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Rome Braves' single-game tickets go on sale Saturday, March 20:

(News release) The Rome Braves' single game tickets will go on sale Saturday March 20, starting at 10 a.m. at State Mutual Stadium.  Ticket prices are as follows: Club Level, $10; Field Level, $8; Box Level, $6; and general admission (Home Run Hill), $4.   The promotional calendar for 2010 promises to be the most exciting yet and features five fireworks nights; two bobble head giveaway games; military appreciation night; Parrot Head Paradise; and much more. Six-packs and 12-pack flex plans will also be on sale and will be available in all seating areas.  The home opener is Friday, April 16, at 7 p.m. against the Savannah Sand Gnats> www.romebraves.com

Rome Braves to celebrate St. Patrick's Day: Join the Braves for some “Luck of the Irish” on Wednesday March 17, at State Mutual Stadium.  Gate 1 opens at 4 p.m. for Happy Hour food & drink specials all night long. The party features a Karaoke DJ, green beer and Guinness specials with no cover charge.

Rome Braves launch 'official fan page' on Facebook

(News release) As the home opener of the 2010 season ticks closer, the Rome Braves are challenging Braves Nation to join the Rome Braves Official Fan Page on Facebook  If the team reaches 5,000 fans by Opening Day, April 16, one lucky fan chosen at random from the Fan Page will receive a Deluxe Party Package for 15 people at one of the 2010 home games. 

The Fan Page is a one-stop shop for Rome Braves news throughout your day.  Keep up with game day weather-related alerts, player moves and community appearances all at one online stop.  Leading up to Opening Night and throughout the rest of the season, the Fan Page will offer fans opportunities to win free tickets, merchandise, and memorabilia.   Join at www.facebook.com/romebravesofficialfanpage   

For ticket information call 706-378-5144 or visit www.romebraves.com.

Rome Braves announce 2010 promos: fireworks, Hanson bobble head

(Media release) The Rome Braves announce the 2010 promotional schedule which includes many new promotional nights as well as familiar favorites to make it the most exciting promotional calendar to date.

Highlights in 2010 include five themed fireworks nights presented by Chick-Fi- A. Each fireworks extravaganza will feature a special theme using music and video to complement the show in the sky. This season includes: April 16th (Opening night/History of Champions); May 28 (Salute to Georgia Music); June 18th (Classic TV Themes); July 3rd (Salute to America); Aug. 28 (staff musical favorites).

This season’s giveaway nights offer two bobble head giveaway nights (April 17th – Romey, and July 24 – Tommy Hanson); batting gloves on April 23rd; beach bags on June 19; lunch boxes on Aug, 21; and much more.

Popular acts like Birdzerk and Zooperstars all return to State Mutual Stadium in 2010 as well as themed nights like military appreciation, Parrot Head Paradise and Christmas in July.

Sundays will continue to feature the Family Fun Fest where a family of four get purchase four box seats, four hot dogs, four soft drinks, and four popcorns for just $25. Fans can buy All You Can Eat Seats on Mondays for $20, and Tuesdays it’s KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets. Buy 1 Ticket, Get 1 Free by presenting a KRAFT Singles package wrapper. Wednesday is Wing Night with specials on wings in the Three Rivers Club and the All You Can Eat section. Seniors (55+) can get half price seats on Wednesday and the popular dollar drink night continues at each Thursday home game.

New in 2010, all college students receive a $1 off any ticket with college ID and once again this season, members of the Armed Forces will receive $1 off any ticket with military ID (four maximum) all season.

The Rome Braves home opener is April 16 against Savannah. For more information please call 706-378-5100 or log onto www.romebraves.com.

Tickets on sale for the 2010 Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame dinner

(Media release) Tickets to the Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame are now on sale. This year’s ceremony will be held at the Krannert Center at Berry College on Monday, March 8.The evening consists of a reception, banquet and awards ceremony. Tickets are $30 for the public and $20 for Hall of Fame members. Tickets may be purchased online at rfpra.com or in-person at 300 W. Third St.

The cost of the Sports Hall of Fame program is solely supported by ticket sales and sponsorships. The event is hosted by the Sports Hall of Fame Committee and Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority. For sponsorship package information, please contact Lisa Nash, Event Coordinator, 706.291.0766, lnash@rfpra.com

Four new members will be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame: Jackie Miller Walburn for Amateur Athlete, Felton Creamer  for Meritorious Service, Robert (Bob) Grizzard for Meritorious Service and Vernon Grizzard for Meritorious Service. Special recognition will be given in memory of Von Gammon.

The Sports Hall of Fame was started in 1971 in order to recognize amateur and professional athletes and those who contribute to the growth and development of sports.  Nominations are submitted in four categories: amateur athlete, professional athlete, meritorious service and lifetime achievement. Nominations for the Sports Hall of Fame are submitted by the general public and are received year-round. Visit rfpra.com for program details.

Redneck  Rummage Sale returns to State Mutual Stadium March 20: "Redneck Rummage Sale 5.5" is set for 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. March 20 at State Mutual Stadium, hosted by the Rome Braves. Spaces are 18 by 18 feet and are priced at $25 per space. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis. No more than two spaces reserved in sequence per party. Participants can begin setting up at 5 a.m. There will be live entertainment in the parking lot all day during the sale. Proceeds from the event will benefit local charities. The "Fifth Annual Redneck Rummage Sale" held this past September was a sellout. Details: 706-378-5144.

Tommy Hanson, Braves execs fire up Hot Stove for Rome Braves fans

Atlanta pitcher Tommy Hanson, right, talks with Rome Braves General Manager Mike Dunn, left, and Kurt Kemp, the organization's director of player development, during a media briefing prior to Monday's Hot Stove Gathering at The Forum. Also taking part in the Q & A session with local media was Randy Ingle, who returns for a fifth season as manager of the Rome club

Hundreds of baseball fans got a preview of the 2010 baseball seasons--Rome, Atlanta and the rest of the organization's teams--during the Eighth Annual Hot Stove Gathering host by the Rome Braves at The Forum Monday evening.

The gathering again was a blend of baseball talk, autographs, ballpark food, silent auction and all-around teaser to the start of the new season that gets under way in a few weeks as pitchers and catchers report.

It also was a fund-raiser for Rome-based Cancer Navigators and a chance to remember Jim "Beach" Beauchamp, a longtime member of the Braves' organization who died Christmas Day 2007 after a long battle against leukemia.

The headliner Monday evening was Tommy Hanson, the former Rome Brave now in the starting lineup for the Atlanta club. Hanson went 11-4 after starting in 21 games for Atlanta in 2009, posting an ERA of 2.89.

In a media briefing Monday, Hanson said he spent the off season "just working out" in anticipation of the new year. He said he was "good to be back in Rome" where he pitched his way to the South Atlantic League All-Star team in 2007. Hanson recalls "a lot of fun times around the stadium" and added, "Rome definitely was a big step for me."

Asked about any messages he had for local kids trying to make their way into professional baseball, Hanson said, " Keep working hard. Go out there with everything you've got. Work as hard as you can to get better."

Joining Hanson on the panel were Kurt Kemp, Atlanta's director of player development; Mike Dunn, general manager of the Rome team; and Randy Ingle, Rome's manager.

Asked about part-time Adairsville resident Bobby Cox's final year in baseball this season, Kemp said the big-league manager "has meant so much to this organization." He credited Cox for "making great things happen for our major league team."

Hanson added, "I love Bobby. He's an awesome guy." The team hopes to have a good year, Hanson says, "to send him off on a good note."

Ingle said fans can expect to see a lot of new players this year and hopefully a better record. But, he added, in Single A ball, the overall goal is to develop players. Rome has done that year after year as shown by Hanson and all-star catcher Brian McCann.

Also on hand Monday were Atlanta third base coach Brian Snitker; pitcher Kris Medlen; former Rome Braves pitcher Ryne Reynoso and other members of the Rome field staff including Bobby Moore, Jim Czajkowski, and Allan Chase; and other members of the Atlanta organization.

The Rome Braves open the 2010 season on the road April 8 with four games in Kannapolis followed by four in Greenville. The home opener is Friday, April 16, vs. Savannah. For more, click Rome Braves

Assorted pieces of baseball paraphernalia were up for silent auction as part of Monday's Hot Stove Gathering. Bobble heads, baseballs, bats and footballs were up for bid as was a bobble head of First Lady Michelle Obama.