Miracle baseball celebrates 15th season in S.W. Florida

Team releases 2006 game schedule and commemorative 15th season logo

By Sean Aronson
Fort Myers Miracle

FORT MYERS, FL – Tick. Tick. Tick. The modern gift for a 15th anniversary is a watch while the more traditional gift is crystal. Miracle Baseball isn't looking for any presents, but its fans can expect a wide array of excitement, FUN and unpredictability in 2006. The Miracle schedule is filled with the traditional and non-traditional for everyone this coming season.

The 140 game season, 70 home - 70 road games, begins in Sarasota on Thursday, April 6. Two nights later, Saturday, April 8 at 7:05 p.m. the Miracle will begin their 15th season at Hammond Stadium. Complete with the pomp and circumstance of opening night followed by the world famous fireworks show. The schedule is highlighted with five additional fireworks shows including one of the largest in Southwest Florida on Monday, July 3.

The Miracle will play a "home" game at Terry Park on Sunday, April 30 as part of the 100th anniversary of the legendary complex. The Miracle will hold their second annual Education Day, with two dates in 2006, on Tuesday, May 2 and Friday, 5, both at 10:35 am.

"As the longest running sports franchise in Southwest Florida our fans as well as the community look to us and wonder what we are going to do every season," said Miracle General Manager Steve Gliner. "This season will bring back some of the staples during our first 14 seasons, as well as some of the unexpected surprises that leave our fans talking each year."

The celebratory Island's Night, a festive occasion honoring Sanibel and Captiva Islands, will take place on Wednesday, June 7 while the ever popular Legends of Rock will jam out on Saturday, July 22.

Along with the festivities the Miracle are unveiling a brand new 15th season logo, which will appear on many merchandise items as well as on all Miracle literature and giveaway items for the 2006 season.

The home schedule concludes on Friday, September 1 against the Sarasota Reds with the season finale on Sunday, September 3 at Sarasota. Season seats are on sale for just $295 for box seats. Single game tickets remain at $6 for box and $4 for general admission with an extra dollar added for all fireworks games. Tickets for the Legends Concert and game are $14.00. For more information contact the Miracle office at 239-768-4210 or go on line at www.miraclebaseball.com. Fans are encouraged to visit the Miracle website frequently for updates on the 2006 promotional schedule.

See full 2006 game schedule below:

April

6-7 @ Sarasota
8-9 vs. Sarasota
10-12 @ Tampa
13-15 vs. Clearwater
17-19 vs. Tampa
20-22 @ Lakeland
23-24 @ Dunedin
26-28 @ Clearwater
29 @ Dunedin
30 vs. Dunedin @ Terry Park
26-29 @ Vero Beach

May

1-2 vs. Dunedin
3-5 vs. Lakeland
6-9 @ St. Lucie
10-13 vs. Daytona
15-18 @ Palm Beach
19-22 vs. St. Lucie
23-26 vs. Brevard
27-28 @ Sarasota
30-31 vs. Sarasota

June

1-4 @ Daytona
5-7 vs. Tampa
8-10 @ Lakeland
11-13 @ Clearwater
14-15 @ Sarasota
16-18 All Star Break @ Lakeland
19-21 vs. Lakeland
22-24 vs. Clearwater
25-27 @ Dunedin
28-30 @ Tampa

July

1-3 vs. Dunedin
4-6 @ Tampa
7 @ Sarasota
8 vs. Sarasota
9 @ Sarasota
10 vs. Sarasota
12-14 vs. Tampa
15-17 @ Dunedin
18-21 vs. Jupiter
22-25 vs. Palm Beach
31 vs. Dunedin

August

1-2 vs. Dunedin
3-6 @ Brevard
7-10 vs. Vero Beach
11-12 vs. Sarasota
14-17 @ Jupiter
18-20 vs. Lakeland
21-23 vs. Clearwater
25-27 @ Lakeland
28-30 @ Clearwater
31 vs. Sarasota

September

1 vs. Sarasota
2-3 @ Sarasota