Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest Monday
Published on August 27, 2007 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
Savannah, Ga. - Fans should plan to come early when the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest, the world's largest traveling celebration of baseball makes a stop at Grayson Stadium on Monday, September 3rd as part of the festivities for the Savannah Sand Gnats when they take on the Columbus Catfish. Created and produced by Entertainment & Sports International (ESI), the 4000 square foot Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest is completely free and will be set-up just outside the main gates to begin at 11:05 AM on Monday. Grayson Stadium is located at 1401 East Victory Dr, Savannah, GA 31404. The game is scheduled to begin at 2:05 PM. Tickets for the game are available at the Savannah Sand Gnats ticket office.
One of baseball's most celebrated personalities, Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan has signed on with ESI to serve as a spokesperson for the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest. "The minor leagues offer fans a great baseball experience," said Ryan. "From exceptional value to a safe, family environment; fans get to see competitive professional baseball with non-stop entertainment. The Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest extends that excitement before the game with an event truly unique to minor league ballparks."
The 2007 tour is the biggest ever, hosting a record 59 events, including this year's visit to Savannah. Launched in 2004, the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest has been attended by over one million baseball fans. It is an unprecedented celebration of baseball which will visit 57 different minor league baseball ballparks during the 2007 season.
Nolan Ryan will also be supporting the "Pitch In For Baseball" initiative to be featured at the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest this year, along with fellow Hall of Famer, Reggie Jackson. "Pitch In For Baseball" spreads America's pastime to kids all over the world by collecting new and used baseball and softball equipment and delivering it to underserved communities Fans can donate equipment to Pitch In For Baseball in exchange for a $10 coupon for Xbox 360 merchandise at Best Buy and a special ticket offer from the Savannah Sand Gnats.
"There is no better way to celebrate the great game of baseball than to share it with kids of all ages, all around the world, and that's just what the folks at 'Pitch In For Baseball' do every day. I invite fans to bring their used baseball equipment to the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest, not just because of the ticket discounts and Xbox 360/Best Buy coupon, but to help this very worthwhile organization in their mission to bring the benefits of playing baseball to all four corners of the globe" said Ryan.
"Playing baseball may not solve all of the world's problems, but it can certainly help. Every child should have a chance to experience all the great things about baseball, from learning about teamwork and sportsmanship, to the fun of being outdoors with friends and slugging your first home run. I hope baseball fans everywhere will join me in applauding the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest, Xbox 360 and Best Buy in supporting the efforts of 'Pitch in for Baseball'" added Jackson.
In addition to the Pitch In For Baseball tent, the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest features more than 20 baseball themed attractions including a minor league baseball museum, Xbox 360 Best Buy Home Run Derby video game trailer, and a fan festival midway with batting and pitching cages, bungee runs, a huge side-by-side giant slide, baseball bounce houses, and lots more interactive fun for baseball fans of all ages. For more information about the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest, go to www.principal.com/funfest and www.pitchinforbaseball.org to learn more about "Pitch In For Baseball."
The minor league baseball museum is a favorite tour attraction that features over 100 years of minor league baseball historical artifacts including a rare autographed photo of Joe DiMaggio in his 1934 San Francisco Seals uniform, a Kansas City Blues team photo featuring a minor league Mickey Mantle and a baseball signed by Paul Hopkins who as a rookie pitched record breaking home run #59 to Babe Ruth in 1927. The museum also features a unique video presentation produced specially for ESI's Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
Another favorite is the Xbox 360 Best Buy Home Run Derby video game arcade. Once again the trailer will feature the hottest new games for the popular Xbox 360 game system, including the new MLB 2K7 video game, and other great new titles like Fuzion Frenzy, Viva Piñata, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Meet the Robinsons. Xbox 360 and Best Buy, the "Official Retailer of Family Fun", co-sponsor the Home Run Derby trailer which features large HDTV flat panel screens for enhanced game play.
LIFE Magazine also continues on the tour. Since 1936, LIFE has featured some of baseball's greatest players on the cover of its fabled publication and now visitors to the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest will be able to visit the "Future Legends" attraction where fans can have a photo of themselves put on the cover of a free souvenir copy of LIFE Magazine.
Yet another exciting giveaway has been added in 2007. New this year, Wrigley's is bringing a Big League Chew baseball card attraction to the tour. Fans can step up to the plate and have their picture taken on their very own baseball card, for free! Cards feature tips from baseball great Cal Ripken Jr.
"The Principal Family Fun Fest is batting a thousand by having Nolan Ryan join the team," said Dan Houston, executive vice president of the Principal Financial Group. "With a popular hall of fame pitcher speaking on behalf of this event, the Principal Financial Group will be able to continue to give communities an edge by bringing a major league event to minor league communities."
The Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest is made available to teams at no cost to fans through title sponsorship by the Principal Financial Group, a leader in offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services. The 2007 tour will appear at 58 minor league teams beginning with the Jupiter Hammerheads. The tour will include the Northern League All-Star Game and end with the Savannah Sand Gnats on September 3rd.
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- Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest Monday - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Hilligoss Selected as Year-End All-Star - Charleston RiverDogs
- Two Gnats Return, Two Gnats Depart - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Richmond Placed on Suspended List - Rome Emperors
- Pucetas Named Top Pitcher in SAL - Augusta GreenJackets
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