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**truebluefan** · 01-20-2008, 02:35 PM

Pacific Coast League

Redbirds organist plays final note

Memphis, Tenn. - The Memphis Redbirds are one of the few minor league organizations with a live organist every night. The man that held that post for the past 36 seasons has played his final note.

David Ramsey passed away yesterday after a lengthy battle with cancer, he was 68-years-old. The legendary organist was also a music teacher and alum of Rhodes College. After graduating in 1961 he began teaching part-time at Rhodes in 1965 before joining the staff full-time in 1975. In 2002 Ramsey was recognized as a Distinguished Teacher of Music and was recently named Professor Emeritus.

As the organist for Memphis baseball beginning in 1971 Ramsey saw over 2,000 home games, seven no-hit games, three championship teams and played at two ballparks. He outlasted 15 general managers, 14 radio announcers, 10 club presidents, seven ownership groups and seven major league affiliates.

"Baseball and life around the ballpark is all about the people we meet, work with and get to know," Redbirds President/GM Dave Chase said. "I first worked with David in 1979, my second season in baseball, at McCarver Stadium with the Chicks. From that time forward David was always quick with a smile and a heartfelt 'How are you doing.' I missed him last season and will always remember him when I walk through the press box and see the ballpark organ sitting primed for another game, another season - but without our friend, David."

At the end of every game night Ramsey would end his day by playing "Two bits and a dollar" sometimes leaving the final note hanging for several minutes before finishing the song. On the final day of the season he would leave that final note suspended over a cold off-season and every spring the first thing he did was finish the song he had left out in the cold.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at Idlewild Presbyterian Church at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will be held Monday from 5-7 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home. A memorial fund has been set up with Rhodes College, First Presbyterian Church and the Memphis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists being the beneficiaries.

**truebluefan** · 01-20-2008, 02:35 PM

The Akron Aeros and SportsRadio 1350 WARF-AM have renewed their broadcast agreement for the 2008 season, the team announced today. WARF, which has served as the broadcast home for the Aeros for six years, will carry all 142 regular-season games as well as any and all post-season games. The Aeros have qualified for the playoffs five times in the last six seasons.

"We're very happy to renew our agreement with 1350," Aeros GM Jeff Auman said. "They have been an outstanding partner and supporter of Aeros baseball, and we look forward to continuing our relationship for many years to come."

SportsRadio 1350 Programming Director Keith Kennedy was also pleased to have the Aeros back in the fold.

"We're thrilled to have the Aeros on our airwaves once again in 2008," Kennedy said. "They represent an outstanding community establishment and we're proud to be working with them once more."

Jim Clark returns once again as the Voice of the Aeros and will be joined on the air this season by Rob Sinclair. Clark has been with the Aeros franchise since 1989, while Sinclair is in his first season with the club.

The Aeros open the 2008 season April 3rd in Harrisburg as part of a week-long road trip before the home opener April 10th against the Bowie Baysox at 7:05 p.m. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.

**truebluefan** · 01-20-2008, 02:35 PM

ROUND ROCK - Former Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell will headline this year's Houston Astros caravan stop in Round Rock on Monday, Jan. 21. The procession will also include former Express pitcher and Houston Astro Chris Sampson, Houston General Manager Ed Wade and broadcaster Bill Brown.

"Having the caravan here is always a thrill," said Express President Jay Miller. "Each year the Astros give our fans, and the community, a chance to meet some of the greatest players in the game today."

The caravan will make the Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas its first stop, pulling into the recently opened hospital at 10:00 a.m. before heading to The Dell Diamond for a fan luncheon. Tickets for the closed-door event sold out earlier this week.

The luncheon will begin promptly at 11:45 a.m. in the United Heritage Center near the east end of The Dell Diamond. Media access will be provided and a media lunch will be offered beginning at 10:45 a.m. in the 300 Win Club. One-on-one interviews will also take place in the 300 Win Club following the luncheon and a brief fan autograph session.

Bagwell, a four-time All-Star, retired in December of 2006 after 15 Major League seasons, all spent with the Astros. He left the team as the all-time leader with 449 home runs, 1,529 RBI and 1,401 walks. He finished with a .297 lifetime batting average and ranked in the top 50 among all Major League players in home runs, RBI, extra-base hits, walks, slugging percentage, OPS and on-base percentage.

Sampson is most widely known for retiring as a position player in 2000 before returning as a pitcher in 2003. He then worked his way through the Astros' farm system, joining Triple-A Round Rock in 2006. He posted a 12-3 record with a 2.58 ERA that season and made 12 appearances for Houston, picking up two wins and striking out 15 against five walks.

Sampson, a Texas Tech alum, was 7-8 with a 4.59 ERA for Houston last year.

**truebluefan** · 01-20-2008, 02:36 PM

Pearl, MS - The Mississippi Braves proudly announce that The Bobcats will be playing at the Crystal Springs Ford, Lincoln, Mercury Cafe Friday night and Encore will be playing at the Cafe Saturday night.

The Bobcats play a variety of music from the 60's through the 90's so they are sure to have something for everyone. They will also be at the Cafe on January 26th, as well as February 1st, 9th, 15th, and 23rd.

Encore will play at the Cafe on Saturday night in place of the previously schedule Rounders. Encore also plays a variety of music so the Cafe will be live with entertainment on Saturday night as well.

The Crystal Springs Ford, Lincoln, Mercury Cafe is open seven days a week and now has live entertainment in addition to the many big screens and flat panel televisions on the walls. The Bobcats and Encore are two of the best bands in central Mississippi and will be playing at the Cafe throughout December, January, and February.

**truebluefan** · 01-20-2008, 02:38 PM

The Lancaster JetHawks, Class A affiliate of the World Champion Boston Red Sox, are offering the chance for local fans to purchase an exclusive package featuring a ticket to one of the historic exhibition games between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston on March 28 or 29 as well as a JetHawks ticket package for the 2008 season. The game on March 28 will be played at Dodger Stadium and will be the first visit by the Red Sox to Los Angeles in several years. The game on March 29 will be played at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and will commemorate the Dodgers 50th Anniversary in Southern California.

The exhibition game ticket packages for either exhibition game are priced at $125 each and include a ticket to the exhibition game of your choice, a JetHawks 2008 Mini Plan A or B, bus transportation from Clear Channel Stadium to the exhibition game and return trip, a commemorative t-shirt featuring a special logo developed specifically for these packages, and the opportunity to win great prizes during the event.

Individuals may purchase two or more packages to either game for only $115 each. In addition, JetHawks season ticket holders who have renewed their 2008 packages may purchase an exhibition game package (limit four) that includes a ticket to either game, bus transportation and commemorative t-shirt for only $60 each.

These special packages are limited to 50 per exhibition game and give fans the opportunity to secure tickets to these historic games before they go on sale to the general public. Packages must be ordered by February 1 by downloading the special order form at Lancaster JetHawks and faxing or sending it along with payment to the JetHawks office.

The 2008 JetHawks mini plans included in this special offer feature Mini Plan "A", which includes all Saturday home games and Opening Night, and Mini Plan "B", which includes all Friday home games which feature post-game fireworks.

The JetHawks open the 2008 regular season on April 3 at High Desert before returning to Clear Channel Stadium for the home opener on April 10 against the Lake Elsinore Storm. Merchandise featuring the JetHawks new team identity is available now at the JetHawks Gift Store located at Clear Channel Stadium and also on-line at Lancaster JetHawks. Tremendous ticket packages starting at only $56 are available for purchase now by calling 661.726.5400.

**truebluefan** · 01-20-2008, 02:38 PM

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, in cooperation with their parent Major League club, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, are excited to announce the upcoming sixth-annual Angels Youth Baseball Clinic, to be held, weather permitting, on Saturday, January 19th at The Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga.

The clinic will commence at 9:00 A.M., with registration beginning at 8:00 A.M. It will last approximately three hours and is free to boys and girls ages 6-12 and open to aspiring ballplayers of all skill levels. The clinic will be led by members of the Angels' instructional staff, as well as minor leaguers within the organization.

During the clinic, parents will have the opportunity to meet the new additions to the Quakes' front office staff and check out exciting information about Quakes ticket packages and group outings for the upcoming 2008 season.

Angels' coaches will lead drills in hitting, fielding, pitching, and catching, and lunch will be provided by the Quakes' staff for all clinic attendees. There will also be an autograph session following the clinic. Participants are kindly asked to wear proper attire and tennis shoes, not cleats, to the clinic. Pre-registration will not be necessary, but for additional information regarding this clinic, contact Quakes Baseball at (909) 481-5000. Directions to the Epicenter can be found on the Quakes official website, rcquakes.com: Home.

**truebluefan** · 01-20-2008, 02:39 PM

66ers To Host Second Season of "Inland Empire Idol"

SAN BERNARDINO, CA - "Oh, say can you sing?" That is what the Inland Empire 66ers are asking as they host their second annual National Anthem tryouts with a little twist this year. Last year over 90 contests tried out and only the best "moved on". The 66ers, a Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate, is looking for 25 "Idols" to honor those fans at Arrowhead Credit Union Park by singing our National Anthem. A star-studded panel of judges will be choosing those who will perform the Star Spangled Banner in 2008 by giving the winners gift cards for the Inland Center Mall.

The event will take place at the Inland Center Mall located at 500 Inland Center Drive in San Bernardino on Saturday, March 1st. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. and the first performer will begin at 11:00 a.m. The singing will last until 4:00 p.m. or until all contestants are given their opportunity to impress the judges. You MUST register before the date of audition and you can do so by calling Raj, the 66ers Director of Entertainment, at (909) 888-9922.

**truebluefan** · 01-20-2008, 02:40 PM

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - The Potomac Nationals Baseball Club will actively pursue a naming rights partner for its proposed new ballpark, which would open in 2009. The team has hired Front Row Marketing Services, the leading firm specializing in the sale and valuation of naming rights in securing naming rights for sports facilities throughout North America. Front Row Marketing Services is a subsidiary of the national sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor.

"The new ballpark will be a state of the art facility that will properly serve our Northern Virginia fan base and showcase the future stars of the Washington Nationals," said Nationals owner Art Silber. "Engaging Front Row Marketing Services to sell our naming rights assures us and our naming rights partner of an agreement that will maximize the marketing potential of both entities."

According to Front Row, the eventual naming partner will receive millions of dollars in media exposure each season. The relationship will provide the opportunity for a company to go beyond traditional branding and showcase products and services at the ballpark and throughout the greater Washington D.C. area.

"We believe that the Potomac Nationals will deliver an incredible line-up of unique benefits and value to a corporate partner," said Richard Sherwood, president of Front Row Marketing Services. "We have developed a presentation and a proposal that will identify these benefits, and we will begin meeting with prospective partners immediately."

The project represents one of the largest sports and entertainment undertakings in the history of the state of Virginia. The new ballpark will be one of the finest in all of Minor League Baseball.

The ballpark will be located just north of the team's current facility, G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium. The venue will feature a capacity of 6,500, 14 luxury suites, a right field party deck, a play area for children, grass berm seating in left field, and a full-service picnic area overlooking the playing field.

The Potomac Nationals have been the Carolina League affiliate of the Washington Nationals since 2005 and have been playing in Northern Virginia for over 30 years.

Additional information on the naming rights opportunity is available upon request. Please contact Joe Worley, Project Manager at Front Row Marketing Services at (215) 218-7524, or jworley@frontrow-marketing.com.

Front Row Marketing Services, a division of public assembly facility management firm Global Spectrum, is based in Philadelphia, PA with offices in Ridgefield, CT, Ft. Collins, CO, Des Moines, IA, Kansas City, MO, and Detroit, MI. Front Row has conducted naming rights negotiations and evaluation analyses for numerous venues. Additionally, Front Row generates incremental revenue for public assembly venues and stadiums, sports teams and municipalities through the marketing and sales of advertising/sponsorships, exclusive product and vendor rights agreements, premium seating and hospitality features.

The Philadelphia-based company is part of one of the world's largest sports and entertainment firms, Comcast-Spectacor, which also owns the Wachovia Center and Wachovia Spectrum, the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, the Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League, Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community ice skating rinks, Comcast SportsNet, a regional sports programming network, Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage services provider, and New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing product for public assembly facilities.

**truebluefan** · 01-20-2008, 02:40 PM

Wilmington, DE - On Thursday, the Kansas City Royals - parent club of the Wilmington Blue Rocks - released their complete list of non-roster spring training invitees, which includes five former Blue Rocks players. Catchers Kiel Thibault and Damaso Espino along with infielders Mike Aviles, Angel Berroa and Mike Stodolka will have the opportunity to etch themselves onto the 40-man roster of the big league Royals this coming season.

Thibault, the most recent Blue Rock, hit .254 with four homers and 36 RBIs in 91 games with Wilmington last season. In addition, the Idaho native ranked third in the Carolina League in terms of throwing out would-be base stealers, posting a .373 efficiency rate. Espino was a fan favorite during his lone year on the Riverfront in 2004. The Panamanian backstop hit .256 and drove in 56 runs in 124 games, but is most remembered for clubbing the first and only postseason grand slam in Blue Rocks history during Game Two of the Mills Cup championship series.

Aviles spent 2004 with the Blue Rocks, posting an impressive .300 batting average to go along with six home runs and 69 RBIs in 126 games. Berroa, a former American League Rookie of the Year with the Royals, spent the first 51 games of the 2001 season in Wilmington before ascending to Double-A Wichita near season's end. He hit .317 with 25 RBIs as a Blue Rock. Stodolka, the longest tenured Rock of the group, spent 2003 and 2004 in the First State as a left-handed starting pitcher, tossing 19 games and compiling a record of 5-3 with a 4.00 ERA over his two seasons. He has since been converted to primarily a first baseman.

Spring Training 2008 officially kicks off when pitchers and catchers report on Wednesday, February 13. All other players are due to report on Monday, February 18.

The Royals spring training complex is located in Surprise, AZ.

**truebluefan** · 01-20-2008, 02:40 PM

SALEM, VA-The Salem Avalanche, Advanced Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, announced that the Astros have assigned Pitching Coach Gary Ruby and Hitting Coach Keith Bodie to Salem for the 2008 season.

Gary Ruby will once again join his long-time friend - Astros General Manager Ed Wade - when he joins the Astros minor league coaching staff in Salem. Ruby and Wade first worked together in 1988 when Wade was the GM of the Phillies. Ruby, a former pitching coach for the Scranton / Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (Class-AAA, Philadelphia), most recently served as the minor league pitching coordinator for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2002 through 2007.

Keith Bodie was selected by the New York Mets in the 1974 amateur draft as a third round pick, but he never reached the majors. Bodie managed in the minor leagues for 13 seasons, most recently with the Harrisburg Senators (Class-AA, Washington) in 2005. Bodie began his coaching career with Houston in 1984 with the Auburn Astros, and then moved to the Columbus Astros in 1985. From 1994 to 1999, he was the minor league coordinator for the San Francisco Giants. He earned a brief September call-up as a coach in 2001 after having managed the Wichita Wranglers (Class-AA, Kansas City). It was the first time in 28 years of pro baseball that he was in a major league clubhouse during the season.

In 1981, Bodie played alongside Avalanche Manager Jim Pankovits and Astros' minor league field coordinator Tom Wiedenbauer with the Tucson Toros (Class-AAA, Houston).

Bodie replaces Alex Eckelman, previously announced as Hitting Coach in November, 2007, on Pankovits' staff.

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The Salem 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.

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