BlueClaws Win South Atlantic League's Club Merit Award

September 3, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release

LAKEWOOD, NJ - It's been quite the year for the Lakewood BlueClaws.

They were the first team to offer children the chance to eat for free at every home game. They made the playoffs for just the second time in team history. They crossed the 4-million fan mark, becoming the fastest team in South Atlantic League and New Jersey history to do so, and they led the league in attendance for the ninth straight year.

To cap it off, the BlueClaws have received the SAL's Club Merit Award, for outstanding club operations, for the fourth time in their nine year history, and BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown was honored as the league's General Manager of the Year.

"Both of these are team awards," said Brown. "The Club Merit Award is chosen by the other 15 clubs, so obviously it means a lot to be recognized."

Lakewood also received the award in 2001, 2002, and 2004.

"The General Manager of the Year Award might say General Manager on the plaque," said Brown, "but this is one that you absolutely can't win without a great staff. We certainly have that, and I'm grateful to them for all of their hard work."

Kids Eat Free, at every game, was new this year for Lakewood, and over 75,000 children have taken advantage of "tremendous value in a troubled economy," as Brown described.

Last week, the team went over the 4-million fan mark, becoming the fastest team in New Jersey and South Atlantic League history to reach that plateau, and earlier this week, they clinched their ninth straight SAL attendance title. The BlueClaws have led the league in each year of existence.

Further, the BlueClaws won the league's first-half title and will take part in their second post-season next week.

"It's been a great year," said Brown. "But we're not done yet."

The team will open the post-season on September 11th at FirstEnergy Park. Tickets are now on sale, at 732-901-7000, at the BlueClaws Box Office, or at BlueClaws.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from September 3, 2009

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• Tourists Wrap Up Home Schedule With Victory - Asheville Tourists
• Asheville Takes Series Finale from Legends 6-4 - Lexington Legends
• Almonte's Two Jacks Swat Sand Gnats, 8-4 - Charleston RiverDogs
• Rome Shutout Again - Rome Emperors
• BlueClaws Belt Out Twelve Hits - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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• Intimidators Ended West Virginia's Bid at a Third Consecutive Post Season Birth - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Suns Raise $5,372 For Breast Cancer Awareness Through Pitching Pink Campaign - Hagerstown Suns
• BlueClaws Win South Atlantic League's Club Merit Award - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• RiverDogs to Be Recognized with Several League Awards - Charleston RiverDogs

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