Rock Cats 7th Homestand Kicks Off Tomorrow Night

Published on June 24, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


With the Rock Cats scheduled to return to their beloved home turf on Friday night (6/25) - and the astronomers telling us that we've now entered the Vernal Equinox - this near simultaneous arrival in Connecticut of both Summer and the Rock Cats portends yet another round of Fun at New Britain Stadium! And while we contemplate the stars - let us be mindful that when the Rock Cats return home on Friday evening they'll be welcoming over the ensuing six days and nights a variety of mortals who aspire to be the future stars of the either the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees. For the very talented Eastern League affiliates of those two nearby American League powers - the Portland Sea Dogs and the Trenton Thunder - will be arriving at New Britain Stadium to do baseball battle with the Rock Cats. And, as this is Rock Cats Baseball, there will be loads of pre-game, between-games, and post-game fun and excitement over the next week at New Britain Stadium. This 7th Homestand of 2010 will include a spectacular Post-game Pyro-Teknics Show, a Thomas & Friends 65th Birthday Party, the first Youth Clinic of 2010, an inspiring Powers of Ability Night, and an occasion for man's best friend to join us at a special Bark in the Park event. And more! Here are the related details:

FRIDAY NIGHT, JUNE 25TH, 6:35 PM: The homestand kicks off at 6:35 PM on Friday night as the Portland Sea Dogs, EL partners of the Boston Red Sox, come to town for a three-game weekend series. Portland has a very talented club and, thus far this season, have taken the measure of our Rock Cats. However, that was before Summer officially arrived and perhaps our seasonal clocks are now ready to kick in! The fun will start early on Friday with a Heineken Happy Hour in the delightful, upper-level Heineken Hot Corner with related food and drink specials starting at 5:05 PM. Joining us for a portion of the evening will be the Heineken Girls, a lively addition to the evening's already festive atmosphere. Come by and say "Y'ALLO!" There will also be a Baseball Giveaway on Friday whereby the first 2,000 kids (12-and-under) through the gates will receive a logo baseball, courtesy of the folks at the Nutmeg State Federal Credit Union. These same good people are sponsoring the evening's post-game Pyro-Teknics Show, always a crowd favorite. And

once the smoke has cleared, the Girl Scouts of Connecticut will take their tents and sleeping bags onto the outfield grass for their annual Sleepover Under The Stars! Whew!

SATURDAY AFTERNOON & EVENING, JUNE 26th, 12:15 and 6:35 PM: Another full day is on tap at New Britain Stadium and it starts at 12:15 PM when Manager Jeff Smith, his Coaches, and several of his players will take to the field to conduct the 2010 Season 1st (of three) Youth Baseball Clinics. Sponsored by TD Bank, these are wonderful occasions when Connecticut and Western Mass kids 12-and-under can go onto the Stadium diamond for 90 minutes and receive instruction directly from the pros. Kids should bring their gloves, a water bottle, and their natural enthusiasm. Parents and Youth League coaches are invited to observe from the stands; all attendees will receive a free (and snazzy) Youth Clinic T-shirt as well as a free ticket to the evening's action against the Red Sox affiliate starting at 6:35 PM. The TD Bank Youth Baseball Clinic will run from approximately 12:15 - 1:45 PM.

The night's baseball action against visiting Portland will be preceded by a Block Party outside the Stadium's Main Gate, starting at approximately 4:30 PM. Sponsored by D'Angelo's and Guida's Milk & Ice Cream, the festivities include a variety of fun (and free) activities for kids of all ages - games, inflatables, etc. While the Block Party is underway, a number of Rock Cats players will join in and be available for autographs/ photographs with fans of all ages. For some of the adults joining us on Saturday, there will be a "Sammy Saturday" Social Hour taking place up at the Samuel Adams Rooftop Bar and Grill, starting at 5:05 PM. Food and Drink Specials will be offered in this terrific open-air setting - join us! If able, you'll likely bump into some of the terrific working men and women who make America go everyday - those associated with Organized Labor. Saturday night is Organized Labor Recognition Night - we will be honoring local Union Workers, with some tossing out ceremonial first pitches! As we recognize them, they reciprocate by providing Travel Mugs which will be given to the first 1,200 adult fans through the gates on Saturday night. Finally, the always popular Launch-A-Ball returns after the game - this is a fun competition where fans of all ages try to toss numbered tennis balls at circular targets on the field to win terrific prizes. All proceeds go to charity - the Rock Cats Foundation - where they are recycled to worthy individuals and causes back in the community! Stick around and take a chance - everybody wins!

SUNDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 27TH, 1:35 PM: The Sea Dogs from Portland are with us for the series' finale at 1:35 PM on Sunday. It was just over a week ago that two of the most recent Sea Dogs to make their way to Fenway Park - OF Daniel Nava and LHP Felix Doubront - got the job done for the Red Sox; it wasn't that long ago that both were wearing Portland uniforms. Even with those two absent, this will be a big day at New Britain Stadium as we'll be celebrating the 65th Birthday of our favorite blue engine, Thomas. Thomas & Friends materials - coloring books, stickers, and a big birthday cake from Carvel - will be available for fans

of Thomas to enjoy. The Tank Engine himself, unfortunately, will be back on the Isle of Sodor with Percy, Gordon, and others as they celebrate at the Roundhouse with a Carvel cake garnished by Lady Hatt. Cinders and Ashes! However, the generous and clever people from Starion Energy will be here offering to lower your electric bills if you choose them as your electricity provider; they are also sponsoring a Sunday Giveway for the first 1,500 adults through the turnstiles. And even though Fathers' Day was last Sunday, we are celebrating this Sunday by offering all Dads the opportunity to enjoy a post-game catch with their child on the Stadium grass. We've been extending this opportunity to parents for several years and its great fun for all who partake. These highly enjoyable, family-centered activities are sponsored by the Barnum Financial Group, who make every Sunday at New Britain Stadium Family Fun Day. Joining in sponsoring the day are our dear friends at the Central Connecticut VNA - making Sundays also "Senior Sunday" at the ball park - when all Seniors receive a coupon for a Free Hot Dog. "Family Fun" at New Britain Stadium truly means fun for everybody - kids, adults, and elders. As it should be!

MONDAY NIGHT, JUNE 28TH, 6:35 PM: With the talented Sea Dogs now paddling out of town, here comes that Jersey bunch affiliated with the 2009 World Champion New York Yankees, the Trenton Thunder. These young Yanks are perfecting their swagger - and with good reason as they've been flirting with 1st Place in the League's Eastern Division all year. They are loaded with talent ... and attitude. But we'll be ready for whatever happens as its Bark in the Park Night in New Britain as we have invited fans to bring their Dogs out to the game. For the third straight year, the Rock Cats invite fans to bring their dogs and stay for the entire game! While owners must purchase a ticket for the dogs as well ($10), that special ticket entitles them to not only entrance to a reserved dog and owner-friendly seating section, but also a special doggie bag filled with treats, gifts, coupons and water for the dog. Plus, a portion of all doggie tickets purchased will go to benefit canine-related charities. Woof! In addition, Monday night is American Red Cross Night at the Stadium, which will include a Lunch Cooler Giveaway for the first 1,200 fans (human) through the gates. The American Red Cross' Connecticut Chapter is celebrating 60 Years of Life-Saving Service! Beyond the above - if the prospect of doing baseball battle with these Young Yankees makes you nervous and you want to feed your nerves - you've come to the right place. Monday Night is All-You-Can-Eat Night at the Stadium whereby for $10 beyond the price of your ticket, you will gain access to a special Picnic Area that will offer you an unlimited variety of ball park fare - Hot Dogs, Hamburgs, Salad, Chicken, and Soft Drinks. All sponsored by Kayem; all delicious. Come hungry!

TUESDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 29th, DOUBLEHEADER, 5:05 PM: The Thunder from the Garden State will be with us again, and on this date we'll double the baseball pleasure with a single-admission, Twilight Doubleheader, starting at 5:05 PM. And all the talent on the field will not belong to the players alone as its also Power of Ability Night at the Stadium where, in concert with The Hartford, the Rock Cats are seeking to raise awareness about the genuine ABILITY of people with disabilities. We'll

be joined by a number of USA Paralympic Athletes who will share their remarkable stories. Each experienced a significant personal setback resulting in a disability - and each overcame that obstacle and achieved success both on the field of competition, and in their respective professions. In between tonight's two games - each will be 7-innings in duration - we'll be introduced to some of these terrific, TALENTED people. And, as its Tuesday, it's also Kids Eat Free Night at the park, when all children 12-and-under receive a Coupon upon entry to receive a Free Hot Dog and Drink, thanks to the good folks at Bimbo (pronounced BEAM-bo) Bread.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 30th, 12:05 PM: The 4-game series with Trenton - and, indeed, Homestand #7 - will wrap up with a 12:05 PM game on Wednesday. The ‘Cats are also calling this one Kids Opening Day as it's the first day game at New Britain Stadium since local schools dismissed their young scholars for the Summer. To celebrate the occasion, beyond the great baseball on the diamond, we'll be joined by a few popular characters from Wiggles World up the road at Six Flags New England in Western Massachusetts. "In the house" on Wednesday morning will be none other than Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaurs, Wags the Dog, and Henry the Octopus. In addition, even though it's High Noon on Wednesday, its still Wednesday which means it's an SBLI Family 4 Pack opportunity, when fans can get 4 Reserved Seats, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Pop Corns and 4 Soft Drinks for just $30! Great deal.

Good seats remain for all of the games on the Rock Cats' 7th Homestand of 2010. Fans interested in procuring tickets may do so by visiting the Box Office at New Britain Stadium (M-F; 10 AM to 6 PM) or by calling the Ticket Office at (860) 224-8383. Fans interested in the convenience of on-line purchasing may secure tickets in that fashion by visiting the Club's website at www.rockcats.com.

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Eastern League Stories from June 24, 2010


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