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Rock Cats Set for Weekend Homestand

July 29, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - While most people try to get away on Summer weekends, the New Britain Rock Cats will be happily staying at home this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That because they have lots of company coming to visit them at New Britain Stadium this weekend - a three-day stretch that will also close out the month of July - begin August and, for all intents and purposes - commence the late-season stretch of baseball that will determine which Eastern League teams make the coveted 2009 Postseason. While the Rock Cats are clearly in the hunt, it is essential that they begin to make serious hay on their home turf.

Their baseball guests for this important three-day period will be the Bowie Baysox, EL partners of the American League's Baltimore Orioles. And, per usual, there will be loads of other fun things happening in and around New Britain Stadium this weekend such that the ballpark will be a highly enjoyable place to be from Friday night to Sunday afternoon.

Here are the related details:

FRIDAY NIGHT, JULY 31ST, 7:05 PM: The talented Bowie Baysox invade New Britain Stadium for three games, starting on Friday night. A key component of a Minor League system that many experts are now calling the most improved in all of baseball, this Baltimore Orioles' affiliate is clearly on the rise. If the Rock Cats are going to be successful in their quest for a 2009 Playoff berth, they'll need to subdue this rising club. So the baseball this weekend should be superb - as will be a couple of other activities taking place on the field Friday night. It's Western Mass Night in New Britain and the ‘Cats are most pleased to be paying tribute to a section of our territory that is not only loaded with ‘Cats fans - but an area that has launched some memorable MLB careers - how about former Orioles' great Mark Belanger (Pittsfield) - while also enjoying a distinguished baseball tradition. Thanks to the good folks at Dinn Brothers Trophies (West Springfield), we'll proudly have a few of the Western Mass baseball notables with us for ceremonial First Pitches. And once all the action on the diamond has concluded, we'll send everyone home - including our guess from the American Cancer Society/Relay for Life and March of Dimes/CT - with a smile thanks to our Postgame Fireworks Show, made possible once again by our great friends at The Stanley Works.

SATURDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 1st, 7:05 PM: The Baysox from Maryland are back with us for Game #2 of this important 3-game set. And fans may want to arrive early because - starting at 4:30 PM outside the Stadium's front gates - a Pregame Block Party will be underway, sponsored by our friends at D'Angelos and 7 Eleven. There'll be lots of free sampling as well as food and drink specials from both of these valuable community providers. In addition, there will be a variety of free games and bouncy inflatables for the kids. And - for those Wi fanatics - our pals from four local Best Buy Stores will be hosting the 1st Wi Home Run Derby! Kids 14-and-under may participate in this unique experience - possibly even compete against Rock Cats players - with the top scorer from each Store coming back at a later date to face off for the title of Rock Cats' Home Run Derby "Virtual Wi-ality Champion." And that's all before the game starts...

Once the evening's 7:05 PM game begins, we'll be joined by one of the great sports venue acts currently touring, "Zooper stars!" Fans of all ages will get a belly laugh out of characters such as Clammy Sosa and Derek Cheetah, and we have the good people at MRI of New Britain to thank for this appearance. Finally, as it's Saturday night, it's also AT&T Launch-A-Ball Night, a delightful post game activity that gets both kids and adults into the competition for great prizes. Take your chances by tossing a numbered tennis ball at a target on the field and see if you win! In fact, everybody wins as all proceeds go to the Rock Cats Foundation, our charitable entity that helps those in need. Among our guests on Saturday night will be the Connecticut Elks Association and The American Diabetes Association. Welcome!

SUNDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 2nd, 1:35 PM: The series with Bowie will conclude on Sunday afternoon with a 1:35 PM contest. While the game is the centerpiece of the day's action, there'll be other fun activities taking place at the Stadium as well. There will be a Webkin Giveway for kids 12-and-under on Sunday afternoon, thanks to the good people at Connecticut Natural Gas and Southern Connecticut Gas. Moreover, before the game even starts - from 12 Noon to 1:00 PM - SuperWhy from PBS Kids and CPTV will be with us to greet kids and families and enjoy a Read Along and Story Time. Wonderful stuff for our youngest fans! This opportunity is made possible by our super pals at the Barnum Financial Group - it's a logical addition to their regular Family Fun Day at New Britain Stadium. Because of BFG, all kids 12-and under will get to Run-The-Bases following the afternoon's game! And Sunday is also "Food Allergy Awareness Day", a time when fans with food allergies may sit in a specially-sanitized section of the park and fully enjoy all the fun that is Rock Cats Baseball. As the credit card commercial intones, "Priceless!" Bring the kids!

We'll also be joined on Sunday afternoon by representatives from CJ's Fund, and the Network Against Domestic Abuse, Central Connecticut. We're delighted to have you.

The New Britain Rock Cats are the Eastern League affiliate of the American League's Minnesota Twins. Fans interested in securing tickets to the three games on this - the

Rock Cats' 9th Homestand of 2009 - may do so by visiting the Stadium Box Office between 10 AM and 6 PM (M-F) or from 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturdays. Fans may also get tickets by calling the Rock Cats Ticket Office at (860) 224-8383 or, if seeking the convenience of online purchasing, may visit the club's website - www.rockcats.com - and follow the related instructions.

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