BlueClaws ’05 schedule filled with promotions

LAKEWOOD — The Lakewood BlueClaws, single A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, will begin and end their fifth anniversary by sending lucky fans home with $4,000 in cash. Fans will be handed a total of $2,000 on Opening Day, April 7, and run after $2,000 dropped from a hovering helicopter Sept. 5 after the season’s last game.

When the gates open prior to the first game of the season, the BlueClaws will hand each fan (18 and older) entering the ballpark an envelope that will have a cash prize ranging from $1 to $1,000 inside. In all, $2,000 in cash will be handed out to fans. Other envelopes will include varying amounts of “BlueBucks,” the in-stadium currency that can be applied to any purchase at FirstEnergy Park.

Following the last game of the season, the BlueClaws will wrap up a season-long promotion by dropping $2,000 from a helicopter hovering over FirstEnergy Park. Winners will be selected over the course of the year and then invited back to the last game of the season. At the conclusion of the game, these finalists will attempt to gather as much as they can of the free-falling loot on the field.

“Just by showing up each fan has a chance to hit our own lottery, so to speak,” said General Manager Geoff Brown. “This is just one of the ways we can celebrate our fifth anniversary with our fans.”

These two dates are part of a host of new promotions that fill the BlueClaws’ 70 home dates slated throughout the summer. Other new notables include setting a new Guinness world record, Derek Jeter, Mark Leiter and Al Leiter bobbleheads, replica mesh jerseys, new on-field entertainers, celebrity appearances — including Goose Gossage and more.

This season, the Lakewood BlueClaws are celebrating their fifth anniversary. A fireworks show will follow every Friday night home game. In addition, the BlueClaws will host games against affiliates of the New York Yankees and New York Mets.

The BlueClaws will begin their fifth season on April 7 at home against Lake County at 6:35 p.m. For ticket or schedule information call (732) 901-7000, Option 2 or, visit www.blueclaws.com.