PRESS RELEASE – The Tri-City ValleyCats have unveiled their promotional schedule for the 2017 All-Star Season, their 16th year in the Capital District. The schedule features 15 fireworks nights presented by Market 32, two bobblehead giveaways, and four specialty jerseys. The ValleyCats are also set to host the New York-Penn League All-Star Game on August 15 for the second time in franchise history (2008).
The ‘Cats open the home slate on June 21 with a three-game set against the Lowell Spinners. Opening Night, presented by the Rensselaer County Department of Health, will feature the first fireworks night of the season and every fan in attendance will receive a 2017 Schedule Magnet. The homestand also features Basketball Hoopla (June 22) presented by Texas de Brazil, and MiLB CommUNITY Night (June 24), which brings all 160 Minor League Baseball Clubs together to create an environment of understanding, acceptance and inclusion among all fans, players and staff members.
The first bobblehead giveaway will take place on “Dark Tuesday: Track Night,” (July 18) as the ValleyCats pay tribute to the nation’s leading horse trainer, Eclipse Award Winner, and Mechanicville native Chad Brown. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. for Track Night. The second, “Capital Region Baseball Heritage Night,” presented by BodyArmor SuperDrink (July 31), recognizes former Yankees pitcher Ron Guidry and his famous rehab start for the Albany-Colonie Yankees on July 23, 1986. The bobbleheads will be available to the first 1,500 fans in attendance.
Along with the giveaways, Tri-City has rolled out four specialty themed jerseys that the team will wear in 2017, all to benefit local charities. The jerseys will either be auctioned or raffled off during the game.
The ‘Cats will wear Christmas-themed jerseys during Christmas in July (July 12) to benefit the Salvation Army, Make-A-Wish jerseys for Make-A-Wish NENY: 30 Years of Wishes (July 30), and Friends-themed jerseys for The One With the Friends Theme (September 1) to benefit the MS Society. The final specialty jersey will be for Harry Potter Night presented by Fidelis Care (August 7), selected by fan vote on social media, as part of the ‘Cats “#FanFebruary” promotion.
Tri-City hosts the Brooklyn Cyclones (New York Mets affiliate) twice in 2017, with the first set of games beginning on Independence Day. For Military Appreciation Night (July 6), the ‘Cats will honor current and former military members at the ballpark. The second series of games against Brooklyn includes NFL Night (August 20) presented by Saratoga Eagle, and SouthPaw’s Not So Scary Halloween Party / Summer Reader Night (August 21) presented by NY’s 529 College Savings Program.
Other brand-new 2017 promotions include WWE Night (June 26), Broadway Night presented by TD Bank (July 17), Best of MiLB (July 27) presented by Texas de Brazil, Social Media Night (July 29) presented by Hannaford Supermarkets, Enjoy Troy (August 6), Viva Los Gatos: An Elvis Presley Tribute (August 16), and Disco Night (August 25).
On Broadway Night, fans in attendance will receive a 2017 Team Poster, presented by TD Bank. The ‘Cats have also partnered with Hannaford Supermarkets on Social Media Night to continue the “Hannaford Helps Fight Hunger” program. The first 500 fans to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to The Food Pantries for the Capital District will receive one ticket voucher redeemable for a home game this season (limit one per person).
When the ‘Cats throwback to the ’90’s for TGIF Night on June 23, presented by BlueShield of Northeastern New York and Hannaford Supermarkets, they’ll also recognize the youth leagues involved in the ‘4 in 24’ Field Renovation Program taking place in April, as part of Youth Baseball Night.
Community Heroes / Superhero Night (July 13) is back at “The Joe,” presented by Community Resource Federal Credit Union, and the ‘Cats are asking fans to nominate people for the Home Run Community Heroes Starting 9, who have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact in the Capital Region. Those selected will be honored on the field prior to the game.
Multiple fan favorite nights return to “The Joe,” like Around the World in 9 Innings (June 25), Irish Night (July 11), Notte Italiana (August 5), Beach Party / Healthy Living Night presented by Adirondack Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (August 17), SouthPaw’s Birthday Fiesta (August 19), 50’s Night: 50 Cent Hot Dogs presented by Helmbold’s Hot Dogs (August 31), and Bark in the Park Night (September 6) presented by Van Allen Apartments.
Also returning to the lineup is Hockey Night in the Capital Region (September 2) presented by Jewelry by Don Cook, and features a postgame Diamond Dig on the warning track for a limited number of ladies in attendance.
The ValleyCats will host two 11:00 am matinee games at “The Joe” on Wednesday, July 19, and Tuesday, August 1.
For the fourth consecutive year, the ‘Cats will play an exhibition “Education Day” game, slotted for Thursday, June 15. The special 10:00 a.m. first pitch is geared toward students, filled with baseball-related STEM curriculum, an anti-bullying segment.
The final game of the year will be Fans for Life Night (September 7) presented by the Rensselaer County IDA.
Individual tickets for the ValleyCats 2017 regular season and the 2017 All-Star Game go on sale Monday, April 3 at 10:00 a.m., and will be available for purchase online at tcvalleycats.com, at the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium box office, or by phone at 518-629-CATS.
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