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Baseball season is heating up and so is Turkey Hill Dairy's Phillies Graham Slam Sweepstakes. The sweepstakes features a grand prize trip for two to spring training 2011 and a season-long series of biweekly drawings that will reward 81 fans with four Phillies home game tickets each.

The new grand prize includes a four-day, three-night stay in Clearwater, Florida, with roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations and two tickets to a spring training game.  

"Phillies fans represent quintessential baseball fans because they are exceptionally loyal and show true sportsmanship," said Turkey Hill Dairy President Quintin Frey. "Many Turkey Hill consumers are Phillies fans and the sweepstakes is a chance for us to reward those particular customers who are loyal to our brand."

To enter the sweepstakes, fans must look for the code found on specially-marked containers of Phillies Graham Slam Premium Ice Cream and enter it at turkeyhill.com/Phillies.

Turkey Hill will donate five cents for every container of Phillies Graham Slam sold to the team's Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities™ program. For every Phillies win, the Dairy will also donate $100 to the program.

The sweepstakes began on March 17, 2010, and will end on Sept. 4, 2012, with one grand prize awarded each season. Available in Citizens Bank Park and in most stores where Turkey Hill ice cream is sold, Turkey Hill's Phillies Graham Slam is the Phillies' official ice cream flavor, along with Phillie Phanatic Double Play.

Located in the rich farming country of Lancaster County, Pa., Turkey Hill Dairy produces the fifth largest-selling premium ice cream brand and the top-selling refrigerated iced tea brand in the nation. The third-generation, family-run dairy sells its products in a market that extends along the East Coast from Maine to Florida -- and as far west as Oregon, Washington and Alaska. For more information about Turkey Hill, visit turkeyhill.com.

Amtrak put their Northeast Corridor passengers into the spirit of the upcoming Amtrak Series today by polling passengers on board two trains running between New York and Philadelphia about their baseball team preferences. The fans polled aboard Amtrak Acela Express trains #2165 and #2170 chose the New York Yankees over the Philadelphia Phillies by a 1.7-to-one margin. Participating passengers were given their team's official Championship Series t-shirt for voicing their preference.

Three hundred thirty-four (334) passengers received Yankee tee-shirts, and 197passengers favored the Phillies tee-shirts.

For all baseball fans, a World Series involving two east coast powerhouses means that Amtrak is the best way for fans to travel to the games.

Few American icons have a history as closely linked as that of baseball and train travel. From the beginning of "the national pastime," baseball players have traveled by train. When the Phillies and Yankees met in 1950, the teams traveled by train, and for this year's World Series, appropriately dubbed the Amtrak Series, the most convenient and comfortable way for fans and players to travel is on board Amtrak.

Amtrak offers three services between New York and Philadelphia - Acela Express, Northeast Regional, and Keystone. There are 15 Acela Express frequencies in each direction, 21 Northeast Regional frequencies in each direction, and 10 Keystone frequencies in each direction every weekday, making it convenient for Phillies and Yankee fans to travel to see their teams. Reservations can be made online at Amtrak.com or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL. Amtrak Guest Rewards members can earn double points for travel - including to the Amtrak Series -- through December 19 just by registering at Amtrakguestrewards.com.

The Amtrak Series features the hometown teams from two of Amtrak's busiest stops - New York and Philadelphia. During fiscal year 2009, New York was Amtrak's busiest train station with more than 7.8 million passengers boarding or alighting at Penn Station. Philadelphia's 30th Street Station ranked third, with 3.7 million Amtrak passengers using the station to board or detrain (Washington, DC was second).

In addition to fans, the Yankees and Phillies players will also be traveling to the World Series by train just as their predecessors did when the teams first met in the 1950 World Series. This year the Phillies and Yankees will be traveling via chartered trains, just as professional teams from all of the major sports have this year. During fiscal year 2009 Amtrak operated 32 sports charters including six for Major League Baseball teams. These chartered trains allow players and coaches to travel in a relaxed atmosphere before and after their games.

Fans can do the same. Amtrak's Acela Express and Northeast Regional services offer passengers wide seats with lots of leg room and a cafe car with a wide selection of snacks, sandwiches, and beverages, making the 91-mile trip between New York and Philadelphia a home run! Reservations for a trip to the Amtrak Series can be made at Amtrak.com.

Source: Amtrak

MLB Advanced Media, LP (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball, announced today that the New York Yankees this month became the first of the 30 Major League Clubs to surpass one million registered users for free newsletters and alerts, including exclusive ticketing opportunities, via its official Web site, www.Yankees.com.

"We are proud to reach a milestone that is representative of the passion and commitment Yankees fans have demonstrated for generations," said Yankees Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost. "Yankees fans from every corner of the globe, including fans from each of the 50 United States, have embraced the exclusive online benefits delivered to their inbox."

With free registration of a valid email address, Yankees fans can personalize their subscriptions to any of a number of direct communications to stay connected with the Club, including the Yankees Insider newsletter, a weekly source for exclusive inside-the-clubhouse stories, the latest ticketing opportunities, prospect scouting reports, discounts on authentic Yankees merchandise, photo galleries, video highlights and Yankees trivia.

Some of the other free newsletter and alert subscription options for Yankees fans to have delivered directly to their inbox include breaking news alerts, postgame alerts, ticket alerts and shop and memorabilia auction information. In addition, the Yankees offer a Spanish-language weekly newsletter. All newsletters are available in an HTML format with photos, graphics and features unavailable in the plain text format.

Source: MLB.com and New York Yankees

MLB.com At Bat(TM) 2009, the top-selling sports App in the App Store, is adding more live video and will stream every regular season Major League Baseball game exclusively for MLB.TV subscribers, effective immediately. This unprecedented distribution of an online streaming video product provides eligible subscribers access to live feeds of every out-of-market game on the iPhone(TM) and iPod(R) touch, as well as their computers.

MLB.TV and MLB.TV Premium subscribers can now access live MLB games in high quality video over either a Wi-Fi connection or the carrier network as part of the At Bat 2009 App. Leveraging standards-based https streaming technology, enabled by the iPhone OS 3.0 update, the MLB.com App includes controls to give users the ability to pause a game or rewind the action. Additionally, adaptive bitrate technology is constantly working automatically to give users the highest quality video stream their network connection can support.

MLB.com will continue to make one game per day, the At Bat.TV Game of the Day, available for all At Bat 2009 App subscribers, subject to blackout restrictions. The MLB.com At Bat(TM) 2009 App also offers live audio broadcasts without blackout restrictions, a continuously updated scoreboard, MLB.com Gameday(TM) functionality, real-time video highlights and Condensed Games, a short-form video recap of every payoff pitch from every game.

The MLB.com At Bat(TM) App for the 2009 MLB season, including the entire postseason, is available for a one-time fee of $9.99 from the App Store on iPhone(TM) and iPod(R) touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. For more information, please visit MLB.com.

Source: MLB.com

Yankees on YES to launch with Yankees-Twins game on Wednesday, July 8

Major League Baseball announced today it will launch this July a landmark pair of in-market subscription products, including Yankees on YES, to deliver live games online within their respective home broadcast territories. Upon launch, these will be the only live in-market streaming products in professional sports to include games with local broadcast television deals.

"These agreements are an important part of our global effort to give fans greater access to our game," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "It is important that fans in local markets have portable flexibility to stay connected to their favorite team if they can't be at the ballpark, and I believe this represents a significant step in that direction."

MLB Advanced Media, LP (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball, has entered into a partnership with the YES Network and Cablevision to provide eligible Cablevision customers throughout the Yankees home broadcasting territory with access to YES Network Yankees telecasts live on their computers. The offering, which will be implemented through an authentication process managed by Cablevision and MLBAM, will be available exclusively to Cablevision customers who subscribe to the Family Cable (expanded basic) level of television service and Optimum Online.

The Yankees on YES package, available for a one-time fee of $49.95 for the remainder of the season or $19.95 for any 30-day period, is scheduled to launch on Wednesday, July 8 at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) with the YES Network's Yankees-Twins broadcast. Beginning immediately, eligible Cablevision subscribers can review FAQs for the product and purchase Yankees on YES at Yankees.com, YESNetwork.com and Optimum.net.

Major League Baseball became the first professional sports league to make every game available online for out-of-market fans in 2003 and since that time has delivered over 250 million live video streams. It now is also the first to make this number of live games available online for fans living in a home team territory such as the Yankees.

A second in-market live game streaming product is expected to be announced the week of June 29.

SOURCE MLB

People around the world now have a rare opportunity to own a piece of America's rich history. Iconic and cherished items from the original Yankee Stadium, a landmark that is regarded as one of the most significant monuments in sports history, are now available via a public sale and auction by visiting www.steinersports.com or calling 1-800-759-SCORE and 914-307-1000.

Yankees-Steiner Collectibles, the exclusive provider of game-used memorabilia from the original and current Yankee Stadium, announced that collectibles - such as the seats where Reggie Jackson's monstrous home runs landed and the sod where Yankees legends stood to say their final goodbyes to their beloved Stadium - are immediately available to people worldwide.

The "Yankee Stadium Legends" online auction, commencing today and closing on Friday, July 24 between 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. ET, features a total of 1,500 distinctive pieces. Prospective bidders will have the ability to register for the auction and sign-up for updates at http://auctions.steinersports.com.

Twenty-six unique items, including a Yankees Bat Rack from the home dugout and the "Courage Tradition Heart" sign which was located above the awning of the Yankees front office entrance, will be immediately available through the auction. Each week, additional collectibles will be offered and updates will be provided to the public via registration at http://auctions.steinersports.com.

In addition to the "Yankee Stadium Legends" online auction, authentic Stadium-related memorabilia will be placed on sale immediately at www.steinersports.com, including:

• 1 ft. x 1 ft. pieces of live sod from Yankee Stadium: $120
• Pairs of Stadium seats: ranging from $1499 - $1999; commemorative single seats: $750
• Final Season Crystals with Genuine Dirt from the original Yankee Stadium: $80
• Original bricks from Monument Park in a glass case with etched Yankees logo: $150

"The closing of the original Yankee Stadium marked the end of an era in sports history, but today is the beginning of an unprecedented opportunity for people throughout the world to own a piece of America's past and the great Yankees tradition," said Brandon Steiner, Founder and CEO of Steiner Sports. "For nine decades, Yankee Stadium was home to the most successful and glorious franchise in all of sports. Legendary heroes such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Reggie Jackson and Derek Jeter were a part of this beloved Stadium which can now live on in each fan's household."

"We are excited to give our great fans a chance to take home a piece of the Yankee Stadium legacy through this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said New York Yankees Chief Operating Officer Lonn A. Trost. "These treasures allow the Yankees' legacy to live on and provide fans with keepsakes they can pass along from generation to generation."

Yankees-Steiner Collectibles, originally created in 2004, is a partnership between the New York Yankees and Steiner Sports to provide sports fans with unique access to New York Yankees memorabilia and experiences.

To enable fans from around the world to connect to their beloved team in a unique way, Yankees-Steiner Collectibles is joined by DeLea Sod, the official sod grower of the New York Yankees.

SOURCE Steiner Sports Marketing, Inc.

After three weeks of the 2009 baseball season, it is evident that fans are interacting with MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, in record numbers.

Below are highlights at MLB.com since Opening Day:

• MLB.com has delivered 127.2 million video streams, representing an increase of 136 percent over the 53.8 million video streams delivered over the season's first three weeks in 2008.

• Over 400,000 subscribers have signed up for MLB.com's premier live game products, MLB.TV and Gameday Audio, through April 26, a 45.7 percent increase of sales over the comparable time period in 2008.

• MLB.com has totaled 2.2 billion page views, an increase of 73 percent over the 1.3 billion page views accumulated over the first three weeks of the 2008 season.

• MLB.com has averaged 9.4 million visitors per day, representing an increase of 30 percent from the comparable daily average over last year's first three weeks.

• The MLB.com network of mobile sites recorded 31.1 million page views on April 25, 2009, setting a new record for a single day. It marks the seventh day this year that it has surpassed the 20 million page view mark, including the previous record of 26.2 million established on April 25, 2009.

• MLB.com's mobile sites have totaled 381.7 million page views across all internet-enabled devices, a 254 percent increase from the 2008 comparable time period.

• MLB.com has delivered more than 4.1 million video streams to mobile devices over the first three weeks, including real-time highlights to team alert subscribers. Compared to 2008, team alert subscribers are up 35.5 percent.

• Fans have downloaded more than 1.1 million MLB.com and Club icons to their BlackBerry smartphones for easy one-click access to the MLB.com network of mobile sites.

• MLB.com At Bat 2009, an application built exclusively for iPhone and iPod touch, remains the top-selling sports application in the Apple app store. It also has retained its ranking among the top 20 overall paid applications nearly a month after becoming available.

Source:  MLB.com

Tommy Bahama, the popular lifestyle brand, brings its life is one long weekend philosophy to the state-of-the-art Yankee Stadium with the grand opening of Tommy Bahama's Bar. This unique, branding opportunity captures the essence of the Tommy Bahama message to relax, have fun and enjoy life to the fullest. This latest venture joins an established array of Tommy Bahama lifestyle products, which include apparel, accessories, home furnishings, restaurants, retails stores, and even its own signature rum. Tommy Bahama's Bar pops its cork on opening day of the 2009 baseball season when the Yankees unveil their spectacular new home.

Tommy Bahama's Bar is positioned in a premier location in Yankee Stadium overlooking the Great Hall, which serves as the main entrance and a convenient meeting place for fans. The Tommy Bahama's Bar is an example of the Stadium's modern amenities, and serves as an oasis where patrons can escape to enjoy a lively, casual atmosphere. Tommy Bahama's signature drinks will be available, which will be blended with Tommy Bahama Rum, an ultra premium spirit hand crafted in Barbados in two distinct flavors -- Tommy Bahama White Sand and Tommy Bahama Golden Sun.

"It's not often that you get the chance to be associated with a world- class organization like the New York Yankees," said Doug Wood, President and COO of Tommy Bahama. "We're very excited about this opportunity and proud to have Tommy Bahama represented in the greatest sporting venue in the world."

"We are excited about this new relationship. In addition to the naming of the public bar in the Great Hall, Tommy Bahama's apparel line has a broad appeal to our fan base," said Michael J. Tusiani, Yankees Senior Vice President of Corporate Sales & Sponsorships.

Yankee Stadium ticket-takers will be outfitted in blue polo shirts or half-zip pullover sweatshirts emblazoned with the New York Yankees insignia on the left chest and the signature Tommy Bahama marlin on the left sleeve. In addition, select Tommy Bahama merchandise will be available for purchase at retail at Yankee Stadium, including two custom-designed panel back camp shirts with baseball graphics, offered exclusively at the Home Plate Team Store, located off the Great Hall. These limited edition signature shirts are collector's items for the true Tommy Bahama connoisseur.

Tommy Bahama's vacation state of mind and elegant, relaxed approach to dressing and living, resonate with anyone who yearns for a fun, idyllic escape.

SOURCE Tommy Bahama

Since October 29, 2008, the Phillies have enjoyed the celebration of their World Series Championship. Today, the celebration culminated in what was the second most highly anticipated event of the victory -- the first being the parade; the second, a 20-minute ring ceremony held during pre-game festivities for a crowd of more than 44,000 people attending the Citizens Bank Businessperson's Special.

Members of the 2008 team, coaches, manager, general manager, trainers and the director of team travel received their rings on the field from Phillies President and CEO; David Montgomery. A total of 37 rings were delivered to the field by a Citizens Bank van escorted by four Philadelphia police officers on motorcycles.

Until today, the rings had not been seen by the recipients, and were held as a closely guarded secret to ensure that the surprise and excitement were elevated for today's meaningful ceremony.

Pat Gillick, who constructed the World Championship team during his 27th and final season as a major league general manager, was the first ring recipient. Philadelphia's favorite skipper, Manager Charlie Manuel received his ring second, as the sold-out crowd chanted "Char-lie, Char-lie."

"A World Series Championship ring is a most prized possession," said Montgomery. "We wanted to present our players and others in the Phillies organization with a meaningful tribute that appropriately commemorates bringing a World Championship to Philadelphia. I believe this ring certainly does that."

"The ring is one of the finest I've seen and it tells a great story," said Bob Bourbeau, Director of Sports and Special Markets for Masters of Design, the Attleboro, Mass.-based jewelry manufacturer that worked with the organization. "The extraordinary attention and level of detail that the Phillies provided throughout the process allowed us to design and produce an outstanding keepsake."

World Series Ring Description

Each 14 karat white gold ring contains 103 diamonds, totaling 3.84 karats. The 103 diamonds represent the 92 regular season and 11 postseason wins for the Phillies in 2008. The top of the ring is crowned with a ruby inlay, topped with the Phillies' signature "P" which is inset with diamonds. The title "World Champions" is written along the ring's top and bottom outer rim. The left side of the ring features the player's name and number atop and below the Liberty Bell. The right side of the ring depicts the World Series trophy rising out of Citizens Bank Park signifying the tremendous support of our fans, along with the initials of the two World Series teams and the number of games won by each team.

SOURCE Philadelphia Phillies

There was a good article in the New York Times by Florence Fabricant about dining options at the new Yankees stadium which opens next Friday.

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WHEN the new Yankee Stadium opens April 3, the choice of food will be a bit more varied than before. There will be chains like Johnny Rockets and Brother Jimmy's BBQ, and sandwiches from the premium butcher Lobel's.

But those who settle into the 4,000 or so well-upholstered seats of the various club and suite areas, which can cost as much as $2,500, will have access to much more.

A number of restaurants and dining areas will be for their exclusive enjoyment. And the food will be prepared at open cooking stations run, from time to time, by Masaharu Morimoto (pictured below) of "Iron Chef" fame, April Bloomfield of the Spotted Pig, chefs from Le Cirque and cooks from Elaine's (because Elaine Kaufman is a big Yankees fan).

 

Some of the chefs will be at the stadium for one evening and others may make multiple appearances. "I'm tickled about it," Ms. Bloomfield said. "I like baseball and it sounds like fun."

Those seated in the Delta 360 Club, which has 1,200 seats, will have access to a dining room where chefs from the Food Network will occasionally cook at two open kitchens.

And the price for any premium seat includes unlimited food, a trend that wealthy fans at parks like Dodger Stadium have seen.

On the broad concourse of food stands and carts for all fans, including those in the bleachers, there will be a small Lobel's outlet. Outside a window, where butchers will be seen cutting dry-aged strip loins for the club restaurants, there will be the Triple Play Grill, a cart that will sell sandwiches of freshly sliced Lobel dry-aged prime rib ($15) along with beef and chicken sliders.

Among the newcomers will be some local places like Moe's Southwest Grill, an Asian Noodle Bowl, a Latin Corner (with Cuban sandwiches) and a sushi station run by Soy Kitchen of the Bronx.

Because more than two-thirds of the 137 concession stands and carts will be able to cook, up from 14 percent in the old stadium, some will be grilling Nathan's natural casing franks.

It's part of the effort that Legends Hospitality Management, a company owned by the Yankees, the Dallas Cowboys and Goldman Sachs, said it is making to improve the quality and freshness of the food at all levels.

In the Great Hall stadium entrance, there will be a small market with fresh fruit and other items from Melissa's Produce of Los Angeles, as well as sandwiches and $3 hot dogs.

A Hard Rock Cafe and the NYY Steak above it, run by a Hard Rock company, will be open year-round with access from the street.

Source: New York Times