RiverDogs unveil '09 promo schedule
The organization has announced its 2009 promotional slate which commences on Opening Night April 9, when the RiverDogs host the Rome Braves at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
"We have another lineup of outstanding promotions that fans of all ages will enjoy," said General Manager Dave Echols. "Our goal is to have a full evening of fun mixed with quality baseball. We believe that when people come to Riley Park for RiverDogs baseball that they will leave their troubles behind for several hours and truly enjoy themselves."
New to the rundown for the upcoming season will be the RiverDogs salute to Cooterfest 09 on April 15 to recognize the Allendale County tradition of turtle raising; Salary Cap Giveaway on May 2 to bring light to the fact that baseball does not utilize one, but it can still be fashionable, Salute to the Slinky Night on May 9 which features the Human Slinky entertainer; Hair Nets & Plastic Gloves Night A Salute to the Lunch Ladies! on May 26 to celebrate all the lunch ladies do to fill us up and brighten our days; Salute to the G-String on June 11 where select fans will receive a G string upon entering the park that night to put a whole new spin on playing a G Sharp; Here's to you Mr. Competitive Adult Softball Player Night on June 18; Nancy Appreciation Night on June 30, which tips a cap to all the Nancys, real or contrived, but also features the RiverDogs picking one Nancy out of the Charleston phonebook and bringing she (or he) to The Joe to be lampooned ; and Football Night Illegal Use of Your Ed Hochuli on August 11 to pigeon-hole the popular NFL referee for some of his past transgressions.
Numerous and successful promotions from last season make their return with three Dog Days on April 12, May 24 and June 21, where fans can bring their pooch to the park; two Military Appreciation Nights on May 20 and August 26; two Education Days on May 5 and May 27, both with rare 11:05 a.m. scheduled start times; two Midget Wrestling Nights on May 7 and September 3; Irish Night on May 21; the Return of the ZOOperstars! on May 23; Firefighter Appreciation Night on June 30 presented by Service Master; My Hot Dog is GREEN! Night on July 14, Go Back to Ohio Night II Salute to Choke Artists on July 15; The Price is Right, Drew on July 16; Condiment Wars 3--Yee Haw Texas Pete! on August 13, as the popular hot sauce joins ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise in an ultimate clash of the toppings; Salute to Negro League Baseball on August 15 with its replica Homestead Grays jersey giveaway presented by South Carolina State University, and Fan Appreciation Night concludes the season on Sept. 7.
Other annual highlights are on April 11 with the Run, Forrest, Run 5K Race presented by Bubba Gump Shrimp Company and Coburg Dairy; the 2nd Annual Topps Pro Scouts Hall of Fame Night on June 19 as part of a season-long promotion with the Goldklang Group; the 10th Annual Kindness Beats Blindness Auction on June 20, which benefits the Medical University of South Carolinas Storm Eye Institute; the teams annual Independence Day Celebration on July 3rd; the teams annual Christian Concert on July 19 that features former Lonestar front-man Richie McDonald; and the Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame Night on Aug. 14, presented by The Post and Courier.
Once again at The Joe this season, every Monday is a Dogs With a Cause Night where the RiverDogs partner with a local non-profit organization to generate exposure and funds for a specific cause. Tuesdays continue to be a BI-LO Two-for-Tuesday, with two-for-one ticket discounts available on general admission and lower and upper reserve seats. Wednesdays are again ALL-U-CAN-EAT Wild Wednesdays with a face-stuffing, rib-sticking buffet available for just $20 in the Ashley View Pub.
Every Thursday should once again experience gaudy attendance figures with Thirsty Thursdays making its return featuring $1 food and beverage specials in the Ashley View Pub. Fridays will be punctuated with explosive post-game fireworks, while Saturdays will have giveaways available for the first 1,000 fans through the turnstiles, consisting of items like stuffed wallets, t-shirts, paint-it-yourself bobbleheads, youth-sized bats, recycling bags, G.I. Joe helmets, and backpacks, plus all kids 12 and under will be able to run the bases following Saturday night games.
Sundays will again be Family Sundays presented by the Charleston County Parks & Recreation Commission, which offers free parking and Kids Eat Free to put a capstone on the RiverDogs stimulus efforts along with pre-game catch on the field, reading with the RiverDogs and the popular post-game autograph session.
Season tickets and a variety of mini-pack tickets are available at the RiverDogs Box Office by calling (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com, where the entire promotions calendar may be viewed.