Drillers Return Home for 4-Game Series Against Northwest Arkansas
The Tulsa Drillers open their second homestand of the young 2014 season when they host the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, on Wednesday, April 16 at ONEOK Field. The Drillers will host the Naturals for four straight days, April 16-19.
The series will be the first of the year against a Texas League North divisional opponent. Since moving to downtown Tulsa in 2010, the Drillers are 32-26 against the Naturals at ONEOK Field.
Starting time for all four games in the series is scheduled for 7:05 PM.
Promotions headlines in the homestand will include Bark-in-the-Park on Wednesday, April 16, News on 6 Friday Night Fireworks on April 18 and Tulsa's Channel 8 Grand Slam Saturday fleece blanket giveaway on April 19.
The complete promotional list for the opening homestand is below.
Individual tickets for all four games, and any other game this season, are currently available for purchase online at TulsaDrillers.com, in person at the ONEOK Field Ticket Office (201 N. Elgin Avenue) or over the phone at (918) 744-5901.
STARS ON THE RISE: The current Northwest Arkansas Naturals roster features a whopping seven players who are on the Kansas City Royals 40-man roster: Pitchers Jason Adam, Scott Alexander and Sugar Ray Marimon; catcher Juan Graterol; infielder Cheslor Cuthbert, and outfielders Lane Adams and Jorge Bonifacio.
That group includes three of the Royals Top 20 Prospects, according to MLB.com: Bonifacio (OF, #4 overall), Adam (RHP, #9 overall) and Cuthbert (3B, #20 overall).
The Drillers roster currently features six of the Rockies Top 20 Prospects in RHP Jon Gray (#1 overall), RHP Eddie Butler (#2 overall), C Tom Murphy (#7 overall), LHP Tyler Anderson (#11 overall), SS Cristhian Adames (#15 overall) and RHP Scott Oberg (#17 overall).
UPCOMING SCHEDULE: In a schedule rarity, Northwest Arkansas will play at ONEOK Field in two consecutive weekends. After the Drillers home series with the Naturals that will run April 16-19, Tulsa will go on the road for a four-game series with Arkansas before returning to ONEOK Field for two games against Northwest Arkansas on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. The two teams will then play the next two days in Springdale, Arkansas before the Drillers return home for a four-game set with the Travelers April 29 through May 2. The split series with the Naturals was arranged to accommodate the two Bedlam Series games that will be played at ONEOK Field May 16 and May 17.
BARK-IN-THE-PARK RETURNS: Treat your canine companion to a night out by bringing them out to ONEOK Field to watch some "professional fetch!" Wednesday, April 16 will be the first "Bark in the Park" night of the year. Fans can bring their pet dogs to the game and sit in the Kia Primeaux Lawn. Proof of current rabies vaccination is required for entry.
TULSA DRILLERS SCHEDULE/PROMOTIONS (April 16-19)
Wednesday, April 16 . . . Northwest Arkansas (7:05 PM) - Gates Open at 6:00 PM
BARK-IN-THE-PARK NIGHT
Wednesday night will mark the first "Bark-in-the-Park" Night of the year presented by the City Vet Hospital, Animal Aid of Tulsa and 94.1 The Breeze. Fans are encouraged to bring their canine companions out for a night at the ballpark. All owners must present proof of their dog's current rabies vaccination. Dogs must enter through either the Arvest or Oil Derrick Entrances and are only permitted on the concourse and Primeaux Kia Lawn.
Thursday, April 17 . . . Northwest Arkansas (7:05 PM) - Gates Open at 6:00 PM
FOX 23 SUPER THURSDAY REUSABLE BAGS/"GO GREEN" NIGHT
The first 1,000 fans will receive a reusable Tulsa Drillers bag in conjunction with "Go Green" Night, presented by The M.e.t., FOX 23 and Z104.5 The Edge. The Drillers will wear special green jerseys and fans will have the opportunity to learn how to be more environmentally friendly.
THIRSTY THURSDAY
Just in case an evening at the ballpark is not enough incentive, it is also Thirsty Thursday! Twelve ounce servings of Coors Light, Miller Lite and Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy and 16 ounce servings of Pepsi products will all be on sale for only $1 each. Be sure to check out our new "Bottoms Up" beer taps, which literally fill your beers from the bottom up!
Friday, April 18 . . . Northwest Arkansas (7:05 PM) - Gates Open at 6:00 PM
NEWS ON 6 FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS
Following the game is the fan-favorite News On 6 Friday Night Fireworks! This spectacular fireworks display is presented by the Autism Center of Tulsa, 98.5 KVOO and News On 6.
AUTISM AWARENESS JERSEY AUCTION
Drillers players and coaches will be wearing special edition Autism Awareness jerseys with a puzzle-piece design. The game-worn jerseys will be available for purchase in a silent auction that will take place during the game and end during the 7th Inning Stretch. We will also be raffling off a team autographed jersey. Tickets for the raffle are only $5 each. All proceeds from the auction and raffle will go to benefit the Autism Center of Tulsa.
Saturday, April 19 . . . Northwest Arkansas (7:05 PM) - Gates Open at 6:00 PM
TULSA'S CHANNEL 8 GRAND SLAM SATURDAY / DRILLERS BLANKETS
The first 1,500 fans of all ages to enter the stadium with paid admission will receive a custom Tulsa Drillers fleece blanket, compliments of Walk to End Alzheimer's, Tulsa's Channel 8 and 92.1 The Beat.
WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S JERSEY AUCTION
Miss your chance to purchase a game-worn special edition Drillers jersey Friday night and simultaneously contribute to a great cause? No problem. The Drillers will again be wearing special-edition jerseys. The Drillers will showcase purple, pinstripe jerseys that will be available for purchase in a silent auction that will run through the 7th Inning Stretch. Winning bidders will go down on the field after the game to receive their jerseys directly from the players! All proceeds will benefit the Walk to End Alzheimer's.