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![\"Tortugas2\"](\"http:\/\/www.daytonastateinmotion.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Tortugas2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>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<\/a>\u00a0affiliate of the\u00a0Cincinnati Reds<\/a>\u00a0of\u00a0Major League Baseball<\/a> fame.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>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 \u201cBob Ross Weekend,\u201d complete with specialty jerseys. The jerseys were worn Aug. 10 and included the Tortugas\u2019 logo with Bob Ross\u2019s distinctive hair, holding a paint brush instead of baseball bat. Ross, a TV personality and painter famous for his \u201chappy little trees,\u201d was born in Daytona Beach and lived in Florida. He died at age of 52 in Orlando in 1995.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>The month before, the Tortugas staged \u201cThe Big Shellbowski Night\u201d in a 20th anniversary celebration of the 1998 cult classic \u201cthe Big Lebowski,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>From now until the closer in September, ongoing weekly events include Belly Buster Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Wishful Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursdays and Friday Night Fireworks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>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.\u00a0It was rechristened in the late 1980s in name of Jackie Robinson, an American professional\u00a0baseball<\/a>\u00a0player who became the first\u00a0African-American<\/a>\u00a0to break the baseball color line in the Major League. Robinson died in 1972.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>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.\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBaseball culture in Daytona Beach is enriched at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark,\u201d she says. \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>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. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe 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,\u201d says Breitenbach. \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>More information is available atl the Tortugas Box Office at\u00a0 <\/span>386-257-3172.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Asia Howell Special to In Motion \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 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\u2019s been making its impact since 1993.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Continue reading Daytona Tortugas hit home run with students<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>One of the team\u2019s biggest fans might be Senior Professor Eric Breitenbach, who\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>For tickets, go to DaytonaTortugas.com. VIP seats, with in-seat food service are\u00a0$12.50, but cannot be purchased online. Reserved Grandstand seats are\u00a0$10 for adults and $8 for seniors, children, military and students. General Admission is\u00a0$8 in advance, $9 at the box office. Seniors\u2019 (60+), military, children and students\u2019 general admission is\u00a0$6 in advance, $7 at game. On Belly buster Mondays, the prices are \u00a0$12 general admission, $14 reserved and Grandstand VIP is $16. Full season and partial package plans are also available.<\/p>\n