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**truebluefan** · 01-29-2008, 08:46 AM

California League

The Lancaster JetHawks have introduced a new team identity for the 2008 season and with that, comes many changes. The team will be sporting new uniforms for the first time since 2001 and will be selling a limited number of game worn batting helmets and jackets that were used during the last few seasons.

JetHawks black batting helmets from the 2007 season, which saw the team break numerous league and team offensive records, are available for purchase for only $40. In addition, team jackets, perfect for the cold weather months, are available for only $50.

To purchase any of these vintage items, stop by the JetHawks merchandise store anytime Monday - Friday from 9 am - 5pm. Helmets are available for purchase only in person, while jackets may also be purchased via phone by calling 661.726.5400.

**truebluefan** · 01-29-2008, 08:46 AM

California League

STOCKTON, Calif. - Have you ever wanted your lawn to be the best on the street? This March, the Stockton Ports will make this happen for three lucky fans.

Between now and Feb. 29th, Ports fans can register for a chance to have the Minor League Baseball Opening Day logo painted on their lawn. The work will be done professionally by California League Groundskeeper of the Year Justin Clarke, and it will give fans an opportunity to show just how grateful they are that baseball season has arrived.

The contest is open to both residences and businesses, and the winners will be selected in a random drawing and announced on March 7th. A 12' x 12' lawn area in plain view is required in order to have your lawn painted.

To enter the drawing, send your name, phone number, and address to John Watts in the Ports front office. John can be reached through email at jwatts@stocktonports.com or by phone at (209) 644-1900.

**truebluefan** · 01-29-2008, 08:47 AM

California League

Rancho Cucamonga, CA- The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and Valley Concessions will hold two job fairs at The Epicenter to recruit seasonal game day employees for the upcoming 2008 baseball season. The first Job Fair will take place on Wednesday, January 30th from 5-8 P.M., in the Pavilion area on the west side of the stadium. For those who can not attend Wednesday night's fair, another Job Fair will occur on Saturday, February 2nd from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. The Quakes play a 70-game home schedule beginning with Opening Night on Monday, April 7th, and lasting until Labor Day.

Potential candidates will have the opportunity to gather information on all seasonal positions offered including:

Ushers

Ticket Takers

Parking Attendants

Promotions Team

Team Store

Ticket Office

Concessions

Cooks

Suite Attendants

& More

Additional information regarding game day positions can be found online at rcquakes.com: Home or by calling the Quakes at (909) 481-5000.

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are the Advanced-A California League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and open their 2008 home schedule on Monday, April 7th at the Epicenter against the High Desert Mavericks. For information about ticket packages and group information, please call the Quakes at (909) 481-5000.

**truebluefan** · 01-29-2008, 08:48 AM

Texas League

Dickey-Stephens Park, North Little Rock, Arkansas - The Arkansas Travelers announce the promotions of David Kay and Paul Allen to the positions of Assistant General Managers and the hiring of Mark Brown as the club's Turf Manager. Both Kay and Allen rejoined the Travs offices for the 2007 season and were instrumental in the success of the opening season of Dickey-Stephens Park. Brown joins the Travs after a two-year stint as the assistant superintendent at the world-class Alotian Golf Club outside Little Rock.

Kay rejoined the Travs as Director of Tickets following the 2006 season where he held the same position for the Carolina Mudcats. He remains in charge of all season and individual game ticket sales and serves as an account executive. David's baseball career began with the Travs as one of the club's lead gameday staffers during the 1996-2002 seasons. A graduate of Hendrix College, David currently lives in North Little Rock with his wife Sheriann and daughter Hayden.

Allen came to the Travs for the 2007 season as Director of Group Outings after one season as a Corporate Events Planner for the Birmingham Barons. Allen handles all group outings and picnics at Dickey-Stephens Park, but also plans the team's travel during the season and works as an account executive. A Las Vegas native with a degree from UNLV, Allen began his baseball career as a Travs intern for the 2005 season. He currently lives in Little Rock.

"Last year we were fortunate to bring back two former Travs employees who had made great impressions on us early in their careers," said Travs General Manager Pete Laven. "Both Paul and David showed dedication to Minor League Baseball by advancing their skills with other organizations and are now at the forefront of this new era of Travs baseball. These are well-deserved promotions and we look forward to having both men as leaders on our staff for years to come."

Brown switches to baseball after working at some of the finest golf courses in Arkansas over the past four years. Brown worked for the University of Arkansas Athletic Turf Department while earning a degree in Horticulture. From February 2006 through December 2007, Brown helped maintain one of the world's finest golf courses, the Alotian Golf Club outside Little Rock. He has also worked for Stonebridge Meadows Golf Club in Fayetteville and Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock. Brown and his wife, Leslie, live in Bryant and are expecting their first child.

"The Travelers are very excited about the addition of Mark to our staff," Laven commented. "His turf background combined with the knowledge of longtime park superintendent Greg Johnston gives us the stability we need to provide the best possible playing field at Dickey-Stephens Park."

**truebluefan** · 01-29-2008, 08:49 AM

Texas League

With less than two weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, the St. Louis Cardinals have announced their non-roster invites. Out of 24 non-roster players invited to Jupiter, 12 of them have played in Springfield at some point in the last two seasons.

Leading the way is outfielder Colby Rasmus, who helped lead Springfield to the 2007 Texas League Championship Series, the first playoff appearance in team history. For the second straight year, Rasmus has been ranked by Baseball America as the Cardinals' top prospect.

In addition to Rasmus, position players Nick Stavinoha, Amaury Marti and Rico Washington have all been invited. Bryan Anderson, Matt Pagnozzi and Gabe Johnson represent three of the six non-roster catchers to be invited to camp. Mitchell Boggs, Jaime Garcia, Chris Perez, P.J. Walters and Hugo Castellanos, who were all part of the 2007 pennant-winning club, have been invited as well.

Don't forget that the St. Louis Cardinals and the Springfield Cardinals will square off in a pair of exhibition games at Hammons Field, coming up on March 28th and 29th. Tickets for the exhibition games, the 2008 Texas League All-Star Game presented by Great Southern, as well as all regular season games at Hammons Field will go on sale on Wednesday, March 5th at 9am. Tickets can be purchased by calling (417) 863-2143 or online at Springfield Cardinals. Hope to see you at Hammons Field very soon. Go Cards and Get Your RED On!

**truebluefan** · 01-29-2008, 08:51 AM

Eastern League

NORWICH, CT- With only 21 days until major league pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, the start of baseball is right around the corner. The Connecticut Defenders have announced that on Saturday, February 9th, 2008 they will have their 3rd Annual Winter Fan Fest at New London High School from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"We're excited to welcome baseball fans to New London High School", said Defenders GM Charlie Dowd. "Though the calendar still says winter, baseball is right around the corner and we're looking forward to creating a buzz for the upcoming 2008 season".

The Winter Fan Fest is open to fans of all ages and it's FREE to attend. Giant Inflatable Games, a Prize Wheel, Coaches Clinic, Hot Dogs, and Popcorn will help create that ballpark atmosphere. The Coaches Clinic is open to local little league, high school, and volunteer coaches is from 10 to 11 a.m. and will be run by New Defenders Manager, Bien Figueroa who will also be on hand to sign autographs throughout the day. Fans will have the opportunity to meet the Defenders Front Office Staff as well as place orders for Defenders tickets including Opening Day on April 3rd.

"This is a great opportunity for us to get more involved with the community and help create the buzz that baseball is back," said Meaghan Davis, Director of Community Relations and Coordinator of the Winter Fan Fest.

New London Little League will use the Winter Fan Fest to hold their baseball and softball registrations. "This is a great opportunity to team up with the Defenders and get New London kids to come together and get involved", said New London Little League President Dean Bailey. "We're looking to get as many New London kids involved as possible".

Prior to the Fan Fest, Defenders Manager Bien Figueroa will be out in the community making appearances on local radio stations and headlining the Defenders "2nd Annual Kids Press Conference" on Friday, February 8th at 3 p.m. at Dodd Stadium. The Kids Press Conference was an idea created last year to give "real life" experience to middle and high school students from professionals. Students will have Q&A with a panel consisting of Defenders General Manager, Charlie Dowd, Norwich Bulletin Sports Reporter, Joe Perez, and New London Day Sports Reporter, Mike Dimauro, along with Figueroa.

Coaches interested in the Coaches Clinic with Bien Figueroa and students interested in the Kids Press Conference should contact Meaghan Davis for more information at (860)887-7962 ext. 116 or via email at mdavis@ctdefenders.com.

The Defenders kick-off the 2008 season at Thomas J. Dodd Stadium on Thursday, April 3rd against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at 6:35 p.m. For tickets or more information call the Defenders front office at (860) 887-7962 or at ctdefenders.com: Home.

**truebluefan** · 01-29-2008, 08:51 AM

Eastern League

ALTOONA- The newest member of the Altoona Curve's front office team, announced earlier this evening at the club's annual Hot Stove Dinner & Auction event, has never had a previous job, didn't go to school and likes to take several naps during the afternoon.

But before Curve General Manager Todd "Parney" Parnell is ridiculed for hiring an under-qualified candidate, it's important to note that he does come very highly certified... from the American Kennel Club, that is!

Indeed, the Curve have officially announced the addition of a seven week-old Yellow Labrador Retriever puppy, whose name will be "Bob the Baseball Dog" after the results of a rigged "Name the Puppy Contest" are released in a few weeks. Fans who don't mind that their vote will be irrelevant are encouraged to submit their puppy names on-line at AltoonaCurve.com starting next week.

"Bob", whose name is short for the commonly-used baseball term "base on balls", will serve as a living mascot for the team during the course of his unprecedented lifetime contract, which was approved Friday by Curve President & Managing Partner Chuck Greenberg. "Parney", who does not "officially" have a lifetime contract, could not be reached for a quote in this press release.

Bob The Baseball Dog will be a fixture during Curve games at Blair County Ballpark and as part of Curve community appearances and events for years to come. His main role with the club, starting on Opening Day 2008, will be to promote the Curve through his friendly smile, wet nose and wagging tail. After extensive training, he will eventually entertain fans by taking part in several on-field tasks during each game, including in-game promotions, serving as a team "bat dog", retrieving foul balls, delivering water to umpires and many other tricks, for which he'll always receive a treat. "Bob" will also have his own official line of merchandise and is eager to become a celebrity dog.

Over the next few months, "Bob" will take part in his own form of "spring training", learning all the tricks of his canine trade. He'll also receive all of his necessary puppy shots, hopefully none of which will land his name in the Mitchell Report 2.

"The addition of Bob the Baseball Dog, as he will be called after the results of our utterly bogus 'Name the Puppy' contest are released, is the perfect complement to our number one goal of providing fans who attend Curve games at Blair County Ballpark with a fun and fresh experience each night, while doing so in an affordable, family environment", said Greenberg. "Bob is going to be an absolute hit at the ballpark and I can't wait to see the reaction of our fans when they see him in action. Our trainer's first order of business will be to teach him that 'Parney' is french for fire hydrant."

"Bob" was born Saturday, December 1st among a litter of eight puppies to proud parents "Lilly" and "Flag" at Barnes Puppy Love Kennels in Roaring Spring, PA. He has five brothers, two sisters and far too many cousins to count.

The Labrador Retriever is widely considered the most popular breed of dog (by registered ownership) in the world, and is by a large margin the most popular breed by registration in the United States (since 1991), the United Kingdom, and several other countries. They are exceptionally affable, gentle, intelligent, energetic and good natured, making them both excellent companions and working dogs. With training, the Lab is one of the most dependable, obedient and multi-talented breeds in the world.

Fans who did not witness Bob the Baseball Dog's first public appearance at the Curve Hot Stove Dinner & Auction on Friday night, can see him make his Blair County Ballpark debut as part of the Curve's Home Opener on Thursday, April 3rd at 6:35 p.m. against the Reading Phillies. Single-game tickets for all 71 Curve home games will go on sale to the public on March 8th, but fans can currently lock in the best seats to all 2008 home games by purchasing 2008 Curve Season Tickets. Additional information is available by calling the Curve toll-free at 877-99-CURVE or by visiting AltoonaCurve.com.

**truebluefan** · 01-29-2008, 08:57 AM

Pacific Coast League

ROUND ROCK - The Round Rock Express announced Wednesday that longtime sports television anchor Skip Baldwin and former University of Texas standout Kirk Dressendorfer will join the team's radio and internet broadcasting team for the 2008 season.

"These two bring a tremendous element to the game for our fans," said Round Rock C.E.O. Reid Ryan. "Kirk has been with us for a long time and knows the game inside and out, and Skip brings a wealth of talent to the organization. We're proud to have both on board."

Dressendorfer, a three-time All-American pitcher at the University of Texas, will provide color commentary alongside Round Rock broadcaster Mike Capps during various home games throughout the season.

Baldwin, who most recently served as Sports Director for CBS-affiliate KEYE 42 News in Austin, will usher in a new communications approach for the Express which will include post-game, online interviews and insights into the clubhouse. The Round Rock resident will also join Capps in the booth for select home games.

"I'm extremely honored to be working with the Express and Ryan Sanders Baseball," said Baldwin, who has anchored sports television departments in New Orleans, San Diego, Nashville and Austin. "Through my three years with KEYE, I had the opportunity to work with the great people at the Express. To now be part of that team is a great feeling."

Baldwin served as director and anchor for KEYE for nearly three years after joining the station from Nashville's Fox 17. He received a pair of Emmys in 2002 for his work in sports and was honored by the Associated Press in 2006 for "Best Feature Story" and "Best News Show."

Dressendorfer won 45 games for the University of Texas from 1988-90 and was inducted into the Longhorns Hall of Honor in 2002. He also served as captain of the USA baseball team in 1989. After being selected in the first round of the 1990 draft by the Oakland Athletics, he pitched for seven years in the Oakland and Los Angeles minor league systems and reached the Major Leagues with the Athletics in 1991, going 3-3 in seven games.

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