by TREY WILSON
A wild first weekend of the NCAA Tournament is in the books, and with it, the standings in the 2015 Curve Bracket Challenge have started to take shape.
Up for grabs are a pair of tickets to the Curve’s home opener against the Akron RubberDucks on April 16 at PNG Field for anyone that finishes ahead of our Box Office Manager, Steffan.
Well, out of nearly 350 entries, 205 of you are currently sitting in front of Steffan in the standings. But don’t count him out just yet … Both of his championship game picks, are still alive.
Also up for grabs, our three grand prizes: A suite for a night, VIP picnic passes for three celebrity appearances, and tickets to select 2015 Curve bobblehead nights for the top three finishers in the final standings. As it sits right now, four contestants are tied for the top spot.
For full details on the contest and the prizes, click here.
Sixteen teams remain in the NCAA Tournament, with the next round beginning on Thursday. The Final Four will be set by the end of the weekend.
*************************************************************************************
Last week, things were a little shaken up in Curve, Pa.
I think Steamer just fell down the steps… Felt the whole place shake. #DownGoesSteamer
— Trey Wilson (@treywilson757) March 18, 2015
@AltoonaCurve Just felt the ballpark shaking about 10 minutes ago heard that Steamer took a spill hope he is okay #DowngoesSteamer — Nathan Bowen (@nbowen2) March 18, 2015
It can’t be an earthquake in Altoona, stadium shook about 10 minutes ago. Steamer seems to have fell. #DownGoesSteamer — Emily (@EAcrants) March 18, 2015
I’m from California…and I haven’t felt a shake like that in a long time. The big guy Steamer appears to be injured #DownGoesSteamer — Mike Passanisi (@QuePaso22) March 18, 2015
Our beloved mascot, Steamer, took a bit of a tumble while racing out to see his new four wheeler.
Fans, we have a developing situation at the ballpark. Steamer has been injured in fall down a set of stairs to go see new 4-wheeler (1/3)
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) March 18, 2015
Steamer was able to get up under his own power and was heavily favoring his left arm and appears to be in serious pain (2/3) — Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) March 18, 2015
We are taking Steamer to @BlairOrtho to see what kind of damage has been done. We’ll update when we know more (3/3) pic.twitter.com/2PjqlVFEHH
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) March 18, 2015
While @AltoonaCurveGM waits for news at @BlairOrtho on Steamer, Al and Diesel wait in Curve, Pa. #DownGoesSteamer pic.twitter.com/xmCHeLq2g7
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) March 18, 2015
There was an amazing outpouring of support for Steamer from all across the country.
Wishing my buddy Steamer a quick recovery after his tumble down the stairs @AltoonaCurve #DownGoesSteamer
— Chopper (@ChopperGBraves) March 18, 2015
I hope Steamer isn’t a vegetable @AltoonaCurve #DownGoesSteamer
— Thunder ☔️ (@ThundertheDog) March 18, 2015
@AltoonaCurve Hope Steamer’s okay! He’s got to be better in time for opening day, after all! #downgoessteamer #FeelBetter
— Dee Kaye ♣ ♥ ♬ ♣ (@DeeKaye2010) March 18, 2015
Best wishes to Steamer who took a fall today. Let’s hope for good news #DownGoesSteamer pic.twitter.com/cXw3LX694O
— Minor League Promos (@MiLBPromos) March 18, 2015
@AltoonaCurve Hope Steamer feels better soon! My daughter is very worried about him! #DownGoesSteamer
— loriclaycomb (@21Claycomb) March 18, 2015
@AltoonaCurve Awe, poor Steamer!! Hoping for a speedy recovery! #DownGoesSteamer
— Lou Ann Mercier (@lougygougy) March 19, 2015
Sorry to hear about your fall! #GetWellSteamer @AltoonaCurve From all Your “Buddies” @DelGrossosPark pic.twitter.com/i4npRV2Z9A
— DelGrosso’s Park (@DelGrossosPark) March 19, 2015
Steamer injured his left wrist, and it looks like it could keep him down for 6-8 weeks. Here is an official release from the Curve.
He will require surgery, tentatively scheduled for early next week, to repair the damage. (3/4) #DownGoesSteamer pic.twitter.com/fsClUgL5oy
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) March 18, 2015
Steamer gives me a thumbs up after his fall this afternoon. Story at 11. @AltoonaCurve @AltoonaCurveGM pic.twitter.com/sFBnFas9r9
— Ben Manning (@BenManning_News) March 19, 2015
The big guy is in good spirits this morning… #GetWellSteamer pic.twitter.com/iIaaDYjzu9
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) March 19, 2015
The big guy went in for surgery on Tuesday morning.
He was a little hesitant going in to surgery but he’s in good hands….#GetWellSteamer pic.twitter.com/GIHq8Hngy7
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) March 24, 2015
He’s out of surgery! A little groggy but he’s out. #GetWellSteamer pic.twitter.com/CxysIuZq6n
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) March 24, 2015
For Steamer, there is a long road to recovery ahead. We will keep you posted here on the CurveBall Blog and our Facebook and Twitter pages.