Rock Cats Coming Home For 4th Homestand Of New Season

Published on May 18, 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 terrific start - they are currently in 1st Place with the best record in the League - the team is set to return home to New Britain Stadium this Friday night (5/20) to begin their 4th Homestand of the new season, an 8-game 'stand against two tough Eastern Division foes - New Hampshire (partners of the AL's Toronto Blue Jays), and Binghamton, affiliated with the National League's New York Mets. Both clubs are loaded with talented prospects and if the Connecticut 'Cats are to extend their winning ways, they'll need to be at the top of their game against these two. And, as all the baseball action will be taking place at New Britain Stadium there will be lots of family-centered activities happening in and around the ballpark throughout this 4th Homestand of the year.

Here are details associated with this May 20th thru May 26th stretch at the Stadium:

FRIDAY NIGHT, MAY 20th, 6:35 PM:

The 4th Homestand of 2011 kicks off when the New Hampshire Fisher Cats - all aspiring Toronto Blue Jays - arrive at New Britain Stadium on Friday night to begin a 4-games-in-3-days Weekend Series. The Granite State Fisher Cats have former big league Catcher Sal Fasano at the helm, and he's had his squad at or near the top the EL's East Division for the past month. This is no surprise as these other 'Cats are loaded with players who Baseball America deems to be among the brightest Prospects in the entire Toronto system. This should thus be another competitive - and fun - weekend! In addition to the baseball, Friday night is also the occasion for a terrific in-Stadium, Postgame Pyroteknics Show, something that will illuminate the New Britain skies and provide enjoyment for fans of all ages!

SATURDAY NIGHT, MAY 21st, 6:35 PM:

Game 2 with New Hampshire 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 mascots, games, inflatables, and related fun activities for kids - as well as a variety of food sampling stations for both kids and adults. It's all free and a great chance for our younger fans to play some games of their own - get some fresh air and exercise - before entering the Stadium for the evening game. And once inside, the fun only increases as none other than The ZOOperstars Inflatable Mascot Act - the very funny "impersonators" of famous baseball figures like Clammy Sosa and Derek Cheetah - are back! Don't miss this most entertaining on-field act as it's got something to tickle the funny bone of every fan! And, after the ball game between the Rock Cats and New Hampshire ends, 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.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON, MAY 22ND, DOUBLEHEADER @ 1:35 PM:

The Rock Cats and their guests from New Hampshire will play TWO games on the final day of this compact weekend series; Game 1's first pitch is scheduled for 1:35 PM with Game 2's slated for 25 minutes after the conclusion of the opener, with both games being 7-innings in duration. But the Fisher Cats won't be the only guests at the ball yard on Sunday afternoon - we've also got the riotous BirdZerk Inflatable Mascot in the house! Just seeing one of the normally very staid Umpires give it up to dance with this guy is totally worth the price of admission! And speaking of admission - its two-games-for-the-price-of-one as this is a single-admission event - pay for one and get two - and the LOL entertainment of BirdZerk! Great deal! 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. Wonderful experience for all involved!

MONDAY NIGHT, MAY 23RD, 6:35 PM:

With the Fisher Cats from the Granite State now departed, in comes the always popular Binghamton Mets, the EL affiliate of the New York Metropolitans. This is another talented squad with former Mets' standout, Wally Backman, at the controls. This group hosted the Rock Cats in a 3-game set just last week and, in a very competitive series, Manager Jeff Smith's club took two-of-three in western New York. These young Mets are loaded with talent and will be looking to return the favor on the New Britain diamond from Monday night thru Thursday morning. As a bonus for fans, the first 1,200 fans through the gates on Monday night will receive a special Baseball Card Set of Twins' Prospects, courtesy of the great folks at the Disabled American Veterans group. Further, Monday night is also the weekly occasion for fans to enjoy the All-You-Can Eat Bar-B-Q as, for an extra $12, participants get an unlimited number of Hot Dogs, Hamburgs, Soft Drinks, 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 great ball park fare - KAYEM!

TUESDAY NIGHT, MAY 24TH, 6:35 PM:

The young Mets are back with us for Game 2 of this 4-game set at 6:35 PM. The Binghamton franchise has produced a number of outstanding players over the years, with the current left side of the New York infield - studs SS Jose Reyes and 3B David Wright - just two recent examples. It is very likely that more of that ilk are in the pipeline and, with luck, on the current Bingo roster. These two teams always play one another tough - no matter the location. What's not tough is what it will cost to feed the kids on Tuesday night as its KIDS Eat Free Night at the Stadium! All kids 12 and under will receive a coupon on their way through the gates for a Free Hot Dog, Drink, and a Bag of Little Bites Muffins; this every-Tuesday-night-special is made possible by our friends at Bimbo Bread. Moreover, the BIMBO folks will be distributing free bread products at the gates on Tuesday evening. And don't forget that Tuesday is also KRAFT Singles Night - bring a KRAFT Singles wrapper to the Box Office and, with a paying companion, receive a free ticket to the game. Free Food, Free Ticket...WOW!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT, MAY 25TH, 6:35 PM:

Wally Backman's Binghamton club is back with us for Game 3 of this 4-game set at 6:35 PM on Wednesday night. These two teams always play each other all out - and with a large number of vocal Mets fans typically cheering on their favs while sitting by the visitors' third base dugout, the atmosphere in the Stadium can be charged. Maybe they're not here for the Mets - maybe it's really the Wednesday Night Family 4-Pack - the best deal in baseball - whereby fans get 4 Reserved Seats, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Popcorns, and 4 Drinks...all for $30! All sponsored by the great people at VantisLife.

THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 26TH, 10:35 AM:

This series - and Homestand - conclude with another one of the popular daytime Baseball in Education Day games at the Stadium. The 10:35 AM start gives business persons a chance to extend their lunch hours to catch a little baseball - and provides retirees and traditionalists the delightful opportunity to both see a ballgame in daylight - and also get home in time for the afternoon nap. We'll also be joined by some local school children on Thursday - and the folks from nearby Talcott Mountain Science Center will be on hand to instruct everyone in the physics of the curveball, the slider, prevailing Springtime wind currents in central Connecticut - and how all of those may affect today's game! Bring your notebooks! And make a note that today's fun events are sponsored by our pals at DATTCO and Achieve Financial!

Good seats remain available for all eight games on this 4th Homestand of the 2011 Season. Fans seeking to purchase tickets may do so by visiting the New Britain Stadium Box Office (10 AM and 6 PM) or by calling the Rock Cats Ticket Office at (860) 224-8383 during regular business hours. For those interested in the convenience of on-line purchasing, please visit the Rock Cats' website (www.rockcats.com) and follow the easy instructions. Please do join us if you can!

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Eastern League Stories from May 18, 2011


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