Rock Cats Prep For Third Homestand Of New Season

Published on April 29, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - With the calendar turning to May - and seasonably pleasant weather entering southern New England to stay - the Rock Cats are also returning to New Britain Stadium this weekend to begin their third Homestand of the new Eastern League season. The lads from the Hardware City are looking forward to coming in off the road and being reunited with their loud and loyal supporters. And, in addition to the exciting baseball being played on the diamond, Rock Cats fans will also be rewarded with a wide variety of pre-game entertainment, ceremonies, and giveaways - not to mention post-game Fireworks, on-field contests, and Kids Running the Bases - to cause fans of all ages to have something special to look forward to for the next seven days at New Britain Stadium.

Here are details associated with the first three days of the Season's 3rd Homestand:

FRIDAY NIGHT, MAY 2nd, 6:35 PM: The 7-game homestand will get underway on Friday night when the Rock Cats host their Northern Division rivals, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Eastern League partners of the American League's Toronto Blue Jays, these visiting Cats are once again loaded with talent and, no matter what, always play the Rock Cats tough. And once the evening's baseball battle is concluded, the Stadium lights will be dimmed so all assembled can enjoy the Friday Night Post-game Fireworks Show, presented by our friends at Advance Copy. Bring the kids!

SATURDAY NIGHT, MAY 3rd, 6:35 PM:

The Fisher Cats from the Granite State are back again for Game 2 of this 3-game Weekend Series, and the evening's first pitch will be tossed at 6:35 PM. While the game itself will be the centerpiece of a full day of activity at the Stadium - the day's action will really begin at 12:15 PM...

At that mid-day hour, the 2008 Rock Cats will host their first (of four) Youth Baseball Clinic of the year. New Britain skipper Bobby Cuellar - along with his coaching staff and players - will be on the Stadium field for 90 minutes meeting and offering kids (12-and-under) instruction in the fundamentals of the game of baseball. Teams, families and individual kids are all invited to attend. It's all free - thanks to our pals at TD Banknorth - and each child who participates will receive a free ticket to the evening's game against New Hampshire. The Clinic will run until 1:45 PM and those who pre-register by calling the Rock Cats (860-224-8383) in advance will also get a free t-shirt!

The evening's 6:35 PM game is sponsored by Trantolo & Trantolo who, with the Rock Cats, have dubbed it Bike Safety Helmet Night at the Stadium, whereby the first 500 kids (12-and-under) through the gates will receive a free bicycle helmet. Moreover, the first 1,200 kids to pass through the turnstiles will receive a baseball, again courtesy of Trantolo & Trantolo. Moreover, our dear friends from the local chapter of Autism Speaks will be with us for a fundraiser; they'll have a table just inside the front gates.

Once the two baseball ‘Cats have clawed their way to a final on-field outcome, the day's action will still not be over. There will be that Saturday night staple - Post-game Launch-A-Ball, sponsored by AT&T - whereby fans can win great electronic prizes by tossing their tennis ball onto the desired target on the field. Fans actually win twice because proceeds from the popular contest go to the Rock Cats Foundation to assist worthy community causes!

Finally - Saturday night is the new season's first Boy Scouts Sleepover of the year, whereby local Scout troops take the opportunity to pitch their tents on the outfield grass and spend the night camped out where Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau used to hit line drives! Sleep well, fellas!

SUNDAY AFTERNOON, MAY 4th, 1:35 PM:

When the sun comes up on Sunday morning - and the Scouts break camp - the Rock Cats will prepare for their 1:35 PM finale of the Weekend Series with New Hampshire. Once again, there will be lots of activity at the ballpark - it's Pink in the Park Day as the Rock Cats celebrate - on Mother's Day - the lives and courage of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts breast cancer survivors and their families. The Rock Cats players will wear pink jerseys and a pre-game ceremony on the field will recognize and honor local women who have served as powerful role models for others; the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative from New Britain will take the lead for the on-field presentation and related events. The first 1,500 women through the gates will receive a special pink t-shirt, courtesy of our friends at Curves, the popular health and weight loss franchise with locations in Canton, Newington, Plainville, Rocky Hill and West Hartford. And, as it is also Mother's Day, the first 500 Moms into the park will receive a pink rose, courtesy of Gordon Bonetti, a local florist who services Greater Hartford. There will also be face-painting for the kids and, as its Sunday, its also Family Fun Day - meaning there will be an opportunity for all kids in attendance to enjoy a Post-game Run of the Bases! These family-friendly delights are made possible by the folks at the Barnum Financial Group, members of the MetLife family.

More information will be provided later on the balance of the Homestand - Monday (4/5) through Thursday (4/8) - when the Bowie Baysox (Baltimore/AL) come to New Britain Stadium. Many good seats remain available for all games on this upcoming Homestand. Tickets can be procured by calling the Rock Cats at (860) 224-8383 or visiting the Stadium Box Office, M-F, between 10 AM and 6 PM. To purchase tickets on-line, patrons can visit the club's website at www.rockcats.com.

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Eastern League Stories from April 29, 2008


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