Bradenton's 'Brides & Baseball' Offers Chance to Win Diamond

Since men began proposing to women outside the white lines, baseball and brides have managed to cross paths.

While the proposal may come inn close proximity to the baseball diamond, usually the wedding ring comes before the cake.

Not so during Sunday’s Bradenton Marauders game at Brides will have to chew through cakes before finding the ring.

The four brides-to-be who tally the most points during a scavenger hunt, part of the Brides & Baseball event, will smash their mouths into a cake donated by Matt & Doms, hands tied behind their backs, searching for a plastic ring. Whoever finds the ring first wins the real thing – a diamond wedding ring valued at more than $2,000.

The event gives engaged couples a chance to visit bridal show vendor booths. And while the brides are on a scavenger hunt throughout the stadium until the seventh inning, their fiancees can watch baseball and hope they do not have to purchase a ring.

But that’s not all.

"And she can’t complain she doesn’t like the ring or want to take it back,” said Stacy Morgan, sales and marketing coordinator for Pittsburgh Pirates operations.

Gates open at 4 p.m. and the game against the Tampa Yankees starts at 5 p.m. Future brides and grooms can register on the Bradenton Marauders website or call (941) 747-3031.

Tickets are still $7 for adults and $5 for kids under 12.

The Brides & Baseball event culminates a week of special events during the Marauders' eight-game home stand.

On Thursday, fans can compete on a ketchup and mustard duel, choosing between a red “ketchup” or yellow “mustard” t-shirt as they enter the gates. The first color to run out wins. Fans who chose the winning color will receive a prize.

Friday us Faith Night. Churches congregations are encouraged to attend and the Bayside West Campus Choir will perform before the game. The first 500 in attendance receive a Marauders team photograph, a perfect momenot on which to collect autographs after the game.

Saturday celebrates Christmas in July. The first 500 fans receive a collectible Marauders Christmas ornament. Fans who bring a Toys for Tots Donation get a $2 discount on tickets at the window. Fans also will have a chance at getting their picture taken with Marty Claus, courtesy of Plus Pro Photo.

The home game series culminates on Sunday with the popular bridal event.

Suncoast Gem Labs owners Tom and Donna Seguin are sponsoring the second annual event. Tom Seguin also is a board member for both the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and the Bradenton Downtown Development Authority. He said last year's event was a hit.

“It is pretty wild,” Seguin said. “I thought it would be a little embarrassing but they (brides-to-be) had a ball with it. Everybody was having fun, and just the look on the face of the girl who won … she started crying when she found the ring.”

Seguin will throw out the first pitch as well.

“I have to dig out the old mitt and practice,” Seguin said. “This friend of mine said, ‘You don’t want to roll it up there.’”