ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, April 3, 1997                TAG: 9704040007
SECTION: QUICK LOOK               PAGE: 3    EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER

AVALANCHE TAKING THE FIELD AGAIN

Though it's not quite springtime in the Rockies, the boys of summer are back at Salem Memorial Stadium. The first pitch will be thrown Friday at 7 p.m. against the Durham Bulls to open the Salem Avalanche's season. Music by The Embers will fire up the fans and the players, starting at 5:30 p.m.

The fireworks (literally) continue Saturday at 7 p.m. The home stand against Durham wraps up at 2 p.m. Sunday, Stars of Winston Racing Day. New River Valley Speedway cars will be on display and drivers will sign autographs. (This is not quite NASCAR, guys.)

All season, Friday night home games will start with music at 5:30, and it won't be ``The Star Spangled Banner.'' Lots of special events, discounts and promotions are planned throughout the season to make a night at the stadium more than just a baseball game. How many places around here can you take a family for a reasonable price and keep everyone happy?

For ticket info and anything else you want to know, call 389-3333.

LENGTH: Short :   30 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  JANEL RHODA. Salem Avalanche's Sean Murphy (right) joins
          his teammates in warmups at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium this 
          week.