Update:
WALDORF, MD- Once again Crustacean Nation has spoken, and the Blue Crabs listened!
Recently the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Maryland’s premier minor league baseball team announced that on Opening Day the team would present the first 1,000 fans with live hermit crabs and terrariums. Following the announcement, thousands of emails, calls and posts have been received by the team, evenly split between pro-giveaway and no-giveaway sentiments, but100% of the comments expressing respect and admiration for our indigenous Hermit Crabs.
As a result of the feedback, the Blue Crabs have decided to expand the Opening Day festivities on Friday, April 24, 2015 as follows:
For Opening Day, the team name will be changed to the “Southern Maryland Hermit Crabs”.
To honor this historic name change, the Hermit Crab players will don special jerseys saluting the loveable crustaceans. The Hermit Crab jerseys will be auctioned off with all proceeds from the jersey auction presented to the Hermit Crab Association. Fans are encouraged to learn about the group’s hermit crab rescue efforts by visiting www.hermitcrabassociation.com.
Members of the Hermit Crab Association will be invited to throw out the Opening Day ceremonial first pitch. There will also be opportunities for hermit crab activists to speak to fans in attendance about the pros and cons of keeping domesticated Hermit Crabs.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early as the team will be celebrating this event by giving away PLASTIC hermit crab figurines to the first 1,000 fans through the gates of Regency Furniture Stadium that evening.
The team will also be hosting an all-you-can-eat crab feast in the stadium picnic area during the game. Fans will be able to enjoy all-you-can-eat crabs, macaroni salad, hot dogs, chips, and soda for just $40 per person. Tickets are available by calling 301-638-9788 or logging on to www.somdbluecrabs.com.
Exclusively available to Hermit Crab advocates (everyone!), the team is offering a specially priced ticket of just $10 for the game on April 24. Advocates can take advantage of this great deal by logging onto the official website of the team formerly known as the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at www.somdbluecrabs.com. To redeem this exclusive promotion, enter the promo code “FREETHEHERMIT” at checkout.
After the game on April 24, the team will return to its original Southern Maryland Blue Crabs name for the remainder of the season.
“The last two days have not only shown me that there is a large group of Hermit Crab enthusiasts but also that they happen to be some of the most passionate people that I have ever encountered,” said Courtney Knichel, Assistant General Manager of the Southern Maryland Hermit Crabs. “Being able to dedicate our biggest game of the season to this tiny, loveable animal really solidifies what Crustacean Nation is all about!”
Update:
Statement from Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
“For our fans who are concerned with the implications of giving away live animals as a promotion, please understand that we hear your concerns and they are taken very seriously. Only those fans who feel prepared to take on the responsibility of taking care of a hermit crab will be given one at the game. Additionally, if you do not want to take a hermit crab, we have the 2015 magnet schedule giveaway for the first 1,000 fans at the stadium on April 24th to take home.
Thank you for all of your feedback, and we look forward to seeing you at the ballpark this season!”
Waldorf, MD — For the first time ever in minor league baseball history, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have announced that each of the first 1,000 fans at the April 24 Opening Day game presented by Wawa will receive a live hermit crab and terrarium container as part of the home opener festivities.
Under the tagline banner of “Anchors Away on Opening Day,” fans can expect a plethora of nautical-themed promotions, including the introduction of the entire Blue Crabs roster as players are brought onto the field in luxury sport boats. Fans will also have a chance to win nautically inspired giveaways throughout the night to celebrate the start of a new baseball season.
In addition to live hermit crabs, the first 1,000 fans at Regency Furniture Stadium for the April 24 opener will receive a 2015 magnet schedule presented by Community Bank of the Chesapeake.
Following the inter-divisional matchup between the Blue Crabs and the Somerset Patriots, fans will be able to enjoy a fireworks display and take part in the return of the popular “Launch-A-Ball” promotion.
Tickets for Opening Day are only available at the official Blue Crabs website which can be accessed atwww.SOMDBlueCrabs.com.
“How crazy is it that we are giving away live hermit crabs for our first game of the 2015 season?” said Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Assistant General Manager Courtney Knichel. “The craziest part about this promotion is the fact that we are doing something that has never been done before, and it is just the first of 70 home games. Fans will just have to wait to find out what else we have in store for them for the other 69 games, but I know that they will not be disappointed.”