Miracle Release 2013 Promotions Schedule
FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 1, 2013) - The Fort Myers Miracle announced today the 2013 promotional schedule that features a wide range of family fun entertainment including fireworks, celebrity appearances, giveaways and much more.
"We've got an All-Star staff that is anxious to entertain and dazzle with a whole new bevy of great promotions," said General Manager Andrew Seymour. "Promotions that will have Southwest Florida smiling all summer long!"
The action-packed promotional schedule is highlighted by five fireworks nights including Opening Weekend at Hammond Stadium on Saturday, April 6 against the Bradenton Marauders. Wendy's has teamed up with the Miracle and acquired tickets to the game, and will distribute them at no cost to customers. Fans can pick up a general admission ticket at local Wendy's in Lee and Collier Counties. The first 5,000 fans to enter the gates will receive a magnetic schedule courtesy of Fresh from Florida.
The most spectacular pyrotechnic display in Southwest Florida will light up the sky again on Saturday, May 25 in celebration of Memorial Day presented by Coors Light, on Saturday, June 8 for Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Lee Memorial Health Systems, on Wednesday, July 3 for Independence Day presented by CenturyLink and Budweiser. The last fireworks date of the summer is on Saturday, August 17 for Beer, Baseball, and Boom and our Craft Beer Festival presented by Killebrew Root Beer.
In addition to the magnetic schedule on April 6, the promotional schedule features four more giveaway nights. On Saturday, June 22, CenturyLink presents Youth T-Shirt giveaway night for the first 500 fans 12 and under. June 22 will also be Star Wars Night with creatures from Hoth, Tatooine, and the Dagobah System walking around the ballpark.
On Saturday, June 29, the Miracle will welcome longtime sideline reporter for TNT and TBS Craig Sager to Hammond Stadium. Sager was once the Sports Director at WINK-TV. To honor his Fort Myers history, the Miracle will hand out 500 bobbleheads compliments of CenturyLink. Known for his ultra-cool outfits, fans will have the option of picking one of two stylishly suited bobbleheads compliments of CenturyLink. Sager will be at the ballpark to sign autographs and give out fashion advice.
Another giveaway night will be a part of Salute to the 90's night on Friday, July 5. Remember when Beanie Babies hysteria swept the nation? The first 250 fans 12 and under will get a blast from the past and receive a Beanie Baby that could be worth some cash!
Kids will also have a chance to gear back up for the new school year on Saturday, July 27 with a backpack giveaway presented by KOHL'S. The first 500 fans 12 and under to enter the stadium will get a backpack stuffed with back-to-school goodies and other great deals from around Southwest Florida.
For fans of professional wrestling, the Miracle have two "can't miss" nights penciled into this year's promotional schedule. The first is on Saturday, May 4 when WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling legend Jerry "The King" Lawler makes a special appearance at Hammond Stadium. Lawler will be signing autographs and posing for pictures from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The second night comes on Friday, June 21 with postgame professional wrestling. After the Miracle play the Jupiter Hammerheads, the stadium will be transformed into an arena with live pro wrestling capped off by the first-ever Southwest Florida kitchen appliance match!
The celebrity appearances at Hammond Stadium continue with NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison coming to the ballpark on hand to sign autographs and pose for pictures on . Come out on Saturday, July 13 and meet a racing legend.
On Friday, May 24, the Miracle bring you the "Field of Screams" with a Salute to Drive-In Movies. 90 years ago, the first drive-in movie opened in Camden, N.J. and the Miracle will celebrate this anniversary with classic horror movies after the game presented by Techtronics.
The Dog Daze of Summer return for the 2013 season with five dates to bring your pooch to the park. Let the dogs bark on Thursday, April 11, Thursday May 16, Friday, June 21, Friday, July 26 and Saturday, August 24. Order a Dog Daze of Summer Pack for $34 and get a general admission ticket to all five games plus a Miracle dog leash.
Local baseball fans will have three opportunities to take in a double-dip in 2013. On Thursday, April 4, the Miracle open the regular season with a Prelude to Opening Day presented by Merrill Lynch. Preceding the 7:05 p.m. first pitch will be a Prep/Pro Doubleheader with South Fort Myers High School playing Cypress Lake at 3:30 p.m.
The Miracle welcome Island Coast High School and Cape Coral High School to play another Prep/Pro Doubleheader on Monday, April 15 with a 3:30 p.m. start time before the Miracle play the Palm Beach Cardinals at 7:05 p.m.
College baseball fans will be treated to a great matchup and growing rivalry when the University of Florida baseball program heads to Hammond Stadium to take on Florida Gulf Coast University on Tuesday, April 16. A true 2-4-1 Tuesday, the Miracle play Palm Beach at 2:35 p.m. and the Gators battle the Eagles at 6:30 p.m. A ticket for the Miracle game gets you admission into the intrastate baseball battle of Florida vs. FGCU.
On Friday, July 12, the Miracle pay tribute to one of the most infamous promotions in professional history, Disco Demolition. Presented by 96 K-ROCK, on-air personalities Zito and Garrett will be on hand with special prizes that fans will either enjoy or destroy!
Other promotions of note include the return of Cinco de Miracle on Sunday, May 5, National Hamburger Day presented by Rochester Meat Company on Tuesday, May 28, win prize packages of a life time with Bucket List Night on Thursday, June 6, celebrate our neighbors from the "Great White North" with Canada Day on Monday, July 1 and get wet and wild with the return of Big Splash beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10.
Assorted theme nights include Univision Night celebrating Latin American culture on Wednesday, April 17 presented by WUVF-Univision Southwest Florida, Tobacco Free Lee Night presented by Lee County Health Department on Friday, April 26, Stan and Haney Night on Saturday, April 27 presented by K-ROCK, Lehigh Rotary Take a Kid to the Game Night on Friday, May 3, Islands Night on Wednesday, May 15 presented by Bailey's General Store and the Goldklang Group Scouts Hall of Fame presented by Killebrew Root Beer on Thursday, August 8.
"Since the early days of the Miracle, we have always worked hard to create a fun, engaging atmosphere that allows fans the opportunity for more than just a ballgame," said Senior Director of Business Development John Kuhn. "The game doesn't always end with the home team on top, but if fans go with a smile on their face because of something extra they saw at the park like fireworks, a celebrity or even a silly on-field contest, that's a win for us."
Returning daily special favorites like Buck Night Mondays, 2-4-1 Tuesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, Fill'er Up Fridays and Family Fun Sundays will be back for the 2013 season. New this year are Craft Beer Wednesdays and SINK or SWIM Saturdays that features a $10 All You Can Drink offer.
For the second year, the Junior Miracle Kid's Club is 100 percent FREE to join for children 12 and under. The club membership includes free admission to all Wednesday and Sunday home games. Kids are invited to run the bases following Friday and Sunday games and partake in a pre-game catch in the outfield on Sundays.
For more information on the 2013 season, call the Miracle offices at (239) 768-4210 or visit www.miraclebaseball.com.
2013 PROMOTIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
April 4 - Prelude to Opening Weekend - Prep/Pro DH: South Fort Myers vs. Cypress Lake - 3:30 p.m.
April 6 - Opening Weekend Fireworks - Magnet Schedule Giveaway#
April 11 - Dog Daze
April 14 - Miracle Mini-Golf Tournament - Postgame at Castle Golf
April 15 - Prep/Pro DH: Island Coast vs. Cape Coral - 3:30 p.m.
April 16 - Collegiate/Pro DH: University of Florida vs. FGCU - 6:30 p.m.
April 17 - Univision Night
April 26 - Tobacco Free Lee Night
April 27 - Stan & Haney Night
May 2 - Ed Randall Bat for the Cure Night - Blogapalooza
May 3 - Lehigh Rotary Take a Kid to the Game Night
May 4 - WWE Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler Appearance - Miracle Special Needs Camp - The Great All-Nighter
May 5 - Cinco de Miracle
May 8 - Education Day - 10:35 a.m. first pitch
May 15 - Islands Night
May 16 - Dog Daze
May 24 - Field of Screams - Postgame movies on the field
May 25 - Memorial Weekend Fireworks
May 28 - National Hamburger Day
May 30 - Zito & Garrett Night
June 4-6 - Baseball Camp - Ages 6-8
June 6 - Bucket List Night
June 8 - Mid-Summer Fireworks - Breast Cancer Awareness Night
June 18-20 - Baseball Camp - Ages 9-12
June 19 - Books-N-Bats
June 20 - Negro League Night
June 21 - Dog Daze - Postgame Professional Wrestling
June 22 - Youth T-Shirt Giveaway Night% - Star Wars Night
June 29 - Craig Sager Bobblehead and Appearance^
July 1 - Canada Day
July 3 - Independence Weekend Fireworks
July 5 - Beanie Babies Giveaway$ - Salute to the 90's
July 10 - Big Splash Day - 12:05 p.m. first pitch
July 11 - Irish Fest
July 12 - Enjoy or Destroy - Salute to Disco Demolition
July 13 - NASCAR Legend Bobby Allison Appearance
July 14 - National Pandemonium Day
July 25 - Golf Appreciation Night
July 26 - Dog Daze
July 27 - Kids Night - Back to School - Backpack Giveaway Night%
July 30 - Ticket Frenzy Tuesday
July 31 - Books-N-Bats
August 1 - Odd Pet Day
August 8 - Goldklang Group Scouts Hall of Fame
August 9 - Books-N-Bats - Hurricane Awareness Night
August 17 - Craft Beer Festival - Beer, Baseball, Boom
August 23 - Concert T-Shirt Night
August 24 - Dog Daze - Broken Bat Giveaway
August 30 - Fan Appreciation Night
#-First 5,000 fans
^ - First 500 fans
% - First 500 12 & Under
$ - First 250 fans 12 & Under