'Bark in the Park,' Strykers game canceled due to inclement weather

UPDATE: The Woodlands Strykers game and Sunday's "Bark in the Park" will be rescheduled due to inclement weather. Lance Drake of the Strykers reports the reschedule date will be August 3.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The Woodlands Strykers have kicked off their 2013 season and on Sunday you’ll ask, “Who let the dogs out?” Actually the dogs are going to the Strykers game this Sunday, June 2, for the second annual “Bark in the Park” game held at The Woodlands Christian Academy located at 5800 Alden Woods Drive.

Presented by Barker Street Gourmet Dog Bakery and Boutique, the event will have vendors, a dog parade, and the game will feature the Strykers versus the East Texas Pump Jacks. The festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m., the dog parade will be held at 6:30 pm.; game time is 7:05 p.m. Gifts will be handed out to the first 250 people to arrive.

The event was hugely successful last year, and the Strykers organization is expecting an even bigger turnout this year.

“We’re a very pet-friendly organization,” said Woodlands Strykers Owner and General Manager, Ramiro Lozano. “The event is intended to raise awareness of the role pets play as an integral part of the family. My dogs are considered members of the family. We recently lost a beloved pet, and we grieved the loss every bit as much as we would have a human member of the family.”

According to Lozano, pets instill essential value systems in children - responsibility, nurturing, the ability to comfort, and can even fill a void when couples are unable to have children.

“Pets are a vital part of the family unit. My family has always had pets,” Lozano said. “They’re an essential part of our lives.”

For those attending the “Bark in the Park” event, the following guidelines need to be followed:

• All dogs must be wearing a valid ID tag for entrance to the park, and remain on a leash at all times, even when sitting in the baseball stadium.

• Attendees MUST bring a copy of the dogs vaccination records, and the vaccinations MUST be up to date.

• Bring the essential items necessary to clean up after your dog. Be a responsible pet owner.

On the subject of families, the Strykers are still looking for Host Families for the 2013 season. For more information or to obtain season tickets, call 832-818-7331 or 979-824-5655.

Lozano and the Strykers organization are hoping special events like the “Bark in the Park” will make the ball games an anticipated family event. The season looks bright with the addition of new talent to an existing experienced team. In mid-April, John Villarreal was moved up to Head Coach from the Hitting & Infielders Coach position. The season started on Thursday, May 30, against the Victoria Generals. The 7-5 loss in the opening game is just a temporary setback as the new talent and coaching changes gel to produce a team effort. The Strykers will play the Generals on Friday, and the Pump Jacks on Saturday and Sunday, to complete the 4-game home stand.

For the season schedule, information about the players, and more, visit their website at Woodlands Strykers and become a fan on their Facebook page.