Darryl Strawberry to appear at Intimidators’ opening night
Published 7:02 pm Wednesday, January 18, 2017
- Former Major League Baseball star Darryl Strawberry greets a fan in April 2016 at BB&T Ballpark in Charlotte. Photo by Jeff Siner/charlotteobserver.com
Eight time All-Star visiting Cabarrus County to benefit Serenity House
By Josh Feldman
KANNAPOLIS — Major League Baseball legend Darryl Strawberry will make an appearance at Intimidators Stadium on opening night – Thursday, April 6 – as the Kannapolis Intimidators begin the 2017 season against the Lakewood BlueClaws at 7:05 p.m.
The eight-time MLB All-Star is visiting Cabarrus County to promote and help raise funds for Serenity House, a division of Hope Haven Inc., which works to provide life skills for men recovering from substance use disorder, within a supportive residential environment leading to independence, in the Cabarrus County area.
Fans can take pictures with and collect autographs from Strawberry at the baseball game starting when gates open at 6 p.m. Serenity House will be hosting a VIP meet-and-greet at Intimidators Stadium from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., as well as luncheon earlier in the day where Strawberry, who serves on the board of Hope Haven, will serve as the keynote speaker.
“Darryl Strawberry is not only a true baseball legend who has had monumental challenges in his life to overcome, but is also a man of integrity and faith today,” said Alice Harrison, CEO of Serenity House/Hope Haven, Inc. “His story is one that connects to both adults and youth.”
“The Kannapolis Intimidators are excited to team up with Serenity House and Hope Haven to bring Mr. Strawberry to our community,” said Intimidators’ general manager Randy Long. “This is an opportunity for members of our community to learn about the work done by Serenity House, while also getting to meet a baseball legend.”
Tickets to the Intimidators’ opening night game on April 6 are included in full-season ticket packages, as well as the half-season and weekender plans, which are all currently available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at 704-932-3267.
Single-game tickets will go on sale in March. More information regarding the Serenity House Luncheon and the VIP Meet and Greet with Darryl Strawberry, can be obtained by contacting Candice Johnson, Vice President of Development and Community Engagement at 704.372.8809 (ext. 341) or cjohnson@hopehaveninc.org.
About the Intimidators
The Intimidators are preparing for the 2017 season, the 23rd season of professional baseball in Kannapolis and 17th year as a Chicago White Sox affiliate. Since the team’s inception in 1995, a total of 93 players have gone from Kannapolis to the Major Leagues.
The Intimidators play at Intimidators Stadium located off I-85, Exit 63 in Kannapolis. Justin Jirschele will serve as the team’s manager in 2017, making his managerial debut after serving as a player in the White Sox system as recently as 2015, before moving into coaching. Season Tickets, Mini Plans, and Flex Packs for the 2017 season are available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or by visitingIntimidatorsBaseball.com.
