University of Houston Athletics
Fan Appreciation Day & Alumni Game Approaches
1/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
HOUSTON - Want a sneak peek of your nationally-ranked Houston Baseball team before Opening Night on Feb. 13? Join us Saturday, February 7 for Fan Appreciation Day and Alumni Game. Fans are encouraged to arrive early. All information on the day's activities can be found at UHCougars.com/Basefanday.
Gates open at 11 a.m. and fans must register for the event, which is free of charge, in order to receive your `print at home' ticket. All fans that register will be entered in to win a variety of Houston Baseball prizes, including a grand prize pack. Winners must be present at Cougar Field when their name is called in order to receive their prize.
To register, CLICK HERE or visit UHCougars.com/Basefanday.
PRIZES for REGISTERING & ATTENDING
For registering and attending Fan Appreciation Day, four individual prizes will be announced and distributed during the Alumni Game.
- Game hat
- Autographed ball
- Chance to watch BP during a select home game this season
- Dinner with Houston Baseball student-athletes
GRAND PRIZE: Autographed ball, game hat, game-worn jersey, chance to announce the Houston hitters for an inning and throw out the first pitch, while also receiving two tickets to a select home game this season
FAN APPRECIATION DAY ACTIVITIES
11 a.m.
- Kids Zone opens at 11 a.m. (inflatables, face painter, balloon artist, and more!)
- Sponsor booths with giveaways
- Concession stands open at 11 a.m.
- Alumni Batting Practice begins - open to public
12 p.m.
- Spirit of Houston performs
1 p.m.
- Pregame `Anthem Buddies'
- 5-inning Alumni Game
All Day
- Schedule posters/cards distributed
- Photo op with Championship trophy
Postgame (following 5-inning Alumni Game)
- Postgame Kids Run the Bases
- Postgame autograph session with 2015 Cougars
- Season Ticket Slugfest (must sign waiver at event)
- Meet & Greet with your 2014 Regional Championship team
Former Houston standouts will make their way to Cougar Field in preparation for the Alumni Game, which featured over 60 players in years past, including names like Michael Bourn, Brad Lincoln, Doug Drabek, and Jesse Crain.
The game will feature your 2015 Cougars vs. a roster of former standouts. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to watch batting practice, which begins at 11 a.m.
Houston Baseball will open its 2015 season on Friday, February 13 when it welcomes Minnesota to Cougar Field for a three-game series, slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. The series will continue on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m. and wrap on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
With 31 home games set for 2015 at Cougar Field and a Top 10 nationally-ranked preseason program representing the University of Houston, the Cougars are proud to announce that single-game tickets are now on sale at UHCougars.com/Basetickets.
Along with the online option, fans can purchase tickets by visiting the Athletics Ticket Office at TDECU Stadium Monday through Friday, 10 a.m., to 5:30 p.m. or can call 713-GO-COOGS.
Houston Baseball will offer variable pricing on its single-game tickets and group rates.
For the first time ever, the pricing breakdown will be determined whether or not you purchase your single-game tickets online vs. at the gate the day of the game as well as whether the Cougars play on a weekday (Monday-Thursday) or weekend (Friday-Sunday).
| 2015 Houston Baseball Single-Game Ticket Prices | ||||
| Weekday | Weekend | Weekday Walk-Up | Weekend Walk-Up | |
| Reserved 1 | $7 | $8 | $9 | $10 |
| Reserved 2 | $6 | $7 | $8 | $9 |
| GA | $5 | $6 | $7 | $8 |
| 2015 Houston Baseball Group Rates | ||||
| Weekday | Weekend | |||
| 10-24 | $4 | $5 | ||
| 25+ | $3 | $4 | ||
As noted in the table, variable pricing occurs. For weekday (Tuesday nights) online purchases, fans can take in a game, ranging from $5-$7 depending on the choice of seating. If you choose to purchase the day of the game as a Weekday Walk-Up, you will pay roughly $2 more than the online price ($7-$9).
Weekend (Friday-Sunday) online pricing will range from $6-$8 per game, while Weekend Walk-Up pricing the day of the game will run a fan anywhere from $8-$10.
GROUP RATES
Group rates are also available (as noted in the table). Weekday (Tuesday) and Weekend (Friday-Sunday) pricing occurs. Groups of 10-24 are set at $4-$5 per person, while groups of 25+ are $3-$4 per person.
With single-game tickets available now, Houston Baseball still encourages supporters to become Season Ticket members and enjoy the attractive pricing and rewards that come with up-front purchasing for the entire 2015 season.
WHY ARE SEASON TICKETS MORE ATTRACTIVE?
Season Tickets are still available. Renewal date has been set for Friday, Feb. 6.
Season Tickets are as low as $99 for general admission seating and the program offers an Anytime Tickets package that allows fans to use the 31 tickets how they choose (1 per game, multiple per game or all in one game). The Anytime Tickets are only available in general admission seating.
For just $200, you can enjoy reserved chairback seating on the lower level of the concourse at the stadium.
A new additional "Reserved 2" seating option for the 2015 season is also available with an assigned seat in sections 200, 201 and 202 for $150.
If you breakdown the season ticket pricing of $99 General Admission, the pricing of $150 for Reserved 2 or even the pricing of $200 for Reserved 1 (chairback), you are spending less money per game than purchasing single-game tickets.
HOW TO PURCHASE
To purchase tickets in advance, fans must visit the Athletics Ticket Stadium Office located on the northeast corner of TDECU Stadium, just outside of Gate 1 off Cullen Boulevard. Parking is available in the TDECU Stadium parking garage with the first 30 minutes free of charge. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m., to 5:30 p.m. or you can call 713-GO-COOGS.
SEASON TICKET SLUGFEST
Ever dream of hitting a homerun at Cougar Field? Now you have that chance. Houston Baseball introduces `Season Ticket Slugfest', which will provide those season ticket members who have purchased or renewed by Friday, Feb. 6 the opportunity to slug for your seats at Cougar Field on Saturday, Feb. 7 in order to win back your 2015 Season Tickets purchase.
Season Ticket members will have two pitches and one swing to hit a homerun and if the ball leaves Cougar Field, your 2015 season tickets are free.
The key: MUST renew or secure new season tickets by Friday, Feb. 6 in order to participate.
The `Season Ticket Slugfest' opportunity will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7 following the five-inning Houston Baseball Alumni Game and in conjunction with Fan Appreciation Day. Feb. 7 is the only day and opportunity for participants to take part for the chance to win.
Fan Appreciation Day and Alumni Game's first pitch begins at 1 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early to take part in giveaway contests, meet and greet with the team and to watch batting practice.
OFFICIAL RULES
- Each participant will have the opportunity to swing at one pitch from the pitching machine set up by the Cougars. Each participant may remain at the plate for no more than two pitches. If the participant does not swing at either pitch, participant's turn is over.
- Only the name on the ticket account can participate.
- Only one swing per account (ex. A family of four with four season tickets gets one swing by the name on the account).
- Participant must not be enrolled in high school or in a college/university (21+ years).
- All participants will be required to sign a waiver before entering the batter's box.
- All participants must wear a batting helmet provided by the Cougars and may only use a bat provided by the Cougars.
- A winning hit is one that passes over the outfield fence of Cougar Field, in fair territory, without bouncing on the field (a home run). The ultimate determination of whether a hit constitutes a home run shall be made by the Houston Baseball staff, in its sole and absolute discretion.
BUY SEASON TICKETS & PARTICPATE
Fans can purchase season tickets online by visiting UHCougars.com/Slugfest and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
JOIN THE DUGOUT CLUB
LEVELS
PINCH HITTER
For a minimum monthly installment of $25 or a minimum one-time gift of $300, supporters can take advantage of the Pinch Hitter level, which will guarantee an invitation for two to exclusive Dugout Club events and Houston Baseball team apparel.
DIAMOND
For a minimum monthly installment of $100 or a minimum one-time gift of $1,000, supporters can take advantage of the Diamond level, which will guarantee batting practice passes for two to any home game, invitation for two to exclusive Dugout Club events and Houston Baseball apparel.
**Cougar Pride points will be applied accordingly.
For more information on joining the Dugout Club, please contact the Houston Baseball office at (713) 743-9396.
For more information regarding Cougar Pride, please call (713) 743-GOUH.
BUY SEASON TICKETS
Fans can purchase season tickets online by visiting UHCougars.com/Basetickets and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
To purchase tickets in person, fans can visit the Athletics Ticket Stadium Office located on the northeast corner of TDECU Stadium, just outside of Gate 1 off Cullen Boulevard. Parking is available in the TDECU Stadium parking garage with the first 30 minutes free of charge. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m., to 5:30 p.m.
All UH main campus students are admitted FREE to regular-season baseball home games with a valid student ID.
A LOOK AT THE 2015 SCHEDULE
For the ninth consecutive season, Houston will open its slate at Cougar Field, having accumulated a winning record of 14-6, which includes three straight weekend sweeps the past three seasons under Whitting - who will begin his fifth season at the helm.
"I'm really excited about this year's schedule," Whitting said. "It is probably one of the most competitive ones we have made since our staff took over in 2010."
Houston will open the season hosting Minnesota on Feb. 13-15. The Cougars and Gophers will meet for the first time since 1987 as they have met 25 previous times.
The home slate for the Cougars will continue with their third straight weekend series at Cougar Field when it welcomes first-time opponent Columbia for a four-game series, set for Feb. 27-March 1.
"Our fans will have a great opportunity to see us play against great opponents here in our city," Whitting said.
QUICK HITS
OUR CITY
• 31 home games; 36 in the city of Houston
• First seven games of the season played at Cougar Field
• 19 of first 21 games played in the city of Houston
• First five weekends played in city of Houston - four at Cougar Field
OPENING WEEKEND
• Houston will host Opening Weekend for the ninth consecutive season
• Cougars are 14-6 all-time during Opening Weekend under Whitting
• Cougars have swept the last three Opening Weekend series under Whitting
A LOOK BACK AT 2014
Houston is coming off a 2014 season that saw it ranked No. 11 in the nation to finish the year and notch one of the best seasons in program history, tying a program-record with 48 wins and earning its first trip to the NCAA postseason since 2008. The Cougars were ranked nationally for 13 straight weeks during the season, polling in as high as No. 5 in the nation during week 17.
Houston captured the Baton Rouge Regional title with back-to-back wins over LSU to advance to the Austin Super Regional (vs. Texas) - a first since 2003. 2014 also saw Houston win the American Athletic Conference Baseball Championship tournament title with a win over Louisville. The Cougars posted the nation's No. 1 RPI in non-conference, regular-season play with an impressive 27-5 record.
The 27 regular-season, non-conference wins was the most since 27 in 2002 for the program. Houston posted a home record of 25-8 for the most home wins since Cougar Field was redone in 1995. The Cougars opened 2014 with four straight home weekend sweeps, marking the first time in program history to accomplish that feat. Houston saw itself earn a season sweep of Rice - first since 1991 to reclaim the Silver Glove trophy, which has been with the Owls since 2000.
The Cougars were led by one of the nation's top pitching staffs as senior relievers Chase Wellbrock (5-0, 12 SV) and Tyler Ford (9-0, 4 SV) combined for a 14-0 record and 16 saves. Freshman RHP Andrew Lantrip was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and the conference's Rookie of the Year, while eight other Cougars earned All-League honors.
The postseason saw sophomores Josh Vidales and Kyle Survance earn American Baseball Championship and Baton Rouge Regional Most Outstanding Player honors, respectively. Three Cougars were tabbed All-Region led by seniors Casey Grayson and Chase Wellbrock on the First Team and senior Tyler Ford on the Second Team. Off the field, the Cougars continued to excel in the classroom, led by sophomore Justin Montemayor, who was tabbed a First Team CoSIDA Academic All-District award winner.
STAY CONNECTED
Stay up to date with all Houston Baseball news and highlights by following us on Twitter @UHCougarBB or on Facebook at /HoustonCougarBaseball. Fans can also follow head coach Todd Whitting @toddwhitting on Twitter.
