AtL Lancaster Stormers

Barnstormers to Light It up in 2012

Published on February 1, 2012 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


The Lancaster Barnstormers look to light up the scoreboard, the skies and the smiles in 2012 with a 70-game home schedule that will feature a record 21 post-game fireworks shows and a number of events sure to please fans from two to 92, it was announced today.

Simultaneously, the Barnstormers have announced that all evening games, Monday thru Saturday, will return to a 7:00 p.m. start time in order to accommodate fan requests that start times be consistent throughout the season. There will be exceptions for four day games - Baseball in Education Day on May 8, Camp Day on July 17 and the first game of day-night doubleheaders on June 30 and September 15.

"We believe that we have been able to build a promotional schedule that truly has something for everybody," said Kristen Simon, Barnstormers assistant general manager. "On top of the anticipation of Butch Hobson and his squad making another run at the Atlantic League title, we have woven some aspect of our great community into each and every home game."

Lancaster fans will certainly get more bang for their buck! Literally. Every Saturday evening game at Clipper Magazine Stadium will feature the best entertainment doubleheader in town - exciting Atlantic League baseball followed by a fireworks extravaganza. Nine other pyrotechnics shows are slated for Friday evenings, and the Barnstormers will celebrate America's birthday with the largest fireworks show in team history on the Fourth of July, giving the Barnstormers and their fans their most explosive season to date.

Even more exciting is that three of these shows will provide fans with a new multi-media experience. These themed presentations will incorporate music and video, synchronized perfectly as the shells are launched skyward and burst over the stadium. These thrilling themed shows will include a Star Wars designed show on June 2, a Batman themed show on July 20, and an Elvis themed show on August 24.

And, if a night of baseball and fireworks is not enough, all fireworks evenings will be capped off by a post-game party and autograph session in right field, giving fans the opportunity to meet and mingle with some of their favorite 'Stormer players while also inviting them to play catch.

Lancaster fans will be treated to some other new theme nights on the schedule this year. Young ladies can get ready to pitch those tents! In addition to the two regularly scheduled and extremely popular scout sleepovers, club officials have added a special Girl Scouts Sleepover on June 29th as the Girl Scouts of America celebrate their 100th anniversary. Hockey night has also been added to the 2012 calendar to take place on September 6.

Saturday, September 15 has been declared Latin Heritage Day where the Lancaster community is invited to come together to celebrate the first day of Latin Heritage Month.

Of course, recurring themes through any Barnstormers season are the emphases on family and education. And this year, there truly will be something for every member, including the four-legged ones.

New to the schedule in 2012 is a summer weeknight cartoon favorites series, sure to bring glee to the young (and young at heart) members of the crowd.

It will kick off on June 21st, as our heroes from Toy Story, Woody and Buzz Lightyear, will be on hand at the stadium to entertain the crowd and perhaps help a Barnstormers home run go to "infinity and beyond."

On July 18, Barnstormers fans can expect a visit from Bikini Bottom when Sponge Bob arrives with his best friend, Patrick, to soak up some summertime fun at the ballpark. Two weeks later, it will be time to go exploring with Dora and Diego, and finally, on August 22, Phineas and Ferb will close out the weeknight cartoon series when they drop by Clipper Magazine Stadium.

One of the most popular series of theme nights with the Barnstormers, Faith and Family Nights, will make a return in 2012. Three will fall on Sundays (May 6, June 3 and August 26) while one, complete with a Steven Courtney concert, will coincide with a Saturday fireworks night on July 21. August 26 is all about the kids! Phredd and the gang from the WJTL Kids Cookie Break will be at the stadium to spread their joy (and a few crumbs?) all around.

Reading Rewards Nights are back on May 4, 5 and 11 where over 40,000 local students are recognized for their reading achievements during the school year. High school students from the region will also have the opportunity to show their school spirit over several designated nights throughout the spring, and the entire Class of 2012 will be honored on June 20.

"The Barnstormers are proud to announce an exciting new initiative into the community for the 2012 Season. Select games will be designated "School Spirit Nights", where the entire school district will be celebrated at Clipper Magazine Stadium", said Anthony DeMarco, senior director of marketing. "These evenings will celebrate the students of each district honoring athletes, scholars and notable achievements. Each school district will create its unique program for the evening. The marching band will play, the choir will sing and an extraordinary individual will throw out the first pitch. Hempfield, Warwick, Penn Manor, Manheim Central, Solanco and Donegal are just a few of the school districts who will salute their students' achievements with the Barnstormers this season."

Not to be left out, for the first time ever, our canine friends will have two days at the stadium to call their own with Bark in the Park events scheduled for May 20 and September 2.

Lancaster-area residents can take in exciting Barnstormers baseball, AND set out on a new career path at the same time as Nine Innings of Networking, a stadium-wide job fair, returns on Thursday, May 3.

Of course, no season at Clipper Magazine Stadium would be complete without the weekly specials. Tuesday night games will once again be Senior Tuesdays as we honor our more experienced fans. Facebook Fridays will give fans the opportunity to win prizes by checking into Friday games on Facebook. Lancaster General Health Fit Family Sundays, including a pre-game catch on the field, player autographs and post-game run around the bases for the kids will make their return as well.

Seventy nights of fun-filled, action-packed excitement are in store. It all begins, May 1, with the home opener for year eight of Barnstormers baseball!

Fans are encouraged to visit www.lancasterbarnstormers.com for an up-to-date listing of promotions and giveaways.

The Lancaster Barnstormers are entering their eighth season as a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Home games are played at Clipper Magazine Stadium in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Please call 717.509.HITS (4487) or visit LancasterBarnstormers.com for more information.

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Atlantic League Stories from February 1, 2012


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