Hot Summer Weather Welcomes BlueClaws Home

It's going to be a hot week on the Jersey Shore, and the only thing hotter than the temperature figures to be the action at FirstEnergy Park with the Lakewood BlueClaws. 

The South Atlantic League affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies will be home for seven games against the Greenville Drive and the Augusta Green Jackets. The action kicked off Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. when Phillies pitcher Brad Lidge made another appearance with the Claws in their first game against the Drive. Lidge is still working toward making his first appearance this season at Citizens Bank Ballpark.

There will be a strong connection to the big league team at Thursday's game as former Claw and current major leaguer Domonic Brown will be honored with his own bobblehead doll. The first 2000 fans who get there for the 7:05 p.m. first pitch will receive the collectible item.

As has been the tradition, Friday's game and the series finale against the Drive will feature a post-game fireworks display following the 7:05 p.m. start. When the Green Jackets arrive for Saturday night's game, the evening will feature a "Tribute to Sports Movies," with special guest Burt Young. Young played the role of Paulie in the "Rocky" movies and will be signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans at the game. The first 2000 fans will also receive posters of the 2011 BlueClaws squad for going to the game.

Sunday will also be a busy day at the park with "Captain America" making an appearance following his return to the silver screen. Even before the game there will be a festival in front of the stadium with helpful tips on how fans can live more environmentally friendly. Kids at the game will also receive vouchers for a free hot dog, bag of chips and a soda.

Kids will also eat free at Monday night's game and the first 2000 fans will also receive a set of baseball cards featuring members of this year's squad. The home stand wraps up Tuesday when seniors at the game will get a voucher for a free hot dog, bag of chips and a soda. Fans can also get one free ticket when they bring in a Kraft Singles wrapper and famous baseball juggler David "No Way" Burlet will also be coming to the game. 

After a difficult first half of the season, the Claws are working to have a better second half in the always competitive Northern Division. Heading into Wednesday's game the local squad has a record of 13-12 which is good enough for fourth in the seven-team division. They are only a half a game behind Hagerstown, but the squad from Hickory is flying ahead with an impressive 17-8 record to put themselves in first place.

Once they return to the road the Claws will not be back on their home field until a four-game series against the West Virginia Power come to town on Aug. 5.