Rock Cats' 2nd Homestand of 2011 Season Starts Friday Night

Published on April 26, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - With the 2011 edition of the Rock Cats off to a promising start, the team will be returning home to New Britain Stadium this Friday night (4/29) to commence their 2nd Homestand of the new season, a 7-game set against two tough Western Division foes - Harrisburg (partners of the NL's Washington Nationals), and Richmond, affiliated with the 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants. Both clubs are loaded with talented prospects and if the `Cats are to continue their winning ways they'll need to be at the top of their collective game against these guys. And, as all the baseball action will be taking place at New Britain Stadium there will, as usual, be lots of family-centered activities happening in and around the ballpark that is sure to please fans of all ages.

Here are some of the fun details associated with this April 29th - May 5th home stretch at New Britain Stadium:

FRIDAY NIGHT, APRIL 29th, 6:35 PM:

The 2nd Homestand of 2011 kicks off when the Harrisburg Senators - partners of the National League's Washington Nationals - arrive at New Britain Stadium on Friday night to begin a 3-game Weekend Series. The Senators remain under the steady leadership of former big leaguer Tony Beasley, and he currently has his squad atop the EL's Western Division. While these would-be Nats began slowly - they were swept at home by the Rock Cats just two weeks ago - they have since righted the ship and are playing much better. No surprise as they are loaded with players who Baseball America/2011 deems to be among the Washington organization's brightest prospects. This should be a fun weekend! In addition to the baseball, Friday night will also feature a terrific Postgame Fireworks Show, thanks to our friends at Stanley Black & Decker. This Fireworks Show is to make up for the one that got Rained Out on April 16th - if you had tickets for that one, please come back and redeem them this Friday night! Last but not least, Friday evening is also Child Immunization Night - an opportunity for families to bring their child's Immunization Record to the Stadium and when the City of New Britain Public Health staff determine that everything is up-to-date, each protected child will receive a free ticket to the game! The Rock Cats are pleased to again be partnering with the City's Health professionals in this important effort to protect New Britain's kids.

SATURDAY NIGHT, APRIL 30th, 6:35 PM:

Game 2 with Harrisburg will have a 6:35 PM First Pitch on Saturday night. But long before the players take the field, our friends from D'Angelo and Guida's Milk are sponsoring a Pre-Game Block Party, starting at 4:35 PM. This every Saturday afternoon event features fun video games, related activities, and inflatables for kids as well as a variety of food sampling stations for attendees. It's all free and a great chance for our younger fans to play some games of their own - and get some outdoor exercise - before entering the Stadium for the evening game. There will also be a T-Shirt Giveway for kids on Saturday as its UConn Health Center Night at the Stadium; the first 1,200 kids through the gates will be presented with a UConn Health Center t-shirt! And, after the game between the Rock Cats and Senators concludes, please stay with us for the Post-Game Launch-A-Ball contest where, for a nominal donation, fans have a chance to win great prizes by successfully tossing tennis balls at stationary targets on the vacated diamond. This is great fun for fans of all ages and everybody - ultimately - wins, as all proceeds go to the Rock Cats Foundation, the team's charitable arm. This fun activity is sponsored by our friends at FORD. And once the Launch-A-Bill winners have gone home, the pup tents will be coming out on the outfield grass as it's the first Scout Sleepover Night of the season in New Britain. We know these great troopers will Be Prepared for any eventuality!

SUNDAY AFTERNOON, MAY 1st, 1:35 PM

The Rock Cats and their guests from Harrisburg will play the third and final game of this brief series at 1:35 PM on Sunday afternoon. But the Senators won't be the only guests at the ball yard this Mother's Day, 2011! It's the annual - and very special - Pink In The Park Day on Sunday as the Rock Cats collaborate with the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, Health Mart Pharmacies, and families from all over Connecticut and Western Massachusetts to celebrate the courage and determination of those among us who have battled breast cancer. The Rock Cats players, in tribute to these wonderful women, will wear pink uniform jerseys; the first 1,200 women into the Stadium will receive pink themed t-shirts courtesy of Health Mart Pharmacies; and the first 500 women to enter the park will receive a pink flower from Gordon Bonetti Florists!

Moreover, the Rock Cats are offering a special, pre-game (11:30 AM - 1:30 PM) Mothers Day Brunch, whereby Mom gets to relax in the upper-level Stadium Club and enjoy a well-deserved all-you-can-eat Brunch (with beer, wine, soft drinks) on her Day. She'll also get a Reserved seat for the game, a personalized "Happy Mother's Day" message on the giant video board, a beautiful flower arrangement from Gordon Bonetti Florists, and a photo session with Rocky! Can you stand it! All this for Mom is $45. Children 5-12 are $25, and kids under 4 are Free. Please know that $20 of every adult ticket sold will benefit the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative. Fans interested in treating Mom to Brunch next Sunday are invited to call the Rock Cats Ticket Office to make all the necessary arrangements. You won't be sorry - the number is (860) 224-8383.

Finally, as its Sunday in New Britain, it's also Family Fun Day at the Stadium, courtesy of our friends at the Barnum Financial Group. Cap this special afternoon by bringing your kids (12-and-under) onto the field after the game to Run-the-Bases. It's a great experience for all involved!

MONDAY NIGHT, MAY 2nd, 6:35 PM:

With the solons from the Keystone State now departed, in comes Richmond (nee Navigators from Norwich), the EL affiliate of the 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants. This is another very talented squad with a veteran skipper - Dave Machemer - back at the helm. Now known as the Flying Squirrels, this group hosted the Rock Cats in a 4-game set to open the 2011 Season, with each team winning two. Like their predecessors, these young Giants are loaded with talent and promise to be an on-field challenge for the Rock Cats from Monday night thru Thursday morning. Monday is also Soccer Night at the Stadium with a terrific Soccer Ball Giveaway, courtesy of the folks at Comcast. The first 1,200 kids (12-and-under) through the turnstiles on Monday night will be bouncing one home! Finally, Monday night is the weekly occasion for fans to enjoy the All-You-Can Eat Bar-B-Q at the Stadium as, for an extra $12, participants get an unlimited number of Hot Dogs, Hamburgs, Bottled Water, Chips and Salad in one of the Stadium's Picnic Areas. This is a Pre-Game special that typically runs about 90 minutes; do come early and hungry. This feast is sponsored by people who know a little something about tasty ball park fare - KAYEM!

TUESDAY NIGHT, MAY 3rd, 6:35 PM:

The Flying Squirrels are back with us for Game 2 of this 4-game set at 6:35 PM. The Richmond franchise has produced a number of outstanding players over the years, with stud Pitchers Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain just two recent examples. These two teams always play one another tough - whether they are Connecticut neighbors or, like now, nearly 1,000 miles apart. As its Tuesday, it's also Kids Eat Free Night at the Stadium as all children (12-and-under) who come out will receive a voucher upon entry for a Free Hot Dog, Bottled Water, and bag of Mini-Bites Muffins! This great deal is courtesy of our friends at Bimbo Bread. Tuesdays in New Britain are also the times when KRAFT Singles - THE American Cheese - invite fans to come out to the ball park and present a KRAFT Singles wrapper at the Ticket Window to buy one ticket and get one FREE. This deal is available every Tuesday night that the Rock Cats are home at New Britain Stadium in 2011!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT, MAY 4th, 6:35 PM:

The boys from Dixie - a/k/a the Flying Squirrels - are back with us at 6:35 PM on Wednesday night to play Game #3 of this mid-week series; please note that after this week, Richmond will not be back in the Nutmeg State until mid-July. And as its Wednesday, it's also Family 4-Pack Night in New Britain as the best deal in baseball - 4 Reserved Seats, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Bottled Waters, and 4 Popcorns - are yours for just $30! This great every-Wednesday deal is made possible by the good people at VantisLife and NBC Connecticut!

THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 5th, 10:35 AM:

This mid-week series with Richmond and, indeed, the 2nd Homestand of 2011, will conclude with Thursday morning's 10:35 AM contest against the airborne Squirrels. Thursday's finale truly has something for everyone: It's a Business Person's Special for those who can escape for an extended lunch hour to enjoy some old-fashioned daytime baseball - for those fans our Special provides a Game Ticket and Food Package for just $12. For Retirees who just want to sit out in the sun and enjoy some live baseball without giving up their afternoon nap, this one's for you too! And for those families and kids who may be off on Wednesday, please join us for this second Baseball in Education Day of 2011. We'll be again joined by the smart people from the Talcott Mountain Science Center who will be instructing attendees of all ages on the interplay between Connecticut Valley wind currents and hanging curve balls hit into them. In addition to the baseball, there's always something to learn at a Rock Cats game! Please join us if you can.

Fans wishing to secure tickets to any of the games on this upcoming Homestand are invited to either visit the New Britain Stadium Box Office (M-F: 10 AM - 6 PM/Sat: 10 AM - 2 PM) or call the Rock Cats Ticket Office at (860) 224-8383. For those interested in the personal convenience of on-line purchasing, please visit the club's website - www.rockcats.com - and follow the easy instructions.

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Eastern League Stories from April 26, 2011


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