Greeneville Astros Announce 2015 Promotional Schedule
May 22, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Greeneville Astros News Release
Greeneville, TN - The Greeneville Astros have released their 2015 promotional schedule. With fireworks, theme nights, promotions and fun giveaways, the Astros will be offering fans a full slate of entertainment to go along with an exciting game schedule beginning with the home opener against the Bristol Pirates at Pioneer Park on Thursday, June 25 at 7:00pm.
"We have another exciting promotional schedule lined up this year and we may even have some more surprises along the way so stay tuned," said Astros general manager David Lane.
Giveaways
Throughout the 2015 season, the Astros will be offering fans numerous chances to receive free giveaways upon entrance into the ballpark, beginning with the magnet schedule giveaway by Fatz on Opening Day. Other giveaway items include hand fans by Legacy Fine Jewelers, fanny packs, Patriotic T-shirts and fleece stadium blankets by Laughlin Memorial Hospital, pink "Strikeout Cancer" T-shirts by Takoma Regional Hospital, and Astros grilling aprons.
In addition to all of the great giveaways already mentioned, one of the most anticipated giveaways each year is the annual Greeneville Astros Hometown Hero Bobblehead presented by Laughlin Memorial Hospital. This year, the collector's item will recognize a former player for the very first time in second baseman Jose Altuve.
Altuve played in Greeneville for two seasons from 2008-09, concluding his final season as the team's Most Valuable Player and Appalachian League All-Star. After quickly moving up through the minors over the next two years, Altuve made his MLB debut on July 20, 2011. Over the next three seasons, he has made two MLB All-Star game appearances and had one of the best seasons in Houston Astros history in 2014.
Among his many accomplishments last season, Altuve set an Astros' single season record with 225 hits while leading the Majors in hits and batting average at age 24. In addition, he also led the American League in stolen bases and became the first player since Ty Cobb in 1911 to compile 225 hits, 47 doubles, and 56 steals in a single season. As a result, Altuve received a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award as the American League's top offensive second baseman.
Altuve's bobblehead will feature him in his Greeneville uniform with recognition of some of his accomplishments on the base of the figure. As with all the giveaway items, there is a limited quantity, so fans are encouraged to arrive at Pioneer Park early on these special nights to ensure their chances of receiving one of these free giveaways.
Promotional and Theme Nights
The Astros will also be hosting several promotional and theme nights throughout the 2015 season to provide a variety of entertainment for all fans. After Opening Day, the promotional and theme nights continue with a team Social Media Launch on June 26 highlighting all the advantages of following the club on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and using #GvilleAstros. In addition, Steve Weams of The Caribbean Cowboys Band will be performing pregame music as fans arrive.
On July 27, History Night will feature some fascinating area museums and historic groups set up on the concourse of Pioneer Park. In addition, as part of the night, the Tennessee Association of Vintage Baseball will promote living history by bringing the 19th century to life through baseball events that use the rules, equipment, costumes and culture of the 1860s. After the game, a select number of fans will have the opportunity to join members of the Knoxville Holstons on the field for batting practice using their vintage baseball equipment.
Closing out June, the Astros will host the first of three Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon games on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00pm. The mid-afternoon start times are new this year and will occur once in each month of June, July, and August.
A fun day for kids will take place on July 13 with Gizmo's Birthday Celebration featuring a birthday parade, cake, and more. Later in the month, during the Astros' 10-game homestand from July 18-27, there will be NFL Night, Racing Night, Boys & Girls Club Night, Girls Night Out, Christmas in July benefiting Gifts for Kids by Greeneville Sun and GreenevilleSun.com, Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon, and Military Appreciation Night. Finally, on July 31, the month will conclude with a Fright Night Halloween Party, Life Care Center of Greeneville Night, and Merchant Night.
In August, the Astros will begin their final month of the season with the last of the Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon games on August 2 beginning at 2:00pm. The following Friday, August 7, the Astros will be sensitive to those with peanut allergies with a Peanut Free Night by Pienkowski, M.D. Clinics.
On the final Saturday of the season, August 8, the Astros will be hosting the inaugural Taste of Pioneer Park Beer/Wine Festival which will begin before the game and continue throughout the night. Meanwhile, it will be Parrot Head Night so other pregame festivities will include a beach party atmosphere and Jimmy Buffett-style music from The Caribbean Cowboys Band beginning at 4:30pm. In addition, the Astros will also honor all the local firemen, policemen, EMT, doctors and nurses as part of Heroes Night presented by Laughlin Memorial Hospital.
Over the final three weeks of the season, fans will enjoy Middle Child Night on August 11, a special message and Christian music at the always popular Faith Night on August 16, and the special recognition for our local educators on Teacher Appreciation Night by Tennessee Lottery on August 23.
The following Wednesday, the Astros will host a rare Midweek Matinee on Wednesday, August 26 at 11:30am to provide a great opportunity for a school field trip or unique business lunch meeting.
The final homestand will begin on Sunday, August 30 by celebrating University of Tennessee Night in advance of the Volunteers kicking off football season. Finally, the season will conclude on September 1 with Fan Appreciation Night and a variety of surprises and door prizes for fans.
Awareness Nights
Throughout the season, the Astros will also be holding a variety of awareness nights. It all begins with Wellness Night by Laughlin Memorial Hospital on July 4. Then, on July 11, it will be Breast Cancer Awareness Night by Takoma Regional Hospital and, on July 22, Ed Randall's Bat for the Cure will be present to discuss prostate cancer awareness.
The awareness nights will continue with Make the Journee Night on July 24. On this night, $2 from each ticket sold will be donated to Journee, a non-profit created to provide terminally ill adults with assistance in achieving their lifelong dream.
Other nights raising awareness will include the entire weekend from July 24-26 as Pet Friendly Weekend by MARS Petcare and Kidney Awareness Night by Fresenius Medical Care on July 31.
Daily Promotions
In addition to special theme and awareness nights, the Astros will also be offering daily promotions that aim to provide fans with many different opportunities for fun and savings at the ballpark.
On Monday nights, it will be all about the kids at Pioneer Park. Members of the Gizmo's Cosmic Kids Club can attend on these nights at no charge as part of their membership and also eat free. All kids will be given the opportunity to run the bases with the team mascot, Gizmo, immediately following the ballgame. Registration for the kids club is available at www.greenevilleastros.com now.
Adults can also get in on the Monday night fun with Monday Mug Night by Hyperion Grill, which offers adults over the age of 21 a discounted beverage refill after their purchase of the Greeneville Astros' beverage mug at the Tiki Hut. This deal will also be honored at the Tiki Hut every Thursday. In addition, fans can also take the mug to Hyperion Grill to receive discounted refills.
Tuesdays will be known as Two-fer Tuesdays again this season. Every Tuesday home game will give fans the chance to purchase Buy One, Get One Free tickets. Once fans are through the gates, the discounts continue with several items discounted to two dollars throughout Pioneer Park. Some of these discounted items include programs, souvenirs, hot dogs and entrance into the Kids Zone.
Thursdays will again feature $1 Dog Night, with hot dogs available for one dollar, and discounted drinks for Thirsty Thursday at both the concessions stands as well as the Tiki Hut. In addition, each Thursday will also offer fans arriving early the opportunity to receive free food.
On June 25, the home opener, the first 500 fans through the gates will receive a free hot dog. On July 2, the first 200 fans will receive a free order of small popcorn. Finally, a free order of nachos will go to the first 200 fans on July 23.
On Fridays, the Astros will be providing beautiful fireworks displays immediately following the game. However, in addition to Fridays, the Astros will also be shooting fireworks shows on three other occasions for a total of seven shows.
The first fireworks show will be the Opening Day Fireworks by Fatz on June 25 to ring in the start of the 2015 season. Then, the first of four Friday Night Fireworks shows will take place the following night. Next, the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration, the largest fireworks show in East Tennessee, will occur on Independence Day courtesy of LandAir. The other Friday Night Fireworks shows will be July 24, July 31, and August 7. Finally, the season finale fireworks show will close out the regular season on September 1.
Non-Game Events
Annual non-game events, in which the Astros team up with the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County, are also scheduled during the upcoming season. On July 11, the Astros' players and coaches will offer their free 11th annual Kids Baseball Skillz & Drillz Clinic to children 14 and under. Participants will get a T-shirt, lunch and a ticket to the Astros game that night.
On July 18, the club will host their 10th annual Astros 5K race presented by Atmos Energy and Laughlin Memorial Hospital in which all proceeds go to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County. The race begins in front of Pioneer Park, winds through Tusculum, and concludes with a lap around the warning track inside the ballpark. Each participant will receive a 5K T-shirt and a ticket to a game. For those interested, registration is available now at www.greenevilleastros.com.
More promotional nights may be added throughout the season and fans can always get the latest promotional schedule, details and updates at www.greenevilleastros.com. Times, dates and events are always subject to change.
Fans are able to purchase single game tickets from www.greenevilleastros.com/tickets now. Following Memorial Day weekend, beginning Tuesday, May 26 at 10:00am, tickets will be available from the Pioneer Park ticket office.
Anyone interested in purchasing tickets to multiple games may also consider a full season, half-season or 7-game mini-plan ticket membership. Each of these membership packages is available for purchase now on the team website, at the Pioneer Park ticket office, or over the phone at (423) 638-0411.
The Greeneville Astros are the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. For more information on the Greeneville Astros, visit www.greenevilleastros.com. The Astros' Administrative offices, located at Pioneer Park on the campus of Tusculum College, are open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-5:30pm.
Appalachian League Stories from May 22, 2015
- Greeneville Astros Announce 2015 Promotional Schedule - Greeneville Astros
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