The Somerset Patriots come to York this weekend for a four-game set that will play a big role in determining the Pats’ playoff chances in what will be the Revs’ final regular season homestand.

Somerset will enter the series trailing York by eight games in the wildcard. Should York get swept by their Freedom Division foe, the Revs would only hold a four-game lead over the Pats with six games left in the season for both clubs. Sure, that would still seem like a comfortable lead for York, but the Revs have to travel out west to end the year with a six-game set in Sugar Land – a team that has been pesky against York all year. Somerset, meanwhile, closes with three against Long Island, which holds the league’s worst second-half record to this point, and Bridgeport, who is still battling Southern Maryland for the second-half Liberty Division title. OK, the Pats would likely have to win out the rest of the way to even hope to force a tie with York. We’ll get to the tie-breaker scenarios should that happen. But for now, here’s a preview of the showdown in York this weekend.

Possible pitching match-ups:

Friday, 6:30 p.m.: York LHP Chris Cody (10-13, 4.30 ERA) vs. LHP Doug Arguello (6-7, 4.09)

Saturday, 11 a.m.: York LHP Ryan Feierabend (7-5, 3.03 ERA) vs. RHP Carlton Smith (3-4, 4.01 ERA)

Saturday, 6:30 p.m.: York LHP Derrick Gordon (3-3, 4.01 ERA in 10 starts for York) vs. RHP Justin Cassel (6-9, 3.38 ERA)

Sunday, 2 p.m.: York RHP Corey Thurman (13-3, 4.05 ERA) vs. LHP Roy Merritt (8-8, 3.23 ERA)

(NOTE***All of the following stats are through Wednesday)

Pitching: The Patriots have been staying alive thanks to their pitching. Somerset is near the tops in the league in earned runs allowed (479, second), ERA (3.86, second), walks (394, 3rd and hits allowed (1,104, 2nd). York sits third in the league in earned runs allowed (510), fourth in ERA (4.12), second in walks issued (388) and fifth in hits allowed (1,211).

Offense: York is 10-6 against Somerset this season, having won three of the five series – York lost in a three-game set and settled for a 2-2 tie in a four-game set. In those 16 head-to-head match-ups, the Revs have outscored the Pats, 75-40. Those numbers are about on pace with everything else this season. For example, York is near the tops in the league in homers (143, 2nd), RBIs (634, 2nd), runs scored (683, 2nd) and batting average (.280, 2nd). Somerset, meanwhile, is at or near the bottom in homers (84, last), RBIs (492, last), runs scored (521, last) and batting average (.260, 6th).

Who’s Hot: Both teams will enter with a handful of hitters on a hot streak at the plate. Somerset’s Yunesky Sanchez (.302, 6 RBIs, 5 runs scored), Carlton Smith (.313, 2 homers, five RBIs, 8 runs), Jeff Nettles (.314, home run, 6 RBIs, 5 runs) and Colin Curtis (.324, 2 RBIs, 3 runs) are batting plus-.300 in their last 10 games. Pats’ outfielder Joe Holden is also hitting .289 with five RBIs and five runs scored in his last 10 games.

York’s Chris Nowak (.350, seven homers, 14 RBIs, 9 runs), Andres Perez (.395, 4 homers, 14 RBIs, 11 runs), Salomon Manriquez (.421, homer, 3 RBIs, 9 runs) and Jeff Fiorentino (.444, RBI, 8 runs) are hitting .350 or better in their last 10 games.  Outfielder Brandon Haveman (.298, four RBIs, 8 runs) and short stop Joe Thurston (.286, 2 homers, 8 RBIs, 6 runs) are also swinging well in their last 10 contests.

Promotions: (For full details on game times, promotions or to purchase tickets  click here)

FRIDAY: The Revs have plenty of promotions planned for the final regular season homestand in York. Friday’s game is Ladies Night Out and will also feature an umbrella giveaway. A real diamond ring will be buried somewhere in the infield prior to the game, and following the game the first to uncover it gets to keep the ring!  Memorial Hospital is also sponsoring a Revolution umbrella giveaway for the first 1,500 fans through the gates at the ballpark.

SATURDAY: Game One (11 a.m.) is unused ticket redemption day where fans who have unused tickets from the 2012 season will be able to redeem those tickets for field box seats or lawn seats for this game only at no additional charge. Game Two (6:30 p.m.) is High School Spirit Night where students, alums and fans are all encouraged to wear their colors and support their teams.

SUNDAY: The usual Sunday fun activities will go on as planned, with a pre-game full-team autograph session (1:05-1:20), and pre-game catch on the field (1:20-1:35). In addition, Revs’ skipper Andy Etchebarren, who is retiring at the end of the season, will be honored in a pre-game ceremony. It’s also Fan Appreciation Day as all fans will have a chance to win prizes throughout the game.

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Of York’s 37 final regular season contests, just 16 are left at home. But there are still quite a few interesting promotions coming up. Among them, the team recently announced that fans will have a chance on Sept. 4 (Tuesday, home against Sugar Land) to give a helping hand to Houston Schwartz, an area infant battling congenital heart disease. Here’s some details from the press release on what Houston has been dealing with:

Shortly after Houston Schwartz was born on November 17, 2011, it was discovered he had issues with his heart and was diagnosed with Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR.)  In short, TAPVR deprives the body of oxygen-rich blood.

Houston has battled through multiple surgeries, but unfortunately has spent a great deal of his life to this point in a hospital.  Going through so much at such a young age has made his body fragile, but he continues to fight through constant procedures and drug treatments to keep him healthy.

For more info on Houston, check out his Facebook page here.

How You Can Help: On Tuesday, Sept. 4 when York takes on the Sugar Land Skeeters, tickets to the team’s popular “Fill Your Tummy Tuesday” promotion, a three-hour all-you-can-eat event in the Bud Light Picnic Pavilion in right field at Sovereign Bank Stadium will be $25 apiece.  $5 from each ticket will be donated to “Houston’s Angels,” a local fundraising effort for Houston and his family. Houston’s supporters will also be selling key chains and other items at the September 4 game to raise money for Houston’s care and support.

The buffet begins at 5:45 p.m., prior to the first pitch at 6:30, lasting until 8:45.  The price includes both the buffet and a ticket to the game. Interested? Buffet tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here.

Gift Card Grab: Another upcoming promotion is what the team is calling the “Gift Card Grab”, which will take place Aug. 22 (a Wednesday) when York hosts Long Island.

Frontier Airlines, Gander Mountain, Mudhook Brewing Company, Shurfine Supermarkets, Subway and Sunoco have combined to donate 1,000 gift cards ranging in value from $5 to $50. The first 1,000 fans to the game will receive an envelope when they come through the gates containing one of the cards.

The gates on August 22 open at 5:30 p.m. to the general public; the season ticket and Mini of Baltimore Skybox Level gate will open at the normal time of 5:15.

Tickets for the game may be purchased by calling 717-801-HITS or by clicking here or r in person at the Apple Chevrolet Ticket Office.

Man On Fire: This event was scheduled earlier in the season but unfortunately was cancelled because of rain. So, the Revs will try it again on Aug. 31 (a Friday at home against Long Island).

In case you’re not familiar with the act, Ted Batchelor is the Guinness World Record holder for “Longest Run on Full Body Burn.”  In 2010, his running the bases on fire stunt was named Promotion of The Year by ESPN. Here’s a Youtube video of Batchelor performing the stunt, where he rounds the bases on fire. Oh, yeah, he takes a swing with a bat at home plate before taking off around the bases.

Promotions: For a full list of upcoming promotions at Revs’ home games, click here.

 

 

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The York Revolution announced Monday a couple events related to the Light The Night Walk, a national fundraiser of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The society raises money in the fight against those diseases.

Prior to the game against the Long Island Ducks on Aug. 23, Thurman will address the crowd on the importance of raising funds to battle the diseases (unless he is starting that day, in which case Thurman will not speak).

At the game, fans will be encouraged to sign up for York’s Light the Night Walk on Oct. 13 at Cousler Park in Manchester (1060 Church Road). The walk will be led by Thurman that day.

WALK: People will first organize at the park at Pavilion D for check-in beginning at 3:30 p.m., prior to the remembrance ceremony at 4:30.  The walk, which is approximately two miles, will begin at 5:30. 

“It’s a privilege to be involved in something like this,” Thurman said in a press release.  “You just don’t know when cancer could affect your life – I mean we all either know someone or are related to someone who has been affected.  There’s a lot of work we have to do to help those people and fund research for the future.”

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OK. I have to admit it. As a kid, I once dressed up as a “Star Wars” character on Halloween. It was probably around the time the fourth (or first, depending on how you look at it) Star Wars movie came out in 1999 – Star Wars: Episode One – The Phantom Menace. That would have made me 12 years old. And I dressed up as Darth Maul (you know, the red monster with horns coming out of his head who had a double light-saber).

My young nephews now have the mask to that outfit I wore many years ago. And no, I won’t be bringing it out on Aug. 4. I am, however, excited to see what fans look like at Sovereign Bank Stadium. That night, you see, the York Revolution will hold a “Star Wars Night,” when the Revs take on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at 6:30 p.m.

The Revs have partnered with the Capital City Jedi Knights of Harrisburg and Garrison Carida, the local chapter of the 501st Legion, which is a national Star Wars costume organization endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd.

Dozens of costumed performers are expected at the game. The Capital City Jedi Knights will conduct a between-innings performance of a light-saber battle during the game – they’ll have a lot to live up to considering the awesome sword fights put on last week by the knights from the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair (and hopefully they’re more coordinated than these guys)

They will also conduct a pre-game light-saber clinic for kids on the field before the game. It’s being termed a “Jedi Academy.”

The Revs will also hold a best Star Wars costume contest for fans inside the ballpark, with the winner picking up a prize from the team. The night will end with a Star Wars-themed post-game fireworks show, set to the music of the films. It will be the final fireworks show of the summer at the ballpark.

Tickets for Star Wars Night may be purchased at YorkRevolution.com, at 717-801-HITS or by visiting the Apple Chevrolet Ticket office at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

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The York Revolution have had their fair share of promotions over the years. But just thinking about them off the top of my head, I can’t think of anything this dangerous.

The Revolution announced Thursday that Ted Batchelor will bring his “Man on Fire” promotion to Sovereign Bank Stadium this Sunday.

In case you’re not familiar with the act, Batchelor is the Guinness World Record holder for “Longest Run on Full Body Burn.”  In 2010, his running the bases on fire stunt was named Promotion of The Year by ESPN.

Here’s a Youtube video of Batchelor performing the stunt, where he rounds the bases on fire. Oh, yeah, he takes a swing with a bat at home plate before taking off around the bases. (I’m curious if the Revs will allow the bases to light like they do in this video).

According to the press release the team sent out, York is one of many stops the world famous Batchelor will make at various minor league ballparks throughout this season. Looking on The Burning Man’s website, he’s actually performing the stunt at a Harrisburg Senators game this Thursday night and again in State College at a Spikes game on Friday before coming to York on Sunday. He’s later doing it at a Sugar Land (Tex.) Skeeters game on Aug. 25.

Batchelor will perform the act following the game on Sunday against Lancaster. After the players and umpires are at a safe distance, Batchelor will light himself on fire and run the bases. The organization also said the “Kids run the Bases” promotion will be still be held after Batchelor is finished performing the act.

I gotta admit, I’m kind of pumped to see this in person. Still, I don’t know if this can beat the in-between innings “Fruit Race” promotion. Sorry, it’s hard to be as cool as the fruit race.

Tickets for the game are still available, and first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.  The gates at Sovereign Bank Stadium that day will open at 4 p.m.  The entire team will sign autographs from 4:05 to 4:20, and catch on the field will be from 4:20 to 4:35, presented by Runkle’s Notary & Insurance.  For tickets, fans should visit YorkRevolution.com, call 717-801-HITS or visit the Apple Chevrolet Ticket Office.

ATLANTIC LEAGUE updates:

–Location of 2013 All-Star game: As happens every year during the All-Star break, the Atlantic League held meetings in the host-city of this year’s All-Star game (Camden) to discuss several topics. Among them, Peter Kirk said Southern Maryland has been selected to host the 2013 All-Star game. Kirk is the chairman of Opening Day Partners, which owns five of the eight teams in the league, including York.

–Second team in Texas?: Kirk said the league is still looking into adding a second (and preferably a third and fourth)t team in Texas, especially following the success of the expansion Sugar Land (Tex) Skeeters thus far. The Skeeters currently lead the league in attendance, with an average of 6,812 fans per game. Kirk said a half-dozen groups from surrounding communities in Texas have visited Constellation Field and expressed interest in bringing a ballpark to their town.

“Before the season started we sold close to 3,000 season tickets (for Sugar Land). All 20 of the suites are sold out, and many of the picnics and so forth,” Kirk said. “We had a pretty good idea that it was going to be terrific before the season started. And that’s what it’s been. It’s a very nice ballpark and a terrific community. There are no minor league baseball teams in the region.”

–Status of Loudon Hounds: Kirk said a group from the Loudon (Va.) Hounds also made a presentation at one of the meetings, discussing how the organization is going about putting the financing in place for a ballpark. The Hounds have been trying to join the league for a couple years now and originally aimed to put a team on the field by the 2011 season. But work has yet to begin on a new ballpark, and the Hounds have put back their goal now to the 2014 season. Kirk said the league has yet to approve a membership application for Loudon because it’s waiting for the organization to get their financing in place first.

“They made an application and we’ve looked at the market and it’s a sensational marke,” Kirk said. “And the geography fits beautifully in the league. But they have to get financing in place first.”

–Upgrades coming to website?: On several occasions, Kirk has talked about expansion of the Atlantic League out west. But he admitted Thursday that given those plans, the league has to make improvements elsewhere first. Specifically, he understands updates need to be made to the league website.

“That actually was a big topic (at meetings this week), not only the website but the whole league office, especially with the move to Texas,” Kirk said. “We need to re-examine how the league is staffed and organized. We know we need to upgrade the website and the media program. The organizations themselves do a great job of getting things out. But the league is ready for improvement.”

That’s good news all around – for the league, fans of teams in the league, and the media personnel like myself. As has been pointed out recently by Jim Seip, the league website is in desperate need of an upgrade.

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For the York Revolution home opener on May 1, the Revs will have a pre-game championship ring ceremony as they did in 2010, but with a special twist this time.  The team has ordered one extra ring, and will give it away to a fan during the ceremony that evening.

The first 1,000 fans through the gates on May 1 will receive a special scratch-off card.  One of the cards will be for the grand prize of the same championship ring the Revolution players and coaches will receive on the field in the pre-game ceremony.

Every fan with a card will be a winner in some form however, as the others will have various prizes including over-sized replica rings and discounts from Garrick Jewelers and the Revolution.

The winner of the ring will be asked to join the Revolution on-field as they receive their rings, and will be presented their prize on the field during the ceremony.

The ring will come pre-sized.  If the winner would like it re-sized, they would have to do so on their own.

For more information on your chance at getting the ring, check out the details here on the Revolution website.

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