Inside the Park - Lakewood Blueclaws Beatles Night

Henri Lartigue (11), Luke Williams (12), Bailey Falter (9), Dave Martinelli (31)

Gustavo Armas (14), Ismael Cabrera (36), Luis Carrasco (32) Mauricio Llovera (26)

Tim Hallead (17), Addison Russ (15), Casey Brown (5), Will Hibbs (54), Jake Kelzer (44)

Felix Paulino (24), Daniel Brito (21), Adonis Medina (16), Nick Fanti (20)

The Lakewood Blueclaws, affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, held their Extravaganza and Beatles Night on September 2. The gates opened at 3:30 with pre-game activities that included Hell on Wheels bicycle demo team, police and construction vehicles, free games and rides for kids, and 3 bands.

The headline band was BritishMania, a Beatles tribute band, which played from 5-7pm. To further celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of the Beatles Sgt Pepper album, the Blueclaws were expected to wear a commemorative Sgt Pepper Jersey.

Unfortunately the rains generated by Hurricane Harvey hit New Jersey earlier than expected and the game was rained out. Due to the rain batting practice was canceled and members of the Kannapolis Intimidators were walking through the crowd to get to the indoor batting cages. They were very accommodating to the fans.

Starting at 6, the team held a signing in the batting cages located behind the concession stands. The team were wearing the special Sgt Pepper jersey. I created the "jersey" cachet to commemorate the event on a Beatles first day cover. As a fan of the Beatles I appreciated the event.

Other teams to wear Sgt Pepper jerseys this year included the Toledo Mud Hens (there was one person wearing the jersey in the crowd), Memphis Redbirds and the Fresno Grizzlies.

Feliz Paulino (Blueclaws Twitter) wearing the Sgt Pepper jersey on Sunday, after Saturday nights rainout.