SPRINGFIELD, MA—Team President Clark Eckhoff announced the promotional schedule for the Blue Sox today, highlighted by visits from the Red Sox World Series Trophies and Wally the Green Monster, Pat the Patriot, two $1 hot dog nights including the 1st Annual Pioneer Valley Hot Dog Eating Contest, Little League Nights, and a dozen different giveaway nights over the course of the season.
“Apart from seeing future Major League stars at Blue Sox games, fans will be treated to great promotions and giveaways that make us the Valley’s most affordable family fun,” Eckhoff said. “From t-shirts to bobbleheads to pennants, from Star Wars night to Latino Heritage Night to Christmas in July, we have many different giveaways and events that will appeal to our diverse fanbase.”
Almost every night will feature Little Leagues from the different communities in the Valley. The team has given free tickets to players in Little Leagues and each community has a special night set aside for them.
“The Little Leagues are a huge component of what we want to do as a franchise,” Eckhoff said. “We want young baseball and softball players to be able to come to our games and see their sport played at a high level.”
Each night has a special promotion as well:
June 5, opening night, will be Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Night, and will also feature the Western Mass. Baseball Hall of Fame inductees.
June 6 is Guaranteed Win Night, where all fans in attendance will receive a free ticket to another Blue Sox home game if the team does not win the night’s contest against the Steeplecats.
June 10 and July 9 are the two Holyoke Gas & Electric Nights. All HG&E customers can pick up free tickets courtesy of HG&E.
June 11 will feature both a baseball giveaway for the first 400 fans, sponsored by Nuvo Bank, and Buck Night, with $1 hot dogs and $1 admission for youth and seniors.
June 13 will be Star Wars Night, featuring Darth Vader; the first 250 children in attendance will be given a free lightsaber.
June 18 will be the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Night; additionally, the first 500 children in attendance will be given a Blue Sox mini bat.
June 21 will feature the Red Sox World Series Trophies. Fans can take pictures with the trophies.
June 22 will feature a replica batting helmet giveaway to the first 250 children in attendance, sponsored by Baystate Medical Center.
June 26 will be Latino Heritage Night, and will feature a Thunderstix giveaway to the first 250 fans in attendance; additionally, University of Massachusetts basketball coach Derek Kellogg will be making a special appearance.
June 28 will be Wally Day, as Wally the Green Monster will visit from the Red Sox, sponsored by Wealth Technologies and Subway. Additionally, the game will be the first Subway Little League Night, with free tickets available to all Little League baseball and softball players at participating Subway locations throughout the Valley.
July 4 will be the First Annual Pioneer Valley Hot Dog Eating Contest, with $1 hot dogs all game long and $1 admission for youth and seniors.
July 6 will be Military Appreciation Night. All military personnel and their families will receive free admission with a military ID, and the first 500 fans in attendance will also be given a free Blue Sox camo baseball hat, sponsored by La Quinta Inns and Suites.
July 9 will be Basketball Hall of Fame Night, with pairs of tickets to the Hall of Fame being given away every inning during the game.
July 10 will feature a t-shirt giveaway, with the first 400 adults in attendance getting a t-shirt, sponsored by Williams Distributing and Yuengling.
July 12 will be the ever-popular Christmas In July game, with the first 500 fans in attendance to be given a mystery gift.
July 13 will be Rays of Hope Night, with the first 500 fans in attendance to be given a Blue Sox/Rays of Hope baseball.
July 18 will be pennant night, with the first 500 fans in attendance to be given a Blue Sox pennant.
July 19 will be Education and Literacy Night, with the first 300 children in attendance to be given a free book. Additionally, all teachers will be able to attend the game for free with a valid ID; both giveaways are sponsored by Links to Libraries and the Valley Opportunity Council.
July 22 will be the second Subway Little League Night; as with the first one, Little League baseball and softball players can pick up free tickets at all participating Subway locations in the Valley.
July 31 will be Big Red Bobblehead Night, with the first 400 fans ages 2 and up to be given a free Big Red bobblehead, sponsored by Skip’s Outdoor Accents.
Finally, August 1 will be Fan Appreciation Night. All tickets will be half price, there will be giveaways every inning, and Pat the Patriot from the New England Patriots will be in attendance.
For fans who want to be sure of their seat at every game, the best option is to purchase a season ticket. For just $89—a savings of over 30% off game day prices—fans can have a ticket to every game, including the NECBL All-Star Game on July 20.