On Thursday, April 26, the Great Lakes Loons and Dow Diamond hosted their first ever Social Media Night. The team partnered with Steve Adler’s PES 190 class at Central Michigan University and contributed to many of the in-game social promotions as well as the marketing initiatives on campus leading up to the night.

#LoonsSMN (as it became known to be) featured an iPad giveaway contest leading up to the event. Loons fans could become eligible for the free iPad by following the team on Facebook or Twitter within the month window prior to the game. Fans already following the Loons could join the Facebook event for their chance to qualify. The iPad winner was a new Loons Twitter follower @beckykoepke.

She will be heading to Phoenix, AZ, this fall to begin her three-year studies for a PhD in Physical Therapy at AT Still University. She is a recent graduate from CMU, where she earned a Neuroscience Degree in Psychology, and works at Central Rehabilitation Services in Midland. She was surprised to win out of the thousands who qualified, but said it was a nice prize to receive during the busy week of final exams.

Prior to the game, fans chose which jerseys the players wore and after 138 votes on the team’s Facebook page, the team suited up in the black BP jerseys, though the Dodger Blue option may have been more socially appropriate.

Twitpics: (1) @mistyweber and her son celebrate the foul ball theyc aught at the game; (2) early morning TV promotes the event; (3) @jgman5 tweeted this photo of Lou and ?; (4) @baroque97 picked up this bundle at the Loon Loft to help stay warm

Other in-game promotions called for fans to answer game-specific trivia through Facebook and Twitter, as well as choose the in-game music. Wendy Flory, Tim Richardson and Jeff Dehaven were the Social Loons who responded to compete in the on-field promotions.

(5) The best Instagram photo of the night came from @dvxnick. (6) The most random twitpic came from @ArthurtheDeuce, a commentary on the strength of duck tape. The car must have been in our parking lot.

But maybe one of the biggest happenings of the night came when Loons play-by-play broadcaster Brad Golder joined Twitter! Surely a sign of the apocalypse. He issued forth the following tweet, still his only one, now almost a month later.

So anyways, if your nose is constantly buried in your phone, like ours, then we recommend coming out to the Loons next Social Media Night. We hope to host another later in the year, so stay glued to our walls, feeds and streams for all the details. And to all the Social Loons who participated in the team’s first one: thanks and keep the tweets coming!

As a part of our ongoing celebration of the Great Lakes Loons 5th Anniversary, From the Nest has developed this new feature for the season. FTN’s ’5 by 5′ series will have Loons players talk about their influences and the baseball highlights that have defined their game up until now, and we’ll do it five years at a time. Starting us off is Jesse Bosnik, who plays third base, which is coincidentally marked as a ’5′ on the scorecard.

Around that age, I was messing with my parents and we’d play catch. They would always see me hit left-handed, so they got me a left-handed glove and I would catch it then take the glove off and throw it back right-handed. So then they got me a right-handed glove and then another left-handed. So it took them a little while to figure out which hand I wanted use. I was all mixed up.

FTN: Bosnik eventually straightened out and settled with the left-handed approach.

As far as highlights, there was a tee-ball game where I helped my team turn a triple-play, which for some reason I remember. It was the part of the game where the ninth batter runs until they get out. I think it was a grounder to third, I stepped on third, which was my part of the play. It’s hard to remember the sequence exactly, but it was one of those bizarre plays that isn’t very realistic but happened and stays with you.

By this time I had started going to Pirates games and would cheer for guys like Andy Van Slyke and Jay Bell. Going to games with my family and stuff like that was pretty neat.

I was starting to get more into baseball. We were putting a batting cage up in the backyard and stuff. I was in a local little league and playing shortstop.

Raised a Pirates fan, Andy Van Slyke was a favorite of Jesse’s at age 10.

I was starting to realize the Pirates are a tough team to cheer for. I really liked Chipper Jones growing up, and that he hit from both sides of the plate. He was just a solid player. And I followed the McGuire-Sosa home run race around that time too.

Playing for the Elk County Catholic Crusaders, I started as a freshman and played shortstop then too. Obviously it was a tough jump for a freshman to play varsity, so I struggled a little bit early, but playing the game I just always made sure I was having fun and competed.

Memorable high school highlight: My senior year, we made it pretty far. I think we were of the final eight in the state. We didn’t have a great pitching staff, but we had a pretty good ace, so we won the first game. It rained out the second game, [giving our ace an extra day] and he got to pitch again in the third game, so we advanced. Then in the next series my coach came up to me and said ‘Hey Boz, you want to throw in this game?’ I hadn’t thrown but three innings all year and here I was throwing in the biggest game of the season, trying to learn a breaking ball, and I just got shelled. So it’s not a fond memory, but something to look back on.

I was still a big fan of Chipper Jones, though he was declining a little. I liked the Josh Hamilton story. I had the book and just ate it up. So I tried and root for him. I was just a baseball fan in general. I liked Evan Longoria, who was kind of coming on to the scene about that time.

Twenty would have been 2008, so I was probably a freshman or sophomore at St. Bonaventure University. Baseball didn’t go great my freshman year, I only hit .260. I was struggling to figure out what was going on, then I went on to play summer ball in Brockport NY. I had a great summer and was top 10 in everything. I got comfortable with wood bats there, and from there just continued to get better each year. So I think that experience of playing summer ball really helped, just getting away and playing some different people and better competition. It just really helped me out.

Superstitions? Actually during that summer in Brockport, when I ‘figured it out’, I went with the beard look and the following two years in college I rocked the beard. Sometimes I let it get nice and long and if I felt the hits weren’t coming, I’d trim it up, but still kept it. Can’t do it now though. The Dodgers have a no beard policy for minor leaguers.

Bosnik began his professional career at age 22, when he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 13th round of the 2010 draft.

As a part of the Loons 5th Anniversary Celebration, From the Nest is seeking to recognize Loons fans who have been season ticket holders from the beginning, while at the same time we hope to gather some insider tidbits that only an experienced Loons fan might know.

Our pilot candidate is Sherry Creighton, who we had the chance to sit down with during the first homestand of the 2012 Loons season. Sherry has been a ticket package holder with the Loons since 2007 and is currently a member on the team’s booster club. Here are her highlights.

Favorite All-Time Loon: Dee Gordon (2009)

Best Concourse Food Option: Barbecue from the BBQ Sandwich Cart

Best GL Reserve Food Option: Fish Tacos & Lobster Mac and Cheese

Best Theme Night: Halloween Night, when all the staff dresses up. (Evidenced here & again here). Halloween Night 2012 will take place on Monday, June 4.

Favorite All-Time On-Field Promotion: Hamster Ball Races

Most Memorable Loons Game: One time I was a participant on American Pidol, (a promotion where one fan sings on-field against another fan, sponsored by Grand Traverse Pie Company) and another time I got to do the Feeny Hat Shuffle, but I lost.

General Loons Comments: I love it here. I bring my son and daughter-in-law here all the time. It’s very family friendly. I never even liked baseball until the Loons came. For my first game I sat out in the lawn seats and from the first pitch, I fell in love with it. Being a Booster Club member is a really fun way to get to know the team and it’s great that we can do that.

Thanks to Sherry for her kind comments and her continued commitment to Great Lakes Loons baseball! Be sure to check out the BBQ Cart at your next Loons game and don’t miss Halloween Night!

If you are a package holder of five years willing to impart some wisdom on the readers of this blog, then please contact me (Alex) at 837-BALL.

Well hello Jarret. The photo above was taken on Tuesday, April 3, and is one among many that will grace the video board at Dow Diamond this season. Only a little more distorted.

We choose Loons pitcher Jarret Martin because tonight he makes his first professional start since joining the Dodgers organization in December. The Loons face the Lansing Lugnuts for the Great Lakes Loons season opener. Before picking up the trade phone call that told him he’d be a Dodger, which was a childhood dream of his, he halfheartedly expected it would be someone random, like the Tigers. More>>

Martin holds a 8-17 record and a 4.65 in his two-year minor league career. Tonight marks the second time the lefty has pitched on Opening Day. He also held the honor for the Bluefield Orioles in 2010. The team lost 8-4, and he surrendered two earned runs, but he explained, ‘being a Baltimore affiliate, you don’t win a lot.’ Indeed, the Bluefield went 23-45 on the year. Now in the Dodgers organization, it’s a fresh start for Martin, beginning Friday.

The Loons will play the Lansing Lugnuts, who defeated Michigan State 7-0 Thursday night in the 6th Annual Crosstown Showdown. The Lugnuts scored all seven runs in the seventh inning in a packed Cooley Law School Stadium, three Spartys short of 13,000 in attendance. More>>

Former Loons Report

It was Opening Day for MLB as well and the Dodgers won 5-3 on Thursday over the Padres. In the fourth inning, former Loons shortstop Dee Gordon made this diving stop and turned it into an out at first. The play received SportsCenter’s #1 Top Play for the day.

Also of note, Clayton Kershaw‘s night was cut short due to a stomach flu; Josh Lindblom tossed two scoreless frames; and Javy Guerra picked up his first save of the season. Kenley Jansen made an appearance, but surrendered a two-run homer.

Future Loons Take Note

Every season at the beginning of the year, when the team is first introduced at the Founders Club event, all of the players are involved in a little introduction contest. The winner of best introduction, based on applause, is awarded some cash. Here is the video of manager John Shoemaker’s decision.

Finally, don’t miss out on the Loons Opening Day Celebration on Monday, April 9. Check out this post on how to catch all of the goings-on. For a quick ‘By the Numbers’ (Loons-style) visit the new ESPN 1009-FM blog Crunch Time.

With the announcement of the roster Monday, we can officially say the 2012 Great Lakes Loons season is here! From now until the waning days of summer, the Great Lakes Bay Region will be chalk full of baseball, entertainers, giveaways, and theme nights at Dow Diamond. As always, From the Nest is here to make sure you don’t miss a beat, and we get things started with our Guide to the Loons 2012 Opening Day Celebration, presented by Consumers Energy.

The whole point of this post is to make sure you maximize your Opening Day experience and it starts by making you aware of all the goings-on. But let’s start with the basics. If you only remember one thing from this blog post, remember that Opening Day is Monday, April 9. Now that we’ve established that, the details.

3:00 PM – Exit Strategies

With the festivities officially beginning at 4 p.m., go ahead and start planning your Monday afternoon escape. Consider suggesting to your boss that heading to the Loons parade and game might be a great way to spend the last work hours as a staff. If arm twists and subtle hints don’t do the trick, then requesting off works too. Either way, let’s be honest, the shorter our Mondays are, the better. Plus, you’ll want to arrive early on Main Street to make sure you get some prime real estate for the parade.

4:00 PM – Party Tent Opens

The party begins at four o’clock when the heated party tent opens on the front lawn of Dow Diamond. The tent will feature drinks, food and live music from the state’s best 80′s cover band, Jedi Mind Trip. Start loading up your song requests.

4:30 PM – Opening Day Parade

Everyone loves a good parade and the Loons Opening Day Parade is just that! Post-up by your favorite local business (perhaps one of the Loons sponsors downtown: Pizza Sam’s, the H Hotel, Chemical Bank, or Farm Bureau Insurance–all great vantages), and get ready for the show. Marching bands, bag pipes, candy-tossing and more will highlight the trek down Main Street. Loons players will wave to fans from their floats and Lou E. Loon will cruise to the stadium as Grand Marshall. And something tells me the cubicle piece from this video may make an appearance. When your eyes aren’t glued to the streets, be sure to walk over to the cross streets of Main and MacDonald for free hot dogs and bottled water, courtesy of Northwood University and the Downtown Development Authority.

Writing about the parade is a bit nostalgic for me. It reminds me of From the Nest‘s very first blog post back in 2010.

5:00 PM – Gates Open (Pregame)

There are many reasons for fans to show up early at Dow Diamond on Opening Day and the first reason will have you decorating your refrigerator after the game. The first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive Team Magnet Schedules courtesy of Farm Bureau Insurance. Once you’re through the gates with magnet in tote, you’ll have some exploration time. During this window is the perfect time to score some Loons gear in the Loon Loft, which is loaded with new merch, or if food is more your speed, then we recommend a casual stroll through the concourse to browse the great food options (don’t miss the carving cart!).

5:30 PM – Opening Ceremonies & Opening Boxes

Now that you have your food, there are some special Opening Day Ceremonies that you don’t want to miss. If you’ve kept up with anything Loons related this offseason, you’re probably aware of the mystery box that arrived at the park in February. The contents, which once were loose, have now been recaptured and it’s finally time to find out What’s in the Box! The Loons will open the box on the field with all of the fans. Don’t miss it!

Also during pregame, the Loons will announce their 5th Anniversary All-Time Team, which fans helped determine via a voting process over the offseason on Loons.com.

6:00 PM – Game Time

At last the centerpiece of the evening, Loons Baseball! There’s something special about watching the Opening Day introductions, as the players line up on the first-base line for the national anthem before finally taking the field for the first time. After all the formalities, it’s time to get our first glimpse of the 2012 team and see what they are all about. Which player will become the fan favorite? Which player will win the game? These questions we’ll have answered in due time.

1 Down, 139 To Go

Once Opening Day is over, it’s time to get serious about planning for the summer. Take a look at our promo schedule, or this post that highlights the more unique nights coming to the park in 2012. From the Nest will be covering the Loons thoroughly all season, but for the super-fan, exclusive in-game updates and behind-the-scenes insights can be obtained by following the Loons on Twitter at (@greatlakesloons), which might just win you a free iPad. Another handle to follow is Loons president & GM Paul Barbeau at (@pjbarbeau). Also, don’t forget that you can listen to every Loons game on ESPN 100.9-fm, with play-by-play from Brad Golder and home color analysis by Jared Sandler (@jsandlerESPN).

We’ll see you at the park!

As promised back in November, and in an effort to check off item number five from the list, here is From the Nest’s quick take on who we predict will be starters for the Great Lakes Loons on Opening Day 2012. It’s also a good way to freshen up on what number goes with what position.

From the Nest is very optimistic about this year’s team and has basically just plucked the Ogden roster of all their hitters and claimed them as our own. You have the luxury to do that when you’re predicting things. In truth, there are a couple of names on here that could pass by Dow Diamond and start the year in Rancho, but we remain hopeful.

Depending on how close these predictions fall, FTN may revisit this post. If it’s way off, well…

Whether or not the Loons get the best players on the field, we’re just excited that the baseball season is only days away.

For a more in-depth Loons projection, check out this post from True Blue LA.

We expect the Loons roster to be announced on Monday, April 2. Stay tuned to Loons.com.