Game On
Published on May 22, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Edmonton Capitals News Release
he day may have started out cloudy, but by 7pm Opening Night, the sun was shining and the fans were smiling. Walking through the gates at TELUS field, a new feeling filled baseball fans, a feeling of appreciation, something that hadn't been felt here for quite a while.
After collecting autographs from Edmonton Oilers, having faces painted, and grabbing affordable dinner combos, the 6216 fans took their seats. At 7:31pm, baseball in Edmonton officially kicked off for the Edmonton Capitals inaugural season.
RECAP
Back to back three run innings in the home half of the seventh and eighth provided the Capitals with enough offensive spark to club the Victoria Seals 10-6. With Matt Ceriani on base after drawing a walk and Gary Harris having reached on a fielder's choice, Darryl Brinkley crushed the first Capitals long ball of the season in the seventh inning. The homerun cleared the scoreboard above the leftfield wall and put the Caps up 7-1. In the eighth, Jorge Cortes led off with a double, followed by Chad Ehrnsberger and Max Poulin singles. Ceriani capped the attack with a two-run double and the Capitals finished the inning up 10-1.
Although the Seals scored five runs in the ninth, the Capitals won their first ever season opener 10-6.
Lou Pote picked up the win for the Capitals, pitching six solid innings giving up just one earned run on three hits. Pote also struck out five in his first appearance in Edmonton since 2007.
Opening weekend against the Victoria Seals continues with promotions that will be seen all throughout the Caps season, Fireworks Friday, Saturday Night Movies and Signature Sundays. You won't want to miss the first installment of our summer fireworks series after Friday's game. Fans are invited to bring their blankets and lawn chairs onto the field after the game Saturday and enjoy Field of Dreams on the drive-in movie screen. Autographs with the team will be held immediately after Sunday's 2pm game.
Please note - game time for Friday night's game will be 8 p.m. to accommodate the post game fireworks display. Gates will be open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Capitals Telus Field Box Office, at any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling (780)414-GOAL or by visiting www.capsbasecall.ca.
The excitement continues at TELUS field opening weekend as celebrities walk through the gates to participate in the Edmonton Capitals first home stand of the season against the Victoria Seals.
Edmonton hockey legend and Hockey Hall of Famer, Grant Fuhr will make at stop at TELUS field to throw first ceremonial pitch in Saturday night's home game.
Lynda Steele and Gord Steinke from Global Television have been warming up their pitching arms all week as they prepare to toss the first pitch of Friday night's game. Following the bout with Victoria, Friday Night Fireworks makes its' debut. The spectacular firework display can be seen at the park on the first Friday of every month.
Before the game kicks off Saturday, Brett Breitkreuz of the Oil Kings will face off against Edmonton Rush player Jimmy Quinlan in a Home Run Derby. The evening will wrap up with fans being invited to come onto the field and stick around to watch Field of Dreams on the drive-in movie screen. Saturday Night Movies will take place every Saturday after each game.
The weekend wraps up with a Sunday afternoon game, the last in the four game stand against Victoria. Caps players will be on hand to sign autographs for fans, as the will be every Signature Sunday. For more information or for tickets call (780)414-GOAL or go to www.capsbaseball.ca
Local resident Lou Pote has been named the Edmonton Capitals first ever Opening Day starting pitcher against the expansion Victoria Seals. Although the former Major Leaguer grew up in the Chicago area of Illinois, he now makes his year-round home just east of Edmonton in Sherwood Park with his wife, Erin, and their three sons between the ages of one and five.
The family experience is important for him and he looks forward to seeing other families join his own in the seats.
"It's a perfect scenario for me," explained Pote, "I get to bring my boys to the field...and my father-in-law's company has an Executive Suite. When I'm done playing, I'm going to bring my boys to games."
The experienced hurler was originally selected by the San Francisco Giants out of Kishwaukee College in 1990 and has been playing professional baseball ever since. Pote's been with affiliated baseball clubs in the Giants, Expos, Cardinals, Angels (including a stint with the Trappers in 1999 and 2000), Athletics, Padres, Indians and Rangers. He also played independent ball with the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League and in 2007 with the then Edmonton Cracker Cats of the Northern League. With all the stops come a few Opening Nights and Pote shared his method for keeping it in perspective.
"You try not to make it any different than any other start. But you also try to set the tone for the season."
The team this season is shaping up to be solid from top to bottom. With a well balanced attack of speed and power, Pote looks forward to some solid run support for the pitching staff to work with.
"We've got a ton of speed on this team, and proven guys that can hit," said Pote, referencing professional hitters, Darryl Brinkley and Norm Hutchins. "Pitching and (defense) win championships, and our team has more experience top to bottom than any other team (in the Golden Baseball League)."
For a baseball enthusiast, Is there a better way to spend your 26th birthday than to find out that you've made a professional baseball team?
If you've been called the long shot, the underdog and had the odds stacked highly against you from day one, it's exceptional. That's what utility player Aaron Hornostaj is thinking right now. May 19th, 2009 was the perfect day.
"I've had to work hard for everything in my baseball career," Hornostaj explains, "Nothing has come easy and I don't take anything for granted." His attitude post acceptance has been the same since day one at the open tryouts. Fresh off the plane from a season in Australia, he was happy to be in Edmonton at open tryouts, ecstatic to be invited to day one of training camp and when he was still around in Ft. Mc Murray a week later, he still savored every moment - careful not to get ahead of himself.
"Playing for the Capitals organization, even throughout training camp, has been an unbelievable experience. I can't wait for the season to start and to make an impact throughout the summer."
Manager Brent Bowers has spent all winter meticulously hand selecting the perfect team for the 2009 season. It was as much of a surprise to him to have found someone with such talent as it was for Aaron.
"This is a perfect example of why we have these tryouts," said Bowers, "You never know who's going to be there. From the first day of try-outs, Aaron opened my eyes." As Aaron looks forward, someone has to look back. Australian native Mitch Graham was released from the team yesterday.
"I had to break someone's heart yesterday. It's the worst part of the job," Bowers shares, "But it's competition, and that's what makes this sport so great."
Golden Baseball League Stories from May 22, 2009
- Armada hold on to win in Calgary, 10-9 - Long Beach Armada
- Comebacks Fall Short - Calgary Vipers
- Game On - Edmonton Capitals
- Grant Fuhr Headlines Celebrity Packed Opening Weekend For Capitals - Edmonton Capitals
- Flyers Open Season May 25th in Chico - Orange County Flyers
- Outlaws Claw Back With Rally, But Come Up Short - Chico Outlaws
- Victoria Seals Fall In Season Opener - Victoria Seals
- Toros Open Up With A Win - Tucson Toros
- Three Vipers Pitchers Combine For Shutout - Calgary Vipers
- Lima lasts 8 innings, but Vipers bite for 4 runs - Long Beach Armada
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
