Former Detroit Tiger to Coach Friday, July 31 with Meet & Greet + Postgame Fireworks Show

[KALAMAZOO, MI] – The Kalamazoo Growlers have signed three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and fan-favorite Cecil Fielder to a one-day coaching contract for Friday, July 31 at Homer Stryker Field.

Fielder will set the starting lineup, coach first base and lead game preparation as the Growlers take on the newly formed Richmond Flying Mummies.

Cecil Fielder will do a meet & greet with fans and the community can enjoy a postgame fireworks show.

Fielder will also do a Meet & Greet with members of the Jr. Growlers program – the official youth travel baseball program for players 8-18U based in the greater-Kalamazoo area.

The Growlers previously hosted Brandon Inge Night at the Ballpark on July 10, 2025, and hosted a record-setting attendance and held the longest Meet & Greet line at Homer Stryker Field, taking nearly two hours. Inge stayed to sign and meet every fan following the game.

“Cecil Fielder is a World Series Champion and we’re grateful that he’s choosing to come to Kalamazoo for one game this summer,” Growlers Owner Brian Colopy said. “He means so much to the Michigan baseball community and he’s going to coach our players, talk to the Jr Growlers, which is memorable for the kids and then meet the amazing Growlers fans that come out to see him.”

Fans who are interested in attending the game on Friday, July 31 at Homer Stryker Field are encouraged to secure a Meijer 5-Game Miniplan ($25/ticket). These tickets receive all-inclusive food for two hours, a replica jersey and hat, seating in the 100 level with extended leg room + food/drink rail, and the option to flex all five tickets on the same game or use them for multiple games.

Fans can learn more and secure the Meijer 5-Game Miniplan by filling out the form below or by visiting: https://northwoodsleague.com/kalamazoo-growlers/zoo-crew.

Single-game tickets will not go on sale until May 4, 2026. Two ticket packages will be available for fans for Cecil Fielder Night at the Ballpark:

• 90’s Slugger Combo Package: Box Seat w Food & Drink Rail + Classic Hot Dog + Bag of Peanuts + Soda ($28)
• 90’s Slugger Fastpass Autograph Experience: Box Seat + ability to skip line for postgame autographs, only 150 available ($35)

Single-game tickets will not go on sale until May 4, 2026 and there is no guarantee that single-game tickets will be available for Cecil Fielder Night at the Ballpark based on previous demand.

Fans can join the Priority List for first access to single game tickets starting on Monday, April 27 by filling out the form below.

Fielder played for the Detroit Tigers (1990-1996), where he hit 245 of his 319 career home runs. He was a three-time MLB All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, and he led the American League in RBI’s for three consecutive seasons from 1990-1992.

He famously hit a home run that went beyond the left-field roof at Tiger Stadium on August 25, 1990, that traveled over 475 feet – the third player to ever do it at the time. He would hit another one on top of the left-field roof just three years later.

Fielder was a member of the 1996 New York Yankees that went on to win the World Series in six games over the Atlanta Braves – their first title since 1978 and 23rd overall.

He played 13 seasons for five teams and had a .255 batting average, 1,313 hits, 319 home runs, 1008 RBI’s and 744 runs scored.

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