Drive, Prisma Partner on Next COVID-19 Vaccination Event August 5

 

The Greenville Drive, in partnership with Prisma Health, are set to host the latest COVID-19 vaccination event at Fluor Field this coming Thursday August 5th as part of the Drive’s game against the Rome Braves. This will be the 4th vaccination event hosted at Fluor Field this season as the Drive, together with their long-time partner Prisma Health, set out to educate and protect the community from the ongoing challenges brought about by COVID-19.

With virus variants emerging and COVID once again surging in the community, getting vaccinated is more important than ever for the health & safety of our community.

The latest vaccination event at Fluor Field next Thursday will take place from 6-8pm in the Power Alley hospitality area of the ballpark, directly inside the Main Street entrance to the stadium. No appointments are needed; vaccinations will be offered on a walk-up basis and administered by officials with Prisma Health. The Pfizer vaccine will be administered free of charge; those 12 years of age or older, needing their first or second dose, will be eligible. For those needing their second dose, it must be a minimum of three weeks since their first dose, but no later than six weeks.

To help encourage participation, all of those that get vaccinated at Fluor Field will receive a complimentary ice cream at the Drive’s destination ice cream stand Sweet Caroline’s as well as a complimentary ticket to any remaining 2021 regular season game.

“Getting vaccinated is the most critical thing we can all do to protect ourselves, our families, and our community. By partnering with Prisma Health to offer vaccinations at our games, we can help our community move closer to ending the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Drive Owner & President Craig Brown.

Drive Announce Mayor Knox White As Organization’s 15th Annual Green Day Honoree

 

Greenville, S.C. – The Greenville Drive, Advanced-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, announced today that Mayor Knox White has been selected as the honoree for the team’s annual Green Day celebration, presented by TD Bank, this year to be held on Wednesday August 4th at Fluor Field when the Drive host the Rome Braves.

Each year, the Drive pay tribute to an individual who has helped make Greenville one of the most electric and dynamic cities in the country. Over the course of his more than 25 years as mayor, no one has had a more profound and transformational impact on our city than Mayor White. From the creation of Falls Park and the Liberty Bridge, the development along the Reedy River, Unity Park, the Swamp Rabbit Trail, and our very own Fluor Field, everyone across our City has benefitted from Mayor White’s vision and leadership. The Drive are excited and honored to recognize Mayor White as this year’s Green Day honoree.

“Knox White was born in Greenville, grew up in Greenville, and transformed Greenville into one of the world’s most admired, awarded, and livable cities,” said Greenville Drive Owner & President Craig Brown. “We can’t think of a more deserving person for this year’s Green Day honoree than Mayor White. His vision and leadership have propelled us forward and positioned our great city for even greater future success.”

“Greenville is not just an amazing city, it is my home and my passion,” noted Mayor Knox White. “While it takes a lot of hard work and strong working partnerships, like the one we have with The Drive to accomplish what we have here and maintain our positive momentum, serving this city has been the proudest accomplishment and one of the greatest joys of my life. I am proud to be the Drive’s 2021 Green Day honoree, and I’m even more excited about what’s next.”

White joins an acclaimed group of Green Day honorees, including Mayor Max Heller and his wife, Trudy (2006); Greenville City Councilwoman Lillian Brock Flemming and Greenville County Councilwoman Xanthene Norris (2007); former Greenville Technical College President Dr. Tom Barton (2008); businessman and philanthropist C. Dan Joyner (2009); civic leader, judge and attorney Merl Code (2010); former S.C. Governor and U.S. Secretary of Education Dick Riley (2011); South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Founder Dr. Virginia Uldrick (2012); environmentalist and attorney Tommy Wyche (2013); philanthropists Hayne and Anna Kate Hipp (2014); Centennial American Properties CEO David Glenn (2015); Erwin Penland Co-Founder Joe Erwin (2016); Hughes Development Corporation Chairman Bob Hughes (2017), Spinx Chairman Stewart Spinks (2018) and Southernside Neighborhood President Mary Duckett (2019).

In honor of Green Day & Greenville’s birthday celebration, Drive players will wear special green uniforms and caps on Green Day, and fans are encouraged to create a “green out” by sporting green as well. First pitch is set for 7:05pm against the Rome Braves. The first 2,000 fans through the stadium gates will receive a commemorative Green Day t-shirt or superhero cape, all courtesy of TD Bank. And then make sure to stick around after the game for a spectacular fireworks show in celebration of Greenville’s birthday.

Drive to Host Aerospace Night July 23

 

Make plans to join us at Fluor Field on Friday July 23rd for the Drive’s first-ever Aerospace Night event at the ballpark. Working in close collaboration with the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness & the SC Aerospace team, this is a highly unique event that the Drive are excited to begin hosting on an annual basis beginning this season.

The Aerospace industry will be spotlighted & celebrated for the entire evening as we shine a light on the leaders, companies, and organizations driving the Aerospace industry’s success in our community and across the state. Bring your kids and the whole family to the ballpark to learn about the latest exciting technologies & advancements driving the Aerospace industry’s success in our region. Lockheed Martin will have a special set-up on the stadium concourse with a highly engaging and interactive exhibit talking about their company and their specific work in Greenville. And make sure to get to the game early as you don’t want to miss the pre-game flyover!

Tickets start at just $9 and can be purchased directly by clicking here. Gates open at 6pm, with the Drive’s first pitch against the Greensboro Grasshoppers scheduled for 7pm. See you at the game!

First Responders Celebration is Sunday

 

The Drive’s series with Aberdeen wraps up on Sunday July 11th, with first pitch at 3:05pm with our annual First Responders Day celebration. This annual event at the ballpark recognizes & celebrates the sacrifice of all our community’s First Responders and thanks them for keeping us safe & healthy – this past year more than ever. Make sure to bring your kids and check out Heroes Alley on Field Street (presented by Ingles) beginning at 1pm with great music, face painters, balloon artists, bounce houses, and a special opportunity to see & climb in actual First Responder vehicles. And then make sure to stick-around post-game for Kids Run The Bases, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield!

Military Appreciation Day July 4th at Fluor Field

 

The Greenville Drive is excited to host Military Appreciation Day Sunday, July 4th.

First pitch against Winston-Salem, affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, is set for 6:05 pm. Gates will open at 5:00 pm. The Grumpy Old Jazzmen will play in the Main Street Plaza.

All veterans and active military will receive a $5 ballpark voucher, compliments of the Drive (pick up at tables near entrance gates). Our military celebration includes a pre-game ceremony featuring color guard, gun salute and vintage WWII warbirds flyover at the end of the anthem; military vehicle display on Field Street pre-game and in-game; recognizing and honoring our veterans and active military throughout the game; and military organizations display on the concourse.

There will also be a Fourth of July pre-game cookout. The $25 package includes a ticket to the picnic, the Drive game and postgame fireworks! Use the password july4 to buy your tickets here!

Postgame there will be a hot dog eating contest. Preliminary winners from our contests during the past homestand will compete for the 2021 title! Additional day of sign ups will take place at the Drive’s Info Center, located behind home plate.

For the grand finale, the Drive will provide the only public fireworks display in Greenville, which will start after the game but no earlier than 9:45.

Celebrate Greenville County Schools Employees June 16th

 

Come out to Fluor Field on Wednesday June 16th as the Drive recognize & thank teachers and all staff from Greenville County Schools on finishing the school year! After an unprecedented year, everyone from the community will have an opportunity to come out to Fluor Field to recognize, celebrate, and thank GCS staff on a job very well done. For the entire game, we will be celebrating the people, programs and accomplishments of Greenville County Schools.

As a special thank you and congratulations from the Drive, all GCS teachers & staff receive a complimentary ticket to the game as well as a $5 ballpark voucher (available for pick up upon arrival at the stadium). In addition, all GCS personnel will receive a 20% discount at the Drive team store.

All GCS employees, visit www.greenvilledrive.com/groupportal and use password GCS to enter your specific ticket portal. Enter promo code TEACH at check out for your complimentary ticket (make sure to click apply!). For all other tickets, please click here.

See you at Fluor Field on the 16th! Gates open at 6pm with first pitch to follow at 7pm.

Food & Beverage Job Fair at Fluor Field Saturday From 11 AM to 2 PM

 

Are you looking to join a winning team this Summer? Would you like to have Fluor Field as your “work” backdrop? With the 2021 season underway, the Drive are looking to fill key roles within the award-winning Food & Beverage team over the remaining 48 home games.

The Drive will host a Food & Beverage Job Fair at Fluor Field this Saturday, May 29th from 11 AM to 2 PM. Those interested in finding out more about these opportunities, and applying, should enter Fluor Field through the Main Street Gate.

The positions that the Drive are looking to fill include the following:

  • Concession Stand Manager
  • sEATz In-Seat Food Order Deliverer
  • Suite and Hospitality Hosts and Hostesses
  • Bartenders
  • Picnic Managers
  • Concession Stand Prep Cook
  • Subway Concession Stand Operator
  • Dishwasher

Pay rates start at $10/hour, and also include a “sign-on” and “end of season” bonus opportunity.

If you cannot attend Saturday’s Job Fair, please contact the Drive’s Food & Beverage Director, Preston Madill, by clicking HERE to send him an email.

Drive, Prisma Partner on Next COVID-19 Vaccination Event June 1st

 

Consistent with its ongoing “Front Porch Of The Community” focus, the Greenville Drive and Prisma Health will host a series of COVID-19 vaccination events to occur at Fluor Field throughout the Drive’s 2021 season.

After a successful vaccination event on May 6th, the Drive announced today that the next will be as part of the home game on Tuesday, June 1st.

Vaccinations will take place from 6-8pm in the Power Alley hospitality area of Fluor Field, directly inside the Main Street entrance to the stadium. No appointments are needed; vaccinations will be offered on a walk-up basis and administered by officials with Prisma Health. The Pfizer vaccine will be administered free of charge; those 16 years of age or older, needing their first or second dose, will be eligible. For those needing their second dose, it must be a minimum of three weeks since their first dose, but no later than six weeks.

To help encourage participation, all of those that get vaccinated on June 1st at Fluor Field will receive a complimentary ice cream at the Drive’s destination ice cream stand Sweet Caroline’s as well as a complimentary ticket to any remaining 2021 regular season game.

“Getting vaccinated is the most critical thing we can all do to protect ourselves, our families, and our community. By partnering with Prisma Health to offer vaccinations at our games, we can help our community move closer to ending the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Drive Owner & President Craig Brown.

Great Fundraising Opportunities at Fluor Field All Season Long

 

Is your team, non-profit, youth group, school band looking for a great and exciting way to raise funds? The Greenville Drive are looking for fun, energetic and eager groups to work in the concession stands during the 2021 season!

Organizations interested in finding out more information should contact the Drive’s Director of Food & Beverage, Preston Madill, by clicking HERE to send him an email.

Groups are expected to provide 8-12 individuals at their assigned games, to work registers, assist in food prep and order fulfillment, as well as in-seat delivery through the sEATz mobile app.

Fluor Field to Host District 356 Minority & Women-Owned Business Vendor Fair

 

Join the City of Greenville, the Greenville Drive and CF Evans for a Minority and Women-Owned business Vendor Fair for District, 356, a new entertainment district adjacent to Fluor Field.

At the event, scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th at Fluor Field from 6 to 7:30 PM, local minority and women-owned businesses will have the opportunity to bid on Downtown Greenville’s most exciting new project.

While not required, businesses are encouraged to pre-register for the event by clicking HERE.

Specific business categories include:

  • Industrial pressure washing
  • Landscaping
  • Materials testing
  • Paving
  • Hauling
  • Equipment rental
  • Asphalt/concrete
  • Fencing
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Stonework/pavers

The Drive will also be accepting applications for 2021 game day staff opportunities during the event.

Fluor Field to Serve as COVID Vaccination Site Thursday

 

Consistent with its ongoing “Front Porch Of The Community” focus, the Greenville Drive are excited to announce today, in partnership with Prisma Health, a series of COVID-19 vaccination events to occur at Fluor Field throughout the Drive’s 2021 season. The Drive announced plans this week to host the first vaccination event on Thursday, May 6th during their doubleheader against the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

On Thursday, vaccinations will take place from 6-8pm in the Power Alley hospitality area of Fluor Field, directly inside the Main Street entrance to the stadium. No appointments are needed; vaccinations will be offered on a walk-up basis and administered by officials with Prisma Health. The Pfizer vaccine will be administered free of charge; those 16 years of age or older, needing their first or second dose, will be eligible. For those needing their second dose, it must be a minimum of three weeks since their first dose, but no later than six weeks.

To help encourage participation, all of those that get vaccinated on May 6th at Fluor Field will receive a complimentary ice cream at the Drive’s destination ice cream stand Sweet Caroline’s as well as a complimentary ticket to any remaining 2021 regular season game.

“Getting vaccinated is the most critical thing we can all do to protect ourselves, our families, and our community. By partnering with Prisma Health to offer vaccinations at our games, we can help our community move closer to ending the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Drive Owner & President Craig Brown.

Greenville Drive, Inspired By Community Support, Continued Winning Ways In 2020 Despite Cancelled Season

 

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Despite the cancellation of the 2020 Minor League Baseball (MiLB) season, the Greenville Drive continued to rack up wins, finishing 2020 and entering 2021 strong with multiple honors and accolades, both locally and nationally. These awards come as an acknowledgement of the franchise’s excellence in management, unwavering commitment to community service and advocacy for timely issues. Most importantly, the awards recognize the team’s and the Greenville area’s perseverance in the face of the unprecedented challenges of the past year.

Local Awards & Recognitions

The Drive’s 2020 local awards come across a range of categories, from education and social justice to economic empowerment and positive growth.

  • Urban League of the Upstate’s Corporate Citizen Award: The Drive was honored as the Urban League of the Upstate’s Corporate Citizen Award for its shared vision for and support of economic empowerment, educational opportunities and the guarantee of civil rights for the underserved in our area, issues that took on additional significance this year.
  • Southernside Neighborhood Goodwill Ambassadors of the Year: Greenville’s Southernside neighborhood, which represents a large portion of Greenville’s urban core, recognized Drive owners Craig and Vicki Brown as Goodwill Ambassadors of the Year for their efforts to increase access to commercial centers and recreational space, enhance employment and economic empowerment, and strengthen community character.
  • Greenville County Schools Partner of the Year: Greenville County Schools, a longtime partner of the Drive, named the team its 2020 Partner of the Year in recognition of its ongoing educational programming, student and teacher advocacy and charitable support.
  • Greenville Literacy Association Partner of the Year: Greenville Literacy Association awarded the Drive this prestigious accolade based on the team’s literacy and employment programs and initiatives aimed at individual and community improvement and success.
  • Greenville News Best Local Sports Team: Based entirely on community voting, the Drive was named the Upstate’s favorite sports team, beating out all local professional and even collegiate teams and demonstrating the high regard the community has for its efforts.

Major National Recognition & A Significant Promotion

The Drive’s wins continued with a major national accolade.

  • Freitas Award (Nation’s Top Single A Franchise): Based on the achievements outlined above, Baseball America honored the Drive with the Bob Freitas Award, honoring the nation’s top Single-A franchise. The Drive earned accolades for its relevant & powerful community programming as well as its ongoing operational excellence.
  • Boston Red Sox Advanced-A Status: Despite the most challenging season in MiLB’s 100+ year history, and during a period of significant contraction of MiLB clubs across the country, the Drive maintained & extended its 17+ year affiliation history with the Boston Red Sox and beginning in 2021 will play as the Red Sox Advanced-A level affiliate.

Business Success and Continued Strong Partnerships

The Drive also enjoyed great success in delivering value to its long-term partners and expanding its sponsor base throughout the past year despite the Drive’s cancelled 2020 season. While the season cancellation made it difficult for many sports organizations to continue to offer visibility and brand recognition for its sponsors, the Drive’s strong partner relationships and innovation in modifying signature events and creating new programming to accommodate COVID restrictions allowed them to not only maintain their current partnership base but also to add several new, high-profile community partners to its portfolio.

“2020 has been an extraordinary year for our entire community, and the Drive is no different,” noted Greenville Drive Owner & Team President Craig Brown. “Like the Greenville community, the Drive worked to take these changes in stride, adapting and adjusting to challenges and taking them head-on, and, as these awards demonstrate, ultimately overcoming. These honors not only demonstrate our relentless commitment to giving back to our community but more importantly, our community’s continued support of and belief in our organization. In many ways, 2020 actually became our best and most impactful year ever – a true testament to the unique & special nature of the Upstate community, and how lucky we are to call this place home. We are deeply thankful for our fans, grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to give back and humbled by the meaning of these honors, especially in such difficult times. We are entering 2021 strong with the knowledge that we truly are better together.”

Drive Set to Host Two Marquee Community Events at Fluor Field

 

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Drive is pleased to announce two upcoming marquee community events at Fluor Field. A new event, the Green Monster Mash (October 17), and a community favorite, the Upstate Veterans Salute (November 8), will offer free, family fun and a chance for the Upstate to once come together at Fluor Field – our community’s ideal outdoor social distancing venue.

Named after Fluor Field’s iconic Green Monster in left field, the first-ever Green Monster Mash Fall Festival will offer trick-or-treating, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, Halloween and fall-themed arts and crafts and a screening of the movie “Goosebumps” (rated PG). Trick-or-treating and other activities will run from 3-5 p.m., with the movie starting at 5 p.m. Movie seating is available on the field and in stadium seats, so bring a blanket and prepare to get spooky. Admission to The Green Monster Mash is free, but reservations are required and must be staggered to ensure social distancing. Reserve your spot today by clicking here

For the 5th straight year, the Upstate Veterans Salute, founded originally by the Drive & long-time community partners Michelin, General Electric, & Prisma Health, honors & recognizes our community’s Veterans & active military heroes. This year’s event will feature emotional & powerful Military focused programming, Military vehicle displays at the stadium gates, an aerial flyover by the vintage Warbirds Flyover Team, and a concert by up-and-coming country artist Filmore. South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette will provide the keynote address, and the salute will conclude with a patriotic fireworks display. Gates open at 3 p.m., with Filmore set to begin at 4:30pm. Socially distanced seating will be available both in stadium seats as well as in first come, first served “pods” set up on the field itself. As always, admission to the Upstate Veterans Salute is free but a ticket reservation is required. Reserve your tickets today at UpstateSalute.com.

“Despite the challenges of the last 7 months, the Drive’s commitment to the Upstate community is stronger than ever & we’re excited to announce our upcoming Halloween & Veterans Day events”, said Drive Vice President of Marketing, Jeff Brown. “We’ve all missed out on a lot this year, so, with these events, the Drive is thrilled to bring back some of the joy and fun we are accustomed to providing our community each year. We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy themselves in the safe and welcoming environment that is Fluor Field.”

Greenville Drive host civic-minded 'Day of Action'



After the 2020 Minor League season was officially canceled, the Greenville Drive began marketing themselves as their community’s “ideal social distancing venue.” The team’s home of Fluor Field has since played host to a diverse array of events. Nearly all areas of the ballpark, from the luxury suites to the picnic area to the concourse to the field, have been made available for use.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, the Drive hosted their most civic-minded event of the year. As part of South Carolina’s state-wide “Day of Action,” Fluor Field served as a one-stop location for a smorgasbord of government-provided services. The menu, such as it was, included voter registration, census completion, COVID-19 testing, flu vaccinations, and the opportunity to procure REAL ID drivers licenses and identification cards from the DMV. Additionally the Drive partnered with one of their sponsors, the Blood Connection, to host a ballpark blood drive.

Each of South Carolina’s 25 counties staged a Day of Action. The majority took place at schools, churches and community centers. Fluor Field, representing Greenville County, was the only professional sports venue to serve as a host site.

“It was a one-stop shop for all these different things,” said Drive general manager Eric Jarinko. “We opened our gates to five different organizations, all of whom brought their own employees or volunteers. It was perfect for people to go out and do all that they needed to do in one spot.”

The Drive, the Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, were asked to accommodate the event due to their previous interest in using Fluor Field as a polling site.

“We’re now seeing NBA arenas, a few NFL stadiums and a couple Major League ballparks all being used for that purpose,” said Jarinko. “We were thinking about the importance of voting, now more than ever. And at the same time, with COVID going on, this is a perfect venue. It’s outdoors and we can really space people out. … Unfortunately, even though we were still more than two months out, there just wasn’t enough time to get everything squared away. Just in terms of all the people you have to communicate with, that your polling location isn’t this elementary school or this church. Now it’s the ballpark. We thought it was a great idea, but the immediate impact of people going to a new place just didn’t seem doable.

“But that led to us being asked to be the Greenville County location for the South Carolina Day of Action,” he continued. “The Day of Action was spearheaded by the lieutenant governor [Pamela Evette]. She’s been to the ballpark many times for our Military Appreciation nights, among other things. Anything we can do to be part something like this, we’re for it. We think the ballpark should be part of the fabric of the community. [Fluor Field] is privately owned, but when it comes to things like that, we want to operate as a public service like if it was the city that owned it.”

State lieutenant governor Pamela Evette and Drive mascot Reedy Rip’It took part in Fluor Field’s Day of Action.

Fluor Field’s spaciousness has proven to be a big part of its event hosting appeal. The facility, which has the same dimensions as Fenway Park as well as its own Green Monster-style outfield wall, features a wide concourse that extends roughly from foul pole to foul pole.

“Obviously, with everything going on with COVID, we had to have an entry and exit plan for everyone,” said Jarinko. “We used the Main Street gate as a check-in location, checking people’s temps as they came in. The COVID testing station was just outside the gates. I don’t recall anyone going for COVID testing and then wanting to come in for other things. There was a temperature check at the gate. Everyone was in masks, and everything was spaced out on the concourse. Fans came in through third base and then went to whatever stations that they were there for and then exited other way. So we were able to maintain 6 feet of distance easily. The event went from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., so were able to utilize our sound system and get ‘College GameDay’ on the videoboard.”

The Drive promoted Greenville County’s Day of Action via their social media channels, with local and state government spreading the word as well. Jarinko estimated approximately 500 people attended the event, which was fairly easy to oversee from the perspective of the team’s front-office staff.

“A lot of our staff had been busy with other events, so I said it was more important for them to come in if they needed to get any of that stuff done,” said Jarinko. “Honestly, I hadn’t got my REAL ID yet. I helped the DMV set up and then had them knock out mine before we opened up the gates. It was all pretty turnkey. I was there at 8, setting up tables. The volunteers arrived at 8:30, then we were ready to go at 9.”

From a larger perspective, the Drive’s participation in South Carolina’s Day of Action illustrates how Minor League ballparks can be utilized as spaces that support public health and foster the democratic process.

“Since day one, we’ve wanted people to understand that the Drive and Fluor Field stood for more than Minor League Baseball,” said Jarinko. “We’ve been creative with how we use the ballpark, and moving forward, we want to do more things like this.”

Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes **Ben’s Biz Blog**. Follow Ben on Twitter **@bensbiz**.


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