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Valparaiso – Wizards To Meet In Exhibition Game

Fort Wayne, IN - For the first time in Wizards history, the team will open a new season with an exhibition game against a college program.

Tracy Woodson, former manger with the Wizards during the 2002 season, will lead the Crusaders into Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, April 4. Woodson led the Wizards to a 69-68 record during the 2002 season.

The Wizards will enter the 2007 season under first-year manager and former Chicago Cub, Doug Dascenzo, who led the Eugene Emeralds to a 43-33 record last year and was named co-Manager of the Year in the Northwest League.

"This will be a great opportunity for our fans to see the 2007 Wizards and welcome back Tracy Woodson to the area," Wizards general manager Mike Nutter said. "The Wizards will have been playing during the day since training camp started in March and this will give them a chance to play under the lights for the first time. We look forward to hosting this event and hope to build on it in the future."

The exhibition contest replaces the Wizards annual "Meet the Team Night" held for the previous seven seasons.

The game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. with free admission to all fans. Parking will be $4.00 per car. Wizards Ware, the team souvenir store and concession stands at Memorial Stadium will be open during the game.

"We believe this exhibition gives our fans a great opportunity to see our players and staff before the season begins," Nutter added.

There is no set amount of innings to be played and will be based on the available pitchers on the Wizards pitching staff. The Crusaders will be using wood bats during the exhibition game.

The Wizards front office staff and on-field promotion staff will treat the exhibition game as their chance to run through in-game contests and other new events planned for the upcoming season.

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Send an email to Erik VanDyck at evandyck@snappersbaseball.com if you are interested in receiving any schedules. You can also stop by the Snappers Front Office and pick them up at 2301 Skyline Dr., Beloit Wisconsin, 53511. Call (608) 362-2272 for more information.

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As of 5 p.m. Thursday, the Loons have sold 2,872 individual tickets for the 2007 season. Individual tickets went on sale this morning at 7 a.m. for the first time. All 1,000 tickets available to the Loons' home opener had been sold by 7:21 a.m. Tickets still remain for 69 home dates, including the Loons' second game at Dow Diamond April 14, and the entire season against Peoria, managed by Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, April 17-20.

Loons.com is the exclusive source for individual ticket sales until March 5, when tickets go on sale at the Loon Loft in Fashion Square Mall in Saginaw, at the Loons' offices on Main Street in Midland and by phone at 989-837-2255.

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The Beloit Snappers have released the promotional schedule for 2007, their 26th Season. Fifteen fireworks shows, three bobble head giveaways, and our third annual SnapperPalooza are the highlights of this year's promotions. Former Beloit Snappers pitcher Matt Garza, former Beloit Brewer Jeff Cirillo, and former Beloit Snappers first baseman Prince Fielder are this season's bobble head giveaways. The first 500 fans through the gates will receive a bobble head on each of the three event dates. The scheduled giveaway dates for the bobble heads are June 24 for Matt Garza, July 22 for Jeff Cirillo, and August 12 for Prince Fielder.

The 15 fireworks shows will be held on May19, May 26, June 1, June 9, June 23, June 29, June 30, July 20, July 21, July 27, July 28, August 11, August 17, September 1, and September 2. Last season the Snappers had 15 fireworks shows with an average attendance of 2,612 fans.

Along with the fireworks and bobble head giveaways this season the Snappers will also be giving away cereal bowls (May 12), team photos (May 25), t-shirts (June 22), chicken wings (June 29), patriotic t-shirts (July 1), and Snappy banks (July 29). All of the giveaways are to the first 500 fans.

Returning again this season will be the Snappers two kids' days. The Snappers will host "Honor Roll Day" May 3 at 11:00 am, an educational twist on the annual field trip day for schools. July 24 at noon will be "Camp Snappy Day," a yearly event for summer camp kids.

The Snappers season opens Thursday, April 5 against the Cedar Rapids Kernels with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30pm. To view a detailed list of the Snappers promotions log onto the Snappers website at The Official Website of the Beloit Snappers or call 1-888-SNAP-2-IT for more information.

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The Cedar Rapids Kernels are gearing up for a season of fun in 2007! Daily ballpark specials, five national entertainment acts and over 50 special events have been scheduled at Veterans Memorial Stadium and here's a quick list of what's in store for this year!

Daily Ballpark Specials: The Kernels have lined up a great array of daily ballpark specials - here's a quick sample of what you can expect to find:

104.5 KDAT Sunday Family Fun Day: Enjoy $1 popcorn all game long and play along with Travel Advisors Baseball Bingo. Get autographs from the Kernels prior to the game and kids can run the bases after the game.

Mix 96.5/WMT AM 600 Belly Buster Monday: For just $7, plus the cost of a ticket, enjoy all you can eat hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and popcorn.

1600 ESPN Sports Radio Triple Play Tuesday: Get a hamburger, cheeseburger or hot dog with a 20 ounce soda or 16 ounce draft beer and a bag of chips or popcorn for only $5.

$1,000 Wednesday presented by Linn County State Bank and Z 102.9: Every Wednesday home game, one lucky fan will walk away with $1,000 courtesy of Linn County State Bank, starting May 23. Plus, enjoy freshly grilled turkey legs from the Kernels Hot Corner Grill.

100.7 The Fox Buck-A-Cup Thursday: Its back for the third season! Get a 12 ounce draft beer or soda for $1 from the Kernels Beverage Center. Slushies are $1 and bottled soda and water is $2 all game long.

National Entertainment Acts: The Kernels have lined up five of the best national entertainment acts, including the FINAL appearance of the Blues Brothers, and you'll want to be at the stadium on these nights!

The Zooperstars - Sunday, July 17 @ 2 pm

Birdzerk - Sunday, July 1 @ 2 pm

The Blues Brothers - Friday, July 27 @ 7 pm

Reggy! - Friday, August 10 @ 7 pm

Skyy Dogs USA - Friday, August 31 @ 7 pm

Thanks to KCRG TV9 and The Gazette for their sponsorship of these great acts.

Noon Games: Baseball was meant to be played under warm, sunny skies and the Kernels have six noon games scheduled this season! April 11 (Opening Day), May 15, June 1, June 26, July 9 and August 14 will feature Lunch at the Ballpark concession specials.

Premium Giveaway Nights: Make sure you're here as the Kernels have several nights lined up for goodies at the gate including: Collins Community CU Mini-Bats (April 11), Longbranch Hat Night (May 19), Pat McGrath Chevyland Used Car Nights (June 15 & August 11), Perfect Game USA Baseball Cards (June 25), McDonalds Youth Baseball Bats (July 8) and Lunchboxes (July 29). More nights are being scheduled - check for updates at Cedar Rapids Kernels Professional Baseball !

Birthday Parties: Baseball and birthdays go hand in hand and the Kernels and Culver's offer a birthday party to remember with Mr. Shucks, the birthday person and nine friends. The package includes tickets to the game, a voucher for a hot dog, chips and soda, a personalized Culver's birthday cake and more. For more information or to book your birthday party, call the Kernels office at 363-3887.

FIREWORKS: Everyone loves fireworks and the Kernels have eight post-game fireworks shows scheduled this year on June 8, 16 and 30; July 2, 7 & 28; August 11 & 31. Plus, watch the downtown Freedom Festival Fireworks from the stadium on July 4th!

Individual game tickets for the 2007 season go on sale at 10 am on Monday, March 12th on-line at Cedar Rapids Kernels Professional Baseball , by calling 896-7560 or visiting the Kernels Ticket Office from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

The Kernels open the 2007 MWL season on the road at Beloit on Thursday, April 5 and the home opener is scheduled for noon on Wednesday, April 11 against Burlington.