PORTLAND PICKLES AND FEATHERSNAP PARTNER TO TURN BASEBALL'S MOST INFAMOUS BIRD DISASTER INTO A CELEBRATION OF NATURE

Exploding Bird Night presented by FeatherSnap brings fans closer than ever to the birds of Walker Stadium

 In perhaps the most Portland partnership imaginable, the Portland Pickles and FeatherSnap are teaming up to transform one of baseball's most infamous bird-related disasters into a celebration of the birds, wildlife, and natural beauty that surround Walker Stadium.

On Thursday, June 18, the Pickles will host Exploding Bird Night Presented by FeatherSnap, inspired by a legendary baseball promotion remembered less for baseball and more for what happened when a flock of birds found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.

This time, however, the birds are the stars of the show.

Through a new partnership with FeatherSnap, the smart bird feeder company bringing birdwatching into the digital age, fans will have a new way to experience the ballpark by discovering the surprising variety of birdlife that calls Walker Stadium and Southeast Portland home.

Using FeatherSnap technology, the Pickles will showcase local birds throughout the season, creating opportunities for fans to observe, identify, and appreciate the wildlife that shares the stadium with players and fans alike.

"There is something wonderfully ironic about taking one of baseball's most infamous bird mishaps and turning it into a celebration of birds," said Alan Miller, owner of the Portland Pickles. "Walker Stadium sits in one of the most beautiful natural settings in baseball, and this partnership gives our fans an entirely new way to experience the ballpark."

The partnership reflects a shared belief that technology can help people reconnect with nature, whether they're in their backyard or spending a summer evening at the ballpark.

Inspired by one of the most unforgettable moments in baseball history, Exploding Bird Night pays tribute to the infamous 2001 spring training pitch when Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson accidentally hit a bird with a fastball, creating a moment that has lived in baseball lore ever since.

Through the partnership, fans will have the opportunity to discover and appreciate the diverse birdlife that calls Walker Stadium home, turning one of baseball's strangest moments into a celebration of nature, wildlife, and community.

No birds will be harmed, startled, singed, launched, or otherwise inconvenienced during the event. Except, perhaps, the Ridgefield Raptors.

The Pickles host the Ridgefield Raptors on Thursday, June 18 at Walker Stadium. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Tickets are available now at picklestickets.com.