Most-Anticipated Opening Weekend Ever Announced

(Reading, PA) – The Reading Phillies, the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies since 1967, are pleased to announce that single-game tickets for Opening Weekend of the 2011 season, will go on-sale by phone, walk-up, and online, on Friday, February 4 to the general public. The 2011 season, which is presented by Pepsi, will be the first in the newly-renovated FirstEnergy Stadium.

“This season will be one for the ages,” said R-Phils GM Scott Hunsicker. “We can’t wait to show-off the $10 Million Renovations to America’s Classic Ballpark. We have many great things planned for Opening Weekend, and look forward to sharing all the new amenities with our fans. So many people have asked about tickets for Opening Night, and Opening Weekend, that we decided to put tickets on sale for those four games beginning this Friday.”

Fans can order Opening Weekend tickets in-person at the R-Phils temporary front offices on N. Front St., by calling 610-370 BALL, or by simply logging on to the R-Phils official website at www.readingphillies.com. Single-game tickets for all other games will not be available for purchase until February 18, when they go on-sale online.

On Thursday, April 14, the R-Phils will take the field for perhaps the most-anticipated opening night ever, as the club will face the Akron Aeros at 7:05 p.m. at the newly renovated FirstEnergy Stadium. After a long offseason, which included $10 Million Renovations to America’s Classic Ballpark, the R-Phils will open the brand new Vist Financial Plaza gates at 4:00 p.m. -- giving fans their first glimpse into the new ballpark area. All fans 21 and over can enjoy Happy Hour with $1 off select beers from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Kids can also enjoy a special Happy Half Hour with free Phunland from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for Opening Night.

Fans will want to come out for a thrilling pre-game musical performance by the National Penn Bank Reading Phillies Mascot Band, which will take place on the brand-new Weston Center Winning Smiles Stage – which will be the home of great musical acts all season long. The National Penn Bank Reading Phillies Mascot Band will be celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2011, and each concert will better than ever. Opening Night is also a $16 Family Night at the Pool, thanks to Reading Eagle.

All fans who flocked to FirstEnergy Stadium on August 3, 2010, will remember that the Ryan Howard Garden Gnome, which the R-Phils gave away that day, was one of the most popular giveaways in team history. Ryan Howard will again be celebrated as a gnome, and on Opening Night, the R-Phils will hand out “The Return of the Ryan Howard Garden Gnome – Version # 2”, to the first 3,500 adults, courtesy of Essig Plumbing and Heating. Fans of Ryan Howard, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Reading Phillies, will love this new version of last year’s best giveaway in Minor League Baseball.

Ryan Howard Garden Gnome Version # 2 features Ryan in his black R-Phils uniform. And, that’s not all, as Ryan Howard Garden Gnome night is bigger & better than ever – literally. On Opening Night, one lucky R-Phils fan will win a Life-Size Ryan Howard Garden Gnome, courtesy of Fromm Electric Supply Corp. All fans that enter on Opening Night will receive a free entry form, and one lucky fan will take home this one-of-a kind Life-Size Ryan Howard Garden Gnome estimated to be 550 pounds!

The fun continues on Friday, April 15, when the R-Phils host the Akron Aeros in game two of the four-game set. Vist Financial Plaza gates open at 5:00 p.m., and Frog Holler takes the stage for an exceptional pre-game musical performance. All fans 21 and over can enjoy Happy Hour with $1.00 off select beers from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and the first 2,000 adults will receive an America’s Classic Ballpark Baseball, thanks to Relay for Life.

Friday is the first Dog Day at the Park, courtesy of the 830 AM WEEU, and 69 News Berks Edition, and all dogs in attendance will have the run of the park. While the R-Phils have had Dog Days in the past, this year's Dog Days at the Park will be like no other. 2011 will mark the first time ever that all dogs will be welcome in all areas of FirstEnergy Stadium (dogs will need a special dog night ticket, but dogs are not limited to any one area of the ballpark).

The night will also serve as the first of two “Crazy About Reading” Night’s at the Ballpark, thanks to Renaissance Academy Charter School, with a free ticket for participants and an R-Phils player reading session from 6:00-6:30 p.m. For more information on how to enroll your child’s school or classroom in the “Crazy About Reading” program, please contact R-Phils Educational Programs Coordinator Todd Hunsicker by phone at 610-375-8469 ext. 206, or by email at [email protected].

Friday April 15th is also the first 4 for $49 Family Night of the 2011 season presented by Capital BlueCross. R-Phils fans can get four box seats, four hot dogs, and four sodas, for only $49. Also, Family Night features pre-game play catch on the field, free player autographs, and balloon art.

One night later, Saturday April 16th, the R-Phils will host the Akron Aeros in game three of their four-game series with a 6:05 p.m. first pitch. Vist Financial Plaza gates open at 4:00 p.m., and all adults 21 and over can enjoy Happy Hour, with $1.00 off select drinks from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bunch-A-Funk featuring Reggie Brown will take the Weston Center Winning Smiles stage at 4:00 p.m. for an exciting pre-game musical performance. Adults looking for a great giveaway are in luck, as the first 2,500 adults 21 and over will receive an Old School R-Phils Knit Ski Hat, presented by All Star Dist./Miller Lite.

Also on Saturday, White Star Travel Center and Rock Hits Y102 will give fans the chance to win free vacations. All fans 18 and over that enter the ballpark, will be entered in the free drawing for three tremendous grand prize vacations to be given away.

And Saturday April 16th is also the first Celebration of Music Pre-Game Performance and Free Ticket game, thanks to Zeswitz Music, Reading Musical Foundation & 69 News Berks Edition. As part of the celebration, all musicians are invited to bring their instrument and perform “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” on the field during the pre-game. Any fan who brings their instrument to participate in the festivities, will receive a free game ticket.

On Sunday April 17th, in the series finale, the R-Phils will hold their first Redner's R-Phils Kids Club game of the season, and all Redner’s R-Phils Kids Club members receive a free ticket to the game. Vist Financial Plaza gates open at 11:00 a.m. for all Redner’s R-Phils Kids Club members, and there will be a special pre-game autograph session from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m., thanks to Redner's Warehouse Markets, Reading Eagle, 69 News Berks Edition. The first 2,500 kids will also receive a collectible R-Phils Team Baseball Card Poster, courtesy of Reppert’s Candies. Also, thanks to Reppert's Candies, the first 1,500 kids will receive a tasty chocolate baseball glove.

Sunday games also feature some great promotions. Every Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium, all fans can chow down on delicious hot dogs for just $1, courtesy of Berks Packing and Stroehmann's. Also, new in 2011, all fans who come out to America's Classic Ballpark for a Sunday game, will have the chance to win some great prizes. Each Sunday game will feature Flat Screens and Bicycles, thanks to Red Robin and Maidencreek TV & Appliance. Fans will have the chance to leave the ballpark every Sunday with a flat screen television, or a bicycle. After every Sunday game, all kids in attendance can “Run the Bases”, thanks to 69 News Berks Edition.

Fans interested in renewing their season tickets and mini-plans, can do so now by visiting readingphillies.com, or by calling 610-370-BALL. Individual game tickets for all other R-Phils 2011 games will go on-sale online on Friday, February 18 and via phone and walk-up orders on Monday, February 28. R-Phils Tickets -- Same Great Price. America's Classic Ballpark...Just Got Even Better.

OPENING WEEKEND PROMOTIONS:

Thursday April 14, 7:05 p.m.
• The Return of the Ryan Howard Garden Gnome – Version # 2 (First 3,500 adults)
• One-of-a-Kind, Life-Size Ryan Howard Garden Gnome Grand Prize Give-Away
• R-Phils Mascot Band Pre-Game Concert
• Happy Hour 4:00-6:00
• Kids Happy Half Hour w/ Free Phunland (Extended 4:00-5:30)

Friday April 15, 7:05 p.m.
• America’s Classic Ballpark Baseball (First 2,000 adults)
• Bring Your Dog to the Ballpark
• Frog Holler in Concert 5:00-6:30
• Happy Hour 5:00-6:00
• Happy Half Hour w/ Free Phunland 5:00-5:30
• 4 for $49 Family Night w/ Pre-Game Play Catch on the Field
• Crazy About Reading Night

Saturday April 16, 6:05 p.m.
• Old School R-Phils Knit Ski Hat (First 2,500 adults, 21+)
• Three Grand Prize Vacation Giveaways
• Celebration of Music w/ Free Ticket and On-Field Performance
• Bunch-A-Funk in Concert 4:00-5:30
• Happy Hour 4:00-5:00
• Happy Half Hour w/ Free Phunland 4:00-4:30

Sunday April 17, 1:05 p.m.
• R-Phils Team Baseball Card Poster (First 2,500 kids)
• Chocolate Baseball Glove (First 1,500 kids)
• Kids Club Free Ticket Game
• Kids Club Team Autograph Session 11AM
• Flat Screens & Bicycle Giveaways
• $1 Hot Dogs
• All Fans “Run the Bases” After the Game