With Memorial Day weekend upon us, the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) have revealed their plans for a three-game military appreciation promotion. Complete with a specialty camouflage jersey, the Knights will honor veterans during three separate Military Appreciation games at BB&T Ballpark: May 25, July 3, and August 9.
Military appreciation nights that feature a jersey auction to benefit a charity that serves veteran and their families are commonplace around the minors—a trend that will be explored more closely in a future Promotions Watch—but the Knights are adding a few unique elements to their military nights. In addition to having four veterans deliver ceremonial first pitches, the Knights have come up some interactive ways to raise awareness:
The entire night will have a Military theme and fans coming out to the game are encouraged to tweet a photo of a loved one who has served, or is serving in the Military to @KnightsBaseball on Twitter by using the hashtag #MilitaryKnights. The photos may be featured on the BB&T Ballpark videoboard throughout Monday’s game.
As part of the Military-themed game, all Knights players will wear special Military jerseys for all three games this season (May 25, July 3, and August 9). A jersey auction, which will take place online at charlotteknights.com, will start after the August 9th game. Fans can bid on the game-worn, autographed jerseys and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the USO of NC.
There will also be other promotions included on each of these nights. May 25 will feature $1 hot dogs, the contest on July 3 will be capped with a firework show, and kids will be able to run the bases following the game on August 29.