“The Magic is Back”
This season’s Opening Day theme (Thursday, April 24 vs. Camden, 6:30 p.m.) will carry through the entire 2014 season at Santander Stadium as the team has unveiled a promotional schedule featuring numerous celebrity appearances and entertainment acts never before seen in Downtown York.
On Opening Day, the first 1,500 fans through the gate will receive a complimentary Magic 8-(Base)ball, courtesy of Turkey Hill. The item is just like a typical Magic 8-Ball, except it’s white with red seams. Your questions to it should probably be Revolution-themed, based on the advice you’ll receive from it. (I.E. “Cannonball Charlie says BOOM.”) The specialty item is the first of its kind for an Atlantic League giveaway. On the 24th, a pre-game magic extravaganza will thrill fans prior to the Revolution taking the field for the first time this season.
Other popular giveaways are also on the calendar for Friday, June 6 (OSS Revolution caps for the first 2,500 fans) and Saturday, August 30 (WellSpan Sports Medicine mini footballs for Youth Football & Spirit Night, at least the first 1,000 fans.) A full list of giveaways for the season will be released prior to Opening Day.
Individual tickets for the York Revolution’s 2014 season will go on sale at 10 a.m. TODAY, Tuesday, February 4. Individual tickets will be made available for purchase in-person at the Apple Chevrolet Ticket Office at Santander Stadium on Saturday, March 8.
Some “New Tricks”
Yes, our team dog Boomer will be back for another season, but that’s not what we’re talking about. This season there will be a bevy of new entertainment options, starting with “Willy Wonka Night” on Friday, May 23. The man himself will be here along with two “real” Oompa Loompas for fan photos and interaction. We hear singing about pure imagination may be involved – oh and there will be candy to consume. A LOT of candy.
On Saturday, May 10, “Xpogo” will take the “stage” at Santander Stadium; a group of extreme pogo jumpers will perform pre-game and between innings. Can any of these guys jump higher than the Arch Nemesis? How about a backflip? Guess you’ll have to come to the game that night to find out.
You might want to mark down Saturday, May 24 as well, when we’re going to attempt to break the World Record for the most amount of bubble wrap popped in one place at once. You know every time you come across some bubble wrap you go right after it. Well now, you’ll actually have a reason to.
You’ve probably seen them on SportsCenter’s Top 10 a time or two, and now the most talked about act in minor league baseball are coming to York for the first time. Team Ghost Riders, who you may know better as the “Cowboy Monkeys,” will perform at the Revolution game on Thursday, June 26. It’s simple, yet wonderful: Monkeys riding dogs herding sheep around the outfield between innings. Then, following the game, they’ll do a longer demonstration where the Cowboy Monkeys herd the sheep into a corral at home plate. Don’t let anyone ever tell you something sounds too good to be true.
Starry Nights
In addition to the new and exciting acts, Revolution fans will notice an uptick in celebrity appearances as well. It will start early, when Santander Stadium hosts NASCAR Night presented by Pocono Raceway on Wednesday, April 30, featuring Sprint Cup drivers Kasey Kahne (Team Pocono) and Jamie McMurray (Team Dover). Two of the circuit’s biggest names, they will be joined by additional NASCAR drivers from the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, local media members and other local dignitaries for a celebrity softball game prior to the Revolution game, beginning between at approximately 4:30 p.m. (Special game time start of 7 p.m. for the Revolution that night, NOT 6:30 p.m.) Gates will open at 4 p.m. and all fans in attendance may get as close to the field as possible for the softball game. Show cars will also be on the Brooks Robinson Plaza for fans to check out and take photos with. Both drivers have each won NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year honors, and Kahne is a 16-time winner, McMurray has seven career wins to his credit.
On Friday, May 9, Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer Cullen Jones will appear at Santander Stadium, in honor of “Swim Night.” Jones has captured back to back gold medals in 2012 in London and 2008 in Beijing, as part of U.S. medley and freestyle teams, respectively. He also owns two Olympic silvers from the London games, in individual and relay freestyle events. He will be addressing the crowd, signing autographs and more during his appearance.
On Thursday, July 3, WWE Hall-of-Famer Sgt. Slaughter will appear on Armed Forces Night to meet and greet fans, sign autographs and more.
On Wednesday, August 6 a big night will get bigger, when Olympic Gold Medalist Jennie Finch appears at Santander Stadium on South Central PA Softball Night. Finch, one of the most well-known athletes in U.S. Olympic history, led the Americans to Olympic gold in 2004 in Athens and then a silver finish in Beijing in 2008 as one of the world’s most dominant pitchers. She will be addressing the crowd, signing autographs and more during her appearance.
Sticking with the classics
So that’s just a taste of what’s new and exciting with the York Revolution’s promotional schedule for the upcoming season. Obviously, there are plenty of timeless classics as well, and those aren’t going anywhere. Fireworks will still be after every Saturday home game and Memorial Day/Salute To Veterans on May 26, with exception of August 9 when the popular laser show returns. As always, an hour before every Sunday home game the whole team will sign autographs for 15 minutes, followed by a 15-minute catch on the field for fans of all ages.
As usual, there will also be several game-worn jersey silent auctions during games this season, benefiting a variety of charities and causes. A highlight will be when the Revolution dons 1969 York Pirates throwback jerseys and caps on Friday, August 8, to honor the 45th anniversary of their Eastern League Championship. The jerseys and caps will be auctioned separately.
Last but not least, on Friday, August 15 Cow Ripken, Roger Clamens Ken Giraffey Jr. and friends will return for the third ZOOperstars! performance at Santander Stadium, back by popular demand after the 2011 All-Star Game and a follow-up performance last season.
As we said, all of this is still just a taste of what is to come during the 2014 season. For all game times and the full promotional schedule day-by-day, please visit YorkRevolution.com. Be sure to check back though: Even more will be added with more announcements to come!
The Revolution will also be welcoming their 2 Millionth fan in franchise history sometime in late July or early August. Stay tuned, as that will be cause for celebration eight years in the making.
The York Revolution Professional Baseball Club is a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. 2014 will be the Revolution’s eighth season of operation at Santander Stadium, the centerpiece of Downtown York, PA, located at 5 Brooks Robinson Way. The facility hosts all 70 home games in addition to myriad events through the entire calendar year. For tickets or more information, please call 717-801-HITS (4487) or visit the Revolution online at YorkRevolution.com.