Major League Baseball announced the 30 winners of the 2012 Honorary Bat Girl program, which recognizes baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and demonstrate a commitment to “Going to Bat” in the fight against the disease.  The winner of the Honorary Bat Girl Contest for the Miami Marlins was Gale West from South Florida.

In October 2011, Gale celebrated 10 years cancer free by going “to bat” herself with the help of family and friends. Together they raised over $1,000 for research. Gale West is one of the 30 winners, one for each MLB Club. Gale West took part in a meet and greet with Logan Morrison, was honored during a pre-game ceremony, and was given a special Miami Marlins jersey and two tickets to the game. 

Please visit marlins.com for more information.

The Miami Marlins will host a Plaza Party this Saturday, May 12, after the Marlins take on the Mets at 1:05 P.M. at Marlins Park. The special event is free and is open to the public and will take place at Marlins Park in the West Plaza.  The Plaza Party will include appearances from Billy The Marlin and the Marlins Energy Team and will be hosted by DJ Petey. Also, fans can enjoy bounce houses, slides, mechanical rides, karaoke at the West Plaza and food and beverage carts.

Fans in attendance are encouraged to stay after the game and take part in the festivities. To purchase tickets, fans can visit marlins.com.

Upcoming Homestand Events and Promotions:

Friday May 11 – Marlins vs. Mets, 7:10 P.M. (Post-game on-field concert with LL COOL J featuring DJ Z-Trip)

Saturday, May 12 – Marlins vs. Mets, 1:05 P.M. (Post-game Plaza Party for all fans)

Sunday, May 13 – Marlins vs. Mets, 1:10 P.M. (Mother’s Appreciation Day; Marlins Charm Bracelet for the first 5,000 moms, and moms can run the bases with their kids after the game)

Monday, May 14 – Marlins vs. Pirates, 7:10 P.M. (fans can get the Marlins All You Can Eat Special for just $29; includes a Legends Level ticket and all you can eat hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, sodas and water)

Tuesday, May 15 – Marlins vs. Pirates, 7:10 P.M. (fans can get the Marlins 4 for $54 Pack, including 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas and 4 bags of chips for $54)

Nine-Time Grammy Winner and Music Legend Bonnie Raitt Shares Special Video Message to Support Those “Going to Bat against Breast Cancer”

Major League Baseball announced the 30 winners of the 2012 Honorary Bat Girl program, which recognizes baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and demonstrate a commitment to “Going to Bat” in the fight against the disease.  The winner of the Honorary Bat Girl Contest for the Miami Marlins is Gale West from South Florida. In 1988 she lost her mother to breast cancer. This taught her immediately the importance of yearly mammograms and self-examination. In September 2001 she faced the same diagnosis. With the loss of her mother and her own fight, support for awareness has become an important part of Gale’s life.

“As a lifetime fan of baseball I am thrilled and so grateful that MLB has been such a strong voice in creating awareness. It is fantastic to know that when the players swing their pink bats and wear their pink gear on game day they are sending a powerful message to their fans everywhere; truly going to bat against breast cancer,” said Gale West.

In October 2011 Gale celebrated 10 years cancer free by going “to bat” herself with the help of family and friends. Together they raised over $1,000 for research. Gale West is one of the 30 winners, one for each MLB Club. Gale West will take part in a meet and greet with a player, be honored during a pre-game ceremony, and will be given a special Miami Marlins jersey and two tickets to the game.   Each winner was selected by a Guest Judging Panel that includes MLB players and celebrities in addition to fan votes casted on HonoraryBatGirl.com.

Nine-time Grammy award winner Bonnie Raitt, who lost her brother and close friends to cancer, recorded a special video at the MLB Fan Cave to lend her support to the Honorary Bat Girl initiative and the ongoing fight to eradicate the disease.  The video, which will run online and in-stadium, can be seen at http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21041567&c_id=mlb . The Guest Judging Panel who helped select the 30 winners included MLB players Joe Blanton of the Philadelphia Phillies, whose mom is a breast cancer survivor; Jason Heyward of the Atlanta Braves, whose aunt passed away from lung cancer; Howie Kendrick of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, whose best friend’s mom is a breast cancer survivor; and Barry Zito of the San Francisco Giants, whose mom was affected by cancer.  Also on the Guest Panel was MLB Network host Chris Rose, who has several close friends who have been affected by the disease; international soccer star Mia Hamm, supporter of the Honorary Girl Initiative with former MLB player and current ESPN analyst Nomar Garciaparra, whose grandmother passed away from breast cancer; actor James Denton of Desperate Housewives, who lost his mother to breast cancer. 

Also on Mother’s Day, hundreds of MLB players are expected to use pink bats by Louisville Slugger, the Official Bat of Major League Baseball, stamped with the MLB breast cancer awareness logo. To further demonstrate their support for the breast cancer cause, players and on-field personnel will wear the symbolic pink ribbon on their uniforms along with pink wrist bands. Commemorative dugout lineup cards also will be pink.

The Honorary Bat Girl Contest was introduced in 2009 to raise additional awareness and support for the annual Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer initiative celebrated on Mother’s Day. In 2006, Major League Baseball created the “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” program.  Since its beginnings, MLB has continued to grow the program throughout the League and with all 30 Clubs to honor those affected by the disease. Along with MLB licensed partners and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, MLB raises awareness about the breast cancer cause. Game-used Louisville Slugger pink bats from Mother’s Day games that have been authenticated by MLB will be auctioned exclusively on MLB.com to benefit cancer research. To learn more about Major League Baseball’s charitable initiatives visit MLBCommunity.org.

Take our local teachers out to the ballgame! That’s just what Office Depot is doing by inviting 700 South Florida area teachers toMarlinsParkfor a special “Teacher Appreciation Night.”

 As an official partner of the Miami Marlins, Office Depot is presenting “Teacher Appreciation Night” with its Star Teacher loyalty program on May 11 at 7:10 p.m. during the first in a series of three games versus the New York Mets.

 More than 700 “Teachers of the Year,” along with their guests, are expected to fillMarlinsParkduring “Teacher Appreciation Night” compliments of Office Depot. As part of the special evening at the ballpark, one teacher each from Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties will be recognized on the field during a pre-game ceremony honoring them as “Teachers of the County” with plaques and $500 Office Depot gift cards.

 A ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Office Depot Senior Vice President of North America Retail, Juan Guerrero. “This is a unique opportunity to partner with the Marlins on a special night recognizing the efforts of our local teachers.” Guerrero said,” We are so proud to show our appreciation for these teachers and honor their commitment to educating our children,” Guerrero said.    

 All teachers attending the game will receive an Office Depot Star Teacher tote bag, Star Teacher t-shirt, and an exclusive Star Teacher coupon offer. Plus, they can join Office Depot this summer for “Teacher Appreciation Week” when teachers obtain extra savings on their purchases, receive an exclusive giveaway bag filled with school supply product samples including a coupon book, and enjoy a free breakfast. Teachers can visit www.mystarteacher.com/tab in June for dates and local store information.

 Office Depot is also offering all teachers an opportunity to enroll in the Office Depot Star Teacher loyalty program at the game. Enrollment is free, and teachers earn 10 percent back in rewards on ink, toner, and paper, and an instant 15 percent discount on copy and print services. Star Teachers also receive exclusive member offers and invitations to events throughout the year.

 To become a fan of Office Depot on Facebook and receive exclusive content, offers and more, please visit www.facebook.com/officedepot. To follow Office Depot on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/officedepot.

Just when you thought the food at Marlins Park couldn’t get any better, it does!

The Marlins are proud to announce that Goya Latin Cafe will be opening a concession on the Promenade Level of Marlins Park. The first day it will be open will be during Friday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

So buy your tickets now and check out the fresh Latin flavors of Goya!

As part of Outback Steakhouse Military Mondays, the Miami Marlins will offer complimentary tickets for military employees, active duty, Reserve, National Guard and their dependents.

Entertainment and ceremonies before and during each Military Monday will recognize and honor members of our military, and will include a full Color Guard, guest National Anthem performances, flyovers (as scheduled), God Bless America performances during the 7th Inning Stretch, videos from soldiers stationed overseas, a “Soldier of the Game” feature and much more in recognition of those who sacrifice so much for us and for this country.

The offer is valid for one complimentary ticket per Military I.D. for any of the Monday games listed below, and is subject to availability. Eligible military personnel or dependents must present valid military I.D.’s to the Marlins Park Box Office on the day of the game only. Everyone, including dependents, must present their own military I.D. at the box office to receive a ticket. Seating categories will be up to Home Plate Box and assigned based on availability.  The Marlins vs. Red Sox game on Monday, June 11^th and postseason games are not available through this offer.

Below is a list of Military Mondays for the season,

• April 30 vs. Diamondbacks, 12:40PM
• May 14 vs. Pirates, 7:10PM
• May 21 vs. Rockies, 7:10PM
• May 28 vs. Nationals, 1:10PM (Memorial Day)
• May 25 vs. Cardinals, 7:10PM
• July 16 vs. Nationals, 7:10PM
• July 23 vs. Braves, 7:10PM
• Aug. 13 vs. Phillies, 7:10PM
• Sept. 3 vs. Brewers, 1:10PM (Labor Day)
• Sept. 17 vs. Braves, 7:10PM
• Oct. 1 vs. Mets, 7:10PM

One of Marlins Park’s coolest features will be showcased on a new show!

Fish Tank Kings, set to premiere on May 12 on National Geographic Wild, will have its first episode be all about the awesome fish tanks behind home plate.

So be sure to tune in!

The Marlins Foundation donated $155,000 dollars to deserving organizations in South Florida over the weekend. The Foundation donated $50,000 dollars to Shake-A-Leg Miami on Friday, April 13 during Marlins pre-game ceremonies.

The Marlins Foundation also donated $100,000 dollars to the Miracle League of Miami Dade on Saturday, April 14. Together, the Marlins Foundation, Parks Foundation of Miami Dade County and the Miracle League of Miami Dade will build the first ever Miracle field in Miami. The Miracle League of Miami Dade Field will impact children and their families by providing the proper environment where children can play baseball and know that it was created with their needs in mind. This donation comes as a result of a successful Marlins Golf Classic fundraiser, co-hosted by first baseman Gaby Sanchez and catcher John Buck.

Also on Saturday, April 14th at 10:00 A.M. the Marlins Foundation hosted Strong Women, Strong Girls as they “jump” into Spring with 300 girls in West Plaza. Jump into Spring builds community, encourages an active lifestyle, and celebrates all that SWSG girls have accomplished throughout the program year. This year’s event is centered on a theme that focuses on educating young girls about the importance of staying active and living healthy lives. Young girls, along with their mentors, will have the opportunity to learn how to do karate, yoga, Caribbean dance, make healthy food and much more.

The Marlins Foundation was not done with their donations. On Sunday, April 15, $4,200 dollars was donated to the Jackie Robinson Foundation. The contribution is part of Jackie Robinson Day. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project were in attendance. The 5000 Role Models is a dropout prevention intervention program for minority young boys “at-risk” of dropping out of school, 5000 Role Models of Excellence Program serves 6,792 students in 89 schools, which includes 23 elementary, 33 middle and 33 senior high Miami-Dade County Public School’s students.

“As Marlins Park rose from the ground, so too, has the Marlins commitment to our community”, said Alfredo Mesa, Executive Director of Marlins Foundation. “We are proud to call Shake-A-Leg Miami and the Miracle League of Miami Dade our charity partners. Both of these organizations provide our most deserving youth with unique experiences and are aligned with our mission- to improve the lives of our youth through education, the arts and baseball, with a special focus on children with special needs.”

All this plus two walk-off wins capped off a great weekend in Marlins land!

On July 18, 2009, the Marlins broke ground on what is now known as Marlins Park. In a little over 24 hours, Opening Night will take place and all of Miami (heck, the country!) will be watching as this beautiful ballpark has its first regular season game.

Fans flocked to check out the Yankees games and could not get enough of Marlins Park’s exciting features. The fun will continue tomorrow the St. Louis Cardinals, Emilio Estefan and many more surprises.

It’s hard to believe that we are actually here but we are! Tomorrow is going to be amazing, Marlins fans!

Marlins fans, can you believe that Opening Night is only two weeks from today?

What are some of your predictions for what is sure to be a magical night? Will Stanton go yard? Will Josh Johnson pitch a shutout? Will all you Marlins fans break a noise record? And most importantly, WILL WE WIN????

Share your thoughts and if you haven’t already, buy tickets for this season!!!