From the Nest #007

Published May 20th, 2025

LET THE SUMMER BEGIN

The grass has been cut, deliveries rolled in and tickets have been printed- the seats have been dusted off, the banners re-erected, golf carts charged, coolers filled and Sully has been practicing his selfie-perfect smile.

Baseball is finally returning to Gulls Field!

We’re back in your inbox a little sooner than usual- and with good reason. With all this fresh ballpark content, we are updating our newsletter to twice a week for the season.

Interested in receiving these emails? Subscribe to the Gulls Fan Mail to receive the From the Nest Newsletter as well as important ticketing and game-day information!

Click here to sign up!

It’s hard to believe, but the start of the 2025 season is just around the corner and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome you back to Gulls Field!

Our first exhibition game is this coming Thursday and just like that, we’re officially back in game mode. As the Gulls players from all around the world make their way to Sylvan this weekend, you’ll read below that the exhibition games on May 22 and May 27 have a surprising admission cost!

We’re also excited to share that longtime Gulls broadcaster Jim Claggett has joined our creative team to help bring you even more insider stories, behind-the-scenes scoops, and memorable moments from around the Nest. This edition covers all of that and more, including:

A full rundown of July & August theme nights
Insider look at the many updates to our Food & Beverage offerings
Mental Health Awareness Month and our Gulls Give Foundation giveaway
A few thoughts from Aqil on single-game ticket strategy and seating this season
The return of the Summer Send-Off concert and why you should grab tickets now
A quick update on how the Gulls 19U Prep team is performing this Spring

There’s lots to look forward to, so let’s get to it!

How We’re Keeping the Streak Alive (and You in the Seats)

Hello Gulls Fans,

As the 2025 WCBL season fast approaches our Ticketing Department is working hard to continue our sold out streak which currently sits at 4 years and 97 games!

We know it is a tough ticket and we are doing everything we can to ensure that the casual fan, the non-season ticket holder, has a chance to watch a game or two. Here are some of the things that the Ticketing Department is doing to make single game tickets available this season;

We shrunk our Season Ticket Holder base. We did the Season Ticket Lottery for the second time earlier this winter. This was done in an effort to shrink our season ticket base and leave more seats open for single game tickets. We took half the seats that were declined by season ticket holders from the 2024 season and put them in the lottery.

Last season we introduced “Ticket Turnbacks” to the Club Seat season ticket holders. They can electronically return their seats to us, if we resell them they get a credit on their account. The Ticketing Department has expanded this to the Loge Season Ticket holders. Both the Club Seat and Loge seats have until Noon on Gameday to do this. So if you are looking for seats a day or two before and there weren’t any earlier, there could be a chance that some are freed up!

The “Extra Games”. We added 3 league games to the schedule; June 3rd and 12th vs Energy City (formerly Edmonton) and June 14th vs Brooks. Energy City is building a new stadium in Spruce Grove and it won’t quite be ready. And Brooks had a scheduling issue in their stadium for the 14th. The Ticketing Department gave season ticket holders first right of refusal on their seats, that has now expired, so there are seats available for those games.

The moral of the story is; please don’t give up trying to get to a Gulls Game this season. The Gulls Ticketing Department is working hard to try to make seats available for everyone!

And I know what you are thinking, “why don’t you just build more seats!?”….stay tuned!!

Aqil Samuel
President and COO

Looking to squeeze in a few extra games this summer? Or maybe you want to get a first look at all the many stadium updates! We’ve got two exhibition games that we would love to see our fans support-

Wednesday, May 22 | Gulls 19U Prep vs. Red Deer Riggers
Monday, May 27 | Sylvan Lake Gulls vs. Red Deer Riggers

All tickets are just $5 — how can you say no to that?

This is your chance to rally your whole crew; bring your close buddies, friendly neighbours, long-lost cousins, favourite co-workers (well heck, for $5 you may as well invite the ones that you don’t even like too!) These games are the perfect opportunity to show encouragement to the next generation of Gulls players and give a warm welcome to the visiting Red Deer athletes.

Click the image of the game you’d like to attend to be directed right to the ticketing screen.

Sobeys Slugger is Back!

Know a young Gulls fan who deserves a moment in the spotlight?

We are proud and excited to bring back the Sobeys Slugger of the Game- a special opportunity for one lucky kid to join the Gulls starting lineup each home game this season. The selected Slugger will be introduced over the PA, join the team on the field during pre-game introductions, and even get to stand beside Sully for the national anthems.

SUBMIT TO NOMINATE

From the Kitchen | F&B Update

Excited to be moving forward with the Gulls Personal PIZZA SHACK!!! We will be featuring freshly baked pepperoni pizza. The shack, previously Cilantro and Chive Caesar bar is now the Alberta Springs 19th Hole– featuring caramel popcorn, cotton candy and Ballpark Mini Donuts!! Full Bar will also be added to the menu with orders going directly to the Provincial Patio Bar for immediate service, much like the BBQ Pit bar is ran.

The Bonefish Marine BBQ Pit is now the Whiz Bang and will be adding some mouth-watering choices: Buttery BBQ Corn on the Cob and Marinated flavourful Steak on a Stick.

Not to leave out the Main Concession! Amongst our full menu we are excited to bring in a Crispy Breaded Chicken breast burger, Mini Donuts and Brisket Soft Tacos (three 4.5 inch tacos) served with dill pickle jalapeño coleslaw and crispy onions. Our popcorn will be served in Popcorn Boxes, which I’m very excited for! We will be putting butter flavour in our oil so we will not be having to deal with the butter pumps.

As for our cheesecake nachos, we’ll be moving away from the full-size order. Based on feedback that they were just too big, we’ll now be offering individual, smaller portions.

Looking forward to another great summer!

Nicole Ball

Gulls Food & Beverage Manager

Friendly Reminder: Outdoor F&B Policy

To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all fans, outside food and beverages are not permitted inside Gulls Field – this includes personal water bottles.

Fans with specific dietary requirements or health concerns are encouraged to contact our team in advance. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

The game of baseball has plenty of stats to keep even the geekiest of number crunchers busy. Things we would never even think of get measured and tabulated and studied by each team’s experts to gain an advantage or insight. It’s number after number and the categories are getting too numerous to count. Well, here’s are some numbers each team doesn’t measure, at least I don’t think they do. The answers will happen at the end of this scribbling so don’t read ahead!

Let’s start with the game itself. We can joke around about how a baseball game will allow you to read a book or check out social media on your phone during the game because there’s not much action. On occasion, that statement is somewhat correct but how many minutes of actual action on the field are there in the typical 2.5 hour game?

The ball is of course a key element in any baseball game and teams on the major league level tend to use quite a few. How many balls do MLB teams use in a season? (I think this is as a league, not each team.) Staying with the ball, how many stitches are on a regulation MLB ball?

The great Babe Ruth hit a lot of those baseballs over various fences during his time as a player. On the occasion of his 700th round-tripper he decided he wanted to keep that one, so he made an offer to the fan who caught it. How much did the Sultan of Swat give to the fan?

Okay, a couple of other notes before the answers.

One of the greatest ever to take the mound was the incredible Nolan Ryan. I was lucky enough to see him pitch one day in Minneapolis as the Angels were there to play the Twins. It was incredible to say the least. So here are a few stats about the Ryan Express.

Average speed of a Ryan pitch was 100 mph
Over 27 seasons he struck out 5,714 batters
His best year was 1973 when he fanned 383
And he tossed seven no-hitters

Now here are the answers: 18 minutes actual playing time, 850,000 baseballs, 108 stitches, and Ruth shelled out a princely sum of $20 for the ball.

Theme Nights (Pt II)

And the fun keeps rolling! July and August are packed with exciting nights at Gulls Field- here’s what’s coming up:

Tuesday, July 1: Canada D’eh | Sponsored by Sobeys Sylvan Lake

Show your Canadian pride in red as we honour local veterans and celebrate everything that makes this country home. It’s a heartfelt and festive night filled with gratitude, community, and maple-leaf spirit.

Friday, July 4: Stars & Stripes | Sponsored by MGM Ford Lincoln

Following the excitement of Canada Day, we’re celebrating our American players and guests for their Independence Day! Deck yourself out in red, white, and blue to help us make our neighbours to the south feel welcome in our town.

Friday, July 11: Wild Wild West | Sponsored by Sobeys Sylvan Lake

Dust off those cowboy boots and pull on your favourite denim- this night is all about western flair! We’re wrangling up some rustic fun for a true prairie-style celebration.

Friday, July 18: Taylor Swift Night | Sponsored by Cooperators Insurance

Calling all Swifties! We’re officially in our baseball era and ready to sing, dance, and cheer like it’s a sold-out stadium tour. Get your friendship bracelets and glitter ready!

Saturday, July 26: Hawaiian Luau | Sponsored by Re+Active Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic

A true fan favourite! As always, every fan will receive a colourful lei at the gates. With tropical vibes all around, this night brings the island spirit right to the ballpark.

Sunday, July 27: Community Heritage Double Header | Sponsored by LifeLegacy Wealth Management

It’s a full day to celebrate the incredible diversity in our community and our country! Whether it’s your country’s flag, traditional dress, or even a jersey that represents your family roots and culture- wear it proudly. This is a double-header day and we hope these outfits will spark connection and conversation throughout the park.

Thursday, July 31: Billet Appreciation Ceremony | Sponsored by MGM Ford Lincoln

Before first pitch, we’ll take a moment to recognize the generous billet families who open their homes and hearts to our players and coaches each summer. Make sure you have some tissues on hand..

Friday, August 1: Disco Fever | Sponsored by Adrenalin Motors

Last year’s 80s party rocked the park, so we’re grooving back another decade! Pull out the bell bottoms, bust out the sequins, and let’s boogie under the ballpark lights.

Saturday, August 2: Fan Appreciation Night | Sponsored by Cenovus

We wrap up the season with a bang! From special giveaways to post-game fireworks, it’s our way of saying thank you to the best fans in the league. Plus, don’t miss the Gulls Give Foundation’s annual live auction, happening just before the fireworks begin while our tech team sets the stage.

Last August, the Gulls Summer Send-Off made its big debut and it was an unforgettable night. With performances from High Valley, Ashley Ghostkeeper, and Dallas Alexander, the stadium was filled with voices singing along and dancing under the lights. This year, we’re building on that success in a big way…

We’re enhancing the VIP section, introducing a brand-new local artisan market beside the food truck area, adding more outdoor games, and setting the stage for even more incredible memories. Not to mention an impressive lineup of musical talent!

Gord Bamford, one of Canada’s most decorated country artists, will start the night with his signature blend of heartfelt lyrics and high-energy showmanship. Kalsey Kulyk, known for her raw vocals and powerful storytelling, brings a fresh and authentic sound that’s impossible to ignore. And headlining for the Summer Send-Off is Josh Ross, fresh off his first-ever JUNO Award win for Country Album of the Year. His rising-star status and crossover appeal are sure to make this performance one to remember.

We’re incredibly proud of the countless hours going into organizing this event, and we can’t wait to share the experience with you.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!