IL news and notes

Published on August 26, 2004 under International League (IL1) News Release

BUFFALO BISONS
THRUWAY CUP ON THE LINE: When the Bisons take on the Rochester Red Wings this afternoon at 1:05 p.m. at Dunn Tire Park, the Thruway Cup will be on the line. The Thruway Series was started in 1998 as an extra competition between the three IL teams connected by the New York State Thruway: Bisons, Red Wings and Syracuse SkyChiefs. Even with eight games remaining in the series, the Herd (16-8) would clinch the cup (via the head-to-head tie-breaker) with a win over Rochester (15-14) today. The Red Wings are the defending champion, but Buffalo is looking for their fourth cup in the last five years.

AUTOMATIC JACK: Bisons' reliever Jack Cressend threw an inning of shutout relief in the Herd's 3-2 win over Rochester last night. With that, the Herd is now 17-0 when Cressend comes into the game as a reliever. In those 17 games, Cressend is 10-0 with a 3.31 ERA and one save. The 29-year-old has also won his last nine decisions.

SOLID DEBUTS: Recently, the Bisons have received some solid performances from players making their first stint in Triple-A. Last Wednesday in Pawtucket, rookie outfielder Jason Cooper hit his first Bisons' home run. The next day, pitcher Shea Douglas was called up and threw two shutout innings against the PawSox to earn his first Triple-A save. Last night, infielder Corey Smith joined the Herd from Double-A Akron and picked up an RBI-double against Rochester (the eventual game-winning hit).

PERFECT 10: By winning a suspended game against the Scranton/WB Red Barons on Saturday afternoon, the Herd tied a Modern Day record with 10 consecutive victories. The streak started with a 7-4 win over Pawtucket on August 12. After that, Buffalo swept four-game series against Ottawa (Aug 13-15) and at Pawtucket (Aug 16-19) before winning their 10th on Saturday. The only other time Buffalo won ten straight since rejoining the IL was April 18-28, 2002.

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS
KNIGHTS NEED THE CLUTCH HIT: The Charlotte Knights have struggled driving in runs with runners on base. In situations with runners on third base and less than two outs this year, Charlotte has only driven in a run 51.0% of the time (124 RBI in 250 opportunities). The team is hitting .266 this season with the bases empty, and is hitting .257 as a team this season with runners in scoring position. By comparison, Knights opponents have driven in a run with a runner on third base and less than two outs 62.2% of the time. Opponents this year are hitting .263 with runners in scoring position and .251 with the bases empty.

IT'S IN THE BAJ: Charlotte Knights closer Jeff Bajenaru has enjoyed a wonderful start to his Triple-A career. Bajenaru made his first appearance for Charlotte on July 19th, and since then the 26-year-old right-hander has gone 1-1 with nine saves and a 1.56 ERA in 14 games. Over his last six games, Bajenaru has pitched the equivalent of a reliever's no-hitter. In those six games, the Rancho Cucamonga, California native has thrown nine innings of hitless ball, striking out seven and walking one.

FANS GET PREVIEW OF BOBCATS JERSEYS AT KNIGHTS STADIUM: On Sunday, Aug. 22nd during the 1st game of a doubleheader, the Knights took the field in the newly unveiled jerseys of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats. Fans were able to participate in a silent auction for the jerseys, with all proceeds going to the Bobcats Charitable Foundation. Bobcats' Coach/General Manager Bernie Bickerstaff was on hand to throw out the first pitch of the game, and the Bobcats' new mascot, Rufus Lynx, was also in attendance.

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS
WELCOME BACK: The Yankees signed outfielder Shane Spencer as a free agent. He join the Clippers in Norfolk last week. The seven-year major league veteran (Yankees, Indians, Rangers and Mets) spent parts of five seasons with the Clippers (1996-99, 2001). Spencer ranks seventh in Clippers history in home runs (56). He led Columbus with 30 homers in 1997.

TOUGH CHOICE: The Clippers' Buddy Carlyle was named IL Pitcher-of-the-Week with 13.2 innings of work. He allowing four runs on twelve hits, struck out 13 and didn't walk a batter. Teammate Brad Halsey has also pitched extremely well over the past two weeks. The southpaw hurled 13 shutout innings in his last two starts (split between IL Pitcher-of-the-Week selection periods), allowing nine hits, while striking out 13 and walking just one. Halsey, who has thrown shutout ball in four of his last six starts, has won the award once in 2004.

Earlier this week, Halsey, a Texas native, extended his scoreless innings streak to 29.1 innings before he gave a run to Louisville, resulting from two errors. Halsey had 24.2 consecutive scoreless innings earlier this season. If Brad had any luck at all, he would have an additional five victories this season. In five of his starts this season, he has given up a total of just two earned runs, yet has a record of 0-2 in those starts. In his last eight starts, Halsey is averaging a strikeout an inning.

WEB GEM WIZARD: Homer Bush, long regarded as one of the greatest fielding second baseman ever to wear a glove, brought his teammates to their feet three times this week with spectacular fielding plays. To go along with his web gems, Bush is hitting a torrid .611 in his last three games.

DURHAM BULLS WHAT A LONG, STRANGE WEEK IT'S BEEN: The Bulls on Tuesday wrapped up a strange road series against Richmond without playing a game in Richmond against the Braves. The two teams played a single game on Saturday in Norfolk, falling 3-1, then had games Sunday and Monday postponed in Richmond due to poor field conditions. The two teams then played a doubleheader in Norfolk against Richmond on Tuesday, splitting the two games.

SPLIT PERSONALITY: With Tuesday's odd doubleheader split against Richmond, the Bulls are 27-38 on the road, 5-16 since the All-Star Break. In contrast, the Bulls are an International League best 43-23 at home (18-3 since the All-Star break). The Bulls begin a seven-game home stand tonight before finishing with six games on the road against Norfolk and Charlotte.
THE LAST TIME...: ...the Bulls played an opponent on a neutral field, they were a Class-A team in 1996, when Hurricane Fran caused playoff games to be moved to Winston-Salem's Ernie Shore Field.

BASE HITS FOR BROOKS: Brooks Badeaux went 3-for-3 in Tuesday's 7-0 Game Two win. He now is hitting a team-best .400 in the month of August. The perfect second game came less than a week after he posted the team's first five-for-five effort in four seasons.

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
TRIBE FINISH TO MATCH 20TH CENTURY MARK: Indianapolis will finish below .500 for the fourth consecutive season, dating back to 2001. The last time Indianapolis endured four straight years below .500 was from 1904 to 1907.

EIGHT HOME DATES REMAIN: The Tribe kicks off a six-day, six-game homestand Thursday, featuring two games with IL West leader Columbus and four games with Toledo. Thursday's contest is Fan Appreciation Night and the Tribe will give away one round-trip ticket for two anywhere in the continental United States, courtesy of ATA. In addition, the club will give away retro jerseys worn by the players that evening to fans who will collect their prize on the field after the game.

POWER OUTAGE: Indianapolis needs five home runs in its last 11 games to tie the club's low mark for home runs in a season (90) set last season. The team high was set in 1998 when the Tribe clubbed 160 round trippers.

YOU GOTTA HAVE HART: Corey Hart is leading the Indians in eight offensive categories: at-bats (416); runs scored (64); hits (115); doubles (27); triples (8); stolen bases (16) and strike outs (87). The 23-year-old was the Southern League MVP last season and is playing his first season at Triple-A with Indianapolis.

LOUISVILLE BATS
LARSON BREAKS RECORD: 3B Brandon Larson broke the all-time franchise RBI record of 221 held by Rod Brewer (1990-92) Tuesday night. Larson is also the record holder in five other offensive categories: home runs (69), grand slams (4), two-homer games (6), extra base hits (147) and a 26-game hitting streak, May 15-June 21, 2003. Larson is currently on a Major League Rehab Assignment and has been on Cincinnati's disabled list since July 19 with a strained left hamstring.

FREE FALLIN': Louisville is now 11 games under .500, the most games under during the 2004 season. The Bats are also 11 games out of first, the farthest out of first place all year. The last time a Louisville team was 11 games under .500 was at the end of the 1999 season when the then-RiverBats were 63-81. The 1999 season was also the last time Louisville was 11 games or more out of first place when the team was 21.5 games back of first place Columbus.

STRATTON DELIVERS: OF Rob Stratton has been a huge contributor to the Bats despite playing in just 28 games. Since being signed to a minor league contract July 11, he is batting .361 (35-97) with eight doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 27 RBI and 19 runs scored. He is batting .333 with four homers and 19 RBI with runners in scoring position. Stratton has also hit two of the top five longest home runs in Slugger Field history while with Norfolk. His second place homer traveled 479 feet September 8, 2001 while his fifth place home run tied Kevin Witt at 458 feet June 22, 2002.

NORFOLK TIDES
WHAT A WEEK IT HAS BEEN: How often does a player get his first Triple-A hit AND his first Major League hit in the same week. On Sunday, August 15, Jeff Keppinger was promoted from Binghamton and went 3-3 in his first Triple-A game. Just a few days later, he was promoted to New York and made his Major League debut grounding out as a pinch hitter in Friday night's (8/20) game in San Francisco. Saturday night (8/21), he entered the game at second as part of a double switch in the 7th inning. In the top of the 8th inning, he got his first Major League, a single to left field. In 4 games with the Mets, he is 4-15.

WHAT A WEEK IT HAS BEEN, PART II: The Tides home game countdown was down to 6, until Richmond was unable to play on their field. The Tides hosted the Richmond Braves and the Durham Bulls on Saturday and again in a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon. Norfolk was to have played back to back doubleheaders in Richmond Wednesday and Thursday, but the games had to be moved back to Harbor Park. One game was however scheduled for a doubleheader on the last day of the season in Richmond.

MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT, PART II: Tides closer Heath Bell earned a well-deserved Major League debut opportunity Tuesday evening. After a rough start to the 2004 season, Bell rebounded to become a valuable asset as the Tides closer when Jose Parra was called up by the Mets. He started the season allowing 10 runs in his first 6 appearances (5 2/3 innings). He later went on a stretch in which he struck out at least one batter in 18 straight appearances striking out 35 in 23 innings. He has been optioned back to Norfolk after striking out 3 and allowing just one hit in 2 innings Tuesday evening, but he is expected to get a September call-up when rosters expand next week.

INNINGS, INNINGS, INNINGS: With a 15 inning game on Tuesday night and a double header that went to extra innings yesterday, the Tides have played 32 innings in 2 days.

OTTAWA LYNX
PLENTY O' MOVES: The Lynx made a flurry of moves over the last two days after being quiet on the roster front for much of August. LHP Bruce Chen had his contract purchased by Baltimore prior to his start in Oakland last night, where Chen took a no-hitter into the 6th and ended up throwing seven shutout innings in a 3-0 Orioles' loss. Also going to Baltimore are 3B Jose Leon and OF Tim Raines Jr., who were recalled after last night's game. The Lynx will get a few familiar faces back, as OF Darnell McDonald and RHP Eddy Rodriguez were both optioned to Ottawa, while C Tom McGee has been activated from the disabled list.

OLYMPIC WRAPUP: The Olympic baseball competition ended yesterday, and both of the members of the Ottawa Lynx will not return with a medal. Lynx field manager Tim Leiper, who coached the Canadian team, saw his troops lose a heartbreaking semi-final to Cuba before losing to Japan in the bronze medal game to finish a very respectable fourth. Clay Bellinger's Greek team finished at 1-6, with Bellinger ending the tournament with five hits (including a homer) and four runs scored.

TWO MORE YEARS FOR LYNX, O'S: Yesterday it was announced that the Lynx and the Baltimore Orioles have signed an agreement where the Lynx will remain the Triple-A affiliate of the Orioles for two more years, through the 2006 season. 2004 has been Ottawa's second season as the Orioles top affiliate, after spending their first 10 years with the Montreal Expos organization.

LYNX TO HOST NHL STARS: The Ottawa Lynx announced this week that on Thursday, September 2nd they will be hosting the "Roger's House Celebrity Softball Challenge. The challenge will pit a team of Ottawa Senators stars against a group of current and former NHL stars in a charity softball game. The star-studded lineup is below:
Senators Stars NHL Stars
Manager: John Muckler Manager: Tim Leiper
Bench Coach: Spartacat Bench Coach: Skratch
Chris Neil C Rob Murphy C
Chris Phillips 1B Laurie Boschman 1B
Todd White 2B Ron Tugnutt 2B
Mike Fisher SS Brad Smyth SS
Jody Hull 3B Garry Galley 3B
Chris Kelly LF John Chabot LF
Ray Emery CF Jim Kyte CF
eBay spot RF eBay spot RF
Jason Spezza P Jason York P
Bench: Pat Kavanagh, Roy Mlakar

The game will also feature two roster spots (one on each team) that will be available on eBay.com. Fans wishing to take part in the game can bid on the open roster spots by going to www.ebay.com and searching for "Roger's House". Roger's House is the pediatric palliative care facility that will carry the name and legacy of former NHL coaching great Roger Neilson.

PAWTUCKET RED SOX
SETTLING FOR THE SILVER: PawSox pitcher John Stephens was the starter and loser in the gold medal game on Wednesday as the Australian Olympic baseball team fell to Cuba, 6-2 in Athens, Greece. The Aussies thus settled for the silver medal – their first medal ever in Olympic baseball competition. Stephens, who had pitched well for Australia throughout the tournament, was trailing by just a 2-1 score heading into the top of the 6th-inning before he allowed 2 runs and then left the game with two runners on base (both eventually scored). So his final line was – 5+/10/6/6/0/3. John is 9-6 with a 4.46 ERA in 23 games (20 starts) for the PawSox this season. He left the club on August 6 to play for his country but is on a flight from Greece to Rhode Island today (Thursday) and is expected to return to Pawtucket as early as tonight. He may go back into the PawSox starting rotation this coming Tuesday in Rochester.

PEDRO TO PITCH FOR THE PAWSOX: No, not that Pedro silly. The PawSox have added veteran RHP Pedro Astacio to their roster. He will make his PawSox debut this Friday in Game 1 of a doubleheader at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Astacio, who was signed by the Boston Red Sox as a free agent on June 30, had been with the Gulf Coast Rookie Red Sox for the past month and a half as he continued his comeback from right shoulder surgery in June of 2003. The 34-year-old is a veteran of 12 major league seasons with the Dodgers (1992-97), Rockies (1997-2001), Astros (2001), and Mets (2002-03). In 346 career major league appearances (303 starts) he is 118-109 with a 4.58 ERA. He won a career-high 17 games for Colorado in 1999 going 17-11 with a 5.04 ERA in 34 GS along with 210 strikeouts (3rd in the National League). The Dominican native last pitched in the majors with the New York Mets in 2003 posting a 3-2 record with a 7.36 ERA in 7 GS before going on the disabled list on June 1 (and eventually undergoing right shoulder surgery later that month).

PAW-PRINTS: With 12 games to go, the PawSox are 3½-games out of the IL wild card spot behind Durham and 1-game behind Scranton/WB. The Sox had climbed to within 1½-games in the wild card race on August 11 & 15. The PawSox were a season-high 14-games out of 1st-place on July 1 and as much as 10-games behind in the wild card standings at the All-Star break (July 12). Their Tragic Number to be eliminated from defending their IL North Pennant is down to just 2 over Buffalo.

Pawtucket is 18-5 on the road since the All-Star break and 27-14 overall since the break to get back into post-season contention. They are 9-1-2 in their 12 series since the All-Star break. Since the break the PawSox have put together a 7-1 roadtrip, a 3-1 homestand, a 3-1 roadtrip, a 4-2 homestand, a 4-2 roadtrip, a 2-5 homestand, and a 4-1 roadtrip.

The Sox are 42-26 against their IL North rivals this season – the second best record of any club within the division behind Buffalo who is 44-25 vs. the North. The PawSox had the best record within the division last year going 50-30 en route to winning the IL North Pennant. Pawtucket is a superb 23-11 at home vs. the other five IL North teams.

The PawSox have out-scored the opposition by 72 runs on the season (by a 702-630 count) but have been out-hit by their opponents 1257-1198. Sox batters lead the league with 1139 SO (a new club-record) but also lead with 532 BB - both by wide margins.

RICHMOND BRAVES
WHITE-OUT: Matt Whiteside recorded his Triple-A best 34th save in Richmond's 3-1 victory over Norfolk in the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader at Harbor Park. Whiteside, who ranks third in the minor leagues behind Winston-Salem's Dwayne Pollok (35) and Tulsa's Ryan Speier (35), has already set the Richmond Braves single-season saves record and is now in a tie with Tom House (1967-72) and Billy Taylor (1990, 1992-93) for second on the franchise career saves list behind Rod Nichols' (1995-96) 45. With his next save, Whiteside will become the first International League pitcher to record 35 saves in a single season since Indianapolis' Bob Scanlan in 2000. Columbus' Mike Draper holds the League record with 37, set in 1992. Whiteside enters tonight's meeting with Norfolk with a record of 2-4 and an ERA of 2.98.

FIELDING PROBLEMS: Unplayable field conditions due to an abnormal amount of rain and an inadequate drainage system have kept the Braves from playing at The Diamond since August 8. Since that date the Braves have lost nine openings at The Diamond and have been forced to make Norfolk's Harbor Park the club's home away from home. On Saturday, August 21 and Tuesday, August 24 the Braves "hosted" the Durham Bulls at Harbor Park and home dates against the Tides on Wednesday, August 25 and Thursday, August 26 were transferred to Norfolk. Additionally, the Braves have lost a home opening to the Bulls and will now play a doubleheader at Durham on Monday, August 30.
DIFFERENT VIEW: Prior to game one of Wednesday's doubleheader with Norfolk, Damon Hollins had not appeared in leftfield with Richmond since July 31, 2001--a span of 346 games.

ROCHESTER RED WINGS
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY: With Tuesday night's win, LHP Dave Gassner become only the second Red Wings' 14-game winner since 1978 (LHP Rick Krivda 14 wins in 1997). Gassner is just one win shy of becoming the first left-handed pitcher to get 15 wins in a season since 1951 when LHP Jack Collum went 15-8.

IS THE DOMINANCE DUNN: The Buffalo Bisons have had the Red Wings' number in years past. From 2000-2002 the Red Wings had just a 5-19 record at Dunn Tire Park, but that has all changed since the Red Wings changed affiliation with the Minnesota Twins. Including this season's first-ever four-game sweep at Dunn Tire Park (May 4-7), Rochester has a 9-6 record at Dunn Tire Park since their affiliation change in 2003.

KING OF THE HILL: Outfielder Jason Kubel is currently the IL batting leader with a .350 batting average. Kubel looks to become the first Red Wing to win the IL batting title since 1988 when outfielder Steve Finley captured the crown with a .314 batting average. If Kubel can stay above the .350 mark he would become only the sixth player to win the IL batting title with at least a .350 batting average in 48 years (since 1955). The last IL player to win the batting title and hit above .350 was Charlotte outfielder Billy McMillon, when he batted .352 in 1996. Kubel needs just 14 more plate appearances to qualify for the season ending 2004 IL Batting Title

MYSTERY BALL PROMOTION: Next week, Red Wings' fans will have the opportunity to draw a ticket out of a hat for $10. The ticket will correspond to an autographed ball. Baseballs will be autographed by Cal Ripken, Bill Ripken, BJ Surhoff, Brady Anderson, and members of the Red Wings. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.

SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE RED BARONS
SANCHES ADDED: RHP Brian Sanches was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after last night's game. He was acquired in March from the San Diego Padres for a player to be named later. He was originally drafted in the 2nd round of the 1999 draft by the KC Royals. In 41 games out of the bullpen for the R-Phils he was 4-2 with a 2.71 ERA and 3 saves. In 69.2 IP he allowed just 55 hits (.217 opp. avg.) with 25 BB and 60K.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Ryan Howard and Reading right-hander Brandon Culp have been named the Phillies' Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Week for August 16-22. Howard batted .333 during the week with 5 HR and 12 RBI. Culp, who was promoted from Clearwater 8/22 after winning his start 8/17 vs. Tampa. Struckout 9 in 6.0 innings in his Double-A debut.

ONE STREAK ENDS ANOTHER CONTINUES: Although Pablo Ozuna's club record 27-game hitting streak came to an end last night, he did keep another streak alive. With two walks he has now reached base in 28 straight games – the longest active streak in the IL and tied for the 6th longest this season. Buffalo's Brandon Phillips owns the longest streak at an amazing 51 games.

SYRACUSE SKYCHIEFS
AUSSIES TAKE SILVER: The Australian Olympic Baseball Team captured the silver medal after defeating Japan on Tuesday and falling to Cuba yesterday. Team Australia reached the medal round with a 4-3 mark in preliminary play. SkyChiefs third baseman Glenn Williams finished the tournament with a .297 batting average, one home run, and three RBI for Australia. Fellow 2004 SkyChiefs Stubby Clapp, Jeff Guiel, and Simon Pond were denied medals when Team Canada lost to Japan in the bronze medal game.

FINGERS & FIREWORKS: Baseball Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers will make a special appearance at P&C Stadium tomorrow when the SkyChiefs take on Buffalo. Fingers will be in town for the Rolaids Bat & Win competition and will also sign autographs for fans on the stadium concourse. SkyChiefs fan Shawn Ryan will take three swings against Fingers with the opportunity to win $10,000. Following the game, the second-to-last fireworks show of the season will light up the skies above the stadium.

Q GETTING HOT: With a 2-for-5 effort last night, Guillermo Quiroz extended his hitting streak to 10 games. The catcher is 14-40 (.350) with 7 doubles and 8 RBI during the streak. Quiroz' batting average had dipped to .218 prior to the streak, the lowest it had been since April 12, but is now up to .240. Quiroz is the fifth Syracuse player to have a 10-game hitting streak this year, joining Russ Adams, Howie Clark, Anton French, and Gabe Gross.

TOLEDO MUD HENS
UST PROVIDING SOME HITS: Through August 25, Brant Ust has recorded at least one hit in 11 of his last 12 games, batting .362 (17-47) in that span including one home run, three doubles and six RBI. Ust is also enjoying a seven-game hitting streak, and has posted six multi-hit games in that span. The utility infielder provided some extra-inning clutch hitting, singling home the game-winning run against Indianapolis in the tenth inning on August 23. A versatile defensive player, Ust has started at first base (eight times), second base (21 times), third base (38 times), short-stop (14 times), left field (eight times), and right field (five times) for the Hens this season. Ust also has three starts at designated hitter for the 2004 campaign.

MIDDLE RELIEVER TURNING IN QUALITY INNINGS: Right-handed pitcher Jason Karnuth has looked quite good as of late. In July and August combined, Karnuth is 3-1 with a 1.95 ERA (6 ER/27.2 IP), two saves, and 20 strikeouts while only walking seven. The 28-year-old began his professional career as a starter and moved to the bullpen during the 2000 season.

TRIO OF HENS APPEAR IN 2004 OLYMPICS, BURNSIDE WINS SILVER: Three members of the 2004 Toledo Mud Hens were given time away from Toledo to represent their countries in the 2004 Summer Olympics. Pitcher Chris Mears and shortstop Danny Klassen played for Team Canada and pitcher Adrian Burnside played for Australia. Klassen started at shortstop in all nine games for Canada and led the team with a pair of doubles and knocked in four runs. Mears appeared in five games on the mound. Burnside made one start for the Australian squad that surprised many by advancing to the gold medal game.

HEN NAMED TO ALL-TIME TEAM USA OLYMPIC SQUAD: The United States failed to qualify for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, but that didn't stop NBCOlympics.com from naming Warren Morris to the All-Time Team USA baseball team. Morris, who won a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, was named the starting second baseman. In Olympic competition, Morris started all nine games for the United States and led the team with a .409 batting average. His appearance in the Olympics came just months after he hit the game winning home run for Louisiana State in the College World Series Final. Morris is joined in All-Time Team USA starting line up with Charles Johnson (C), Will Clark (1B), Robin Ventura (3B), Barry Larkin (SS), Jacque Jones (OF), Tom Goodwin (OF), and Jeffrey Hammonds (OF).

International League Stories from August 26, 2004

• Clippers trip Tribe at Victory Field - Indianapolis Indians
• Etherton Kentucky Fries Hens 2-1 - Louisville Bats
• IL news and notes - IL1
• Clippers Take Down Bats 8-5 - Louisville Bats

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.