Displaying items by tag: Canal Park

On the Bonzai Friday edition of the Jasen Sokol Show Podcast:

2017 marks the twentieth anniversary of Canal Park and the Akron baseball franchise. A major figure in getting the baseball team into downtown Akron was former mayor Don Plusquellic.

It has been two full years since Plusquellic stepped down as mayor, and he gave an update on his life on the Ray Horner Morning Show. Plusquellic talked about the impact Canal Park has had on downtown development, which includes the housing, the pubs and restaurants, and Lock 3 Park.

Looking back after two years away, Plusquellic is proud all he and his administration accomplished. He was glad to have kept the corruption out of the office, and believes he did all he could to bring jobs back to Akron, especially in the rubber industry. He also shared his thoughts on the Kenmore-Garfield merger.

The Eastern League All-Star Game at Canal Park is upon us and some of Double-A's best and brightest young stars will be on display tonight here in Downtown Akron.

Manager of the Akron Rubber Ducks Dave Wallace, who is managing the Western Division All-Stars joined Brad Russell and I from the ballpark earlier this afternoon.

He said he was excited to be a part of this unique experience here in Akron, and he knows this is a special time not only in his baseball career, but in the careers of the youngsters playing here tonight.

"It's a celebration of baseball here in Akron. it showcases guys who are going to be playing at the big-league level someday, and I'm excited to be a part of it.

Northeast Ohio has been hungry for a championship for the past 52 years, and now our local baseball team has something fans can sink their teeth into.

The Akron RubberDucks have announced a new addition to their popular "Extreme Menu" called the "LeBlock Burger". It's a bacon-stuffed burger with Middlefield cheddar cheese, wine and gold slaw, and a championship onion ring on a Kaiser bun. The entrée is even served with a side of fries topped with "Salty Curry" powder.

The burger was named, as you might have guessed, in honor of LeBron James' memorable block against Andre Iguodala in the Cleveland Cavaliers victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

The "LeBlock Burger" is available now at Canal Park at Taters concession stand behind home plate.

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(Akron RubberDucks, press release)The Akron RubberDucks announced today a new addition to the popular "Extreme Foods" menu. The "LeBlock Burger," a bacon-stuffed burger topped with Middlefield cheddar cheese, wine and gold slaw, and a championship onion ring on a Kaiser bun. The entrée is served with a side of fries topped with "Salty Curry" powder.

The new burger celebrates Akron native LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 NBA Championship, Cleveland's first major sports title in 52 years.

"This is the most exciting time Northeast Ohio sports," Akron RubberDucks General Manager Jim Pfander said. "We're always looking to incorporate the sporting trends of this region into our menu and I can think of no better way to do so then honoring the 'King' bringing a title to his hometown of Akron."

The "Extreme Menu" item will sell for $9.75 and is available at Taters concession stand located right behind home plate.

"It's a delicious burger meant to honor King James and the Cavaliers. First, it's tough to top a bacon-stuffed burger, but we added local Northeast Ohio Middlefield cheddar cheese, wine and gold slaw to represent the Cavaliers' colors, the "championship" onion ring to celebrate the title, and we thought we'd have a little fun with another Finals participant by doing 'Salty Curry' fries," said assistant director of food and beverage Collin Tulley.

"Our fans seem to enjoy when we have fun with our Extreme Menu as it relates to current Cleveland sports, such as the 'Johnny Footlong' and the 'Return of the King Burger,' and this only reinforces that," said Director of food and beverage Brian Manning.

The "LeBlock Burger" joins other "Extreme Menu" entrees such as "The Pineapple TeriyAKRON Bowl," a half pineapple, hollowed out and stuffed with a stir fry mix and finished with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce, and the "Ugly Duckling," 16 ounces of stout beer poured over three scoops of vanilla ice cream, topped with chocolate syrup and sprinkles.

The "LeBlock Burger" hits stands on June 24 before the 7:05 game at Canal Park vs. Trenton Thunder.

The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The 2016 season is its 20th since moving to Akron and third since becoming the RubberDucks. Akron will host the Eastern League All-Star Game, Eastern League Home Run Derby and festivities July 12-13. For more information about the team, please visit the RubberDucks' website,www.akronrubberducks.com, Facebook page www.facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks, Twitter feed @AkronRubberDuck, and Instagram at @akronrubberducks.

 

For the first time since Canal Park opened nearly 20 years ago, the field will be getting a complete makeover. The renovations include removing the existing turf, improving the drainage and irrigation infrastructure , and reconstructing the bullpens, mounds, and batter's boxes.

Officials with the RubberDucks say the renovations are needed, especially ahead of the Eastern League All-Star Game in 2016. Akron will host the All-Star Game and festivities July 12-13. The season opens for the RubberDucks on Thursday, April 7 with the home opener scheduled on Thursday, April 14.

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(Akron RubberDucks - Press Release) The Akron RubberDucks and the City of Akron Mayor Jeff Fusco announced today Canal Park is undergoing a complete field renovation in time for the 2016 All-Star Season. It is the first complete field renovation since Canal Park's construction in 1996 and opening in 1997, and the renovation includes the first resurfacing of the playing field since 2007.

"We are thrilled to partner with Mayor Fusco and the City of Akron to provide a new playing surface and much-needed improvements to the drainage and irrigation infrastructure," said RubberDucks General Manager Jim Pfander. "I know our players and the Cleveland Indians player development team will enjoy a new, improved playing surface for 2016 and beyond."

The tearing out and installation work is being performed by local Seville-based AG Design, and Tuckahoe Turf from Hammonton, New Jersey, will be installing its Tuckahoe Big Roll sod, which is 100 percent Kentucky Blue Grass. The renovation began November 11, and the new turf is expected to be laid in place by the end of the week.

The complete field renovation includes:
· Removal of the existing turf and organic layer to reduce percolation issues

· Installation of a new Rain Bird Irrigation System

· 400 tons of root zone sand and 50 tons of infield material will be added and graded

· 100 tons of warning-track material will be added and be graded

· Reconstruction of bullpens, mounds, and batter's boxes

· ACO Drains will be added to the warning track for improved field drainage

· Playing field will be graded and prepared for new sod

"With the upcoming Eastern League All-Star Game, now is the perfect time to install a new irrigation system and add additional drainage," said head groundskeeper Chris Walsh, who will oversee the project. "The Kentucky Blue Grass field should take root over the winter and be ready for Opening Night and the All-Star Game."

"We've made a number of improvements to Canal Park over the past few years, but this one is a re-investment in the facility that players, coaches, and on-field personnel will enjoy for a long time," said Pfander.

The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The 2016 season will be the franchise's 20th since moving to Akron and third since becoming the RubberDucks. Akron will host the Eastern League All-Star Game and festivities July 12-13, and the season opens Thursday, April 7 with the Home Opener at Canal Park on Thursday, April 14 vs. Bowie Baysox at 6:35 p.m.

Fans can secure season tickets, flex plans, or arrange a group outing by contacting the Akron RubberDucks ticketing department at 330-253-5151 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information about the team, please visit the RubberDucks' website, www.akronrubberducks.com, Facebook page www.facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks, Twitter feed @AkronRubberDuck, and Instagram at @akronrubberducks.

The Akron RubberDucks are celebrating news that the team is the recipient of the 50th annual Larry MacPhail Award, which is given to a minor league baseball team that has demonstrated unique and creative promotional efforts.

The team was recognized for their innovative promotions and theme nights that helped to bring in more than 340-thousand fans to Canal Park in 2015.

The RubberDucks will pick up the award at the Baseball Winter Meetings Banquet on Dec. 6 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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(Minor League Baseball - News Release) ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Minor League Baseball announced today that the Akron RubberDucks are the recipients of the 50th annual Larry MacPhail Award, symbolizing the top promotional effort in Minor League Baseball. The award has been presented since 1966 and is named after Hall of Famer Leland Stanford "Larry" MacPhail, Sr., who introduced innovations such as night baseball, airplane travel, pension plans and batting helmets. The Akron RubberDucks will receive their award at the Baseball Winter Meetings Banquet on Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Using innovative promotions and theme nights to attract and engage fans, the Akron RubberDucks welcomed 340,916 fans through the gates of Canal Park during the 2015 season. The RubberDucks used a variety of theme nights, in-game promotions and giveaways, specialty foods and fireworks shows to average more than 5,000 fans per game.

"On behalf of the RubberDucks organization, we are humbled and ecstatic to be recognized as the top promotional team in all of Minor League Baseball," said Jim Pfander, Akron RubberDucks general manager. "It is a tremendous honor to receive this prestigious award that is so well-known throughout Minor League Baseball. The credit belongs to our owner, Ken Babby, with his vision of creating an unparalleled fan experience for affordable, family entertainment in Northeast Ohio, as well as the entire front office staff in Akron. Our staff's tireless efforts to bring Canal Park to life not only during 71 home games, but throughout the calendar year, are second to none."

"The RubberDucks promotions are unique in that they not only increase attendance at Canal Park, but benefit the Akron community as well," said president & chief executive officer of Minor League Baseball, Pat O'Conner. "Their promotions are innovative and entertaining, and are in large part the reason they won this award. Congratulations to the Akron RubberDucks, and on behalf of Minor League Baseball, I commend them on an outstanding season."

In addition to a strong promotional calendar, the Akron RubberDucks announced FirstEnergy as the first-ever presenting sponsor in franchise history. The sponsorship included many activation pieces and a co-branded logo. The co-branded logo was featured on the sleeves of staff shirts and the 2015 starting lineups were "powered by FirstEnergy." The July 3 fireworks show was the largest activation piece of the sponsorship, drawing 8,258 fans.

"We are thrilled to bring this award to Akron for the first time and for a sixth time overall for the Eastern League in the 50-year history of this award," added Pfander. "Larry MacPhail was an incredible innovator who cared deeply about promoting baseball and making games memorable experiences for fans of all ages. To be associated with an award that bears his name is itself an honor."