June 8, STILL The Greatest Party Ever!

Contrary to reports, the portly, red creature in the middle of this happy group is not Mike Scioscia. That is Splash, the Stockton Ports mascot. He is posing in the Premier Staffing Club at Banner Island Ballpark, the site of the upcoming Athletics Nation post-game reception with guests-of-honor, Ryan Christenson and several of the Oakland A's star prospects.

The post-game reception is only one of many reasons to reserve your seat for the first annual Athletics Nation Day in Stockton on Sunday, June 8. For one minimal admission fee, you get to watch the Stockton Ports thrash the High Desert Mavericks. (As you probably know, the Ports feature top A's prospects Billy McKinney, Daniel Robertson, Renato Nunez, Matt Olson, and Nolan Sanburn.) You also get a BBQ lunch, a hitting exhibition on the field by Jerry "EBHI" Brewer, free parking, a group recitation of "Casey at the Bat," and the opportunity to schmooze with AN front page writers, Nico Pemantle, Alex Hall, the afore-mentioned EBHI, Jeremy Koo, Scott "OmahaHi" Parker, and Mighty Casey "Guessatomo" Hellman. I will also be there, supervising the cleanup crew. Splash the Mascot also promises to perform his acclaimed Mike Scioscia impressions.

So, the message is simple: RESERVE YOUR SEATS TODAY by sending Jerry "EBHI" Brewer an email at ANMeetup@gmail.com. He will guide you from there. You can pay by check or PayPal. Once you reserve your seats you have one week to pay. ALL RESERVATIONS AND PURCHASES MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE. There will be no sales at the Ballpark on June 8.

(Incidentally, we will be coordinating carpools to Stockton from the Bay Area. If you need a ride, or can provide a ride for someone, let us know.)

Also understand there can be no refunds or exchanges. Once you buy the ticket you are committed, rain or shine. Jerry and I are just two volunteers, arranging and administering AN Day in Stockton for your entertainment. We are paying for our own tickets and we have no way of refunding yours. So check your calendar carefully. Below is a summary of the event information.

Athletics Nation Day in Stockton

Location:

Banner Island Ballpark, 404 W. Fremont Street, Stockton, CA 95203

Main Phone: (209) 644 -1900 www.stocktonports.com

Date:

Sunday, June 8, 2014 Game time: 2:09pm

Stockton Ports (Oakland Athletics High Single-A affiliate) vs. High Desert Mavericks (Seattle Mariners High Single-A affiliate)

Pricing:

Adults: $30 per person

Includes game admission, BBQ lunch (Tri-tip, sides, & soda), parking, and associated events. Beer and wine not included but alcohol is very reasonably priced (around $6).

Kids (14 and under): $20 per person (Instead of Tri-tip, the kids get hot dogs.)

Schedule of Festivities

10:00am: Box Office opens. (Tickets and name passes available at the ballpark Will Call window.)

1:05pm: Gates open

1:05-2:35pm: BBQ Lunch on Pit Stop BBQ Terrace, 1^st level (right behind the Ports bullpen beyond left field)

1:35-1:50pm: Hitting Seminar in Left Field by Jerry "EBHI" Brewer. (The Ports are making a special allowance for Athletics Nation by permitting our group to go on the field for Jerry's demonstration. But we have to make it snappy!)

2:09pm: Game Starts. (AN Day participants have the option of returning to the BBQ Terrace to view the game or strolling to seats in Section 117 down the 1^st base side next to the Ports dugout.)

4:00pm (est.): Seventh-inning stretch Group Reading of "Casey at the Bat" on the BBQ Terrace. (Banner Island was where Ernest Thayer witnessed the game that became the basis for his legendary poem.)

5:00pm (est.): Game ends.

5:10pm: Post-Game Reception with Manager Ryan Christenson and several (unidentified, as yet) Ports players in the Premier Staffing Club. Again, this is special accommodation for Athletics Nation. The Club (it's a terrace, really) is normally only available for season ticket holders. Ryan Christenson has already committed to attending and he will bring three players. He cannot specify which players right now because of roster uncertainties. Photos and autographs will be allowed.)

5:30pm: We are done!

RESERVE YOUR SEATS TODAY by sending Jerry "EBHI" Brewer an email at ANMeetup@gmail.com. You can pay by check or PayPal.