PRESS RELEASE – She was one of us and the world wrapped their arms around our #MPRRaccoon. Not all heroes wear capes and ours climbed her way into the hearts of many, along with one of the highest buildings in Saint Paul. While many consider Minnesota a state you flyover to get to your destination, our hero proved this was an area she didn’t want to leave. She has now been returned safely into the wild, but her story will live forever and the St. Paul Saints plan on honoring the greatest raccoon known to man, since perhaps Rocket Raccoon, as they change their name for a day.
[Read more and watch news report about building-scaling raccoon here]
On Tuesday, June 26 the St. Paul Saints will become the St. Paul Raccoons. Many sports teams have drawn inspiration from animals with the Florida Panthers using the Rat in the mid-90s, the Anaheim Angels using the Rally Monkey in 2000, and now the Saints hope to draw motivation from the cities champion, The Racoon. The team will don special St. Paul Raccoon jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game, with proceeds donated to the Minnesota Wildlife Services. One lucky fan, sitting in seat 23, will receive a free bag of cat food.
The first 1,500 fans in attendance will see the game through a different view, by receiving a special raccoon mask. The party gets started with an Animal Farm style pre-game parade for the raccoon, featuring various wildlife creatures. While the raccoon was set free into the wild on Wednesday, the Saints are preparing for her return by offering the key to CHS Field, noting her love of three-lettered buildings. Should the raccoon ever return to the Saint Paul area, she will have free run of the Saints ballpark, to rummage through the trash, climb up the St. Paul Eye Clinic Batter’s Eye, or just hang out and relax.
In addition, Porknite, the Saints live ball pig who delivers baseballs to the umpire, will have company during the game as a raccoon will be his sidekick. Fans are encouraged to utilize social media and send in their favorite moments and memories, of the one mammal that brought an entire nation together, to the Saints Twitter and Instagram accounts at StPaulSaints. The most inspirational message will receive four tickets to a game in the Securian Club, the most elevated spot to watch a game at CHS Field.
The Saints will utilize their PowerUp Peak 12-foot high climbing wall in the HealthPartners PowerUp Play Zone as the kid who climbs to the top the quickest during the night will win the opportunity to be a bat/ball kid for a game.
The Saints will take on the Sioux City Explorers on June 26 at 7:05 p.m.
Saints tickets continue to be a tremendous value. Tickets begin at $5 for the Treasure Island berm seating (available only on day of game in person at the box office), $6 for SPLASH Zone bleacher seats, $14 for outfield reserved, $16 for the drink rail and $18 for infield reserved and home plate reserved. Friday Home Games with Post-Game Fireworks are an additional $2 per ticket. Post-Game Fireworks Supershows (July 2 and September 2) are an additional $3 per ticket. Tickets purchased on the day of the game are an additional $2 per ticket. Children under the age of 12 and seniors 65 and older receive $1 off the admission price. Children under 2 that don’t require a seat are free.
The Saints Box Office hours on non-game days are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. On game days, the Box Office will open at 9 a.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and 12:00 p.m. on Sunday and will remain open until 15 minutes following each game. Tickets are always available at saintsbaseball.com.
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