JERSEY SHORE – The BlueClaws are ready for an amazing season at the shore as their 66-game home schedule begins on April 8 with Opening Night.
“This is always a great time of year, but we think this opening in particular is going to be extra-special,” BlueClaws Team President Joe Ricciutti said. “It’s been three years since the last Opening Night that felt like Opening Night – no masks, no social distancing, just a great night out for friends and family. Next Friday, and all summer, will be great.”
The BlueClaws will eclipse the 8 million fan mark later this season. They enter the year just 137,446 fans shy of the milestone.
“That promises to be one of the highlights of the year,” Ricciutti said. “It’s a milestone that is celebrated by the 8 millionth fan and by our staff, but is really a celebration of the entire Jersey Shore community that has supported the BlueClaws so well over the last two decades.”
This year, the park will showcase its all-new Blue Wave Bar, a full-service bar/restaurant that will be open to every fan at every game. The Blue Wave Bar will feature select food items unavailable anywhere else in the ballpark like fried calamari, clam strips, and a crab cake sandwich.
“Over the last several years, we have worked hard to bring the look and feel of the Jersey Shore to the ballpark. We started by adding mini golf and boardwalk games to the park in 2018. Last year, we debuted the Sand Bar, a fun outdoor food and drink space with live music. Now, we’re excited to open a new bar and restaurant, the Blue Wave Bar, inside on the second level,” Ricciutti said.
Fans with season tickets, half-season tickets, 10-game partial plans, and 5-game mini plans will receive 10% off their orders in the Blue Wave Bar (certain exclusions apply).
In partnership with Heavy Reel Brewing Company of Seaside Heights, the BlueClaws launched “Reel Claw,” a 5% ABV Session IPA brewed with an oat and wheat heavy grist bill and hopped with Citra and Mosaic. Reel Claw is available around the ballpark including in the Blue Wave Bar.
Fans can enjoy their favorite parts of the park like the Manasquan Bank Mini Golf Course and the Boardwalk with of five popular boardwalk favorites like Hoop Shot, Balloon Darts, Cat Rack, Goblet Toss and Ring Toss.
The Theme Night calendar has several staples like Bark in the Park (May 7), Father’s Day at the Ballpark (June 19), Military Appreciation Night (July 7), Irish Heritage Night (July 9), and BruceClaws Night (July 23). Star Wars Night (August 5) returns this year and the BlueClaws will also soon announce Marvel Nights and other additions to their Theme Night calendar.
Fireworks shows follow games on Opening Night, July 4, and Fridays beginning in June. Thirsty Thursdays return with $2 Coors & Coors Light cans in the Sand Bar and ballpark-wide. Sundays are Kids Club days where members eat free. Kids Run the Bases after every game.
“That’s one of my favorite parts of every game,” Ricciutti said. “We always see the kids with ear-to-ear grins as they get to run around on the same field our players use every day. We’re capping a night full of memories with maybe the best one!”
“Family time at the Jersey Shore. A great ballgame with some future Phillies stars. What could be better?” Ricciutti said. “Let’s get it started!”
