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Rock Cats Start 11th Homestand of 2010 Season Tomorrow Night

August 2, 2010 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - With the calendar page now suddenly reading "August", the Rock Cats are preparing to enter the home stretch of their 2010 Eastern League Season. Fresh off a week-long road trip that took them to Trenton, NJ and Bowie, MD, the `Cats are delighted to be returning home to New Britain Stadium to play in front of their famously loyal fans for the next six days and nights. The team is far from satisfied with the results of the campaign's first four months, so Mgr. Smith's guys will be looking to do all they can to balance the baseball scales over the season's remaining six weeks. That "correction" will begin tomorrow night when the never-say-die Rock Cats will host Erie, the first of two Western Division clubs coming to the Hardware City this week. The SeaWolves - affiliated with the American League's Detroit Tigers - will be with us for three 7:05 PM games from Tuesday through Thursday, before Akron - partners of the AL's Cleveland Indians - gallop into town for games on Friday and Saturday nights before the curtain descends on this 11th Homestand of the year Sunday afternoon at 1:35 PM. And, as its Rock Cats Baseball, there will be lots of pre-game, in-game, and post-game fun for fans of all ages at New Britain Stadium all week long! Here's a preview:

TUESDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 3rd, 7:05 PM:

The Erie SeaWolves, managed by former big leaguer Phil Nevin, will make their way to central Connecticut on Tuesday evening to begin three nights of baseball battle with the host Rock Cats. Affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, the `Wolves are a competitive club that has already advanced a number of young guys closer to the Motor City this year; no bailouts needed here! The reconstituted Rock Cats can't wait to get the action started however, as they see this homestand as one where they'll gain traction for the stretch run. Should be great fun. And, as its Tuesday night, its Kids Eat Free Night at the Stadium where all kids 12-and-under receive a coupon upon entry for a Free Hot Dog and Drink, courtesy of our pals at Bimbo Bread. Not to be left out, the first 1,200 adults through the gates on Tuesday night will get a Free T-Shirt courtesy of our friends at Chase Parkway Volvo. Like all things Volvo, you'll just feel safer wearing this!

And you might feel a little philosophical as well as its Greek-American Night at the Stadium, with food and drink specials available. Togas optional- pass the baklava!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 4th, 7:05 PM:

Erie is back again for Game #2 of this 3-game set. Beyond the baseball action, there's a ton going on this night in the Hardware City. For openers, it's Wednesday which means its SBLI Family 4-Pack Night at the Stadium, whereby fans get 4 Reserved Seats, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Popcorns and 4 Soft Drinks for just $30! This could be the best deal in all of baseball! But wait - there's more! Wednesday is also Joe Mauer Kids Jersey Giveaway Night - the first 1,000 kids through the turnstiles will receive a replica jersey of the former Rock Cat who has gone on to win the AL Batting Crown and become the League's MVP. Not bad! The Jersey Giveaway is courtesy of our friends at Webster Bank. Not to forget the grown-ups, 1,200 of those good people will receive an Adult Gym Bag on Wednesday evening, thanks to those caring folks at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center's Department of Surgery and their Connecticut Joint Replacement Institute. Something for everybody on Wednesday night!

THURSDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 5th, 7:05 PM:

The `Cats and `Wolves will go at it in the third and final tilt of this series at 7:05 PM on Thursday night. And as we get deep into the 2010 Season's second half, Manager Smith's guys will be looking to take this first home series of August and thereby set a winning tone for the campaign's final weeks. It won't be easy, but the boys are rested and ready. Thursday night will also be Beach Towel Giveaway Night at the Stadium as the first 1,500 fans through the gates will receive a snazzy beach towel courtesy of the cool people at The Hospital for Central Connecticut. Thursday is also an occasion for another Twisted Tea Social Hour where there will be Live Music and Food and Drink specials in the Stadium's upper-level from 5:30 PM onward. Come in, cool off, and pat yourself down with your new towel!

FRIDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 6th, 7:05 PM:

With the Erie club now headed back to Pennsylvania, here come the Akron Aeros, a very solid club managed by the former Indian, Joel Skinner, and featuring a Western Mass kid - southpaw Scott Barnes - in their starting rotation. The 21-year-old Barnes out of Chicopee, MA and St. John's, is the workhorse of the Aeros' staff having already tossed a team-leading 103 innings. Game 1 of this three-game Weekend Series will get going at 7:05 PM on Friday night. The Ohio team that launched the likes of C.C. Sabathia, Victor Martinez and, oh yeah, Manny Ramirez, is once again stocked with talented Prospects who hope soon to advance to the next level. On the subject of rising and shining - sort of - Friday night will also feature another Spectacular Post-Game Fireworks Show, sponsored by our good friends at The Hospital for Special Care. And to get everyone in the mood for both the baseball competition and the Fireworks, gates will open at 5:30 PM for another Heineken Happy Hour in the most hospitable Heineken Hot Corner. Join the Heineken Girls - and us - on Friday night!

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SATURDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 7, 12:30-2:00 PM - ROCK CATS'YOUTH BASEBALL CLINIC

At 12:30 PM New Britain Manager Jeff Smith - his Coaching Staff and Players - will head out of the home

dugout and onto the Stadium diamond to conduct the 2010 Season's 3rd Youth Baseball Clinic. These are terrific occasions when kids - both boys and girls 12-and-under - are invited onto the field to receive a variety of hitting, fielding, throwing and base running tips from the pros! The session - sponsored by the good people at TD Bank - will run 90 minutes and is the final one schedule this year. Kids are advised to bring their own hats, gloves, bats and, as appropriate, water. All attendees (kids) who register inside the Stadium's Main Gate will receive both a Rock Cats 2010 TD Bank Youth Clinic T-Shirt and a free ticket to Saturday night's game against visiting Akron. Youth League Coaches, Moms, Dads, and Grandparents are all warmly invited to sit in the stands as our guests - while observing their favorite stars go through their instructional paces. Great fun - great deal!

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SATURDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 7th, 7:05 PM:

While Game #2 of this important series has a 7:05 PM first pitch - the action outside the Stadium will start

a lot sooner than that. There will be a Saturday night Pre-Game Block Party in the parking lot starting at 5:00 PM. Sponsored by our neighbors at Guida's Milk & Ice Cream and D'Angelo's, the late afternoon fun will consist of a variety of games, inflatables, and other kid-centered pursuits that should get everyone in the mood for the baseball action that follows. And if you happen to hear a band off in the distance rehearsing popular songs "YMCA" or "In The Navy" - you won't be imagining things as that's just the Famous Dancing Christopher inside the Stadium rehearsing his crowd-pleasing act! Yes, Dancing Christopher will be "in the house" and performing several times once the Saturday night game gets started. His ever-popular appearance is sponsored by the very capable crew at MRI of New Britain. All this fun activity could prove somewhat tiringif you're a Boy Scout, this could be your lucky night. Boy Scout Troops from all over Connecticut will be camping out under the stars on the Outfield grass Saturday night. What a delightful way to conclude a very active day!

SUNDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 8th, 1:35 PM:

The series' finale between the Rock Cats and visiting Akron will take place at 1:35 PM on Sunday afternoon. Sleep late on Sunday morning because, once again, there is lots of fun stuff happening at New Britain Stadium in the afternoon! For openers, it's another Family Fun Day at the Stadium - with a Post-Game Run-of-the-Bases - sponsored by the terrific people at the Barnum Financial Group. This family-centered event has proven to be a highly-valued Sunday staple for everyone who participates; join us! Moreover, this Sunday is also both Kosher Day - with Kosher Fare available in the Best Buy Picnic Area - and Latino Beisbol Fiesta Day - whereby the Rock Cats will pay special tribute to the Game's Latin players. This particular fun is sponsored by Budweiser and will include a Pre-Game Concert on the field starting about 12 Noon!

Good seats remain available for all six games this week against Erie and Akron. Fans may secure tickets either by stopping by the New Britain Stadium Box Office between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM - or by calling the Rock Cats Ticket Office at (860) 224-8383. For those interested in the convenience of on-line purchasing, tickets may be procured in this manner by visiting the Club's website - www.rockcats.com - and following the easy instructions.



Eastern League Stories from August 2, 2010


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