The excitement these days at Clipper Magazine Stadium is all about the big ice-skating rink in right field.

It's scheduled to open for the winter this Friday evening, and has lots of new offerings for skaters and families.

Things like chances to skate with Cylo, the wildly popular mascot who can be found at the stadium on summer nights when baseball is being played.

But excitement also is building over the 2009 baseball season, the fifth in the Lancaster Barnstormers' history, team officials said this week.

Several fan-suggested ideas have already been incorporated into the season, which begins Thursday, April 23.

Other details for 2009 still have to be worked out, but the team has announced these plans:

• The schedule will offer 22 fireworks shows in 2009, up from 15 in each of the first four seasons.

• The fireworks will be offered each Saturday night the team is at home, as well as seven Friday nights and following four Sunday evening games (May 17, June 7, July 19 and Aug. 16).

• Also, Saturday night games have been moved up, to 6:35 p.m., based on the suggestion of fans.

• Regular times for weekday games will remain 7:05 p.m., with the exception of 1:35 p.m. games on Memorial Day (May 25) and Labor Day (Sept. 7).

• The team's annual Baseball in Education game, a popular school field trip for classes in the area, will be Tuesday, May 26, at 11:05 a.m.

• At the other end of the age spectrum, the Barnstormers' will hold their first-ever "Senior Day" on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 1:05 p.m.

It will feature discounts and pomotions designed for senior citizens.

The offerings are all part of trying to keep the team a popular entertainment option, especially with the uncertain economy, new Barnstormers' general manager Vince Bulik said Wednesday.

"We think we offer the best value in Lancaster County, and want to keep it that way," he said.

The team has averaged more than 5,000 fans a game over its first four seasons.

It has not disclosed ticket prices for 2009. Season ticket packages are now available, but individual game tickets will not be for sale until closer to the season.

The ice rink, now entering its third winter season, also has been popular with a range of people.

And the team wants that to continue, or even grow, in 2008-09.

Unlike past years, the schedule will not be divided into skating sessions, so skaters will able to skate for as long as they want for either $6 (if they bring their own skates) or $9 with skate rental.

There are other discounts for students and youngsters, and Thursday nights will feature Cylo skating with kids, and possibly other mascots from the Barnstormers' Atlantic League.

Also under consideration is live entertainment on Friday nights and movies on Saturday nights.

For details on the skate park, and  other information on the 2009 season, call 509-4487 or visit www.lancasterbarnstormers.com.


Staff writer David O'Connor can be reached at doconnor@LNPnews.com or 481-6033.