USPBL Reveals Entertainment Highlights for 2019 Season
March 13th, 2019
ROCHESTER, Mich. – The United Shore Professional Baseball League will welcome several elite entertainment performers, while also bringing back some of the top captivating acts from previous seasons to highlight this year’s promotional calendar at Jimmy John’s Field in historic downtown Utica, Mich. Opening Day will be on Friday, May 10, and the season will run through Championship Sunday, Sept. 8.
The USPBL produced 61 sell outs in 75 games in 2018, including a single-game attendance record of 4,499. Two players were highlighted on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 plays, and the league had 10 games featured on ESPN3.
Making their debut last season were the USPBL Dance Crews and the most lovable bat dog in the country, JJ The Field General. Both will be performing at all contests again this season and Kids Run the Bases after every game.
Headlining this year’s promotions will be Opening Day (May 10), Mutts Gone Nuts (June 1), Nerf Night (June 14), Jimmy Buffett Night (June 20), All-Star Game (July 6), Faith Night (July 12), Andy Appleby Bobblehead Night (August 1), ZOOperstars! (August 10), Detroit Pistons Night (August 24) and the Championship Game (Sept. 8). Mutts Gone Nuts is a nationally-acclaimed comedy dog thrill show that will be making their first-ever appearance at Jimmy John’s Field, and Faith Night will feature two pregame speakers in former Detroit Lions All-Pro kicker Eddie Murray and former Detroit Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks.
Opening Day, presented by OUR Credit Union, Friday, May 10
Opening Day will feature live music from American Band, face painters, magnet schedule giveaway, Utica High School Band performances, sky divers, Beavers Championship Flag raising presentation and ring ceremony, and a Fireworks Spectacular immediately following the game.
Mutts Gone Nuts, Saturday, June 1
Mutts Gone Nuts features high flying frisbee dogs, dancing dogs, magic dogs and more. The act has appeared on the ABC Television program, The View. Recording artist Lee Greenwood called it “the funniest act I have ever worked with,” while former First Lady Barbara Bush said, “I laughed until I wept.”
Nerf Night, presented by Fairytale Entertainment, Friday, June 14
Come on out to the ballpark and be ready for Nerf entertainment. Fairytale Entertainment will have nerf guns on hand to shoot at targets and enter for a chance to win a discount on your very own Nerf party.
Jimmy Buffett Night, Thursday, June 20
Back by popular demand is Jimmy Buffett Night at the ballpark. One of the ballpark’s favorite bands, Caribbean Blue, will perform your favorite Buffett songs and a Pub Crawl with drink specials will be going on all game long. There will also be an opportunity for one lucky fan to win two pavilion seats for the Jimmy Buffett Concert at DTE Energy Music Theatre on Tuesday, July 16.
All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, presented by Rawlings, Saturday, July 6
Come on out and watch the Stars of the USPBL at this year’s All-Star Game. Before the game, catch the power hitters as they battle in the Rawlings Home Run Derby Challenge at 5:30 p.m. for the right to become the USPBL Home Run Champion.
Faith Night, presented by Thrivent Financial, Friday, July 12
Prior to the start of the game, former Detroit professional athletes Andy Dirks (Tigers) and Eddie Murray (Lions) will speak about how faith played an important role in their lives and stick around for a Meet and Greet as the game gets underway. Christian Rock Band Shiny Penny will play a 30-40 minute concert following a Fireworks Spectacular after the game.
Andy Appleby Bobblehead Night, Thursday, Aug. 1
Our favorite Founder, Owner and CEO Andy Appleby will be on display this year as the USPBL will give away 1,000 Andy Appleby Bobbleheads. Fans will need to get to the game early if they want to receive this collectable item. Thirsty Thursday drink specials will also be available all night long.
ZOOperstars!, Saturday, Aug. 10
Professional Baseball’s most popular act and America’s Got Talent Finalist, ZOOperstars!, will be returning to Jimmy John’s Field for the fourth consecutive year. These hilarious inflatable characters are based on sports figures with an animal resemblance, such as Clammy Sosa, Cow Ripken, and Ken Giraffey, Jr.
Detroit Pistons Night, Saturday, Aug. 24
Join the Detroit Pistons Entertainment teams, including the Pistons Dancers, Drumline, The Extreme Dunk Team, The Pistons Power Squad and Hooper for a night of fun at Jimmy John’s Field. Fans will have the opportunity to win cool Pistons prizes.
Championship Game, presented by OUR Credit Union, Sunday, Sept. 8
The USPBL Playoffs will run Sept. 6-8, in a one-game elimination bracket that culminates with the USPBL Championship Game on Sunday. The first 1,000 fans will receive a rally towel giveaway, presented by Scott’s Lawn Care, and fans can be part of the crowning of a champion. Kids Crafts and Player autographs will be available.
Theme Nights
2-for-1 Wednesdays: Buy one grandstand ticket, get one free for all eight Wednesday night games. There will also be buy one, get one free hotdogs. Fans are encouraged to stick around following the game for player autographs and batting practice on the field.
Thirsty Thursdays: $2 Bud and Bud Lights are back every Thursday night, as well as $5 Craft Beer specials in the Short Hops Craft Beer Garden, located on the third base side of the ballpark. Fans can also enjoy All-You-Can Eat Wings and a 16 ounce craft beer for $15.
Friday Fireworks Spectacular: The Fireworks Spectacular returns to Jimmy John’s Field every Friday night immediately following the game.
Live Music Saturdays: WCSX Classic Rock Saturdays will be back at the ballpark this season as well as Country Music Nights. Some of the top local bands will be making appearances, including American Band, Laughing Madmen, Live Bullet Detroit (Bog Seger Tribute Band), Detroit Rock City (KISS Tribute Band), Denise Davis and Motor City Sensation, Square Pegz, Toppermost (Beatles Tribute Band), Class of ’98, Planet of Fun and Boogie Dynomite. There will also be All-You-Can Eat Nachos near the Short Hops Craft Beer Garden that includes one 16 ounce craft beer for $15.
Sunday Fun Day: Kids Crafts will be on display every Sunday as well as your favorite characters and superheroes, presented by Fairytale Entertainment.
Family Campout Opportunity
Saturday, July 6 after the All-Star Game, fans can campout, watch a movie and enjoy the stars on Jimmy John’s Field.
Season Ticket Flex Plans are now on sale. Purchase your favorite 5-, 10-, 15-, 20- or 25+ flex plans and include your favorite promotions. For more information on ticket packages, call 248-601-2400 or e-mail tickets@uspbl.tempurl.host.
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