Alumni Banners, New App and More to Enhance the Ballpark Experience
Curve, Pa. - After a long and tumultuous winter, baseball is finally set to resume in Curve, Pa. Listed below are some of the new things that fans will find at the ballpark in 2014
ALL-STAR MERCHANDISE: Both the Stockyard and Caboose will carry apparel, hats and collectibles showcasing the Eastern League All-Star Stop in Curve, Pa. Some of the merchandise is available now while other pieces of merch will be available closer to the event.
ALUMNI VIP PARKING LOT BANNERS: New Parking Lot Banners in the VIP Parking Lot courtesy of Five Star Mitsubishi Altoona depict 12 former Curve alumni. Pedro Alvarez, Bronson Arroyo, Jose Bautista, Sean Burnett, Gerrit Cole, Zach Duke, Brad Eldred, Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker and Jack Wilson all have banners in the VIP Parking Lot presented by Five Star Mitsubishi Altoona
ALTERNATE TEAM JERSEY: The Curve will have a new Alternate Jersey in 2014 and the prior red jerseys that had been serving as the alternates will go back to being batting practice tops. The jersey, which will arrive sometime in mid-April, uses the Horseshoe C as the primary logo over the left chest.
BIG AL'S SPICY MUSTARD: Party Platters on the Suite level at Peoples Natural Gas Field will come fueled with Big Al's Spicy Mustard. Big Al's will only be available on the suite level.
CURVE, PA. COMMUNITY WALL: Located on the second level of the ballpark near home plate, the Curve, Pa. Community Wall offers local business and/or individuals the opportunity to advertise their events and/or products during Curve games at an affordable monthly price. Ads run for $100 and remain up for one full calendar month.
DAKTRONICS SHOW CONTROL AND DAKSTATS: The Curve video board has received some offseason improvements with the addition of Daktronics Show Control and DakStats. These will add more graphical capabilities as well as adding a large number of stats options including live MLB score updates.
DISCOUNT DOUBLE PLAY DEAL WITH DELGROSSO'S: Fans can purchase eight tickets (four for DelGrosso's and four tickets to an Altoona Curve game) for $68. Tickets can be purchased at either box office and are not good with any other offers/promotions or on July 4th. As in 2013, those who take a Curve ticket to DelGrosso's can save $3 off an All-Day Fun Pass in June, July or August. Fans can also bring a DelGrosso's All-Day Fun Pass to the Curve box office and receive $3 off a game ticket in June, July or August.
DIAMOND ERA BP CAPS: New Era's Diamond Era Cap will be worn during batting practice in 2014. This hat, which replaces the old 39-30 BP caps, is made of a more breathable fabric and comes in traditional New Era sizing. It is the same style of cap that was worn in MLB games in 2013 and this is the first year that MiLB teams are eligible to wear it.
EASTERN LEAGUE ALL-STAR STOP: The Curve will be hosting the E.L. All-Star Stop presented by UPMC Health Plan on July 15 and 16. Events for the two-day Stop include the Curve, Pa. Heroes Game (Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team vs. Curve Alumni), Ghostman Games & Hitting Challenge, Curve, Pa. All-Star Experience, All-Star Clash presented by UPMC Health Plan.
FIVE MILLIONTH FAN: The Curve are prepared to welcome the 5,000,000th fan in franchise history during this weekend's series with Erie. Details to come later this week.
FOOD ITEMS:
-Beer: Labatt, Labatt Blue Light, Magic Hat #9, MCK Cherry and Redd's Apple Ale have been added on draft | Labatt Royal, Miller Fortune and Redd's Strawberry Ale have been added in cans
-EON Health Drink
-Iced Tea - Ritchey's Dairy is now the official Iced Tea of the Altoona Curve
-Ice Cream/Soft Serve - Will also be supplied courtesy of Ritchey's Dairy
-Pulled Chicken/Pulled Pork Nachos - We've added some variety to our nacho menu for 2014 with pulled chicken and pulled pork nachos. They are available in Stand 3
-Potato Sidewinder Fries - Stand 3
-Shirley's Cookies - They are now the official sponsor of Dessert Time in Curve, Pa. and will have Orange Creamsicle Whoopie Pie served in the ballpark
-Wraps - A healthier food option that's new to PNG Field will be available in Stands 3, 4 and 6
FRONT OFFICE STAFF:
-Adam Erikson: Sponsorship Sales Executive
-Mark Milligan: Director of Creative Services
-Emily Rosencrants: All-Star Game & Special Event Coordinator
-Courtney Simpson: Community Relations Manager
FUNDRAISER BOOKS: After hearing feedback about the fundraiser programs, Fundraiser Books have been introduced for the 2014 season. With no contract and no minimums, these books are perfect for your fundraising efforts. Books are sold for $25 and the fundraising organization keeps $8 of every book sold. Each book contains: 4 undated Grandstand ticket vouchers good for any 2014 regular season game, one buy-one, get-one free coupon for hot dogs, one buy-one, get-one free coupon for popcorns, one free regular soda with the purchase of a chicken basket coupon, one 10% off regularly-priced merchandise coupon and two Kids' Zone vouchers.
GHOSTMAN GAMES MERCHANDISE: Special glow-in-the-dark hats and t-shirts made by 47 brand depicting the ghost from the upcoming Ghostman Games will be on sale closer to the event.
GIVEAWAYS: Most of the premium giveaways this season are centered around former Curve players turned Pirates stars. All giveaways are to the first 1,500 fans. They are:
-Gerrit Cole Garden Gnome (May 17) presented by Peoples Natural Gas
-Starling Marte Oven Mitt Giveaway (June 1)
-Andrew McCutchen Curve T-Shirt Jersey (June 13) presented by Ravine Uniforms
-Andrew McCutchen MVP Figurine (June 14) presented by UniFirst
-Jameson Taillon Tuxedo T-Shirt (June 27)
-Al-in-the-Wall Giveaway (June 28) presented by Super 8 Altoona
-Pedro Alvarez Bobblehead (July 5) presented by Nuts for You
-Neil Walker T-Shirt (July 19)
-Gerrit Cole Fashion T-Shirt (August 2)
-"Shark Tank" Fish Tank Ornament (August 23) presented by Premier Services of PA
HERLOCHER'S DIPPING MUSTARD: Fans around the ballpark will have a new mustard option for that burger or pretzel with Herlocher's Dipping Mustard. It will be available at condiment stands throughout the main and upper concourse.
JUNIOR ENGINEERS KIDS' CLUB: In addition to the Ritchey's Dairy Curve Kids' Club, the Junior Engineers Club is a paid version of the Kids' Club ($15) and members will get two extra free games for a total of 12. Plus, Junior Engineers members get an exclusive club t-shirt, a chance to throw out a first pitch and two tickets to Day 1 of the Eastern League All-Star Stop presented by UPMC Health Plan.
MiLB INSIDE THE PARK APP: The Altoona Curve will be one of the MiLB teams to have Inside the Park App, which will be presented locally by Sheetz. The FREE app, which will go live in both the Apple Store and Android Marketplace, gives fans the capability to sign up for in-game contests, vote on winners of contests like the Panera Bread Great American Bagel Race, post tweets, post photos to Instagram, post facebook status updates and also receive digital coupons for in the ballpark as well as places in the Altoona area. The interactive app will also have a detailed ballpark map with food guide giving people access to all the great food at Peoples Natural Gas Field. This app will work in unison with a new MiLB App that will also be FREE and be available on both iOS and Android.
M&T BANK CUSTOMER APPRECIATION WEDNESDAYS: Fans that show their M&T Bank Cards may receive $2 off any ticket to Wednesday home games during the 2014 season (excludes All-Star Stop).
ON-FIELD PROMOTIONS
-Chili's Delivery Dash: Two contestants will race against one another to deliver mouth-watering Chili's food
-Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association Dance for Your Dairy: Two contestants will dance off each night as the crowd judges a winner
-Prime Sirloin Minute to Win It: Two contestants will partake in a variety of minute-to-win-it games to win a prize from Prime Sirloin
-New and Improved Envision Laser Centers Giant Eyeball Race
PLINKO IN CURVE, Pa.: The popular game from the Price is Right has been constructed in Curve, Pa. to be brought out on weekends and special nights for fans to take their stab at winning some awesome prizes.
ROCKY GAP CASINO RESORT ENTERTAINMENT DECK
-AWNING: An awning will cover the Rocky Gap Casino Resort Entertainment Deck and provide shade a comfort for fans on the deck to eat or that are sitting in the Rail Kings section. The awning should be installed before the end of April.
-LIVE MUSIC: We'll have live bands out on the deck from 5-6 p.m. every Thursday and Friday from June-August (12 dates).
RITCHEY'S DAIRY CURVE KIDS' CLUB: Ritchey's Dairy has partnered up with the Curve in 2014 to present the Ritchey's Dairy Curve Kids' Club. Kids 12 and under can join for free and receive 10 free games to attend this season among many other exclusive club benefits.
STARS IN CURVE, PA.: With the All-Star Game in Curve, Pa. in 2014, all of the giveaways and appearances for the upcoming season have been based on stars. Most of the giveaway slate features former Curve stars turned Pirate stars while the following sports and television stars will be stopping by the ballpark in 2014:
-Pittsburgh Steelers Cam Hewyard (April 4) presented by Holiday Inn Express & WTAJ-TV
-Danielle Colby from American Pickers (June 12)
-Giancarlo Esposito (Gus Fring) from Breaking Bad (June 26) thanks to Atlantic Broadband
-William Lucking (Piney) from Sons of Anarchy (July 31) thanks to Miller Lite & City Beverage
-Holly Hatcher-Frazier from Dance Moms (August 14) thanks to Cianna's Dance Boutique
-Pittsburgh Penguins Craig Adams (August 25) presented by WTAJ-TV
$10,000 HIT FOR THE CYCLE CONTEST: One lucky Curve fan could score big thanks to Loyal Gaming Rewards if a Curve player hits for the cycle at any point in 2014. One fan who has registered at a participating bingo hall, club, bar or tavern will be chosen at random each day during the Curve Radio Network broadcast. If a Curve player hits for the cycle, that lucky fan will win $10,000 towards a new motorcycle thanks to Loyal Gaming Rewards. Each contestant will also take home two diamond club tickets for being selected.
TAGBOARD: Replacing the Sheetz Shoutouts will be Tagboard presented by Sheetz. Fans might have their facebook post, tweet, Instagram photo or video, vine video or Google+ post appear on our video board before, during or after the game if they use the hashtag #SheetzTag. The Tagboard will also be visible on AltoonaCurve.com as well. While Tagboard is used by a few MLB teams (the Seattle Mariners for example), the Curve are the first MiLB team to implement the software.
TEAM APPARREL: Visit the Stockyard and Caboose to check out the new styles and designs of Curve gear for men, women and children.