Thursday, February 19, 2015

Knights release 2015 promotions schedule

The Charlotte Knights released their full promotional schedule to fans on Thursday.

This season's highlights will include a Joel Skinner Bobblehead, Caddyshack, Star Wars, and Back to the Future themed nights, a Superhero Night with pro wrestler "Hurricane" Helms, and appearances by Dale Murphy and Bobby Richardson.

Friday Knight Fireworks will also be back, as well as the always entertaining Thirsty Thursdays.

For a full list of this season's promotions, CLICK HERE.

Team USA to host Cuba in July 4th showdown at BB&T BallPark

Per the team's release...

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) - Baseball and fireworks converge in Uptown Charlotte on Saturday, July 4th as BB&T Ballpark will play host to the 39th Annual WBT SkyShow. With the Charlotte Knights on the road this season facing the Gwinnett Braves on July 4th, this year's celebration features a friendship series between USA Baseball and the Cuban Baseball Federation at BB&T Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

"We are very pleased to be able to keep the tradition of baseball and fireworks alive on the Fourth of July," stated Knights Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski. "What better way to bring the city of Charlotte together with the largest fireworks show of the year and a competitive game between Team USA and the Cuban Baseball Federation."

SkyShow returns to BB&T Ballpark for the second time in as many seasons and will once again kick things off with a SkyShow Street Party on Mint Street on July 4th. Face painting, balloon animals, games, prizes, and the largest fireworks show in the Southeast headline the annual event, which brought together thousands of people in and around the Uptown area last year.

"WBT is thrilled to be partnered again with the Charlotte Knights for the 2015 July 4th SkyShow," said WBT Operations Manager Matt DuBois. "We are proud to offer the Charlotte Community this gift that has been a tradition since 1976."

After a 16-year hiatus, USA and Cuba resumed a yearly international friendship series in 2012 with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team traveling to Havana for a five-game series. Cuba scored a 3-2 series victory that year. In 2013 (in the U.S.) and 2014 (in Cuba), the host nations each came away with a five-game series sweep. In three years of the renewed rivalry, Cuba leads the series 8-7.

This year, the friendship series between Team USA and the Cuban Baseball Federation will take place at three different ballparks over the course of a five-game series. The two teams will open and close the series at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C., on July 1 and 6, while the Durham Bulls will host games on July 2 and 3 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

"It is a thrill to bring the Cuban National Team to North Carolina for five competitive, entertaining games in Cary, Durham and Charlotte, this summer," said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball's executive director/CEO. "Building on the success of the first three years of this renewed friendship series should make for an incredible experience for the players, coaches, fans and the international baseball community."

Season ticket holders will have the first opportunity to purchase their seats for the July 4th event beginning today. Tickets for the game on July 4th, along with single-game tickets to all 72 regular season home games, the White Sox exhibition game on April 3rd, and the Charlotte 49ers game on March 31st, will go on sale to the general public beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 21. Single game tickets for all games will then go on sale by phone at 704-274-8282 and online at CharlotteKnights.com at noon on February 21. Prices for the July 4th game will be the same as prices for all 72 regular season home games this season.

Friday Night Fireworks, presented by 107.9 The Link, News Talk 1110 WBT, and BB&T, also return to BB&T Ballpark for the 2015 season and the Knights will light up the sky on 12 occasions this season.

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Charlotte to host 2016 Triple-A All-Star Game

Per the Knights' release...

(UPTOWN CHARLOTTE, NC) – The Charlotte Knights and BB&T Ballpark -- the most visited venue across all of Minor League Baseball in 2014 – have been awarded the 2016 Triple-A All-Star Game, as well as adjoining All-Star Game festivities. 

The announcement was made at a press conference earlier this morning by Charlotte Knights Chief Operating Officer Dan Rajkowski. The 29th annual Triple-A All-Star Game, which features the top talent from the International League against the top talent from the Pacific Coast League, will take place on Wednesday, July 13, 2016at BB&T Ballpark and will be nationally televised on MLB Network.

Played annually since 1988, the Triple-A All-Star Game rotates annually between International League and Pacific Coast League cities. The 2015 Triple-A All-Star Game will be played in Omaha, NE on July 15, 2015. Under current rules, the winning league of the Triple-A All-Star Game earns home field advantage in the Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game, which the Knights hosted on September 16, 2014 at BB&T Ballpark.
 
Among the other public events scheduled at BB&T Ballpark during All-Star Week are an All-Star Fan Fest -- which will feature fan autograph sessions and baseball-themed attractions, a Home Run Derby, an All-Star luncheon and other events throughout the Charlotte community.

2016 Triple-A Baseball Events at BB&T Ballpark

Monday, July 11
Home Run Derby

Wednesday, July 13
All-Star Luncheon 
All-Star Fan Fest 
Triple-A Baseball All-Star Game

For more info, read today's story in the Observer