Curve to woo Will Ferrell to attend game
As part of "Please Come to Altoona Will Ferrell Night," which will highlight Monday's 5:35 p.m. doubleheader at Blair County Ballpark against the Akron Aeros (Double-A/Indians), the Curve and their fans will officially begin the process of inviting Ferrell -- best known for his hilarious roles on Saturday Night Live and for playing unforgettable big screen characters such as "Ron Burgundy" (Anchorman), "Ricky Bobby" (Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby) and "Frank The Tank" (Old School) -- to Central Pennsylvania for any remaining 2008 Curve home game.
The Curve, with the help of fans attending Monday's doubleheader at Blair County Ballpark, will put together a formal letter, a DVD of Curve staff, players and fans pleading for Ferrell to travel to Altoona, and a package of incentives in hopes of luring one of the biggest movie stars of our generation to Altoona for a future Curve game.
The very enticing incentive package put together by the Curve will include:
-- A $716.67 appearance fee (based on his birth date of 7/16/67)
-- A ride to and from the Blair County Airport in mascot Steamer's Mini Van
-- Two (2) Diamond Club Tickets to the game of his choice and the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch
-- The opportunity to host the "Curve Game Day Show" in the character of "Ron Burgundy" from Anchorman
-- An opportunity to broadcast one inning of the Curve game on radio (Ferrell attended USC in hopes of becoming a sports broadcaster)
-- One Curve Burger and a small fountain drink
-- A Curve hat from the ballpark's Lost and Found Bin
-- A round of golf for Ferrell and sidekick John C. Reilly on the Moon with Tiger Woods, as he demanded during Sunday's telecast of the ESPY Awards on ESPN. (The only caveat is that the Curve still are awaiting word from Woods on "Please Come to Altoona Tiger Woods Night," which was quietly announced earlier in the season)
To kick off the official invitation process, many of the promotions during Monday's doubleheader will pay homage to Ferrell and his zany big-screen characters. Video clips from his movies will be scattered throughout the night, and Curve staff members and ballpark personnel will dress up as some of his more memorable characters, including Curve general manager Todd Parnell, who is set to don the Wonderbread Racing Team suit worn by "Ricky Bobby" in Talledega Nights. Hopefully, no one will re-create the scene in "Old School" where Ferrell, as "Frank the Tank," wears his "birthday suit" and goes streaking down the street. In addition, on-field, between-inning contests will be themed out to pay tribute to some of Ferrell's more popular films.
Fans will be able to join the fun promotion, as well. A video camera will be set up on the ballpark's main concourse during Monday's doubleheader and fans will be invited to record a short video making their case for why Will should attend an upcoming Curve game. The best videos will be included in the package, which will be sent to him in the coming days. In addition, the Curve will provide several pre-addressed postcards for fans to fill out and send to Ferrell's fan mail address.
Speaking of fans, one local man will enjoy his 15 minutes of fame courtesy of the Curve's "Please Come to Altoona Will Ferrell Night." Will Farrell of Altoona will be a special guest at the ballpark Monday evening. Farrell (different spelling, but close enough) will throw out a ceremonial first pitch and sign autographs for fans throughout the night.
For updates on whether the Curve's elaborate plan to lure Will Ferrell to Altoona works, fans should visit AltoonaCurve.com online.
In addition to the Will Ferrell promotion, fans attending Monday's Curve/Akron doubleheader can enjoy half-price Curve Burgers courtesy of Atlantic Broadband. And, it's another Ponderosa Steakhouse Family Four-Pack Monday. Families of four will receive four tickets, four regular hot dogs and four small sodas for only $40.
Great seats remain for Monday's doubleheader and all remaining 2008 Curve home games, and can be purchased by visiting the Blair County Ballpark ticket office, by calling (877) 99-CURVE [877-992-8783], or by logging on to AltoonaCurve.com and clicking one of the "BUY TICKETS" links on the homepage.