With Irene on Deck, BlueClaws Adjust Finale Schedule

With Hurricane Irene rapidly the Jersey Shore, the Lakewood BlueClaws have announced changes to their final home stand of the regular season.

The South Atlantic League Affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies will welcome the Hickory CrawDads to town starting tonight, but in a different format than originally anticipated. 

Starting tonight, the teams will square off at 7:05 in the first game of the series. Assuming the weather holds out through the night, the BlueClaws will also have one of their final post game fireworks display of the season after the game. The 7:05 game on Saturday has been moved to 12:05 p.m. in an effort to beat the storm's arrival as well. 

Also at Saturday's game, the team will honor one of the best players in its history with a Ryan Howard Commemorative Mini-Jersey giveaway. The first 2000 fans will get the special souvenir honoring the player with one of the biggest bats ever to play at FirstEnergy Park. 

With Irene expected to make her presence felt at full force on Sunday, the team has already postponed the game for that day. The BlueClaws and CrawDads are scheduled to play a double header on Monday assuming conditions allow. For those fans who have tickets to Sunday's game, the team says they can use them for any of the remaining games this season including Friday or Saturday. They can also be held until next season.

If Monday's games do happen, the first of the seven inning contests will start at 5:05. It will also be a kids eat free day. The second game will feature a jersey pillow giveaway to the first 2000 fans 17 and under. Kids will also eat free at that game as well. 

The last home game of the year is scheduled for Tuesday and will be Fan Appreciation Night. As part of the festivities the team will have $1 specials on a variety of items each inning. 

Even when they finish this series, the Claws still have one more trip to Hagerstown before the regular season comes to an end. With time running out, the BlueClaws are still in contention for a spot in the playoffs. Having won their last five games, the team is just two games out of first place. 

The Kannapolis Intimidators are currently leading the league, standing 11 games over .500, but the local squad can still make a run at their top spot. Hickory is technically in second place, but having won the first half title they are already assured of a spot in the playoffs. If the Claws can beat them, and the currently fourth place Hagerstown squad it could give them a shot at their third straight title.