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MWL1 Dayton Dragons

What's Hot with the Dayton Dragons in 2016

March 31, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Dayton Dragons News Release


Dayton, OH - In 2016 at Fifth Third Field, you can expect many new and exciting things at the home of the Dayton Dragons. Dragons mascots Heater and Gem, the Green Team, and team characters Roofman, Wink, ATMO, and Princess Sunny all return for the 2016 season as the Dragons continue their focus on great professional baseball, affordable family fun, unsurpassed customer service, and community involvement.

Great Family Entertainment Continues

Opening Day is Saturday, April 9 at 4:00 p.m. Skydivers will descend upon the playing field to signify the beginning of another year of Dragons baseball. The National Anthem will be performed by WiiildFlower, a singing trio featuring local teenagers Jordyn Mitchell, Kennedy Cook, and Drea Wallace, winners of the Dayton Daily News national anthem contest.

The Dragons entertainment department will usher in a whole new selection of skits, contests, and videos focusing on family entertainment. The Green Team has been rehearsing since January, spending multiple weekends at the ballpark preparing for opening day and the 2016 season.

Dragons Telecasts on Dayton's CW

Dayton's CW (WBDT-TV) and the Dragons will broadcast 25 Dragons home games during the 2016 season from Fifth Third Field. Baseball Night in Dayton begins with the Dragons home opener on Saturday, April 9th. All games will be broadcast live and in high definition on the following outlets, reaching approximately 500,000 households and over 1.2 million potential viewers in a 10-county area:

Over the air Channel 26.1

Time Warner Cable Channels 13 and 1013

Direct TV and DISH Network Channel 26.

Legendary Reds pitcher Tom Browning will provide color commentary on the opening broadcast and many others. Former Major League infielder Jeff Reboulet and 2 Sports anchors Jack Pohl and Hutch Konerman will also serve as color commentators this season. The broadcasts will feature state-of-the-art high definition production quality with seven camera positions, slow-motion replays, player interview clips and the Dragons Hermes award-winning information graphics package.

Dragons in the Community

School MVP Program

The Dragons expanded elementary school MVP Program enters its 11th year in 2016, taking the program to more than 1,100 classrooms. The program includes 1,116 fourth and fifth grade classrooms in 183 schools over 48 school districts. About 34,000 children participate. Due to the support of the participating sponsors, the program is completely free of charge to the schools.

How does the Dragons School MVP Program work? The teacher in each of the 1,116 classrooms in Miami, Warren, Montgomery, Greene, and Clark counties will select five MVP's based on the teacher's judgment of performance, effort, citizenship, and improvement. The five MVPs selected by their teacher in each classroom will get four tickets to a Dragons game, tickets to a special Field Day event at the stadium during the season, an MVP certificate and a Dragons MVP hat. Dragons players and mascots will visit selected classrooms over the course of the season.

Additionally, MVPs are highlighted throughout the season. They record their own radio commercials that play during Dragons broadcasts. Their story is also featured in our PlayBall game program and in a 30-second commercial on Dayton's CW.

Twelve Dragons games during the season are designated as "MVP Game Nights." On those nights, one MVP gets to throw out the ceremonial first pitch to the game, another does an on-air interview during the Dragons game broadcast on Fox Sports 980, and another participates in an entertainment skit during the Dragons game. Two times each season, all classroom MVP's are invited to attend the Dragons MVP Field Day at Fifth Third Field and interact with Dragons players.

The Dragons MVP Program presented by Bob Evans is also made possible by the generous support of Sinclair Community College, WDTN TV and Dayton's CW Television.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Home Run for Life

The Dragons and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield have teamed up for their 11th year to showcase the "Home Run for Life" program. This program honors individuals who have shown tremendous strength and courage in fighting serious illnesses. Anthem Home Run for Life nights are May 25, June 15, July 13, August 17.

American Celebration Nights

In conjunction with the Dayton Development Coalition, "Hometown Heroes" American Celebration Nights are back in 2016, on May 21 and August 13, honoring our local servicemen and women. The entertainment theme on these nights is related to the military personnel.

Vectren Community All-Stars

The Dayton Dragons "Community All-Stars" program recognizes unsung community members for their good deeds and efforts. This season, the Dragons and Vectren will honor individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the quality of life in the Miami Valley. Throughout the season, 35 "All-Stars"-anyone from firefighters to first responders, non-profit organizations to Good Samaritans-and their families will receive VIP treatment at a Dragons game in recognition of their service. Community All-Stars nights are set for May 13, June 13, July 18, August 13, and August 25.

Ford "Honor Them" Program

All season long, the Dayton Area Ford Dealers will be honoring Miami Valley veterans, telling their service stories at Dayton Dragons games. Dates are May 1, May 22, June 12, July 17, and August 14.

Family and Community Events at Fifth Third Field in 2016

- High School Baseball at Fifth Third Field. A 17-game schedule begins April 12, giving high school players throughout the Miami Valley the opportunity to play at a professional facility.

- Vectren Community All-Star Nights: May 13, June 13, July 18, August 13, August 25

- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Home Run for Life: May 25, June 15, July 13, August 17

- Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts Overnighters are back at Fifth Third Field. Boy Scouts night is Friday, May 13 and Girl Scout Night is slated for Friday, May 20. Local scouts spend the night at the ballpark and watch a movie on the video board.

- Ford "Honor Them": May 1, May 22, June 12, June 17, and August 14

- In conjunction with the Dayton Development Coalition, American Celebration nights are back in 2015 as the Dragons will spend two game nights honoring our local servicemen and women. Game dates are Saturday, May 21, and Saturday, August 13.

- Dragons Experience Youth Baseball Clinics: June 30-July 1 & July 21-22

- Bob Ross Classic High School All-Star Game: June 18

- Subway Dragons 5k: July 23

- Budweiser's Great American Beer Tasting: August 6

- Donatos Pizza Family Movie Night: August 20

- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Health and Fitness Carnival: August 14

- Kroger Baseball Buddies! Kids 7-13 can go to local Kroger store to sign up for a chance to be a Kroger Baseball Buddy. Those picked will get a Dragons items, including an authentic Dragons jersey and will get to hang out with the players in the dug-out before the game.

Ticket Information

Dragons Season Tickets

The Dragons most popular season ticket package features 17 games over the course of the season. Fans can also purchase an eight or nine-game plan as well as a new five-game plan. With all packages, ticket holders will be assigned a Dragons marketing manager as their contact person with the organization to provide assistance throughout the year. Tickets start at $11.00 per game. Fans can reserve a package and take advantage of a flexible payment plan. Purchasers of the new plan will receive special Dragons limited edition season ticketholder gifts on specific giveaway nights. All season ticket packages qualify the purchaser to receive a Heater bobblehead doll which is exclusive to season ticket holders. They will also receive first rights to playoff games and special events at Fifth Third Field including concerts.

The Best Deal in Town

The SONIC Friends & Family program is back. Fans have the option of purchasing stadium seat tickets or lawn tickets as part of the package. On Dragons Friends & Family game nights, fans can get a Dragons game ticket, Dragons cap, and meal voucher for just $16.00 for a stadium seat ticket or $12.00 for a lawn seat. Friends and Family game dates are Friday, April 15; Saturday, April 30; Friday, May 13; Saturday, May 21; Monday, June 13; Wednesday, July 13; Thursday, August 11; and Friday, September 2.

Dragons Kids Club is Back

For the fourth straight year, young Dragons fans can join the Frisch's Dragons Kids Club. For just $15, members receive four Dragons tickets, a Dragons t-shirt, a Dragons hat, a Dragons backpack, a free kids meal at Frisch's Big Boy, and an invite to an exclusive Kids Club Movie Night.

Group Ticket Options

Group ticket opportunities are also available through the Dragons, including luxury suites, party decks, seating in the Dragons Lair, on the third base side, and on the Lawn at Fifth Third Field. Special benefits are available for groups of 10 to 1,000 fans.

Bring Your Little League to Fifth Third Field

Little League outings at Fifth Third Field offer a unique experience to young players throughout the Miami Valley. Starting at just $8 a person, your Little League could participate in a pre-game parade on Fifth Third Field.

Single-Game Tickets

Single game tickets for the 2016 season are on sale now at the Dragons Box Office located next to the main entry gates at Fifth Third Field. The box office is open throughout the season from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. On weekend game dates, the box office will open at 12:00 noon and close following the game. The Box Office will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays when the team is on the road. Single-game tickets can be purchased in person, at the Dragons box office, any Miami Valley Kroger store, or any Ticketmaster outlet; online at daytondragons.com; or by phone by calling the Dragons Box office at (937) 228-2287 or Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at (937) 228-2323.

Dragons On The Field

Dick Schofield, who enjoyed a 14-year Major League playing career, will serve as the Dragons manager in 2016. Schofield managed the Reds Rookie-level affiliate, the Billings Mustangs, over the last two seasons and enjoyed great success. Schofield led the Mustangs to the Pioneer League championship in 2014 and guided them to the post-season semi-finals in 2015. Schofield will become the eighth manager in Dragons history. Joining Schofield on the Dragons 2016 coaching staff will be pitching coach Derrin Ebert, hitting coach Luis Bolivar, catching coach Corky Miller, trainer Andrew Cleves, and strength/conditioning coach Josh Petchel.

The Dragons 2016 25-man roster is expected to be announced on Monday, April 4. It is expected to be highlighted by catcher Tyler Stephenson, the Reds #1 draft pick in 2015. A total of 75 former Dragons players have reached the Major Leagues, including all-stars Joey Votto, Johnny Cueto, Todd Frazier, Jay Bruce, and Devin Mesoraco.

Dragons On Radio

Fox Sports 980 (WONE) is the flagship station for Dragons radio broadcasts. Games can also be heard at www.daytondragons.com. Dragons play-by-play announcer Tom Nichols returns for his 29th season in professional baseball and ninth year with the Dragons. He is joined by broadcaster Jason Kempf in 2016.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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