Nostalgia is definitely “in” these days, and the Brooklyn Cyclones want to capitalize on it. I wasn’t all that into last year’s wildly successful Seinfeld Night promotion (what can I say, I was never a big fan of the show), but June 24th’s Saved by the Bell Night seems like a lot more fun.
Mr. Tuttle’s Learner’s Permit On-Field Obstacle Course
Screech Powers Chess Tournament on the Concourse Level
Kiss Cam complete with the usual “WOOOOOOOOOOOW” sounds since our game will also be taped in front of a live studio audience
Anyone named Johnny Dakota is banned from the ballpark because we “Say Nope to Dope”
Oldest Cell Phone in the Ballpark Competition
Friendship bracelet station on the concourse…singing “Friends Forever” will be optional.
Zack Morris TIMEOUT Race Around the Bases – kids will race around the bases, but most stop in their tracks every time they hear TIMEOUT.
After the game, fans with perms or wearing stonewashed jeans will be allowed to run the bases.
(BrooklynCyclones.com image)
The Cyclones will be wearing wonderfully awful Saved by the Bell theme jerseys that will be raffled off throughout the game.
If this sounds like fun to you too, check out BrooklynCyclones.com on Wednesday at 10 a.m. for your chance to purchase a limited-edition “Baseball to the MAX” ticket package, in honor of Bayside’s favorite eatery. The deal includes a ticket to the game, pre-game picnic (starting at 5:30 PM) and commemorative t-shirt for just $40.
Ticket windows at Richmond County Bank Ballpark in Staten Island (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
The New York – Penn League season begins next week, with the Staten Island Yankees hosting the Brooklyn Cyclones at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 13th.
The Staten Island Yankees have a much more ambitious promotional schedule in 2014 than they have in recent years. Among the highlights: a live performance by pop singer Tiffany on a 1980s themed night on Thursday, June 19th, an “Everyday Heroes” jersey giveaway series, and a variety of specialty food nights.
Not to be outdone, the Brooklyn Cyclones have several jersey and bobblehead giveaways, as well as a number of All-Star themed promotions. (Brooklyn will host the New York – Penn League All-Star Game on Tuesday, August 19th.)
However, one of the Cyclones’ more unique promotional efforts isn’t tied to a specific game. Instead, fans are invited to create their own virtual baseball card at www.brooklyncyclonesbaseballcard.com and encourage their friends and acquaintances to share those “cards” via various social media channels. The most-shared virtual baseball card will be included in this year’s real Brooklyn Cyclones baseball card team set. (For more information, see the Brooklyn Cyclones’ website.)
I hope to get out to see each team at least once (and for the Staten Island Yankees, I’d sure like for it to be on 1980s night.)
Former Pittsburgh Pirate Benny Diestefano begins a second stint as the Cyclones’ hitting coach, while Tom Signore joins Brooklyn as the team’s pitching coach after serving in that role for three seasons with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
The Cyclones also unveiled the jersey designs for their popular “Jersday Thursday” promotion. My favorite is the “Brooklyn Bridge” jersey that will be given away to the first 3,000 fans at the August 21st game between the Cyclones and Staten Island Yankees. (I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to make it, unfortunately.) You can check out the other designs on the team’s website.
(Brooklyn Cyclones image)
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I never got around to posting any photos from Friday’s Brooklyn Cyclones game. (The Cyclones lost to the Staten Island Yankees 4-2)
It rained all day, and I didn’t really expect they’d be able to get it in. But since I was going for the cool Dillon Gee bobblehead giveaway as much as the game (and since I’d already requested the afternoon off from work), I took the train into New York and the subway out to Coney Island anyway.
By the time I got there, the rain had tapered off into an annoying drizzle. The gates opened on time (perhaps even a few minutes early) and it had all but stopped by then. The tarp was still on the field, but several players from both teams were out there doing their pre-game workouts. The staff soon dragged it off into the outfield and began the process of folding it, but left it there until just before gametime. (They even briefly re-covered the field, but no additional rain came.)
Several Staten Island Yankees players buy dinner at the concession stand
As I wandered around the ballpark, I was greeted by an unusual sight: several Staten Island Yankees players, in full or partial uniform, were up at the third base concessions stand buying dinner. Even at the independent league level, I don’t remember ever seeing that before.
It was FDNY Night, so the Cyclones were wearing special jerseys that were raffled off after the game. It’s cool that they have so many “jersey” promotions, but I have to admit that I don’t have a good idea about what their “regular” jersey looks like.
Luis Mateo started the game for Brooklyn and gave up four runs on five hits and three walks over six innings pitched. Staten Island first baseman Matt Snyder was their star of the game, with two hits (including a double), two RBI and a run scored. Jamiel Orozco added a home run for the baby Yankees.
On the Cyclones side of the ledger, it wasn’t a very productive night. The team left 10 men on base and was 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Brandon Nimmo, last year’s first-round draft pick and one of the few names in the lineup that I recognized, went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts. Brooklyn’s star of the game was really reliever Beck Wheeler, who struck out four of the six batters he faced over two innings.
There were postgame fireworks, but I didn’t stick around to watch them since the game didn’t finish until almost 10 p.m.
The official attendance count was 8,177, and I think most of the people who bought tickets made it for at least part of the game. As you might expect due to the weather, the crowd was a late-arriving one. My section didn’t really start to fill in until almost 8 p.m. At 9 p.m., an awful lot of the late arrivals decided they’d had enough baseball and called it a night. I couldn’t quite figure that one out.
Here are some photos from the game:
The scoreboard at MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
A statue of Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson outside MCU Park
I like the design on the seat at the end of each row at MCU Park.
Several Staten Island Yankees players buy dinner at the concession stand
Staten Island Yankees outfielder Exicardo Cayones (#50) and a teammate buy dinner at the concession stand
Brooklyn Cyclones reliever Beck Wheeler talks to FDNY dignitaries on hand for a pre-game ceremony
Brooklyn pitcher Luis Mateo and catcher Kevin Plawecki discuss their game plan before warming up
Brooklyn Cyclones outfielder Eudy Pina takes some practice swings
FDNY bagpipers perform during a pre-game ceremony
The pre-game lineup exchange
Staten Island’s Taylor Dugas puts a ball in play
Brooklyn Cyclones outfielder Brandon Nimmo bats during a game at MCU Park on Coney Island this summer. (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
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