The Jack is in the midst of a facelift; Plus a look at Daytona Tortugas 2024 giveaways and promotions
The lights at historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark are set to shine down on the Daytona Tortugas for the first time in 2024 on Tuesday night as the squad plays its home opener against Palm Beach at 6:35 p.m.
And those lights should be even brighter. Literally.
As part of an ongoing stadium renovation effort, LED lights have been installed and are just one improvement fans may already notice this year.
“They can flash, they can do all sorts of fun things when it comes to homers and strikeouts and things along those lines,” Tortugas general manager Jim Jaworski said. “The most important part is that they meet the lighting standards for Major League Baseball.”
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Certainly, that’s been part of the consideration when it comes to the work already done and that which is yet to come at the ballyard, which opened in 1914. Sure, there’s modern amenities and technology to consider, but with well over 100 years of history, there’s preserving the past as well.
The Tortugas are committed to make a couple more decades worth of memories at The Jack, agreeing to a 20-year lease with the city of Daytona Beach back in November. The agreement came with two optional five-year lease extensions as well.
But it also came with a commitment to improving the facility from both the club and the city, which is on the hook for an estimated total of around $28.6 million. Those LED lights and a rebuilt structure behind home plate and down the first-base line are just the start.
“Pretty much, the entire structure has been refurbished or is brand new,” Jaworski said. “We’ve also repainted portions of the Riverwalk where the main concession stands are, we’ve added new signage … the smaller year-to-year things.”
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Jaworski said there’s plenty more to come, starting with the batter’s eye, which needs to be doubled in size, and also the foul poles, which need to be bigger as well.
The ultimate hope, however, is for fans to enjoy the upgrades while still feeling the past.
“I think about the ballpark being here for over 100 years and then with the renovations that are coming, what’s the next 100 years going to look like?” he said. “To me, that’s the coolest part and the fact of the matter is, the game has changed. There’s more coaches, there’s more players, there’s more focus on technology, there’s just more.
"So, to be able to make those adjustments while still keeping the historic look and historic feel and, oh by the way, it’s minor league baseball, so you’re closer to the action. To be able to accomplish all of those things is pretty special and we’re certainly looking forward to the future.”
Giveaways and theme nights
As for the goodies fans can get their hands on at the ballpark this summer, Jaworski couldn’t say “Giveaways” fast enough. Or often enough.
“We’re really leaning into our giveaways this year and having fun,” he said.
A total of 20 giveaway nights are on the docket during the 66-game home slate and fans attending games this week can leave with a free magnet schedule.
Bigger prizes will be offered as the season progresses, starting on April 27 with a Jackie Robinson Ballpark replica stadium giveaway.
“We talk about renovations and upgrades to the ballpark, well, the idea is here in 2024, let’s do a stadium replica and then as we continue to put together a gameplan on what the ballpark is going to look like moving forward, circle back and do another stadium replica giveaway when the ballpark looks different,” Jaworski noted.
Other items set to be handed out over the summer include team photos (April 28), lunch boxes (May 11), Squishmallows (May 25), pickleball paddles (June 1), “Friends” bobbleheads as part of '90s night on June 15, nutcrackers during Christmas in July on July 20 and drink steins as part of Augtoberfest on August 17.
Returning will be three Margaritaville Nights with Hawaiian shirts being handed out May 10 and August 16, with a straw hat giveaway set for June 14. Three nights with firework shows (April 12, July 3 and September 5) are also on the slate as are eight Bark in the Park nights, with dogs permitted into the park.
For more information visit: https://www.milb.com/daytona/news/daytona-tortugas-announce-2024-promotional-schedule
Weekly promotions
Silver Sluggers: A group for fans 55 years and older, is back with nine Tuesday dates on the schedule. The package includes a T-shirt, free parking, $3 Michelob Ultra drafts, a discounted soda, and Baseball Bingo. The price for season membership is $72 for Platinum club seats and $54 for general admission tickets.
Shelldon’s Family Fun Pack: Offers tickets for Sunday games, food vouchers, hats and the opportunity for kids to run the bases, catch on the field and participate in player Q and As. Adult packages are $88 for the season with kids 14-and-under priced at $66.
Belly Buster Wednesdays: A $6 upgrade gives fans access to all-you-can-eat Little Caesar’s pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs and popcorn.
Taps and tacos: Thursday home games include half-price draft beer and sodas as well as rotating taco specials.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Tortugas promotions, Jackie Robinson Ballpark upgrades in 2024
