FIVE MILLIONTH FAN, STARS, GIVEAWAYS & FIREWORKS APLENTY DURING FIRST CURVE HOMESTAND

By rscaife
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Updated: April 2, 2014

Courtesy of Altoona Curve

Season No. 16 opens with seven-game homestand starting Thursday night

CURVE, Pa. – A 16^th season of Altoona Curve baseball will open fast out of the gate with a slew of fun events during the first homestand of the 2014 season. The upcoming homestand will include two fireworks shows, a 2014 Magnet Schedule giveaway, an appearance from a Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward and even more special, the welcoming of the 5,000,000^th fan in team history.

The team expects the five millionth fan to come during the second game of the 2014 season, which is scheduled to take place Friday night versus Erie at 6:30 p.m. The Curve will award a special 5 millionth fan prize pack to one lucky fan in attendance at the game during which the milestone is surpassed. That package will include a trip for two with the Altoona Curve Booster Club to Pirates’ Spring Training in 2015, Altoona Curve season tickets for life, a team jersey with their name on the back, an honorary captainship on the Alumni team during the Curve, Pa. Heroes Game as part of the E.L. All-Star Stop presented by UPMC Health Plan, and a Five Millionth Fan parking space in the VIP parking lot at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

“To welcome our five millionth fan already as we are just getting our 16^th season underway is remarkable,” said Curve General Manager Rob Egan. “It speaks to the support the Curve has had since day one and we are grateful and humbled as a franchise to reach a milestone like this. It will be fun to celebrate it with the lucky fan who will receive a fantastic package of prizes including the trip to spring training in 2015.”

In addition to the events on Friday, the team has two special guests scheduled to participate in a first pitch ceremony for Thursday night’s home opener with 2010 Curve All-Star and current Pirates IF/OF Josh Harrison and 2003 Curve All-Star and former Pirates’ LHP Mike Johnston. Harrison hit .300 with 33 doubles, three triples, four homers and 75 RBI for the 2010 Eastern League champions and has played for the Pirates during the last three seasons. Johnston went 6-2 with a 2.12 ERA and seven saves in 46 appearances for the Curve in 2003. The southpaw pitched for the Pirates during the 2004-05 seasons.

“As we begin an All-Star season in Curve, PA, we’re thrilled to be able to have Josh and Mike come back and join us for a special first pitch ceremony,” said Egan. “They were both Eastern League All-Stars during their time with the Curve and both have reached the Major Leagues.”

A listing of the events during the first homestand in Curve, Pa. is below:

April 3 vs Erie SeaWolves (AA – Tigers) | 6:30 p.m. (5:30 gates)

– Opening Night

– Postgame Fireworks

– 2014 Magnet Schedule Giveaway to the first 5,000 fans thanks to Premier Services of PA

– Thirsty Thursday^TM presented by Rocky 104.9: $2 16oz. Yuengling drafts & $2 22oz. sodas

– First Pitch by 2010 Curve All-Star and Current Pirates IF/OF Josh Harrison

– First Pitch by 2003 Curve All-Star and former Pirates LHP Mike Johnston

– Silver Steamers Club Game #1 presented by Homewood at Martinsburg

– Kids Run the Bases

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April 4 vs. Erie SeaWolves (AA – Tigers) | 6:30 p.m. (5:30 gates)