Our Sports Central
FRESNO, CA - At some point during their current four-game homestand, the Fresno Grizzlies expect to welcome the five-millionth fan in franchise history through the turnstiles. The Grizzlies will welcome the Reno Aces to Chukchansi Park on Saturday night to open an abbreviated homestand during which they will host Strike Out Autism Night, give fleece blankets to 2,500 fans, offer the best entertainment value in the Central Valley, and welcome their milestone fan.As of Friday, almost 4,980,000 fans have enjoyed Fresno Grizzlies baseball since the organization began play in 1998, and more are experiencing the team's "Fun. Guaranteed." brand of entertainment each year. The Grizzlies will see their five-millionth fan enter Chukchansi Park some time over the next four games, and have a homestand-long celebration planned for the weekend.
Each night (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday) during "Five Millionth Fan Week", five fans will be selected at random to receive a "5 Millionth Fan Week" prize package that will include five 600 Club tickets to a future game, and $25 in Grizzlies Bucks.
But the lucky Grizzlies fan that enters the ballpark as the five-millionth has a special prize package waiting. Immediately the fortunate fan will receive a customized Grizzlies jersey, a ceremonial plaque, a 2009 team-signed baseball, and the opportunity to throw out the first pitch before the game.
The fun will continue throughout the 2009 season however, as the Grizzlies five-millionth fan will get the chance to take batting practice at Chukchansi Park, operate the ballpark's manual scoreboard for an evening, be included in the 2009 Fresno Grizzlies baseball card set, and receive a two-person getaway package from Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino. But perhaps most importantly, the lucky fan will have the best mascot in Minor League Baseball, Parker, as his/her personal assistant for a day.
"Five Millionth Fan Week" began on Saturday night, when the Grizzlies welcomed the Reno Aces, their new division rivals playing their inaugural season in the PCL, to Downtown Fresno for the first time. Saturday night was the Second Annual Strike Out Autism Night at Chukchansi Park. The Grizzlies wore special theme jerseys during the game that were auctioned off live following the game to benefit the Central California Autism Center.
The first 2,500 fans into the ballpark on Saturday night received a Fresno Grizzlies fleece blanket, featuring the team's orange-and-black logo, presented by Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino. Fans were in for a treat during the game when The Drag Kings, Minor League Baseball's premier infield-dragging dance crew, made their second appearance of the season, presented by Tickets.com.
Sunday April 26th was a day game at Chukchansi Park, and a great day for kids to come to the ballpark. Like every Sunday there was a Future Giants autograph session on the stadium concourse, featuring Grizzlies players. After the game, kids under the age of 12 ran the bases on the field thanks to Del Taco.
On Monday April 27th, Grizzlies fans took advantage of Monday Madness, presented by ABC 30, the best entertainment value in the entire Central Valley. For just $22, fans got two Field Level Reserve tickets for Monday's game against Reno, two hot dogs, two sodas, two Wild Water Adventure Park passes, and two Blackbeard's miniature golf passes, a bundle worth over $100 in total.
The Grizzlies and Aces wrap up their inaugural series on Tuesday, April 27th, the Grizzlies first-ever "All You Can Eat Tuesday." In a new promotion designed to provide the utmost in value for fans, Tuesdays at the ballpark mean that for just $15, fans can purchase a Field Level Reserve ticket and enjoy unlimited hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, soft drinks, and water until 8:30pm.
The Fresno Grizzlies kicked off "Five Millionth Fan Week" on Saturday, April 25th when they welcomed new division rivals the Reno Aces to Chukchansi Park. For information on tickets, promotions, and the best entertainment value in the Valley, call 320.HITS or visit the new-and-improved FresnoGrizzlies.com.
