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**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:28 PM

Former Kernels train with the best

January 16, 2008 - Fifteen former Kernels will get the chance to start Spring Training with the major league team in Tempe AZ this February.

A total of 22 players received non-roster invites to Spring Training. The fifteen former Kernels include catcher Hank Conger; infielders Ryan Mount and P.J. Phillips; and outfielder Peter Bourjos from the 2007 Kernels team.

Other former Kernels are pitchers Nick Adenhart, Stephen Marek, Darren O'Day, Fernando Rodriguez, and Rafael Rodriguez; catchers Tim Duff and Ben Johnson; and infielders Adam Pavkovich, Freddy Sandoval, Hainley Statia and Nate Sutton.

The Angels will open Spring Training when pitchers and catchers report on February 14 with the first workout scheduled for February 15. Position players report on February 19 with the first full squad workout scheduled for February 20.

The Kernels open the 2008 Midwest League season at Clinton on Thursday, April 3. Opening Day at Veterans Memorial Stadium is Monday, April 7 against the Quad City River Bandits at noon. Season tickets and Flex Plan Books are on sale now at Cedar Rapids Kernels Professional Baseball , or by calling (319) 363-3887.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:29 PM

Limited Number Of Tickets Available For Caravan

There are a limited number of tickets still available for Monday's Cardinals Caravan at Modern Woodmen Park, the Quad Cities River Bandits announced on Thursday. Meanwhile, all media will be able to meet with the members of the Caravan prior to the start of the event, from 11:30-Noon.

"We've had a great response from our fans so far, but we want to make sure people don't wait until the last minute thinking there will still be tickets available," said Vice President Kirk Goodman. "We have opened the event up to more fans than ever before but we're still very close to selling out."

Tickets are $15 for this year's Cardinals Caravan, and can be purchased by calling the River Bandits front office at (563) 324-3000 or by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park Box Office. Doors will open for the event at 11:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 12:00 p.m.

The Caravan is highlighted by highly touted prospect Joe Mather and major league infielder Aaron Miles, both of whom have played in the Quad Cities over the course of their minor league careers. Also joining the Caravan are Tyler Johnson and Brian Barden, former Cardinals Kerry Robinson and Scott Cooper, and play-by-play personality Dan McLaughlin.

ABOUT THE RIVER BANDITS: After an off-season full of upgrades, the Quad Cities River Bandits will open the 2008 campaign at Modern Woodmen Park on April 3! Merchandise featuring the new team name and logo is currently available by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park team store, and season ticket packages, mini-packages, and the all-new "You Pick 10" pack are on sale at the park or by calling (563) 324-3000!

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:30 PM

River Bandits Coaching Staff Announced

The Quad Cities River Bandits, in conjunction with the St. Louis Cardinals, announced on Wednesday that they will have an entirely new field staff for the 2008 season, including the return of the club's former manager and hitting coach, Steve Dillard.

Dillard will be back in a River Bandits uniform for the first time since 1994, and will be joined by pitching coach Arthur (Ace) Adams, hitting coach Joe Kruzel, and trainer Manabu Kuwazuru.

"I am thrilled about coming back to the Quad Cities," Dillard said. "This will be my fourth year with this team and it's a place that I'm comfortable with. I'm tickled that we're going to be the River Bandits again and I can't wait."

Dillard heads to the Quad Cities for the third time in his coaching career. The Mississippi native managed the Quad City River Bandits when they were an Astros affiliate in 1993 and 1994, leaving him tied for eighth in franchise history with 268 games managed. He also spent the 2006 season as the hitting coach for the Swing of the Quad Cities before moving to the Palm Beach Cardinals in the same capacity last season. Prior to his coaching career Dillard spent eight seasons in the big leagues as an infielder, including three years with the Chicago Cubs that included a career-high .283 batting average in 1979. The baseball veteran's son, Tim Dillard, was placed on the Milwaukee Brewers' 40-man roster this off-season.

"It's great to have a former River Bandit leading the charge when the new River Bandits take the field for the first time on April 3," said team owner Dave Heller. "We're excited because Steve brings the best of all worlds - he has gotten to know the Quad Cities over the years, has significant managerial experience that include a couple years right here, and he brings big league experience to the table. That's the perfect combination."

Kruzel enters his first season in the St. Louis Cardinals organization following two campaigns with the Cincinnati Reds, where he served as hitting coach for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Reds in 2006 and then manager of the Short Season-A Billings Mustangs in 2007. The Ohio native has spent most of his coaching career in the college ranks, including 15 seasons at The University of Toledo as assistant coach (1989-92) and then head coach (1993-2003), and one season as the assistant coach at Miami University in 2005.

Adams joins the River Bandits having served as a minor league coach for the Montreal Expos (1997-2001), Florida Marlins (2002), and most recently the Boston Red Sox (2004-06). A Massachusetts native, he spent the 2006 season as the pitching coach for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs in the last of three years with the Red Sox. Prior to his professional coaching career, Adams coached at the collegiate level for 13 years at Michigan (1989-96), Brandeis (1986-89), Harvard (1985), and Dartmouth (1984).

"Its another piece of great news," said Vice President Kirk Goodman. "Now we have our promotional schedule and season ticket packages out, the field staff is set, and our fans can start gearing up for the season. 2008 promises to be a great year for baseball in the Quad Cities!"

"I'm really looking forward to it," Dillard added. "The Quad Cities is one of my favorite places and I loved it when I was here. I really believe the River Bandits have great potential as a franchise and are a great fit for the Cardinals with all of the fan support in the area. We're going to have a lot of young players and we're going to put a good team out there."

ABOUT THE RIVER BANDITS: After an off-season full of upgrades, the Quad Cities River Bandits will open the 2008 campaign at Modern Woodmen Park on April 3! The new merchandise is currently available by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park team store, and season ticket packages, including the new 10-game pack are on sale at the park or by calling (563) 324-3000!

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:31 PM

Cubby's Crew memberships available

[DAYTONA BEACH, FL] The Daytona Cubs are happy to announce memberships for the 2008 Cubby's Crew are now available for only $5.

Included in the membership are free admission to every Sunday home game, an official Cubby's Crew t-shirt, and an official membership card.

Members also receive invitations to special events such as tours of historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark and player autograph sessions. Members will have the opportunity to win special prizes for attending two, four, or all seven Sunday home games.

The Cubs kick off the upcoming season against the Brevard County Manatees on April 3. General Admission and VIP season tickets are available now. Flex Packs are also available starting at $55 for 10 tickets. Call the front office at (386) 257-3172 or visit Daytona Cubs Baseball - www.daytonacubs.com for additional ticket information.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:33 PM

Season Tickets Pick-Up January 21

Manatees fans, if you have paid off your season tickets for the upcoming season, they will be available for pick-up beginning 9:00 am on Monday, January 21st, on the 4th floor of Space Coast Stadium. When you pick up your ticket(s), in addition to 70 blank date tickets to be used at your discretion, you will also receive bonus All-Star Game ticket(s) and a Season Ticket Holder Card to get you into Manatees games on the road, among other perks. This season's card is sponsored by our friends at TGI Friday's in Melbourne. Present your card when ordering an entree and you'll receive a free appetizer!

The 2008 Florida State League All-Star Game tickets will also go on sale at 9:00 am on Monday. Hit the 4th floor for those tickets as well as we're still setting up the stadium's Box Office for ticket sales.

That's season tickets and All-Star Game tickets, anytime after 9:00 am next Monday.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:34 PM

Flying Tigers Announce 2008 Coaching Staff

Lakeland, FL - The Lakeland Flying Tigers have announced the coaching staff for the 2008 season. Andy Barkett has recently been promoted to the manager position of the Flying Tigers. Larry Herndon (hitting coach), Joe Coleman (pitching coach), and Dustin Campbell (trainer) will return for the upcoming season.

Andy Barkett takes over as manager of the Flying Tigers after Kevin Bradshaw was named the organization's infield coordinator. The 2008 season will be Barkett's second year as a manager within the Tigers organization. In 2007, Barkett managed the Detroit Tigers Class A Short-Season Affiliate, Oneonta Tigers. The Tigers won the New York-Penn Stedler Division with a record of 44-32. The team led the league in runs scored (389), runs batted in (347), on base plus slugging percentage (.738), and saves (24). Barkett played 11 seasons professionally with five organizations, including the Tigers. He made his major league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001. As a player, he was known as a team player, a tireless worker, and a fiery competitor.

Larry Herndon will return as the Flying Tigers hitting coach. The 2008 season will be Herndon's 4th season in Lakeland. It will also mark his 18th year as a member of the Tigers organization. Previously, Herndon was the hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers from 1992-1998. Last season, Lakeland was 4th in the Florida State League in triples (37), and for the third year in a row, Lakeland led the league with 200 stolen bases.

Joe Coleman will return for his second season as pitching coach of the Flying Tigers. The 2008 season will be Coleman's 43rd season in professional baseball. Before arriving in Lakeland, Coleman spent seven seasons (2000-2006) as the pitching coach of the Durham Bulls, the Triple A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Flying Tigers are a Class A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Lakeland opens the 2008 season at the Tampa Yankees, Thursday, April 3rd. Opening Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 5th against the 2007 Florida State League Champions, Clearwater Threshers. Joker Marchant Stadium is located at 2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard. To obtain more information, please call the Flying Tigers at (863) 686-8075 or visit the online home of the Flying Tigers at www.lakelandflyingtigers.com Coming Soon!.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:35 PM

Potomac Nationals partner with Goetz Printing

WOODBRIDGE, Va.- The Potomac Nationals have announced a partnership with The Goetz Printing Company to be the team's "official printer" for the 2008 season. In addition, the P-Nats have also announced a new publication - the Potomac Nationals Gameday Magazine - which will be given away to every fan that passes through the gates at Pfitzner Stadium in 2008.

"The Goetz Printing Company is proud to be the official printer of the Potomac Nationals," said Ron Clatterbuck, Vice President of Sales for Goetz.

Based in Springfield, Va., Goetz Printing has been in business for over eighty years. The company provides traditional offset printing as well as digital printing, graphic design, web design, high definition screening and bindery. Goetz will be responsible for printing such projects as the P-Nats 2008 group and ticket brochures, pocket schedules, media credentials, and the new Potomac Nationals Gameday Magazine.

"We are very excited about our affiliation with Goetz Printing," added Potomac Nationals' Assistant General Manager Anthony Oppermann. "By partnering up with Goetz, we will be able to provide every fan that passes through the gates at Pfitzner Stadium with a copy of our new Gameday Magazine for free. It's all part of our continued commitment to enhance the fan experience."

The Potomac Nationals Gameday Magazine will replace the "yearbook" style programs the team sold during previous seasons. The new publication will be published on a monthly basis for a total of five different editions in a smaller "playbill" style format. Each edition will include unique feature stories as well as updated player bios.

"Our new program format is going to be great for our fans not only because it will be complimentary, but it will also enable us to provide new content on a monthly basis," said Oppermann. "This will be a fantastic opportunity for our sponsors to gain more exposure by literally being in the hands of all of our fans."

Season tickets and ticket packages for the upcoming 2008 season are on sale now! For more information, call the Nationals ticket office at (703) 590-2311 ext. 215. The P-Nats kick off the 2008 season on the road against the Salem Avalanche on April 4 and celebrate Opening Day at Pfitzner Stadium on April 8 against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:36 PM

Winston-Salem Warthogs Announce 2008 Field Staff

WINSTON-SALEM - The Winston-Salem Warthogs, the Advanced Class A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, announced their coaching staff for the 2008 season. Manager Tim Blackwell will return for his second consecutive season as the skipper of the Warthogs after guiding Winston-Salem to a 64-74 record in 2007. Blackwell will have a pair of new faces on staff this season, as Brian Drahman will make his organizational debut as the Warthogs pitching coach. After serving as the hitting coach for Rookie League Great Falls last year, Robert Sasser will assume the same position for the Warthogs in 2008. Josh Fallin returns for his eighth season as the Warthogs' trainer and Adam Tischler will assume the position of conditioning coach after spending the 2007 season in the same capacity with Double-A Birmingham.

"I am thrilled to hear that both Tim and Josh will be returning to the Warthogs coaching staff this season. I have formed a great working relationship with both of these guys and look forward to a successful 2008 season," said Ryan Manuel, General Manager of the Winston-Salem Warthogs. "I have not had the opportunity to work with Brian, Robert or Adam. I know that each are bringing some great experience to the organization and have heard they are great to work with."

The Warthogs open the 2008 season on April 4 when they travel to Kinston for a three-game series against the Indians. The final Opening Day at Ernie Shore Field is set for Tuesday, April 8 when the Warthogs welcome the Lynchburg Hillcats to Winston-Salem for a three-game series. The first pitch on Opening Day is scheduled for 7 pm.

Warthogs coaching staff background:

Blackwell - Drafted as a catcher by the Boston Red Sox in the 13th round of the 1970 amateur draft ... played in Winston-Salem during the 1972 season ... made his big league debut behind the plate with the Red Sox in 1974, while playing in 44 games and hitting .246 for the season ...spent 10 seasons in the major leagues with Boston (1974-75), Philadelphia (1976-77), Chicago Cubs (1978-81) and Montreal (1977, 1982-1983) ... hit .228 with 6 home runs and 80 RBI while playing in 426 games in his major league career ... posted a 757-845 record in 13 seasons as a minor-league manager.

Drahman - Selected in the 2nd round of the amateur draft in 1986 by the Milwaukee Brewers ... went 3-2 with a 3.52 ERA as a reliever during a four-year career with the Chicago White Sox (1991-1993) and Florida Marlins (1994) ... traded from the Brewers to the White Sox for Jerry Reuss ... managed the Sussex Skyhawks, an independent team in the Can-Am League in 2007.

Sasser - Selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 10th round of the 1993 amateur draft ... entered only one major league game and recorded one at-bat with the Texas Rangers in 1998 ... entering his third year as a coach with the White Sox ... hitting coach for the White Sox' Rookie League team, Great Falls in 2007.

Fallin - Enters his eighth season as the head trainer in Winston-Salem and 10th season overall with the White Sox ... athletic trainer for the Arizona Fall League in 2003 ... two-time Carolina League Trainer of the Year (2007, 2005) ... trainer for the 2007 NCAA champion Wake Forest men's soccer team.

Tischler - Begins his fourth season as a conditioning coach in the White Sox organization and first in Winston-Salem ... spent the 2007 season in the same capacity for Double-A Birmingham and 2006 with Class A Kannapolis ... began his White Sox career with Advanced Rookie Great Falls in 2005 ... 2003 graduate of Ithaca College.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:37 PM

Hottest Ticket In Town

San Bernardino, CA - There was an overwhelming response for tickets to see the Dodgers verses Red Sox. So much so, the once-in-a-lifetime ticket offer that Inland Empire 66ers fans were given were sold out less than a day!

The offer, which included a ticket to this exclusive game, bus ride to and from the Coliseum, and a meal, has proven without a doubt the fans of the Inland Empire bleed Dodgers blue and can't get enough of America's pastime.

There is still a chance to get tickets if you are or are not currently a season ticket holder. If you already are, you can call the 66ers front office and order tickets for just $15 per seat. If you are not, you can order a 66ers ticket plan for as little as $30 and then you are eligible for the Dodgers vs. Red Sox game.

It is first come, first serve for these exclusive tickets. There are a limited number of tickets that are available. Be there when the Inland Empire invades the Coliseum! The March 29th game time has not been announced. Reservations must be made, and ticket plans paid for, by January 25th to ensure your ticket for the game.

The 66ers get back into the swing of things on April 3rd as the Visalia Oaks come to town. To order this or any other 66ers ticket plan call the front office at (909) 888-9922 or log onto ie66ers.com: Home for more information.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:39 PM

Hooks Update

WHAT'S FOR LUNCH - Time is running out to reserve your seat at the Astros Caravan Luncheon, Tuesday, January 22 at 11:30 a.m. on board the USS Lexington. Houston catcher and former Hook J.R. Towles joins Astros legend Jeff Bagwell, assistant general manager Ricky Bennett and television analyst Jim Deshaies. Tickets, $35 per person, can be purchased by calling 561-HOOK (4665). All proceeds benefit the Miracle League of Corpus Christi.

WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART- Seventy-eight days and counting until the first pitch of the 2008 season is thrown at Whataburger Field. Take part in the fun of Hooks Baseball by picking up a full-season ticket package. At $495 for 71 games, this one-of-a-kind experience offers sports fans the best entertainment value in the Coastal Bend. Priority options for playoffs, discounted parking and access to the Cotton Club are just a few benefits season-ticket holders enjoy. To schedule an appointment, contact the Hooks Ticket Office at 561-HOOK x 1. The fan-favorite Friday Fireworks plan goes on sale January 21; call now to get your name on the waiting list.

JOIN THE CLUB - Online registration for Rusty's Kids Club and Sammy's Birthday Club is now available. Sign up or find a full rundown of membership benefits at cchooks.com.

PING! - The Whataburger College Classic takes pride in bringing the nation's frontline programs to Corpus Christi and this year is no different. The 2008 field features the University of Arizona, ranked No.1 in Collegiate Baseball's pre-season NCAA Division I poll. The Wildcats (42-17 in 2007) lost only two starters off last season's NCAA regional team. The storied Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, South Alabama of the Sun Belt Conference and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi complete the slate.

Tickets for the Whataburger College Classic, to be held March 7-9, go on sale Friday, February 15. The three-day package is $18 for adults (ages 13 & up) and $9 for youth (ages 4-12). Daily tickets are priced at $8 for adults and $4 for youth.

WEBSITE POLL - It's a tight one! Baseball greats Andre Dawson and Jim Rice battled it out in last week's poll asking fans who was most deserving for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Dawson prevailed with 30 percent of the vote, three points ahead of Rice. Three-time MVP and former Cincinnati Red Dave Concepcion checked in with 18. This week, we talk Classic ... To log your entry, go to cchooks.com and scroll down the home page.

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