Express News and Notes
June 7, 2006 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
The Express hit the road Thursday for an eight-game road stretch, giving The Dell Diamond plenty of time off before hosting what should be the largest crowd in franchise history.
When the Houston Astros announced last week that Roger Clemens' final tune-up start would be in Round Rock on June 16, a complete sell-out was announced within hours. Andy Pettitte drew a record 13,414 with a 2004 appearance, but an official sell-out wasn't released for days.
With that, the Express are urging fans heading to the game to arrive early - gates will open an hour ahead of schedule at 4:30 p.m. The team is also asking that fans without tickets not head out to The Dell Diamond as no extra tickets will be sold.
Clemens, now 43-years-old, will become the first pitcher in modern baseball to toss for not one, but two of the minor league teams he holds minority ownership in. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner, who is one of several current and former athletes with vested interests in Ryan Sanders Baseball, will pitch for the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks on June 11 before heading to Round Rock. Both teams are under the Ryan Sanders umbrella.
Jeff Kent made two rehab starts for the Express during the 2003 season. Brooks Kieschnick, a University of Texas at Austin alum who bought into Ryan Sanders while with the Milwaukee Brewers, retired after spending 2005 with Corpus Christi and Round Rock.
Pettitte would have been the first major leaguer of the modern era to pitch for a minor league team he partially owned had the minority ownership been approved by minor and major league baseball in time for his June 18, 2004 rehab start at The Dell Diamond.
Latest transactions: June 6 - Philip Barzilla to Houston; June 2 - P Chris Sampson to Houston; June 2 - P Mike Gallo from Houston
Across the Leader Board
Round Rock ranks among the Top 5 in several offensive and defensive categories through more than 50 games this season:
Brooks Conrad: 43 RBI, 4th in the PCL; 18 doubles, 2nd in the PCL; 31 extra-base hits, 2nd in the PCL; 40 runs, 3rd in the PCL
Luke Scott: 15 home runs, 2nd in the PCL
Charlton Jimerson: 17 doubles, 4th in the PCL; 33 extra-base hits, 1st in the PCL; 5 triples, 2nd in the PCL
Chris Baker: 1.71 earned-run average, 1st in the PCL; 6 wins, 2nd in the PCL
Jason Hirsh: 70.1 innings pitcher, 5th in the PCL
Across the Draft Board
From the first day of the Houston Astros' 2006 draft comes the news that Chad Huffman, the younger brother of Round Rock Express first baseman Royce Huffman, was drafted in the 2nd round (53rd overall) by the San Diego Padres. Chad Huffman attended TCU as did his brother Royce and Express founder and C.E.O. Reid Ryan and C.F.O. Reese Ryan.
Round Rock Express Silent Auction
The Round Rock Express will be hosting a Silent Auction and Party on June 18 to help raise funds for The Miracle League at Town and Country and The Nolan Ryan Foundation. The event will be held in The United Heritage Center at The Dell Diamond beginning at 5 p.m. The Express will resume a suspended game vs. the New Orleans Zephyrs at 5 p.m., with the regularly scheduled game to follow. Tickets to the auction are limited, so be sure to get yours now.
Items up for grabs at the auction include a private luxury box suite, a baseball autographed by current Astros who passed through Round rock, a UT football from the Rose Bowl, an autographed Lance Armstrong autographed Wheaties box, autographed Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart footballs and much, much more.
Combo tickets for the auction and game are $40 each, and include your ticket to the Express game, a wristband for admittance to the Silent Auction and food and beverages at the Silent Auction and Party. We hope you can join us and help out The Miracle League.
For more information on the auction, visit www.roundrockexpress.com or download and print the Silent Auction registration form. Deadline for submission is Wednesday, June 14.
Spots Still Available In Express Baseball Camps
The first round of Round Rock Express Baseball Camps have passed, but there's still time to sign up for the next two sessions. Express coach Spike Owen and three-time All-American Kirk Dressendorfer brings their expertise and experience to the finest minor league baseball stadium in the nation, The Dell Diamond. These two "Texas Legends" will conduct multiple camps for beginner through advanced skill levels. All campers are given individual, "hands-on" instruction in the fundamentals of hitting, fielding, throwing, base running, and pitching, as well as a positive mental approach to the game. HAVING FUN, while learning & improving, is the camp's goal.
Each camp is four days, starting daily at 9:00 a.m and wrapping up and 12:00 p.m. (half-day) or 9:00 p.m. (full-day/overnight). The camps will be limited to a maximum of 120 campers per week. Campers must be between the ages of 6-14 and are responsible for brining Little League or turf shoes, a baseball glove, baseball pants and a cap. Parents (and cameras) are welcome at all times.
Registration is CLOSED for the June 12-15 HALF-DAY Camp. The final half-day camp (June 19 - June 22) is still available.
Full Day / Overnight Camps
Four days of instruction (9AM-9PM) in All Skill Levels for ages 8-18 year olds. High School campers will be separated from other age groups to receive the most advanced, intense instruction. Overnight camp will be limited to 50 campers max. There will be advanced instruction in hitting, fielding, throwing, pitching, catching & base running, as well as theory, strategy & positional development. Daily Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided for the Overnight Camp; Lunch and Dinner provided for the Full Day Camp. Lodging & night practices will be held at The Dell Diamond. Campers will be fully supervised throughout camp hours. Camp instruction ends at 12:00pm Thursday.
The next camp kicks off June 12 at The Dell Diamond. For more information, or to sign up, visit http://www.roundrockexpress.com/community/camps/.
Voice Your Vote
For the first time in 19 years, fans will have a chance to vote online for their favorite players to be selected to the Triple-A All-Star game.
Triple-A Baseball and MLB Advanced Media, LP announced this week that baseball fans, who have long had the privilege of voting for the Major League All-Star Game's lineups, will now be given that chance at Minor League Baseball's highest level.
The online balloting program will help determine the players in both the International League and Pacific Coast League who will be honored with a trip to the annual showdown between the two Triple-A Leagues. The 19th annual Triple-A All-Star Game will take place at Toledo's Fifth Third Field on Wednesday, July 12 at 6:00 p.m. CST.
The fan balloting, which will be held from June 1-23, will account for one-third of the total vote, along with ballots cast by members of the media (1/3) and each club's field manager, coaches, and general manager (1/3). Fans can select one player for each of the infield positions, plus three outfielders, a designated hitter and four pitchers - two starters and two relievers. Nominees will be chosen by the PCL and IL offices from players active as of May 26. Write-in votes for players not listed on the ballot will also be accepted.
The voting will begin June 1 on several websites, including www.rrexpress.com, www.MiLB.com, www.ILBaseball.com and www.PCLBaseball.com.
Express Birthday Bash
Youngsters can celebrate their special day at a Round Rock Express baseball game. The Express Birthday Bash, presented by Buddy & Al's Take 'N Bake Pizza, is just $200 for 10 guests and includes the following:
--Berm tickets for the entire group, which may be upgraded to reserved seating
--Two reserved picnic tables on the third base concourse
--Hot dogs and chips OR pizza, plus sodas for the entire group
--A baseball themed birthday cake
--A special birthday gift from the Express
--An opportunity to run on the field with Spike between innings
--A scoreboard birthday greeting
--Party favor packages are also available beginning at $5.00 extra
Please contact the Express Director of Community Relations, Heather Tantimonaco at 512-238-2217 to reserve a date for your child's birthday party at The Dell Diamond.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 7, 2006
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Hall-of-famer Jim Palmer to appear at PGE Park June 15 - Portland Beavers
- Cubs Star Pitcher Mark Prior Scheduled To Face Z's Tuesday at Zephyr Field - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Express News and Notes - Round Rock Express
- Barden's walk-off single in tenth seals Tucson sweep of Portland, 6-5 - Tucson Sidewinders
- Sidewinders complete sweep of Beavers with 10-inning win - Portland Beavers
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