Red-Hot Canaries Back for “Anchorman” and “Beer Fest” Fun at The Birdcage
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) — They don’t know how to put this, but the Sioux Falls Canaries are kind of a big deal right now. People know them. They’re very important. They have many leatherbound books, and their ballpark smells of rich mahogany.
And the Birds — who sport the best record in the entire American Association of Professional Baseball and have won 11 of their last 15 games — will be providing nods like that to the movie “Anchorman” during Friday’s “I’m Ron Burgundy?” Night to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the cult comedy classic.
It’s part of a six-game homestand that started with a bang on Tuesday — a 13-1 gauging of the Gary Southshore RailCats 13-1 — and continues through Sunday’s 1:05 “Sunday Family Fun Day” contest. Saturday is “Beer Fest” Night — where, for a special $40 ticket, fans can enjoy 16 local brew samples, free popcorn, and the red-hot Birds starting an hour before the game at 4:35. The week also features a “bring your dog” game on a “Waggin’ Wednesday” (6:35), and a “Thirsty Thursday” game billed as “Sioux Falls’ Best Happy Hour” (4:05). But the highlight is Friday’s Ron Burgundy bash, with fireworks following the 7:05 game.
And, yes, the club’s staff is using bug spray machines to make sure the field, and fans, are protected from mosquitos and other insects that have sprouted all over the Upper Midwest after recent record rainfall. The Canaries are calling The Birdcage “a safe and fun outdoor escape” from the bug outbreak.
The Birds are providing plenty of fireworks on the field with a league-best 33-19 record, blasting the second-most home runs in the AAPB, belting the second-most triples, scoring the fourth-most runs, posting the second-best overall pitching stats, and leading the league in fielding. Six Canaries were just named to the league’s All-Star game — outfielder Josh Rehwalt, infielders Jordan Barth, Mike Hart and Trevor Auchenbach, and pitchers Ty Culbreth, Seth Miller, and Zach Veen.
Local talent has powered the way, with three of the six All-Stars having Sioux Falls ties. Rehwalt (University of Sioux Falls) stands among the top 10 hitters in the league in home runs (12), batting average (.335), RBI (41), hits (63), doubles (17) and triples (3) through 52 games. Miller (Augustana) is in the top five in the AAPB in wins (5), overall record (5-1), and ERA (3.25). Barth (Augustana) is among the team’s best three hitters in almost every category. Starting pitcher Tanner Brown (Harrisburg HS/Augustana), relief pitcher Brady Stover (SDSU) and catcher/outfielder Spencer Sarringer (Pierre HS/Northern State) have also provided regular contributions.
Since the final month of last season, the Canaries are an astounding 54-27, having won twice as many games as they have lost. That’s the best clip in the AAPB during that time. The Birdcage — where the Canaries have won 8 of their last 10 games — continues to uphold its reputation as a place where fans can expect to see a heap of home runs and extra base hits.
As exciting as the baseball is, The Birdcage experience offers a full food and drink menu, fan-engaged entertainment (fan games, mascots Cagey and Peep, a chance to beat a Canaries player in an on-field contest, Harry Canary, the 8th inning YMCA dance on field), and a free “Kids Zone” playground and bounce house area, supervised by the Canaries staff if parents/guardians want to drop off their kids for a while.
Tickets, including several options for individuals and groups, can be found at tickets.sfcanaries.com. More team info is at sfcanaries.com. A ticket discount is available for all military personnel, and fans save 10 percent on their ticket prices by ordering them 24 hours in advance.
Following this homestand, the Canaries will have 19 more home games. Promotions will include Christmas in July featuring the Scott Calvin Bobble Belly (July 26), Denim & Dukes Night (July 27), Area 51 Night (Aug. 9), Classic Cars Night (Aug. 10), Kids Night (Aug. 30), and College Night (Aug. 31).
Two music festivals are coming to The Birdcage on Aug. 17-18. Tacos & Tequila on Friday, Aug. 17 features 90′s and 00′s throwback hip hop artists like Lil Jon and Genuwine. Not Just a Phase Fest on Aug. 18 features throwback iconic pop-punk bands like Simple Plan and Story of the Year.
Here is more specific information about each game on this homestand:
Tuesday @ 6:35 vs the Gary Southshore RailCats — 2-Fer Tuesday. “Buy one, get one” deals on concessions and tickets. Fans can get two “executive” level tickets for $22 when purchased online at tickets.sfcanaries.com 24 hours in advance of the game! Gates open at 5:35.
Wednesday @ 6:35 vs the Gary Southshore RailCats — Waggin’ Wednesday presented by Mini-Critters. Dogs get in free, and there is a discount on hot dogs all game long, plus the chance to bid on the Canaries’ specialty dog jerseys the team will wear, featuring pictures of dogs that Canaries fans submitted. Gates open at 5:35.
Thursday @ 4:05 vs the Gary Southshore RailCats — Sioux Falls’ Best Happy Hour presented by WilLiquors. $3 domestic beers before the first pitch and $2 off all beers throughout the game. Gates open at 3:05.
Friday @ 7:05 vs the Winnipeg Goldeyes — “I’m Ron Burgundy? Night. The Birds celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the cinematic treasure “Anchorman” with classic Ron Burgundy clips and other twists, with a fireworks display after the game. Gates open at 6:05.
Saturday @ 5:35 vs the Winnipeg Goldeyes — Beer Fest Night. For a $40 ticket, fans can sample 16 pours of local brews, watch the game, and enjoy free popcorn, Pours start off at 4:35 when the gates open, and wrap up at 6:35, with the game starting at 5:35. Breweries offering tastes include Remedy, Fernson, Woodgrain, Take 16, Wooden Legs. Plus, “Carbliss” premium hand-crafted cocktails will be available.
Sunday @ 1:05 vs the Winnipeg Goldeyes — Sunday Family Fun Day. Fans can play catch in the outfield before the game until 12:35. After the game, fans can run the bases and get autographs from Canaries players. Gates open at 12:05.
Sioux Falls scored five times in the first inning. The opening run came via throwing error before Jordan Barth drove in three with a double. Spencer Sarringar added an RBI single before the Railcats could escape the inning. The Birds struck for four more runs in the second as Josh Rehwaldt and Mike Hart delivered back-to-back RBI hits and Hunter Clanin smacked a two-run homerun.
Rehwaldt produced an RBI single in the bottom of the third and Clanin ripped a solo shot to begin the fourth before Gary SouthShore got on the board with a sacrifice groundout in the fifth.
The Canaries added two more runs in the eighth on a two-run single from Jabari Henry. Tanner Brown worked a career-high eight innings, allowing a run on five hits and fanned six to earn his sixth win.
Henry finished with four hits as the Birds improve to 33-19 overall. The two teams will resume their three-game series Wednesday at 6:35pm.
