(Salisbury, MD --- November 28, 2006) After six years of ownership,
Comcast-Spectacor, the Philadelphia based sports and entertainment firm, announced
today they have agreed to sell the Delmarva Shorebirds, the South Atlantic League
affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, to 7th Inning Stretch, LLC, a baseball ownership
group headed by Tom Volpe, Chairman and CEO of Volpe Investments, LLC out of
California and his Partner Pat Filippone, President and General Manager of the
Stockton Ports of the California League. The sale is contingent on approvals from
the South Atlantic League, Minor League Baseball, and Major League Baseball. Since acquiring the Shorebirds in 2000, Comcast-Spectacor has played a large role in the Delmarva Community through its efforts with the team and has overseen several stadium renovations. The most notable of which was the edition of the Shorebirds Executive Club, which opened its doors in 2002.
"We're very proud of the way our staffs have laid the foundation for and implemented very successful team operations and promotions and created a wonderful fan base," said Comcast-Spectacor Vice President of Minor League Operations Frank Miceli. "We're elated that 7th Inning Stretch will continue to build on this commitment and dedication to the fans and their communities."
7th Inning Stretch, a baseball ownership group, is based in Stockton, California. Tom Volpe, Chairman and CEO of Volpe Investments, LLC a risk capital firm run out of San Francisco, California founded the company in 1999. Volpe is widely regarded as one of the top investment minds in America, and has served with many of the top investment firms in the country. Presently, Volpe serves on the board of directors of Kline Hawkes & Co. and the Dubai Investment Group, LLC. The Delmarva Shorebirds now join the Stockton Ports of the California League as the second minor league baseball team owned and operated by 7th Inning Stretch. Prior to taking ownership of the Ports in 2002, Volpe owned the Visalia Oaks, also of the California League and he currently serves as the California League representative for the National Association of Professional Baseball Board of Trustees, the governing body of Minor League Baseball. Volpe recently brought in Pat Filippone, former CEO of the Fresno Grizzlies, to serve as President/General Manager and part owner of the Stockton Ports, and who will now oversee the day- to- day operations of both teams.
"We are excited to be adding a class minor league baseball organization like the Delmarva Shorebirds to 7th Inning Stretch. Comcast-Spectacor has done a fantastic job of shaping the Shorebirds into a community leader and top-notch family attraction on Delmarva during their ownership, Our commitment to the community is to continue growing this team as the #1 Family Entertainment Attraction on Delmarva and to be active and visible members within the community. We will present to the community a stable ownership group and management team that is anxious to be a part of the Delmarva community." Stated Tom Volpe, founder and CEO of 7th Inning Stretch, LLC.
In their first move as new owners of the team, 7th Inning Stretch announced Chris Bitters as the new General Manager of the Delmarva Shorebirds. BITTERS, a seven-year veteran of managing Minor League Baseball Teams, was most recently General Manager of the Bakersfield Blaze (High-Class "A" Affiliate of the Texas Rangers) located in Bakersfield, California.
"We are delighted to introduce Chris Bitters as the new General Manager of Your Delmarva Shorebirds. Chris comes to Delmarva with vast experience in Minor League Baseball with his work in Bakersfield and Rancho Cucamonga. We are certain he will continue to maintain the excellent customer service and fan-friendly atmosphere that Arthur W. Perdue Stadium has become know for. Having worked with Chris in the past I am confident his experience and strong work ethic will continue to build on the success of Your Delmarva Shorebirds." Stated Pat Filippone, President of The Delmarva Shorebirds.
Bitters, 30, took over day-to-day operations for the Blaze after his work with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes whom he joined at the end of the 1999 season. In October of 2003 he was named Assistant General Manager of the Quakes. Bitters has a very experienced background within Minor League Baseball, holding positions from Ticket Sales, Operations, Merchandise, Sponsorship Sales to Assistant General Manager. He oversaw the Quakes through two logo changes, stadium renovations including an expanded picnic area, updated luxury suites and the installation of a new video board. Bitters is a 1998 graduate of the University of California, Riverside. He brings a great knowledge of the business of Minor League Baseball to Delmarva. Chris, his wife Melissa and their two daughters, Hailey (4 years-old) and Emily (4 months old) are extremely excited to make the move to the Eastern Shore. Chris very much looks forward to working with the fans, sponsors and the entire community.
"I am very excited to join the Shorebirds and anxious to meet the fans, sponsors and the entire community. I look forward to continuing to grow the success of the franchise and I am excited to bring some new ideas to the team as well." Stated Chris Bitters, New General Manager of Your Delmarva Shorebirds.
Your Shorebirds open their season Friday, April 13th against the West Virginia Power at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. Be there to experience all the excitement of Shorebirds Baseball. Ticket packages are now available for the 2007; order yours by contacting the Shorebirds at (410) 219-3112 or visiting us on the web at www.theshorebirds.com .
• Discuss this story on the South Atlantic League message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us
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.