CHARLESTON, SC - Highlighted by a trio of Saturdays featuring bobblehead giveaways and 13 nights with fantastic fireworks following the game, the 2014 Charleston RiverDogs promotional schedule has a little something for everyone and a lot of fun for all.
In keeping with their reputation as the Lowcountry's leader in family sports entertainment, the RiverDogs have packed 70 home dates with tons of fun and something for fans of all ages and all tastes.
The season gets underway with Opening Night, Monday, April 7, when the rival Greenville Drive come to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park to begin a seven-game homestand. The Opening Night festivities feature an extended postgame fireworks display and fans will receive free magnet schedules.
"As our fans have come to expect, we have a fun-filled slate of promotions and theme-nights," said General Manager Dave Echols. "There will never be a dull moment at the ballpark this year.
"We've increased the number of postgame fireworks nights, our Saturday giveaways are of better quality, and we've added a few more wrinkles and some spectacular new technology that should make everyone smile as they enter and depart from Riley Park."
PROMO HIGHLIGHTS
April 7: Opening Night - Always THE place to be in Charleston, Opening Night features a magnet schedule with detachable RiverDogs car magnet giveaway, presented by the South Carolina Future Scholars Program. It will also be the first of 13 explosive postgame fireworks shows. Also, the first game of the year against the Greenville Drive will kick off the "Battle of the Palmetto State" rivalry series presented by Sphinx. The winner of the season-long battle will receive the Rivalry Championship Trophy, and with it goes the bragging rights as the state's best Minor League Baseball team.
May 31: Sweetright Brothers - Muppet-like characters will be in the house to entertain the kids and the kid-at-heart throughout the night.
June 1: Luau Night - Hawaiian themed night with a special performance by the Fire Circus (Luau-themed fire dancers).
June 20: Zombie Apocalypse Night - The fun is infectious on Zombie Apocalypse Night as fans are encouraged to dress as a zombie and be part of the hoard -- or come alive -- and risk being transformed during the game. Hopefully we'll find the cure before we release the hoard into Downtown Charleston.
June 24: Terrible Tuesday - Come on out for a night of long lines, terrible in-game entertainment and promotions, and the worst music you'll hear at a ballgame all year! It's Unsatisfaction Guaranteed!
July 4: Independence Day Fireworks Celebration Presented by Wells Fargo - This is simply the largest fireworks show in downtown Charleston. After we defeat the Rome Braves, kick back and enjoy the sky light up over the scenic Ashley River.
July 16: Holiday Celebration - Enjoy it all as we celebrate a year's worth of holidays in just one night. Each inning will be a different holiday, from New Year's Eve during pregame to Christmas in the 9th frame.
July 20: Pirates & Princess Night - Youngsters will work together to find The Joe's hidden treasure.
August 2: Inflatamaniacs Appearance and Rainbows Night - A performance that brings laughs to fans of all ages as the inflatable crew brings their unique brand of hijinks to The Joe for the fourth straight year. We will also turn back the clock and tip our caps to the days when names like David Cone and Roberto Alomar called Charleston home. The RiverDogs team will become the Charleston Rainbows again, complete with throwback Rainbows uniforms, for one night only. Those jerseys will also be auctioned off during the game. It's a salute to days past, and a chance for fans to remember the Charleston Rainbows and legendary College Park.
STANDARD NIGHTLY PROMOS
Mondays: Dogs with a Cause and $1 Dogs and Beers - The RiverDogs partner with a local non-profit organization to generate exposure and funds for a specific cause. Mondays are also Dollar Dogs and Beers nights, thanks to our friends at Coors, as fans can enjoy $1 drafts and $1 hot dogs in the Ashley View Pub.
Tuesdays: Two-for-$20 Date Nights - Tuesdays can be special night as for only $20 fans can enjoy a pair of upper reserve tickets, two tacos, two small fountain drinks and a plate of nachos by showing their Harris Teeter VIC card at the box office.
Wednesdays: Guaranteed Win & Senior Wednesdays - All fans 65 and older who enter the gates before 7pm can eat free, thanks to HealthSouth, as they receive a complimentary hot dog, fountain drink and chips for coming to mid-week RiverDogs games as part of MeTV Senior Wednesdays. All fans will also be able to take advantage of an early bird special on Wednesday's purchase a hot dog, fries and a 16 ounce fountain drink for only $6 before 7pm, a $2 savings than when purchased any other time. And the team "guarantees" a win on Wednesdays. Put simply, if the RiverDogs don't win on Wednesday night games at Riley Park, the club will honor your ticket for free admission to the next Wednesday home game. All you have to do is hold on to your ticket.
Thursdays: Thirsty Thursdays - Get an early start on the weekend with $1 beers in the Ashley View Pub presented by Budweiser. Returning again this year will be DJ Natty Heavy, who spins popular tunes throughout the game much to the musical delight of those in that special area. There will also be a wing eating competition every Thirsty Thursday in the Ashley View Pub thanks to Wild Wing Café. Plus, once DJ Natty Heavy packs up his speakers and calls it a night, the RiverDogs are proud to announce a partnership with Palmetto Brewery to bring postgame concerts to The Joe after every Thirsty Thursday game. A different band will perform a free concert for everyone in attendance on the concourse adjacent to the Beer Garden inside Riley Park following the game's final out.
Fridays: Postgame Fireworks & Red Shirt Fridays - This popular night makes a return as fans who wear red to the ballpark receive $1 off their walk-up ticket on ISHPI Red Shirt Fridays. Thanks to ISHPI, fans can then choose to donate that dollar to help benefit two military themed charities: Folds of Honor Foundation, a charity that gives back the children and spouses of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country through scholarships and other assistance, and Canines for Veterans, the wounded-veteran service organization that brings "Titus the Bat Dog" to The Joe to retrieve bats during the game. Every Friday will be punctuated with explosive postgame fireworks. Fans are encouraged to secure their tickets in advance for this trendy night at The Joe.
Saturdays: Giveaways on Select Saturdays and Kids Run the Bases - To assist with families, all Saturday game times again this season have been moved up to 6:05 pm. Select Saturday games feature free collectable giveaway items to the first 1,000 fans. This year's freebies are much improved and will consist of a Bill Murray t-shirt giveaway (April 12); Tony the Peanut Man singing bobblehead giveaway (May 10); Negro League jersey giveaway (June 7); Ghostbusters bobblehead giveaway (July 5); and a Bill Veeck bobble giveaway (July 19). Plus on August 17, the club will give away a Charlie T. RiverDog coloring book to the first 1,000 fans through the gates. Following the action on the field every Saturday, all kids can stick around and run the bases, and everyone is "safe."
Sundays: Kids Club Sundays - Presented by Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, Crews Subaru and Y102.5, Sundays at Riley Park feature Free Parking and Kids Eat Free as all members of the RiverDogs Kids Club get a voucher for a free meal upon entering. The RiverDogs Kids Club, known as the RiverPups, is free to join and open to all kids 12-under. But that's not all as the RiverDogs pull out all the stops to cater to families, offering a pregame catch on the field and the popular postgame autograph session with the entire RiverDogs team and loveable mascots, Charlie T. RiverDog, Chelsea and Bark.
RETURNING THEME NIGHTS
Dog Days: Bring your pooch to the park on four special Dog Days that are April 13, May 11, June 1 and June 22.
Kid's Opening Day: For the third consecutive year the RiverDogs kick off the first Sunday of the season with a day dedicated to kids with free RiverDogs Vapor apparel with youth t-shirts for the first 1,000 youngsters is set for Sunday, April 13.
Youth Baseball and Softball Night: Presented by McDonald's on Monday, May 12, those playing youth baseball and softball will parade around the field before the game and take in a night of professional baseball. This makes for a special night for them, and what a parade they make!
Education Day: Teachers have fun with their students at The Joe on April 9 and April 30, with a rare 11:05 am scheduled start times.
Business Man's Specials: Take a client or a co-worker for a special 12:05 "meeting" at The Joe on July 21 and Aug. 13.
Military Appreciation Nights: Presented by ISHPI, we salute our men and women who help protect our many freedoms on May 29, July 19 and Aug. 27.
Nurses Night: As part of National Nurses Week, the RiverDogs will salute our local RNs on Thursday, May 15.
Boy Scout Night: The devoted scouts of the Lowcountry will receive their well-deserved recognition and will be treated to an overnight campout at The Joe following the game on Friday, May 30.
Air Force Night: The U.S. Air Force sponsors three nights of fun at Riley Park (April 11, June 5, and July 18) with a special swearing-in ceremony scheduled for the June 5 date.
Larry Doby Heritage Weekend and Salute to Negro League Baseball: This is the RiverDogs' annual salute to some of the game's great players including South Carolina native Larry Doby, on June 7-8.
Girl Scout Night: On Saturday, June 21, the RiverDogs will call all Daisies, Brownies and veteran Girl Scouts to Riley Park for a night of baseball and activities.
Irish Night: A night similar to March 17 when everyone at The Joe is Irish on Sunday, May 4. Bagpipes, pots of gold and Gaelic games will take over for a night where we want everyone to wear green.
Firefighter Appreciation Night: Tri-county firefighters and first responders will be saluted, courtesy of ServiceMaster, on Wednesday, May 28.
Big Splash Day: Be prepared to get wet, plain and simple, on Wednesday, July 9 with a 12:05 pm first pitch.
ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
April 19: The 9th Annual Run, Forrest, Run 5k Race presented by Fleet Feet Sports, is a unique 5K race that features a finish at home plate and a post-race meal and party prior to the RiverDogs game.
June 21: 13th Annual Kindness Beats Blindness silent auction will be held, in which the proceeds benefit MUSC's Storm Eye Institute.
June 23: The All-Lowcountry High School Baseball and Softball team recognition and player of the year ceremonies, in cooperation with The Post and Courier.
July 4: Independence Day Fireworks Celebration Presented by Wells Fargo is simply the largest fireworks show in downtown Charleston. After we defeat the Rome Braves, kick back and enjoy the sky light up over the scenic Ashley River.
July 15-18: Charleston RiverDogs Baseball Camp presented by Kickin' Chicken is for all kids ages 6-13 on July 15-17. Have your child learn the fundamentals of the game from RiverDogs players and coaches. Then on July 18, there will be a special hitting clinic for those youngsters who want more special instruction from RiverDogs players on the art of hitting.
August 1: The 6th Annual Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame Night, where the RiverDogs enshrine the newest member.
Aug. 15: Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame Night: On this special night, we welcome the newest members into the hallowed halls of the Lowcountry baseball's elite.
Aug. 28: Fan Appreciation Night concludes the 2014 regular season with a game against the Greenville Drive in style with tremendous discounts all over the park and a mesmerizing fireworks display as a fitting swan song for the year that was.
Fans may contact the Box Office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) for tickets and additional information.
Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen
