That’s right folks. The BlueClaws will reenact the 136th Kentucky Derby at our May 4th game. It will be between innings, and we’ll have silks on the “riders” plus pre-race festivities in the paddock (Kids Zone).

This will be awesome. You will not want to miss it. More information here.

It will also be the first time the BlueClaws have ever reenacted a sporting event.

Because of this, you will want to keep up with the latest Kentucky Derby news and notes, and you can do so here. Note today that Eskenderya, the horse who would have been a substantial favorite in the race, has been withdrawn.

Finally, at that game, Tuesday May 4th, the first 2,000 kids 17 & under receive a Horse Webkinz thanks to Monmouth Park. Hope to see you there.

Put this up on the site yesterday, but in case you missed it, our 2010 jersey auctions.

First, on Mother’s Day, May 9th, the BlueClaws will wear special pink jerseys which will be auctioned off live after the game.

With the World Cup this summer, the BlueClaws will auction off jerseys modeled after the United States World Cup Soccer jerseys. This auction takes place on June 17th, Soccer Night.

The BruceClaws return on July 10th. The BlueClaws are transformed for one evening, Bruce Springsteen Appreciation Night, and will wear BruceClaws jerseys.

On July 29th, the BlueClaws will wear Goonies jerseys as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the hit 1985 movie. Jeff Cohen, who played “Chunk,” will be in attendance to sign autographs, throw out a ceremonial first pitch, and judge a “Truffle Shuffle” contest.

Proceeds for these four auctions will benefit BlueClaws Charities.

Finally, the BlueClaws will auction off jerseys for the American Cancer Society and their “Strides Against Breast Cancer” after the game on August 15th.

On the day after Rutgers had two first round picks in the NFL Draft, we let you know that former Rutgers kicker Jeremy Ito will be in Lakewood to sign autographs on Rutgers Alumni Night, May 20th.

Here is the rundown of promotions and events for the first homestand, which runs April 16th through 23rd. It’s the first homestand of our 10th season. Let’s get to it.

• April 16th…pre-game championship banner raising, starting lineup introductions and flyover from the 108th Air Refueling Wing of McGuire Air Force Base…Evolution sings the anthem…post-game fireworks (Toyota/Scion World of Lakewood)
• April 17th…Dollar Weekend…Buster’s Birthday with several of his mascot friends…Fleece cap giveaway to the first 2,000 fans 18 & older (TD Bank)
• April 18th…Dollar Weekend…Kids Club Sunday with Kids Eat Free…BlueClaws 5K Race (details here)
• April 19th…Kids Eat Free…magnet schedules to the first 2,000 fans (JerseyShore.MomsLikeMe.com)
• April 20th…Seniors Eat Free…magnet schedules to the first 2,000 fans (JerseyShore.MomsLikeMe.com)
• April 21st…magnet schedules to the first 2,000 fans (JerseyShore.MomsLikeMe.com)
• April 22nd…Thirsty Thursday (special offer still valid)…Tree seedling giveaway and energy efficient lightbulb giveaway (Earth Day) thanks to Honda of Freehold
• April 23rd…post-game fireworks (Toyota/Scion World of Lakewood)

See you at the ballpark!

Here’s how to enjoy Opening Day…your own private suite in the FirstEnergy Park press box.

You can bid on eBay here. The suite comes with the following:

• four tickets in your own private suite
• wait service
• a behind-the-scenes tour of the press box
• a $100 food and drink credit
• the best seat in the house for the pre-game ceremonies and post-game fireworks.

Good luck!

Here is your last chance to bid on two eBay auctions, and your first heads up about another.

• Click here to bid on the chance to raise the 2009 South Atlantic League championship banner on Opening Night next Friday. All proceeds to BlueClaws Charities.
• Click here to bid on a private SkyBox for the BlueClaws April 20th game (current bid is $355, this is a $795 value).
• Click here to bid on a Press Box Suite for Opening Night next Friday. It’s the best seat in the house for the pre-game festivities, the game, and the post-game fireworks. Can’t beat that.

Happy bidding!

What’s new at FirstEnergy Park this year? A lot, actually. We’ve made some improvements both around the ballpark and at the concession stands as we prepare to kick off our tenth season.

Some more details can be found here, but some of the best stuff…

Hall of Fame style salute to our first nine years, which will include:

• A case displaying the two South Atlantic League championship trophies
• Both South Atlantic League championship banners
• A Shore to the Show display…honoring all 30 players who have gone from Lakewood to the big leagues
• BlueClaws Firsts…the first time over 40 things happened in BlueClaws history

Kids Zone

• The Meridian Health Kids Zone will receive a make-over, with new lights, a grand entrance, and much more

Concessions

• The Dog House will include hot dogs from around the country
• The Asbury Park Press Food Court has a new menu and will now feature 12 types of gourmet burgers, BBQ ribs and brisket.
• New stops along the concourse include a Boardwalk BBQ, Sandcastle Sliders, and a Farm Fresh stand with salads and snacks.

Plus, of course the new logo, unis, and BlueClaws.com.

Can’t wait for April 16th.

As you know we’ll be raising the 2009 South Atlantic League Championship banner on Friday, April 16th, at Opening Day. But we’ve added a little wrinkle. We’ve put this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on eBay (bid here).

All proceeds will go directly to BlueClaws Charities.

“This is going to be a tremendous opportunity for someone,” said BlueClaws Assistant General Manager Brandon Marano, who raised the 2006 championship banner on Opening Day 2007. “From personal experience, it’s a little nerve-wracking and exciting, but it’s truly one of my favorite memories from my nine years here.”

Remember, Charlie Manuel raised the Phillies banner last year. You can raise the BlueClaws banner in a few weeks.

A quick Sunday heads up if you haven’t seen it yet…Sundays this summer at FirstEnergy Park will be Kids Days.

Meaning three things:

1. Kids Eat Free
2. Kids Character Sundays…where we’ll have a special children’s character on the concourse for pictures throughout the game.
3. Kids Run the Bases…after the game, all kids are welcome to come on down to the field and run the bases.

Learn more here. We’ll host eight Sunday home games in 2010, beginning April 18th.

Opening Day in three weeks. Next week, a special opportunity for a lucky fan that night. Stay tuned…

By the way, since FanFest has now come and gone, individual game tickets are on sale. You can order them by calling 732-901-7000 or clicking here.

Click here to see a promo schedule, through which you can also order tickets if you see something that catches your fancy (the green “T” box on the left).

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Almost ready with our re-design.

We put up today on eBay an exclusive party deck outing for Sunday, April 18th. You can bid here. The outing includes the following:

• 30 tickets
• 90-minute buffet
• Welcome message
• Covered Seating
• $1,100 value (bidding opens at $350)

Also, if you search BlueClaws (click here), you’ll see a series of great items put up there by someone else. These include:

• Team Card set from last year
• A Bob Milacki (2009 BlueClaws pitching coach) Triple-A All-Star card from 1988
• Carlos Ruiz, Cole Hamels, Gavin Floys, and Robinson Tejeda bobblehead dolls

And this:

One of the great eBay items of all time: A 2010 BlueClaws pocket schedule holder.

Hint: if you call me, there is a decent chance I will send this to you for free.

I love eBay.

If you missed it yesterday…

The BlueClaws and the Asbury Park Press will host Dollar Weekend again in 2010, featuring $1 tickets for the weekend of April 17th and April 18th.

Read the full story here.

Welcome back to Countdown 2010, our weekly series getting you ready for the 10th season of BlueClaws Baseball. This week…ten great photos from our first nine years here at the Jersey Shore.

Previously: entertainers, bobblehead giveaways, celebrity visitors, events/concerts

10. Rainbow

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