Full national acts and special events schedule released
The Shorebirds will host a meet and greet with 10-year MLB veteran Chris Hoiles in the Executive Club at Perdue Stadium on April 7. Hoiles played for the Baltimore Orioles from 1989-1998. He was the primary catcher for the Orioles for eight of his ten seasons in the major leagues. In 894 career games, Hoiles hit .262 with 151 home runs and 449 RBIs. The Bowling Green, Ohio native had his best season in 1993, when he posted career highs in: batting average (.310), home runs (29), hits (130), doubles (29) and slugging percentage (.585).
Hoiles is best remembered for two rare achievements. On August 14, 1998 against the Cleveland Indians, he became the ninth player in MLB history to hit two grand slams in one game. The second rare feat came on May 17, 1986 at Orioles Park at Camden Yards when Hoiles hit a bottom of the ninth inning two-out grand slam to propel the Orioles to a 14-13 win over the Seattle Mariners.
The meet and greet in the Executive Club will include a chance to get autographs and take pictures with Hoiles along with a buffet dinner and ticket to the game.
"I hope that Orioles fans really get excited about having Chris Hoiles here on opening day," said general manager Chris Bitters. "We feel that our meet and greets are perfect for fans who really want to spend time with our guests and enjoy a buffet dinner."
On April 29, the nationally renowned traveling act, Inflatamaniacs, will be in attendance to entertain fans. The Inflatamaniacs have four characters that act out skits and interact with fans. Their mission is to provide quality family friendly entertainment. For more information about the Inflatamaniacs, visit www.inflatamaniacs.com.
The Shorebirds will celebrate Sherman's birthday on Friday, May 27 with Mascot Mania. There will be a meet and greet in the Executive Club with the Oriole Bird, the official mascot of the Baltimore Orioles and Poe, the official mascot of the Baltimore Ravens. Other mascots that are expected to attend include: Harry the Hawk from UMES, Sammy the Sea Gull from Salisbury University, Ferris from the Aberdeen Ironbirds and Louie from the Bowie BaySox.
On June 3, the Shorebirds will welcome Miss USA International pageant winner Casandra Tressler to Arthur W. Perdue Stadium for a special meet and greet. Tressler represented the United States in the Miss USA International competition in China last year. Tressler, originally from Damascus, Maryland, won the Miss Maryland pageant in 2008 and represented the state in the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas.
Dora the Explorer will make a special appearance at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Sunday, July 17. Children will have the opportunity to pose for pictures with the cartoon character before the game as part of a meet and greet in the Executive Club. All meet and greets in the Executive Club includes a two hour buffet prepared by the on-site chef at Perdue Stadium. All meet and greets also come with a ticket to the game.
The Executive Club offers the best high angle view of the action. The club also features comfortable seating, climate controlled temperature and multiple televisions.
The Shorebirds open the 2011 season with a special exhibition game against Salisbury University on April 5. The South Atlantic League portion of the schedule begins on April 7 against the Greensboro Grasshoppers at Perdue Stadium.
For more information about the special appearances and national acts coming to Perdue Stadium this summer, contact the Delmarva Shorebirds at 410-219-3112.