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Published on January 8, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Happy New years, Stars fans. You'll all be overjoyed to know that there are only 97 days and a wake-up until baseball season begins anew. If you don't believe me, contact Allison Tofflemire who says whe isn't counting down, but we all know better.

Our staff is now plussed up with seven new interns, so if you're stopping by the stadium to pick up a schedule or make a payment on season tickets make sure you introduce yourselves to the 2009 class. It's a good mix and you'll certainly like the group.

We've had a lot of mail from fans, so let's get to it:

1-When do the players arrive in Huntsville?

Tentatively, the team will arrive on Monday, April 6th. The flight information and time has yet to be determined, but we'll keep you in the loop.

2-Anything special happening this year like a meet the team dinner you did last season?

As it stands right now we'll have an exhibition game against the University of Alabama at Huntsville Chargers baseball team right here at The Joe on Wednesday, April 8th. This is an event that we're trying to turn into an annual Huntsville tradition. We'll get you all the information as we firm up the details, but there will be a post-game autograph session immediately after the game. The game will be seven innings in length and will be used to get the Stars players used to game conditions under the lights at The Joe. Additionally, we are in the planning stages of a meet-the-team luncheon or dinner; again, we'll get you all the specifics as they are finalized.

3-I attended a game last season with my company and we used one of the skyboxes. I'm not normally an inside guy at sporting events, but it sure was a different way to watch a game. What's the cost for one of those things?

We have different prices for the different sized skyboxes, the least expensive is a 10-person skybox which sells for $225 per game if you get it by the game. All skyboxes have unlimited free popcorn; all of your food and drink is extra. But here's the crazy thing, and for some of you that have been reading this the past season, you know we always try to analyze everything to show the best value dollar-for-dollar. Let's say that you have a group of 10 people and you all buy season tickets to sit out in the crowd. The cost is $3850 ($385 per person) and let's say for argument's sake that the group only purchases two parking passes at $125 each and you carpool to the games. That's a total of $4100. Now if you take that $4100 and divide it by 70 games you get an average of $58.57. Now divide that by the 10 people in the group and you're paying $5.87 per person and you're out in the fresh air. Life is good. The breeze is blowing and everything is just marvey-poo in the world. It's all puppy dogs, unicorns and rainbows. But, you know as I know there are some dates along the way where the snow is in the air, the rain falls and the heat and humidity factor into the equation and you look back over your shoulder at some guy behind the Plexiglas who is smiling at you in air-conditioned comfort, thinking about how life is good and how it sure is a bummer to be you dodging a few raindrops. Now, let's look at the same 10 people now in a skybox. A season-long skybox is $6000. Now before you gasp at that price, do the comparison and you'll see that this is actually the best way to take in Stars baseball for only a little bit more than what you'd pay at the gate to sit in the stands! But first you have to comparison shop: there are other sports teams in Huntsville that also charge $6000 for a suite/skybox and their seasons only have 30 home games. We have 70. So follow along closely here...Take $6000 and divide it by 70 home games and you'll have $85.71 per game, or $8.71 per person. Each skybox also comes with two parking passes. Now, you can sit outside for $5.85 per game (season ticket and parking) and wonder what the weather will bring on occasion, or you can have temperature and climate control at your fingertips, free popcorn, wait service, guaranteed giveaway items waiting for you and never worry about the cold, heat or rain. And, all skyboxes have designated reserved seating in the seating bowl so you can come and go, inside, outside, who cares? It's up to you! Think about this: the average fan walks in and buys an $8 ticket. You're in a skybox for only 71 cents more and you receive all of the season ticket holder perks, including pre-season picnic, gift, 10 free admissions to each Stars road game with our new league-wide season ticket holder card, etc. That's only 71 cents difference between just walking up and buying a ticket for a game and sitting outside or getting a bunch of friends and co-workers together and getting a season-long skybox. And one final note: If you own a business there is nowhere in Huntsville that you'll be able to take a group of 10 people for $85 to conduct business or entertain clients. Some of our skybox holders use their skyboxes during the day for office meetings and then stick around for the game and order food and drinks. There is a world of business that gets done on the golf course and in skyboxes. If you've hung out in a box, you know what I'm talking about. And skybox tickets are awesome perks to reward employees!

We do have a few skyboxes remaining at this time, but we cannot hold them. It's first come, first served at this point. We project only having two or three skyboxes available for game-by-game rentals, so if you are considering getting a skybox for the season, please stop by the stadium and have a staff member give you a tour. We're available after 5:00 pm, so don't feel you have to cut out of work; we can meet you when it's convenient, weekends included as our staff is working close to seven days a week now.

4-Any weekly specials brewing?

For you military ID Card holders, NetwoRx has signed on to become the official sponsor of Military Mondays this season. The Stars have 12 Monday home games and some of those are businessperson specials that begin at 1:00 pm. All military personnel (active duty, reserve, guard, CS/GS, retiree, family member, etc.) and their guests will receive $1 admission at the box office on Mondays. Just show your ID Card at the ticket window on Mondays to take advantage of this special offer! You can check out NetwoRx at http://networxhsv.com/. Also this season - and this deal was just signed today - for those that turn to Lance brand snack foods when you get the munchies, hold onto your proofs of purchase! Lance is working with numerous Minor League Baseball teams on providing a free ticket to Sunday games (April - June) with three proofs of purchase. On Sundays Lance will also have a trivia contest, prize packages and more. During every Monday thru Thursday game in April, May and June, Lance will also recognize a family of the game and award prizes and other opportunities such as first pitches. Moms and dads, make sure that you stock up on Lance products and don't throw away the wrappers! In June Lance will draw winners in a sweepstakes contest and send three lucky winners on a Minor League vacation.

5-Who won the team autographed baseball from the top 10 list submissions?

I apologize for not sending that out last week...the winner is Brian Burnham. Brian, stop by the stadium to pick up your 2008 Huntsville Stars team autographed baseball.

6-Well, your sorry Minnesota Vikings fell apart as expected. When are you going to wise up? Obviously your thought process is severely skewed. Are you a moron? I know your parents had more sense than that. Where did you go wrong? I bet your brother isn't a Vikings fan! Awaiting your response.

He's not, you know he roots for the 49ers, Mom. And your Packers didn't do so well either.

Have any questions or comments that you wish to share with the Stars most die-hard fans? Send 'em to buck@huntsvillestars.com and we'll get 'em out in a future newsletter. Seriously, we can't make some of this up. There are some people out there with a lot of time on their hands and maybe in the future we'll print some of the wild and weird questions we get.

That's it for today.

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Southern League Stories from January 8, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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