Yard Goats announce a large promotional schedule for upcoming campaign

The Yard Goats’ second season in Hartford at Dunkin’ Donuts Park begins April 5.

HARTFORD – It’s not just about the game.

The Hartford Yard Goats, the Double A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced their 2018 promotional schedule on Wednesday night at Dunkin’ Donuts Park and it includes a wide variety of events, firework shows and theme nights for 70 home games.

The Yard Goats also announced a new safety measure. They will be extending netting to protect more seats behind both dugouts.

The Yard Goats will wear this alternative jersey on Sundays.

The promotional schedule is highlighted by “Whalers Alumni Weekend,” which will take place from July 27-29 when the Yard Goats host the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. For the second year, the Yard Goats will be wearing special hockey style uniforms to pay tribute to the former National Hockey League franchise.

Many former Whalers will be part of a festive weekend which will include a luncheon, on-field pregame ceremony, hockey puck giveaway and autograph session. Many historic Whalers moments and highlights will be shown to the fans on the outfield videoboard.

The Yard Goats adopted the green and blue color scheme for their uniforms in honor of the Whalers.

The Yard Goats will have 22 fireworks shows, mostly after Friday and Saturday night games. The first show will take place on Opening Night after the first Yard Goats game on Thursday, April 5.

Strike Out Cancer Night, Pink in the Park, You Can Play Night, and Military Appreciation Night will be incorporated into the schedule. The Yard Goats will also honor the late Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates in a celebration on August 24.

Fans will get the opportunity to see the Yard Goats play with another nickname on “What If Night,”a fun promotion to see what it would be like if the team had a different name. On June 28, the Yard Goats will play as the Hartford Whirly Birds, which was one of the finalists in the name-the-team-contest. Special uniform jerseys and hats will be worn by the players during that game.

The Yard Goats will also play as Los Chivos de Hartford on June 2, July 17, and August 24. The name, which translates from Spanish as the Goats of Hartford, is part of Minor League Baseball’s Es Divertido Ser Un Fan campaign.

On August 12, the Yard Goats will play as the Hartford Steamed Cheeseburgers and debut their specially designed uniform jerseys and hats. The steamed cheeseburger is believed to be invented in Connecticut and Ted’s Restaurant, who is famous for serving steamed cheeseburgers since 1959, will be present at the Hartford Neighborhood Flavors Cart with their steamed cheeseburgers available for fans to purchase the night of the game.

The season begins April 5 when the Yard Goats host New Hampshire at 7:05 p.m.

2018 Yard Goats schedule

Premium Giveaway Schedule

Magnet Schedule (April 5), Magnet Schedule (April 6), Magnet Schedule (April 7), Magnet Schedule (April 8), Umbrella (April 9), Baseball Cap (April 11), Rally Towel (April 23), Baseball Cap (April 25), Kids Replica Jersey (May 3), Fancy Pants Goat Bobblehead (May 7), Baseball Cap (May 14), Baseball Cap (May 17), Chompers Piggy Bank (May 30), Goat Yoga Bobblehead (June 13), Baseball Cap (June 17), Puzzle (June 25), Whirly Bis Baseball Cap (June 28), Dunkin’ Donuts Park Replica (July 16), Hockey Puck (July 29), Golden Snitch Baseball (August 5), Team Ca Set (August 27), Kids Lunch Box (August 29).

Theme Nights

Opening Night Celebration (April 5), Home Run for Autism Day (April 8), Healy Kids Baseball Summit (April 22nd), Fai & Family Night, Boy Scout Night (May 5), Pink in e Park (May 17), Military Appreciation Night (May 18), Prevention and Heal Promotion, Super Hero Night (May 19), Star Wars Night (June 1), Video Game Night (June 2nd), Dairy Day (June 3), Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Mon (June 14), Girl Scout Night (June 15), Organized Labor Night (June 16), Faer’s Day Celebration (June 17), Power of Ability Night (June 25), You Can Play Night (June 26), What If Night (June 28), Four of July Celebration (July 4), Irish Night (July 6), Christmas in July (July 7), Chew Chew’s Biay Party (July 8), Princess and Pirates Night (July 26), Whalers Alumni Weekend (July 27-29), Halloween Night (August 3), Cystic Fibrosis Night, Boy Scout Night (August 4), Harry Potter Night (August 5), Home Run for Heroes (August 11), Steamed Cheeseburger Night (August 12), Eat Well Night (August 22nd), Strike Out Cancer Night (August 23), Roberto Clemente Night (August 24), Faith & Family Day (August 25 & August 26), Power of Ability Night (August 28), Back to School Night (August 29), Fan Appreciation Night (August 30).