Zephyrs to hold Backwards Night

August 14, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
New Orleans Baby Cakes News Release

Metairie, LA – Battling a five-game losing streak, The New Orleans Zephyrs are looking to turn things around...literally. Tonight's game against the Tucson Sidewinders will start in the 9th inning, the ceremonial first pitch will be thrown from home plate to the pitcher's mound, the 7th inning stretch will take place after playing only two innings, ushers will greet people with "Thanks for coming, hope you enjoyed the game" and staff members will wear their shirts and hats backwards, among other things. Additionally, any fan wearing their shirt or hat backwards will get in the game for only $5.

"This all started when Hammer (Manager Chris Maloney) said his team was playing well towards the end of the game and he wished he could start in the 9th inning," said New Orleans Zephyrs General Manager Dan Rajkowski. "I started thinking that maybe he was on to something, got the staff behind it and started the ball rolling, backwards of course."

Radio announcers Tim Grubbs and Ron Swoboda will also get in on the action starting their broadcast with the post-game show. Rajkowski says the switch should be fun for the fans and hopefully will snap the losing streak.

"Baseball players are notoriously a superstitious group and sometimes you have to change things up to start winning again," he added. "Sometimes, when you're losing, you have to put fun back in the game and that's what we are trying to do. I just hope we don't go into extra innings because we can't put negative numbers on the scoreboard."

For additional information, call Vince Caruso at (504) 458-0076.

Pacific Coast League Stories from August 14, 2003

• Drillers explode in the eighth, down Express - Round Rock Express
• Sidewinders Shutout Zephyrs, 4-0 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Barber Fires Shutout in First Triple-A Start - Tucson Sidewinders
• Big Bats Put Trappers Back on Winning Path - Edmonton Trappers
• Luis Ortiz Activated from Disabled List - Edmonton Trappers
• RedHawks conclude Homestand with More Givewaways - Oklahoma City Comets
• Isotopes to Hold Overnight Campout - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Isotopes to Hold Final Coaches Show at Assets Grill - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Zephyrs to Donate over 5,000 Tickets to 125 Local Charities - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Zephyrs to hold Backwards Night - New Orleans Baby Cakes
• Sox lose again - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• Express outlasts Mother Nature, but not Drillers - Round Rock Express
• Alvarez, Sounds Don't Cooperate - Portland Beavers
• Trappers' Losing Streak Reaches Eight - Edmonton Trappers
• Sounds Increase Division Lead To Eight With 13-9 Win - Nashville Sounds

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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