CHANGES APLENTY FOR BIRDS AND THEIR CAGE

By Timothy C. Davis
Staff Writer

Every year, minor league baseball undergoes a sea of changes unlike its major league counterpart. Nightly promotions feature fresh theme night ideas (the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, for instance, will add a "Green Acres Night" this year) and new celebrity appearances (Dora the Explorer, dancing "nerd" Myron Noodleman) to keep fans interested.

There are new players, too. Minor league baseball, by its very nature, means a lot of roster turnover as players move up and down the line. Here in Myrtle Beach, guys are sent up to the AA affiliate, Mississippi, or else down to low-A Rome, Ga.

At the Pelicans' home park, BB&T Coastal Field, where the Pelicans host the season's home opener on Friday, there are changes afoot in the very facility, too. Below, we take a look at some of the more interesting changes the team and its field have undergone in the off-season.

The Field:

• 

  A view of the new Landshark Landing from the "Beach" at BB&T Coastal Field.
  Photo by Scott Smallin, Staff Photographer

  

  "Lifeguard" chairs on Pelican Beach.
  Photo by Scott Smallin, Staff Photographer
  The outfield reserved bleacher section - the only outfield seating in the Carolina League - has been renamed Land Shark Landing (so-named after the sponsor, Jimmy Buffett's Land Shark Lager) and will feature concessionaires and beer vendors.
  
  
• The main entry plaza now hosts The Pepsi Grille and cafe-style seating.
  
  
• Seating has been increased in Pelicans beach, and so-called "lifeguards" will replace uniformed employees; new high-top chairs and tables above the beach area.
  
  
• New tables and netting have been added to the first base picnic area.
  
  
• Backstop netting has been replaced.
  
  
• A "Road to the Show" Wall of Pelicans who have made it to the major leagues, located in the concourse.
  
  
• Full-time food vendors in the stands.
  
  
• New menu items, including cookies and milk; BBQ sandwiches; shrimp basket; clam strips; kids' meals and energy drinks.
  
  
• A revamped video- and audio-ready website, www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com, with special game-day features.
  
  
• A hand-operated scoreboard on the first base side of the diamond for folks sitting in the outfield.

The Fun:

• BB&T Coastal Field in Myrtle Beach will host the 2008 California/Carolina League All-Star Game on June 24.
  
  
• Kids can run the field after every ballgame.
  
  
• A chance to play catch on the field before every game on Sundays.
  
  
• 

  Dinger's brother Duece.
  Courtesy Photo
  Dinger-"The Home Run Dog" - will be joined by his brother Deuce on the field.
  
  
• A daily autograph session on the field prior to every home game.
  
  
• Locals' discount featuring $5 tickets for residents of the Grand Strand on Saturdays.
  
  
• Revamped weekly promotions: Mondays are Guitar Hero tournament night; Tuesdays are 2-for-1 tickets with a S.C. Education Lottery ticket; Thursdays offer $1 draft beer, food specials and live entertainment from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. (co-sponsored by Weekly Surge); and Fridays are Baseball Bingo night.
  
  
• 17 total giveaways, including 10th Anniversary Photo-balls, replica bats, beach towels, sand buckets and more.
  
  
• Entertainer schedule including stops by Dora the Explorer (April 15), Myron Noodleman (May 21), The Amazing Christopher (May 31), Zooperstars (May 16), Reggy the Purple Party Dude (August 5), and Dave the Horn Guy (June 5).
  
  
• Expanded theme nights, including Toga Party Night (April 21), Motorboatin' Night (April 24), Indiana Jones Night (May 22), Kung Fu Night (June 26), Stunt Night: A Tribute to Evel Knievel (August 14), Green Acres Night (August 4), and two Bark in the Park nights (June 13 and August 27)

The Talent:

• Bill Shanks is a sports broadcaster and the writer and publisher of thebravesshow.com, a prospect-geared Website. His work there is also syndicated on FoxSports.com. We asked Shanks to give us a quick preview of Pelicans to keep an eye on in the new season.
  
  "Gorkys Hernandez and Brandon Hicks are the two players I believe Myrtle Beach fans should really watch closely early in the season," Shanks says, "especially since I'm not sure how long they'll be in the Carolina League. Hernandez, acquired from the Tigers in the Edgar Renteria trade, could be a five-tool talent by the time his development is over. He's got great speed now and outstanding defensive ability. If he's able to improve his power numbers, and the coaches think he will, Hernandez could be a special player. Hicks is just one of those players your grandmother could watch and say, 'he's a ballplayer.' He handles himself very well and has very good skills.
  
  "Starter Tommy Hanson proved on Opening Night in Wilmington (authors' note: Hanson had 13 strikeouts) why you have to keep an eye on him this season. Hanson is a tall pitcher with a good fastball, good curve, and an improving changeup. He and Cole Rohrbough - who will eventually be in Myrtle Beach - could be the top two pitching prospects in the entire system."