DAYTON DRAGONS
What: Dayton Dragons season opener vs. the West Michigan Whitecaps
Where: Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 5
More info: (937) 228-2287 or www.daytondragons.com
TEAM TIDBITS
Team/affiliation: Dayton Dragons, a Class A Minor League Baseball team.
Team established: 2000.
Owner: Mandalay Baseball Properties, LLC.
Division: Midwest League.
Ball park: Fifth Third Field.
Manager: Delino DeShields.
Last year's record: 83 wins, 57 losses.
Home opener: Thursday, versus the West Michigan Whitecaps.
Factoid: The Dragon's hold the national record for most consecutive sold-out games with 844. This is the first time since the team's inaugural season in 2000 that season tickets have been available.
Mascots: Heater and Gem.
On the radio: Broadcasters Tom Nichols and Andrew Africk call each game live on WONE-AM (980).
On television: Select Dragons games are broadcast on WHIO-TV's digital channel 7.2, basic cable channel 23 and digital Time Warner channel 372.
In the news: On March 19, the Dragons were announced as one of five finalists for the SportsBusiness Journal award for Professional Sports Team of the Year. Other finalists were the Texas Rangers, Boston Bruins, Stewart-Hass Racing and Sporting Kansas City. The winner will be announced May 23.
Major moves: Current Reds players Jay Bruce, Joey Votto and Drew Stubbs all spent time playing for the Dragons before getting called up to the majors.
Special event: The Dragons hold specially priced nights for Scout troops throughout the season, but this year the team is launching something new on June 1: a Scout overnighter. Scout troops can attend the 7 p.m. game in the lawn section and then pitch a stakeless tent on the field for a night of safe urban camping. $25 for game and camping, or $18 for the overnight stay.
SINGLE TICKET PRICES
Singles: $7 lawn, $9.75 plaza, $10.75 field level, $11.75 box/reserved and $13.75 premier seating.
SEASON TICKET PRICES
Full season (70 home games) and half season packages are sold out.
Partial season package 1 (17 home games): $165.75 plaza, $182.75 field, $199.75 box/reserved and $233.75 premier.
Partial season package 2 (NINE home games): $87.75 plaza, $96.75 field level, $105.75 box/reserved and $123.75 premier.
Partial season package 3 (eight home games): $78 plaza, $86 field, $94 box/reserved and $110 premier.
More info: (937) 228-2287 or www.daytondragons.com.
CINCINNATI REDS
HOW TO GO
Where: Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati
When: 4:05 p.m. Thursday, April 5
More info: (513) 381-7337 or www.cincinnatireds.com
TEAM TIDBITS
Team/affiliation: The Cincinnati Reds, a Major League Baseball team.
Team Established: 1882.
Owner: Robert Castellini.
Division: National League Central Division.
Ball park: Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati.
Manager: Dusty Baker.
Last year's Record: 79 wins, 83 losses.
Home opener: Thursday, April 5, 4:05 p.m. vs. Miami Marlins.
Factoid: The Reds have won five World Series titles, one American Association pennant, nine National League pennants and nine division titles.
Mascots: Mr. Redlegs and Rosie Red.
On the radio: Broadcaster Marty Brennaman calls each game live on WLW-AM (700).
On television: Most Reds games are broadcast on Fox Sports Ohio.
In the news: The Reds Community Fund once again joined forces with Proctor & Gamble for the second annual Home Field Makeover contest. The winner, Cheviot Memorial Field on the west side of Cincinnati, will receive a complete field renovation project, including new fencing, backstops and the restoration of a 1930-era grandstand.
One major move: 29-year-old left-handed reliever Sean Marshall, a career-long Chicago Cub, was traded to the Reds during the offseason.
Special event: On Sunday, June 10, the Reds hosts the Father's Day Catch. The $150, two-person package includes an opportunity to play catch on the field at Great American Ball Park, two tickets on the sun/moon deck during the day's game against the Detroit Tigers, two postgame field passes, two authentic batting practice-used baseballs and two commemorative certificates.
SINGLE TICKET PRICES
Singles: $5-$29 upper level, $85-$100 club level and $22-$240 lower level. (Please note: Prices vary game to game).
SEASON TICKET PRICES
VIP Full Season plan (80 home games): $650 Kroger bleachers, $1,1100 view level, $1,630 terrace outfield, $1,710 for sun/moon deck, $1,630 view level box and mezzanine, $1,790 terrace line, $2,350 field box, $3,070 infield box and $4,7100 dugout box.
Weeknight plan (42 home games): $325 Kroger bleachers, $567 view level, $840 terrace outfield, view level box and mezzanine, $882 sun/moon deck, $924 terrace/line, $1,218 field box and $1,596 infield box.
Half-season mix (39 home games): $322.25 Kroger bleachers, $546.50 view level, $800 terrace outfield, view level box and mezzanine, $839 sun/moon deck, $878 terrace line, $1,151 field box and $1,502 infield box.
Weekend plan (38 home games): $324.50 Kroger bleachers, $543 view level, $790 terrace outfield, view level box and mezzanine, $828 sun/moon deck, $866 terrace line, $1,132 field box and $1,474 infield box.
More info: (513) 381-7337 or www.cincinnatireds.com.
Contact contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com.
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