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 Dayton Dragons

What's Hot with the Dragons in 2013

April 10, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - In 2013 at Fifth Third Fifth, you can expect many new and exciting things at the home of the Dayton Dragons. The Dragons' mascots, Heater and Gem, and team characters, Roofman, Wink, and ATMO all return for the 2013 season as the Dragons continue their focus on affordable family fun, unsurpassed customer service, and community involvement.

Great Family Entertainment Continues

Opening Night is Thursday, April 11th. Skydivers will descend upon the playing field to signify the beginning of another year of Dragons baseball. The National Anthem will be performed by Olivia Loeffler, the winner of the Dayton Daily News national anthem singing contest.

The Dragons entertainment department will usher in a whole new selection of skits, contests, and videos focusing on family entertainment. The "Green Team" has been rehearsing since January, spending multiple weekends at the ballpark preparing for opening night.

Organization of the Year

The Dragons were honored by Minor League Baseball with the John H. Johnson President's Award for Franchise Excellence in 2012. The award is the top honor that can be given to any Minor League Baseball franchise. This award is given annually to just one Minor League team in the nation, from among 160 teams from all classifications (Single-A, Double-A, Triple-A). The Johnson award is the highest honor for any minor league franchise and it is based on the total comprehensiveness of the franchise.

What to Look for in 2013

Dragons Host 2013 Midwest League All-Star Game

The 49th annual Midwest League All-Star Game will be played at Fifth Third Field on Tuesday, June 18. The Dragons are hosting the game for the second time in their history. They also hosted the 2001 Midwest League All-Star Game at Fifth Third Field in the Dragons second season of operation.

Girl Scout Overnighter

After the success of last year's Boy Scout Overnighter, Fifth Third Field will welcome the Girl Scouts for their first overnighter this year on Friday, May 10. The Girl Scouts will have an opportunity to attend the Dragons game against the Lansing Lugnuts. After the game is finished, the Girl Scouts can pitch their stake-less tents in the outfield and watch a movie on the video board.

Family and Community Events

The Dragons MVP Program

Presented by WDTN-TV/DAYTON'S CW, SINCLAIR COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The Dragons MVP Program, a tool for teachers uses the marketing power of Dayton Dragons Baseball as an educational tool for fourth and fifth grade teachers, helping them motivate and reward students for success in the classroom. The use and distribution of the awards we are offering are entirely up to each teacher. Fourth and Fifth Grade teachers in the three county area (Clark, Montgomery and Greene counties) receive an award kit to recognize five students in their classroom. Each of the five students selected as a Dayton Dragons MVP in their classroom will receive four lawn tickets to a special MVP night at Fifth Third Field, a MVP certificate, tickets to a MVP field day at the park, and a uniquely designed MVP hat. In addition to these items, they also have the opportunity to have their success story highlighted, throw out a first pitch, have an on-air radio interview, and participate in an Entertainment skit during a Dragons game. Each year, 900 class rooms participate, involving more than 26,000 students with 4,500 Dragons MVP winners.

Other events include:

High School Baseball at Fifth Third Field. A 15-game schedule begins April 4, giving high school players throughout the Miami Valley the opportunity to play at a professional facility.

2013 Scout Nights: April 14, May 11, June 11, June 24, July 8, July 31, August 15.

Sinclair Community College's baseball squad will take on Urbana University on Wednesday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m.

Vectren Community All-Star Nights: April 25, May 28, June 24, July 22, August 15.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Home Run for Life: May 8, May 23, June 12, July 17, August 14.

MVRPC's Bike to the Dragons Game: May 12, June 2, July 7, August 18

Boy Scout Overnighter is back at Fifth Third Field on Friday, May 24. Local scouts spend the night at the ballpark and watch a movie on the video board.

American Celebration nights are back in 2013 as the Dragons will spend two game nights honoring our local servicemen and women. Game dates are Saturday, June 1, and Saturday, August 17.

Dragons Experience Youth Baseball Clinics: June 24-25 & July 29-30

Bob Ross Classic High School All-Star Game: July 13

Subway Dragons 5k: July 13

Budweiser's Great American Beer Tasting: August 3

Donatos Pizza Family Movie Night: August 10

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Health and Fitness Carnival: August 18

Dragons Experience Youth Baseball Clinics: June 24-25 & July 29-30

Kroger Baseball Buddies! Kids 7-13 can go to local Kroger store to sign up for a chance to be a Kroger Baseball Buddy. Those picked will get a Dragons items, including an authentic Dragons jersey and will get to hang out with the players in the dug-out before the game.

Ticket Information

Dragons Season Tickets

The Dragons most popular season ticket package features 17 games over the course of the season. Fans can also purchase an eight or nine-game plan. With all packages, ticket holders will be assigned a Dragons marketing manager as their contact person with the organization to provide assistance throughout the year. Tickets start at $9.75 per game. Fans can reserve a package with down payment of $10.00 and take advantage of a flexible payment plan. Purchasers of the new plan will receive special Dragons limited edition season ticketholder gifts on specific giveaway nights. They will also receive first rights to playoff games and special events at Fifth Third Field including concerts.

The Best Deal in Town

The Dragons/McDonald's Friends & Family program is back for its 11th season. For the second-straight year, fans have the option of purchasing a stadium seat ticket as part of the Friends and Family package. Lawn tickets also remain available as part of the package. On select Friends & Family game nights, fans can get a Dragons game ticket, Dragons cap, and McDonald's extra value meal, all for just $15.00 for a stadium seat ticket or $11.00 for a lawn seat. The first Friends and Family game dates are Saturday, April 13th and Saturday, April 27th. Friends and Family tickets are available now at the Dragons Box Office and online at www.daytondragons.com.

Dragons Kids Club is Back

For the second year in a row, young Dragons fans can join the Dragons Kids Club. For just a $15,members receive two Dragons tickets, a Dragons dri-fit t-shirt, a Dragons hat, a Dragons backpack, a Free kids meal at Frisch's Big Boy, and more.

Group Ticket Options

Group ticket opportunities are also available through the Dragons, including luxury suites, party decks, seating in the Dragons Lair, on the third base side, and on the Lawn at Fifth Third Field. Special benefits are available for groups of 10 to 1,000 fans.

Bring Your Little League to Fifth Third Field

Little League outings at Fifth Third Field offer a unique experience to young players throughout the Miami Valley. Starting at just $7 a person, your Little League could participate in a pre-game parade on Fifth Third Field.

Single-Game Tickets

Single game tickets for the 2013 season are on sale now at the Dragons Box Office located next to the main entry gates at Fifth Third Field. The box office is open throughout the season from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. On weekend game dates, the box office will open at 12:00 noon and close following the game. It will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays when the team is on the road. Single-game tickets can be purchased in person, at the Dragons box office, any Miami Valley Kroger store, or any Ticketmaster outlet; online at daytondragons.com; or by phone by calling the Dragons Box office at (937) 228-2287 or Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at (937) 228-2323.

Dragons On The Field

Manager Jose Nieves enters his first year at the helm of the Dragons. Nieves has spent the past two seasons managing the Goodyear Reds in the Arizona League. Before that, he managed the Venezuela Reds in the Venezuelan Summer League in 2010.

Tony Fossas returns for his fourth year with the Dragons after spending last season with Billings in the Pioneer League. Fossas was in charge of Dragons pitchers from 2009-11. In 2011, Dragons pitchers set a Midwest League record for strikeouts. Dragons batting coach Alex Pelaez also returns for his third season. Under his leadership in 2011, the Dragons led the Midwest League in team batting average and runs scored.

Dragons On The Air

The Dragons will produce a 25-game television package on WHIO Digital Channel 7.2 (Channel 23 and Channel 372 on most Time Warner Cable systems). The telecasts will feature an impressive collection of guest commentators. Former star second baseman Bill Doran will provide color commentary on Opening Night. Former Reds Todd Benzinger, Eddie Milner, and Chris Sexton as well as hall-of-fame writer Hal McCoy and Ohio State University baseball coach Greg Beals are among other guest commentators.

WONE 980 AM is the flagship station for Dragons radio broadcasts. Games can also be heard at www.daytondragons.com . Dragons play-by-play announcer Tom Nichols returns for his 26th season in professional baseball and is joined by broadcaster Bill Spaulding in 2013.


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