MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps Surge Towards 2010 Finish Line

Published on August 17, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI -- Just 10 home games remain on the West Michigan Whitecaps 2010 regular season schedule, and while the team is surging forward on a record 12-games-and-counting winning streak, there is still a tidal wave of promotional events to come during the final games of the season.

The Whitecaps take a day off tonight before beginning the stretch run with a Midwest League playoff berth hanging in the balance. The 'Caps have ridden a 12-game winning streak into playoff contention and face only the top three teams in the Eastern Division in their final 20 games of the season. The Whitecaps will face division leader Great Lakes eight times (four at home and four on the road), but that's not the big battle, since the Loons have already secured a playoff spot based on their runner-up finish in the first half. The pivotal battles will be against the Fort Wayne TinCaps, who are five games up on the Whitecaps for the Eastern Division Second-Half Champion title, and the Lansing Lugnuts, who are one game behind the Whitecaps for the final playoff spot. The 'Caps take on Fort Wayne and Lansing six times each in the final stretch, beginning with a three-game homestand against Fort Wayne that starts tomorrow.

The Whitecaps' promotional schedule is rallying to the occasion, with several of the most popular events of the year still to come. Wednesday, August 18, is Special Olympics Night, with two Special Olympics softball teams playing a game on the field from 5 to 6 p.m. as part of a fundraising event. It's also Marine Night with a special pre-game swearing-in ceremony, and a post-game Farm Bureau Insurance Fireworks display. Thursday, August 19 is the popular Altogas Thrifty Thursday with $2 food and drink specials, and it's Country Night with a post-game concert by Union Guns on the Miller Lite House Deck. Wrapping up the three-game set against Fort Wayne on Friday, August 20, is Tiger Friday, with Kool Toyota Tiger Stadium replicas for the first 1,000 fans through the gates and an appearance by former Tiger middle infielder Dick McAuliffe from the 1968 World Series Championship team.

After a four-game series at Great Lakes, the Whitecaps return home for the final seven home games of the season starting Wednesday, August 25 against division rival Lansing. McDonald's Rally Towels are the (appropriate) giveaway for the first 1,000 fans; "reigning Clown Prince of Baseball" Myron Noodleman makes an appearance, and it's Farm Bureau Insurance Fireworks night. The game is also a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House with a silent auction of the special RMH-theme jerseys worn by the team. On Thursday, August 26, the sounds of Pink Floyd will fill the ballpark for Pink Floyd Night (complete with themed team jerseys). A Pink Floyd Laser Light show will follow the game. It's also an Altogas Thrifty Thursday, and DFCU Financial Hand Fans will be given to the first 2,500 fans through the gates. Friday, August 27 wraps up the home series against Lansing, and it's the final Tiger Friday game of the season with extra-large Frank Howard bobbleheads for the first 1,000 fans and an appearance by former Tigers, Dodgers and Senators slugger Howard. Friday is also U.S. Army Night with a swearing-in ceremony on the field.

The Whitecaps then turn to a four-game set against the first-place Loons to close out the regular-season home schedule. Saturday, August 28 is Women In Baseball Night (a tribute to the 1945-1954 Grand Rapids Chicks) and Farm Bureau Insurance Fireworks. Comcast T-shirts will be given to the first 1,000 fans. Sunday, August 29 is the final Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Family Day/Kids Eat Free/Kids Run The Bases day of the season; it's also Grandparents Day presented by Priority Health and includes a special appearance by former Detroit Red Wings star Mickey Redmond. Monday, August 30 is JQ99 All Faiths Night, and the final regular-season home game is on Tuesday, August 31. Kowalski youth jerseys will be given to the first 1,500 kids 14 and under, and it's Kowalski Shirt Off Our Backs Night (20 lucky fans will win the jerseys right off the Whitecaps players backs after the game). A final Farm Bureau Insurance Fireworks show will wrap up the festivities.

Fans who hold rain checks from rainout games may redeem their rain checks for any of the 10 remaining games (and playoffs if applicable) before those rain checks expire. Rain dates include May 31, June 2, June 5, June 27 and July 22. And Summer Reading Club participants have two final days, August 29 and 30, to redeem their vouchers for tickets.

Tickets for all remaining home games can be purchased by visiting whitecapsbaseball.com, by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131, or in person at the Fifth Third Ballpark box office (open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, as well as during games). Ticket prices are $13.00 for premium box seats, $11.00 for box seats, $9.50 for reserved seats including the Alpine Collision Center Family Section, and $5.00 for McCain Foods Lawn seating. Children 2 and under are free. Gametimes are 7 p.m. Monday through Saturdays and 1 p.m. on Sundays. Gates for most games open one hour before gametime; gates for Friday games open one hour and 15 minutes before gametime.

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Midwest League Stories from August 17, 2010


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