2014 Promotional Schedule Unveiled
(Uptown Charlotte, NC) - A Jordan Danks Bobblehead, a Charlotte O's Replica Youth Jersey, theme nights featuring Star Wars, Jimmy Buffett, and Auto Racing, along with the return of Pink Knights, and Thursday Thursdays ™, highlight the full look at the Knights promotional calendar for the highly-anticipated 2014 season at BB&T Ballpark.
On Wednesday, the Knights announced plans for 15 fireworks shows at BB&T Ballpark. A day later, the team revealed their entertainment and celebrity lineup for the upcoming season. Appearances by "Mountain Man" of Duck Dynasty fame, professional wrestling legends George "the Animal" Steele and Tito Santana, along with thrilling entertainment acts - the ZOOperstars and the Russian Bar Trio - were announced on Thursday.
Today, the Knights are giving fans a full look at the complete 2014 promotional schedule, which features 11 giveaways, monthly heritage nights, tributes to the Charlotte O's, Charlotte Hornets, and Negro Leagues, along with a historic Meck-Dec Day Celebration on May 20 - which highlights the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which was signed on May 20, 1775 in Charlotte.
Thirsty Thursdays ™ presented by Hickory Tavern, make their BB&T Ballpark debut on Thursday, April 17. Fans 21 and over can enjoy $3 small draft beers until the end of the 7th inning. The Knights will have 10 Thirsty Thursdays ™ this season.
Sundays are Sunbelt Family Sundays and kids can "Run the Bases" after all non-fireworks Sunday home games. Six of team's Sunday games start at 2:05 p.m., while the Knights will play two 5:05 p.m. Sunday games and one 7:05 p.m. tilt on Sunday, August 31. All nine Sunday games are presented by Sunbelt.
The Knights will honor the Military on three occasions this season and Knights players will wear special Military-themed jerseys on May 25, June 30, and July 4. Fans will have a chance to own the game-worn jerseys during a jersey auction, which benefits Knights Charities, later in the year.
The Knights will hold two Education Day games at the ballpark - both with 11:05 a.m. first pitches. The first Education Day game takes place on Wednesday April 23 and the second is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7. Both Education Day Games are presented by Duke Energy.
Each month of the season, the Knights will host special heritage nights - giving fans a chance to enjoy heritage-themed music and other activities. German Heritage Night is set for Thursday, April, 24, while May will boast Polish Heritage Night (Thursday, May 22). In June, Irish Heritage Night (Thursday, June 26) is on the calendar, while July will feature Italian Heritage Night (Thursday, July 10). Greek Heritage Night is the fifth and final one in the series, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 7.
Opening Night is scheduled for Friday, April 11 and all eyes will be on BB&T Ballpark for the team's first-ever game in Uptown Charlotte. A full list of Opening Day festivities will be announced at a later date. A night later, (April 12), the first 2,000 fans will receive a KnightinGals poster, presented by Hickory Tavern. The KnightinGals - the Charlotte Knights official dance team - will perform at all 10 Saturday games this season.
The month of April features a Baseball Bank giveaway, presented by BB&T, on Tax Day, April 15, and a special Speed Dating Night and College Night is scheduled for April 17. The finale of the first-ever homestand at BB&T Ballpark features a Charlotte O's Tribute Night on April 18 with a Replica Charlotte O's Jersey to the first 2,000 kids 12 and under, presented by Carolinas HealthCare System. Earth Day with a Knights Water Bottle Giveaway to the first 2,000 fans on April 22 and the first of three Social Media Knights (April 25) conclude the first month of the season.
Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated on Monday, May 5 with an appearance by WWE Hall-of-Famer Tito Santana. BB&T Ballpark will feature the 9th Annual Pink Knights with a Pink Baseball giveaway to the first 2,000 ladies, presented by Charlotte Radiology and Belk. Charlotte Knights players will wear special Pink Jerseys and fans will have a chance to bid on the jerseys during the game. Proceeds from the jersey auction benefit Knights Charities.
Also on tap for May is a Mother's Day celebration on Sunday, May 11, a fast-paced Auto Racing Night on Wednesday, May 21, and a Drawstring Bag giveaway to the first 2,000 fans, presented by Carowinds on Saturday, May 24.
The first of two Bark in the Ballpark events will take place on Sunday, June 8 and WWE Hall-of-Famer George "The Animal" Steele will be on hand to meet and greet fans and animals of all ages. The first 2,000 fans will receive a Knights Soccer Ball, presented by Carolinas HealthCare System, on June 22.
In July, the Knights will turn back the clock to the 1990's on July 18 for a tubular 90's Night at the ballpark. Faith and Family Night is scheduled for July 20, and a Jimmy Buffett Night will cap off the month of July on July 31.
In August, the first 2,000 fans will receive a BB&T Ballpark Replica giveaway, presented by BB&T, on Wednesday, August 6. On Tuesday, August 19, Charlotte Knights fan-favorite Jordan Danks will be immortalized as a bobblehead. The first 2,000 fans will receive the Danks bobblehead, courtesy of Horizon Eye Care. The second and final Bark in the Ballpark is scheduled for August 25. The Knights will also treat fans to $1 hot dogs, courtesy of Sahlen's on the 25th.
2014 PROMOTIONAL CALENDAR DATES:
APRIL:
4/11 - Opening Night
4/12 - KnightinGals Poster giveaway, first 2,000 fans presented Hickory Tavern
4/15 - Negro League Night; Baseball Bank giveaway - first 2,000 fans presented by BB&T
4/17 - College Knight; Speed Dating Knight
4/18 - Charlotte O's Tribute Night; O's Youth Throwback Jersey - first 2,000 kids 12 & under presented by Carolinas HealthCare System
4/22 - Earth Day; Water Bottle giveaway to the first 2,000 fans.
4/23 - Education Day I presented by Duke Energy
4/24 - German Heritage Knight
4/25 - Social Media Knight I
MAY:
5/5 - Cinco de Mayo; Tito Santana Appearance; $1 Hot Dogs presented by Sahlen's
5/7 - Education Day II presented by Duke Energy
5/8 - Country Western Knight
5/9 - Carolinas HealthCare System Health Fair I; Girl Scout Sleepover
5/10 - Pink Knights; Pink Baseballs - first 2,000 ladies presented by Charlotte Radiology & Belk
5/11 - Mother's Day
5/20 - Meck-Dec Day Celebration
5/21 - NASCAR Night
5/22 - Polish Heritage Knight
5/23 - Star Wars Knight; Friday Night Fireworks presented by BB&T, News Talk 1110 WBT & 107.9 The Link
5/24 - Drawstring Bag Giveaway to the first 2,000 fans presented by Carowinds
5/25 - ZOOperstars! Appearance I
JUNE:
6/6 - Boy Scout Sleepover; Friday Night Fireworks presented by BB&T, News Talk 1110 WBT & 107.9 The Link
6/7 - Southeast Dairy Night presented by SUDIA; Social Media Knight II
6/8 - Bark in the Ballpark I; George "The Animal" Steele Appearance
6/9 - $1 Hot Dogs presented by Sahlen's
6/21 - Cash 5 EZ Match Night, North Carolina Education Lottery
6/22 - Soccer Ball Giveaway to the first 2,000 fans presented by Carolinas HealthCare System
6/23 - Duck Dynasty's Mountain Man Appearance; Great Outdoors Night
6/24 - Kellogg's giveaway to the first 2,000 fans.
6/26 - Irish Heritage Knight
6/30 - Military Appreciation Knight
JULY:
7/4 - Independence Day Celebration, Skyshow 2014 Fireworks Spectacular, BB&T & News Talk 1110 WBT
7/5 - ZOOperstars! Appearance II
7/10 - Italian Heritage Knight
7/12 - Horizon Eye Care Night
7/18 - Carolinas HealthCare System Health Fair II; 90s Night
7/20 - Faith & Family Knight
7/29 - Kellogg's giveaway to the first 2,000 fans
7/31 - Rookie Knights Baseball Camp (9 a.m. - 12 p.m); Jimmy Buffett Night
AUGUST:
8/1 - Rookie Knights Baseball Camp (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.); Cash 5 EZ Match Night, North Carolina Education Lottery
8/5 - Charlotte Hornets Tribute
8/6 - BB&T Ballpark Replica to the first 2,000 fans presented by BB&T
8/7 - Greek Heritage Knight
8/8 - Social Media Knight III; Friday Night Fireworks, BB&T, News Talk 1110 WBT & 107.9 The Link
8/9 - Russian Bar Trio Appearance
8/10 - Back to School Game presented by Belk
8/19 - Jordan Danks bobblehead to the first 2,000 fans presented by Horizon Eye Care
8/23 - Mystery Ball Night
8/25 - Bark in the Ballpark II; $1 Hot Dogs presented by Sahlen's
8/31 - Season Finale Fireworks presented by BB&T, News Talk 1110 WBT & 107.9 The Link
SPECIAL EVENTS:
7/3 - Chinese Taipei vs. Team USA Game
9/16 - Triple-A National Championship Game presented by Gildan
Season tickets, as well as group tickets and 18-game partial season ticket plans for the 2014 inaugural season at BB&T Ballpark, are on sale now and can be purchased by phone at 704-357-8071 or by email at [email protected]. Single-game tickets for all 72 home games, as well as the Gildan Triple-A National Championship game and the USA Baseball vs. Chinese Taipei game, will go on sale on March 8 at 9 a.m. in person at the BB&T Ballpark Ticket Office. Fans can purchase single-game tickets online and by phone starting on March 8 at 12 noon. For more information about Charlotte Knights Baseball, log on to www.charlotteknights.com. Uptown Knights are Better Than Ever!