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**truebluefan** · 12-15-2007, 12:14 PM

Cubs Extend Player Development Contracts With All Five Minor League Affiliates

CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs today announced that the club has agreed to player development contract extensions with all five of its minor league affiliates.

Triple-A Iowa, Double-A Tennessee, Single-A Daytona and Single-A Peoria each reached four-year contract extensions with the Cubs through the 2012 campaign. Short-season Single-A Boise reached a two-year extension with the Cubs through the 2010 season.

By the end of these current contracts, the Cubs will have enjoyed a total of 75 seasons of relationships with its five minor league affiliates.

"We are thrilled to extend agreements with our five minor league affiliates," said Cubs Vice President of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita. "Our minor league clubs are a key contributor to the recent success we have enjoyed at the major league level, and they continue to help develop players who will impact the organization in the future."

The relationship between the Chicago Cubs and Iowa is now set to reach 31 seasons thanks to this extension, as 2008 will mark the 27th season that Iowa has served as the Cubs Triple-A affiliate. The current relationship is the 12th-longest connection among the 159 minor league teams affiliated with a major league counterpart. The Orioles and Single-A Bluefield hold the record at 49 years through the 2007 season.

The Cubs and Double-A Tennessee completed their first season together in 2007 and will see that relationship extend to six years thanks to this new contract.

The Cubs and Single-A Daytona will see their relationship extend to 20 seasons by the year 2012. The 2008 campaign will mark the 16th season as partners, as Daytona joined the Cubs chain in 1993.

The Cubs and Single-A Peoria will double their current relationship from four years (through 2008) to eight years thanks to this contract extension. The affiliation between these two teams began in 2005. Chicago and Peoria had previously worked together from 1985-1995.

The Cubs and Short-season Single-A Boise will reach 10 years of partnership by the 2010 campaign. The teams first affiliated for the 2001 campaign, as next season marks their eighth year together.

**truebluefan** · 12-15-2007, 12:15 PM

Cubs to Stay in Daytona Through 2012

CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs today announced that the club has agreed to player development contract extensions with all five of its minor league affiliates.

Triple-A Iowa, Double-A Tennessee, Single-A Daytona and Single-A Peoria each reached four-year contract extensions with the Cubs through the 2012 campaign. Short-season Single-A Boise reached a two-year extension with the Cubs through the 2010 season.

"We are thrilled to extend agreements with our five minor league affiliates," said Cubs Vice President of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita. "Our minor league clubs are a key contributor to the recent success we have enjoyed at the major league level, and they continue to help develop players who will impact the organization in the future."

The Cubs and Single-A Daytona will see their relationship extend to 20 seasons by the year 2012. The 2008 campaign will mark the 16th season as partners, as Daytona joined the Cubs chain in 1993.

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**truebluefan** · 12-15-2007, 12:17 PM

Fenway Sports Group Leads Investment Group That Acquires Minor League Baseball's Salem Avalanche

SALEM, Va. (December 10, 2007) - Fenway Sports Group (FSG) today announced that it is the managing partner in a new ownership group that has reached an agreement to acquire the Salem Avalanche, a minor league baseball franchise that is part of the Class-A Advanced Carolina League. Financial terms were not disclosed. The Carolina League has approved the transaction and the purchase is now subject to approval by Major League and Minor League Baseball.

FSG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of New England Sports Ventures (NESV), the parent company of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park and the New England Sports Network (NESN). NESV is lead by Principal Owner John W. Henry and Chairman Tom Werner. FSG was created to diversify NESV's sports and entertainment holdings. It will operate the Salem Avalanche under FSG's division for sports property ownership - FSG Properties.

This transaction marks the second major acquisition FSG has made in professional sports this year. In February, FSG purchased 50 percent of Roush Racing, one of NASCAR's largest and most successful teams, to form Roush Fenway Racing. In 2007, Roush Fenway Racing fielded five teams in the Nextel Cup Series with two drivers, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards, finishing in the top ten in the Nextel Cup standings. Edwards was also crowned 2007 Busch Series Champion.

In addition to FSG Properties, the company has divisions that specialize in representation / sponsorship sales and strategic marketing consulting/event marketing for corporations and leading sports brands. FSG clients include the Boston Red Sox, Major League Baseball Advanced Media, the PGA TOUR's Deutsche Bank Championship and Boston College Athletics.

"The Salem Avalanche is a model minor league sports franchise with a rich history, having played in a region that has supported professional baseball for more than a century," said Fenway Sports Group President Mike Dee. "FSG is excited to work with Avalanche Vice President/GM John Katz and his team to build on this tradition. We share the same commitment to winning and look forward to teaming up to deliver a championship-caliber baseball club, both on and off the field, for years to come."

Katz will join FSG's leadership team and continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the franchise which he has overseen since November, 2005. During his tenure the Avalanche achieved back-to back playoff berths for the first time in 18 years in 2006 and 2007, culminating in a trip to the Mills Cup Championship Series in 2007. The club set an all-time franchise attendance mark under his watch in 2007.

FSG's team of sports management executives will leverage their extensive experience in professional sports to provide operational, marketing and sponsorship sales support to the Avalanche's front office. FSG will work with the team to enhance the overall fan experience and further expand the Avalanche's brand throughout the region.

"This day marks a major milestone in the history of the Salem Avalanche and the City of Salem," said Katz. "We look forward to leveraging FSG's extensive knowledge and operational expertise to create a championship caliber team season after season. FSG has a proven track record of winning on the field and in the community. Their know-how and network of corporate sponsors will provide a solid boost to our local and regional marketing and community outreach efforts."

An announcement concerning details of the limited partners who will join FSG in the Salem Avalanche ownership group is expected within 30 days. FSG is actively pursuing local limited partners to add to the ownership group.

This transaction marks just the second time the Avalanche has seen new ownership in the last 23 years. Kelvin Bowles, a former Major League Baseball scout and the man credited with saving baseball in the Roanoke Valley, sold the Avalanche to Atlanta-based Hardball Capital in November 2006 after having owned the team for 21 years.

The Avalanche plays its home games at Lewis-Gale Medical Center Field at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium. The 6,300-seat ballpark opened in August 1995, and has hosted more than 2.5 million fans since the stadium's inaugural game. With 12 skyboxes, a stadium club and multiple picnic areas, Lewis-Gale Medical Center Field is one of the premier facilities in the Carolina League.

Salem fielded its first professional team in 1939 and professional baseball roots in the Roanoke area date back to 1887. In recent years, the Avalanche has consistently risen in the Carolina League standings. The team posted back-to-back playoff appearances in 2006 and 2007 for the first time since the 1987 and 1988 seasons. The Avalanche has won four league titles, most recently in 2001 when they captured the championship after reaching the playoffs as a Wild Card.

The Houston Astros, which became Salem's Major League affiliate in 2003, will maintain that relationship for the 2008 season. The Avalanche have compiled a 360-334 (.519) record as an Astros affiliate.

"We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with Fenway Sports Group and believe this partnership will be beneficial to both the Avalanche and the League," said John Hopkins, President of the Carolina League. "While we regret our time with the current ownership group in Salem was brief, we have watched the franchise excel both on and off the field in recent years and we are confident we will see that success continue under FSG's leadership."

The Avalanche opens the 2008 season at home on Friday, April 4, 2008, versus the Potomac Nationals. Season tickets and ticket books are now on sale by visiting the Avalanche on the Web at The Official Website of the Salem Avalanche - Single A Affiliate of the Houston Astros, or by calling the administrative offices at 540-389-3333.

**truebluefan** · 12-15-2007, 12:18 PM

Pelicans Coaching Staff To Remain Intact In 2008

MYRTLE BEACH, SC - The Atlanta Braves have announced that the Myrtle Beach Pelicans coaching staff will remain in tact for the 2008 season, with manager Rocket Wheeler at the helm for a third consecutive season. Also returning are longtime pitching coach Bruce Dal Canton, who will mark a decade on the Grand Strand, and hitting coach Rick Albert who returns for a second season with the Pelicans. The trio will be joined by first-year trainer Greg Hall.

Wheeler has guided the Pelicans to an overall record of 131-148 in his two seasons as manager, including a 59-80 record in 2007. Wheeler's 2006 Pelicans posted the third best record in the Carolina League (72-68) and posted franchise records for highest team batting average (.257), most walks drawn (484), most stolen bases (152), most sacrifice bunts/flies (87), most wins in one-run games (34), and most wins in extra-inning games (11).

"As an organization, we are extremely fortunate to have Rocket, Bruce and Rick returning to guide the Pelicans in 2008," said Pelicans General Manager North Johnson. "Not only are they great ambassadors of the game on the field, their interaction with our fans in the community and on-going relationship with the Pelicans' front office creates one of the truly special situations in all of baseball."

Prior to his role with the Pelicans, Wheeler spent three seasons as the manager of the Rome Braves, the Braves' Single-A entrant in the South Atlantic League. Wheeler's Braves claimed at least 70 wins in each of his three seasons, and captured the SAL title in 2003. Following his final season in Rome in 2005, Rocket was added to the Braves Major League coaching staff, where he served on the bench through the post-season. Before coming to the Braves, Rocket spent 26 years as either a player, coach or manager with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rocket played college baseball at the University of Houston where he majored in Health and Physical Education. In 1977, after his playing days as a Cougar, he was selected in the 13th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. In January of 2006 he was inducted into the Kinston Professional Baseball Hall of Fame. As a player for the Kinston Eagles in 1979 he played nearly every position.

Dal Canton has been a staple in the Pelicans' dugout, serving as the only pitching coach the franchise has had in its nine-year existence. 2008 will mark Dal Canton's 10th year with the Pelicans, and 41st overall season in professional baseball. "D.C" as he is affectionately known in Myrtle Beach, has guided more than 30 pitchers to the Major Leagues in his nine years with the club.

Dal Canton has been a fixture in the Braves organization since joining the club as a roving minor league instructor in 1982. His 25 years of service included a four-year stint -1987-1990 - as the pitching coach in Atlanta. Prior to joining Myrtle Beach in 1999, Dal Canton worked with the Danville 97's (A) in the same capacity. He served as pitching coach with the Greenville Braves (AA) from 1994-97, which included a Southern League Championship in 1997. Dal Canton, 60, was pitching coach for the Richmond Braves from 1991-1993. He served the same role in Savannah (A) in 1983, Greenville (AA) in 1984 and Richmond (AAA) from 1985-86.

Over a 12-year major league career beginning in 1967, Dal Canton compiled a 51-49 record as a spot-starter with the Pirates, Royals, Braves, and White Sox. Dal Canton attended California University of Pennsylvania and West Virginia University, earning a B.S. degree in Education and a master's in Biology. Bruce and his wife, Helene, reside in Carnegie, Pennsylvania.

Albert returns to Myrtle Beach for his second season in 2008. Under Albert's leadership, the Pelicans boasted a .255 team batting average in 2007, just two points off the franchise record of 257 which was set in 2006. Prior to his joining the Pelicans, Albert spent four seasons as the hitting coach for the Richmond Braves (AAA). In 2005, Albert led the Braves to the second-highest batting average in the league (.280).

Before his arrival in Richmond, Albert served five years as the Manager for the Gulf Coast League Braves. In 2000 Albert was tabbed as the Manager of the Year in the GCL. The 53-year-old, who hails from West Seneca, New York, has been a player, coach, and/or manager within the Braves system since 1972. His previous managerial stops include Burlington (1988), Anderson (1983-84), and Pulaski (1982). Albert was a coach for Richmond (1987, 2003-06), Durham (1994), Eugene (1996), Bradenton (1978-81, 1989-91), and the Gulf Coast League (1992-93, 1995).

Hall joins the Pelicans staff for his first season in 2008, after serving in the same capacity with Rome (A) in 2007. Hall takes over for Ricky Alcantara, who has been promoted to the same position with the Mississippi Braves (AA).

**truebluefan** · 12-15-2007, 12:19 PM

Oaks announce 2008 front office staff

The Visalia Oaks are pleased to announce the hiring of five new members to the front office staff. With the addition of the new personnel, the Visalia front office will be nine strong heading into the New Year. Tom Drietz (Head Groundskeeper), Pamela Lott (Group Coordinator) and Stephanie Skulstad (Marketing Coordinator) have recently joined the team. Liz Martin (Sales Manager & Legal Counsel) and Dan Sprung (Account Executive) join the Oaks early in 2008.

Tom Drietz took the reigns of the Oaks Ballpark grounds in November 2007, and has already made fantastic progress. Originally from Minnesota, Tom graduated from North Dakota State University in the spring of 2007 with a degree in Sports and Urban Turfgrass Management, and before coming to Visalia spent time on the grounds crew of the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks.

Pamela Lott, the Group Coordinator, is a graduate from the University of Houston with a degree in Marketing and Education. Lott assumes a very important role with the Oaks, as she will be handling group activities throughout the season, including a new Oaks Baseball in Education program.

Another Midwesterner turned Californian, Stephanie Skulstad joined the Oaks from Granite Falls, Minnesota. She earned a degree in Graphic Design from Minnesota State University-Moorhead, and a Minor in Marketing. Steph has worked on graphic design and marketing with a casino, an entertainment complex, a non-profit company, and an architectural and interior design firm.

Liz Martin, a recent graduate from DePaul College of Law will take over as Sales Manager and Legal Counsel. Liz previously interned at the Minor League Baseball head offices in St. Petersburg, with the Visalia Oaks and the Oakland Raiders. She is relocating to the area with her husband Chris.

Account Executive Dan Sprung is currently finishing his degree in Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and will join the Oaks shortly. Originally from the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, Sprung last worked for the Atlantic League's Bluefish in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The Oaks, meanwhile, continue to prepare for renovations at the park and an exciting 2008 season. Season Tickets are available, as are the coveted 2008 Mini Plans. Group reservations are being taken as well, so call now to book your night of fun!

How to order Oaks Season Tickets and Mini Plans for 2008: Contact anyone in the Oaks front office at (559) 625-0480 or for more information on all Oaks opportunities for 2008, check the Oaks out on the web at Oaksbaseball.com.

**truebluefan** · 12-15-2007, 12:20 PM

San Jose Giants Announce 2008 Coaching Staff, former Giant returns to San Jose

SAN JOSE, CALIF December 14, 2007 - The San Jose Giants announced their 2008 coaching staff today with Steve Decker joining the club as manager, Pat Rice as pitching coach, and Gary Davenport returning as hitting coach. Yukiya Oba also returns as the team's athletic trainer.

Steve Decker, one of the all-time great San Jose Giants players and a former major league catcher, previously managed the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of the Short-Season Northwest League. Decker enjoyed a tremendous amount of success with Salem-Keizer notching a 157-71 record for a remarkable .689 winning percentage during his three seasons at the helm. Decker led the Volcanoes to back-to-back Northwest League championships in 2006 and 2007 with last year's club earning minorleaguebaseball.com National "Team of the Year" honors.

In each of the last two seasons, Salem-Keizer has set a Northwest League record for victories in addition to finishing with the best winning percentage in all of minor league baseball. The '07 club went 57-19 and won their division by 19 ½ games.

2008 marks Decker's eighth season as a minor league manager or coach in the San Francisco Giants organization. Prior to his managerial stint in Salem-Keizer, Decker served as hitting coach in Fresno (AAA) for a pair of seasons (2003-04). He also served as hitting coach of the Volcanoes from 2001-02.

Decker appeared in 263 games over his major league career, seeing action over seven big league seasons with the San Francisco Giants (1990-92, 1996), Florida Marlins (1993, 1995), Colorado Rockies (1996), and Anaheim Angels (1999). He finished with a lifetime .219 batting average, 13 home runs, and 72 RBI. Decker ended his professional career in 2000.

Decker was named to the San Jose Giants 20th Anniversary Team last year as the starting catcher. Originally a 21st round draft selection by San Francisco in 1988, Decker hit a combined .303 with seven home runs and 80 RBI over two seasons in San Jose (1988-89).

Pat Rice enters his first season in the San Francisco organization after eight years as the Seattle Mariners minor league pitching coordinator. Rice spent seven seasons (1986-92) pitching in the Mariners organization. His only major league season came in 1991 when he logged a 1-1 record and 3.00 ERA over 21 innings with Seattle.

Gary Davenport returns to San Jose after two seasons as hitting coach with the Connecticut Defenders (AA). Davenport served as San Jose's hitting coach during the 2005 championship season. The '05 San Jose Giants set franchise batting records for average (.295), doubles (292), and home runs (143). 2008 marks Davenport's fifth season as a coach within the Giants' minor league system. He was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1981 and has a long history of playing and instructing overseas, working in both South Africa and Italy. Davenport is the son of former San Francisco Giants star and current Special Assistant of Player Personnel, Jim Davenport.

Yukiya Oba returns to San Jose for his third season as athletic trainer and his fourth season working within the Giants organization. Oba began his career as a certified athletic trainer intern in the San Francisco organization during the 2003-2004 seasons. Most recently, Yukiya worked with the Hawaii Winter Baseball League as the athletic trainer for the Waikiki Beach Boys. Oba was a graduate assistant athletic trainer at the University of Hawaii, Monoa.

The 2007 San Jose Giants won their second championship over the last three seasons under manager Lenn Sakata. Sakata, the winningest manager in the history of the California League, left the San Francisco organization last month ending a nine-year stint with the Giants, including six as San Jose's manager (1999, 2001, 2004-07). Sakata will join the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan as their farm team manager.

The San Jose Giants open their defense of the California League title on Thursday, April 3rd at Bakersfield. The home opener at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for Thursday, April 10th against the Blaze. The Opening Night Extravaganza will include a post game Fireworks display, 2008 magnet schedule giveaway, KRTY broadcasting live, the return of Gigante and much more. For more information on tickets for the 2008 season please call (408) 297-1435 or visit San Jose Giants Baseball Club.

**truebluefan** · 12-15-2007, 12:21 PM

Ports Announce 2008 Coaching Staff

STOCKTON, Calif. -The Stockton Ports have announced their field staff for the 2008 season. The bench masters will look familiar to Ports fans, as the entire staff from the 2007 season will be returning to Stockton. Darren Bush has once again been named manager of the Ports, and will be spending his fourth consecutive season in Stockton. He'll be joined by pitching coach Garvin Alston, hitting coach Tim Garland, and trainer Brian "Doc" Thorson.

Bush will be at the Ports' helm for the second straight season after guiding the team to a 64-76 (.457) record. Prior to being named manager of the '07 club, Bush spent two seasons with the Ports as the team's hitting coach (2005, 2006). Before he landed in Stockton in 2005, Bush spent three seasons coaching independent league teams. He spent 2004 with Quebec, 2003 with Berkshire and 2002 with Yuba-Sutter. A former catcher, Bush spent three seasons in the affiliated minor leagues with San Diego (1999-2000) and Philadelphia (2001). Prior to signing as a minor league free agent in 1998, he played three seasons in the Frontier League.

Alston, the team's pitching coach, will also be spending his second season in the California League. 2008 will mark Alston's fourth season as a coach in the minors, as he spent 2005 and 2006 with Kane County. Alston played in the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Kansas City Royals minor league systems from 1992-2000, including a brief stint in the majors with the Rockies in 1996.

After making his coaching debut in 2006, Garland received a quick promotion to Stockton last season as he served as the team's hitting coach. Garland spent 14 years as a minor league outfielder after being drafted by the New York Yankees in 1989. During his minor league career, he advanced as far as Double-A, spending time with the San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles and Oakland A's. Garland finished his career playing for various independent league teams through the 2004 season. During that time, he also played in the Mexican League.

Ports president Pat Filippone spent time with Bush in Rancho Cucamonga during the 1999 and 2000 seasons and with Garland in Prince William during the 1991 and 1992 seasons during their playing careers. He's excited to welcome the same field staff to Banner Island Ballpark for the 2008 campaign.

"I look forward to working with this field staff once again in 2008," said Filippone. "In addition to their baseball acumen on the field, all of these men have been a pleasure to work with off the field and in the community. We're eager to get them involved in our community endeavors this season, and we're thrilled to welcome them back to Stockton."

The 2008 Stockton Ports are scheduled to arrive in Stockton the week of March 30th. Ports Season ticket, mini-plan and group packages are now available, with Opening Day set for April 3rd. For ticket information, visit the Ports website at stocktonports.com: Home or call (209) 644-1900.

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