Curve open 20th season with action-packed homestand

CURVE, Pa. - The 20^th Season of Altoona Curve Baseball, presented by Stuckey Subaru, begins this Thursday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field as the defending Eastern League champions host the Akron RubberDucks (AA - Cleveland Indians) and Harrisburg Senators (AA - Washington Nationals) in the first of seven home games to begin the year. The homestand is highlighted by Fireworks and more on Opening Day and the Michael Ryan bobblehead giveaway on Saturday.

The action begins on Thursday night as the defending-champion Curve host the RubberDucks at 6 p.m. The ballpark gates open at 5 p.m., and the first 5,000 fans will receive a 2018 Curve Magnet Schedule, presented by iQor, and there will be a fireworks show following the game.
Jeff Jimerson, best known as the national anthem singer for the Pittsburgh Penguins, will sing the Star-Spangled Banner prior to the game and God Bless America during the seventh-inning stretch. He has been noted by Bleacher Report as one of the top-8 anthem singers in the National Hockey League.
The homestand continues through the weekend, with the Michael Ryan Fans' Choice All-Time Curve Team bobblehead giveaway, presented by First Commonwealth Bank, for the first 1,000 fans on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the ballpark gates will open at 1 p.m.
Please note: The start of Saturday's game has been moved up from its originally scheduled time to 2 p.m. The gates will now open at 12:50 for season ticket holders and 1 p.m. for the general public. Click here for more information.
Sunday is the first of 11 Ritchey's Dairy Kids' Club games this season. The club is free for kids ages 3-12 and includes a free ticket for every Sunday home game this season, as well as many other exclusive perks. First pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 2 p.m.
The Curve welcome their cross-state rivals, the Harrisburg Senators, on Monday to begin a three-game series with the first Mitsubishi Monday of the season. Fans can stop by Five Star Mitsubishi in Altoona to pick up FREE Grandstand tickets for that evening's contest.
The opening homestand concludes on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The gates open at 5 p.m. and the first 500 fans will take home a Replica 2017 Championship Ring, presented by Stuckey Subaru. It will also be Winning Wednesday, presented by the Pennsylvania Lottery, featuring chances for fans to win prizes from the PA Lottery. The night will also see the debut of the Curve's Digital Camo jerseys, presented by the Altoona Mirror.
Please note: Tuesday's Andy Van Slyke appearance has been postponed to a later date not yet determined. For more information, click here.
The full promotional schedule for the homestand is below: