4th of July Weekend Happenings at New Britain Stadium

Published on July 3, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - With this year's 4th of July Weekend now upon us - and with it, our sea-to-shining-sea celebration of America's 232nd birthday - the Rock Cats, like so many others, will be on the road making their way home to join their fans and friends for a sparkling celebration of their own at New Britain Stadium. The Rock Cats will be home for the entire Holiday Weekend - from Friday afternoon through Monday night - to engage their cross-state Eastern League foe - the CT Defenders - in a four-game series that will likely give one of these two clubs baseball bragging rights in the Nutmeg State! But on this particular Weekend, the exciting baseball action will be sharing the stage with a couple of other Stadium-based events that are both timely - and compelling - on their own.

Here is a rundown on the Rock Cats 8th Homestand of the 2008 Season:

FRIDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 4th, 4:05 PM: When the gates of New Britain Stadium swing open at 2:30 PM on Friday afternoon, fans will be filing through in anticipation of the late afternoon contest between the Rock Cats and the visiting CT Defenders, the Eastern League affiliate of the National League's San Francisco Giants. There is excitement in the air that the Rock Cats are finally back home - and their competitors from Norwich have a fine team and have certainly been playing well of late. But before we get to the afternoon's main order of business - the 4:05 PM ball game - the Rock Cats and the Hartford District Office of the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) will be at home plate as a US Federal District Court Judge issues the Oath of Allegiance to 17 Connecticut residents. Representing thirteen different countries of origin, these enthusiastic people - our industrious and grateful neighbors - will become US citizens at a Naturalization Ceremony that will commence at home plate at 3:00 PM and conclude some 30 minutes later. Join us for the ball game - America's Pastime - but come a little early and join us in bearing witness to 2008's version of the American Dream! May that Dream - and this great Land of opportunity - ever be thus! Once the Oath is delivered, these new US citizens will join us on the mound for a ceremonial First Pitch. What a Country! And what a great way to celebrate the 4th!

Our respected guardians at the Connecticut Army National Guard will also have a significant presence at the Stadium on the 4th as they will both be providing Color Guard services for the Oath of Allegiance ceremony and distributing camouflage-style baseball caps to the first 1,200 adults through the turnstiles. Lastly, the ‘Cats are also providing a sumptuous All-American Barbeque on Friday - fans may visit the AT&T Picnic Patio and, for $10, indulge themselves in the ultimate 4th of July fare - unlimited Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Potato Chips and Watermelon. Once again, gates open at 2:30 PM; the Oath of Allegiance ceremony will commence at 3:00 PM; 4th of July baseball at 4:05 PM!

SATURDAY NIGHT, JULY 5th, 7:05 PM: The Defenders are back with us for Game 2 of this Weekend series - a Saturday evening affair with a 7:05 PM first pitch. Both the Rock Cats and Defs recently had four of their players named to the Eastern League's 2008 All-Star Game, so we know the action on the diamond will be first rate. Also first rate - and a consensus, perennial "all-star" in her own right - was former New Britain resident, the late, great, Mary Ellen Welsh. The beloved, 62-year-old Welsh was killed in a highly-publicized local home invasion that occurred last March 30th. A large group of her devoted friends recently approached the Rock Cats in hopes of "doing something" to publicly transform their anger and deep sadness into some kind of positive expression; a public celebration of Mary Ellen's joyful, helpful life was the tonic. Numerous heartfelt tributes have been taped by her pals and will be screened throughout the evening on the Stadium's giant video board; a pre-game, on-field ceremony will feature local media personalities as we celebrate Mary Ellen Welsh Night at the Stadium. Ever an optimist and proud of her Irish heritage, the Rock Cats will also be distributing 5,000 Kelly Green wristbands preprinted with Mary Ellen's signature line - "It's OK!" - along with the dates that spanned her wonderful life, "1946-2008".

This Night - which also includes an opportunity for NASCAR fans to view Dale Earnhardt Jr's Show Car at our Main Gate! - will close with a spectacular 4th of July Fireworks Show. Some of the ensuing sparkle up in the sky will, on this Night, be a reflection of the great American twinkle that was forever in Mary Ellen's eyes. Our friends at The Hospital for Special Care - where Ms. Welsh worked for many years as a Respiratory Therapist - are the special evening's sponsors. And now that it's officially Summer, they'll be handing out beach towels to the first 1,000 fans through the doors.

For those who want to hang around post-Fireworks, the AT&T Launch-A-Ball contest - great fun, great prizes, great cause - will create a few more grins before we finally turn the lights out!

SUNDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 6th, 1:35 PM: The two Constitution State squads will go at it again at 1:35 PM on Sunday afternoon, in what will be Game 3 of this important 4-game set. Sunday is also Family Fun Day at the Stadium as the gang at AT&T will be distributing 1,200 baseball-shaped pillows to kids (12-and-under) entering the park; the soft pillow features both the Rock Cats and the AT&T logos. After the ‘Cats and their neighbors to the East have finished their game - the Rock Cats and the Barnum Financial Group (a member of the MetLife family) invite all the Moms and Dads to bring their kids onto the field for a post-game Catch and Run-of-the-Bases. What a terrific way for the entire family to close out a Holiday Weekend. Join us!

MONDAY NIGHT, JULY 7th, 7:05 PM: The Rock Cats and visiting Defenders will close out this Fourth of July Holiday Weekend Series on Monday Night at 7:05 PM. This is Amnesty Night at New Britain Stadium as the Rock Cats are inviting fans holding unused 2008 Season tickets to redeem them "no questions asked" at this game. Things happen in this busy life - people get sick, have to work late, or the (unfulfilled) threat of rainy weather pops up - and people end up not using tickets they've already paid for. The Rock Cats are putting those tickets back in play on Monday night. Just bring them to the Box Office and you're in! And once in, as it's also 7Up Night - you're going to have seven chances to win great prizes! And those prizes will include a shot to win a Vespa motor scooter, thanks to our friends at Polar and 7Up! What, something good-looking that gets 130 MPG? Where do we sign up? If you've come from Norwich, you're going home for a buck! It's a 10-spot to the Metrodome! Don't tell Big Oil!

Good seats are available for all remaining games to be played in 2008 at New Britain Stadium. Fans wishing to secure tickets to any one of the four games in this big Fourth of July Weekend Series may do so by calling the New Britain Stadium Box Office at (860) 224-8383; visiting the Stadium Box Office between 10 AM and 6 PM; or by going to the club's website at www.rockcats.com where tickets can be conveniently purchased on-line.

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Eastern League Stories from July 3, 2008


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