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SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

BlueClaws Set to Kick Off 2007

April 2, 2007 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


LAKEWOOD, NJ - The Philadelphia Phillies have announced the Lakewood BlueClaws 2007 roster, which features three of the top four prospects in the organization as rated by Baseball America. Kyle Drabek, Adrian Cardenas, and Edgar Garcia highlight the group which will open the season on Thursday at FirstEnergy Park against the Greensboro Grasshoppers at 6:35 p.m.

Drabek, a right-handed starting pitcher was selected 18th overall last year by the Phillies out of The Woodlands, Texas, and spent the summer in the Gulf Coast League. Baseball America rates him the Phillies #2 prospect. #3 on that list is Cardenas, who was selected by the magazine as the 2006 High School Player of the Year. The middle infielder hit .318 for the Gulf Coast Phillies last year. Finally, Garcia, who is #4 per Baseball America, comes to Lakewood, where he will be again managed by Steve Roadcap, who led Batavia last year. Garcia had a 2.98 ERA over 12 starts. All three players are 19 years old.

In addition, there are four players on this year's team who ended the year with Lakewood's Championship Team last year: pitchers Justin Blaine and Ben Pfinsgraff, infielder C.J. Henry, and outfielder Julian Williams. Other players who spent time with the BlueClaws last year and are back in 2007 are Ronald Hill and Doug Morales.

The BlueClaws first homestand, April 5-7 against Greensboro, kicks off Thursday with a Championship Banner Raising before the 6:35 game. Additionally, the first 5,000 fans will receive Magnetic Schedules courtesy of Pine Belt Chevrolet of Lakewood and Freehold. Friday, after a 7:05 game, fans will be treated to the first fireworks show of the year thanks to Toyota/Scion World of Lakewood. Finally, Saturday means the celebration of Buster's 7th Birthday, and the first 2,000 fans 17 & under will receive Cereal Bowls, courtesy of Commerce Bank.

Fans can get their first glimpse of the 2007 BlueClaws Tuesday night at FirstEnergy Park, when the team hosts an open practice. Admission is free with the gates opening at 5:30 for a 6 p.m. practice. Additionally, BlueClaws staff members will be receiving their championship rings in a pre-practice ceremony. The players received theirs on March 15th in Clearwater, FL.

The BlueClaws have led the league in attendance every year, adding 448,310 fans in 2006. This season, the BlueClaws will become the fastest team in South Atlantic League and New Jersey baseball history to reach the 3 million fan attendance mark. For tickets or more information call 732-901-7000 or visit the BlueClaws website at www.BlueClaws.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 2, 2007


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