Festivities May 29 to launch inaugural season of new Sussex County pro baseball team

Augusta - Spring training is underway and the Sussex Skyhawks are preparing for the launch of their inaugural season, both on the field and off. The Skyhawks home season begins at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, May 29 (Memorial Day), with opening night festivities at Skylands Park in Augusta, and will culminate that night with a fireworks display. The team has planned a number of promotions to boost attendance, including an appearance by Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra, a new car giveaway, and a second post-game fireworks night scheduled for Friday, June 2. An autograph session with Berra will take place before the May 30 game versus the North Shore Spirit at 7:05 p.m. Autographs are open only to ticket holders for that night’s game. On the day of the game, vouchers for the autograph session will be handed out beginning at 3:30 p.m. Signing will begin at 5 p.m. and will be limited to the first 500 fans in line. The Skyhawks have teamed with Acura of Denville to allow one fan the opportunity to win a two-year lease of a 2006 Acura TL. During the first three games, fans 18 and older can enter a free drawing to win the lease of the car, or second prize, a trip for four to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The drawing will take place during the 7:05 p.m. contest versus the Brockton Rox on Saturday, June 3. Winners need not be present. “Opening night is right around the corner, and we can’t wait to get started,” said Ben Wittkowski, general manager of the Skyhawks. “We have worked extremely hard during this off-season, and we are now ready to bring our brand of family entertainment to all the baseball fans of Sussex County. We are very proud of the team we will be putting on the field and the events we have planned around the start of the season.” As part of the independent Can-Am league, the Skyhawks will host 46 games against the Brockton Rox, Nashua Pride, New Haven Cutters, N.J. Jackals, North Shore Spirit, Les Capitales de Quebec and the Worcester Tornadoes. Game times are 7:05 p.m. Monday through Friday; 5:05 p.m. Saturday; and 2:05 p.m. Sunday. Individual game tickets have been reduced to $10 for box seats, $8 for reserved seats and $6 for general admission bleachers. Parking fee has been cut to $3 per automobile. The Skyhawks are implementing an expanded concessions menu utilizing new food preparation facilities. The menu has been expanded and the new team has lowered prices of all concessions. Hot dogs that cost $3.50 at Skylands Park last year now cost $2.25. Single-game tickets can be purchased on line at skyhawks.com; by phone at 973-300-1000; by mail by printing out an order form and mailing it in; or at the box office at Skylands Park. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The Skyhawks are also offering a variety of group discount packages. Season tickets are $380 for box seats; $300 for reserved. Six-, 12- and 25 game, mini-plans, picnic and birthday packages are also available. For information, log on to sussexskyhawks.com.