Redbirds Honored By PCL, Nominated For MacPhail Award

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis Redbirds, managed by Philadelphia-based Global Spectrum, have been selected by the Pacific Coast League as the 2013 nominee for the Larry MacPhail Promotional Award, which is presented to a club in Minor League Baseball that has demonstrated outstanding and creative marketing and promotional efforts during the season.

Awarded annually since 1966, one overall winner will be selected prior to this year's Baseball Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida for all of Minor League Baseball's 176 clubs throughout the 15 leagues. The nominees were selected by the league's Directors and General Managers.

"One of the greatest things about working in Minor League Baseball is that we have the opportunity to push ourselves to find new and unique ways to market our club each year," said Redbirds General Manager Ben Weiss. "We've worked hard to present some really creative promotions over the last several years, and it is truly an honor to be recognized and nominated by our peers in the PCL. All the credit for this nomination goes to our outstanding front office staff."

Global Spectrum manages and executes the marketing efforts and front office duties of the Memphis Redbirds, as well as more than 100 other public assembly facilities around the world. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Global Spectrum is part of Comcast-Spectacor, one of the world's largest sports and entertainment companies.

Memphis drew 498,362 fans to 69 home openings at AutoZone Park in 2013, an average of 7,223 per contest that placed 5th in the 16-team Pacific Coast League and 13th in Minor League Baseball. It was the third consecutive year of increased attendance for the Redbirds, a growth of nearly 5,000 from the previous season (493,706 in 71 openings).

Twelve crowds throughout the season exceeded 10,000 fans, including a capacity crowd of 17,048 fans on Saturday, August 17 that was the 7th-largest attendance figure in franchise history for a Redbirds regular season game.

The Redbirds' action-packed promotional calendar in 2013 included 13 fireworks extravaganzas, special appearances, autograph sessions, weekday discounts, the unveiling of the AutoZone Military section, and an invitation to participate in an exclusive Nickelodeon Day at the ballpark.

Coupled with the popular end-of-the-week Block Parties that offered live music and drink specials, an expanded total of 18 premium giveaways were scheduled on Fridays throughout 2013, highlighted by six specialty t-shirts, two novelty hats, a BBQ Bobblehead, a Redbirds Home Plate Welcome Mat, and a replica 2006 St. Louis Cardinals World Series Championship Ring.

The Redbirds also utilized AutoZone Park throughout the year for special events such as concerts, a World Series Party, college and high school baseball games, movie nights, the St. Jude Marathon and run finish lines, weddings, and other of community-focused events that brought in tens of thousands of additional visitors to the award-winning facility.

This is the second time Memphis has earned the prestigious honor after earning a nomination by the PCL following the 2007 campaign.

Gearing up for the 2014 season at AutoZone Park and continuing their 17-year affiliation with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Redbirds are proud to be recognized as the most affordable sports and comprehensive entertainment value in the Mid-South and an example for teams across minor league baseball.

The Redbirds open the 2014 home slate at AutoZone Park against the Iowa Cubs on Friday, April 11. Season tickets, mini-plans, and group outing packages for the 2014 season are currently on sale. Contact the Redbirds at (901) 722-0299 or visit www.memphisredbirds.com to order or for more information.

About Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation: The Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation is the first and only not-for-profit charitable organization in the United States to own and operate a professional baseball franchise, the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. AutoZone Park - the finest ballpark ever built in the United States below the Major League level - is the home of the Redbirds and has served as the cornerstone of development in downtown Memphis. Incorporating the Memphis Redbirds as not-for-profit entity allows the community to own the team and facility. For the first time in history, Mid-South residents, corporate leaders and baseball fans are able to give back to the community - and at the same time enjoy first class entertainment - by supporting Memphis Redbirds Baseball.

About Global Spectrum: Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com) manages the Memphis Redbirds, as well as more than 100 other public assembly facilities around the world. Nearly 20-million people attended more than 11,000 events in Global Spectrum venues last year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Global Spectrum is part of Comcast-Spectacor, one of the world's largest sports and entertainment companies. Comcast-Spectacor also owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage services provider, New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing product for public assembly facilities, Paciolan, the leading provider of venue establishment ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions, Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company, and Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community ice skating rinks.