truebluefan

Northern League Transactions

Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks: Exercised the 2008 option on the following player contracts: RHP Nate Cotton, RHP Todd George, RHP Brandon Goltz, RHP Brandon Harmsen, RHP Brett Lawson, RHP Mark Michael, LHP Mike Peschel, RHP Dane Renkert, LHP Adam Rowe, RHP Jason Schutt, LHP Joe Sergent, RHP Gerrit Simpson, RHP Doug Young, C Adam Shorsher, INF Mike Just, INF Ruben Salazar, INF Kory Wayment, OF Richard Austin, OF Joe Mathis, OF Daniel Maycock and OF Tydus Meadows.

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Durham, NC - The Durham Bulls and La Ley 96.9 FM today announced a new initiative to attract members of the growing Latin market in the Triangle to Durham Bulls Baseball games in 2008. The team is launching the program in an effort to grow its share of the market which currently stands at just over six percent.

"This is going to be an intensive effort," Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said, "It's a big first step to make our ballpark experience friendlier to the Latin community."

Details include an entire ticket window and stadium map at the box office with signs in Spanish and a bilingual hospitality team member for every game. The team's official gameday program, Play Ball, will feature a "Fan's Guide to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park" in Spanish. A webpage on the team's increasingly popular website, Durhambulls.com, will offer a history of the team, stadium guide, directions and features on Durham Bulls players and coaches.

Translations for all of these items will be handled by La Ley, who will also help in marketing the initiative and attracting Spanish-speaking hospitality team members.

"We are excited to introduce the Hispanic Community to Durham Bulls baseball. This will prove to be an excellent way to help build fan base for the Bulls and in return provide excellent value to the Hispanic consumer for a sport they truly enjoy", said Jon M. Bloom, VP/GM of La Ley 96.9 FM.

The Durham Bulls open the 2008 home schedule on Friday, April 11th against the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees at 7:05 PM at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. For more information, contact the Bulls at (919) 687-6500.

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Minor League Baseball announced that Buffalo Bisons' outfielder Ben Francisco has been named to the Topps' Triple-A All-Star Team. After each season, the best performances in each Minor League Baseball classification are honored by the Topps Company of New York, NY, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball.

Francisco, 26, played 95 games with the Bisons in 2007 and led the International League with a .318 (120-377) batting average. He was the Bisons' first batting champion since Mark Ryal hit .334 in 1990 in the American Association. It was Buffalo's first batting title in the International League since 1961 when Ted Savage hit .325 on his way to being named the IL's Most Valuable Player.

Francisco was also named an International League post season All-Star in 2007. The outfielder hit .319 in 19 games in April, earning his first ever Major League promotion. He returned to Buffalo on May 4 and put together a 19-game hit streak from May 9-June 7 where he hit .423 (33-78). He spent a month with the Cleveland Indians, June 22-July 28, before being optioned down to the Bisons for August. In his third stint with the Herd, he had a 15-game hit streak from August 2-16 (.381, 24-63) to take command of the IL batting charts.

Francisco's 120 hits with the Bisons were second on the team only to Ryan Mulhern (138). His 40 multi-hit games were T1st (Mulhern) while 41 of his hits went for extra bases (27 doubles, 2 triples, 12 home runs). Francisco hit .343 (60-175) in front of Buffalo fans at Dunn Tire Park.

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The Trenton Thunder, the Class AA affiliate of the New York Yankees, has released its 2008 promotional schedule, which features multiple giveaways themed around the Thunder's 2007 EL Championship, the 2008 15th Season of Thunder Baseball and former Thunder star and Yankee phenom Joba Chamberlain. The 2008 Thunder home schedule kicks off on Thursday, April 10th against the Harrisburg Senators at 7:05 PM.

The Thunder will offer fans entrance giveaways themed around last year's championship season five times in 2008. On Opening Night, the first 2,000 fans ages 6 and over will receive a Desktop Championship Ring Replica while also enjoying a post-game fireworks show. On April 13, the Thunder will celebrate "Kids Opening Day" with all children ages 5 to 15 taking home an EL Championship Logo Baseball. On April 25, the first 1,500 fans will receive a Thunder Championship Hat. The first 2,000 fans on July 25 will get a Thunder Championship Banner courtesy of Rosenberger's Dairies. Finally, on August 8 the first 2,000 fans will receive a Tony Franklin 2007 Champions Bronze Statue.

The Thunder will be celebrating their 15th Season in Trenton with nine giveaways throughout the year. The team is offering an "All 15 Year Team" Card Set to fans at the games on April 14 (Volume 1), June 23 (Volume 2), June 30 (Volume 3) and July 28 (Volume 4). The first 1,500 fans will take home a 15th Season Bucket Hat on May 2, a 15th Season Logo Baseball on May 13 and a 15th Season Logo Pint Glass on July 29. The Thunder will offer a special 15th Season Collector's Yearbook to fans on July 8 while fans on August 12 will receive a Thunder History Three Logo Baseball Collector's Set. The set will contain three baseballs that will pay tribute to the Thunder franchise's current and past official logos.

Joba Chamberlain took the baseball world by storm in 2007 including a successful stint in Trenton. The Thunder will offer four giveaways featuring the former Thunder star. On April 26, the first 1,000 fans ages 5 to 15 will receive a Chamberlain #62 Replica Jersey. On June 22, the first 1,000 fans ages 5 to 15 will get a Joba Chamberlain Photo Baseball. The first 2,000 fans ages 6 and over at the game on July 30 will get a very special collectible - a dual bobblehead doll featuring Chamberlain and fellow Yankee pitching prospect Ian Kennedy. On August 31, the Thunder will celebrate Fan Appreciation Night with Joba Chamberlain Player Statues to the first 2,000 fans.

There will be nine bobblehead doll giveaways in 2008. The bobblehead schedule will kick off with Robinson Cano (Thunder 2003-04) on May 27 and will be immediately followed by Shelley Duncan (Thunder 2005-06) on May 28. Chien-ming Wang (Thunder 2003) Bobblehead Night will be held on June 25, Phil Hughes (2006-07) Bobblehead Night will be July 9 and Ian Kennedy Bobblehead Night will be August 13. On July 2, Thunder fans will get a special bobblehead in celebration of Independence Day - George Washington crossing the Delaware River. The bobblehead doll giveaways on June 11 and August 20 will feature a player to be determined. All Thunder bobblehead giveaways are for the first 2,000 fans ages 6 and over.

The promotional schedule has 19 Fireworks shows over the course of the season, including Opening Night (Thursday, April 10), as well July 3th.

The Thunder will have two "Jersey Auction" nights, as the Thunder players will wear Camouflage Jerseys on June 12 to celebrate Flag Day and American Flag Jerseys on July 3. Fans will have the chance to bid on the jerseys during the games.

The schedule also includes "birthday" giveaways for the two best mascots in the business. Boomer's Birthday on May 18 will have a Boomer Jersey Giveaway for the first 1,000 kids ages 5 to 15. Chase "That Golden Thunder" will celebrate his birthday with a stuffed doll giveaway for the first 1,500 fans ages 5 to 15 on July 1.

Other new giveaways planned for 2008 include Thunder Umbrellas (May 16), Melky Cabrera (Thunder 2005) Yankee Jerseys (July 27), a Thunder "Characters" Lunchbox (August 24) and Football Friday (August 29).

2008 Thunder Ticket Information

Full and Half-Season Tickets, as well as Group Ticket Sales are currently available for purchase at the Thunder Ticket Office by calling 609-394-3300 or ordering on-line at The Trenton Thunder*Baseball Team.

2008 Thunder Promotional Calendar

APRIL

10 Opening Night Fireworks and Desktop Championship

Ring Replica (1st 2,000 / ages 6+)

11 Magnetic Schedules (1st 2,000)

12 Magnetic Schedules (1st 2,000)

13 Kid's Opening Day / Championship Logo Baseballs (1st

1,500 / ages 5-15)

14 Most Improved Student Program / All 15 Year Team Card

Pack Vol. 1 (1st 1,500)

15 Most Improved Student Program

16 NJEA Educational Day (Special 11:05 AM Start)

24 Fireworks

25 Thunder Championship Hats (1st 1,500)

26 Joba Chamberlain #62 Youth Replica Jerseys (1st 1,000 /

ages 5-15)

27 Autism Awareness Day / Youth Fielding Gloves (1st 1,000

/ ages 5-15)

MAY

2 Thunder 15th Season Bucket Hats (1st 1,500)

3 Fireworks

4 Thunder Batting Helmets (1st 2,000 / ages 5-15)

13 Most Improved Student Program / 15th Season Logo

Baseball (1st 2,000)

14 NJEA Educational Day (Special 11:05 AM Start)

15 Fireworks

16 Thunder Umbrellas (1st 1,000 / ages 18+)

17 Fireworks

18 Boomer's Birthday Jerseys (1st 1,000 / ages 5-15)

27 Robinson Cano Bobbleheads (1st 2,000 / ages 6+)

28 Shelley Duncan Bobbleheads (1st 2,000 / ages 6+)

29 Fireworks

JUNE

6 Group Sleepover / Kids Run The Show Night

7 Fireworks / Special Olympics Night

8 Thunder Full Size Wood Bats (1st 1,000 / ages 5-15)

10 Yankee T-Shirts (1st 1,000)

11 TBD Bobbleheads (1st 2,000 / ages 6+)

12 Fireworks / Camouflage Jersey Auction

20 Verizon Wireless Thunder Team Card Sets (1st 1,500 /

ages 6+)

21 Fireworks

22 Joba Chamberlain Photo Balls (1st 1,000 / ages 5-15)

23 All 15 Year Team Card Pack Vol. 2 (1st 1,500)

24 Shelley Duncan Photo Minibats (1st 1,000)

25 Chien-ming Wang Bobbleheads (1st 2,000 / ages 6+)

26 Day Camp Day (Special 12:05 Start)

30 All 15 Year Team Card Pack Vol. 3 (1st 1,500)

JULY

1 Chase Birthday Stuffed Dolls (1st 1,500 / ages 5-15)

2 George Washington Bobbleheads (1st 2,000 / ages 6+)

3 Fireworks / American Flag Jersey Auction

8 Thunder 15th Season Collector's Yearbook (1st 1,500 /

ages 18+)

9 Phil Hughes Bobbleheads (1st 2,000 / ages 6+)

10 Fireworks / White Eagle Printing Thunder Posters (1st

2,000)

11 Bark In The Park Night - Buy A Terrace Seat and Bring

Your Dog!

12 Fireworks

13 Yankee Giveaway TBD

14 Day Camp Day (Special 12:05 Start)

25 Rosenberger's Dairies Thunder Championship Banners

(1st 2,000)

26 Fireworks

27 Melky Cabrera Yankee Jerseys (1st 1,000 / ages 5-15)

28 All 15 Year Team Card Pack Vol. 4 (1st 1,500)

29 Irish American Night / 15th Season Pint Glasses (1st

1,500 / ages 18+)

30 Joba Chamberlain & Ian Kennedy Dual Bobblehead (1st

2,000 / ages 6+)

31 Day Camp Day (Special 12:05 Start)

AUGUST

7 Fireworks

8 Group Sleepover / Tony Franklin 2007 EL Champs Bronze

Statue (1st 2,000)

9 Fireworks

10 Thunder Youth Fielding Gloves (1st 1,000 / ages 5-15)

12 Thunder History 3 Logo Baseball Collector's Set (1st

1,000)

13 Ian Kennedy Bobbleheads (1st 2,000 / ages 6+)

14 Fireworks

19 Yankee Giveaway TBD

20 TBD Bobbleheads (1st 2,000 / ages 6+)

21 Fireworks

22 NJEA Back-To-School Backpacks (1st 1,500 / ages 5-15)

23 Fireworks

24 Thunder "Characters" Lunch Boxes (1st 1,000 / ages 5-

15)

29 Football Friday - Team Prize Packs throughout the game

30 Fireworks

31 Fan Appreciation Night / Joba Chamberlain Player Statue

(1st 2,000)

SEPTEMBER

1 Thunder Bucket Hats (1st 1,500)

DATES, ITEMS, AND QUANTITY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND/OR CANCELLATION

truebluefan

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Little chunks of baseball history - in the form of grass cut-outs of the playing surface at Whataburger Field - are being given away by the Corpus Christi Hooks. The sod gifts are available today, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The Tif Sport Bermuda grass is the same grass used at Minute Maid Park in Houston and at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan and Phil Niekro have walked on the grass at Whataburger Field, as have future members of the Hall Roger Clemens and Jeff Bagwell.

The grass has played host to a Texas League Championship, the 2007 Texas League All-Star Game, top collegiate games featuring nationally-ranked schools like Texas and Rice, and some of the top prep programs in the Coastal Bend. Since the facility opened in April of 2005, a total of 270 baseball games have been played at Whataburger Field.

There are approximately 225 strips of grass that are available. Each strip is roughly 18 inches wide and two feet long. Hooks season ticket holders will have the first opportunity to collect the strips, which are limited to one per season ticket holder. The grass strips may be picked up today in the main lobby at Whataburger Field from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The strips will be distributed through this Friday while the supply lasts.

The grass that is being removed covers a 10-foot arc in the outfield just beyond the dirt portion of the infield. That area needs to raised due to settling after three years of play.

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San Jose Giants call Municipal Stadium home through 2013

SAN JOSE, CALIF November 6, 2007 - The San Jose City Council today approved a five year lease extension to keep the San Jose Giants playing at Municipal Stadium through the 2013 season. Terms of the agreement include the ability for the San Jose Giants to sell stadium naming rights and pursue on-site development options in an effort to fund much needed capital improvements at the ballpark.

"We are excited that the SJ Giants will continue to call San Jose our home for at least six more years," said Jim Weyermann San Jose Giants President. "We worked hard with the City to put together an innovative lease extension that creates opportunities for us to address much needed stadium improvements; but will not place a burden on the City's general fund or compete with basic services."

One of the most significant elements of the lease extension allows the San Jose Giants to sell stadium naming rights for Municipal Stadium. All funds generated by the naming rights agreement will be used to finance essential improvements to the stadium.

"It is our goal to attract more strategic partners to help us achieve the facility requirements necessary to maximize the fan experience and accomplish our player development goals," Weyermann went on to say. "Now more than ever, the San Francisco Giants need us to deliver the type of facility that can get our draft choices to the next level."

The contract also establishes a new stadium capital fund and grants the San Jose Giants certain development options on site, subject to City Council approval. The City will provide a one time contribution of $200,000 to the newly created fund. All additional funding will come from the San Jose Giants and through the sale of the Stadium naming rights.

Municipal Stadium has hosted professional baseball in San Jose for more than 60 years. Since 1988, the San Jose Giants have been the Class A Advanced affiliate of the San Francisco Giants; currently the longest affiliation in baseball. The Giants won the 2007 California League title last September and have four Championships victories during their current affiliation. The San Jose Giants also set an attendance record last season with over 182,000 fans enjoying games at Municipal Stadium.

For more information on tickets or the 2008 season please call (408) 297-1435 or visit San Jose Giants Baseball Club.

truebluefan

Lancaster JetHawks New Team Hat To Be Featured on NBC's "Life"

The Lancaster JetHawks, California League Class A affiliate of the World Champion Boston Red Sox, will have its new team identity broadcast nationwide on Wednesday, November 14 on NBC's primetime drama "Life". The new hit series airs locally at 10:00 PM.

The JetHawks official New Era team hat will be prominently displayed and talked about by a cast of characters who use it as a clue to solve a crime in the episode. In addition to the JetHawks cap, the show will also feature caps from other California League teams, including the Stockton Ports, Modesto Nuts, Visalia Oaks and Bakersfield Blaze.

"Life" is a new NBC drama about a detective who is given a second chance. Damian Lewis ("Band of Brothers") stars as complex, offbeat Detective Charlie Crews, who returns to the force after years in prison, thanks to close friend and attorney Constance Griffiths (Brooke Langton), after serving time in prison for a crime he didn't commit.

The JetHawks introduced its new team identity, including new cap logos and designs as well as new home and road uniform designs on October 24, the first such change to the team's identity since prior to the 2001 season.

NBC's use of the JetHawks' official game hat continues a tradition of ties for the club and the Hollywood community. One of the team's caps was used extensively in the Hallmark Channel's series "McBride" starring John Larroquette in 2005. In addition, Clear Channel Stadium, the home of the JetHawks, has been used extensively for commercials, television shows and most recently, country star Trace Adkins' music video for the song "Swing".

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Power Announces Return of Cover Contest

After receiving over 1,500 entries and over 30,000 online votes for the 2007 Cover Contest the West Virginia Power are bringing back the contest for its second consecutive year. The winner will receive an exclusive Power Prize Package, a special recognition ceremony on the field, a meet and greet with Power players, and a Power Lunchtime Cookout Party for his/her school! Also, each student that submits artwork will receive 4 Power tickets for FestivALL weekend, June 28-29, their artwork displayed on the video board during FestivALL weekend, name recognition in the 2008 Power Program as well as on the West Virginia Power website, wvpower.com. Deadline for submission is January 18, 2008.

All entries will be narrowed down to five finalists by a panel of judges. The five designs will be displayed on wvpower.com and open for public vote. The finalist receiving the most votes will be crowned the winner of the 2008 Cover Contest and its designer the recipient of the prize package. All final five designers will also be recognized in a special on field ceremony. The WV Power staff is currently contacting all schools within a two hour radius regarding the contest. Details can be found at wvpower.com.

For more information please contact Jeremy Taylor at 344-BATS.

truebluefan

Seven Lake Monsters Among Top 10 Nationals Prospects

Baseball America has named its Top 10 Prospects for the Washington Nationals organization and seven of the 10 players have played for Vermont, including six members of the 2007 Vermont Lake Monsters.

None of the top three Nationals prospects (Chris Marrero, Ross Detwiler and Collin Balester) have played in Vermont, but each of the next seven have:

#4 - OF Michael Burgess '07

#5 - P Jack McGeary '07

#6 - P Josh Smoker '07

#7 - P Jordan Zimmemann '07

#8 - P Glenn Gibson '06-07

#9 - OF Justin Maxwell '06

#10 - P Colton Willems '07

Along with the top prospects, Baseball America also compiled a Best Tools list among the organization. Former Vermont players include:

Best Athlete: Justin Maxwell '06

Best Curveball: Jack McGeary '07

Best Slider: Zech Zinicola '06

Best Changeup: Glenn Gibson '07

Best Control: Glenn Gibson '07

Best Defensive Catcher: Devin Ivany '04

Best Defensive Infielder: Ian Desmond '04

Best Infield Arm: Ian Desmond '04

Best Outfield Arm: Edgardo Baez '04

Seven Vermont players can also be found on the 2011 Projected Washington Lineup:

Second Base: Stephen King '07

Shortstop: Ian Desmond '04

Centerfield: Justin Maxwell '06

Rightfield: Michael Burgess '07

No. 3 Starter: Jack McGeary '07

No. 4 Starter: Josh Smoker '07

No. 5 Starter: Jordan Zimmermann '07