NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Jackson Generals

Diamond Jaxx Newsletter

June 24, 2008 - Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx will return to Pringles Park for a six-game homestand against the Tennessee Smokies, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, beginning tonight, Tuesday, June 24th. This will be the Smokies last scheduled trip to The Big Chip during the 2008 season.

Tuesday, June 24th will be Two for Tuesday. All regularly priced tickets, hot dogs, and bags of popcorn will be two for the price of one. Also, upon exiting the stadium, fans will take home samples of Vault courtesy of Coca-Cola.

Wednesday, June 25th will be Super Splash Day with a special 11:05am start. Fans are encouraged to come out and beat the summer heat with lots of water themed activities. Specially discounted ticket rates are available for groups of 25 or more that purchase before June 25th.

Thursday, June 26th will feature the return of Myron Noodleman to Pringles Park. Between innings, Myron entertains from the field, engaging players or umpires in dance contests or spoofing the coach's hand signals. For the rest of the game, he wanders the stands, bantering with fans in his signature Myron voice: nasal and distinctly nerd-like. There will also be a pre-game concert by Memphis Jones and with the Thirsty Thursday promotion, 24-oz. Coke products and 16-oz. draft beers will be two (2) for the price of one (1). Pringles Park will also introduce $1 Beer and Soda Night in addition to Thirsty Thursday. Every Thursday, fans can purchase a 12 oz. draft beer or soft drink for only $1.00.

Friday, June 27th there will be a spectualar fireworks display following the game. Also after the game, children, 12 and under, can participate in Jackson Energy Authority's (JEA) Run the Bases promotion and all fans can take home a sample of Vitamin Water, compliments of Coca-Cola.

Saturday, June 28th will be Country Western Night presented by WYN 106.9FM. There will be a post-game acoustic concert in the Tennessee National Guard Picnic Pavilion featuring Jessica Andrews, who in May of 2000 was named the top new female vocalist by the Academy of Country Music. It will also be Charter Customer Appreciation Night and another Sam's Town Saturday Night. Hannah Wade Powell, 2007 West Tennessee Idol winner, will sing the National Anthem and there will be a fireworks show after the game. Kids, 12 and under, will be allowed to Run the Bases after the game courtesy of JEA.

For the second half of the season, the Diamond Jaxx are introducing an All-You-Can-Eat ticket package for every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (excluding July 4th) home game. Fans can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet of hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts and soft drinks along with a club seat ticket for only $15.00. The buffet lasts until the seventh inning stretch.

Sunday, June 29th, the Jaxx will conclude the homestand with a scheduled 4:35pm first pitch. Fans bringing a church bulletin to the Diamond Jaxx Box Office can receive a free General Admission ticket (or a discount towards any other ticket). Plus, once inside, fans can cool off with some delicious ice cream specials.

Don't forget, at every game during the 2008 season at Pringles Park, Jaxx fans in attendance have the opportunity to win a motorcycle from Carlock Power Sports if a Jaxx player hits for the cycle (single, double, triple, and a home run) during a game.

Unless otherwise noted, all games start at 7:05pm (CST). Gates are scheduled to open one hour before the start of each game. Individual game tickets, season ticket packages, group outings, picnics and promotional opportunities are currently being booked for the upcoming season. For more information, call the Diamond Jaxx at (731) 988-5299 or log on to the Diamond Jaxx website at DiamondJaxx.com.

--------------------------------------------------

*Diamond Jaxx Clinch First Playoff Berth Since 2005*

The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx have gotten off to a tremendous start in 2008. At the end of the first half of the season on June 15th, the team was second in all of the Southern League in numerous team categories, including batting average, runs, home runs, and ERA (earned run average). Plus, there were many great individual efforts including two complete games thrown by Rich Dorman, a shut-out pitched by Justin Thomas, and 29 extra base hits by Michael Saunders.

The countless hours of practice and the passion exuded during games has paid off for the Diamond Jaxx in the form of a first half championship. By virtue of winning the first half Northern Division title in 2008, the Diamond Jaxx have guaranteed themselves their fifth chance at a Southern League Championship.

The Diamond Jaxx first half championship was full of drama as West Tenn and the Huntsville Stars battled for first place beginning Opening Day. The two teams were tied for first going into a five game series in Huntsville from June 5th through June 9th. In a wild series, Huntsville took three out of the five games and thus had a one game lead over the Diamond Jaxx heading into the final five games of the first half. By going 3-2 on their homestand and the Stars winning just two games at Jacksonville, the two teams were again tied atop the North Division standings with 41-29 records upon the conclusion of the first half on June 15th. Per Southern League rules, the first-half champion in that situation is determined by who wins the first game between those teams in the second half.

The Jaxx and Stars did not have to wait long before finding out the first half winner as the two teams were scheduled to face off in Huntsville in the second half opener on June 17th. Before the big game, two busloads of Diamond Jaxx fans left Pringles Park and headed to Joe W. Davis Stadium to cheer on the Jaxx. With plenty of fan support, the Diamond Jaxx took an early lead and held on to defeat the Stars by the score of 5-1. With the win, the Jaxx joined the Birmingham Barons as first-half champions in the Southern League.

The last time the Diamond Jaxx made it to the Southern League playoffs was in 2005. That team, which included now current Major League Baseballs stars as Ryan Theriot, Ricky Nolasco, and Carlos Marmol, swept the Carolina Mudcats three games to zero in the Northern Division playoffs, but lost to the Suns three games to one in the Southern League Championship Series. They also lost the Southern League Championship series three games to one to the Orlando Rays in the teams' first playoff appearance in 1999.

In 2000, the Diamond Jaxx had an overall record of 80-58 and defeated the Birmingham Barons three games to two in the Western Division playoffs and went on to win their one and only Southern League Championship by knocking off the Jacksonville Suns three games to two.

Three out of the four times that the Diamond Jaxx have participated in post-season play during their eleven year history, they have made it to the Southern League Championship series. And, by virtue of winning the first half, Pringles Park will host the first two games of the best-of-five Northern Division series against the second-half champions in September. So be sure to get your playoff tickets and root your West Tenn Diamond Jaxx to another Southern League Championship.

--------------------------------------------------

*Slots Still Available for Diamond Jaxx Youth Baseball Camp Set for Thursday, June 26th*

Each season, the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx host a Summer Baseball Camp for area youth. At the camp, campers get to spend the day on the same field as the future stars of Major League Baseball while receiving instruction on how to play like a major leaguer by the Diamond Jaxx players as well as Seattle Mariners and Diamond Jaxx coaches.

This season, the Diamond Jaxx will host a camp for ages 6-15 on Thursday, June 26th. The camp will run from 9:00am to noon.

The $50.00 (per child, tax excluded) cost for the Camp includes:

- Training by Professional Baseball Players and Instructors

- FREE Diamond Jaxx Camp T-Shirt

- FREE ticket to that night's Diamond Jaxx Game

- FREE lunch with the Diamond Jaxx on the Camp day

- Pre-Game Introduction including child's name on the scoreboard prior to the National Anthem on that night's game

For more information or to sign up for the Camp, call the Diamond Jaxx at 731-988-5299 or visit www.diamondjaxx.com.

--------------------------------------------------

*Second Half Season Tickets and 10-Game Mini Plans Available Now*

As the Diamond Jaxx begin the second half of the 2008 season, fans have the opportunity to purchase a second half season ticket. In addition to a ticket for all 35 games at Pringles Park during the second half of the 2008 season, a second half season ticket investment includes complimentary post-season tickets, admittance into the stadium one-half hour before the general public, merchandise discounts in the Clubhouse Store, and invitations to special season ticket holder only events, such as a Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Picnic and Batting Practice.

Moreover, with the Season Ticket Exchange Program, unused season tickets can be exchanged for general admission tickets to any regular season game (excluding July 4th), based on availability (unlimited on Sunday through Thursday; limited to six tickets per account on Friday's and Saturday's). Diamond Jaxx second half season tickets prices for the 2008 season are: $225.00 for Field Box seats, $200.00 for Box seats, and $187.50 for Club seats.

If second half season tickets aren't for you, the Diamond Jaxx customizable 10-Game Mini Plans are a very cost-effective way for ticket holders to guarantee their seat location at Pringles Park for all ten Diamond Jaxx games that they choose. By taking advantage of the Mini Plan, ticket holders can customize their own ticket package to fit their busy schedule as well as the fun promotional schedule of the Diamond Jaxx. Mini Plan prices for the 2008 season are: Field Box seats are $85.00 each, Box seats are $75.00 each, and Club seats are $65.00 each.

For more information, visit www.diamondjaxx.com or call the Diamond Jaxx Box Office at 731-988-5299.

--------------------------------------------------

*Diamond Jaxx Split Six-Game Set in Huntsville to Open Second Half of Season*

After closing out the first half of the 2008 tied for the best record in the Northern Division of the Southern League with the Huntsville Stars, the Diamond Jaxx headed to Huntsville to determine the first half division winner.

Ryan Ketchner spun 7 1/3 impressive innings and Mike Wilson and Luis Valbuena had key two-run hits to lead West Tenn to a 5-1 victory over Huntsville on Tuesday June 17th and a first half North Division title. Shawn Kelley, who began the year in the Midwest League, took over for Ketchner in the eighth inning to earn his first double-A save.

Huntsville came from behind to pick up a 7-5 win over West Tenn on Wednesday, June 18th. The Jaxx took an early 2-0 lead on Mike Wilson's run-scoring double and Jon Nelson's first home run of the season. The Stars tied the game in the fourth, but Nelson hit another home run in the fifth to take a 4-2 lead. However, the Stars took control in the bottom of that inning. The Jaxx' only other run came on a solo home run by Luis Valbuena in the eighth inning. Doug Fister suffered the loss for the Diamond Jaxx.

Greg Halman's home run in the 11th inning carried West Tenn to a 4-3 win over Huntsville on Thursday, June 19th. While the win went to Mumba Rivera, Marwin Vega shut down Stars in the home half of the 11th inning to protect the win and earn the save. West Tenn tallied twice in the third on a run-scoring ground out by Mark Kiger and a two-out RBI hit by Mike Wilson. Adam Moore's lead off long ball in the fourth pushed the visitors lead to 3-1.

Mark Kiger scored the winning run on a throwing error in the 13th inning to carry West Tenn past Huntsville 8-7 on Friday, June 20th. Luis Valbuena doubled in a pair of runs in a four-run fourth inning that extended the visitors' lead to 5-0. The Stars tied the game in the seventh inning and there was no scoring until Jeffrey Dominguez delivered a two-out hit to plate Brent Johnson to give the Jaxx a 7-6 edge in the eleventh. The Stars tied the game against Mumba Rivera in the bottom of the inning. West Tenn starter Travis Chick lasted 4 2/3 innings, yielding four runs, two earned, on seven hits.

Huntsville bounced back with a 7-6 win over West Tenn on Saturday, June 21st. Luis Valbuena's three-run home run in the third was followed by Wilson's solo smash to give the Jaxx a 4-1 lead and Nelson's line drive long ball leading off in the fourth extended the visitors' lead to 5-1. West Tenn starter Anderson Garcia held Huntsville to a lone run on four hits through five innings before the Stars went on a tear. The former Yankee, Met, Oriole and Phillies farmhand was charged with six runs on 10 hits over six innings in his first outing with the Diamond Jaxx. The Diamond Jaxx' only other run came on a Mark Kiger's run-scoring hit in the eighth.

In the final game of the six-game series from Joe W. Davis Stadium in Huntsville, the Stars defeated the Diamond Jaxx 7-3 to earn a split of the set. The Jaxx offense was limited with one run being scored on a wild pitch and the other two on a two-out, two-run single by Luis Valbuena. Jaxx starter Ryan Ketchner was charged with a season-high six runs, five earned, on nine hits and suffered the loss.

The Diamond Jaxx have today off, but will open a six-game series against the Tennessee Smokies, the Double-A Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, June 24th. If you can't make it to the Big Chip, you can catch all of the action on NewsTalk 101.5FM or www.diamondjaxx.com.

Check out the Jackson Generals Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Southern League message board...

Southern League Stories from June 24, 2008


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.

OurSports Central