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Although Opening Day signals the start of the baseball season, the Greenville Drive are prepared to keep fans on the edge of their seats for the first home stand of 2007, with eight consecutive days of jam-packed entertainment, as well as the entire season.
The Drive will kick-off 2007 with a two-day Opening Day event, scheduled for April 9th and 10th. Fans will be treated to an opening ceremony, ushering in the Gabe Kapler-era, with a grand entrance and exciting entertainment. “Opening Day in 2006 was a very exciting time for Greenville,” said Drive General Manager Mike deMaine. “In 2007 we are taking the extra steps needed to keep everything fresh and exciting for our fans.” Local radio and television stations will be on hand with live-remotes to capture every exciting moment. To insure that no fan misses out on Opening Day’s festivities, the same features will occur on both dates. April 11th will also be a date that fans will want to mark on their calendars as the Drive host “Shoeless” Joe Jackson Night. Although he ranks as one of the greatest hitters in the history of baseball, Greenville’s favorite son has yet to be enshrined into Cooperstown. The Drive will finally make this a reality as Full-Season, Half-Season, and Weekend Plus Plan ticket holders will receive a commemorative plaque, for those of us who wish he was in the Hall of Fame. “Joe Jackson was the most dominant hitter of his era, and one of the greatest ever,” commented deMaine. “The Drive wish to honor his legacy with a Hall of Fame plaque that Upstate baseball fans will treasure as a keepsake.” “Shoeless” Joe Jackson Night will also feature Soles4Souls, in which fans of all ages are encouraged to donate brand new or gently used footwear. Based out of Nashville, TN, Soles4Souls’ mission is to impact as many lives as possible through the gift of shoes. In the last several years, Soles4Souls has coordinated relief efforts for victims of the Asian Tsunami, and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, netting over 900,000 pairs donated for these disasters.
Thursday, April 12th will mark the Drive’s first $1 drink night of the season. Every Thursday night – a total of 10 in 2007 – fans 21 and older can purchase $1 drafts in the Spinx 500 Club. For those fans who prefer a Coca-Cola product, 16 ounce sodas can be purchased for $1. Spectacular firework displays will highlight all 10 Friday games at West End Field in 2007, with the first being on April 13th. For the second consecutive season, Reggy will bring his antics to West End Field on Saturday, April 14th and Sunday, April 15th. Reggy, “The Purple Party Dude,” promises lots of laughs, tons of fun, and wild fur flying routines. Sunday, April 15th marks the 60th anniversary of when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, becoming the first African-American in Major League Baseball when he took the field with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Drive, along with the visiting Rome Braves, will honor this momentous occasion with commemorative helmet decals and a pre-game ceremony which includes a video, highlighting Jackie Robinson’s accolades. “Jackie Robinson did so much for the game of baseball,” stated deMaine. “He set a new standard in the sport, en route to becoming a Hall of Famer, and we want to honor his spirit and drive on April 15th.” Children of all ages will also have the opportunity to run the bases following Sunday’s game at West End Field, just like members of the Drive, as it is also the first Family Fun Day of the season. The Drive will closeout the first home stand of 2007 on Monday, April 16th with their first “Upstate Community Night” presented by Community Journals. The West End Association will highlight the first of six community nights in which the Drive plan to spotlight different citizens, vendors, and Chamber of Commerce’s throughout the Upstate. “The first week of the season will be packed with lots of excitement and family entertainment,” added deMaine. “However, it is only a preview of what is in store for fans all season long.” Season ticket plans, luxury accommodations, and group outings for the 2007 season are currently on sale and can be ordered by calling the Drive at (864) 240-4500. Single-game tickets will go on sale on Saturday, March 24th. (Images provided by the Greenville Drive.)
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“Joe Jackson received his nickname when he played a game in his stocking feet due to uncomfortable cleats,” added deMaine. “Having Soles4Souls take part in “Shoeless” Joe Jackson night will spread the word that there are those less fortunate who do not have suitable footwear due to tragedies and disasters.”
