Griffons plan free promotions with help of local businesses, groups

There's hardly a night that doesn't offer some type of promotion as this year's Nevada Griffons take to the field to open their 30th season.

The Griffons are a summer collegiate baseball team playing in the MINK (Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas) League. The team has produced several major league players, including Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler and former standout relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres.

Each year, the team works toward a goal of playing in the National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series in Wichita, Kan. The Griffons have played in the Series 22 times since 1985, with top 10 finishes in 1986, 1987, 1993-1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002-2006, and 2011-13. This includes back-to-back second place finishes in 1997 and '98.

The team opened play in Nevada against the MW Nationals, Thursday, with a game tonight at home with Branson at 7. The next home game, May 31, will be fan appreciation night, with free admission and free cookies and lemonade.

Then on Saturday, June 6 at Lyons Stadium, Fidelity Communications, celebrating its 75th anniversary, will buy everyone's tickets to the Griffons' game against the Clarinda A's. Each spectator will receive $5 in free food and drinks at the concession stand, courtesy of Fidelity.

Giveaways and contests are also planned. Fidelity mascot Captain Powerful will be on hand with his T-shirt cannon to entertain the kids and fire Fidelity T-shirts into the crowd.

The following night, Sunday, June 7, is Church Night at the Ballpark. Free admission is offered with your worship service bulletin from that day.

The church with the most people in attendance will receive a $75 donation to their church's youth group.

Heartland Behavioral Center has a buy out night June 9 and will offer snow cones as well. Father's Day gets celebrated June 14 with a buyout night organized through the Nevada Housing Authority.

Hoffman Financial Resources is once again having a buyout night, this year on June 26, complete with ice cream sundaes. Admission is free and there will be activities for the family. Hoffman will be collecting non-perishable food items for Community Outreach.

Healthy Nevada has a buyout night July 19 and this game includes a watermelon feed.

Other events include baseball bingo on June 6, 13, 27 and July 11; an ice cream social July 12, Lucky 30 on June 18 and July 16, Dollar Dog nights on Tuesdays and the "Big 30th Birthday Bash" June 30.

"We urge everyone to come out for what promises to be a great season with lots of fun activities," said Erica Skouby, Griffons board member.