Curve to Open Seven-Game Homestand at Blair County Ballpark Friday Night Against Trenton
He only played in 39 games for the Curve in 2004, but after a remarkable month of August that saw him wow fans with his home run prowess, Brad Eldred quickly etched his name near the top of the list of all-time fan favorites in franchise history.
And after opening the 2005 season with the Curve, the 6-foot-5, 275 lb. slugging first baseman is at it again, leading the Eastern League with eight home runs in the first 17 games of the season.
So, as the Altoona Curve gets set to open a seven-game homestand Friday night at Blair County Ballpark, Eldred will not only be the center of attention for the opposing pitching staff, but he\’ll also be the focus of a weekend of fun giveaways for Curve fans to take home.
When Altoona hosts the Trenton Thunder (AA/New York Yankees) in a three-game series beginning Friday night, the Curve will hold \”Big Country Weekend\” at Blair County Ballpark, featuring three great giveaway items with the likeness of the popular first baseman, who’s earned the nickname \”Big Country\” because of his size and power.
Friday night, when the Curve and Thunder open their series at 6:35 PM, the first 1,000 fans ages 14 and under will have a chance to measure up against the Curve slugger by receiving a Brad Eldred Growth Chart courtesy of Waste Management. Saturday at 5:05 PM, the first 2,000 fans of all ages will take home a wind-up Eldred Walking Guy compliments of Sanitary Maintenance. Then on Sunday at 3:05 PM, the first 2,000 kids ages 14 and under will receive an Eldred Plastic Bat from Heluva Good Quality Foods.
In addition to the \”Big Country\” giveaway items during the Trenton series, there\’s plenty more happening at Blair County Ballpark through next Thursday, when the Curve will conclude a four-game series against the Reading Phillies.
On Saturday night, April 30, the Altoona Curve, as part of a series of events honoring high school district sports championshi, will honor the 2004 District VI-AA champion Tyrone football team, prior to the beginning of the Curve game against the Trenton Thunder.
Among the other highlights of the Trenton series includes the return of Diesel Dawg to Blair County Ballpark on Friday night as \”Diesel Dawg\’s Extreme Makeover\” concludes. Post-game FIREWORKS will fill the sky following Saturday\’s 5:05 PM game against Trenton. Meanwhile, the Curve will hold the first of three popular Kids\’ Youth Baseball Clinics on Sunday morning from 10 AM to 1 PM. Registration begins at 9 AM and kids ages 5 to 12 will have the opportunity to learn fundamentals from Curve players on the field at Blair County Ballpark. The clinic is free with the purchase of a ticket to Sunday\’s 3:05 PM game.
The Curve\’s Southern Division rivals, the Reading Phillies, will make a four-day visit to Blair County Ballpark Monday through Thursday. Monday at 6:35 PM, the Curve will go back in time for Medieval Night. Tuesday night at 6:35 PM, the Curve will honor local servicemen and women on Armed Forces Appreciation Night. Wednesday at 6:35 PM, the first 2,000 fans of all ages will receive a Curve Travel Mug courtesy of The Student Bookstore Downtown State College. The conclusion of the Reading series and homestand will take place next Thursday at 10:35 AM when the Curve will hold the first of four School Kids\’ Days at Blair County Ballpark.
For tickets, fans can call the Curve Ticket Office toll-free at 1-877-99-CURVE or on-line at AltoonaCurve.com.
