All-Star Game Takes on a RiverDogs Twist
June 5, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release
CHARLESTON, SC -- In traditional Charleston RiverDogs fashion, the fans are the primary focal point. And with the club hosting the upcoming 53rd Annual South Atlantic League All-Star Game on June 19 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, the RiverDogs are, not surprisingly, adding a new twist.
For the game, the club has initiated a dual theme of military support and Charleston hospitality -both of which are crucial to the local economy - and are reinforced as General Dynamics Land System-Force Protection and the Charleston Restaurant Association serve as the All-Star contest's primary sponsors.
As a result, the club has woven two organizations, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
(IAVA) and the Hospitality Heroes Fund, into the game with U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Frank Verant and Kevin Stapleton representing the respective groups while being added as honorary players to the All-Star Game rosters.
Both honorary players will be involved in all activities of the All-Star festivities as will other selected all-stars. The honorary duo will wear a baseball uniform, take batting practice and participate in all of the pre-and post-event activities. If called upon by the manager, he may be inserted in the game.
SSG Verant, a native of Warrensville, SC and who is an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, will be added to the Northern Division team. Verant, 36, is a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, who is employed as a Georgia Power licensed electrician,
Stapleton, a 40-year old personable bartender at Red's Ice House on Shem Creek for more than five years, will be added to the Southern Division team. An aircraft assemblyman at Boeing for nearly two years, Stapleton is a native of Irmo and has lived in Charleston for the past 20 years.
Though Verant and Stapleton never played organized ball past youth leagues, both currently help coach their respective son's baseball teams.
"Since we are and have been 100 percent supportive of our military and their efforts while enhancing Charleston as a destination city through the Restaurant Association, we wanted to tie them into the All-Star Game," said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. "With one member of the military and a representative from the hospitality industry being added to each team, we believe that we've got a winning formula with this concept.
"The two individuals that were selected to join the teams are outstanding citizens - and we thank them for their service - but they also love baseball and are thrilled to be included in all activities. I imagine that this is a dream come true for them."
"This is really exciting," said Verant, whose family enjoys Augusta GreenJackets games. "I'll do anything I can to help veterans; I just hope I don't embarrass myself."
"This is truly an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it is a complete and total honor," said Stapleton. "Friends talk about what they did as young athletes, but I get to hang around with the South Atlantic League's best of the best. Just sitting in the dugout will be an honor."
During the Awards and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon on June 19 in which New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman will be the keynote speaker, Gen. James Livingston, a local medal of honor recipient, will introduce Verant while Steve Carroll, president of the Charleston Restaurant Association, will introduce Stapleton. Being enshrined in the SAL Hall of Fame will be longtime Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, Jr., RiverDogs co-owner Bill Murray and former Asheville Tourists front office executive Carolyn McKee. The 2012 SAL players will also be in attendance.
Tickets for the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon are $35 each and may be secured by contacting the RiverDogs Box Office at 843/577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 5, 2012
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- BlueClaws Welcome Olympians to June 12th Game - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
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- Matt Skole Leads List of Four Suns Voted as 2012 All-Stars - Hagerstown Suns
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- Austin, Sanchez, Arcia, Guerra and Mitchell Named to 2012 SAL All-Star Team - Charleston RiverDogs
- Nicky Delmonico Named South Atlantic League All-Star - Delmarva Shorebirds
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