The Williamsport Crosscutters 2008 home opener is slated for Friday, June 20 vs. the Jamestown Jammers as Williamsport begins their 2nd year as a Philadelphia Phillies affiliate. The Crosscutters open the season with a 3-game road trip to Mahoning Valley June 17-19.
The Cutters are again slated to play 38 home games at Historic Bowman Field in 2008. The home schedule includes two afternoon games- July 4 and September 1 (Labor Day) starting at 1:05pm. With the exception of those games all Monday-Saturday contests will again begin at 7:05pm with Sunday games being 6:05pm starts. Williamsport's longest homestand is 8 games (Aug. 26-Sept. 2) and the longest road trip is 6 games (July 22-27).
For more information on 2008 ticket plans and corporate partnership opportunities, please call the Crosscutters at (570) 326-3389 or visit Williamsport Crosscutters.
Greenville, SC - Don't fret Drive fans, the start of next season is less than six months away! After a highly successful 2007 season in which West End Field set a new Greenville attendance record for the second consecutive year, the Drive have announced their 2008 schedule.
Opening Day 2008 is set for April 3rd and begins a four day season kick off celebration, with the Drive facing the Kannapolis Intimidators. Drive General Manager Mike deMaine commented, "Plans are underway now for a memorable opening series, with a tribute to the area's rich baseball heritage, followed by another exciting season of downtown baseball for our growing Drive fan base."
Last season the Drive topped the Greenville single-season attendance record as 339,810 fans came through the turnstiles, eclipsing the previous mark which they set during their Inaugural Season by more than 9,000 fans.
In conjunction with the new schedule announcement, the Drive also noted that ticket prices for full and partial season ticket plans will remain unchanged for the 2008 season. Craig Brown, president and co-owner of the team, commented on the pricing saying, "While it is unusual in our industry to maintain ticket pricing over three years, this is reflective of our ongoing desire to provide high value, family affordable entertainment at West End Field."
Prices for the popular Box seats, which cover the largest seating area, will remain at $8, unchanged since the 2006 Inaugural Season. Small adjustments will be made to selected other single game seating areas to reflect the differing value offered by each of the options.
For the 2008 season, all Monday through Saturday home games will have a first pitch set for 7:00 PM, with the exception of four Business Person Special dates. Fans will want to mark April 16th and 23rd, May 21st, and July 23rd - all Wednesdays - on their calendars as each of these games will have a first pitch at 11:00 AM. All Sunday games, 11 in total, will once again begin at 4:00 PM.
"We've had a lot of fans ask for the day games to start earlier, so we moved the four Wednesday games to begin at 11:00 AM" deMaine noted. "These games offer a perfect getaway for workers over the lunch hour, plus a fun outing option for schools and youth groups," added deMaine. "Where else can you enjoy a delicious lunch and such exciting baseball action?"
West End Field will again provide an ideal place to spend holidays in 2008 as the Drive will be home on Memorial Day (Monday, 26th versus the Savannah Sand Gnats), and on Father's Day (Sunday, June 15th versus the Augusta GreenJackets) and Independence Day (Friday, July 4th versus Savannah Sand Gnats). The Drive game on the 4th will begin at 4:00 PM and will be a featured event in coordination with the City's overall Red, White and Blue Festival
Highlighting the 2008 schedule will be a visit by the reigning South Atlantic League Champion Columbus Catfish (May 3rd-6th), and Northern Division Champion West Virginia Power (August 15th-18th). Meanwhile the Drive will continue the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry with a Southern flare on August 2nd-5th, when they host their intrastate opponent Charleston RiverDogs.
Fans can reserve their 2008 seats through a variety of ticket plans by calling the Greenville Drive at (864) 240-4500.
Greenville, SC - Are you bummed out that you can't get to Jacob's Field in Cleveland to see the Boston Red Sox take on the Indians? Then enjoy the next best thing - watching the American League Championship Series Game 5 showdown at West End Field.
This Thursday, October 18th the Drive will host a viewing party for Game 5 of the ALCS in the Spinx 500 Club at West End Field from 6:00 PM until the end of the game. First pitch for the game is set for 8:00 PM on Fox, with the game being shown on several of the televisions in the Spinx 500 Club, as well as the DriveVision videoboard.
"Red Sox Nation spans nationwide, including a very loyal fan base in the Upstate," commented Drive General Manager Mike deMaine. "By opening West End Field to the public for Game 5 of the ALCS we are providing the perfect setting for fans to get in the baseball mindset. Hopefully our fans' cheering from more than 600 miles away will be the spark that propels the Red Sox to victory."
Prior to the start of Thursday's crucial game, the Spinx 500 Club will feature $1 Dos Equis from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. During the game, fans will be able to enjoy an array of draft beers offered in the Spinx 500 Club - including Yuengling, Coors Light, Stella Artois, Shiner Bock, Blue Moon, and Becks - as well as some excellent stadium cuisine including mozzarella sticks, Buffalo wings, Philly Cheesesteaks, lemon pepper chicken, and bratwurst, just to name a few.
In addition to the Red Sox-Indians game being shown in the Spinx 500 Club, the Drive's emcee JDew will lead fans in several bar games including Red Sox trivia, Pictionary, and Rock, Paper, Scissors, with plenty of Greenville Drive prizes on the line.
"West End Field provides a great atmosphere for all Red Sox and Drive fans, as the Drive's parent club is in search of its second World Series title in the last four years," added deMaine. "Other than attending the game live, there's no better way to experience Game 5 than at a replica of Fenway Park."
The Hagerstown Suns announce today that all game jerseys are available for sale beginning this Thursday, October 18th at 10 a.m.
Three jerseys that have already garnered a lot of interest will be made available on Ebay.com in an effort to make it fair for all fans interested in purchasing them. The three jerseys are a home #35 Chris Marrero jersey that was worn and autographed by Marrero, a #44 Justin Maxwell home game worn jersey and a #31 Brad Hennessey home jersey. Hennessey pitched for the Suns in 2003 and was the San Francisco Giants closer this season recording 19 saves with a 3.42 ERA. These three auctions will begin on Thursday along with the jersey sale.
Fans can purchase the jersey of their choice by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266 and referencing the Game Used Jersey Sale. Jerseys will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Each jersey has a set price. Each of the Suns four jersey types (home, road, batting practice and alternate) will be available for sale, unless mentioned above. There are also select jerseys remaining in our old black Sunday alternate style.
This is your chance to own an authentic piece of Suns history and wear the jersey of a top prospect or a former Suns player that has already made the Major Leagues. Current Major League players such as Brad Hennessey, Brian Wilson, Travis Ishikawa and Justin Maxwell all have at least one jersey available. There are jerseys available of Nationals future stars Chris Marrero and Mike Daniel. Maxwell was called up to the Nationals and hit .296 with 2 HR and 5 RBI in limited action in September.
Payments can be made to the Hagerstown Suns by check or credit card (Visa, MC or Discover). A certificate of authenticity will accompany each jersey. Jerseys can be shipped anywhere for an additional fee.
For more information on the 2008 season, or to inquire about Suns ticket packages and sponsorships, contact the Suns at 301.791.6266 or info@hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals and are owned by Mandalay Baseball Properties of Los Angeles, California.
Come out and cheer on your 2007 Midwest League Western Division Champion Beloit Snappers next season! 2008 season ticket packages our now available with plenty of perks to go along with them.
Packages start as low at $72.00 and can be purchased in 15-game packs, half-season plans, and full-season plans. The Snappers also offer payments plans for all of our ticket packages (25% down followed by additional payments every month for three months).
Full-Season Ticket Packages:
- Assigned seating of your choice
- First chance at preferred seating for playoff games
- No waiting in ticket lines
- Guaranteed every Snappers' giveaway item
- Discounts on Snappers' events throughout the season
- Special invitation to our end of the season full season ticket holder picnic
- Discounts on 2009 season ticket packages
Box Seat - $308.00 (45% discount)
Reserved Seat - $269.50 (45% discount)
General Admission - $231.00 (45% discount)
35-Game Ticket Packages:
- Assigned seating of your choice or flexibility of using 35 vouchers (must be redeemed at ticket window for a regular game ticket)
- First chance at preferred seating for playoffs
- Discounts on Snappers' events throughout the season
- Discounts on 2009 season ticket packages
Box Seat - $182.00 (35% discount)
Reserved Seat - $159.25 (35% discount)
General Admission - $136.50 (35% discount)
15-Game Ticket Packages:
- 15 vouchers for you to choose the games (must be redeemed at the ticket window for a regular game ticket)
- First chance at preferred seating for playoffs
- Discounts on Snappers' events throughout the season
- Discounts on 2009 season ticket packages
Box Seat - $96.00 (20% discount)
Reserved Seat - $84.00 (20% discount)
General Admission - $72.00 (20% discount)
This season the Snappers are offering special gifts to NEW full and half-season ticket holders. The first 16 NEW full-season ticket holders will receive one complimentary Prince Fielder, Jeff Cirillo, and Matt Garza bobblehead doll. The first five NEW half-season ticket holders will receive a set of four Snappers' pint glasses.
Now is the time to lock up your 2008 Snappers' season tickets along with these great gifts, perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, and the upcoming holiday season.
Contact a Snappers' representative at 608-362-2272, snappersbasebal.com, or at Pohlman Field located at 2301 Skyline Drive in Beloit for more information.
Manatees fans, the Brevard County Manatees schedule will be finalized in the near future. There are a couple dates that may need to be traded out with a couple teams that affect our schedule. Once those dates and games have been finalized, we will get the 2008 schedule in your hands.
Here are some important dates that we can tell you about (subject to change):
-The Manatees will begin the season on the road at Daytona Beach to face the Daytona Cubs on Thursday, April 3rd and Friday, April 4th.
-The Manatees home opener will be on Saturday, April 5th, against the Palm Beach Cardinals. It will be the first Saturday night home opener in four years (2004) and the first as a Milwaukee Brewers affiliate.
-The Manatees will end the season on the road at St Lucie on Sunday, August 31st.
-Off days will include Mother's Day (Sunday, May 11th), Memorial Day (Monday, May 26th) and the MLB All-Star Game (Tuesday, July 15th).
-The 2008 FSL All-Star Game will be Saturday, June 14th at Space Coast Stadium.
Former Manatees season ticket holder, Ezra Poe, will tie the knot tomorrow morning at 10 in Paul's Valley, OK. Ezra, as many of you remember, could always be counted on to jump in and sing the National Anthem on a moment's notice. Ezra met his future wife on April Fool's Day (no joke) and proposed to her recently while he was the PA Announcer at a softball game. He had a wireless mike and "did the right thing by getting on a knee in front of the crowd." He and his lovely bride, Peggy, will honeymoon in Dallas. Congratulations, Mr & Mrs Poe!
We received numerous emails from those that are hunting for our coin and didn't save the previous emails (all which contained clues). Unfortunately, we cannot resend those newsletters, so maybe it's time to network and pool your resources with other Manatees fans that saved those emails. Alas, ye scurvy dogs, you know better than to hit the delete button. We will give you today's clue uncoded:
By thee pirate's flag ye'll find a number
It shorely be written in stone.
Then near the mast some do slumber
So be careful if you go it alone.
Season Tickets are available for the 2008 season. Call Kylee Hanish at (321) 633-9200 x3004 and pick out your seats. A $50 deposit is all it takes to become a season ticket holder. The Manatees accept payments all the way up to the season's first game. Season Tickets are the most affordable way to catch the 2007 Eastern Division Champions duke it out next season! Additionally, Season Ticket holders will receive a free ticket to the 2008 All-Star Game in June as part of their season ticket package. Call Kylee for more information.
SALEM, VA -- The Salem Avalanche, Advanced Class-A Affiliate of the Houston Astros, announced that Head Groundskeeper Tracy Schneweis will be travelling to Taiwan to ready baseball facilities for the 2007 International Baseball Federation (IBAF) World Cup in Chinese Taipei from Nov. 6-18, 2007.
The Team USA roster is made up of professional, non-25-man roster players (Minor Leaguers) of the 30 Major League organizations. This is the eighth time USA Baseball has utilized Major League-affiliated professional players for international competition, including the 1999 Pan Am Games, the 2000 Olympic Games, the 2001 World Cup, the 2003 Olympic Qualifier, the 2005 IBAF World Cup, and the 2006 COPABE Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Schneweis, 30, completed his fourth season with the Avalanche in 2007. The Dodge City, KS native is well-regarded throughout the Carolina League and professional baseball for his strong work ethic, attention to detail and the quality of the playing surface in Salem year in and year out. He holds both a Bachelors Degree in Sports Management (2000) and a Masters Degree in Sports Administration (2001) from Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS.
"This is a tremendous honor for Tracy and we're all very proud of him," said John Katz, Avalanche VP / General Manager. "Tracy's hard work throughout his career, beginning in Augusta and Myrtle Beach, and continuing during his first four years in Salem, has not gone unnoticed."
Schneweis will be joining internationally-renowned groundskeeper Murray Cook's team in Taipei and will be assigned to the brand-new Tiu Liou Stadium. Cook, a Salem native, got his start as the Groundskeeper for the Salem Pirates in 1974. He is presently a field and stadium consultant for Major League Baseball, providing services in the development and management of numerous international MLB exhibition games, training camps and other field-related issues. Murray Cook is also the President of Sports Turf Services, a Division of the Brickman Group, that has provided services including field construction, design and maintenance services for the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, USA baseball, the International Baseball federation, Ripken Baseball and numerous major/minor/college/recreation fields around the world.
"Tracy has proven himself to be one of the top groundskeepers in minor league baseball," said Cook. "Having him there to oversee the field operations at Tiu Liou Stadium will ensure the success of the tournament. I feel fortunate to have this Salemite as part of our international team."
Schneweis will head to Taiwan next week and will return in early November to begin preparations for the 2008 Salem Avalanche season.
Quakes put up second off-season game worn jersey auction
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes will contiue to do a little housecleaning in the locker room this off-season by auctioning off select game-worn home, road, and throwback jerseys in week-long, online-only auction on their recently re-designed website.
Minor leagues news 10/18
New York-Penn League
