BlueClaws Opening Night Set For May 4 With Special Event

Photo courtesy Jersey Shore BlueClaws

  LAKEWOOD – It may be the dead of winter but thoughts of spring are in the air as members of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws plan to kick off their 20th anniversary season.

  The minor league baseball team will begin playing ball on May 4 by welcoming the Hudson Valley Renegades, affiliate of the Yankees, to the ballpark. The team’s opening night will be presented by Jenkinson’s Boardwalk.

  The season opener marks the return of baseball to the Jersey Shore for the first time in 614 days. The BlueClaws will host Hudson Valley for a six-game series that will include the debut of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, freshly re-branded in October.

  “We are thrilled to be able to release our 2021 schedule and officially start the countdown of both the BlueClaws’ return to the diamond and the debut of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws,” Managing Partner of Shore Town Baseball Art Matin said.

  The 2021 schedule is 120 games in length and runs from May 4 through September 19 with the BlueClaws home for 60 games. Each series will be six games in length and run from Tuesday through Sunday with teams off each Monday.

  Game times will be announced at a later date. The BlueClaws will welcome seven different teams to the Jersey Shore, including the Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets), Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees), Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals), and Aberdeen IronBirds (Orioles).

  The team’s complete 2021 schedule can be found at bit.ly/3dmJKq1

  “Being able to welcome in Brooklyn and Hudson Valley among several new teams to the Shore, play in High-A for the first time, and simply the confirmation that we’ll be returning after a year away makes the release of the schedule a truly special day for all of us,” BlueClaws Team President Joe Ricciutti said.

  The team will be playing home games on July 3, July 4 as well as on Mother’s Day on May 9. Updates will be posted to blueclaws.com.

  The BlueClaws continues to work with state and local officials regarding a set of health and safety protocols for the protection of staff, players, coaches, fans and other personnel while attending games.

  Ricciutti said, “we’re in constant communication with the appropriate authorities and health departments to best develop a strong set of protocols to enable fans to safely attend a Jersey Shore BlueClaws game.”

   “We are committed to providing a safe environment for everyone when they come out to the Ballpark,” Ricciutti added.

  In the coming weeks, the BlueClaws will release further information about the 2021 season, including a fireworks schedule and a theme night schedule. The BlueClaws will also begin the process of reaching out to ticket package holders and group leaders regarding date selection for the season.

  All fans should exercise some patience during this process. Single-game tickets for all 60 home games will go on sale at a later date. In 2018, the BlueClaws opened a mini golf course, boardwalk game area, and Biergarten inside the ballpark that have all proven to be popular fan attractions over the last two seasons.

  In October 2020, the team changed its name from the Lakewood BlueClaws to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws starting a new era in the ball club’s history.