Pelicans Unveil 2014 Schedule
MYRTLE BEACH, SC- With post -season games in Major League Baseball underway, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans announce next season's schedule with the first game of 2014 on Thirsty Thursday, April 3rd. Myrtle Beach opens the 2014 season against the defending Carolina League Champions, Salem Red Sox.
The season opener marks the first of 140 schedule games for the Pelicans against Carolina League opponents, 70 of those contests at TicketReturn.Com Field. The home schedule includes games on Independence Day Eve (July 3) and Labor Day weekend (August 30-September 1).
The 2014 schedule announcement follows a season where the Pelicans saw a 2 ½ percent increase in average attendance. In all, 222,316 fans came through the gates for an average of 3,370 a game. Minor League baseball as a whole saw an increase of 2 percent, despite facing a multitude of weather issues early in the season. In total 41,553,781 fans visited minor league parks this season which is an increase of nearly 275,000 from the 2012 season.
On the field the Pelicans finished 77-62, the second best record in the Carolina League. After clinching the first half Southern Division Championship, the Pelicans finished second in the following half and were knocked out of the playoffs during the division series. The Pelicans saw a league high number of players make the All-Star team this year including three pitchers (Alec Asher, Nick Martinez, and Luke Jackson) and two position players (Luis Sardinas and Rougned Odor). The on-field success led to Pelicans Manager Jason Wood's selection as the Carolina League's Manager of the Year Award.
Celebrating our 15th Anniversary, the Pelicans had a centralized initiative focused on community involvement. At the beginning of the 2013 season a goal was set to raise $250,000 in donation, community givebacks, volunteer time and in-kind services. During our commitment to making the Grand Strand a better place to live, work and play the total amount raised for the season climbed to $398, 187. This total helped organizations such as Horry County Special Olympics, SOS Healthcare, the Grand Strand Miracle League and the Mary Kay Ash Foundation.
"The 2013 season was an incredible year for the organization," said Executive Vice President and General Manager Andy Milovich. "The on-field success is a tribute to Jason and the Texas Rangers Player Development Staff. To enjoy the success we had off the field in spite of a challenging schedule and inclement weather really speaks to the amazing support of the Grand Strand the operation that Scotty, North and those that came before me have built."
Season tickets for the 2014 season are on sale now at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. For more information, please call the Pelicans at (843)-918-6000.
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