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Bears acquire pitcher, third baseman from Frontier League

NEWARK, NJ - December 26, 2006 - The Newark Bears Professional Baseball Club acquired RHP Aaron Ledbetter and third baseman Pat Peavey from the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League, for players to be named later.

Ledbetter, originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 24th round of the 2001 draft, has pitched in the Frontier League from 2003 through 2006. The two-time Frontier League All-Star joined the Wild Things midway through the 2006 season posting a 4-1 record in seven starts, allowing only 12 earned runs in 51 innings pitched. While pitching for the River City Rascals in 2005, Ledbetter finished third in the league with 12 wins and second with a 2.93 ERA.

Peavey joined the Wild Things for the 2006 season after spending 2002 through 2005 at the single-A and double-A levels with the Houston Astros. He finished last season with 99 hits, 21 doubles, 52 runs scored, and led the Frontier League with 83 RBI. While playing for Salem of the Carolina League in 2004, Peavey ranked fourth in the league with 131 games played, while setting career highs with 131 hits, 25 doubles, and 62 RBI. Last season, Peavey had multiple hits in 27 games, including nines games with three hits or more.

"Each year there are several players who transition from the Frontier League to the Atlantic League with much success and we are hopeful that both Pat and Aaron are going to be this year's examples of that," said Bears Assistant General Manager of Operations Jim Cerny. "We are excited to see Pat and Aaron in action during spring training and look forward to their production for the Bears throughout the 2007 season."

The Newark Bears will begin their ninth season at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium on Tuesday, May 8 against the Bridgeport Bluefish. Fans attending all home games may park in the spacious parking garage located over the wall in right field. For more information and up-to-date news on the Bears, log on to the team's official website Newark Bears or call 1-866-55-4BEAR.