INDIANAPOLIS -- Twelve Friday Night Fireworks shows, nine Souvenir Sundays and eight Spectacular Saturday entertainment acts highlight the 2008 Indianapolis Indians promotional schedule. The slate also features nine Monday Dollar Menu games and eight Business Day affairs.
The first 4,000 fans will receive a special item from the Indians on all Souvenir Sundays during the upcoming campaign. The list includes a Wall Calendar (April 13), Mother's Day Picture Frame (May 11), Jersey T-Shirt (June 1), Fleece Blanket (June 22), Visor Cap (July 6), Cooler (July 13), Baseball Card Set (July 27), Rowdie Bank (Aug. 3) and Knit Cap (Aug. 17).
After a Mascot Mania on April 12, six entertainment acts are slated to roll through Victory Field on Spectacular Saturdays. Dave the Horn Guy (May 10), the Pirate Parrot (May 31), ZOOperstars (June 21 & Aug. 16), Famous Chicken (July 12), Bucket Boys (July 26) and BirdZerk (Aug. 2) will all be on hand to dazzle fans.
In addition to Opening Night and the Fourth of July, the Tribe will offer 12 Friday Night Fireworks displays (April 18 & 25, May 9, 16 & 30, June 6 & 20, July 11 & 25, Aug. 1, 15 & 29).
The Monday Dollar Menu (April 14, May 12, June 2, 16 & 23, July 7, 21 & 28, Aug. 18) returns for a fifth straight season, while eight Business Day games (April 16 & 23, May 14, June 4 & 25, July 9 & 23, Aug. 13) will feature a special 2 p.m. start time.
The popular Baseball in Education program also continues in 2008 as students will have three opportunities (April 30, May 15 & 21) to apply their classroom curriculum to a baseball setting.
Children 14-and-under can enjoy "Baseball Up Close" all season long by joining the Community Health/WISH-TV Knot Hole Club for just $14. Adults can get in on the action by purchasing a full-season ticket, half-season ticket, mini plan or flex pack.
Season ticket packages are currently on sale through the Victory Field Box Office (317-269-3542 ext. 258) and Indianapolis Indians: Home. Individual game tickets go on sale March 4 and can be purchased through the web site, any Ticketmaster outlet or by visiting the ballpark at 501 W. Maryland Street.
The Indianapolis Indians and WXLW-950 AM have reached a three-year extension on their existing radio contract. The agreement, which now runs through the 2010 campaign, ensures that every Tribe regular-season and postseason game will be broadcast live on the all-sports station.
Howard Kellman enters his 33rd season as "Voice of the Tribe" in 2008, while Scott McCauley begins his third year as a member of the Indians' broadcast team.
"We feel it's important for our fans to know that all of our games will be carried live on a major station," Tribe Vice President & General Manager Cal Burleson says. "The sports format of XL 950 fits the Indians very well. Raven Broadcasting has been an excellent partner, and we enjoy our relationship with them. This broadcast relationship plays a significant role in the marketing of Indians Baseball to our fans."
Raven Broadcasting operates XL 950 AM Sports Talk and Freedom 95.9 FM Talk Radio. In addition to carrying the Indianapolis Indians and Chicago Cubs, XL 950 is the home for the Dan Patrick Show, Reggie Wayne Show, Notre Dame men's basketball, IUPUI men's basketball, Marian College men's hoops, Ball State football, Butler football and Cathedral High School football.
"Raven Broadcasting is delighted to take part in this three-year extension," Raven Broadcasting Vice President & General Manager Randy Tipmore says. "We are very proud to be long-term partners with one of the city's most proud sports traditions -- the Indianapolis Indians."
Kellman joined the Indians in 1974 and has been the club's lead play-by-play announcer every season since with the exception of 1975 and 1980. He has also called games for the Chicago White Sox (1984) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1988-89).
Honored as Indiana's Sportscaster of the Year in 2002, Kellman has called IHSAA football and basketball games on WHMB-TV 40 since 1990-91. He has also served as the lead announcer on Indians telecasts since 2000.
McCauley joined the Tribe in 2006 after spending three years at XL 950 (formerly ESPN 950). McCauley hosted "The Meltdown" on Sunday mornings and "Indy College Gameday/Tip-Off" every Saturday. He also covered NBA, NFL, college and high school events for the station.
McCauley has spent parts of seven seasons as a baseball broadcaster. His previous stops include the South Bend Silver Hawks (2000-01), Akron Aeros (2002) and Dayton Dragons (2004-05).
"Howard is the premier broadcaster in Minor League Baseball, and we feel most fortunate to have him returning for his 33rd year," Burleson adds. "Scott is an outstanding baseball broadcaster in his own right, and teams with Howard to give us the best broadcast team in the Minor Leagues."
The first of 144 regular-season broadcasts will be April 3 when the Indians open the 2008 slate at Pawtucket. For updates on the Tribe during the preseason, visit Indianapolis Indians: Home.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are doing their part to help a Bucks County farm locate its 11-month old, 26-pound black and white pot-bellied pig. On January 18, the owners of Ross Mill Farm in rural Rushland village section of Warwick Township were upset to discover that their pig, Mirabelle, did not return from her morning stroll. Team officials with the Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A affiliate have offered their own pork barrel legislation to aid in the efforts to help find Mirabelle.
In addition to a $500 reward being offered by Ross Mill Farm, the IronPigs will award the person providing information that leads to the return on Mirabelle a First-Pitch at a 2008 IronPigs game as well as four tickets and VIP - Very Important Pig - treatment, which, of course, consists of an all-you-can-eat meal. The team will also invite Mirabelle and owner Susan Magidson to receive similar VIP treatment at the same game.
"We want to help our Warwick Township friends find their pet, because our franchise certainly appreciates their love of pigs," said IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, 'a friend of a pig is a friend of ours.' We'd love to see Mirabelle rejoined with her family and eventually be a guest of honor with the IronPigs at a game at Coca-Cola Park."
Anyone who has information about the missing pig is requested to immediately contact Ross Mill Farm at (215) 322-1539.
The IronPigs inaugural season, presented by Capital BlueCross, begins on April 3rd at PNC Field in Moosic, Pa., against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. The IronPigs return for Opening Day at Coca-Cola Park on April 11th at 7:05 p.m. against the reigning International League champion Richmond Braves. Season tickets, mini plans and group tickets for the inaugural season are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting IronPigs Baseball Official Website: Home or by calling (610) 435-3001.
FRESNO, CA - The Fresno Grizzlies will honor the Central Valley's best in baseball and softball at the 47th Annual Hot Stove Banquet on February 9th, 2008 at The Fresno Convention Center. Awards for Male Player of the Year, Female Player of the Year, Team of the Year, and Coach of the Year will be presented along with the prestigious Al Radka Award as the Grizzlies and the Fresno baseball community take a step back in time.
In addition to keynote speaker Harmon Killebrew, renowned Bay Area broadcaster Lon Simmons has recently been added to the docket as a featured guest and speaker. A Hall of Fame broadcaster and local legend, Simmons rejoined the San Francisco Giants in 2006, serving in a capacity as a community ambassador and fill-in broadcaster. The man with the trademark "Tell It Goodbye" home run call retired to Hawaii after the 2002 season and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY in the summer of 2004.
The 2008 Hot Stove Banquet, which begins at 5pm with hor'dourves and cocktails, will be headlined by Killebrew, Simmons, and Grizzlies manager Dan Rohn and will feature a live auction to benefit the Grizzlies Community Fund. The program will honor some of area's top baseball and softball talent with the following awards:
Male Player of the Year - Josh Poytress, Fowler High School: Poytress, who enters his 2008 senior season as the two-time defending Southwest Sierra League MVP, has dominated the San Joaquin Valley on the mound, at the plate, and in the field since arriving at Fowler High School. The six-foot tall southpaw was 9-1 with a 1.57 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 67.0 innings of work as a junior, and led his team with 16 stolen bases from the leadoff spot in the batting order. Already committed to Fresno State to play baseball, he also quarterbacked the Fowler football team to the Valley Championship game.
Female Player of the Year - Christine Thomsen, Bullard High School: Thomsen, headed to Colorado State in the fall, is a three-year letter winner for the Knights. She was named first-team all-state in 2007 and league MVP. She was honored as the Team Offensive Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007 and was also named League Underclassmen of the Year in 2006. Regarded as one of the best power hitters seen in the area in recent years, Thomsen helped state her case in her junior season with the first home run hit out of Bullard's field since 1999, in a game in which also established a school record with seven RBI.
Team of the Year - Fowler High School Baseball: Despite one of the most daunting schedules in Division 5, Coach Bill Feaver's Fowler Redcats steamrolled the competition in 2007, on their way to a 33-2 record and a second consecutive section championship. Led by a trio of NCAA Division 1-bound players, including Player of the Year Josh Poytress, the Redcats ended the year as the #7 team in the state of California, and the #1 team in Division 5. Entering his tenth season at the helm, Coach Feaver has led Fowler to three section titles, and five league titles, in his nine years and they approach the 2008 season as the favorites to add to that impressive list of credentials.
Coach of the Year - John Hollet, Jr., Selma High School Baseball: In what can only be described as a trying season, Coach John Hollet Jr. began 2007 by undergoing brain surgery and lost his mother to a heart attack two months later. Despite the adversity, Hollet returned to the bench to lead Selma (25-7-1) to its first section title since 1993. At the outset of the season, a year dedicated to Hollet and his mother by the players, Selma was expected to challenge for a title, but a 2-5 start cooled those thoughts. However, the Bears rallied under their coach's leadership to win the Central Sequoia League title with a 14-1 league record.
Al Radka Award - Bob Bennett, Former Fresno State Baseball Coach: Coach Bob Bennett made invaluable contributions to Fresno State and the game of baseball in the San Joaquin Valley in his 34 seasons guiding the Bulldogs baseball program. The Al Radka award, celebrating an individual that has made a contribution to the community through the game of baseball, will be presented for the 6th time at this year's Hot Stove. Radka started the Fresno Hot Stove over 50 years ago and the award was created as a testament to his vision.
Bennett wrapped up his career with a 1,302-759-4 record, and in his final season became just the seventh coach in NCAA history to reach 1,300 wins. He took a program that was enjoying a successful run under former head coach Pete Beiden and took it to another level. Under his leadership, Fresno State built Beiden Field into a first-class facility and Bennett was largely responsible for the Bulldogs becoming a model in the area of facilities, ticket sales, fan support, and community pride.
The 47th Annual Hot Stove Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, Feburary 9th, with the evening's activities slated to begin at 5:00pm, at the Fresno Convention Center. Tickets are $60 for adults, $15 for children, and $550 to reserve a table of ten. Proceeds from the 2008 Hot Stove will benefit the Grizzlies Community Fund, a non-profit organization created to spearhead efforts to assist, reward, and support the Central Valley. For ticket information, call 559.320.HITS.
New Scoreboard Construction Underway At Cashman Field
LAS VEGAS: The Las Vegas 51s professional baseball team, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will feature a "new" scoreboard that will include a "video board" for the 2008 Pacific Coast League season at Cashman Field. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), owner and operator of the Cashman Center, purchased the scoreboard and Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) will install the scoreboard.
Construction on the "new scoreboard" at Cashman Field began on Tuesday, January 22 and completion is expected by the end of March.
The scoreboard will feature a stationary section that will display the "line score" that includes Runs, Hits, Errors, Score-by-Innings, Balls, Strikes, Outs. The main feature will be a "video board" that will measure 15 feet by 36 feet.
Big League Weekend will feature the Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago Cubs in a two-game series on Friday-Saturday, March 28-29 at Cashman Field.
Portland Beavers To Unveil New Logo, Uniforms January 29
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Beavers will unveil the team's new identity system - including all-new logos, colors and on-field uniforms - during a news conference Tuesday, Jan. 29, at Pioneer Place shopping center in downtown Portland, it was announced today. The launch event, which is open to the public, will be held at 11:30 a.m. in store number 1053, located between Claire's and Gymboree near the food court on the concourse level at Pioneer Place.
In addition, new Beavers manager and former major leaguer Randy Ready will be on hand to meet with fans and members of the media at the launch event. It marks Ready's first visit to Portland since being appointed manager of the Beavers in December.
The team's new identity system represents a marked change from the current look, which was in use for seven years beginning with the 2001 season when the Beavers returned to the Pacific Coast League after a seven-year absence. The new logos and uniforms include elements that reflect the franchise's considerable history, which began in 1903 when the Portland club served as a charter member of the PCL.
The new look for the Beavers includes a complete color change; new primary, secondary and cap logos; and new home, road and alternate uniforms.
As part of the launch, a variety of new-logo merchandise - including the team's three official game caps - will be available at Pioneer Place on Jan. 29 during a one-day sale once the new logo is unveiled. Following the launch, the Beavers team store at PGE Park will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Wednesday, Jan. 30, to Friday, Feb. 1. New-logo merchandise will also be available online at portlandbeavers.com: Home beginning Jan. 30.
The launch comes at an exciting time in team history. In recent months, the Beavers have introduced new team ownership and announced they will play host to the Cricket Wireless 2009 Triple-A All-Star Game. Additionally, the team recently announced a multi-year partnership with FSN to air 20 games per season, the installation of a state-of-the-art FieldTurf playing surface, four Oregon State baseball games at PGE Park in 2008 and a variety of new ticket packages filled with great amenities.
The Beavers' new on-field look will come to life when the team opens the 2008 season at PGE Park on Thursday, April 3. A variety of convenient and affordable ticket packages and group-seating options are currently available for the upcoming season by contacting the Beavers ticket office at (503) 553-5555.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Colorado Springs Sky Sox have released their 2008 regular season schedule and are working hard to make the '08 season one of the best ever. All the exciting action on the field will be matched off the field by another year of exciting promotions. The Sky Sox theme for the 2008 season, "Home Grown Champions", references the strong ties between the success of the Rockies' 2007 National League Championship team and the Sky Sox. Of the twenty-five players who played in the World Series with the Rockies, twenty-two of them were former Sky Sox players and thirteen of them played for Colorado Springs in 2007.
The 2008 season will feature many popular and exciting promotional nights and will be anchored by 13 fantastic fireworks shows, including spectacular shows on Memorial weekend and July 4th, 50¢ hot dogs on 12 Sundays, ten $2.00 Tuesdays, and "Thursday Night Live" on all Thursdays. Combine all these special events with an additional 13 nights of fantastic national entertainers, like The ZOOperstars, BirdZerk!, and Rally, and fun giveaways throughout the season and Sky Sox baseball continues to be the best and most affordable family entertainment around.
The Sky Sox baseball season kicks off with an eight-game road trip against Tucson and Las Vegas from April 3rd through the 10th before the team opens up at Security Service Field on Friday, April 11th against the Tacoma Rainiers.
The Rockies farm system was named the second best overall by Baseball America last season and several top prospects could see time in Colorado Springs during the 2008 season, including infielders Ian Stewart and Joe Koshanksy, outfielder Seth Smith and pitchers Greg Reynolds and Brandon Hynick.
For information on tickets, corporate events, group outings and sponsorship opportunities please contact the Sky Sox offices at Security Service Field by calling (719) 597-1449 or though e-mail at info@skysox.com.
Six Ribfests and five Beer Tasting Festivals on 2008 R-Phils schedule
Reading, PA - Baseball, food and a few good drinks are a great combination for any fan. Celebrate the 2008 baseball season in style at the R-Phils Ribfests or Beer Tasting Festivals.
The Reading Eagle brings fans six Ribfests and Rock Hits Y-102 and All-Star Distributing team up to host five Beer Tasting Festivals. Ribfests and Beer Tasting Festivals are both held in the Reading Eagle Pool Pavilion.
The all-you-can-eat Ribfests will be held on April 11, 15, 16 and May 6, 7, 9. The Beer Tasting Festivals will be held April 26, May 5, June 12, July 1 and August 19.
Ribfest tickets are $17 per person. The Ribfests include a two and a half-hour buffet that begins when gates open and includes: three flavors of ribs, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, baked beans, a variety of Pepsi products and access to the heated pool. Beer and Mike's Hard Lemonades are available at the cash bar to adults 21 and older.
There is no minimum ticker order, but groups of eight will receive their own personal table. Children under the age of four get in for free but do not count towards the group number.
The ribs are provided by Kathryn's Katering in Blandon, PA. Kathryn's has been catering the R-Phils picnic areas since 1997.
Tickets for the Beer Tasting Festivals are $25 per person (adults 21 and older only) and include a variety of beer samplings from All-Star Distributing's family of fine imported and domestic beers. Beer tasting runs for two hours after gates open and includes an all-you-can-eat buffet. The buffet, which runs for two and a half hours, features BBQ chicken, hot dogs, burgers, baked beans, pasta and potato salad, cookies and Pepsi products. Beer and Mike's Hard Lemonades are available at the cash bars to adults 21 and older after the sampling ends.
Swimming is not permitted during the Beer Tasting Festivals and no one under the age of 21 is permitted into the Pool Pavilion.
There is no minimum number for tickets, but groups of eight will receive their own personal table.
To order tickets please contact Holly Frymyer at 610-375-8469 x 224.
Minor League Baseball President To Attend Curve Hot Stove
ALTOONA- Pat O'Conner, the recently elected President of Minor League Baseball, has been added to the guest list for the Altoona Curve's Hot Stove Dinner & Benefit Auction, which will take place this Friday night (Jan. 25) at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona. O'Conner's visit to Altoona marks the first ever made to Central Pennsylvania by a sitting MILB President.
O'Conner was unanimously elected to replace outgoing Minor League Baseball President Mike Moore last month at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Nashville. He has spent 26 years in professional baseball, including the last 15 in the Office of Minor League Baseball. Before assuming his current post, he served as MILB's Chief Operating Officer & Vice President of Administration and was in charge of all business activities of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, which is the corporate name of Minor League Baseball.
"Having Pat O'Conner join us at Friday's Hot Stove Event is significant because never before has the head of Minor League Baseball attended a baseball event in Central Pennsylvania and we're excited to give him a first-hand opportunity to see the passion our loyal fans have for this franchise and the effect that this important event has on our community," said Curve General Manager Todd Parnell.
O'Conner joins the previously announced guest list of Pirates' starting pitcher Tom Gorzelanny, current Pirates' major league coaches Jeff Andrews (Pitching Coach) and Tony Beasley (Third Base Coach), Altoona Curve manager Tim Leiper, former Curve fan favorites Brian Bixler, Josh Bonifay, Mike Connolly and Mike Johnston, former Curve hitting coach and current Pirates' radio and television broadcaster John Wehner, Eastern League President Joe McEacharn, Pirates' Director of Player Development Kyle Stark and Penn State University head baseball coach Robbie Wine.
$60 adult and $35 children's tickets are still on sale at the Blair County Ballpark main office, by calling (814) 943-5400 or on-line at AltoonaCurve.com. All proceeds raised at the event will benefit three Central Pennsylvania charities -- Operation Our Town, the American Cancer Society and the Miracle League of Blair County.
The main program for the Hot Stove Event will consist of dinner, a sports memorabilia silent auction and an entertainment portion, including speeches and interviews with featured guests. The dinner and entertainment portion of the event will begin at 7 p.m., preceded by an hour of mingling, fun and games, autographs and the start of the silent auction. Blair County Convention Center doors will open at 6.
Additional information about the 2008 Curve Hot Stove Dinner & Benefit Auction can be found at AltoonaCurve.com.
Manchester, NH- The New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Toronto Blue Jays today announced a four-year extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC) that ensures the Fisher Cats will remain the Blue Jays' Double-A affiliate through 2012. Toronto has been New Hampshire's Major League parent club since the Fishers' inaugural season in 2004, and the four-year extension represents the longest allowed by Major League Baseball.
"The Fisher Cats are proud to continue our long-term relationship with the Toronto Blue Jays," said Fisher Cats owner Art Solomon. "The Blue Jays are a top-notch organization that has consistently supplied us with competitive teams and future Major League talents like Aaron Hill, Adam Lind and Jesse Litsch. We look forward to vying for more Eastern League Championships as a Toronto affiliate."
"The Blue Jays' organization is very pleased to be extending our working agreement with the Fisher Cats," said Toronto Blue Jays Director of Player Development Dick Scott. "There are so many positives about being in Manchester. The ballpark is state of the art, the baseball fans in New England are the best and the people who run the franchise are great partners. We look forward to competing for more championships there over the next four years."
"It has been nothing short of an absolute pleasure to work with the Toronto Blue Jays," said Fisher Cats President/General Manager Rick Brenner. "Their players provide our fans with tremendous excitement on the field and represent the Fisher Cats with dignity in the community. Extending our PDC for the maximum four-year period confirms that both sides value this long-term partnership."
Overall 24 former Fisher Cats have gone on to play for the Blue Jays, including Gustavo Chacin, Aaron Hill, Casey Janssen, Adam Lind, Brandon League, Jesse Litsch, Dustin McGowan, Shaun Marcum and Curtis Thigpen. The Fisher Cats kicked off their Toronto affiliation by capturing the Eastern League Championship in 2004, their first season of existence.
Fisher Cats Season Tickets and Mini-Plans are on sale now. All Mini-Plans purchased between now and Opening Night -Thursday, April 10- will include a free, limited-edition Ted Williams Bobblehead Doll. For more information, or to order a Mini-Plan, call (603) 641-2005 or visit New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
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