Gwinnett Braves' Groundhog Mascot Issues Weather Guarantee for Opening Day

Chopper, the Gwinnett Braves' costumed mascot, may be trying to make Opening Day his personal Groundhog Day.

With all the unseasonably cool spring weather in 2013, Chopper has made a promise to fans. If the temperature dips below 50 degrees on April 4 (before the third inning), free ticket vouchers will be distributed to fans in attendance at Coolray Field. The vouchers will be good for another 2013 home game.

The G-Braves will open their fifth season at Coolray Field on April 4, vs. the Charlotte Knights.

“Opening Day will be the real start of spring weather. It will be warm and sunny and temperatures will not dip below 50 degrees,” Chopper said in a Gwinnett Braves statement. The mascot claims to be a "distant cousin" of Gen. Beau Lee, the famed Gwinnett groundhog and weather prognosticator.

“I want to make sure the fans know that I’m looking out for them,” said Chopper. “I will forego my budget for nuts and berries to make sure all fans can buy their Opening Day tickets without worrying about the weather. All they need to worry about is making sure they have trained their arms to chop for nine innings of great baseball!”

It was just on Feb. 2 that Gen. Beau Lee in Lilburn predicted an extended winter when he saw his shadow. And indeed, Gwinnett has endured several freeze warnings since spring began on March 20.

"Opening Day is always an exciting time at the ballpark no matter what the weather brings," added Gwinnett Braves GM North Johnson. "Yet we stand behind Chopper’s guarantee ..."

-- What do you think of Chopper's guarantee? How many Gwinnett Braves games do you plan to attend in 2013? Share your thoughts in the comments below.