For Immediate Release Friday, September 11, 2009 Carolina Perrina (305) 626-7389, [email protected] MARLINS SET TO HOST WASHINGTON NATIONALS Super Saturday Concert with Willy Chirino to Highlight Three-game Homestand MIAMI –The Florida Marlins are back home and set to host the Washington Nationals in a three-game homestand (September 11 – September 13) at Land Shark Stadium. The series will feature fan giveaways, including: Authentic Marlins Stars and Stripes Cap autographed by various Marlins players as part of Billy Bingo (Sept. 11), Marlins Body Flags presented by Delta Dental (Sept. 12) and Hanley Ramirez Bobbleheads presented by Preferred Care Partners (Sept. 13). The homestand will also feature several special events, including: Fiesta Latina and the 10th Inning Party (Sept. 11), 4th Annual University of Miami Family Night, Super Saturday Concert with Willy Chirino and Hispanic Heritage Night (Sept. 12), and Family Sunday, Fans Care Day and Snapshot Sunday (Sept. 13). The three game series against the Washington Nationals begins today at 7:10 p.m. Every Friday is Fish Friday and fans are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy the Fiesta Latina and Dominando con los Marlins presented by AvMed. Fans can stay late and enjoy the 10th Inning Party at the Strike Zone. Also, fans can play Billy Bingo and 100 lucky winners will receive an Authentic Marlins Stars and Stripes Cap autographed by various Marlins players. On Super Saturday, September 12, the first 15,000 fans will receive a Marlins Body Flag, plus a lucky fan will receive up to $2,500 toward his/her mortgage or rent payment with the Marlins Mortgage payout (fans must pre-register at www.marlins.com). Also, as part of the Super Saturday Concert Series and Hispanic Heritage Night Celebration, fans will enjoy a Fireworks Spectacular followed by a live concert with Willy Chirino. During Marlins Family Sundays on September 13, fans are invited to join the pregame activities at the Strike Zone with music and entertainment from Radio Disney. The fist 5,000 kids get a Hanley Ramirez Bobblehead and US military personnel can take advantage of “Stars and Stripes.” Fans can also get a picture taken with a Marlins player, the Mermaids and Billy as part of Snapshot Sunday. In addition to the kids giveaway, youngsters can run the bases in the Diamond Dash after the game. Tickets to the upcoming Marlins homestand are available at the Marlins en Miami Store located at 3701 SW 8th Street in Coral Gables, FL, at the stadium box office, online at www.marlins.com and www.marlinsbeisbol.com, or by calling 1-877-MARLINS. The following is a complete list of broadcasts, promotions, events and ticket promotions scheduled for the upcoming homestand: Friday, September 11 (7:10 p.m.) Fish Friday Opponent: Washington Nationals Probable Pitchers: RHP Josh Johnson vs. RHP J.D. Martin (subject to change) TV: FSN Florida-HD, SAP Radio: WAXY 790 AM, WAQI 710AM (Spanish) Giveaway(s): 100 lucky fans will win an Authentic Marlins Stars and Stripes Cap autographed by various Marlins players as part of Billy Bingo presented by GEICO NATIONAL ANTHEM: Nova Southeastern University Singers will perform the National Anthem as part of the pregame ceremonies. FIRST PITCH: Pamela Silva and Eileen Cardet from Univision 23 will throw out the ceremonial the first pitch. FIESTA LATINA: The Marlins will host the Fiesta Latina Happy Hour at the Strike Zone at Gate H from 5:30- 7 p.m. Salsa Racing Dance Studios will provide free salsa lessons during Fiesta Latina at every Friday night home game. Fans can also play dominoes with Dominando con los Marlins. FISH FRIDAY AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: Special pregame autograph session with select players will take place at Strike Zone at Gate H from 6:00-6:20PM. Autograph session is open to all ages. BILLY BINGO: Fans can play Billy Bingo as part of Fish Fridays during every Friday night game this season. The first 10,000 fans will receive Billy Bingo card to be played throughout the game and 100 lucky fans will win premium prizes. This week’s prize is an Authentic Autographed Marlins Stars and Stripes Cap. Winning fans can claim their prize at Marlins Fan HQ located outside of section 146. FRIDAY NIGHTS ARE FUN: Join the Foundation for Friday Nights Are Fun! The Florida Marlins Community Foundation hosts a key fundraiser every Friday night during Marlins home games at the Community Corner, section 149. Fans can check out the raffle, silent auction, grab bags, mystery table and other special features. FNAF is open from the time the gates open at 5:30 and continues until the end of the third inning. The September 11th edition of Friday Nights Are Fun features Minor League Night. Items from the Minor League Affiliates will be featured in the auction and raffle. Hamilton R Head, the mascot of the Jupiter Hammerheads, will be in attendance. In addition to the Hammerheads, learn more about the New Orleans Zephyrs, Jacksonville Suns, Greensboro Grasshoppers and the Jamestown Jammers. SOLDIER OF THE MONTH: Florida Marlins will honor Sergeant Antonio Jose Lopez with a special plaque for his outstanding efforts serving our country. Lopez will be accompanied by a Marlins player behind home plate as he is recognized. Sergeant Antonio Jose Lopez is currently assigned to the Miami East Recruiting Station South Dade Company. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2003 till August 2003 where he served as a Military Policeman with the 3rd Military Police Company, 3rd Infantry Division based in Ft Stewart, Georgia. SGT Lopez received the Combat Acton Badge, the Army Commendation, the Army Achievement and the Iraqi Campaign Medals for his service in Iraq. EXCLUSIVE ONLINE OFFER: Florida Residents can take advantage of an exclusive on-line ticket offer for the game on Friday, September 11th. Florida Residents and their families can purchase Infield Box seats for just $20 by going to Marlins.com/FloridaResidents. Offer expires on September 10th at 11:59PM or while seats last. COUNTDOWN TEARDOWN: Detective Luis Pla, 18th year serving in the US Army and current City of Miami Police Officer; Detective Reginald Johnson, Member of the US Army Reserves who worked on the cleanup of the World Trade Center Site and served in both the Gulf War and Iraq. He is current a City of Miami police officer. Also, Detective Hulberto Campo, City of Miami Police Officer, served 2005-2006 in the Middle East with the US Navy, and Detective Elijah Taylor, City of Miami Police, Active in US Army Reserve will help the Marlins countdown the number of remaining home games until the opening of the new ballpark in 2012. The Marlins Wall Teardown, located in the left field wall at Land Shark Stadium, will feature celebrities, Marlins’ icons, former and current players, season ticket holders, members of the corporate family, as well as special guests, who will assist in unveiling the number of remaining games. The ceremony will take place in leftfield at the end of the 5th inning. 10th INNING PARTY: Enjoy “The 10th Inning Party” live from the Strike Zone plaza at Gate H following every Friday Marlins home game. The bar at Strike Zone will be open for one hour after the game, plus meet the Mermaids, the Manatees and the Maniacs. Friday’s 10th Inning Party will be hosted by DJ Menace from 102.3 WMBX. MARLINS FANS CARE WEEKEND: The generosity from Fans Care donors enable less fortunate youth in South Florida, who participate in non-profit organizations, to attend a game either on September 11 or September 13 vs. the Washington Nationals. Through these efforts, children will enjoy the thrill of baseball in a Major League ballpark and experience memories that will last forever. All Fans Care Weekend donors are invited to pick up a gift from the FMCF at the Community Corner located at (sec 149). Donations to the Florida Marlins Community Foundation helped purchase Marlins game tickets for less fortunate youth in South Florida. All the children were invited to games either on September 11or 13. From 2004-2009, the "Fans Care" program has enabled 61,000 children to attend a Marlins game. RADIO STATION APPEARANCES: 790 The Ticket, 710 Radio Mambi, WRHC 1550, WMBX 102.3. Saturday, September 12th (6:10 p.m.) Super Saturday Opponent: Washington Nationals Probable Pitchers: RHP Anibal Sanchez vs. RHP Marco Estrada (subject to change) TV: NO TV Radio: WAXY 790 AM, WAQI 710AM (Spanish) Giveaway(s): 15,000 Body Flags presented by Delta Dental for all ages. NATIONAL ANTHEM: Craig Morris, Trumpeter from UM, will perform the National Anthem as part of the pregame ceremonies. FIRST PITCH: Super Saturday Performer, Willy Chirino, will throw out the ceremonial the first pitch, along with University of Miami employees, Hersy Grant Basham, Alexander Pons, and Josefina Medrano. SUPER SATURDAY POST-GAME CONCERT: Salsa legend Willy Chirino will perform live after Saturday’s game against the Nationals. Combining the musical traditions of Cuba with American rock and jazz, Cuba-born and South Florida-based vocalist and bandleader Willie Chirino helped to create the "Miami Sound" of Salsa music. The composer of more than one hundred songs, Chirino's material has been covered by a lengthy list of Latin artists. Chirino has received numerous awards throughout his career. He was named "King" of Miami's Calle Ocho Festival in 1993. Two years later, a section of NW 17th Avenue in Miami was christened "Willie Chirino Way". Chirino received a UNICEF award for his work for children via the Willie Chirino Foundation. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be relocated to the Gate C plaza.