FUN AND FAN EXPERIENCES – THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF WEST MICHIGAN WHITECAPS BASEBALL PROMOTIONS

Former Tiger Cecil Fielder, Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond, and the return of Star Wars Night among highlights for 2022 season

** Comstock Park, MI --Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 – **With a successful 2021 season in the rear-view mirror, the 2022 West Michigan Whitecaps have a new summer of baseball, entertainment, and fun planned for fans. Last season more than a quarter million people came to watch stand-out future Tigers players play at LMCU Ballpark. The Whitecaps are seizing that momentum of fun, community, and experiences to bring joy to the West Michigan community.

Today the Whitecaps release their 2022 Promotional Schedule and begin 7 Days of Deals, a week-long event allowing fans 24 hours to purchase tickets for some of the most popular promotions planned for the upcoming season. The Whitecaps will take the field against their archrival Lansing Lugnuts on Opening Day at LMCU Ballpark, Tuesday, April 12 at 6:35 p.m.

FULL 2022 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE IS **AVAILABLE HERE**

New at LMCU Ballpark this summer will be part one of a three-season series: Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond. The new series is part of a three-year partnership between one of the most well-known storytelling brands and Minor League Baseball. The series will run during the 2022, 2023 and 2024 baseball seasons. Whitecaps players will be in super-hero themed jerseys and the night features an appearance by Marvel characters Spider-Man and Captain America. Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond part one is Friday, August 26th at 6:35 p.m.

“Star Wars Night” returns this season on Saturday, July 16, after two years without the popular of characters of the Great Lakes Garrison 501st Legion. “LMCU Ballpark is home to the original Star Wars Night,” said Ben Love, the Whitecaps Promotions & Fan Entertainment Manager. “The ‘Caps will once again wear specialty Star Wars Jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game to raise money for the Ted Rasberry Youth League.”

A new take on a traditional promotion, the Whitecaps have refurbished Tigers Wednesdays into “Made in Michigan Wednesdays.” The new look features appearances from athletes who were born in Michigan or played for a team in Michigan such as the Pistons, Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, Spartans, or Wolverines. Scheduled celebrity athletes are:

• Wednesday, June 8 Darren McCarty (former Red Wing)
• Wednesday, June 29 Joel Zumaya (former Tiger)
• Wednesday, July 27 Chris Chelios (former Red Wing)
• Wednesday, Aug. 17 Jason Hanson (former Lion)
• Wednesday, August 24 Cecil Fielder (former Tiger)

Also a part of the Made In Michigan Wednesdays 10-game package are the Whitecaps Prospects Series Bobbleheads featuring Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Dillon Dingler. These are names Whitecaps and Tigers fans recognize as superstars in the making. The “Made in Michigan” package is available for purchase here!

Wednesday, July 13th, LMCU Ballpark transforms into a waterpark on Super Splash Day! This mid-July game starts at noon with lots of water added to the ballpark for kids and adults to cool off in. A dunk tank and more details coming!

One of the most significant events this season is the return of School Days! Two Whitecaps games that begin at 11:00 a.m. LMCU Ballpark has not been able to host West Michigan schools since 2019. “There are no better pre-game crowds than on School Days,” Love added. “The ballpark is alive with laughter, cheers, and fun. I can’t wait for these two dates, especially having gone without them the past two seasons.” On Friday, May 13th, the Whitecaps take on the Beloit Sky Carp at 11:00 a.m. and Mi Science Center will be featured to bring more fun and learning to the ballpark. Wednesday, May 25th the ballpark will be rocking with students from all over West Michigan with a peanut free day so students with peanut allergies can enjoy the day at the ballpark, as well as the John Ball Zoo traveling zoo bringing an educational edge to the day.

Back and better than ever will be the Whitecaps alternate persona games known as Grand Slam Brands: Beer City Bung Hammers, Las Calaveras de West Michigan, and Grand Rapids Dam Breakers. “Fans love it when the team transforms at different times in the season,” said Jim Jarecki, the Whitecaps VP & General Manager. “It’s special when the community joins in the fun of changing our name and persona. It’s become a tradition at LMCU Ballpark.”

Notable this season is the return of West Michigan’s favorite manager, former big-leaguer and Detroit Tiger, Brayan Peña.This is Peña’s second season as manager. Bob Wells returns for his 25th season as on-field leader of fun and instigator of ballpark high jinks with the Biggby Promo Team. Public Address voice of the Whitecaps, Michael Newell returns for his 25th season also. Wells and Newell will continue as one of the great PA and On-field teams in Minor League Baseball.

STARTING TODAY at 10:00am! Day 1 of 7 Days of Deals!

Beginning today at 10:00 a.m., day number one of 7 Days of Deals! For seven days leading up to the full season of tickets on sale, fans will have one-day-only opportunities to purchase tickets for dates with a special deal. The lineup is at 7 Days of Deals. The 7 Days of Deals is designed to give fans a full week to decide the games they will want to attend this season. Whitecaps baseball tickets will go on sale next Tuesday, February 22nd at 10:00 a.m.

West Michigan Whitecaps: The Whitecaps minor league baseball team was established in 1994. The Whitecaps are the High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and play in the Eastern Division of the High-A Central League. The team’s home games are played in West Michigan’s favorite, largest, outdoor, multi-purpose venue, LMCU Ballpark. For more information on Whitecaps and LMCU Ballpark visit whitecapsbaseball.com or contact Steve VanWagoner at **[email protected]** or 616.318.8949.