Rock Cats prepare for 10th homestand of 2009

Published on August 9, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - With the calendar page now turned to August and glorious, late-Summer weather now firmly in place in southern New England - the New Britain Rock Cats are about to raise the curtain on their 10th (of 13!) Homestand of the 2009 Season. The important baseball action at New Britain Stadium will kick off on Tuesday night, August 11th, when the first of two high-flying Southern Division clubs - the Erie SeaWolves, Eastern League partners of the American League's Detroit Tigers, arrive in the Hardware City for the first of three contests against the host Rock Cats. Tuesday evening's 7:05 PM opening contest will commence a 6-games-in-6-days stretch for the 'Cats that, following the initial three mid-week games with the Tigers' cubs from Ohio, will continue over the weekend with three more against another Southern foe, the Akron Aeros, EL affiliate of the American League's Cleveland Indians. And if all this hardball action isn't enough for you, there'll also be a post-game Fireworks Show, a pre-game Block Party, Beachball, Softee Ball and Lunch Cooler Giveaways, Rocky's Birthday Party, Latino Day, and another Famous Dancing Christopher performance! What a combo: terrific baseball laden with post-season implications - and great family fun!

Here are the details of the scheduled action in and around New Britain Stadium for the period between Tuesday, August 11th and Sunday, August 16th:

TUESDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 11th , 7:05 PM: With the Rock Cats back in town after a quick 6-game road swing through Pennsylvania and Ohio, the Boys from the Hardware City now return the hospitality by hosting the same two talented clubs back here in the Nutmeg State. First to arrive at the Stadium will be the Erie SeaWolves, partners of the American League's Detroit Tigers. A Southern Division entry, the young Bengals are stocked with prospects and their outstanding record reflects that. Beyond the exciting baseball competition, Tuesday night is also the time when one of the hippest acts in sports - Myron Noodleman - will be at the Stadium to entertain fans of all ages! The very amusing Mr. Noodleman will be with us thanks to our friends at Freihofer's. Moreover, it's also Reading Books in Summer (RBIs) Week at the Stadium, when kids who've kept up their summer reading during school vacation will, as a reward from the smart people at Big Y, be joining us at the ball park for some baseball fun! We are honored. And speaking of kids and Freihofer's - as its Tuesday night - it is also Kids Eat Free Night in New Britain, whereby all fans 12-and-under receive a coupon upon entry for a free Hot Dog (Kayem!) and Soft Drink. Once again, this fun and economical opportunity is made possible by our friends at the Harte Nissan. Pass the relish!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 12th, 7:05 PM: The SeaWolves are back at 7:05 PM to play Game #2 of this mid-week, three-game series. These young Tigers from the Keystone State are a confident bunch and are always a tough foe for the ‘Cats. The gates of New Britain Stadium will swing open at 6:05 PM this particular evening and awaiting the first 1,200 young fans - those 12-and-under - will be representatives from Webster Bank giving away spiffy Lunch Coolers! In addition - as it's Wednesday - it's also Family 4-Pack Night at the Stadium whereby fans get 4 Reserved Seats, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Sodas, and 4 Popcorns, for just $30, thanks to our pals at SBLI. We'll also be enjoying the company of several hundred more participants in the 2009 Reading Books in Summer Program on this night - have fun - and thanks Big Y!

THURSDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 13th, 7:05 PM: The gang from PA will be back at the Stadium for the third and final game of this three-game set on Thursday evening at 7:05 PM. Thursday is also Meet The Players Night, whereby fans can file into the home dugout at approximately 5:15 PM for a "meet and greet" and autograph session with a number of the Rock Cats players. This unique opportunity is made possible by our longtime friends at Guida's Milk & Ice Cream. There will also be a birthday celebration at the Stadium on Thursday night - Rocky, the Cats' popular mascot - will be celebrating yet another milestone and, as part of the fun - he'll be at the gates handing out - thanks to the folks at Celebration Foods - free Beach Balls carrying the Rock Cats logo! Rocky - whose every need is already taken care of - wants to give back to the community and is therefore asking his generous friends to bring an unwrapped gift to the game so he, in turn, can donate them to the good people at the local Salvation Army. That's a good Cat! In addition to these activities, the Stadium gates will be opening early - 5:00 PM - as a Social Hour with live music will be taking place at the open-air Samuel Adams Rooftop Bar and Grill. Food and drink specials will be available, and we'll be joined by fundraisers from the Make A Wish Foundation as well as the Central CT Association for Retarded Citizens. Raise a well-deserved al fresco glass with all of these good people and, if you have time, lap up some milk in tribute to that furry birthday boy, Rocky!

FRIDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 14TH, 7:05 PM: On Friday night, the on-field opposition changes to another opponent from the Eastern League's Southern Division, the Akron Aeros. EL partners of the American League's Cleveland Indians, the Aeros are another well-balanced squad with an excellent pitching staff. Like their guests, the Rock Cats have also been at or near the top of the League's offensive charts for most of 2009, so this particular match-up could produce some fireworks out of the respective batters' boxes! Friday's 7:05 PM contest will be but Game #1 of a three-game Weekend Series, and our youngest fans will be greeted at the front gates with a Softee Ball Giveaway, thanks to the efficient folks at Automatic TLC Energy. And speaking of pyrotechnics, once the exciting action concludes on the field, there'll be a post-game Fireworks Show for all to enjoy under the Connecticut stars. This après-game spectacular is sponsored by our compassionate and reliable friends at The Hospital for Special Care. We'll also be welcoming the Alzheimer's Association of Connecticut on Friday night for an in-Stadium fundraiser; supporters will wear purple.... SATURDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 15TH, 7:05 PM: The young Aeros from the Buckeye State are back with us at 7:05 PM on Saturday night for the middle game of this three-game showdown. And on this date - in addition to all the baseball competition on the field - there'll be loads of pre-and post-game action. Before the baseball begins, there will be a pre-game Block Party outside the Stadium's front gates as our friends from D'Angelo's and 7-11 will be out there offering food and drink samples and specials to fans who drop by from 4:30 PM on! For the kids, there will be games, bouncy inflatables, and other age-related fun activities on site as well. Once fans start streaming through the front gates, they'll want to get settled in for the 2009 season's third and final appearance in New Britain by the wildly entertaining, Famous Dancing Christopher. This stadium performer makes fans of all ages laugh - come see for yourself! Saturday night will also be Athletes Against Autism Night at the Stadium - the Rock Cats will be wearing their blue puzzle piece jerseys - and the wonderful people at Autism Speaks will use the evening as both a fundraising and occasion for raising public awareness at this "Strike Out Autism" event. Finally, once the evening's game concludes, there will the Saturday night post-game fun called AT&T Launch-A-Ball, whereby participating fans toss tennis balls at on-field targets with a chance to win great prizes. It's a blast, and all the proceeds benefit the Rock Cats Foundation which, in turn, helps our neighbors in need. A Win-Win!

SUNDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 16th, 1:35 PM: The 2009 Season's 10th - and third to last! - Homestand will conclude with a special 1:35 PM Sunday afternoon game between the Rock Cats and the very capable crew from Akron. Making the day even more exciting, Sunday will also be the 10th Annual Latino Baseball Fiesta with loads of events in and around the Stadium intended to recognize the contributions to both baseball and the community at-large made by Latinos. Sponsored by Bud Light, Univision, Click-It-Or-Ticket, and Hot 93.7 FM, the fun will commence with a pre-game festival - including games and entertainment - in front of the Main Gates at 11:30 AM. Festivities will include an appearance by the Hot 93.7 FM Raggaeton show, and authentic Latin cuisine. The celebration will continue during the game with Latin music between innings, along with information and trivia games regarding great Hispanic players throughout the history of baseball. Once the game ends - the family fun doesn't - as Sunday is Family Fun Day at the Stadium in which all kids are invited to come onto the field for a postgame Run-of-the-Bases, thanks to our friends at the Barnum Financial Group. Whew!

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Eastern League Stories from August 9, 2009


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