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Rock Cats Twefth Homestand of 2008 Season

August 12, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - As the New Britain Rock Cats enter the homestretch of the 2008 Season, the Eastern League's schedule-maker has them playing 10 of their final thirteen games within the friendly confines of New Britain Stadium. And while the Rock Cats are unlikely to qualify for post-season play themselves - they are uniquely positioned to have a large impact on who will - as almost every team they encounter from now until Labor Day can claim a realistic path to the 2008 Playoffs. This dynamic will focus a great deal of attention on the baseball happenings at New Britain Stadium next week, as two Southern Division contenders - red-hot Erie and 1st Place Akron - enter the Hardware City for separate, important three-game series. And, as it's the Rock Cats, there will be loads of pre-and post-game entertainment and giveaways wrapped around the baseball such that there will be fun and enjoyment for fans of all ages!

The details of the Rock Cats' 12th Homestand of 2008 are as follows:

TUESDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 19th, 7:05 PM: The Rock Cats will open the six-game Homestand with three big games against the hard-charging Erie SeaWolves, Eastern League affiliates of the American League's Detroit Tigers. This Erie squad is a bit like "Silky Sullivan" of old - a famously slow-starting horse who always managed to come from the back of the pack and challenge at the wire. The SeaWolves had a woeful start, but are now the hottest team in the League. What immediately stands between them and a further climb in the standings is the Rock Cats - so get set for some intense hardball competition here at the Stadium. And baseballs will not be the only thing zooming around the field on Tuesday night - it's also TSI Harley-Davidson Night at the park with the annual Parade of Hogs on the field at 6:00 PM! Come early - the first 1,500 adults will receive a unique Harley-Davidson/Rock Cats Baseball Cap. Furthermore, Tuesday is also Kids Eat Free Night, thanks to Harte Nissan. This means that every child 12-and-under gets a coupon upon entry for a free Hot Dog and Mott's Juice drink! Come early and hungry!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 20th, 7:05 PM: Game #2 of the competition with our visitors from Erie will be Tuesday evening at 7:05 PM. This Detroit Tigers partner is loaded with talent and the Rock Cats will need to be at the top of their collective game to slow down their late-season charge. Before the pro action starts, however, there will be other baseball action on the New Britain Stadium diamond. The finals of the 2008 Hit, Run, and Throw contest will take place at 6:15 PM - with 9 final contestants from a variety of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts Little League and Youth Baseball Leagues competing. These kids have survived three previous rounds of competition and will be vying for the top spot on Wednesday night. These youngsters are just 9 and 10 years-old - they're all winners already! The region-wide competition has been sponsored all season by Emerge, the tasty enhanced water drink that is rapidly becoming a fan favorite. Another big fan favorite is Webster Bank, as they are will be on hand to give away a highly useful, collapsible Clothes Hamper/Toy Bin, that every Mom and Dad is going to find a practical use for. These are cool, feature the Rock Cats' logo, and will be available to the first 1,500 adult fans through the gates on Wednesday night. Lastly, as it's Wednesday, it's also Family 4-Pack Night at the Stadium whereby fans gets 4 Reserved Seats, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Popcorns, and 4 Sodas for $30! This popular Wednesday night staple is again sponsored by SBLI.

THURSDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 21st, 7:05 PM: The gang from the Keystone State will be with us for one final contest at 7:05 PM as we close out this mid-week, three-game set. The SeaWolves came in on a mission and the ‘Cats will continue doing all they can in this series finale to slow them down. In addition to the baseball, Thursday night is also Red, White, and Blue Tribute Night as the Rock Cats once again salute America's First Responders - our heroic men and women in the Military, Police, Fire, and EMT services - the folks who are about the daily business of protecting us from harm. Join us in giving them all a well-deserved Standing O! In addition, this evening will also be accompanied by lots of pre-game action: A Parade of First Responders Vehicles will motor around the field; a group of Rock Cats players will be on the diamond between 5:30 - 6:00 PM - courtesy of our friends at Guida's Milk & Ice Cream - to meet fans, take pictures and sign autographs; a Social Hour featuring a Samuel Adams Beer Lover's Choice tasting will kick off at 5:30 PM as well. Lastly, speaking of heroes, the ones from the American Red Cross will not only be with us - but they'll also be giving away a good-looking Rock Cats logo Baseball Hat to the first 1,500 adult fans through the turnstiles! Join us!

FRIDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 22nd, 7:05 PM: Proving yet again that there is no rest for the weary, the departure of the voracious SeaWolves only begets the arrival of the marauding Akron Aeros. Affiliated with the American League's Cleveland Indians, the Aeros are loaded with talent, and - unlike their parent club - have not disappointed; they have occupied 1st Place in the Southern Division almost from Opening Day. They merely lead the Eastern League in Team Batting and are very near the top in Team Pitching; this should be a fun weekend series with a great deal of baseball talent on display. Also on display on Friday night will be that zany group of stadium entertainers - the wildly amusing Zooperstars! - in town courtesy of our friends and neighbors at Stanley Tools. These very clever entertainers are currently semi-finalists on the NBC-TV hit Summer show, "America's Got Talent". The Zooperstars are likely to come to the Stadium on Friday night with fan favs like Roger Clamens, Derek Cheeta, and Harry Canary. Great family entertainment! Speaking of fun, we'll also open the gates early for a 5:30 PM Social Hour featuring specials on a variety of Heineken products. SATURDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 23rd, 7:05 PM: The Aeros from Akron are back again at 7:05 PM for the middle game of this big three-game series. And in addition to the baseball - since the crickets have recently begun their nocturnal chirping - it will also be Football Night at the Stadium, with terrific mini-footballs featuring the UConn logo available for giveaway to the first 1,200 kids - 12 years-and-under - through the gates! These fun mini-footballs are available thanks to the good folks at Peoples United Bank. The Rock Cats will also play host to a number of youth and scholastic football players from across Connecticut on this night. As we get close to September, local sports fans have one eye on baseball and the other drifting a bit toward the pigskin; the 'Cats will try to bridge that divide on Saturday night. Before Friday night's kickoff, er, rather , First Pitch, the gates will swing open for a 5:30 PM Social Hour in the Samuel Adams Rooftop Bar and Grille where Jose Cuervo Margaritas and other Smirnoff Ready-to-Drink products will be available for sampling! And once the baseball game on the field is decided, fans are invited to try their skill at the AT&T Post-game Launch-A-Ball contest, in which families toss tennis balls at circular targets on the field. If your ball lands in one, you win the associated prize! Much fun for participants of all ages - and proceeds go to our needy neighbors via the Rock Cats Foundation. Every- one wins!

SUNDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 24th, 1:35 PM: The three-game series with our visitors from the Buckeye State - and, indeed, the 2008 Season's second-to-last Homestand - will conclude with this 1:35 PM Sunday afternoon contest against Akron. This will also be Faith and Family Day at the ballpark with a post-game, on-field musical performance by the Tower of Praise ensemble. Prior to the start of the 1:35 PM game, our friends at Dunkin' Donuts will both be giving away stylish Dunkin'Donuts t-shirts to the first 1,200 adults in the door, while also offering Rock Cats fans a pre-game samples of the New England-based brewer's latest blends! And as it's Sunday at New Britain Stadium, it's also another Barnum Financial Group Family Fun Day at the Park, with a Kids-Run-The-Bases at the conclusion of the game! This is a popular family activity - and the second-to-last time this year that the kids can get out on the field where the pros just performed. Bring the kids out for this late Summer treat!

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

Fans seeking tickets to any game on this upcoming Homestand at New Britain Stadium may secure them by calling the Rock Cats Ticket Office at (860) 224-8383 or by visiting the Stadium Box Office between 10 AM and 6 PM, Monday-Friday, and between 10 AM and 2 PM on Saturday. Fans interested in the convenience of on-line purchasing may get their tickets by visiting the Rock Cats website - www.rockcats.com - and following the straightforward instructions.

--- THE 2008 SEASON IS PRESENTED BY STANLEY ---

Lastly - Tuesday is also another Amnesty Night in New Britain - another chance to redeem those 2008 Rock Cats tickets that for one reason or another you could not use this year! Bring them to the Box Office and we'll swap them, no questions asked!

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Eastern League Stories from August 12, 2008


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