Rock Cats 7th Homestand of 2008 Starts Tonight

Published on June 23, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - With the calendar page reading late June - and the 2008 Eastern League Season now, incredibly, at the half-way pole - the Rock Cats are about to kick off their 7th Homestand of the year at New Britain Stadium. And while this particular home stretch will be short in duration - just 4 weekday games against the visiting New Hampshire Fisher Cats, EL partners of the American League's Toronto Blue Jays - it is disproportionately long on value-added features, making it one of the most anticipated homestands of the season. Here are the related details:

MONDAY NIGHT, JUNE 23rd, 6:35 PM: The Rock Cats will open this abbreviated homestand on Monday night with a 6:35 PM game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Affiliated with the American League's Toronto Blue Jays, these visiting felines always play the Rock Cats tough, right to the final out. In addition to the competitive action on the field, the ‘Cats will also be conducting a Tribute to The Negro Leagues, celebrating the rich history of those segregated, talent-laden baseball circuits that operated in various forms from before the turn of the century up until 1948. The Tribute, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance agents, will feature both a Josh Gibson Baseball Card giveaway, as well as an on-field, pre-game appearance by Sean Gibson - Josh's grandson - who will address the Stadium crowd. Moreover, a Negro League Hall of Fame Exhibit - entitled The Times, Teams & Talent - will be on site for fans to explore and learn more about the fascinating history that was African-American baseball.

TUESDAY NIGHT, JUNE 24th, 6:35 PM: The homestand continues on Tuesday night when the Granite State's Fisher Cats return for Game 2 of this 4-game set. As this is also Disability Awareness Night at the Stadium - an occasion for us to bring attention to all those things our disabled friends and neighbors can do - we'll have a pre-game, on-field parade and ceremony honoring some local residents who have overcome a variety of personal challenges to accomplish great things! A number of individuals - as well as key personnel from various support groups - will be recognized both on the diamond and up on the giant video board. Further, our friends at Bearingstar Insurance will have a table inside the main gates and, in exchange for just the opportunity to provide a no-obligation quote on fans' homeowner's insurance, they'll make a donation to the disability-related community organization of the partic-pating fan's choice! Good deal!

Speaking of "good deals", there's more: Tuesday night is also Step-Stool Giveaway night for the first 500 adults through the gates, courtesy of our friends at Levy & Droney. And as with every Tuesday evening at New Britain Stadium, it's also Kids Eat Free Night. Courtesy of Harte Nissan and 102.9 WDRC-FM, all kids 12-and-under will receive a voucher upon passing through the gates that gets them a free Hot Dog and Mott's Juice. The younger kids can use Mom and Dad's new step-stool to tell the person behind the counter exactly what they want!

Last but not least, Tuesday night is the evening when the Rock Cats will be announcing the winners of the Rock Cats Foundation/Dunkin' Donuts Scholarships for 2008.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT, JUNE 25th, 6:35 PM: The Fisher Cats are back on Wednesday night for the third tilt of this 4-game meeting. And as Wednesday is the last day of school for many local school districts, it is also Educators Night at New Britain Stadium. Sponsored again by Bearingstar Insurance, they and the Rock Cats will devote the early part of the evening to honoring local teachers and school staff members who, often overlooked and undervalued, routinely go above and beyond for our kids in school. We'll have an on-field, pre-game ceremony tipping our collective caps to them all. Moreover, everyone who joins us on Wednesday night who works in the educational field will get a free Rock Cats t-shirt and will also have, thanks to Bearingtar Insurance, an opportunity to win a raffle that will yield either a $100 gas card or a $100 gift card to Mohegan Sun. The Stadium gates will open at 5:00 PM and, once our favorite teachers have clapped their erasers for the final time this year, they can join us for a special Social Hour in the Sam Adams Rooftop Bar and Grill. They've received this salute the old-fashioned way -they earned it! Thanks!

Moreover, our friends at the Holiday Inn Express Southington - the Rock Cats' home away from home - will be on-hand Wednesday night to present a Free Umbrella to the first 1,200 adult fans through the gates. And finally, as its Wednesday, it's also Family 4-Pack Night, whereby families get 4 Reserved Seats, 4 Kayem Hot Dogs, 4 Sodas and 4 Popcorns for only $30! This terrific deal is again sponsored by our buddies at NBC-30 and SBLI.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 26th, 12:05 PM: As Thursday is the Summer Soltice - the first official day of Summer - the Rock Cats will welcome the kids of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts in to the Stadium for "Kids Opening Day/2008". School is out - the Fisher Cats from New Hampshire are in one final time - so let's get together at High Noon and celebrate together! And celebrate we shall as those very popular children's entertainers, The Wiggles, will be with us! This exclusive appearance of Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, and Captain Feathersword, the Friendly Pirate - is made possible by our friends at Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA; The Wiggles appear there daily from April to November. Bring your kids - or grandkids - and join us for this special, fun day.

The New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A, Eastern League affiliate of the American League's Minnesota Twins.

Fans interested in The Negro Leagues, Educators Night, Disability Awareness Night, or Kids Opening Day may secure tickets for these special events by either calling the Rock Cats Ticket Office (860) 224-8383, or by visiting the Stadium's Box Office (M-F: 10 AM-2 PM; Sat: 10 AM -2 PM) or the Club's website - www.rockcats.com; the latter enables the convenience of on-line ticket purchases.

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Eastern League Stories from June 23, 2008


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