Drillers Open Home Slate on Thursday
The game marks the beginning of a six-game homestand that will run for six consecutive days through Tuesday, April 17. The Drillers will host the Missions for three games, April 12-14, followed by another three-game set with the Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros), April 15-17.
The game on Sunday, April 15 will begin at 2:05PM, while the game on Monday, April 16 will start at 12:35PM. The other four games will have 7:05PM start times.
Individual tickets for all six games are still available at the ONEOK Field Ticket Office (201 N. Elgin Avenue), at TulsaDrillers.com or by calling (918)744-5901.
A complete list of promotions for the homestand is below.
The Drillers are 1-1 in their previous two home openers at ONEOK Field. In 2010, Corpus Christi defeated Tulsa 7-0 in the very first game ever played in the stadium. The Drillers got revenge last season by defeating the Hooks 3-2 behind a strong pitching performance from current Colorado Rockies hurler Juan Nicasio.
Tulsa is 3-3 in its last six home openers. The Drillers have not won consecutive openers since posting back-to-back victories over Shreveport in the 2001 and 2002 seasons.
Barring any rainouts, Dan Houston is expected to be the starting pitcher on Opening Night. Houston won a combined 11 games for Tulsa and Modesto last season.
MAJOR LEAGUE EXPERIENCE: The Missions are managed by John Gibbons. Gibbons was a manager in the major leagues for parts of five seasons, leading the Toronto Blue Jays from 2004 to 2008.
HOT START: Tulsa third baseman Nolan Arenado is considered by most sources as the top minor league prospect in the Colorado Rockies system. Arenado's Double A debut was memorable as picked up four hits and three runs batted in during the Drillers season opening win in San Antonio on April 5.
DAY BASEBALL: The afternoon game on Monday, April 16 is the first of seven weekday, day games for the Drillers at ONEOK Field this season.
OPENING NIGHT: Activities surrounding Opening Night at ONEOK Field on Thursday, April 12 will begin at 5:30PM with the "Elgin Experience" along Elgin Avenue. The pre-game activities will be highlighted by a special parade that will begin at 6:20PM at the OETA building located on Greenwood Avenue just to the north and east of the stadium. The parade will travel south on Greenwood before turning east onto Archer Street and ending at Elgin.
TULSA DRILLERS SCHEDULE/PROMOTIONS (April 12-17)
Thursday, April 12. . . San Antonio Missions (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM
OPENING NIGHT!
It's the most anticipated night of the season as the Drillers play their first home game of the 2012 season! Opening night activities are presented by COX and will begin at 5:30PM with the start of the "Elgin Experience" on Elgin Avenue outside ONEOK Field with live music from the Jambalaya Jass Band, FREE Drillers Jupiter Jump for the kids, a rock climbing wall provided by the US Army and discounted food and drinks until the game starts!
A new Opening Night tradition will begin at 6:20PM with a special parade. The parade will begin at the OETA building on Greenwood Avenue and will feature the Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa Fire Department, an Old Urban Trolley, the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Honor Guard, local Little League Teams supported by several Green Country Chevy Dealers, Tulsa 66ers Cheerleaders, local dignitaries, Drillers players and coaches, and of course Hornsby! The parade will travel along Greenwood, turn west onto Archer Street before concluding at Elgin Avenue.
After the parade, Skydive Airtight will skydive in the ball that former Drillers owner and Country Music Hall of Famer Roy Clark will use to throw the season's ceremonial 1st pitch. Our nation's colors will be presented by the US Army and a 76 by 50 foot flag being held by U.S. Air force Recruits will be stretched across the outfield as First Fruits of Praise of New Creation Worship Assembly of Broken Arrow sings our National Anthem.
MYRON NOODLEMAN
Once the game begins, Tulsa's own Myron Noodleman will be in mid-season form to keep all fans entertained throughout Opening Night!
THIRSTY THURSDAY
If Opening Night is not enough, it is also a Thirsty Thursday with 12 ounce servings of Bud and Bud Light and 16 ounce servings of Pepsi products on sale for only $1 each.
2012 SCHEDULE MAGNETS
The first 5,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive Drillers, 2012 Schedule Magnets compliments of Mazzio's.
Friday, April 13. . . San Antonio Missions (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM
NEWS ON 6 FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS
The weekend begins with a bang as the first News on 6 Friday Night Fireworks Show of the season follows the Drillers game with San Antonio compliments of the Tulsa Marriott Southern Hills.
Saturday, April 14. . . San Antonio Missions (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM
TULSA'S CHANNEL 8 GRAND SLAM SATURDAY - T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY
The first 1,000 fans, ages 5 and up, to enter the stadium through the Oil Derrick and Arvest Entrances with a paid admission will receive special Drillers T-Shirts courtesy of the Momentum Dealers of Oklahoma and Tulsa's Channel 8.
Sunday, April 15. . . Corpus Christi Hooks (2:05PM) - Gates Open at 12:30PM
2 NEWS WORKS FOR YOU FAMILY FUNDAY SUNDAY - HORNSBY FOAM FINGERS / KIDS EAT FREE
It's 2 News Works for You Family FUNday Sunday and the first 500 fans, ages 12 and under, to enter the stadium through the Arvest and Oil Derrick Entrances will receive a Hornsby Foam Finger as well as a Kids Eat Free Coupon that is redeemable for a free hot dog, ice cream and milk. It's all presented by K95.5FM, Borden Dairy and 2 News Works for You. After the game, all kids will be able to go onto the field to run the bases courtesy of Danny Beck Chevrolet.
KIDS BASEBALL SKILLS CAMP
Before the game, youth baseball and softball players will be allowed onto the field for a clinic with the Drillers players. The clinic will run from 12:45-1:30PM. Kids wishing to participate are encouraged to arrive at the stadium at 12:30PM.
GROWN YOUR OWN BAT TREE GIVEAWAY
Following the game, The M.E.T. and Up With Trees will be handing out saplings to fans. It's the perfect opportunity to "grow your own bat" at home!
Monday, April 16. . . Corpus Christi Hooks (12:35PM) - Gates Open at 11:30AM
DAYTIME BASEBALL / OZONE ALERT DAY
It's the first weekday afternoon game of the season and also Ozone Alert Day presented by INCOG. The first 500 adults will receive the 2012 Drillers Ozone Alert T-Shirt, while the first 1,000 kids will receive a pair of Drillers sunglasses.
Tuesday, April 17. . . Corpus Christi Hooks (7:05PM) - Gates Open at 6:00PM
2 NEWS WORKS FOR YOU $2 TUESDAY
The ultimate night of discounts returns to ONEOK Field with $2 Tuesday presented by Pepsi, Warehouse Market and 2 News Works For You. General Admission tickets on the outfield lawn are only $2.00 each, while all other tickets are discounted $3.00 off normal prices. In addition, hot dogs, Mazzio's Pizza slices, 21oz Pepsi fountain drinks and jumbo soft pretzels will be on sale for only $2.00 each.
$2 CORONA HAPPY HOUR
From 6:00-8:00PM, Coronas will be on sale for only $2 each at the Beer Carts located next to Siegi's Sausage Shack behind home plate and next to the BBQ Cart on the third base concourse.
GROW YOUR OWN BAT TREE GIVEAWAY
Following the game, The M.E.T. and Up With Trees will be handing out 1,000 saplings to fans. It's the perfect opportunity to "grow your own bat" at home!