Big Trash Pandas’ home stand to feature “I Loved Her First” song creators

MADISON – The upcoming six-game home stand for the Rocket City Trash Pandas is expected to be full of great baseball and even greater amounts of fun for fans as the games against the Knoxville Smokies will include a look at some of the top minor league players in the Chicago Cubs organization, parent club of the visiting Smokies, and superb giveaways, along with an on-field concert by a local music band which presented us one of the great love songs of the past 50 years.

“We try and stay engaged in every game we host here at Toyota Field as the growth of our town has been tremendous,” said Lindsey Knupp, Vice President/Assistant General Manager of the Trash Pandas. “We’re proud to have 14,000 vouchers among our Foundation Reading Program for this season. We feel we have a show within a show.”

The Trash Pandas Foundation Reading Program is designed to inspire a love for reading while supporting educators and bringing fun into the classroom. The program aligns with existing curriculum and motivates students with exciting incentives. Students who successfully complete the program receive a free Trash Pandas game voucher for the 2026 season.

“I’ve told the new players this is definitely a step up from rookie ball and the fans they bring here every day is really a lot of fun,” said third-year Trash Pandas’ shortstop Cole Fontenelle, who played for TCU in 2023 and had a homer in the Horned Frog’s College World Series appearance.

“This is a great place to play baseball with a lot of great people as I’ve had a lot of great memories here over the years and look forward to making more,” said David Calabrese, outfielder, in his fourth season with the Trash Pandas.

The season will include special appearances of a variety of special guests throughout the 2026 season. Each appearance includes pre-game on-field participation and a meet-and-greet on the Bill Penney Toyota Concourse during the game.

One night among the next home stand will have a grand local flavor, as Saturday, May 2 will be “Country Night” and will feature a cowboy hat giveaway, thanks to Jack’s Western Wear, and a pre-game concert by the longstanding local band Heartland who in 2026 is celebrating the 20-year anniversary of its 2006 No. 1 hit “I Loved Her First,” regarded as one of the best love songs in music history. Founded in 1994 by brothers Craig and Todd Anderson, of Harvest, and one of their best friends, Mike Myerson, along with lead vocalist Jason Albert, the young band played at Alabama’s June Jam in 1997 and finally secured a record contract in Nash- ville in 2006 when they hit the top of the charts with their signature hit tune which has become a favorite father-daughter song to dance to at wedding receptions for numerous brides and their fathers. The song was written by Walt Aldridge and Elliott Park.

The group disbanded in 2012, but was re-established in 2023 by the Anderson brothers and Myerson and now includes lead vocalist Lance Horton.

“This is my fourth year here,” said outfielder Tucker Flint, who calls Rhode Island home, and who added, “As a group we have much more playing experience and as a group we’ve all been together and know each other pretty well. I love this community as the fans are super nice, super friendly. It feels like home. The community here makes it feel that way. A home away from home”

Premium Giveaways

Unless otherwise noted, giveaways are first-come, first-served and distributed when gates open 65 minutes before first pitch. All promotions are subject to change.

• Tuesday, April 28 – James Spann Bobblehead (1,000 adults) presented by SportsMED

• Thursday, April 30 – Home Plate Door Mat (1,000 fans) presented by Hughes Properties

• Saturday, May 2 – Cowboy Hat (1,000 adults) presented by Jack’s Western Wear

• Sunday, May 3 – Lunáticos Day Flag (1,000 fans) presented by Telemundo

• Sunday, May 24 – Harry Potter Fleece Blanket (1,000 adults)

• Sunday, June 7 – Armed Forces Red, White & Blue Cap (1,000 adults) presented by SAIC

• Tuesday, June 16 – Hawaiian Shirt (1,000 adults) presented by Attain at Bradford Creek

• Thursday, June 18 – Youth Soccer Jersey (1,000 kids) presented by Huntsville Compounding Pharmacy

• Wednesday, July 1 – Patriotic SPROCKET Bobblehead (1,000 fans) presented by Capital Trailways

• Thursday, July 2 – Youth Patriotic Jersey (1,000 kids) presented by NUCOR TUBULAR-DECATUR

• Saturday, July 11 – Luchador Mask Giveaway (1,000 fans)

• Wednesday, July 22 – Adult Trash Pandas Football Jersey (1,000 adults) presented by NUCOR TUBULAR-DECATUR

• Thursday, July 23 – Champion Beverage Belt (1,000 fans)

• Saturday, July 25 – Snow Globe (1,000 fans)

• Thursday, August 20 – Nelson Rada Gold Glove Bobblehead (1,000 adults) presented by Bill Penney Toyota

• Saturday, August 22 – Beer Stein (1,000 adults, 21+)

• Sunday, August 23 – Lunáticos SPROCKET Sugar Skull Bobblehead (1,500 fans) presented by Early Services

• Thursday, September 3 – SPROCKET Motorcycle Bobblehead (1,500 fans) presented by Redstone Harley Davidson

• Saturday, September 5 – 2027 Magnet Schedule (5,000 fans)

• Sunday, September 6 – Building Block SPROCKET (1,500 fans) Special Appearances

Toyota Field will host a variety of special guests throughout the 2026 season. Each appearance includes pre-game onfield participation and a meet-and-greet on the Bill Penney Toyota Concourse during the game.

Scheduled appearances include:

• Friday, May 1 – Star Wars Characters (Star Wars Night)

• Saturday, May 2 – Heartland Concert (Country Night)

• Friday, May 22 – Arx Mortis Fright Squad (Halloween Night)

• Wednesday, July 1 – Superhero Characters (Superhero Night)

• Thursday–Friday, July 9–10 – Dinosaur Weekend presented by Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education

• Friday, July 24 – Princesses and Pirates (Pirate & Princess Night)

• Saturday, July 25 – Santa Claus (Christmas in July)

• Sunday, August 9 – Chase from PAW Patrol

• Friday, September 4 – Huntsville Havoc