Displaying items by tag: RubberDucks

The Akron RubberDucks are adding a new mascot to their family.

"We saw how much our fans, especially the younger fans and kids at the ballpark, loved Webster so much ," said promotions coordinator Christina Urycki. "We just decided that it was time to bring on a girl and we wanted a little feminine flair to baseball."

Uyrcki says the three mascots currently on the team are not going anywhere. It just means they'll have four mascots this season.

Fans will get a chance to name the new mascot. They're taking suggestions on the team's website through April 1st and the five top finalists will compete in an online vote between April 4-7. The winner will be announced on April 8th.

Timeline of Events:

March 28 - April 1: Name submissions

April 4 - April 7: Top 5 Names Revealed

April 8: Winning Name Revealed

April 14: New Mascot Unveiled at Opening Night against Bowie

The new mascot will debut at the RubberDuck's home opener on April 14th.

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."