BlueClaws FanFest to be held March 7

With less than two months left until Opening Day, the Lakewood BlueClaws have begun their countdown to the 2009 season by announcing that their annual FanFest will be held on March 7 from noon to 5 p.m. at FirstEnergy Park, New Hampshire and Cedar Bridge avenues, Lakewood.

The BlueClaws are the single A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

FanFest is the first day 2009 individual tickets go on sale and the event will include a number of fun activities for the entire family to enjoy.

"The fans mean so much to us here at the BlueClaws," General Manager Geoff Brown said. "They have supported us so well over the past eight years and we treat our FanFest as a way to give back and thank them for their commitment to our team."

For this one day only, all individual game tickets sold will be at $1 off the original ticket price.

As a further show of support to their fans, the BlueClaws will offer all who attend a chance to win a luxury suite for themselves and three friends to one of the Phillies' On-Deck Series games in early April against the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

Fans will also be able to try out and win a spot in an on- field promotion, such as the dizzy bat race or crab toss, during the Blue- Claws season.

Also included in this year's FanFest is "You Make the Call." In the BlueClaws press box, fans can play broadcaster and call a Ryan Howard home run or the last out of the Phillies' World Series victory and have the audio e-mailed to them.

Additionally, the United States' first game in the World Baseball Classic will be shown on the video board as well as throughout the stadium. There will be an eating contest, a Rock Band contest and face painters for the children. Meanwhile, the BlueClaws batting cages will be open for use all day, as fans will be able to hit where the BlueClaws practice.

Pinchy's Playground tickets will also be on sale, two for the price of one. Ballpark tours will be offered free of charge so fans can get a behind-the-scenes look at FirstEnergy Park.

Fans who have already ordered ticket packages can pick them up at the event.

The BlueClaws will be collecting nonperishable food items and any used and unwanted cell phones. Donations benefit the Ocean County Hunger Relief and Cell Phones for Soldiers.

Finally, the Elysian Fields (New Jersey) Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research will host its fourth annual conference beginning at 9 a.m. There will be a full day of presentations and panel discussions with historians, authors and local baseball luminaries including members of the Blue- Claws front office. Door prizes will be raffled off. Registration (including lunch) is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Contact John Saccoman at saccomjt@shu.edu for registration information. Advance registrations must be received by Feb. 28.

The Lakewood BlueClaws welcomed 425,166 fans to FirstEnergy Park during the 2008 season which upped their eight-season total to 3,595,378. They have led the South Atlantic League in average or overall attendance in each of their eight seasons. For more information about FanFest, call 732-901- 7000 and or visit www.BlueClaws.com.