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Northern League

T-Bones Welcome Major League Soccer to CommunityAmerica Ballpark

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Kansas City T-Bones will welcome a new tenant to CommunityAmerica Ballpark for the next two seasons, the Kansas City Wizards. The T-Bones are happy to provide their fan-friendly environment to the world of Major League Soccer through the 2009 season.

More than a million fans have reinforced that CommunityAmerica Ballpark is an appealing venue for events in addition to the T-Bones' 48-game home schedule. The ballpark is a key component of Kansas City Kansas' neighborhood. A growing number of events like concerts, dodgeball tournaments, bridal shows, a farmer's market and the coming Wizards games support that.

"We are delighted that tens of thousands of soccer fans will now enjoy the ambience and facilities that 1,250,000 T-Bones fans have enjoyed over the past five years," said T-Bones and CommunityAmerica Ballpark owner John Ehlert.

In order to accommodate the Wizards, the ballpark will undergo slight modifications to seat the spectators the Wizards attract per game. Preliminary plans call for fixed seats to be added down the left-field line, replacing the existing berm. Bleachers will also be added behind the additional seats and behind the left-field wall. In order to comply with MLS regulations sod will replace a portion of the infield dirt prior to each game. The sod will be removed and replaced with the proper infield surface before T-Bones games. Plans to augment the available parking are also in the works to better accommodate the additional fans the Wizards expect to draw.

"With approximately 10,000 seats, this move allows the Wizards and our fans the opportunity to be a part of a more intimate atmosphere that has not been present before," said Wizards Executive Vice President Greg Cotton. "We believe this is an excellent venue for showcasing our world-class athletes in an atmosphere that is exciting, energetic and fun."

"The Wizards soccer team is a great attraction for Kansas City," said Kansas City, Kansas Mayor Joe Reardon. "So are Village West, The Legends, and CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Combining these world-class attractions is a win for soccer fans and all Kansas City residents."

The Wizards play a 30-game regular season and have shared Arrowhead Stadium with the Kansas City Chiefs since 1996. The Wizards expect to be moving to a new permanent home in 2010.

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The Gateway Grizzlies announced today that Phil Warren will return as Manager for the Frontier League club in 2008. The club also announced it is bringing back Randy Martz for his second season as pitching coach and Darin Kinsolving as hitting/bench coach.

Warren enjoyed great success in his first season as a professional field manager. The St. Louis native led the Grizzlies to a franchise-record 64 wins and a West Division title. The club's 64-29 record was the second-best regular season mark in league history. The record was second only to the 2007 Windy City ThunderBolts, who won the league championship.

"Obviously I am thrilled that Rich and Tony wanted to bring me back," Warren said. "We have a West Division title to defend and we're excited to put the pieces together again and make another run at it.

Warren served as the Grizzlies Director of Player Personnel in 2006. Prior to the 2006 season, he spent three seasons on the playing field for the Grizzlies and parts of six seasons total in the Frontier League. Warren retired following the 2005 season, holding many of the Grizzlies career offensive records. Most of those records have since been broken.

Martz returns for his second season with the Grizzlies in 2008. Martz guided the pitching staff to a 4.28 earned run average, which was good for fourth in the league. Grizzlies pitchers allowed just 324 walks during the 2007 season, good for third-best in the league.

Martz joined the Grizzlies prior to the 2007 season after spending seven full seasons in O'Fallon, MO with the River City Rascals. Martz served as the Rascals' pitching coach before skippering the team for three full seasons. Martz compiled a record of 153-163 over the three-plus seasons. Martz also continues as head coach at Lewis and Clark Community College.

"We just hope we can continue the success from last season," Martz said. "It's a good situation because I have a good relationship with both of those guys (Warren and Kinsolving). We get along on and off the field."

Martz was the 12th overall pick, by the Chicago Cubs, in the 1977 amateur draft and spent the 1980-1982 seasons with the Cubs. Martz finished his career with one game in a White Sox uniform in 1983. He compiled a 17-19 record with seven saves in 68 appearances as a major league hurler.

Kinsolving also returns for a second season with the Grizzlies. 2007 marked Kinsolving's professional coaching debut as well. Kinsolving helped lead the Grizzlies to their finest offensive season in franchise history. The Grizzlies hit .286 as a team, leading the Frontier League and establishing a new franchise record. The club's 928 hits also set a new franchise mark and was second best in the league. The Grizzlies crushed 164 home runs during the 2007 season, shattering the previous league mark by 40, and their own franchise record by more than 50 homers.

Kinsolving spent seven seasons in uniform as a player, including five seasons in the Frontier League. He hit a combined .292 with 71 home runs. His 56 Frontier League home runs were fourth best prior to 2007.

"We had a lot of fun last year," Kinsolving said. "Obviously it helps when you win. Being around Randy and Phil is great. We know how each other will react, we don't get all worked up and that shows in the team."

"Having [Martz and Kinsolving] back is very important to me," Warren said. "We understand each other. We have a very good chemistry and that translates to a very good team chemistry."

The Grizzlies will begin their eighth Frontier League season in May 21, 2008.

Ticket packages are currently on sale, and can be purchased by visiting GCS Ballpark, or calling the Grizzlies office at 618-337-3000.

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During a short ceremony Tuesday morning on the final day of the Independent Baseball Winter Meetings, Baseball America, the country's leading baseball publication, announced it had named the Long Island Ducks the 2007 Independent Organization of the Year.

"It's a tremendous honor to receive this recognition," says Ducks principal owner and CEO Frank Boulton. "This award is a culmination of the hard work that everyone in this organization contributed in 2007, from the front office to the players, coaches, gameday staff and great fans who fill our ballpark every night."

The Ducks were selected after leading the Atlantic League in both total and average attendance in 2007, drawing 427,536 fans to Citibank Park in 70 openings, an average of 6,108 each night. In other off-the-field categories, Long Island enjoyed a record year in sponsorship, merchandise and concessions, while on the field, the team won the second half North Division championship, advancing to the playoffs for an unprecedented fourth consecutive season.

With a perennially filled ballpark and a roster sparkling with former Major League players, the Ducks garnered attention in the regional and national spotlight. The team was featured on a half-hour episode of MSG Network's The Game 365, hosted by Frank Healy, as well as in feature articles that appeared on the front page of ESPN.com and the cover of USA Today Sports Weekly.

Baseball America began bestowing this honor to Independent clubs just last season, when the St. Paul Saints took home top honors. The November 9-23 issue featuring the Ducks is scheduled to hit newsstands on Thursday, November 8.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park, and have played eight seasons in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Season ticket packages for 2008 are currently available. For further information, visit Long Island Ducks Official Site, or call (631) 940-3825.

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Let me address our Season Ticket campaign for the coming 2008 season. For the past three years, I have done automatic renewals for all season tickets. This will not be the case for next season. You must reply ASAP to let me know if you are keeping your seats or passing on them. To make it simple, all you have to do is reply to this email, or send back your form that was mailed last Friday with some type of payment. You do not have to pay them in full by Dec 31st, to receive the 10% discount; you just have to send something in the form of a payment. For example, if you have four seats, you can send $40.00 and the discount will apply. Of course, you can pay them in full if you wish. If you reply by email, please tell me you are going to do. If you choose to keep your seats, please tell me you will do so and a payment will be coming in the mail. Payment can be sent to the Ogden Raptors at 2330 Lincoln Ave., Ogden, UT. 84401.

I'm sorry for the delay in getting ticket renewals under way. I have been waiting on the expansion project to play out and how many seats may get affected with the building of stadium suites. Although we plan on starting sometime this month, I was hoping for diagrams and renderings that will show how many seats would be affected. Those items haven't materialized yet, but I simply can't wait. Should any seats affected, I will contact those seat holders and make arrangements to accommodate those affected.

Also, I have the desire to change the way we do produce and display our Outfield Fence signs. The plan would be very much like the way they do it at Fenway Park. All signs would be Green for a background with simple white lettering. If any of you have a fence sign, I would like to hear your opinion on this. I think it would make the ballpark crisper and cleaner in the "look" and overall environment, while still getting your message across to the fans.

I know many of you haven't heard much on the expansion, and quite frankly, neither have we. I have been informed that everything is still on track to begin on the 14th of November, so we should see something happening real soon.

As you can see, we are staying quite busy this fall. With this in mind, if any of you have sponsorships like program ads or signage, let me know now if you are renewing for the coming season. This will help us stay on top of everything.

Should you have any comments or questions, you can contact me here or simply call me at 393-2400.

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APPLEBEE'S PARK (Lexington, KY) - The Lexington Legends have named Andy Shea as the team's new General Manager. Shea succeeds Kevin Kulp, who stepped down from the same post to pursue other opportunities.

"I am extremely excited and appreciative for the opportunity to represent the Lexington Legends and my family in the Central Kentucky community, Shea said. "I have tremendous people working around me, and I am thoroughly looking forward to my responsibilities as General Manager."

Shea joined the Legends in 2005 as a Ticket Sales Representative prior to being named Assistant General Manager in 2006. Shea graduated from Boston College with a degree in Marketing and Human Resources. Andy played one and a half years of baseball at Boston College before shoulder surgery ended his career. He hails from Philadelphia.

The Legends made three additional front office moves. Luke Kuboushek was promoted to Assistant General Manger; Seth Poteat becomes the new Director of Marketing; and Beth Ann Goldenberg assumes the role of Director of Ticket Operations.

"The education and work experience, particularly in Minor League Baseball, that Luke, Seth, and Beth Ann bring to the Legends is first class," Shea said. "The Legends are very lucky to have these three people in such important roles."

Kuboushek joined the Legends in 2006 as a Group Sales Representative. Luke was Director of Group Sales at the time of his promotion. Poteat joined the Legends in 2004 as a Corporate Sales Executive before assuming his new position. Goldenberg has been with the Legends since 2001. Beth has served as a Group Sales Representative, the Director of Group Sales and most recently the Director of Elite Club Services.

The Lexington Legends open the 2008 home schedule on Monday, April 7 against the Greenville Drive. Season tickets are now on sale with packages perfect for every budget. For more information, go to the Legends website at Lexington Legends: Home or call the box office at Applebee's Park at 859-422-RUNS (7867).

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The Lynchburg Hillcats have named Scott Bacon the Director of Broadcasting and "Voice of the Hillcats" for the upcoming 2008 season. Bacon replaces Jon Schaeffer, who had recently concluded his fifth season in Lynchburg, and third as Director of Broadcasting. Schaeffer has accepted a media position with Philadelphia's Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, effective October 1st.

Bacon, 26, served as the team's Assistant Director of Broadcasting last season, working under the direction of Schaeffer. The Cleveland, Ohio native graduated from Otterbein College in 2005 with a degree in Broadcasting. While an undergraduate, he served as the Sports Director for the campus radio station and was the radio and television voice of the Cardinals in baseball, football, basketball and soccer. Previous broadcast experience includes four years as the voice of the Columbus All-Americans in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.

Schaeffer, 27, also served as the signature voice of Longwood University men's basketball and talent for select University of Virginia broadcasts on ACCSelect, a broadband sports network. A graduate of Penn State University in 2002, Schaeffer was a finalist for the Hearst Award, a national accolade honoring excellence in student broadcasting.

2008 marks the sixth consecutive season that all 140 games can be heard on the Hillcats flagship station, WKDE 105.5 FM. Every broadcast is also available via the Internet at lynchburg-hillcats.com: Home.

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The Lancaster JetHawks have begun to receive merchandise commemorating the Boston Red Sox World Series Championship for sale in the Clear Channel Stadium souvenir store. The JetHawks expect to receive limited edition commemorative baseballs, as well as at least one style of t-shirts featuring the championship logo.

In addition to World Series merchandise, items featuring the JetHawks new team identity are also available on-line and in person at the JetHawks team store. Official game hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts and polo shirts are available now and each features the new logos for the team, which were unveiled on October 24.

The JetHawks store is open daily from 9 AM - 5 PM and orders may also be placed on-line at Lancaster JetHawks.

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The 2007 season just ended and the preparations for the 2008 RockHounds season have already begun. Last week we announced our 2008 home schedule, along with a special event that will no doubt have a huge impact on the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

The USA Women's Olympic Softball Team will be making 40 stops in different regions of the United States next summer in preparation for the August Olympics in Beijing. One of the stops will be right here at Citibank Ballpark on Friday, June 27th, as they will take the field against a regional all-star team. A special thanks goes out to the Midland Softball Association, Bill Williams Tire Center and Midland Memorial Hospital - Sportscare for helping secure this wonderful event.

However, the USA game isn't the only buzz around Citibank Ballpark this off-season. Plans for more fan friendly upgrades are in the works as well as a return of all of your favorite promotions like Thirsty Thursdays, Trauma Awareness Day, Cancer Awareness Day, Pitch, Hit & Run, Fourth of July Baseball, All-You-Can-Eat Picnics, Fireworks and a special concert.

We look forward to another great season in 2008! Reserve your seats today!

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Manchester, NH -The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, today announced their 2008 promotional schedule, featuring 19 Atlas Fireworks Nights and 37 giveaways, including six all-new bobblehead dolls. The 2008 season gets underway at Merchantsauto.com Stadium on Thursday, April 10 with a 6:35pm game against the Connecticut Defenders. The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a free All-Star Game Magnetic Schedule.

Fans entering the ballpark on specific game days will receive giveaways including the following: kids' jerseys, baseball caps, full-size, mini and inflatable bats, t-shirts, team card sets, bucket hats, seat cushions, Wiffle ball sets, gloves, pennants, visors, foam fingers, wristbands, backpacks, beach towels, soccer balls and footballs.

"We wanted to put together a season full of great giveaways and promotions as a token of our appreciation for our fans choosing to spend their time with us," said Fisher Cats President/General Manager Rick Brenner. "We combined a lot of our most popular attractions from last year with many exciting new items for our All-Star season."

The Fisher Cats and the NH Sportsplex today announced that former Fisher Cats Hitting Coach Gary Cathcart, Boston Red Sox Minor League Pitching Coordinator Ralph Treuel and 2007 Los Angeles Dodgers Bench Coach Dave Jauss will team up to offer Winter Baseball Clinics at the NH Sportsplex in Bedford. The clinics, comprised of six sessions, will run on Monday nights between 6:00pm-8:00pm beginning on December 3.

"These clinics will provide aspiring baseball players with some hands-on lessons from three true professionals at the state's premier indoor year-round facility," said Fisher Cats President/General Manager Rick Brenner. "The Fisher Cats are excited to partner with NH Sportsplex on this project that will benefit area youngsters who have a passion for playing the game."

Each participant will receive professional coaching in hitting, pitching and baseball fundamentals. The $200 registration includes a complimentary Fisher Cats/Sportsplex T-shirt and two tickets to Opening Night -Thursday, April 10- when the Fisher Cats host the Connecticut Defenders at Merchantsauto.com Stadium.

For additional information in regards to the clinics, please contact Chris Coutrier at (603) 641-1313 x 403 or by email at chris@nhsportsplex.com.

Fisher Cats Full-Season and Half-Season Tickets are on sale now. All Season Ticket packages include tickets to the 2008 Northeast Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star Game. For more information, contact the Fisher Cats Ticket Office at (603) 641-2005 or visit New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville Sounds starter Adam Pettyjohn has been named as the left-handed pitcher on the 2007 Topps/Minor League Baseball Triple-A All-Star team.

Pettyjohn, who joined the Sounds on June 1st after opening the year with Double-A Huntsville, was previously named as a member of the 2007 All-Pacific Coast League team after finishing 12-4 with a 3.87 ERA (45er/104.2ip) in 17 starts for Nashville.

He exhibited outstanding control during his time with the Sounds, walking just 19 batters while striking out 83 in his 104 2/3 innings.

The 30-year-old southpaw split the year between Nashville and Double-A Huntsville and went 16-6 with a 4.07 ERA (73er/161.1ip) in 28 starts between the two clubs.

Pettyjohn tied for 5th among minor league hurlers with a career-best 16 victories in 2007 (four hurlers tied for overall lead with 17 wins) and tied for 2nd in the Pacific Coast League with 12 wins (trailing Sounds teammate R.A. Dickey's 13).

His 3.87 ERA with Nashville would have ranked 4th in the PCL but he finished 11 innings short of the league minimum.

The complete 2007 Topps/Minor League Baseball Triple-A All-Star team and corresponding news release is attached.

The best performances in all Minor League Baseball classifications are again being honored by the Topps Company of New York, NY, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball.