Manchester, NH- The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, are proud to announce that construction will begin soon on the all-new Samuel Adams Bar & Grill at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. The Samuel Adams Bar & Grill, which will overlook the playing field above the left field wall, is slated to open on Opening Night -April 10, 2008.
The Samuel Adams Bar & Grill will feature table top and bar seating for over 300 people. There will be multiple flat-screen televisions, an indoor mahogany bar and an extensive menu to complement the menu items offered at the ballpark.
"It is our pleasure to partner on this project with this outstanding organization," said Amoskeag Beverages Vice President Ed Murphy. "The New Hampshire Fisher Cats have brought a tremendous amount of pride and excitement to New Hampshire, and we are proud to be a part of it."
"We are delighted to partner with Amoskeag Beverages to bring the Samuel Adams Bar & Grill to Merchantsauto.com Stadium," said Fisher Cats owner Art Solomon. "The Samuel Adams Bar & Grill will offer an ideal gathering place for our fans to enjoy the ballpark atmosphere, socialize with friends, relax with a cooked-to-order meal and watch the Red Sox and other major sporting events."
"It gives us a great deal of pleasure to offer Fisher Cats' fans this unique addition to Merchantsauto.com Stadium," said Fisher Cats President/General Manager Rick Brenner. "The Samuel Adams brand is an institution in New England, and we are proud to partner with them on this project."
Full-Season and Half-Season Tickets are on sale now for the 2008 season. All Season Ticket packages include tickets to the 2008 Northeast Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star Game at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. To purchase tickets, visit New Hampshire Fisher Cats or call (603) 641-2005.
Reading, PA - The Reading Phillies unveiled their new identity program on Wednesday at Reading Area Community College's Miller Center. The new identity is part of a six-month creative overhaul of the franchise.
"Today marks the next era in Reading Phillies Baseball," Reading Phillies General Manager Scott Hunsicker said. "Our new look is part of our continuing effort to embody the spirit and heritage of Reading, while paying tribute to our 42 year affiliation with Philadelphia."
A dynamic, modern evolution of the current Phillies identity, the new look features a titled polished "R-Phils" Primary Logo. Fans will also enjoy a new Dynamic Star and the Reading Pagoda makes its way into the R-Phils identity program.
Phillies Red, Light Blue, Dark Navy and "Bubble Gum" make up the club's new official colors, paying tribute to their Phillies heritage. The R-Phils are the first professional sports team to use Bubble Gum in their identity.
The redesigned home uniforms replicate Philadelphia's pinstriped uniforms featuring "Reading" across the chest with Bubble Gum highlights, and the Reading Pagoda on the left sleeve and the Phillies "P" on the right sleeve. Two alternate jerseys - one red, one light navy - feature "R-Phils" across the chest. The light navy alternate will be worn for home games once a week. The red jersey is primarily for batting practice but could see its way into games as well.
The R-Phils new game cap is Phillies Red featuring an "R" with a star inside. One alternate cap is light navy featuring the same "R" with a star inside, the other features a dynamic light Blue and light navy Star on a Phillies Red cap and will be worn primarily for batting practice but could be worn for games.
In 2008 the R-Phils will also sport a powder blue Retro Uniform based on the 1980 World Champion Phillies Uniform with a modernized R-Train cap logo. The powder blue uniform will be the club's road uniform and will also be used once a week for home games.
The R-Phils makeover is the work of Plan B Branding, a San Diego-grown creative ideas company specializing in storytelling and branding ideas. Partners Casey White & Jason Klein dreamed up fresh looks for the Cincinnati Reds, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Clearwater Threshers and other prestigious Minor League Baseball clubs. Many of these clubs broke franchise merchandising records with Plan B.
"Plan B Branding is recognized as the industry leader in team branding, logo and uniform design. We have worked with them in the past on our very successful "How Do You Fan?" branding campaign," Hunsicker added. "Plan B Branding has developed extensive knowledge about the R-Phils, our history, our relationship with the Phillies and the Greater Reading community as a whole. That knowledge shines through in our new look."
The development process began last May when Klein and White met with fans, staff and community members to learn about the stories, history, and personality of the R-Phils. Plan B developed the logos, uniforms and merchandise, and is providing ideas to enhance the 2008 fan experience.
"Baseballtown is one of the premier destinations in all of Minor League Baseball," said Plan B's Casey White. "Our goal was to capture the heart and soul of Reading and communicate it through the look and feel of the new identity."
OMAHA - The Omaha Royals family notes with deep sadness the passing of the team's former majority owner, Matt Minker. Following a five-year battle with cancer, Minker passed away over the weekend. He was 60 years old.
"He was a gentleman and a first-class baseball man," said Royals President Alan Stein. "Having served together with Matt on Minor League Baseball's Board of Trustees, I'll particularly miss his courage and deep insight. And I for one will also miss that great smile."
Minker purchased the 50 percent majority share of Omaha's Triple-A club from the Union Pacific Railroad following the 2000 season. He sold his interest to Bill Shea and Ivy Walls Management Company in March 2006. Minker was also the majority owner of the Wilmington Blue Rocks in Wilmington, Delaware, helping bring the team to that community in 1993 when his construction company built Frawley Stadium in just five months.
Minker was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002 and underwent successful treatment. Then in 2006, doctors discovered a lymphoma on his pancreas. He again sought treatment and seemed to be recovering when the cancer returned last December.
Funeral services will be Wednesday in the Wilmington, Delaware area. In lieu of flowers, please join the Royals in sending contributions to Mary Campbell Center, 4641 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE, 19803.
Former Sound Ryan Braun Named N.L. Rookie Of The Year
Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Ryan Braun was named the 2007 National League Rookie of the Year on Monday afternoon by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Braun, who spent the first seven weeks of the 2007 season with the Sounds before joining the Brewers, batted .324 with 34 home runs, 97 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases in 113 games for Milwaukee this season.
Braun (128 points) edged Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (126 points) in the closest margin for N.L. Rookie of the Year in the history of the current voting system (since 1980). He received 17 first-place votes, 14 second-place votes and one third-place vote to Tulowitzki's 15 first-place votes and 17 second-place votes.
He is the second Brewer ever to win Rookie of the Year, joining shortstop Pat Listach, who won the award in the American League in 1992.
"Ryan Braun came to the Major Leagues and had as much offensive impact as I have seen in my 12 years as a general manager," said Brewers Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin. "To show you how good Ryan was, in any other year Troy Tulowitzki would have won hands down."
Braun, who made his Major League debut on May 25, led National League rookies in home runs (34) and extra-base hits (66). His .634 slugging percentage led all National League players and was the highest by a rookie in Major League history, breaking the record previously held by Mark McGwire, who slugged .618 with the Oakland Athletics in 1987.
He also ranked among the National League rookie leaders in RBIs (2nd, 97), runs (2nd, 91), total bases (2nd, 286), triples (2nd, 6), multi-hit games (2nd, 47), hits (3rd, 146), batting average (4th, .324), stolen bases (4th, 15), and on-base percentage (4th, .370).
Braun was named National League Rookie of the Month for both June and July and also earned National League Player of the Month for July. He became the fastest player in the Major Leagues to 20 career home runs (64 games) since Albert Pujols (63 games, 2001) and the fastest player to 25 (82 games) and 30 (94 games) career home runs since McGwire (77 games and 84 games, 1986-87).
The third baseman batted .342 (40-for-117) with 10 home runs and 22 RBIs in 34 games for Nashville while pacing the PCL with a .701 slugging percentage before being summoned to Milwaukee on May 25.
On the year, Braun combined for a .327 average (186-for-568), 44 home runs, 38 doubles, six triples, 119 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases in 147 contests between Nashville and Milwaukee.
Braun was previously honored as the Brewers' Top Newcomer by the Milwaukee chapter of the Baseball Writers Association and as baseball's best rookie by The Sporting News and Baseball America.
He was selected by the Brewers in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft and signed by Larry Pardo.
OMAHA - The Kansas City Royals announced today that Omaha manager Mike Jirschele and the rest of the team's coaching staff will return in 2008. Tom Burgmeier will again serve as the Triple-A club's pitching coach, with Terry Bradshaw back as the team's hitting coach.
Jirschele will manage Omaha for a sixth consecutive season and ninth overall, having also skippered the club from 1995-1997. He served as Kansas City Coordinator of Instruction from 1999-2002, after spending 1998 as KC's roving infield instructor. Jirschele also was a manager in the lower levels of the Royals organization from 1992-1994.
In eleven seasons as a minor league manager, Jirschele's teams have posted a record of 768-712 (.519). His eight Omaha teams have gone a combined 555-596 (.482). He was selected to manage the Pacific Coast League All-Star Team in the 2006 Triple-A All-Star Game. Jirschele, who served as a coach in the 1997 Triple-A All-Star Game, played briefly for Omaha towards the end of a playing career that began in 1977 when he was a 5th-round draft pick of the Texas Rangers.
"We are very excited to have Mike back as our manager," said Royals General Manager Martie Cordaro. "He does a great job working not only with the players, but with our front office personnel as well. It's also terrific to have the continuity and experience of Tom and Terry returning to our club."
Burgmeier returns to Omaha for a third season, after serving as pitching coach for Kansas City's Single-A club in Burlington, Iowa from 2003-2005. He spent the 2001 and 2002 seasons as pitching coach for Baltimore's Double-A affiliate in Bowie. Burgmeier was Kansas City's bullpen coach from 1998-2000, after spending the 1997 season as the Royals video scouting coordinator. He also was a pitching coach in Kansas City's minor league system from 1992-1996.
Burgmeier pitched in the Major Leagues for 17 seasons, compiling a career record of 79-55 with a 3.23 ERA and 102 saves for California, Kansas City, Minnesota, Boston and Oakland. He went 5-4 with a 2.00 ERA and 24 saves for the Red Sox in 1980, when he was named to the American League All-Star Team.
Bradshaw returns for his fifth season as Omaha's hitting coach. He previously spent four years as hitting coach for three of Kansas City's Single-A affiliates: Wilmington (2002-2003), Burlington (2001) and Charleston (2000). Bradshaw was an outfielder with Omaha in 1998, which was the 2nd-to-last season of his ten-year playing career. He was originally a 9th round draft pick by St. Louis in 1990 and spent eight years playing in the Cardinals organization.
San Francisco Giants To Play Exhibition Game At Chukchansi Park
Fresno, CA- The Fresno Grizzlies and the San Francisco Giants are excited to announce today that the two teams will play each other in a full squad exhibition game next spring at Chukchansi Park in Fresno. The game will be played on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 and will be the first time that the Giants will visit their Triple-A affiliate in Fresno since 2003. Time of the game is yet to be determined and will be announced at a later date.
"Our organization is very proud of our affiliation with the Grizzlies and we look forward to giving Fresno an up close and personal look at the 2008 big league club," said Giants Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean. "This game is a great way to give back to a community that has helped foster future Giants for so long."
Grizzlies season ticket holders and mini plan package patrons will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the game. For fans wishing to guarantee their seats before they go on sale to the general public in early 2008, the Grizzlies are offering the new 13-game "Giants Fan Plan" that includes tickets to the Giants exhibition game, Opening Day, and July 4th for as low as $86 per seat.
"We are extremely excited to welcome our parent club back to Fresno for an event that will be huge for Valley baseball fans," said Andrew Stuebner, Grizzlies Executive Vice President. "We encourage everyone to get their tickets early before the game sells out."
To purchase Grizzlies season tickets or a 13-game "Giants Fan Plan" ticket package, ensuring seats to the Giants exhibition game, call 559-320-TIXS or visit fresnogrizzlies.com. The Grizzlies will announce the day and time for individual ticket sales for the Giants exhibition at a later date.
ROUND ROCK - Former Carolina League All-Star Lou Santangelo belted his first home run of the fall and drove in a career-high five runs over the weekend as North Shore Honu (Hawaii) downed West Oahu 14-7.
Santangelo, 24, collected his first three RBI in the third inning and then drove in another pair with a sixth-inning single. Serving as North Shore's designated hitter, Santangelo lifted his batting average to .299.
A fourth round draft selection by Houston in 2004, the catching prospect was named a 2006 Carolina League All-Star and postseason All-Star after leading the league in homeruns (18) and slugging percentage (.473).
He batted .243 with five homers and 17 RBI in 58 games with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks in 2007.
Winter League Notes: Outfielder Mitch Einerston (Mesa Solar Sox, AFL) continues to lead the organization with four homers ... Infielder Mark Saccomanno (Navegantes del Magallanes, VWL) lifted his batting average to .261 and leads the franchise with 13 RBI ... Outfielder Luke Scott (VWL) lifted his batting average more than 100 points to .242 and ranks second in the system with three homeruns ... Outfielder Josh Flores, who swiped 28 bases with Single-A Lexington in 2006, leads the organization with four ...Right-hander Chad Reineke has appeared in 11 games for the Mesa Solar Sox (AFL), trimming a 3.86 ERA and fanning 14 in 14 innings ... Bud Norris leads the system with 33 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings for North Shore (HWB).
The Albuquerque Isotopes have announced their 2008 home schedule, a 72-game slate that is replete with 13 action-packed weekends and eight fireworks shows at Isotopes Park.
After eight games on the road to start the Pacific Coast League campaign, the Isotopes come home on Friday, April 11 for the 2008 home opener against the Oklahoma RedHawks, Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.
As school lets out later in the spring, it will be the 'Topes who will be in session, hosting 24 games in 33 days at the end of May and beginning of June in a stretch that will be capped off by the return of Beatlemania Again for a pre-game concert.
Once again, fans can expect back-to-back fireworks nights in celebration of Independence Day, as the 'Topes will light up the skies on both July 4 and July 5.
The 2008 slate also features the return of teams that haven't played in Albuquerque since 2006, including Las Vegas, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and 2007 Triple-A Baseball Champion Sacramento, top affiliate of the Oakland A's. Also on tap will be two series apiece with Isotope rivals Round Rock, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, and New Orleans, who in their first season affiliated with the New York Mets, nosed the 'Topes out of the playoffs on the penultimate day of the 2007 season.
As the season winds down, the pennant races will be heating up, with Albuquerque playing host to nine intra-conference games, including a five-game set with the Zephyrs that finishes off with back-to-back fireworks and fan appreciation nights, before the team closes out the season on the road.
Specific promotions will be announced at a later date, but already locked into the schedule are fan-favorites such as 50-Cent Hot Dog Night, Myron Noodleman, Zooperstars!, and Birdzerk, as well as great giveaways like bobbleheads, T-Shirts, and hats.
Season tickets and Mini-Plans for the Isotopes, who have been named Best Triple-A Franchise by Baseball America and Top Overall Franchise in the PCL this offseason, are currently on sale for the 2008 season. For more information, visit albuquerquebaseball.com: Home or call 505-924-2255.
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Eastern League
