SALISBURY — The Delmarva Shorebirds, Class “A” affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles announced this week that there will be 14 giveaway dates during the 2015 season.
Some of the limited edition items fans can get their hands on for free throughout the season include four different hats, 20th anniversary souvenirs and a Manny Machado bobblehead.
“In addition to the 14 fireworks shows already announced, we are excited to present this year’s giveaway schedule as a unique part of our year-long anniversary celebration,” Shorebirds General Manager Chris Bitters said. “We’re sure there will be a variety of items that will appeal to fans of all ages.”
It won’t take long for fans to get their hands on giveaways, as the first 5,000 fans through the gates on Opening Night, April 9 will take home a 2015 magnet schedule. The following night, the Shorebirds will hand out 1,000 20th anniversary rally towels.
The final giveaway of April will be a poster featuring members of the fan-selected Shorebirds’ 20th Anniversary Team, which will be handed out to the first 1,000 fans through the gates on April 24.
The series of 20th anniversary giveaways will continue on May 8 with a blanket giveaway to the first 1,000 fans courtesy of Holloway Tours. The 2015 Hat Series, presented by Spicer Bros. Construction Inc., will kick off on May 28, with the first 500 fans receiving a Shorebirds cap featuring a purple and black design that was the winner of an online fan vote.
The Shorebirds will commemorate the 1997 and 2000 SAL Championship winning teams with a pennant giveaway to the first 500 fans on June 14. Other June giveaways include a “black-on-black” cap on June 25 (first 500 fans) while the Delaware State Fair will be handing out 1,000 free fair tickets and 2,500 Shorebirds team photos on June 26.
July’s first giveaway item comes on July 19, with the first 1,000 fans receiving a poster featuring the Shorebirds’ 2015 All-Star Game participants. The third hat giveaway will come on July 30, with the first 500 fans receiving a pink and grey Shorebirds cap courtesy of Spicer Bros.
A new Money Giveaway will make its debut on July 31. The first 1,000 fans through the gates that night will receive envelopes containing cash and a Shorebirds ticket offer, with one lucky fan taking home a $500 grand prize.
One of the most anticipated giveaways of the year will come on Aug. 14, when the Shorebirds will give out 1,000 Manny Machado bobbleheads commemorating his all-star season with the team in 2011. The giveaway schedule will then wrap up with a camouflage cap to the first 500 fans on Aug. 20 courtesy of Spicer Bros., while the first 1,000 fans on Aug. 21 will receive a beanie cap.
The full list of promotion dates was released this week. All games begin at 7:05 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Thursday, April 9: Magnet Schedules (First 5,000 fans)
Friday, April 10: 20th Anniversary Rally Towel (First 1,000 fans)
Friday, April 24: 20th Anniversary Team Poster (First 1,000 fans, presented by Wicomico County Health Department)
Friday, May 8: 20th Anniversary Blanket Giveaway (First 1,000 fans, presented by Holloway Tours)
Thursday, May 28: Hat Night #1, Purple/Black Fan’s Choice (First 500 fans, presented by Spicer Bros. Construction Inc.)
Sunday, June 14 (2:05 p.m.): 1997/2000 SAL Championship Pennant (First 500 fans)
Thursday, June 25: Hat Night #2, ‘Black-on-Black’ (First 500 fans, presented by Spicer Bros. Construction Inc.)
Friday, June 26: Delaware State Fair Ticket Giveaway (First 1,000 fans) and Team Photo (First 2,500 fans, presented by the Delaware State Fair)
Sunday, July 19 (5:05 p.m.): 2015 All-Star Poster (First 1,000 fans, presented by Delaware Printing)
Thursday, July 30: Hat Night #3, Pink and Grey (First 500 fans, presented by Spicer Bros. Construction Inc.)
Friday, July 31: Money Giveaway (First 1,000 fans)
Friday, Aug. 14: Manny Machado 2011 All-Star Game Bobblehead (First 1,000 fans)
Thursday, Aug. 20: Hat Night #4, Camouflage (First 500 fans, presented by Spicer Bros. Construction Inc.)
Friday, Aug. 21: Beanie Cap (First 1,000 fans)
Gates for all Shorebirds games open one hour before first pitch to the general public, and two hours prior to game time for season ticket holders.
Season ticket and group outing packages are currently on sale for the 2015 season. The Shorebirds offer full season tickets, half season tickets, a 22-game plan and a 12-game plan along with a number of opportunities for groups to enjoy a night out at the ballpark. To secure your seat(s), call 410-219-3112.