The Somerset Patriots are holding the annual Fan Fest at TD Bank Ballpark from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 9, 2016.
BRIDGEWATER - The Somerset Patriots will celebrate the opening of its ballpark with the annual Fan Fest at TD Bank Ballpark from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.
There is no charge to attend the Fan Fest, which includes a chance for fans to meet and get autographs from baseball legend and the team's manager emeritus Sparky Lyle, 2015 Atlantic League Manager of the Year Brett Jodie, new hitting and third base coach Glen Barker and pitching coach Cory Domel, according to a news release.
Opening day of the 2016 season is April 21. Last season, the Somerset Patriots won their Atlantic League leading sixth championship. The independent baseball league has eight teams from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland and Texas.
Patriots players scheduled to appear are closer Jon Hunton, outfielder Aharon Eggleston and infielder Scott Kelly.
Fans will be treated to 19th century baseball game between the Flemington Neshanock and the Atlantic BBC. Players wear wool uniforms, use a special leather ball and do not use gloves to field.
The first 500 children who come will receive a Patriots Tote Bag, according to the release, and fans will be able to participate in carnival games and activities, as well as be entertained by clowns, face painters and the Patriots' mascots Sparkee, Slider and General Admission. All kids get to run the bases at 2:30 p.m.
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Kids will be able to interview with Spearhead Staffing representatives for the chance to become the Somerset Patriots Kid CEO for the 2016 season, which will give one kid a chance to work and learn all the different aspects of running a baseball team.
A special ticket deal will be available on Saturday: Anyone purchasing a ticket for opening day will receive a ticket to a second game at no charge. The Patriots will also have special discounted pricing for Mini Plan packages and there will be information about season tickets, according to the news release.
Fans can take tours of the Diamond Club and the Suites and the new Birthday Suite, which will be completed for the upcoming season. The Patriots Team Store will also be open.
Various partner tables will be on site including TD Bank, AT&T, Branchburg Sports Complex, Operation Shoebox New Jersey, New York Life, Hidden Hollow Acres and Horizon Services. At the event, AT&T and the Somerset Patriots will launch this year's Fan Choice Bobblehead promotion.
The Somerset Patriots have teamed up with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital to host a blood drive at the event. All donors will receive a ticket voucher to enjoy a future Somerset Patriots game for participating.
There will be live music by Acoustic Road, a classic acoustic rock duo performing faithful re-creations of the legendary music that helped define the 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond.