PRESS RELEASE – The Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A affiliate of the 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants, open a promotion-packed, eight-game homestand at Chukchansi Park on Thursday, May 19th. The Grizzlies play host to the New Orleans Zephyrs (Florida Marlins) and Oklahoma City RedHawks (Houston Astros) for four games apiece.
The homestand begins Thursday, May 19th, with the much-anticipated, often-imitated, never-duplicated Mad Tight 90s Night Meets World, featuring Ben “Cory Matthews” Savage. The star of the hit 90s show Boy Meets World will sign autographs, take photos with fans, and participate in various elements of in-game entertainment as the Grizzlies celebrate their decade theme night for the fourth straight year. Other 90s-themed aspects of in-game entertainment will include a Topanga look-a-like contest, a pogs competition, and a singing bee for songs from that decade. Fans will be able to take in all the awesomeness of the evening while enjoying another Thirsty Thursday, presented by Tecate and Tecate Light. As they are at every Thursday home game, 12-ounce Tecate and Tecate Light beers are just $1 through the fifth inning, and 12-ounce sodas are just $1 all night long.
Over the last year, there has been plenty of attention brought to the struggle to fight hunger in the Central Valley. That’s why the Grizzlies will host the first of two Pack The Park To Help Fight Hunger nights on Friday, May 20th. In addition to Friday Night Fireworks, presented by CBS 47, the Grizzlies are giving fans $1 off their tickets in exchange for bringing a non-perishable food item to the ballpark. Furthermore, the team will donate 25 cents for every person in attendance to Poverello House to help them in their mission to feed the hungry in Fresno. So come down to the park and enjoy some great baseball while helping a great cause.
Saturday, May 21st brings with it one of the most anticipated giveaways of the season. That’s right, it’s the Madison Bumgarner World Champion Bobblehead, presented by Fresno Pet ER. The young southpaw who went from the starting rotation in Fresno last season to Game Four winner in the World Series by October will be memorialized with this life-like collectable, available to the first 2,000 fans through the gates. As always, season ticket holders are guaranteed their giveaways, and can collect them at Gate 2 on H Street. It isn’t too late to become a 2011 season ticket holder and guarantee yourself a piece of history today. Finally, fans will enjoy a performance by the Drag Kings, presented by Tickets.com.
The first four-game series concludes on a Save Mart Sunday, May 22nd, presented by Save Mart Supermarkets, with a special 3:05pm game time, as the Grizzlies celebrate a pair of community organizations. First, the Grizzlies are proud to partner with a local non-profit to bring Hopes and Dreams Dayto Chukchansi Park. The Hopes and Dreams Film Project helps children struggling with severe illnesses embrace creativity and hope by involving them in the production of professional quality films. The Grizzlies donated the use of Chukchansi Park, as well as uniforms and equipment, for two days in January for the filming of the project’s first production, “Build A Better Fastball”, which will be shown on the videoboard before the game. More information on how to donate to the project will be available on the concourse.
Sunday will also be Red Cross Volunteer Appreciation Dayat the ballpark. The Grizzlies are proud to recognize the hard work of the The Central Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross that proudly serves the counties of Fresno, Madera, Merced, Mariposa, Tulare, Kings and Kern. In 2010, Red Cross volunteers responded to over 50,000 families in our community. The Central Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross exists to serve those in need here at home. The Grizzlies hope all of our fans will help support the Red Cross’s mission of ongoing disaster response, safety training, disaster preparedness, and the many individual/family services provided daily in our community.
The Grizzlies open their four-game set with Oklahoma City on Monday, May 23rd with Shaela Warkentin Night. The evening will serve as a fundraiser for the Bullard High School student, who suffered severe injuries in a car crash several weeks ago. Shaela was released from the hospital and returned home earlier this week, but still faces a long road to recovery. She will, however, be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and her sister Kylee will sing the national anthem prior to the game. Fans can purchase an $11 Field Level Reserve ticket, with $5 going directly to help Shaela’s family. The special fundraising tickets are available for purchase now through 5:00pm on Thursday, May 19th. For those who do not participate in the ticket package, $1 from every walk-up ticket sold day-of-game will also be donated to the Warkentin family. There will also be tables on the concourse with bracelets and t-shirts available for purchase to help support the family.
The Grizzlies will also continue to offer Monday Madness, presented by ABC 30 and Wild Water Adventure Park, the most comprehensive family entertainment value in the Valley. Fans can enjoy a family entertainment package that includes two Field Level Reserve tickets, two hot dogs, two sodas, two Wild Water Adventure Park passes, two Blackbeard’s Mini Golf passes and two Rotary Storlyland and Playland Fantasy Day passes. A total package value of over $100, Monday Madness is available to Grizzlies fans for just $32 at every Monday home game in 2011, excluding July 4th.
Tuesday, May 24th is the final Business Person’s Special of 2011, with a 12:05pm first pitch. Enjoy a hot dog, soda and the best seat available for just $15, or upgrade to The CRU Club with a lunch buffet for just $25. In addition, fans can enjoy 2-For-Tuesday, presented by KMPH FOX 26. Fans who purchase 2-for-1 Field Level Reserve tickets will also receive two FREE children’s buffets at John’s Incredible Pizza. In addition, hot dogs and sodas will be just $2 each through the end of the fifth inning, and kids will have FREE unlimited Fun Zone access all game long.
Also on Tuesday, fans can enjoy KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets. Buy 1 Ticket, Get 1 Free from KRAFT Singles with purchase. Bring your package wrapper to a Grizzlies game on Tuesdays for a steal of a deal! Visit kraftsingles.com for more info! Exclusions apply.
Wednesday, May 25th is a World Champion Wednesday, presented by the Fresno Bee, and continues the Grizzlies’ year-long celebration of the Giants’ World Championship. As with every Wednesday this season, one lucky fan will win a trip for four to see the Giants play at AT&T Park and a free night’s stay at the Donatello Hotel in San Francisco. Plus, the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a special Giant oversized baseball card, featuring former Grizzly and member of the Giants World Championship team, Nate Schierholtz.
The action-packed first homestand wraps up as it began on Thursday, May 26th with another Thirsty Thursday, presented by Tecate and Tecate Light. Enjoy $1 12-ounce Tecate and Tecate Light beers through the fifth inning, and $1 12-ounce sodas all night long as the Grizzlies conclude their four-game set with Oklahoma City.
The Fresno Grizzlies return home to Chukchansi Park on Thursday, May 19th, 2011 when they welcome the New Orleans Zephyrs to Downtown Fresno. Season tickets, mini-plan packages, and single-game tickets are now available at the Chukchansi Park Box Office, online at http://www.fresnogrizzlies.com, or by calling 559-320-TIXS.
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