WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 - Shorebirds Release Giveaway Schedule for 2012 Season

SALISBURY, Md.- The Delmarva Shorebirds, class "A" affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, are excited to release the giveaway schedule for the 2012 season.  The schedule includes a wide variety of items suitable for fans of all ages.  Overall, the Shorebirds have 13 giveaway nights planned throughout the summer season.

"Our giveaway slate is unique this season because of the wide range of items on our schedule," said Shorebirds general manager Chris Bitters.  "We've created a good combination of brand new items like the hat series giveaway and the tumbler cup while also bringing back staples like the bobble figurine and blanket."

The first giveaway of the season will be the home opener, April 12, when the first 5,000 fans will receive the 2012 Shorebirds magnet schedule presented by Azar Eye Institute. 

Brand new in 2012, the Shorebirds have created a hat series giveaway.  There will be four different hat giveaway nights throughout the season; May 24, June 28, July 12 and Aug. 16.  The hats will be adjustable to fit fans of all ages.  Further, they will be multi-colored and feature different Shorebirds logos from over the years.  One of the hats will pay homage to the 1996 Shorebirds team (Expos affiliate) by capturing the red, white & blue look of the Montreal Expos.  The '96 Shorebirds are widely regarded as one of the best teams in franchise history.  They won a franchise record 83 games with major league talent such as Orlando Cabrera, Javier Vasquez and Michael Barrett.   

Also new this season, the Shorebirds will give away two posters featuring Shorebirds players from the past and present.  The posters will be perfect for display in your office and/or home.  The first poster will be given out on April 13 and the second on June 8.  Both posters are presented by Pepsi.

The three other brand new giveaways in 2012 are the Rockfish Shirt Giveaway on June 15, a Tumbler Cup Giveaway on July 13 and a Canvas Picture Giveaway on August 10.  The Rockfish played in the Maryland Fall League at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in 1998.  The league, which existed for one season, was intended for top minor league prospects.  The tumbler cup is a great collectible for the kitchen that will feature the Shorebirds logo and sponsor, Dr. Susan Vickers.  The canvas giveaway will be an ideal item to decorate your house and/or office. 

The Shorebirds have scheduled one bobble giveaway for June 29.  It will be a Nick Markakis BobbleGlove to honor the Orioles' outfielders first Gold Glove award last season.  The figurine will feature Markakis in a Shorebirds uniform and instead of his head bobbling, his glove will bobble.  Markakis played for the Shorebirds during the 2004 campaign and has starred for the Orioles over the last six seasons.  The 28-year old has batted above .280 in each of his major league seasons. 

The blanket giveaway in 2011 was such a success that the Shorebirds have planned another blanket giveaway featuring a new look scheduled for May 25.  The blanket giveaway is once again presented by Holloway Tours. 

The Shorebirds will also once again hand out the official 2012 team picture to the first 1,000 fans on June 30 presented by the Delaware State Fair. 

A complete list of all the giveaway nights are listed below.  The amount in parenthesis indicates the number of fans that will receive the specific giveaway item.   

• April 12 – Magnet Schedule Giveaway (5,000) presented by Azar Eye Institute
• April 13 – Poster Giveaway #1 (1,000) presented by Pepsi
• May 24 – Hat Series Giveaway #1 (500)
• May 25 – Blanket Giveaway (1,000) presented by Holloway Tours
• June 8 – Poster Giveaway #2 (1,000) presented by Pepsi
• June 15 – Rockfish Shirt Giveaway (1,000)
• June 28 – Hat Series Giveaway #2 (500)
• June 29 – Nick Markakis Bobbleglove (1,000)
• June 30 – Shorebirds Team Photo Giveaway (1,000) presented by the Delaware State Fair
• July 12 – Hat Series Giveaway #3 (500)
• July 13 – Tumbler Cup Giveaway (1,000) presented by Dr. Susan Vickers
• Aug. 10 – Canvas Picture Giveaway (1,000)
• Aug. 16 – Hat Series Giveaway #4 (500)

The Delmarva Shorebirds open the 2012 season with a special exhibition game against DIII powerhouse Salisbury University.  The South Atlantic League home opener is scheduled for April 12 against the Greensboro Grasshoppers.  

For more information, contact the Shorebirds at (410) 219-3112 or visit www.theshorebirds.com.