Whitecaps announce 2013 schedule
Game two of the 70-game season is an 11 a.m. game on Friday, April 5, a first-time-ever Friday morning game billed as a double-header with the Tigers' home opener, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. Fans are welcome to stay at the ballpark to enjoy the Tigers home opener against the Yankees, which will be shown on the Fifth Third Ballpark video board and all the TV screens in the Pepsi Stadium Club.
The 2013 schedule shows 13 home games in April and May, then 14 games in June and July and 16 in August. The season finale is Friday, August 30 at 7 p.m.
The team's 20th anniversary will be celebrated all season long. A total of 20 post-game fireworks shows will be offered, as just one of the many ways the team will honor 20 years of Whitecaps baseball. Fireworks are scheduled for Opening Night as well as every Saturday game from May 18 through the end of the season, every Wednesday game starting in June, three Friday dates (July 5 and August 16 and 30) and on Thursday, July 4.
Nine of the 14 games in April will be day games, aimed at the comfort of fans to take advantage of warmer daytime temperatures.
May will once again be a big month for area school groups, with three 11 a.m. games designated as School Days (Friday, May 3, Monday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 29). June is packed with three sets of three-day weekends of baseball to kick off the end of the school year and the beginning of the 7 p.m. summer start times.
July starts off with a noon game on Monday, July 1. A home game to celebrate the 4th of July is one of six fireworks dates in the month. August will be the busiest month of the year, packed with 16 home games (seven with fireworks).
The Whitecaps front office staff is already working hard to fill the home dates with promotions. Weekly promotions have already been set and are as follows:
SUNDAY: Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Family Days (kids eat free, pregame team autographs and play catch on the field) and Bob Evans Kids Run The Bases.
MONDAY: JQ99 All Faiths Night (Get half off a box or reserved seat when you show a church or community bulletin).
TUESDAY: Silver Slugger Night (All Whitecaps fans 50 years or better get half-off box or reserved seats). Three "Dime Dog" Nights are also scheduled on Tuesdays on May 28, July 30 and August 6.
WEDNESDAY: Fireworks (post-game fireworks every Wednesday starting in June).
THURSDAY: Altogas Thrifty Thursdays ($2 drink specials and $1 hot dogs).
FRIDAY: Tiger Fridays (Detroit Tigers themed giveaway items and appearances by former Tigers players) - beginning June 14.
SATURDAY: Fireworks (post-game fireworks every Saturday starting May 18).
Many more promotions will be added throughout the off-season. Promotions will be added to the Whitecaps website as they are booked.
Whitecaps games will be back on the radio, on flagship station 107.3 WBBL-FM.
Fans can purchase season tickets and mini plans beginning Tuesday, October 23 by calling the Whitecaps front office at (616) 784-4131. Tickets for groups of 20 or more, including private party areas, will go on sale in November. Individual game tickets will go on sale in early 2013.
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