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‘Cats Invite Fido to Join Fans

July 17, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - On the heels of last night's 2008 Eastern League All-Star game - at which New Britain's Luke Hughes was named MVP, while his Rock Cats teammate and bullpen ace, Ben Julianel, recorded the Save in the North Division's 5-3 victory - the New Britain club is about to return to baseball action as they approach the 2008 Season's stretch run. The Rock Cats open the second-half on the road, but will be returning home on Monday night (7/21) to open their 10th Homestand of the year. They will be hosting a Southern Division foe - the Reading Phillies, EL partners of the National League's Philadelphia Phillies - who will be in the Hardware City for four games between Monday and Thursday nights of next week. And, as its Rock Cats Baseball at New Britain Stadium, there will be loads of pre-and post-game action in and around the ballpark all week long.

Details associated with the Rock Cats' 10th Homestand of 2008 are as follows:

MONDAY NIGHT, JULY 21st, 7:05 PM: The Rock Cats make their first appearance back at New Britain Stadium following the All-Star break on Monday night when, at 7:05 PM, they'll open a 4-game series with the Reading Phillies. The R-Phils are a talented team - they recently spawned the likes of Ryan Howard - and always play the Rock Cats tough. There will be a few new "faces" in the crowd on Monday night as its Bark in the Park Night at the Stadium - an evening when the Rock Cats will help fundraise for some very worthy Connecticut charities aiding our canine pals - by, among other things, inviting dog owners and their loyal companions to join us for the game. For the first time in Stadium history, dogs are invited to enter the gates along with their owners. The dogs will receive their own "doggie bag" filled with treats, coupons, gifts and water; a portion of all the $10 doggie tickets sold will benefit local dog-related charities. In addition, there will be a special section set aside for man's best friend(s); a pre-game Dog Show and Parade; and the Connecticut Humane Society will be on hand with animals available for adoption. Dogs and their owners are invited to enter the Stadium via Gate C (along the LF line) for easy access to their designated viewing area - the Best Buy Fun Zone! Moreover, our friends from Bob's Stores will be with us on Monday night with 1,200 Rock Cats Baseball Caps for the first 1,200 humans through the gates!

Last but hardly least, we'll have Round 1 of on-field, pre-game competition in the annual, region-wide Hit, Run, and Throw competition! Talented kids from some 50 Connecticut and Western Massachusetts baseball leagues will be showing their individual best in hopes of advancing to the next round. The spirited competition is sponsored by Emerge, the enhanced water drink distributed by Polar that is quickly becoming a safe favorite among athletes.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 22nd, 12:05 PM: The Rock Cats and Reading will play Game 2 of this 4-game, mid-week series at High Noon on Tuesday. These mid-day games have proven popular with both local Parks and Recreation Departments - this will be our third Park and Rec Day of 2008 - and local business types who get to join us for lunch and a few delightful innings of daytime baseball. We expect we'll have a strong contingent of both groups with us on Tuesday; if you can get away, do join us for some old-fashioned baseball in the sunshine!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT, JULY 23rd, 7:05 PM: The R-Phils are back at 7:05 PM on Wednesday night to engage the ‘Cats in baseball battle for the third time in three days. In addition to the professional baseball action on the field, it will also be Beach Party Night at the Stadium, thanks to the good folks at The Hospital of Central Connecticut. While Annette and Frankie Avalon will not be here, it's gonna feel a bit like the set of "Beach Blanket Bingo" as there will be a party atmosphere at the park on Wednesday. In addition to the live "beach" music on the field, there will be Happy Hour specials on a variety of Sam Adams products as ‘Cats fans partake in a Beer Lovers Choice sampling. Moreover, the Stadium's party atmosphere will be reinforced further for the first 1,200 adults through the gates as they will receive a free Beach Bag, courtesy of The Hospital of Central Connecticut.

In addition to the above, Wednesday night will feature Round 2 of this year's Hit, Run and Throw competition, whereby some of the area's best young ball players do their best to move on in the region-wide baseball skills competition. Like Round 1, this semi-final contest is sponsored by Emerge, the enhanced water drink distributed by Polar. Do join us in encouraging these hard-working kids along. At this point, they are all winners!

As its Wednesday night, it's also Family 4-Pack Night at the Stadium whereby families can get 4 Reserved Seats, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Sodas and 4 Popcorns for just $30! What you can't eat, you can take home in your new Beach Bag! The Family 4-Pack is sponsored by our friends at NBC-30 and SBLI. Thanks!

THURSDAY NIGHT, JULY 24th, 7:05 PM: The mid-week series with Reading will conclude with this 7:05 PM game on Thursday night. As we near the end of July, both teams will be doing their utmost to put together a winning streak so they might advance in the standings of their respective Division. To add to the fun on the field this evening, our friends at the State of Connecticut's "Click It or Ticket!" Program will be distributing free Rock Cats logo Wall Clocks to the first 1,000 adult fans through the turnstiles. This to remind fans to stay safe by fastening their seat belts each and every time they get into their vehicles. Speaking of time, one hour before the first pitch on Thursday night, fans are invited to go down to the field for a pre- game Meet the Players Autograph Session, sponsored by our terrific neighbors at Guida's Milk and Ice Cream.

Also on Thursday night, the Rock Cats will pay on-field tribute to Tommy Hine - a gifted sportswriter and delightful person - who recently announced his retirement after 43 years of service with The Hartford Courant. To help celebrate such a fascinating career - the brilliant, mid-Summer weather and the end of this particular homestand - the Stadium gates will open at 6:00 PM for a Social Hour featuring specials on Smirnoff Ready to Drink products such as Mojitos, Martinis, and Jose Cuervo Golden Margaritas. Viva Tomas!

The New Britain Rock Cats are the Eastern League affiliate of the American League's Minnesota Twins.

Fans wanting to procure tickets for this upcoming Homestand may get them by calling the Rock Cats Ticket Office at (860) 224-8383 or by visiting the Box Office at New Britain Stadium between 10 AM and 6 PM (M-F) and on Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM. Fans interested in the convenience of purchasing tickets on-line, may do so by visiting the club's website - www.rockcats.com - and following the related instructions.

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