Of bologna, Bettis and baseball

Altoona Curve announce changes on tap for 2008 season at Blair County Ballpark

By Greg Bock, gbock@altoonamirror.com
“There’s a rumor going around about me falling out of the sky opening night,” Todd Parnell joked Thursday as the Altoona Curve organization announced what’s in store for fans this season.

Or was he?

“Yeah, that’s going to happen,” said Parnell, the team’s general manager, adding that details still are being worked out.

Thursday’s home opener will include a visit by former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, post-game fireworks and, of course, a season schedule magnet giveaway.

It’s the Double-A ball club’s 10th season, and the Curve plan to “blow it up,” president and managing partner Chuck Greenberg said.

“There have been more great memories than anyone could have ever expected — and more great memories to come,” Greenberg said.

The team’s front office has spent the off-season looking at the Curve baseball experience with a “fresh set of eyes” — coming up with a full slate of new ideas and wiping away anything that hasn’t worked or has gotten stale.

On the big screen, commercials are out and more entertainment is in.

As for food, mini-Curve burger “sliders,” buffalo chicken tenders, seasoned french fries and Parney’s fried bologna sandwiches are some of the new concession items this season.

Greenberg said concession stands now will take credit cards, and season ticket holders will be able to turn in unused tickets from past games for grandstand or bleacher seats.

The season will feature 23 fireworks nights, 26 fan giveaway nights and 25 celebrity appearance nights.

April 4 will feature a refrigerator giveaway, where one fan will win a refrigerator signed by former Chicago Bears lineman/running back William “The Refrigerator” Perry.

Parnell said the club will expand on its theme nights, like the well-received “Awful Night,” to include “Liep Year with Lieper” and “Please Come to Altoona, Will Ferrell.”

‘‘We’ll have a ringmaster, ’cause it’s going to be a circus,’’ Parnell said. And no circus would be complete without a new animal act.

Bob the Baseball Dog joins mascots Diesel Dawg and Steamer — just as soon as trainer Dave Barnes finishes training the 4-month-old yellow Labrador retriever.

‘‘He’s getting used to people, especially children,’’ said Barnes, owner of Barnes’ Puppy Love Kennels in Roaring Spring.

Barnes said Bob, the offspring of a champion show Lab and a champion hunting Lab, will spend the first part of the season getting used to the atmosphere during a game, particularly the crowd and the noise, before he gets down to his duties.

Those tasks probably will include running the bases and taking the umpires everything from baseballs carried in a bucket to oversized glasses and water bottles.

“Consistency is more important than time, but you do have to spend time with him every day,” Barnes said of what it takes to train a dog like Bob.

Mirror Staff Writer Greg Bock is at 946-7446.