The Hoppers have a hot one going!

WHERE WILL YOU BE WHEN THE TURNSTILE STRIKES TWO MILLION?

GREENSBORO, NC– The Greensboro Grasshoppers are eagerly anticipating their two millionth fan, expected to step foot in NewBridge Bank Park on Thursday, July 23rd against the Charleston RiverDogs.

After reaching the one million mark midway through the 2007 season, the Grasshoppers have inched towards their two millionth fan at an even quicker pace.

Through the first 45 games this season, the Grasshoppers have welcomed an average of 6,035 fans per game, which ranks first in the South Atlantic League ahead of perennial attendance rival, the Lakewood BlueClaws.

The Hoppers’ impressive month of April jump-started their ascent to the historic milestone as the Marlins’ affiliate drew a record-setting opening night crowd of 9, 332, and set a club record by ushering in 6,638 fans per game during the month.

“It is a tribute to our fans and this community that we are going to hit this mark so quickly,” said President and General Manager Donald Moore. “We could not be more grateful to our fans for their support of everything we are trying to accomplish.”

Grasshoppers’ fans have indeed supported their team in droves since the opening of the new downtown stadium in 2005, as the Hoppers honored their one millionth fan through just their first 163 contests. The Hoppers will outdo even themselves this year, when a lucky fan will spin the turnstile for the two millionth time in four fewer ballgames than two seasons ago.

“We are thrilled about the idea of our two millionth guest,” said Moore. “But it is not always about the numbers or the records, it is truly amazing to have watched Greensboro Baseball grow in front of our eyes.”

The Greensboro franchise certainly has grown under the direction of Moore, seeing minor league baseball in Greensboro garner nationwide recognition for attendance. The Grasshoppers were recently tabbed second in attendance for Class-A by minor league baseball.

The Grasshoppers plan on expressing their gratitude by showering the lucky fan with Grasshoppers’ gifts and memorabilia. The two millionth guest will receive a baseball signed by the 2009 Hoppers, a special jersey, and one hundred dollars in Babe’s Bucks. They will also be awarded Friday’s first pitch in addition to a personalized video board announcement.

The Grasshoppers finished the 2008 season with an attendance of 440,787 and have welcomed over 1,715,000 fans to NewBridge Bank Park, drawing over 400,000 fans in each of its first four years at the new downtown ballpark. The team is the proud recipient of both the South Atlantic League’s Club Merit Award and the General Manager of the Year Award for the past four years.

Tickets and group packages are now on sale for the 2009 season. For more information, please contact the Grasshoppers office at 336.268.BALL or visit www.gsohoppers.com.

from Will Cornelius Hoppers’ media