2009 Theme Nights, Theme Jerseys Promise Fun For All Ages
March 12, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
FRESNO, CA - After winning a pair of national Promotion of the Year Awards in 2008, the Fresno Grizzlies have loaded their 2009 Promotional Calendar with the most comprehensive theme nights in Minor League Baseball for Central Valley fans. Grizzlies single-game tickets for the 2009 season will go on sale on Monday, March 16th at 9:00am.
The 2009 schedule is headlined by four games in which the Grizzlies on the field will enhance the theme night experience with special themed jerseys. Following each of these four games, the jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit a particular community organization. All winning participants in the jersey auction will get to meet their favorite Grizzlies player and have the jersey right off their back, along with a picture and autograph.
The second homestand of the 2009 season begins on Saturday, April 25th when the Grizzlies will celebrate their second annual "Autism Awareness Night", complete with Autism Awareness theme jerseys. Proceeds from the post-game jersey auction will benefit the Central California Autism Center.
On Friday, May 16th, the Grizzlies will continue what is fast-becoming one of the most popular nights on the schedule. The second annual "Ag Night" will celebrate the rich, agricultural past and present of California's Central Valley with a top secret theme jersey design. With a petting zoo, farmer's market, and tractor exhibit, the night will be dedicated to honoring the Valley's vital role as the world's most productive agricultural region. All proceeds of the theme jersey auction will benefit the San Joaquin Region FFA and 4-H.
When the Grizzlies take on the Portland Beavers on Friday, May 29th, they will be wearing colors that are most commonly seen on the diamond at their previous home, Beiden Field. May 29th will be "Fresno State Night" at Chukchansi Park, and the Grizzlies will be wearing jerseys reminiscent of the 2008 College World Series Champion Fresno State Bulldogs. All proceeds of the theme jersey auction will benefit the Kremen School of Education at Fresno State.
The Grizzlies will don the final theme jersey of the 2009 season on Friday, August 7th, when they celebrate "FresYes! Night", a salute to positive self-image for all Fresnans. All proceeds of the theme jersey auction will benefit the Fresno Grizzlies Community Fund.
But even when the Fresno players and coaches aren't getting in on the fun, the 2009 Promotional Calendar is packed with theme nights to provide the best in affordable, fun, family-friendly entertainment to the Central Valley community.
The fun begins with an entire theme week in April, as the Grizzlies prepare to welcome the 5,000,000th fan in franchise history. "5 Millionth Fan Week" will overtake Chukchansi Park during the second homestand of the season, from April 25th to April 28th, when the Fresno Grizzlies welcome the Reno Aces for the first time. The lucky 5 Millionth Fan, expected to arrive during the homestand, will receive a massive prize package including a luxurious 2 night stay at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, a chance to utilize Parker as a personal assistant for a day, their very own baseball card in the 2009 Grizzlies Team Card Set, a private batting practice session with the Grizzlies, and much, much more.
Fans will be invited, and encouraged, to celebrate their inner-nerd at Chukchansi Park on "Nerd Night", Wednesday, May 6th. The Grizzlies will commemorate the release of the new Star Trek movie by highlighting the nerd in all of us, because everyone is a nerd about something.
What do the Snuggie, the Clapper, the Chia Pet, and the ShamWow all have in common? They're all staples of the "As Seen on TV" phenomenon known as the infomercial. "As Seen On TV" Night on Saturday, June 6th will honor all the products that seem appealing, at least when someone tries to sell them to you at 3am on a Saturday. The first 2,500 fans into the ballpark will receive their very own Grizzlies Shammy Cloth.
Fans will get another theme night/giveaway double feature on Saturday, June 27th when the Grizzlies host "Magically Superstitious Night", featuring a Magic-8 (Base)Ball giveaway (first 2,500 fans). Baseball players are widely considered the most superstitious athletes in any sport, and on this night the Grizzlies will pay tribute to some of these mysterious and often irrational practices.
On Monday, June 29th, the big top comes to Chukchansi Park as the Grizzlies celebrate "Circus Night". Fans can take part in all of their favorite carnival games while getting acquainted with some of their favorite big top characters and creatures.
Finishing off an epic four-game homestand on Tuesday June 30th is the first of two "Kid-A-Palooza" celebrations at Chukchansi Park. The game against the Salt Lake Bees will feature free ice cream for everyone in attendance, the chance for kids to run the bases following the game (usually reserved for Sunday games), and a live performance by children's musical artists, "The Jammies". The second Kid-A-Palooza, Wednesday, August 12th, will include free ice cream, kids run the bases, AND 25-cent hot dogs for all in attendance.
Independence Day weekend at Chukchansi Park will feature a pair of fireworks shows (7/4 & 7/5), as well as Fresno's annual "Military Appreciation Night". Join the Grizzlies in paying tribute to the brave men and women of our Nation's armed forces on Sunday, July 5th when they take on the Las Vegas 51's.
Finally, the Grizzlies will send fans into the offseason with a bit more environmental awareness, as the final homestand of the 2009 season opens on Saturday, August 22nd with "Grizzlies Go Green Night" at the ballpark. The first 2,500 fans will receive a reusable Grizzlies grocery bag.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, as the '09 promotional lineup is constantly growing and evolving, and more fun theme nights and events will be added and announced throughout the season.
The 2009 Fresno Grizzlies Promotional Calendar is being released over the course of this week. 2009 Celebrity Guest Appearances will be unveiled on Friday. Weekday promotions, sure to deliver the best entertainment value in the Central Valley, will be announced next week.
The Fresno Grizzlies open the 2009 campaign on Thursday, April 9th when they welcome the Portland Beavers to downtown Fresno. Single-game tickets for the 2009 season will go on sale on Monday, March 16th at 9:00am. For information on season tickets or mini-plans, both on sale now, visit the new FresnoGrizzlies.com or call the Grizzlies front office at 559.320.HITS.
2009 Grizzlies Theme Night Schedule
Saturday, April 25-28: 5 Millionth Fan Week
Saturday, April 25: Autism Awareness Night (theme jersey)
Wednesday, May 6: Nerd Night
Friday, May 15: Ag Night (theme jersey)
Friday, May 29: Fresno State Night (theme jersey)
Saturday, June 6: As Seen On TV Night
Saturday, June 27: Magically Superstitious Night
Monday, June 29: Circus Night
Tuesday, June 30: Kid-A-Palooza I
Sunday, July 5: Military Appreciation Night
Friday, August 7: FresYes! Night (theme jersey)
Wednesday, August 12: Kid-A-Palooza II
Saturday, August 22: Grizzlies Go Green Night
Pacific Coast League Stories from March 12, 2009
- FSN to deliver 18 live Portland Beavers games for 2009 season - Portland Beavers
- 2009 Theme Nights, Theme Jerseys Promise Fun For All Ages - Fresno Grizzlies
- Round Rock Express Announces 10th Anniversary 10-Year Team - Round Rock Express
- RedHawks National Anthem Auditions this Friday and Saturday - Oklahoma City Comets
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