Miracle release 2014 schedule, promotions

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 26, 2014) - The Fort Myers Miracle are pleased to announce the release of the 2014 season schedule featuring a promotional calendar sure to dazzle fans at Hammond Stadium and JetBlue Park this summer. Beginning on April 3 and ending on August 31, the 23rd season of Miracle baseball will feature 140 games in 151 days including 62 home dates at Hammond Stadium, featuring the addition of a brand new outfield boardwalk, and the final eight home dates at JetBlue Park.

"We take great pride in giving people a reason to come to Miracle games and to make sure they have a great, entertaining time when they are here," said Miracle General Manager Andrew Seymour. "Our team has put together a summer of fun and we're looking forward to delivering smiles and memories right from the very first pitch."

The Miracle open the season on Thursday, April 3 on the road at Roger Dean Stadium against the Jupiter Hammerheads. After the first two games away, the Miracle host the Hammerheads for Opening Night on Saturday, April 5. The first of six fireworks shows throughout the summer, Opening Night is presented by Wendy's, HESS Express and Clear Channel.

Wendy's and HESS Express have teamed up with the Miracle and acquired tickets to Opening Night and will distribute them at no cost to their customers. Fans can pick up a general admission ticket at local Wendy's restaurants and HESS Express stations in Lee and Collier Counties beginning on Friday, March 28. For $2, fans can upgrade a complimentary ticket to a box seat by visiting the Hammond Stadium ticket office beginning on Monday, March 31 at 9 a.m. The first 5,000 fans to enter the gates will receive a 2014 Miracle magnetic schedule courtesy of the Florida Forest Service and Fresh from Florida.

Five more fireworks shows are on the schedule during the summer. Celebrate Memorial Weekend Fireworks on Saturday, May 24, presented by Dairy Queen, Coors Light and Bob FM. Breast Cancer Awareness Night, sponsored by Lee Memorial Hospital and MORE FM returns on Saturday, June 7 with fireworks to follow the game with the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

On Saturday, July 5, enjoy a patriotic pyrotechnic display with Independence Weekend Fireworks presented by CenturyLink, Budweiser and Beasley Broadcasting. Join the Miracle to light up the night sky a second time in July on Saturday, July 12 for the return of Beer, Baseball and Boom presented by Killebrew Root Beer and Gator Country. Join the Miracle for the return of the Craft Beer Festival with a delicious beer-tasting before and during a 6:05 p.m. game against the Dunedin Blue Jays.
The final fireworks show of the 2014 schedule is set for Saturday, August 16 at 6:05 p.m. at JetBlue Park for Fan Appreciation Night and Salute to Two Dead Fat Guys, commemorating the passing of both Babe Ruth and Elvis Presley on the same date.

The Miracle host 16 home dates in April including a pair of Prep/Pro Doubleheaders. On April 9 at 3:30 p.m., Lehigh High School will battle East Lee High School prior to the Miracle hosting the Charlotte Stone Crabs at 7:05 p.m. On April 18 at 3:30 p.m., Island Coast High School and Cape Coral High School will play at Hammond Stadium with the Miracle matching up with the St. Lucie Mets at 7:05 p.m.

Fans are in for a special treat on Tuesday, April 15 as Hammond Stadium plays host to an NCAA collegiate baseball match-up. The University of Florida Gators will be in town to face Florida Gulf Coast University at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, April 18 is also Tobacco-Free Lee Night presented by the Lee County Health Department, and the first of four Dog Daze throughout the summer is the following day on Saturday, April 19 when fans can bring their pups to the park. Other Dog Daze dates are Friday, May 16, Thursday, June 12 and Friday, July 11.

Post-game wrestling returns to The Bill on Friday, April 25 with Headlocks & Base Knocks presented by 93X.

In May, the Miracle have 12 home games highlighted by the Saturday, May 10 appearance of Daisy Dukes , Catherine Bach, from the Dukes of Hazzard television show compliments of National Deli. Bach will sign autographs and pose for pictures during a 6:05 p.m. game versus the Jupiter Hammerheads. Also, May 10 is the return of the Great All-Nighter where fans can camp out on the Hammond Stadium outfield grass.

On Friday, May 9, the Miracle and Lehigh Rotary team up for Take a Kid to the Game Night. Be ready for breakfast and baseball on Monday, May 19 for the annual Education Day game at 10:35 a.m. Fans that hit the links will want to mark their schedule for Saturday, May 31 for Golf Appreciation Night. Hundreds of rounds of golf and other great prizes will be given away throughout the evening, a 6:05 p.m. start against the Tampa Yankees.

June boasts 19 home games including the second of four giveaway nights. On Friday, June 6, the first 500 fans 12 and under will receive a Miracle youth t-shirt compliments of CenturyLink. Gates open at 6 p.m. before a 7:05 p.m. start with the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

Another giveaway night comes later in the month on Saturday, June 28 with a Miracle baseball cap going to the first 500 fans thanks to Earth Elements Landscaping Supply. The final giveaway night comes on Thursday, July 31 for the KOHL'S Backpack Giveaway. The first 500 fans 12 and under will receive a "back to school" backpack stuffed with supplies and great deals.

For the beer drinkers in the crowd, Tuesday, June 3 is a "can't miss" night as the Miracle pay homage to 10-Cent Beer Night. Fans will pay by the ounce for their brew and the cost is just 10 cents per ounce! While on the topic of beer, the popular Stan and Haney Night returns on a Thirsty Thursday, June 5 sponsored by 96 K-ROCK. Loyal listeners will definitely want to join the dastardly duo at Hammond Stadium.

June also hosts the first youth baseball camp for ages 6-8 from June 25-27. The second camp for ages 9-12 runs from July 29-31.

DC's Homerun Derby presented by 96 K-ROCK on Thursday, June 26 and the Killebrew Root Beer Scouts Hall of Fame evening on Friday, June 27 round out the month of June.

In July, the Miracle celebrate a Day Game of Independence on July 4 at 12:35 p.m. Enjoy baseball the old-fashioned way, under the sun for an Americana filled afternoon complete with an All You Can Eat special.

July includes Zombie Night presented by 93X on Friday, July 11, Negro League Tribute on Sunday, July 13, National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 30 and Hammond Stadium turns into a wet and wild waterpark on Wednesday, July 23 for Big Splash with gates opening at 9 a.m. for an 11:35 a.m. start versus the Brevard County Manatees.

For August, Miracle fans are in for a "monster" treat as the final eight home games of the 2014 schedule will be played at JetBlue Park. With Phase II of the Hammond Stadium renovation set to begin after July, the Miracle move across Daniels Parkway and begin a six-game homestand on Tuesday, August 12 against the St. Lucie Mets. The homestand ends on Sunday, August 17 and the Miracle return to JetBlue Park for the final two games of the regular season on Thursday, August 28 and Friday, August 29 versus the Jupiter Hammerheads. Home playoff games, if applicable, will also be played at JetBlue Park.

"Our August schedule is going to be a unique opportunity for our fans to experience another first class Lee County venue," said Miracle General Manager Andrew Seymour. "We are extremely thankful to the Boston Red Sox and Lee County for allowing us to play at JetBlue Park when Phase II of the Hammond Stadium renovations gets underway."

The Miracle return daily special favorites like 2-4-1 Tuesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, Fill'er Up Fridays and SINK or SWIM Saturdays. New this year are Ladies' Night Wednesdays and SUBWAY® restaurants Sunday. For more information on daily specials visit www.miraclebaseball.com.

For the third 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 Friday 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.

Standard start times for games at Hammond Stadium and JetBlue Park in 2014 are 7:05 p.m. for Monday through Friday games. Saturday games will begin at 6:05 p.m. and Sunday games will start at 4:05 p.m. Please visit www.miraclebaseball.com to see the 2014 schedule as some dates have special start times.

Ticket prices in advance for 2014 remain the same: $8.50 ($9.50 for fireworks nights) for Box Seats/Drink Rail Seating and $6.50 ($7.50 for fireworks nights) for General Admission/Lawn Seating sections. All ticket prices increase by $1.50 on the day of game. For more information on the 2014 season, visit www.miraclebaseball.com or call the Miracle offices at (239) 768-4210.