Oakland A's Return Home to Face Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, Aug. 14-19

08/14/2007 -- News and notes about the Oakland A's upcoming homestand:

Baseball Tomorrow Fund Equipment Drive: The Oakland A's are teaming up with the Baseball Tomorrow Fund to host an equipment collection drive on Friday, Aug. 17 for A's vs. Royals game. Fans are invited to donate new and used equipment at Gates C and D of McAfee Coliseum, which will benefit the Oakland Babe Ruth Little League. In addition, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund will award a grant of $5,000 to Oakland Babe Ruth Little League for the purchase of new equipment prior to the A's game on Wednesday, Aug. 15.

american Red Cross Blood Drive: The A's and american Red Cross will host a blood drive in the East Side Club lower lobby from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 19 for the game against Kansas City. Fans can either donate blood during this time or sign up to donate at a later date. The first 50 fans who donate blood will receive a certificate for four Plaza Level tickets to a 2008 A's game and will be entered into a drawing to win an A's autographed baseball. To donate blood you must be 17 years of age or older, weigh 110 pounds or more and be in general good health. For more information call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or go to BeADonor.com.

Oakland A's Breast Cancer Awareness Day Fundraising Efforts: Fans may purchase a special ticket package through Sept. 14 for A's Breast Cancer Awareness Day, presented by John Muir Health, which is set for Saturday, Sept. 15. For just $30, fans will receive a special Breast Cancer Awareness pin and pink A's cap along with a Plaza Reserve ticket for the game against Texas ($40 value). Fans can also purchase a pink A's hat ($20) and pin ($10) both for only $25. Raffle tickets for a quilt autographed members of the 2007 A's team and coaching staff will be sold for $5 each. A's Breast Cancer Awareness Day fundraising efforts will take place behind section 120 of A's home games, over the phone at 510-638-4900 ext. 2329 or online at oaklandathletics.com. All proceeds benefit the american Cancer Society and the Northern California Cancer Center.

Green Stampede Homework Club: Before selected A's home games, teachers and volunteers from Oakland public schools offer tutoring for at-risk students at McAfee Coliseum. Students who attend the study group are rewarded with tickets to that night's game. If a student shows up to all eight of the study groups they will be rewarded with a visit from an A's player for a question and answer session and autographs. The second session will meet between Aug. 14 and Sept. 18.

Community Days: The Oakland A's will provide tickets to various community programs for game on Tuesday, Aug. 14 vs. Chicago.

Silence the Violence Campaign: On Wednesday, Aug. 15, the Oakland A's and the City of Oakland are teaming up with the Ella Baker Center to spread a message of peace and public safety in Bay Area neighborhoods. During a pre-game ceremony, featuring Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and local artist Mistah FAB, the A's will hold a moment of silence to kick off the Silence the Violence campaign. In addition, a portion of proceeds raised through a special Silence the Violence ticket package will be donated to the Silence the Violence Youth Academy, a violence prevention education program. For more information please visit ellabakercenter.org.

Food Bank Wednesdays: The A's Community Fund will hold a food drive to benefit the Alameda County Community Food Bank every Wednesday home game during the season. For each can of food donated at either Gates C and D or the BART Plaza entrance, fans will receive a certificate for one Plaza Level Outfield ticket to a specified future A's game (four certificate limit).

Oakland A's amigos: Prior to the game on Wednesday, Aug. 15, an A's player will speak to a group of Hispanic children on the importance of education, sportsmanship and hard work. In addition to the pre-game visit, each child will receive a game ticket and an A's hat. The A's amigos program is sponsored by Kelly-Moore Paints.

Little A's: The A's will treat children from Bay Area youth groups from low to moderate-income families to the games on Thursday, Aug. 16 and Friday, Aug. 17. In addition to a game ticket, each child will receive an A's pin and a pennant. The Little A's program is sponsored by Union Bank of California and supported by Clorox, The Men's Wearhouse and 5A Rent-A-Space.

Senior Days: The A's will provide tickets to various senior programs for the Thursday afternoon game on Aug. 16 vs. the White Sox.

Oakland A's Billiards and Baseball: The Inaugural A's Billiards and Baseball event will be held on Thursday, Aug. 16 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Massés Billiards Sports Bar & Grill in Walnut Creek. A's players such as Eric Chavez, Mark Ellis, Chad Gaudin, Dan Haren, Mark Kotsay, Shannon Stewart and Nick Swisher and A's coaches will team with fans and sponsors in a five round 8-Ball Tournament in order to raise funds for various organizations that assist children with special needs.

Bank of america Youth Baseball Clinic: The A's and Bank of America are hosting three youth baseball clinics this week for over 450 children from local organizations. The week concludes with an on-field clinic at McAfee Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 17 featuring A's outfielder Nick Swisher and a member of the A's coaching staff along with 150 children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland.

Rising Star: The A's Community Fund and ANG Newspapers will choose five student athletes throughout the season that excel on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The student will receive four tickets to an A's game, an award and a newspaper feature. Lauren Tyburski a recent graduate of Acalanes High School in Lafayette, compiled a 4.00 GPA while a competing in lacrosse, will be honored prior to the game on Friday, Aug. 17.

Oakland A's Kids Club: On Saturday, Aug. 18, 100 A's Kid's Club members are invited to watch batting practice from the field and a member of the A's Kids Club will be a guest public address announcer in the third inning. Children can join the A's Kids Club online at oaklandathletics.com. For a membership fee of $20 the child will receive a mini backpack that includes a membership card, lanyard, A's cap and wristband as well as a booklet of various coupons and discounts. The A's Kids Club is sponsored by the Oakland Zoo and Round Table Pizza.

Oakland A's Baseball Basics: An A's player will host a pre-game clinic for a selected Bay Area youth team prior to the game on Saturday, Aug. 18 vs. the Royals. This program allows aspiring young ball players to receive inside tips from an A's player during a pre-game clinic. In addition, each child receives a game ticket and an A's hat. A's Baseball Basics is sponsored by Health Net, A Better Decision.

Oakland A's Community Fund Silent Auction: The A's will host silent auctions of various sports memorabilia behind section 120 during all Saturday and Sunday home dates during the season. Proceeds benefit the A's Community Fund and other local charities. The silent auction partner on Aug. 18 is the Mt. Diablo YMCA and on Aug. 19 is Matthew Sooy Foundation.

Lions In Sight Eyeglasses Donation: The non-profit organization Lions In Sight will be collecting new and used eyeglasses at the A's vs. Royals game on Sunday, Aug. 19. Fans can donate their eyeglasses to the Lions Club outside of Gate D 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Take The Field With The A's: Prior to the game on Sunday, Aug. 19 vs. the Royals selected Little Leaguers will accompany A's players as they take the field, courtesy of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. The children stand with the players during the National Anthem and receive an autographed ball from A's players.

Race Around The Bases: Following every Sunday afternoon game, children 14 and under will have a chance to race around the bases, courtesy of Oh Boy! Oberto Beef Jerky. Samples of Oh Boy! Oberto Beef Jerky will be distributed to children who participate.

Promotions and Special Events

In-Stadium Promotions: Fans can pledge to be the Designated Driver after the A's game through the Anheuser-Busch "Good Sport Program." Fans who register for the program located behind section 120 will receive a free Pepsi, compliments of ARAMARK.

For every A's home run hit during home games this season, one lucky section of fans will receive a coupon for a free one topping personal pizza valid at participating Round Table Pizza locations. In addition, fans who purchase an A's Family Meal Deal at participating East Bay Round Table Pizza locations will receive an A's ticket voucher.

During the third inning of every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday home game an "Aloha Airlines A's Fan of the Inning" will be randomly selected. If an A's player hits a home run during the third inning, that lucky fan will win two roundtrip Airlines tickets from the Bay Area to Hawaii.

Fans can register to win a A's tickets, a player autographed jersey and free LASIK procedure from Dr. Gary Kawesch of Laser Eye Center, the Preferred LASIK Provider of the Oakland A's, at the display booth inside Gate D at every game. One winner each game will receive A's tickets and one grand prize winner will receive the autographed jersey and free LASIK procedure.

Fans who text the word TRAIN to 95615 during A's games will have the chance to win a trip for two to 2008 Oakland A's Spring Training in Phoenix including airfare, hotel, tickets to the game and a private batting practice visit, courtesy of Verizon Wireless. For complete rules visit textrules.com/oaklanda.

Oakland A's fans can log on to mlb.com/amp.m. throughout Aug. to enter the ampm "Ball Park Bigshot" Sweepstakes that features prizes such as 50 A's tickets or a VIP first pitch experience. For complete rules visit mlb.com/ampm.

Oakland A's Giveaways: On Saturday, Aug. 18, 10,000 fans will receive an A's Welcome Mat and baseball card, courtesy of E-LOAN and on Sunday, Aug. 19 for the game against the Royals, 10,000 kids through the turnstiles will receive an A's Back-to-School Backpack, courtesy of Macy's.

Oakland A's Player Appearance: Nick Swisher will be signing autographs for A's fans at 1st United Services Credit Union headquarters in Pleasanton on Saturday, Aug. 18 from 12 to 1 p.m. In celebration of the credit union's 75th anniversary there will also be a raffle, entertainment and a BBQ for guests attending. In addition, 1st United Services Credit Union will be making a $5,000 donation to "Swish's Wishes."

Ticket Offers
Bart Double Play Wednesday: Fans may purchase Plaza Reserved and Plaza Outfield tickets for $2 and hot dogs for just $1 on any Wednesday home game during the season.

Oakland A's Family Fun Pack Games: On 10 select dates during the season, fans may purchase four Field Level Outfield tickets and four meals (hot dog, chips, small soda) for just $80 ($140 value). The remaining A's Family Fun Pack games for the 2007 season are: Aug. 17 vs. Kansas City and Sept. 13 vs. Texas. The A's Family Fun Pack is sponsored by The Oakland Tribune, Contra Costa Times and San Jose Mercury News.

Cache Creek Saturday: The first 5,000 adult fans through the gates for Saturday home games will receive an instant scratcher card sponsored by Cache Creek Casino Resort. Prizes will include merchandise, discounts on merchandise, tickets, discounts on tickets, autograph baseballs and more.

Ticket Information: Tickets for all A's home games can be purchased at all usual ticket outlets, including McAfee Coliseum Box Office, on-line at oaklandathletics.com and all Tickets.com outlets or over the phone by calling (877) 493-BALL. Season, group and luxury suite tickets can be purchased by calling (510) 638-GoA's (4627). Individual game tickets for the 2007 season are priced at $44 (MVP), $40 (Plaza Club), $32 (Field Level), $30 (Field Level Outfield), $30 (Plaza Infield), $22 (Plaza Level), $16 (Plaza Outfield), $12 (Bleachers), and $9 (Plaza Reserved).

Source: MLB