2019 Softball Promotions Schedule
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois softball team has announced its home game promotions for the 2019 season, with a number of exciting events planned for the upcoming home slate, highlighted by the 20th Season Celebration of Illini Softball on April 20 against Michigan and the annual World's Largest Softball Tailgate and Senior Day on May 4 against Ohio State.
2019 marks the 20th season of Illinois softball and on April 20, all alumni, fans and community members are encouraged to attend the 20th Season Celebration at Eichelberger Field, with the first 300 fans receiving commemorative 20th Season shirts.
One of the most popular Illini softball traditions, the World's Largest Softball Tailgate, returns for its 16th season on May 4. WLST came to fruition on April 24, 2004, when a then-record crowd of 756 fans assembled into the stands to watch the Orange and Blue earn a 1-0 victory over Ohio State. After the rousing success of the inaugural event, the idea developed into a cherished annual tradition. Averaging over 1,000 fans a year, community members have come together to witness great softball while creating lasting memories with good food, good friends and good times. The 2019 tailgate will once again feature giveaways and multiple kid-friendly activities and will work in conjunction with Senior Day 2019.
Other exciting promotions to put on the calendar include:
» Big Ten Home Opener (March 22)
» Spring Cleaning (March 23)
» Price is Right Day (March 24)
» Country Night (April 5)
» Mom's Day (April 6)
» Kids Day (April 7)
» Strike Out Cancer (April 19)
» Sunday Bun Day & Bunny at the Ballpark (April 21)
» 7 Innings of Winnings (May 3)
» EichelBURGER Day (May 5)
Season Long Promotions:
Kid Captain
Kids will have the chance to be a Kid Captain at an Illini softball game this season. They will receive an Illini prize and have the opportunity to meet the team pregame, stand on the field for the National Anthem and announce the bottom of the fourth inning. Kid Captains must be sixth grade and under.
Birthday Party
Kids are able to celebrate their birthday at any home game this season. The birthday party pack includes:
» Hot dogs, bottled drink, popcorn and personalized cupcakes
» Game programs
» Illini gift for everyone in the party
» Card signed by the team
» Your name on the scoreboard
» Fighting Illini Kids Club membership (if eligible and not already a member)
Youth Clinic
There will be a free post-game youth clinic for all kids sixth grade and under following the Illinois vs Minnesota game on April 7 at 12 p.m. CT.
Run the Bases
Kids sixth grade and under can run the bases following the March 24 and May 5 games.
Trading Cards
Softball cards will be given away at the four Big Ten Saturday game, and the players featured on each card set will sign autographs postgame on March 23, April 6, April 20, and May 4.
All games are held at Eichelberger Field at the Martin Softball Complex. Game dates, times and promotions are subject to change. Check out the full promotions schedule below.
For more Fighting Illini softball news, stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com and follow @IlliniSB on social media: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook. Â
| Day/Date |
Opponent |
2019 Promotion |
|
Tuesday,
March 19
5 PM
|
IUPUI
|
Promotion: Opening Day
Giveaway: Posters and schedule card giveaway |
|
Wednesday,
March 20
5 PM
|
Indiana State
|
Concession Deal: $1 Peanut Night |
|
Friday,
March 22
5 PM
|
Wisconsin
|
Promotion: B1G Season Opener
Giveaway: Fleece Blankets for the first 150 fansÂ
Concession deal: $2 Hot ChocolateÂ
|
|
Saturday,
March 23
1 PM
|
Wisconsin
|
Promotion: Spring Cleaning
Giveaway: Trading Card Set #1 - first 100 fans | Past giveaway items
Post-game: Autographs - Emily Oestreich, Akilah Mouzon, Rhein Trochim, Danielle Brochu, Maddison Demers.
|
|
Sunday,
March 24
12 PM
|
Wisconsin
|
Promotion: Price is Right Day
Giveaway: Fans can participate in the Price is Right games every inning to win prizesÂ
Concession Deal: $6 Family Meal Deal (Hot Dog, Chips and a Drink)
Post-game: Run the Bases (Youth 6th grade and under)Â -Â Sign up here.
|
|
Tuesday, March 26
5 PM
|
EIU
|
|
|
Wednesday,
April 3
5 PM
|
Illinois State |
Concession Deal: $1 Peanut Night |
|
Friday,
April 5
5 PM
|
Minnesota
|
Promotion: Country NightÂ
Giveaway: Raffle for 2 tickets to the Kenny Chesney concert at State Farm Center on Friday, April 5th at 7 pm. (must be wearing country outfit to enter)
Concession Deal: $2 Hot ChocolateÂ
|
|
Saturday, April 6
1 PM
|
Minnesota
|
Promotion: Mom's Day
Giveaway: Trading Card Set #2 - first 100 fans | Illinois Softball Mug - first 150 moms
Post-game: Autographs - Alexis Carrillo, Kiana Sherlund, Shelby Stauffenberg, Serenity Stewart, Taylor Edwards, Bella Loya
|
|
Sunday, April 7
12 PM
|
Minnesota
|
Promotions: Kids Day (Scout Day, Kids Club Day and Youth Softball Day)
Giveaway:
- Scouts: Receive Illinois Athletics patch and softball patchÂ
- Kids Club: Clubhouse tour - Sign up here.
- Youth Softball: Giveaway for youth in softball jersey
Concession Deal:Â $6 Family Meal Deal (Hot Dog, Chips and a Drink)
Post-game: Youth Clinic - Sign up here.
|
|
Wednesday,
April 17Â
5 PM
|
SIUE
|
Concession Deal: $1 Peanut Night |
|
Friday,
April 19
5 PM
|
Michigan
|
Promotion: Strike Out Cancer
Giveaway: Trading Cards for the first 100 fans | Pink Sweatbands | Ribbons to tie to memorial bannerÂ
Concession Deal: $2 Hot Chocolate (Will only be available if it is under 60o)
|
|
Saturday, April 20
1 PM
|
Michigan
|
Promotion: 20th Season Celebration
Giveaway: Trading Cards to the first 100 fans | 20th season t-shirts to the first 300 fansÂ
Post-game: Autographs - Veronica Ruelius, Carly Thomas, Katie Wingerter, Maddy Adams, Stephanie Abello, Annie Fleming
|
|
Sunday, April 21
12 PM
|
Michigan
|
Promotions: Sunday Bun Day &Â Bunny at the Ballpark
Giveaway: Trading Card Set #3 for the first 100 fans | Annie Fleming Buns on a Stick & Annie Fleming Bun Kit | Pictures with the BunnyÂ
Concession Deal:Â $6 Family Meal Deal (Hot Dog, Chips and a Drink)
Post-game:Â Candy Filled Egg HuntÂ
|
|
Wednesday, April 30
6 PM
|
DePaul
|
Concession Deal: $1 Peanut Night |
|
Friday,
May 3
5 PM
|
Purdue
|
Promotions: 7 Innings of Winning
Giveaway:Â Big prizes will be raffled off between each inningÂ
Concession Deal:Â $2 Hot Chocolate (Will only be available if it is under 60o)
|
|
Saturday, May 4
1 PM
|
Purdue
|
Promotion: World's Largest Softball Tailgate & Senior Day Â
Giveaway: Trading Card Set #4 for the first 100 fansÂ
Pre-game: Tailgate with music, inflatables, face painter and more!
Post-game: Autographs - Kailee Powell, Zaria Dunlap, Abby Sagert, Avrey Steiner, Sydney Sickels, Hannah Sasaki, Danielle Dennis, Danielle Davis
Post-game: Senior Celebration
|
|
Sunday,
May 5
12 PM
|
Purdue
|
Promotion: EichelBURGER Day
Giveaway: Free burgers for the first 50 fansÂ
Concession Deal:Â $6 Family Meal Deal (Hot Dog, Chips and a Drink)
Post-game: Run the Bases (Youth 6th grade and under)Â Â -Â Sign up here.
|
