Missions Public Relations Director); Roland Rodriguez (Mascot – Mama Peña); San Antonio Missions pitchers Bobby Milacki and Jason Blanchard; and all of the San Antonio Missions staff for their efforts to make this collaboration a success!