Florida hosts San Francisco and Colorado for six-game homestand

 

 

 

MIAMI - The Florida Marlins will host the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies for a six-game homestand, from Tuesday, August 24 - Sunday, August 29. Fans will enjoy three giveaways during the Rockies series: a Paul Lo Duca poster presented by The Miami Herald on Friday, a Marlins World Champion visor presented by Budweiser on Saturday and an A.J. Burnett Trucker Cap presented by Federal Express on Sunday.

During the entire homestand the Florida Marlins will be collecting relief items at all Pro Player Stadium gates for victims of Hurricane Charley. The Marlins Mermaids, Marlins wives and volunteers from the American Red Cross will be on hand each game to collect relief items from South Florida fans. Fans are asked to bring the following items for donation: sealed bottled water, coolers, clothing, first aid-kits, camp stoves, trash bags, diapers, blankets, ropes, gloves, duct tape, batteries, transistor radios and extension cords. Fans can also make monetary donations at each game to the American Red Cross. Red Cross volunteers will be at each gate to accept donations. Along with the collection relief, the Marlins will sponsor an on-line auction of Marlins memorabilia during each game of the homestand. All funds raised from the auction will benefit the relief efforts. See www.floridamarlins.com for all the details and auction times.

 

The following events will take place throughout the homestand: Wednesday, August 25 is Marlins Ladies Nite, designed for women 18 and older, and free for anyone with a game ticket. Participants will get to interact with guest speakers from the Marlins and enter the raffle for prizes, including the chance to throw out the evening's ceremonial first pitch. At this session, the Marlins wives will also be holding a grab bag fundraiser. On Saturday, August 28, the Marlins and Fox Sports Net are holding open auditions for kids aged 8-18 who want to sing the theme song for Strike Zone, the Marlins weekly half-hour program for children on Fox Sports Net. The first 50 kids to register by e-mailing Strikezone@flamarlins.com will be invited to audition on Saturday, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 28, is also the Annual Season Ticket Holder Photo Day, when season ticket holders will have the opportunity to take photographs of their favorite Marlins players and coaches. The event will run from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The players will be seated in director's chairs along the right field foul line. This is strictly a photograph session; no autographs will be allowed.

 

SCHEDULED PLAYER APPEARANCES: Saturday, August 28, Alex Gonzalez will be signing autographs from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. at BJ's Wholesale Club in Pembroke Pines (13700 Pines Blvd.), Josias Manzanillo will be signing autographs from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Sedano's in Pembroke Pines (17117 Pines Blvd.), and Chris Aguila will be signing autographs from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Dave & Buster's in Hollywood. On Sunday, August 29, Juan Pierre will be signing autographs from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at Publix in Hialeah (Publix Store # 832, 16th Avenue & 49th Street).

 

Major League Baseball has launched the Commissioner's Initiative for Kids, a league-wide, $1 ticket program from mid-August through early September entitled the Commissioner's Initiative for Kids, to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the official charity of Major League Baseball, and CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation. Ameriquest Mortgage Company, an official sponsor of Major League Baseball, made a contribution of $1 million to obtain one million tickets from the Commissioner's Initiative for Kids. As a result of Ameriquest's generous contribution, tickets distributed to Boys & Girls Clubs locations in each market will now be available without a required contribution. However, fans are still encouraged to make a minimum charitable contribution of $1 per ticket in order to raise additional funds for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Cure Search National Childhood Cancer Foundation. In addition, Ameriquest and Major League Baseball will distribute game tickets to schools, youth organizations, police departments, fire departments, hospitals, community groups, and military outlets in and around each Major League Baseball market. Tickets will be distributed via designated Boys & Girls Clubs of America (B&GCA) locations. All B&GCA locations in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties will distribute tickets. Marlins tickets will be available for home games from August 24-29 in the outfield reserved, fish tank and upper deck sections. Fans can log on to www.floridamarlins.com or www.mlb.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball, for additional information about this program.

 

At all home games, fans can hit and pitch at Pro Player Stadium with the Marlins Fanzone, presented by National Pastime Sports, featuring the Big League Batting Cage at Section 103, Speed Pitch Interactive at Section 150 and Little Slugger Zone Interactive at Section 125. All home games will also feature the Marlins Fan Headquarters at Section 149, where fans can go for information about group and season tickets, sign up for the Marlins Fan Club, and sign their kids up for the Doctors Hospital Billy's Bunch. Marlins Fan Headquarters will also host the New Era Conversion booth, where fans can trade in an old cap of another MLB team for a new Marlins Championship Cap. Also at all home games, the Marlins Mermaids will be outside of Section 128 on the main concourse level signing autographs at the end of the 4th inning.

 

Popular Mortgage is the official sponsor of the "Longball with Lowell" community program during the 2004 regular season. Popular Mortgage will donate $250 to the Florida Marlins Community Foundation to benefit the Mike Lowell Foundation for every home run hit by Mike Lowell during the regular season.

 

Krispy Kreme is the official sponsor of the "Dozen Hits - Dozen Doughnuts" promotion during the 2004 regular season. When the Marlins get 12 or more hits at any regular season home game, fans can redeem their game ticket from that game at any local Krispy Kreme location for a free dozen doughnuts courtesy of Krispy Kreme. Fans can redeem their game ticket within 24 hours. The locations are as follows: 590 N.E. 167Th Street, Miami, 33162, 2401 N. Federal Highway Ft. Lauderdale, 33305, 10010 West McNab Road Tamarac, 33321, 1371 West Palmetto Park Road Boca Raton, 33486, 640 West Boynton Beach Blvd. Boynton Beach, 33426, 2031 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd West Palm Beach, 33409.

 

Papa John's is the official sponsor of the "Papa John's Pitcher of the Month" promotion during the 2004 regular season. Carl Pavano is the Pitcher of the Month for August and September. Every time that Carl Pavano gets a win in a Marlins home game, fans can redeem their Marlins ticket stub for a free small pizza at participating Papa John's locations (walk-in only) during the 48 hours following the game. A.J. Burnett was the Papa John's Pitcher of the Month in July, while Brad Penny was in June, and Dontrelle Willis was in May. - www.floridamarlins.com - The Florida Marlins and Miami-Dade Transit offer Park & Ride bus service for all weekend home games at Pro Player Stadium. Metrobuses depart for Marlins weekend home games from Hialeah Metrorail Station, Dadeland North Metrorail Station, Tamiami Park and Goldes Glades. The service begins one hour and a half before games and concludes an hour after the game. Fare is $7.00 from all location except Golden Glades, where the fare is $4.00. Monthly Metro passes and Golden Passports are accepted. For more information, fans should call 305.770.3131.

 

MARLINS TICKET PROGRAMS: The Marlins have created a Comcast 12-game Pack that starts at $48 for adults and $24 for kids. Fans who purchase a Comcast 12-game Pack have priority for postseason tickets. The 12 games include tickets to see the Marlins take on the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. For more information, fans can call 1.877.MARLINS, visit www.floridamarlins.com or stop by Section 149 during home games.

 

The Florida Marlins will continue their "Stars and Stripes" ticket program for United States military personnel during the season. Unveiled last season, this program allows military personnel, including Active, Reserve and National Guard, and their dependents, to attend Marlins regular season games for free. To receive their free tickets, eligible military personnel or dependents must present their military ID at the Gate G box office of Pro Player Stadium, on the day of the game, at least one hour prior to the start of the game. For more information on the "Stars and Stripes" program, contact Gary Levy with the Florida Marlins at 305.626.7297. Individual game tickets may be purchased at the Pro Player Stadium box office, by calling Ticketmaster in Dade at 305.350.5050, in Broward at 954.835.TEAM, or in Palm Beach at 561.998.TEAM, at all Ticketmaster outlets or by visiting the Ticketmaster website at www.ticketmaster.com. Florida Marlins season and group ticket information is available by calling 1.877.MARLINS or by visiting www.floridamarlins.com.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

2004 GAME TIMES: The 2004 season features a 3:05 p.m. start time for Sunday games, weekday games begin at 7:05 p.m., Friday night games start at 7:35 p.m. start and Saturday night games feature a 6:05 p.m. start.

 

PARKING AND GATE OPENINGS: Parking gates at Pro Player Stadium will open 2 hours prior to game time with the stadium gates opening 1 1/2 hours prior to the game. For a 7:05 p.m. game start the gates will open at 5:30 p.m., for a 3:05 p.m. start the gates will open at 1:30 p.m., for a 7:35 p.m. start the gates will open at 6:00 p.m., and for a 6:05 p.m. start the gates will open at 4:30 p.m.

 

FAN FRIENDLY RAIN POLICY: Fans who attend any Florida Marlins game at Pro Player Stadium and experience a rain delay or delays of more than 90 minutes will be allowed to purchase a ticket for one dollar to a Sunday-Thursday game (in the original seat category) during the 2004 season. In the event your original seat category is not available you may exchange your ticket(s) for the next available price level. When an exchange is made for a ticket of greater value, the ticket holder will pay the difference plus one dollar.

 

COMMUNITY HOTLINE: Fans may receive information about donations, the Speakers Bureau, Ballpark Buddies, the Florida Marlins Community Foundation and scoreboard announcements by calling 305.626.7470.

 

MARLINS RADIO NETWORK: All games will be broadcast on WQAM 560 AM and the Marlins Radio Network in English and on WQBA 1140 AM in Spanish. The Marlins Radio Network consists of: WQAM 560 AM and WQBA 1140 in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale; WELE 1380 AM in Daytona Beach; WJNA 640 AM in West Palm Beach; WFFG 1300 AM in Marathon; WWCN 770 AM in Naples/Ft. Myers; WSTU 1450 AM in Stuart; WMEL 920 AM in Melbourne; WBGF 93.5 FM in Belle Glade; WORL 660 AM in Orlando; and WKWF 1600 AM in Key West.

 

CELEBRATION CLUB: Fans interested in posting a message on the Matrix Board can call 305.626.7352 to post a Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, or other special message during the sixth inning. One fan will be featured as the Al's Florist and Gifts "Catch of the Game." There is only availability for 12 messages.

Two teams that play good at home, but not on the road. :whistle

predicting 4/5 wins in this homestand, since jason schmidt isnt going to pitch and we pwned the rox earlier this year