thedrifter
05-03-07, 12:59 PM
'Caps to honor Marines at Saturday's game
Grand Haven Tribune, MI
COMSTOCK PARK — More than 100 West Michigan Marines returned home on Sunday after spending six months at an Iraq outpost in the war torn province of Al Anbar. The soldiers were greeted by cheering friends and family, but the public did not have a chance to show their appreciation. That will all change this Saturday when the Whitecaps host Operation Welcome Home at Fifth Third Ballpark.
"These men and women risked their lives for our freedom and we wanted to give people a chance to thank them," said Whitecaps Marketing Manager Mickey Graham. "The soldiers of Alpha Company are our friends, our neighbors and our co-workers and the Whitecaps wanted to make sure that they are properly honored."
All 160 members of the Grand Rapids Marine Reserves from the 1st Battalion 24th Marine Reserves and their families are being invited to attend Saturday's game against the Burlington Bees. Working with the Marines, the Whitecaps are planning to honor all the service men and women in attendance with a special ceremony on the field before the game starts. In addition, the soldiers will line up along the first and third base lines during the National Anthem and the company's commander is scheduled to throw out the first pitch.
The night will be capped off with a Farm Bureau Insurance fireworks display set to patriotic music. The game is scheduled to start at 6:35 p.m. and gates will open at 4:30 p.m. For more information on Operation Welcome Home, please contact the Whitecaps Public Relations department.
BRENT CLEVLEN BOBBLEHEAD
The Whitecaps will give away their second bobblehead this season on Wed., May 9 as the first 1,000 fans through the gates at Fifth Third Ballpark will receive a Brent Clevlen bobblehead. The Whitecaps will then play host to the Cedar Rapids Kernels at 6:35 p.m., presented by Parker Brake & Alignment.
Since playing in West Michigan in 2003, Clevlen worked with his way through the organization and jumped from Double-A Erie to Detroit last season. He hit .282 with three home runs in 31 games for the Tigers in his first Major League stint. Clevlen, rated as the No. 3 prospect in the Tigers organization by Baseball America, started the 2007 season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.
Another highly anticipated promotion coming next week is the return of zany Myron Noodleman to Fifth Third Ballpark on Friday, May 11th when the Whitecaps close out a four-game series with Cedar Rapids at 6:35 p.m.
The "New Clown Prince of Baseball" has entertained sports fans with his hilarious skits for more than a decade across America. Every game includes witty routines performed during breaks in the action with involvement from players, umpires and fans. Noodleman will also return to Fifth Third Ballpark later this summer on Friday, July 6 when the Whitecaps take on the Fort Wayne Wizards.
For more information on tickets for these dates, please contact the Whitecaps Ticket Office at (616) 784-4131 or visit the Whitecaps Web site at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
Ellie
Grand Haven Tribune, MI
COMSTOCK PARK — More than 100 West Michigan Marines returned home on Sunday after spending six months at an Iraq outpost in the war torn province of Al Anbar. The soldiers were greeted by cheering friends and family, but the public did not have a chance to show their appreciation. That will all change this Saturday when the Whitecaps host Operation Welcome Home at Fifth Third Ballpark.
"These men and women risked their lives for our freedom and we wanted to give people a chance to thank them," said Whitecaps Marketing Manager Mickey Graham. "The soldiers of Alpha Company are our friends, our neighbors and our co-workers and the Whitecaps wanted to make sure that they are properly honored."
All 160 members of the Grand Rapids Marine Reserves from the 1st Battalion 24th Marine Reserves and their families are being invited to attend Saturday's game against the Burlington Bees. Working with the Marines, the Whitecaps are planning to honor all the service men and women in attendance with a special ceremony on the field before the game starts. In addition, the soldiers will line up along the first and third base lines during the National Anthem and the company's commander is scheduled to throw out the first pitch.
The night will be capped off with a Farm Bureau Insurance fireworks display set to patriotic music. The game is scheduled to start at 6:35 p.m. and gates will open at 4:30 p.m. For more information on Operation Welcome Home, please contact the Whitecaps Public Relations department.
BRENT CLEVLEN BOBBLEHEAD
The Whitecaps will give away their second bobblehead this season on Wed., May 9 as the first 1,000 fans through the gates at Fifth Third Ballpark will receive a Brent Clevlen bobblehead. The Whitecaps will then play host to the Cedar Rapids Kernels at 6:35 p.m., presented by Parker Brake & Alignment.
Since playing in West Michigan in 2003, Clevlen worked with his way through the organization and jumped from Double-A Erie to Detroit last season. He hit .282 with three home runs in 31 games for the Tigers in his first Major League stint. Clevlen, rated as the No. 3 prospect in the Tigers organization by Baseball America, started the 2007 season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.
Another highly anticipated promotion coming next week is the return of zany Myron Noodleman to Fifth Third Ballpark on Friday, May 11th when the Whitecaps close out a four-game series with Cedar Rapids at 6:35 p.m.
The "New Clown Prince of Baseball" has entertained sports fans with his hilarious skits for more than a decade across America. Every game includes witty routines performed during breaks in the action with involvement from players, umpires and fans. Noodleman will also return to Fifth Third Ballpark later this summer on Friday, July 6 when the Whitecaps take on the Fort Wayne Wizards.
For more information on tickets for these dates, please contact the Whitecaps Ticket Office at (616) 784-4131 or visit the Whitecaps Web site at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
Ellie