Rox return for summer baseball season in St. Cloud

ST CLOUD — The Rox are back in town.

And thanks to a new 34-foot-wide video big screen in right-center field, they'll be larger than life this year. 

The Rox hosted the Minnesota Mud Puppies Friday night at Joe Faber Field for their 2022 home opener.

Former Minnesota Twins shortstop Cristian Guzman threw the first pitch Friday and was on hand to sign autographs and greet fans. A fireworks display marked the end of the game.  

Fireworks are planned following all Friday night games this year. 

Fans were treated to the usual between-inning hijinks, entertainment by team mascot Chisel and even a marriage proposal in the middle of the third inning at home plate. 

"It's exciting to see all the work that goes into it in the off season come to fruition," Managing Partner Scott Schreiner said of opening night. "We're in the business of making memories. People are coming to a game on a beautiful night and they're creating family memories, so it's satisfying." 

The Rox entered Friday's home opener undefeated at 4-0 with two-game sweeps at both Waterloo and La Crosse. They stayed undefeated with a 5-2 win Friday night. 

After two seasons with various COVID-19 protocols in place, the team and their fans hope to get back to normal this year. 

The team saw a shortened season in 2020 due to COVID-19, and many precautions were in place for 2021. Hand sanitizing stations will remain in place this season.

Brian Lewis will be in his first year as field manager for the Rox. He joins the team after spending nine seasons with the La Crosse Loggers. 

Local players on the early-season roster include pitchers Carter Petron of Rice and Brady Posch of Sauk Rapids. Infielder Jack Steil of Cold Spring returns for his second season and St. Cloud State player John Nett is an outfielder.

The franchise is in its 11th season.The team is a member of the 22-team Northwoods League, a collegiate wooden-bat summer baseball league with teams throughout the Midwest. 

The Rox finished 2021 at 53-19, their ninth-straight winning season and the best record in the Northwoods League. They faced the Traverse City Pit Spitters in the 2021 championship game Aug. 20, losing 9-3. 

More than 280 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball. 

Throughout the 2021 season, the Rox raised a season-record $109,500 for area charities.

After Friday's home opener, the Rox have a day off Saturday and will face the Mankato MoonDogs Sunday at home at 4:05 p.m. 

2022 St. Cloud Rox promotional schedule 

These are the game-day promotions currently planned this season. All games are played at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud. 

Friday, June 3: 7:05 p.m. Home opener. Post-game fireworks sponsored by Coborns. Celebrity guest Christian Guzman.

Sunday, June 5: 4 p.m. Baseball Bat Giveaway (first 300 fans). Strikeout Stroke Day sponsored by Neurosciences Stroke Center. Also, Coborn’s Kids Day. Kids get the opportunity to run around the bases after the game and get autographs. 

Wednesday, June 8: 7:05 p.m. Don’t Toss! Drop Off! Sponsored by the Hazardous Household Waste Facility.

Thursday, June 9: 7:05 p.m. Rox umbrella giveaway (first 300 fans.). Sponsored by North Risk Partners and Auto-Owners Insurance.

Friday, June 10: 7:05 p.m. Friday night fireworks sponsored by Capital One.

Saturday, June 11: 6:05 p.m. Poster Schedule Giveaway (first 1000 fans).

Sunday, June 12: 4:05 p.m. Books & Baseball. Kids under seven receive a book and the opportunity to read on the field from 3:05 to 3:30 with the Rox. Sponsored by United Way.  Friends & Family Day sponsored by Taco John’s.  Four tickets, four hats and four combo Taco John’s meals for $40 (advance purchase only). Coborn’s Kids Day. Kids get the opportunity to run around the bases after the game and get autographs. 

Saturday, June 18: 6:05 p.m. Salute to Father’s Day (a day early).  Play “catch” pregame with dad. Sponsored by Fleet Farm. 

Monday, June 20: 7:05 p.m. Tote Bag Giveaway (first 300 fans). Sponsored by Magnifi Financial. 

Tuesday, June 21: 7:05 p.m. Youth Jersey Giveaway Night (first 300 kids). Sponsored by Coborn’s.

Wednesday, June 22: 7:05 p.m. Baseball Cap Giveaway Night (first 250 fans). Sponsored by Franklin Outdoor Advertising. 

Thursday, June 23: 7:05 p.m. Pint Glass Giveaway Night (first 250 fans 21 or older). Sponsored by Miller Lite. 

Sunday, June 26: 4:05 p.m. Princess Day. Meet your favorite princesses. Sponsored by Country Inn & Suites. Also, Coborn’s Kids Day. Kids get the opportunity to run around the bases after the game and get autographs. 

Monday, June 27: 7:05 p.m. 80s Night sponsored by Bernick’s.

Tuesday, June 28: 7:05 p.m. Bark in the Park. Dog collar giveaway (first 200 dogs).  Sponsored by Granite City Pet Hospital. 

Friday, July 1: 7:05 p.m. Friday night fireworks. Military appreciation night. Game jersey Auction to Support Area Hospitalized Veterans. Sponsored by St. Cloud Financial Credit Union. 

Saturday, July 2: 6:05 p.m. Mini Bat Giveaway Night (first 250 kids). Sponsored by Sentry Bank 

Wednesday, July 6: 7:05 p.m. Lily’s Wings, Burgers & Things Night. 

Tuesday, July 12: 7:05 p.m. Nine Innings of Winning Night. Sponsored by Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill. 

Wednesday, July 13: 7:05 p.m. Youth Baseball & Softball Night. Sponsored by Holiday Inn & Suites/Country Inn & Suites. 

Saturday, July 16: 6:05 p.m. Trading Card Giveaway Night (first 500 fans). Sponsored by SPIRE Credit Union. 

Sunday, July 17: 4:05 p.m. Coborn’s Kids Day. Kids get the opportunity to run around the bases after the game and get autographs. 

Thursday, July 21: 7:05 p.m. Friends & Family Night sponsored by Taco John’s, 4 tickets, 4 hats and 4 combo Taco John’s meals for $40. (Advance purchases only).

Friday, July 22: 7:05 p.m. Friday Night Fireworks. Sponsored by Waste Management. 

Monday, July 25: 7:05 p.m. Mental Health Awareness Night. The Rox organization and Newport Healthcare will be teaming up to host Mental Health Awareness Night at Joe Faber Field. Rox Game Jerseys can be purchased through a special online auction with the net proceeds to benefit NAMI St. Cloud Area.

Tuesday, July 26: 7:05 p.m. Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act, as seen on America’s Got Talent, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, ESPN and many more. Sponsored by PreferredOne.

Wednesday, July 27: 1:05 and 7:05 p.m. Day/Night Doubleheader. 1:05: Take a Client to Lunch at the Ballpark Day. Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act Part II. Sponsored by Brandl Motors. 

7:05: National entertainment act ZOOperstars will be entertaining the crowd throughout the game. Sponsored by Sentry Bank. 

Thursday, July 28: 7:05 p.m. Star Wars Night. Master Chisel Bobblehead Giveaway (first 400 fans). Sponsored by Roto-Rooter. 

Friday, July 29: 7:05 p.m. Friday Night Fireworks. Sponsored by Capital One. 

Wednesday, Aug. 3: 7:05 p.m. Friends & Family Night sponsored by Taco John’s, 4 tickets, 4 hats and 4 combo Taco John’s meals for $40. (Advance purchases only).

Friday, Aug. 5: 7:05 p.m. Friday Night Fireworks sponsored by Kwik Trip. 

Saturday, Aug. 6: 6:05 p.m. Boy Scout Night. 

Sunday, Aug. 7: 4:05 p.m. Team Poster Giveaway Night (first 1,000 fans). Sponsored by Rengel Printing. 

Wednesday, Aug. 10: 7:05 p.m. Back to School Folder Giveaway (first 300 kids). Sponsored by Rengel Printing. 

Thursday, Aug. 11: 7:05 p.m. Fan Appreciation Night Post-Game Fireworks. Prizes will be given away throughout the night. Sponsored by Texas Roadhouse.