Jersey Shore BlueClaws Back in the Stadium,
Providing Competitive Entertainment and Family Fun
52 JUNE 2021 | TheJournalNJ.com
BY TIM MORRIS
One of the most popular summer pastimes at the Jersey
Shore is back. Professional Minor League baseball and its
fan-friendly environment have returned to FirstEnergy Park
in Lakewood with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws after a year’s ab-
-
on May 4 at FirstEnergy Park.
“There’s a lot of excitement,” said BlueClaws Director of Communications
and radio broadcaster Greg Giombarrese. “It’s a unique
year for us with the name change, the move up in level and the 614
days between the opening of the season and our last game.”
As expected, the response from the public and area businesses
has been positive. When tickets went on sale, the public de-
2001, nearly 8 million people have gone through the turnstiles to
watch a game. Catching a BlueClaws game became a must-do.
Because of current restrictions to the 6,588-seat capacity sta-
two- to six-person pods with social distancing.
However, more fans can see the team play in person via the
stadium’s 360-degree concourse where outdoors, they can view
games from picnic tables and grass berms.
Besides the simple return to play, there’s excitement about the caliber
of baseball being played in Lakewood. Jersey Shore is playing in the
High A East Division this year, not the new Low A league.
“The players are one step closer to the Major Leagues,” Giombarrese
pointed out.
The 2021 BlueClaws are managed by Chris Adamson and have a
30-man roster. Major League health protocols are being followed in the
Minor Leagues. It’s more likely than ever that fans will have the opportunity
to see players who will be moving up to the Big Leagues.
Because of the pandemic and the ensuing loss of revenue, Major
League Baseball restructured the Minor Leagues with many towns
losing their teams due to the cost cutting. Giombrasse said the Blue-
back in business.
“We had a great relationship with the Phillies
all along, and we were great partners,” he explained.
Even playing in the Single A loop, the Blue-
Claws sent more than their fair share of players to
the next level.
Giombarrese noted, “108 players have gone
from the shore to the show."
The team has retired two numbers, the No. 19
of Cole Hamels and No. 29 of Ryan Howard. Hamels
was an All-Star pitcher for the Phillies and the MVP
of Philadelphia’s 2008 World Series champions.
First baseman Howard was also a multiple All-Star
for Philadelphia as well as Rookie of the Year, the
National League’s 2006 MVP and was a key member
of the ’08 champion team.
Another positive of the restructuring is the division the BlueClaws
are in. They are in with the Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees), Brooklyn
Cyclones (Mets), Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals) and Aberdeen
Iron Birds (Orioles). Having the Yankee and Met teams in the division is
a plus, Giombarrese explained, because it will help with attendance as
Yankee and Met teams will draw their fans to the stadium. Also, the close
proximity of the teams will make it easier for BlueClaws fans to see their
team play on the road. The BlueClaws are playing a 120-game schedule
with 60 home dates.
Besides the baseball, the BlueClaws offer plenty of other activities
for fans. In 2018, the club renovated the ball park, adding the Toyota
Home Run Pavilion that includes a nine-hole miniature golf course (each
hole is named for a former BlueClaw) and boardwalk games and rides
for the family. In addition, there are 17 live Fireworks Nights, including
July 4, and theme nights. Among the theme nights are Pride Night (June
4), Girl Scout Family Night (June 11), Father’s Day (June 13), Camp Day
(July 6), Military Appreciation Night (July 8), Autism
Awareness Night (Aug. 6) and Fan Appreciation Night
(Sept. 12).
Baseball fans aren’t the only ones who are happy
that baseball is back. So are those who depend
on work at the stadium for employment. When the
BlueClaws are home, they employ up to 200 people.
That’s work that wasn’t available a year ago.
The BlueClaws were the Lakewood BlueClaws until
the 2021 season. Giombarrese said the team had
planned to make the change from Lakewood to Jersey
Shore in 2020 to acknowledge its large fan base.
“The name change was the next logical step, to
embrace the support we have from all over the Jersey
Shore,” said Giombarrese.
/TheJournalNJ.com