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Greenville Drive

SAL All-Stars Set to Arrive in Greenville June 21-22

June 15, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - In just one week, up to 500 players, coaches, and front office staff members will come to Greenville for the 51st Annual South Atlantic League All-Star Game, presented by BB&T.

Over the two day period of June 21st and 22nd, they will experience many of the rich attractions and advantages the City of Greenville and the Upstate region have to offer.

Drive Co-Owner and Team President, Craig Brown, commented on the extravaganza, saying, "While many baseball fans will be focused on the All-Star Game and the top prospects from across professional baseball who'll be showcasing their talents at Fluor Field, the event will be much more than what takes place over those 9 innings.

The real significance of this 2-day event is the chance we have to welcome our visitors and guests from the 14 teams and towns across eight states, many of whom will be making their first trip to Greenville, South Carolina."

Brown added, "This is a great opportunity for us to come together as a community and show our guests why the City of Greenville and the Upstate has received so much positive attention and press throughout the southeast, and across the country.

We have lots of special events planned for these visitors, several of which include public participation, and all of which showcase the great assets of the region. "

Activities for the players will begin on Monday, June 21, with trips to the BMW Performance Center and Driving School, as well as helicopter tours of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Then, starting at 6:30 PM, the All-Star players will be on hand outside the Wyche Pavilion to sign autographs for the public.

After the autograph sessions, Mayor Knox White and Drive President Craig Brown will welcome everyone and officially introduce the All Star players and coaches.

The evening's event will include live music with food and beverage available for purchase.

Included in the introductions will be the announcement of the 2010 South Atlantic League Hall of Fame inductees; including, Curt Schilling, who played for the Greensboro Hornets in 1987 and subsequently won 216 games in the majors along with three World Series rings; Salisbury (NC) Dodgers pitcher John Purdin, who threw the only perfect game in SAL history in 1964; and Mike Dunn, who has held front office positions with the Atlanta, Greenville, Macon and Rome Braves, and twice been named SAL Executive of the Year.

Dunn and family members of Purdin will be a part of the All-Star Game festivities, while Schilling is unable to attend due to prior commitments.

"The Monday evening activities are designed to allow everyone to come downtown and show our South Atlantic League guests what a great city we have and how much we love baseball in the Upstate," added Drive General Manager, Mike deMaine.

"We're thrilled to be hosting the All-Star Game for the first time, and to do so in conjunction with the Drive's fifth anniversary celebration in Greenville."

On Tuesday, the players will take part in two meaningful community initiatives with a First Tee 9-hole golf outing at Greenville Country Club and a visit to the Greenville Hospital Systems' Children's Hospital.

While at the Children's Hospital, the All-Stars will participate in Nintendo Wii baseball games with the children.

"We wanted to be sure that the All Star Event and the player activities included some of our Community Partners and that it was reflective of the Drive's commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our broader family of neighbors and fans.

The All-Star action on Tuesday at Fluor Field begins at 6:00 PM, with the Home Run Derby competition, where one lucky fan could win $25,000 courtesy of BB&T.

34 lucky fans will be chosen to participate in an All-Star Game VIP Experience weekend, including being represented by a member of the North and South All-Star teams and winning the Home Run Derby.

"Fluor Field gates will open at 5:30 on Tuesday evening so that fans can watch the players warm up and prepare for the Home Run Derby," said deMaine.

"The competition will begin at 6:00 PM, followed by the first pitch of the All-Star Game at 7:15 PM."

The finals of the Home Run Derby will take place between the second and third innings of the All-Star Game, thus allowing for fan excitement and anticipation of the final results to build.

An additional treat for baseball enthusiasts is that the South Atlantic League All-Stars will be wearing the jerseys of their Major League parent clubs.

After the game, fans will have a chance to own a piece of South Atlantic League history by purchasing the jersey of choice through a week-long auction that will begin immediately after the game and continue on line at GreenvilleDrive.com until Friday, June 30th.

All auction proceeds will be used to benefit Drive Charities.

deMaine concluded, "The South Atlantic League has a rich tradition of former All-Stars going on to have successful Major League careers, like current stars Ryan Howard, Jason Heyward, Andrew McCutchen, Pablo Sandoval, BJ Upton and Austin Jackson."

He added, "To see the Drive's top young prospects in the Boston Red Sox jerseys teams that they will one day be wearing in Fenway Park is a huge thrill for the fans, and for the players as well."

"The opportunity for the best players in the league to compete against each other, in one of the finest stadiums in Professional Baseball, in an All Star City like Greenville, in front of so many enthusiastic fans, is what it's all about," added Brown.

"We are very excited about of what we have planned during these two days, and we believe that this All Star game and event will set a new standard for excellence in this great tradition for the South Atlantic League."

Tickets to the 2010 South Atlantic League All-Star Game presented by BB&T are already on sale, starting at $6.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit the box office at Fluor Field, call (864) 240-4500, or log onto www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

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