August 28, 2008

Club achieves mark with four remaining home games

Tampa Bay Sports Net

FORT MYERS – Fort Myers resident Bruce Williams had no idea attending Wednesday night's Miracle game would make him an instant celebrity.

Williams passed thru the gates at 4:45 p.m., igniting a spray of confetti and a round of applause. The Miracle season-ticket holder became the 116,398th fan to enter Hammond Stadium this year, thus helping the club set the all-time single season attendance mark in the team's 17-year history in Southwest Florida.

"This is a big night in the history of the Miracle. We feel incredibly fortunate to have such great fans and tremendous sponsors who support us here in Southwest Florida," said Fifth-Year Miracle General Manager Steve Gliner.

The Miracle rewarded Williams with a catered suite for a 2009 game, a gift bag, and will pay recognition to him during the Miracle's "Fan Appreciation Night" on Saturday.

"I like coming out here (Hammond Stadium) to watch the kids realize their dream of making it to the majors. The product on-and-off the field makes a night out here extremely enjoyable," said Williams.

The Miracle have now drawn 116,958 fans through 64 home dates, with four regular season home openings remaining on the schedule.

"This record means a lot to our entire staff. They work hard each and everyday to provide the best possible experience for all of the fans who come out to our games," Gliner said.

The 2008 total eclipsed the previous all-time high of 116,397 set in 2006. The Single-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins has played before 1,746,252 fans all-time at Hammond Stadium.

Six of the last seven seasons, including four straight years, the Miracle has drawn over 100,000 fans.

The 2008 season saw the Miracle draw the second-largest crowd in club history on Friday, April 4 when 8,215 patrons attended the game against Sarasota. The Miracle also welcomed a top-10 crowd on Thursday, July 3 as 7,471 fans took in the Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza Show.

The Miracle close out the regular season schedule with Thursty Thursday/Midget Wrestling, a baseball giveaway on Friday, Fan Appreciation Fireworks on Saturday, and a “Family Fun Sunday.

Tickets for all of the Miracle's remaining home games are available by phone at 239-768-4210 or on line at www.miraclebaseball.com.

---MIRACLE BASEBALL---