June 5 is Opening Day, and the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs plan to start off their season with a bang.
They will be taking on Amsterdam Mohawks, their arch rivals at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field in Little Falls, and plan to celebrate their season opener with a fireworks display following the game. The fireworks extravaganza is sponsored by the Herkimer Diamond Mines and is just one of the many special events happening throughout the season.
“We are looking forward to a great season, and a great time here at Veterans Memorial Field,” said Diamond Dawgs General Manager Travis Heiser, “We have some fantastic and fun activities going on throughout the summer.”
Throughout the home game on Sunday, also against Amsterdam, the park will be featuring “Free Ice Cream and BUG Country Gear Night , sponsored by BUG Country Radio, 99.7/101.1. “Our goal is to make this a low-cost, fun time for the whole family,” said Heiser, “We want to offer something for everybody.” This year, the park also features the Coors Light sponsored picnic area, where families can sit down at picnic tables, beneath the umbrellas, and have a snack while watching the action on the field. A section of bleachers on the third base side were removed to accommodate the picnic area, which will allow diners an excellent view of the field. Future plans include an elevated deck in the picnic area.
The Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs feel a great loyalty to the area in which they play. “The people of the Mohawk Valley have been and continue to be incredibly supportive,” said Heiser, “We are the Valley’s team, and are looking forward to being so for a long, long time.” Indeed, the Diamond Dawgs know that their success, in part, is due to the loyalty of their fans, and aim to continue to perform to a degree that will garner local support.
“Baseball is all about consistency, both from the players and the fans, on and off the field,” said Heiser, “We love being in the Mohawk Valley, it is part of what makes the Diamond Dawgs the Diamond Dawgs.”
Former Yankees pitching great Tommy John is a big supporter of the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs, and of baseball programs in communities throughout the country. “As a former Major League Baseball Pitcher for 26 years, I know the importance that baseball plays in the lives of kids and in entire communities...I have been around baseball all my life and I think that the people of the Mohawk Valley have a great opportunity to take the Diamond Dawgs Baseball Team and make it the number one summer collegiate baseball team in the country,” said John in an e-mail to the Diamond Dawgs.
As a part of the New York State Collegiate Baseball League, one of eight such programs sponsored by Major League Baseball throughout the country, the Diamond Dawgs offers young players a chance to play the sport that they love, refine their skills, and play for not only appreciative fans, but also major league scouts, who watch players at this level, seeking new talent for the big leagues.
“There is an opportunity here for fans in the Mohawk Valley to see some potential major league stars shine here first, in their own home town,” said Heiser. Tommy John agrees, issuing a challenge to the Mohawk Valley, saying: “All the pieces are in place for the Diamond Dawgs to be successful. I challenge all of you to come out to the park this summer to support your team while enjoying family entertainment at its best.
Below is the schedule for the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs for the month of June. A complete season schedule, plus information on sponsors and upcoming events is available on their web site at www.mydiamonddawgs.com
Friday, June 5 - Amsterdam Mohawks, 7 p.m. Veterans Memorial Field - Post-Game Fireworks
Saturday, June 6 @ Amsterdam Mohawks, 7 p.m. Shuttleworth Park
Sunday, June 7 - Amsterdam Mohawks, 5 p.m. Veterans Memorial Field - Free Ice Cream Night
Tuesday, June 9 @ Albany Dutchmen, 7 p.m. Bleeker Stadium
Wednesday, June 10 - Glens Falls Golden Eagles, 7 p.m. Veterans Memorial Field - Baseball Hall of Fame Ticket Giveaway
Thursday, June 11 - Watertown Wizards, 7 p.m. Veterans Memorial Field - Bobblehead Giveaway/ Thirsty Thursday Drink Specials
Friday, June 12 @ Glens Falls Golden Eagles, 7 p.m. East Field
Saturday, June 13 - Saratoga Phillies, 7 p.m. Veterans Memorial Field - Free T-Shirt Night - first 100 fans
Monday, June 15 @ Amsterdam Mohawks, 10:30 a.m. Shuttleworth Park
Tuesday, June 16 @ Watertown Wizards, 7 p.m. Duffy Fairgrounds
Wednesday, June 17 - Glens Falls Golden Eagles, 7 p.m. Veterans Memorial Field - Nine Months till St. Patty's Day/ Let's Go Green Night
Thursday, June 18 - Albany Dutchmen 10:30 a.m. Veterans Memorial Field - "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" School Field Trip
Friday, June 19 @ Watertown Wizards 7 p.m. Duffy Fairgrounds
Saturday, June 20 - Glens Falls Golden Eagles, 7 p.m. Veterans Memorial Field - Got Milk Night (Free Cookies & Milk for kids)
Sunday, June 21 @ Albany Dutchmen, 5 p.m. Bleeker Stadium
Tuesday, June 23 @ Amsterdam Mohawks 7 p.m. Shuttleworth Park
Wednesday, June 24 - Watertown Wizards 7 p.m. Veterans Memorial Field - Free Movie Night
Thursday, June 25 - Albany Dutchmen 7 p.m. Veterans Memorial Field - 50 Cent Hot Dog Night/ Thirsty Thursday Drink Specials
Friday, June 26 @ Watertown Wizards 7 p.m. Duffy Fairgrounds
Saturday, June 27 - Glens Falls Golden Eagles, 7 p.m. Veterans Memorial Field - Free Haircut Night
Sunday, June 28 - Watertown Wizards, 5 p.m. Veterans Memorial Field - Free Mini Bat Night
Monday, June 29 - @ Amsterdam Mohawks, 7 p.m. Shuttleworth Park
Tuesday, June 30 @ Glens Falls Golden Eagles 7 p.m. East Field
Little Falls, N.Y. —
