2010 Theme Nights, Jerseys Offer Fun For Everyone

FRESNO, CA - Following up on several seasons of award-winning promotions and in-game entertainment, the Fresno Grizzlies are once again offering a Promotional Calendar loaded with Theme Nights in 2010. With events targeted at many different segments of the Valley community and opportunities for fans to choose the promotions they would like to see, the Grizzlies are encouraging Fresnans to make this season their own.

The 2010 schedule is headlined by four games in which the Grizzlies will enhance the theme night experience by wearing special themed jerseys on the field. Following each of these four games, the jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit a particular community organization. All winning participants in the jersey auction will get to meet their favorite Grizzlies player and have the jersey right off their back, along with a picture and autograph.

Saturday, June 26th, the Grizzlies will celebrate a pop culture phenomenon by hosting "Twilight Night" on the evening of a lunar eclipse. At the core of the Twilight craze is one of the most hotly debated topics in recent memory, which can be summed up succinctly in one question: Team Edward or Team Jacob? In advance of the highly anticipated third installment of the movie series, fans will be able to decide the outcome of that debate by voting on the team's Facebook Fan Page between a customized vampire (Team Edward) or werewolf (Team Jacob) jersey. The winning jersey will be worn by the Grizzlies during Twilight Night, with proceeds of a jersey auction aptly benefiting the Central California Blood Center.

The Grizzlies will also help support the CCBC's weeklong blood drive from June 21st-25th in advance of the event. In addition, fan-chosen player jersey T-Shirts will also be handed out to the first 2,000 fans through the gates.

The Grizzlies will celebrate "Hispanic Heritage Night" on Friday, May 21st, by taking the field in red, green and white Los Grizzlies jerseys, modeled after the Mexican National Team's uniforms with proceeds benefiting the Fresno City College Latino Faculty and Staff Association. The night is presented by Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino, and will also include post-game fireworks.

On Friday, April 30th, the Grizzlies will celebrate "A Giant Night" at the ballpark, in recognition of their ongoing affiliation with their parent club, the San Francisco Giants, by wearing special orange Giants jerseys. All proceeds from the jersey auction will benefit the Kremen School of Education at Fresno State. The game will be followed by traditional Friday Night Fireworks.

The final theme jersey for 2010 will be unveiled on Friday, August 20th. In conjunction with Girl Scouts At Bat, the Grizzlies are opening up a "Kid-Created Theme Jersey" design contest to all Girl Scouts in the Central Valley. Five finalists will have their designs posted on the team's Facebook Fan Page to be voted on in the month of May. The winner will be announced on the field prior to the game on August 20th, and the team will wear jerseys inspired by her design. In addition, the winner will get her very own jersey, signed by the entire Grizzlies team and will throw out the first pitch that night. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Girl Scouts of Central California South.

Beyond the jersey theme nights, though, the schedule is packed with other exciting promotions that involve not just the players and coaches, but every fan in the ballpark.

On Friday, May 7th, the Grizzlies will usher in the third annual "Ag Night" celebrating the rich, agricultural past and present of California's Central Valley. With a petting zoo, farmer's market, and tractor exhibit, the night will be dedicated to honoring the Valley's vital role as the world's most productive agricultural region.

Have you ever wanted to work in professional sports? Your chance to get your foot in the door is on Saturday, May 8th, as the Grizzlies host their inaugural Sports Career Fair. Local Professional sports organizations like the Grizzlies, Fuego and Bulldog Sports Properties as well as others from around California including the Sacramento Kings will be on hand to collect resumes and interview prospective candidates.

The Grizzlies have declared Saturday, June 5th Disabled American Veterans Day, as the organization will pay tribute to the brave men and women of our armed forces who were injured in the line of duty. A pre-game parade will be held on the field to honor the veterans in attendance.

Thursday June 17th brings with it the return of Ladies Night at Chukchansi Park. Local vendors will be set up around the concourse offering free manicures, pedicures, facials and massages. Also, there will be a between-inning Dugout Fashion Show and a Grizzlies player dinner auction, with proceeds benefiting local charities.

While there will be a few left-handed mitts available for the Grizzlies' glove giveaway on Saturday, June 19th, the organization recognizes that southpaws often get the short end of the stick. That's why the Grizzlies will host a Salute to Lefties that night, honoring the 7-10 percent of the population that has contributed so much history both inside and outside of baseball.

Come out and have a catch on the field with Dad as the Grizzlies celebrate Father's Day on Sunday, June 20th. In addition to 25-cent hot dogs, presented by Evergood Fine Foods, Father's Day marks the beginning of the Grizzlies new Family Catch on the Field, where fans will be allowed on the field before every Sunday home game to play catch on the grass at Chukchansi Park.

Continuing with the fan involvement element in 2010, the Grizzlies will host You Sing the National Anthem Night on Monday, July 5th. As part of the celebration of Independence Day weekend, the Grizzlies will invite all the fans to show off their patriotism in joining together to sing the National Anthem a capella, with a special Holiday Monday fireworks show to follow the game.

Bust out your faux-hawks and tight jeans for So Euro Night, a tribute to all things European on Thursday, July 15th. With the Tour De France in full swing, round one of the British Open underway and just two days before David Hasselhoff's birthday, it's a perfect time to come enjoy a live pre-game DJ, between-inning antics, and the Techno Press Box on a Thirsty Thursday.

Kids come first on Wednesday, July 21st, as the Grizzlies present the triumphant return of Kid-A-Palooza. The night will feature 25-cent hot dogs thanks to Evergood Fine Foods and FREE ice cream, presented by Helados Mexico. In addition, a very special celebrity guest, who will be announced on Friday, will join the festivities.

Thursday, July 22nd will see the return of The Great Fresno Tweetup to Chukchansi Park. Following a successful inaugural event last season, the Grizzlies will again partner with FresnoBeehive.com to offer a special ticket package to friends and followers of the team who RSVP via Twitter.

Had enough of all the ladies nights in town? The Grizzlies have your answer, presenting the most obvious promotion that nobody has thought of. It's Man Night on Thursday, July 29th, catering to the Y-chromosomed half of the population. With a wing-eating contest, inning dugout girls and a chance to win upgraded seats to the Man Cave Luxury Suite all happening on a Thirsty Thursday, there will be everything you need to have a manly time at the ballpark.

The Grizzlies will celebrate the Friday the 13th Night on, what else, Friday, August 13th. There will be tributes to the superstitions surrounding the holiday and all things triskaidekaphobic.

Parker is planning to celebrate his bobblehead night in style as he hosts a good-natured battle royale for costumed-character supremacy. That's right, it's Mascot Wrestling Night on Saturday, August 14th, a playful between-inning tournament involving some of the Valley's most beloved entertainers.

The 2010 promotional lineup will continue to grow and evolve through Opening Day and into the season, and more fun theme nights and events will be added and announced in the future. Promotions are always subject to change.

The celebrity appearance schedule, the much anticipated final piece of the 2010 Fresno Grizzlies Promotional Calendar, will be released on Friday. Value-oriented weekday promotions will be announced next week.

The Fresno Grizzlies open the home portion of their 2010 campaign on Friday, April 16th when they welcome the Portland Beavers to downtown Fresno. Single-game tickets for the 2010 season will go on sale on Monday, March 15th at 9:00am. For information on season tickets or mini-plans, both on sale now, visit the new FresnoGrizzlies.com or call the Grizzlies front office at 559.320.HITS.

2010 Grizzlies Theme Night Schedule
Friday, April 23: Strike Out Autism Night
Friday, April 30: A Giant Night (theme jerseys)
Friday, May 7: Ag Night
Saturday, May 8: Sports Career Fair
Friday, May 21: Hispanic Heritage Night (theme jerseys)
Saturday, June 5: Disabled American Veterans Day
Thursday, June 17: Ladies Night
Saturday, June 19: Salute to Lefties
Sunday, June 20: Father's Day Celebration
Saturday, June 26: Twilight Night (fan-chosen theme jerseys)
Monday, July 5: You Sing the National Anthem
Thursday, July 15: So Euro Night
Wednesday, July 21: Kid-A-Palooza
Thursday, July 22: The Great Fresno Tweetup
Thursday, July 29: Man Night
Friday, August 13: Friday the 13th Night
Saturday, August 14: Mascot Wrestling Night
Friday, August 20: Girl Scouts At Bat (fan-chosen theme jerseys)