The Monday Ticket – 1/17


TicketMonday.jpgThis season we’re not only dedicated to providing our fans the best possible customer service while creating a positive and memorable experience, we are also focusing our efforts on making it an affordable one as well.

 

In an exhaustive Ticket Office research project, we found that the Inland Empire 66ers have the third most valuable ticket plans in the entire California League.

 

Looking at the full season ticket prices, we charge $490 for our best seats in the stadium – which by the way is one of the most beautiful and fan friendly stadiums in the league AND boasts the largest big screen – let’s have a look at our competitions full season prices for comparable seats.

 

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes charge $499, Lancaster JetHawks $525, Lake Elsinore Storm $575, Modesto Nuts $625, Visalia Rawhide $770, Stockton Ports $800, and the San Jose Giants $820. Only the Bakersfield Blaze and High Desert Mavericks charge less for their full season tickets then we do.

 

Included alongside the value of our ticket is our 16 amazing giveaway items this season, our famous postgame fireworks extravaganzas (see website for dates when released), and other exciting post game entertainment. All in all, the Inland Empire 66ers provide the best family value in the California League and are looking forward to a highly competitive year.

 

We hope that you will join us and as always, the Ticket Office is open so please contact me at joey@ie66ers.com or call 909-493-7638 if you have any questions or would like to secure your 2011 66ers ticket package.

Turf Talk – 1/13


turf.jpgThe grass is green, the sun is bright and all is well on the field at Arrowhead Credit Union Park.

 

In the next few weeks, the 66ers will host a Field Day pertaining to the daily maintenance of baseball fields. We will be covering the basics: turf selection and management, infield dirt maintenance and mound/plate repair.

 

We’ll have several sports turf professionals on hand giving you the tricks of the trade and sharing their own personal ways of maintaining a baseball field.

 

This event is for the Saturday morning groundskeepers of youth league fields, parks and recreation employees and professionals looking for that little piece of knowledge to set them apart from the rest of them.

 

For more information on the event, contact me at jhilderbrand@ie66ers.com.

66ers Party Patio


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66ers fans occupy one of the tables in our Party Patio during a game in 2010

 

Last year (we’ll call him “Bob”) told me his organization was in heavy competition with another company for the business of a certain client.  “Bob” needed to do something to knock the socks off of his future business partner, so he contacted me about hosting an event with the 66ers.

“Bob” booked a Party Patio, invited the client and his wife — along with others from both companies — and layed out his business plan while letting the 66ers provide the entertainment.  Needless to say, “Bob” nailed it.

Sometimes stadiums and arenas have bad reputations for food prices, but we’re hoping to change that with this all-inclusive group package in the Party Patio.  Located on the first and third base sides, we set up a 90 minute all-you-can-eat buffet for you and your guests, with tickets to watch our future Angels beat up on their Cal League opponent for the rest of the night!

Bring 25 of your friends, family and coworkers to Arrowhead Credit Union Park and experience the hospitality of the 66ers like “Bob” did.  For just $23/person (with everything included), the Party Patio could be yours sometime this summer.  A personal 66ers party planner is available to talk to you today at (909) 888-9922!

 

Menu Includes:

-BBQ chicken, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs

-Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Potato Chips, Cookies

-Soda, Water

The Year of the FAN!

“F” – Fan Events

In 2011 the 66ers Office Staff wants to continue their sense of “community” all year long. Be on the lookout for various events (bowling, bbq’s, movie events, post-game parties, etc) in the near future. You can be the first to find out about any upcoming events by “liking” the Inland Empire 66ers on Facebook or subscribing to our E-Newsletter. Most of our events will be open to the public, as we want to spread the good will of the 66ers brand in the community. In the next week be on the lookout for an event that will be coming up in January.

“A” – Angels on the Field and in the Community

2011 is going to be an exciting season in the Inland Empire as the Los Angeles Angels set up shop in San Bernardino. The Angels farm system has been one of the best in baseball in recent years and the talent that will be on display at Arrowhead Credit Union Park should be no exception. The Angels Organization will be a very active figure in San Bernadino and the Inland Empire. A recent example of their generosity was on display at the Loma Linda Children’s Hospital where Angels’ farmhands Tyler Chatwood, Eddie McKiernan, Eric Oliver, and Chris Pettit, as well as the 66ers Dance Team visited with the kids and left some presents behind.

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(From L-R; 66ers Dancer Shay, Chris Pettit, Eric Oliver, Tyler Chatwood, Eddie McKiernan, 66ers Dancer Karissa)

“N” – Never A Dull Moment

Whether it is the great dancing and antics of our loveable mascot Bernie, the energy that the 66ers Dance Team provides, or the sound of the train whistle following another 66ers run, the 2011 season promises to deliver excitement each and every day. To join the fun is really easy: please give us a call at 909-888-9922 to get your season tickets or mini-plans today to make sure you don’t miss out!

The Monday Ticket – 1/10


TicketMonday.jpgWith our first pitch only 13 weeks away, things are getting pretty exciting here at the 66ers. Today we launched a great incentive program for our current season seat holders whereby they refer a new client to us and receive a personalized 2011 66ers replica jersey (if you are one of our current season ticket holders, please contact me for further details).

 

This is yet another bonus of becoming a season ticket holder with us! We continue to strive to come up with new ways to introduce fans to our team with programs such as this one.

 

Also, we are looking for a qualified intern to assist in the box office. The position would start within the next couple weeks and last throughout the season. If you or someone you know has ever wanted to get their foot in the door with a professional sports team, please send a resume and cover letter to joey@ie66ers.com.

 

Finally, we are nearing the date of the official release of the 2011 promotions schedule. Keep your eye on the website for this and the exciting 24 Premier Game plan!

 

As always, if you have any questions about tickets or the box office, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

The box office is open!

All About the Kids

Baca.jpgBernie, Ronald McDonald, Congressman Joe Baca and hundreds of excited children.

Just a few names of those who helped deliver a memorable day last weekend at Arrowhead Credit Union Park.  More than 800 kids from San Bernardino, Rialto, Loma Linda and other surrounding areas took the field as part of the Joe Baca Foundation Baseball & Fitness Clinic, aimed at teaching baseball and healthy living skills to local youth.

Former baseball professionals and future MLB stars like Dodgers prospect Trayvon Robinson, Astros prospect Vincent Velasquez, Giants prospect Bryan Salsbury, Marlins prospect Greg Burns and Cardinals prospect Mike O’Neill took the children — ages 7 through 13 — through on-field drills, and spoke to the kids in length about making wise choices throughout life.

Ronald McDonald even showed up to present each kid with a free Happy Meal as they left the stadium.  Other vendors sacrificed their day to set up booths around the ballpark, allowing children time in inflatables and offering free baseball memorabilia like baseball cards and caps.

The day was highlighted by the event you see in the picture above.  Unfortunately some kids had to leave well before this, but the ones that stuck around were treated to a short presentation from Congressman Joe Baca about his childhood, and how he always wanted to be a professional baseball player.  He let them know that although one door was eventually closed for him — as his talents on the baseball field never blossomed into a big league career — he succeeded in another direction, and is now a representative for his community in Washington DC.

He then turned the microphone over to Daniel Carroll, a Mariners prospect who had also been working with the children throughout the day.  Daniel encouraged the kids to stay in school and to stay away from drugs, and let them know what it took for him to reach his goals of being drafted by the Seattle Mariners.

No child seemed to leave the park unhappy, and although every one of them experienced an unforgettable day by playing ball on a professional baseball diamond, the most rewarding part was seeing the kids have fun.  We’re so proud to have had the opportunity to host the event, and we can’t thank the Joe Baca Foundation and each volunteer enough for their time in welcoming so many to the ballpark!

For a complete photo gallery of the event, check out our Facebook page by clicking here.

Putting a “Twist” on everyday promotions

66ers_Twist.jpgA few weeks ago we released two of the 2011 promotions that we’re particularly excited about.  Today, we’ll let you in on one of our weekly themes that may sit you back in that easy chair and reminisce!

Jukeboxes will rock and the poodle skirts will swing on select Friday nights this year at Arrowhead Credit Union Park.  Flash the peace sign and plug in the Atari and join us this season for 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s nights at the ballpark.

Not only will we feature special discounts every Friday throughout the park, but we’ll also entertain our fans with music, costumes, on-field promotions and overall fanfare from the different decades of the 20th Century.  Start digging through your parent’s attic today to prepare!

In addition, we’ll throw in some other theme nights like Country Music Night or a futuristic theme to really give our fans some variety throughout the season.  We love to have fun, and our goal has always been to be the place for families.

Check out our Facebook page to let us know about some of your best memories from those decades.  Was it the moon landing or Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle’s race to pass Babe Ruth’s single season homerun record?  The Reagan presidency or some of the classic battles between the Lakers and Celtics?  Or maybe it’s a memory unique to you — we want to hear it!  Let us know and maybe we’ll feature you in one of our games this summer.

 

Turf Talk – 1/6

 Happy New Year everyone!

 

With the week off between Christmas and New Year’s, I was pleasantly surprised when I came back to the park on Monday the 3rd.  About 95% of the seed we placed over the dormant Bermuda grass has germinated, meaning we’ll hopefully start seeing that perfect green color that baseball fans come to expect.

 

Compared to last year, we’re looking ten times better with our over seed.  And with the recent weather pattern in Southern California, that’s great news.

 

The next two months are critical for our newly established turf.  Balanced fertility is key, and if everything goes right, the new ryegrass should be fully mature and thriving around March 1.

 

Baseball fans know the importance of a perfect field.  Nothing screams summertime like baseball, and we’re all excited with the way our field is coming together leading up to the season.  Remember the first time you saw a freshly-cut infield at a professional stadium?

 

It’s the way I want our fans to feel everyday at Arrowhead Credit Union Park.

 

Jason Hilderbrand is the Head Groundskeeper at Arrowhead Credit Union Park.  He is always available for professional or at-home lawn maintenance advice at jhilderbrand@ie66ers.com

The 3 Best Friends that Anyone Could Ever Have – 1/5

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Life is “suite.”

As we mentioned in our first post, we’re Steve, Joe and Dave, and we run the Group Sales Department for the Inland Empire 66ers.  The Three Best Friends.

We have a sweet deal on suites this year for you and 20 family members, coworkers or even your buddies.  Stuff your face with an all-you-can-eat buffet for only $800.  That’s less than $50 per ticket for a suite!

That includes everything!  Tickets, food, waitress service and a fully furnished suite with DirecTV.  And best of all, 66ers baseball.

We pride ourselves on discovering your needs and developing the best plan possible for your event.  Next week we’ll highlight another great area for your group, but until then, give us a call or e-mail us and let us know how we can serve you in 2011!


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The Three Best Friends consist of Director of Groups Steve Pelle’, Assistant Director Joe Rugo and Community Groups Manager Dave May.  They can be reached at (909) 888-9922, or at spelle@ie66ers.com, jrugo@ie66ers.com or dmay@ie66ers.com.