PCL1 Round Rock Express

Historic Round Rock Express 20th Anniversary Season Begins

Published on April 9, 2019 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release


ROUND ROCK, Texas - Baseball is back! The Round Rock Express, proud Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, kick off their historic 20th anniversary season, presented by H-E-B, with Opening Day at Dell Diamond tonight, Tuesday, April 9, at 7:05 p.m. against the Nashville Sounds (Texas Rangers affiliate). Gates open at 5:45 p.m. The top prospect in the Houston Astros organization and the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, RHP Forrest Whitely is scheduled to start for Round Rock tonight.

Former Astros pitcher, manager, broadcaster and inaugural Astros Hall of Fame inductee Larry Dierker will be on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day, presented by Dell. The first 2,000 fans through the gates at Dell Diamond on Tuesday night will also receive a 20-year anniversary coin, thanks to Dell. The Express will also celebrate the beginning of baseball season with a special postgame fireworks show.

For the third year in a row, the Budweiser Clydesdales will be on hand to ring in the new year. Fans can view the Clydesdales in their tent in the parking lot adjacent to the Home Plate Gate on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. The Clydesdales will be hitched in front of Dell Diamond on Thursday and Friday.

The fun continues on April 10 with Winning Wednesday, presented by Texas Lottery. Fans will have the opportunity to win great prizes throughout the game. The Express are also teaming up with the Round Rock Area Serving Center to Strike Out Hunger each Wednesday this season. Fans can bring two canned goods to the ballpark in exchange for tickets to Wednesday's game.

The Original Thirsty Thursday, presented by Firetrol Protection Systems, returns on April 11. There will be discount draft beer specials throughout the ballpark each Thursday night this season. Thursday's contest is also the first Pints & Pups, presented by SuperCuts, as fans are invited to bring their four-legged friends to Dell Diamond.

The Round Rock Express will honor those fighting and treating cancer on Friday, April 12 with the annual Cancer Awareness Night, presented by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as the Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate) come to town. Attendees will have the opportunity to fill out an "I Go To Bat For" sign to honor loved ones who are impacted by cancer. The night will cap off with the first Bud Light Friday Fireworks of the year.

Saturday at the Ballpark, presented by A+ Federal Credit Union, brings a loaded slate of activities. The first 3,000 fans through the gates will receive an Express ballcap, thanks to the Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships. After the game, Shinyribs will take the centerfield stage for the first installment of the St. David's Summer Concert Series, presented by Dell.

On Sunday, April 14, the Round Rock Chupacabras make their first appearance of the season on H-E-B Kids Day. For five select dates in 2019, the Express will transform into the Chupacabras as part of MiLB's Copa de la Diversión campaign to celebrate Latinx culture. The Redbirds will also rebrand as the Memphis Música, their own unique Copa identity.

H-E-B Kids Day features free pregame activities, inflatables along the third base concourse and all kids 13 and under can run the bases after the game. The Express will also be holding a book drive to benefit Carver Elementary School. Fans are encouraged to donate chapter books for second-fifth graders and Spanish language books for all reading levels. Fans who donate will receive a Be Our Guest card, good for a pair of two tickets to a future Express game.

The homestand concludes with Education Day on Monday, April 15. The special 11:35 a.m. first pitch comes complete with pregame ceremonies for schoolchildren of all ages. Monday is also the first $1 Hot Dogs and Sodas Night, presented by Mrs Baird's.

Below are highlights and promotions for each game of the seven-game homestand:

Tuesday, April 9 | 7:05 p.m. | Express vs. Nashville Sounds (Texas Rangers affiliate)

Media Partners: AM 1300 The Zone | KVUE

Chasco Community Partner: Round Rock Noon Lions

Opening Day, presented by Dell

Budweiser Clydesdales outside Home Plate Gate

Ceremonial First Pitch from Astros Legend Larry Dierker

20-Year Anniversary Coin Giveaway, presented by Dell

Postgame Fireworks, presented by Dell

Wednesday, April 10 | 7:05 p.m. | Express vs. Nashville Sounds (Texas Rangers affiliate)

Media Partners: 102.3 The Beat | KVUE

Chasco Community Partner: Texas Organ Sharing Alliance

Winning Wednesday, presented by Texas Lottery

Strike Out Hunger, benefiting the Round Rock Area Serving Center

Budweiser Clydesdales outside Home Plate Gate

Thursday, April 11 | 7:05 p.m. | Express vs. Nashville Sounds (Texas Rangers affiliate)

Media Partners: 96.7 KISS FM | KVUE

Chasco Community Partner: Love-A-Bull

Pints & Pups, presented by SuperCuts

The Original Thirsty Thursday, presented by Firetrol Protection Systems

Budweiser Clydesdales outside Home Plate Gate

Friday, April 12 | 7:05 p.m. | Express vs. Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate)

Media Partners: KASE 101 | CBS Austin

Chasco Community Partner: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Cancer Awareness Night, presented by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Bud Light Friday Fireworks

Budweiser Clydesdales outside Home Plate Gate

Saturday, April 13 | 6:05 p.m. | Express vs. Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate)

Media Partners: 98.1 KVET | CBS Austin

Chasco Community Partner: Austin Greyhound Adoption

Express Cap Giveaway, presented by the Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships

Shinyribs Postgame Concert, as part of the St. David's Summer Concert Series, presented by Dell

Saturday at the Ballpark, presented by A+ Federal Credit Union

Budweiser Clydesdales outside Home Plate Gate

Sunday, April 14 | 1:05 p.m. | Chupacabras vs. Memphis Musica (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate)

Media Partners: TU 103.1 FM | 96.7 KISS FM | Telemundo

Chasco Community Partner: Microsoft Philanthropies TEALS

Round Rock Chupacabras, as part of Minor League Baseball's Copa de la Diversion campaign

H-E-B Kids Day

Book Drive, benefiting Carver Elementary School

Monday, April 15 | 11:35 a.m. | Express vs. Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate)

Media Partners: 102.3 The Beat | CBS Austin

Education Day

$1 Hot Dogs and Sodas, presented by Mrs Baird's

For more information on the Express, visit RRExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and join the conversation during our historic 20th anniversary season using #20STROng.

Check out the Round Rock Express Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 9, 2019


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