Asia Howell
Special to In Motion
Going out to the ballpark is the wave for the summer time, but come Sept. 11 Daytona will be waving goodbye to another season of the Daytona Tortugas, the minor league team that’s been making its impact since 1993.
Of course, back then the team was known as the Daytona Cubs, an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. But the name change in 2014 has not dampened the enthusiasm for the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball fame.
A lot of that has to do with the clever marketing used to lure people to iconic Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Earlier this month, the Tortugas staged a “Bob Ross Weekend,” complete with specialty jerseys. The jerseys were worn Aug. 10 and included the Tortugas’ logo with Bob Ross’s distinctive hair, holding a paint brush instead of baseball bat. Ross, a TV personality and painter famous for his “happy little trees,” was born in Daytona Beach and lived in Florida. He died at age of 52 in Orlando in 1995.
The month before, the Tortugas staged “The Big Shellbowski Night” in a 20th anniversary celebration of the 1998 cult classic “the Big Lebowski,” starring Jeff Bridges. The Tortugas, whose name is Spanish for “turtles,” gave away bobbleheads of a turtle-shelled Dude. White Russian drink specials, a bathrobe contest and other events added to the festivities and ball game.
From now until the closer in September, ongoing weekly events include Belly Buster Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Wishful Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursdays and Friday Night Fireworks.
The ballpark itself was originally opened June 4, 1914 as the Daytona City Island Ballpark. It consisted of a baseball field and set of wooden bleachers. It was rechristened in the late 1980s in name of Jackie Robinson, an American professional baseball player who became the first African-American to break the baseball color line in the Major League. Robinson died in 1972.
Baseball fan Kelly Cross says the ballpark has activities for all ages. She was born and raised in Daytona Beach and often attends games, while enjoying a great selection of ballpark food. “Baseball culture in Daytona Beach is enriched at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark,” she says.
One of the team’s biggest fans might be Senior Professor Eric Breitenbach, who’s been going to games for years and also made a documentary for the Halifax Historical Museum on Robinson’s role in breaking the color barrier in April 1947, when he stepped onto Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, N.Y. The game was his debut with the-then Brooklyn Dodgers against the Boston Braves.
The film can be seen at the Museum on Beach Street. Breitenbach says while the stadium is good clean fun for students, it also serves seniors with a Silver Sluggers pass: 11 games for $30. Those nights feature Bingo games too.
What many may not know is that The Tortugas partner with area non-profits for fundraising and visibility. They are a terrific part of the Volusia County business and entertainment community, says the professor of photography and videography.
“The games are terrific, with lots of promotions and food and drink specials. The stadium is also beautiful, especially during the 7 p.m. summer games when the sun sets during the game. There are also frequently fireworks on Saturday nights,” says Breitenbach.
For tickets, go to DaytonaTortugas.com. VIP seats, with in-seat food service are $12.50, but cannot be purchased online. Reserved Grandstand seats are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors, children, military and students. General Admission is $8 in advance, $9 at the box office. Seniors’ (60+), military, children and students’ general admission is $6 in advance, $7 at game. On Belly buster Mondays, the prices are $12 general admission, $14 reserved and Grandstand VIP is $16. Full season and partial package plans are also available.
More information is available atl the Tortugas Box Office at 386-257-3172.