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Huge Home Stand, New Player, Camps, and More!

July 2, 2009 - American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


The Pensacola Pelicans return home on Tuesday for a 6 game home stand. Lots of exciting promotions are planned for the week. The Pelicans will take on the El Paso Diablos beginning on Tuesday, July 7.

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 - F.A.T. Tuesday - A $15 ticket gives you all-you-can-eat BBQ, Pizza, Beer, and Tea from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 - Heroes Night - The Pelicans will be honoring local Police, Fire, EMT, and other emergency staff. With a valid badge or ID, all service men or women can purchase one $8 ticket and get one free.

Thursday, July 9th - The Famous San Diego Chicken - The Famous San Diego Chicken will make his first appearance in Pensacola at Pelican Park. The Sporting News Editors named him as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful People in Sports of the 20th Century. His on-field and in the stands antics will be sure to make it a memorable night for fans. It is also Thirsty Thursday - $1 draft beer and Pepsi!

Friday, July 10th - Beach Towel Giveaway and Scoop's New Friend Introduction - The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive a Pelicans Beach Towel, sponsored by Budweiser and WEAR. Also, the Pelicans will introduce an addition to the team on this night. Look out for Scoop's new friend that will make its debut.

Saturday, July 11th - Field of Dreams Night - The Pelicans will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the classic baseball movie "Field of Dreams." Join us for a post game viewing of the movie on the field.

Sunday, July 12th - Blue Angels Softball game - Come early to the Pelicans game to watch the Pelicans and local celebrities take on the Blue Angels in a softball game. Softball game time is at 4 p.m. The Pelicans will take on the El Paso Diablos at 6:05 p.m. It is also Kids Club Sunday; all Kids Club members get in free with their official member shirt. Memberships are available for $10!

For more information on any of these events, to purchase tickets or book a party; call the Pelicans office at (850) 934-8444 or visit www.pensacolapelicans.com.

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3B Contreras Becomes Newest Pelican

The Pensacola Pelicans announced today that they have signed third baseman Lester Contreras to contract for the remainder of the 2009 season. Contreras was originally signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks in round 14 of the 2004 amateur entry draft.

Born in Miami, FL, the 24 year old Contreras was signed minutes before the start of Wednesday's ballgame and recorded a hit in his Pelicans debut. The third baseman comes to the Pelicans from the South Louisiana Pipeliners, a professional club that has been playing against the Continental League teams this year. Contreras was batting .338 for the Pipeliners in 21 games this year. He also hit six homeruns, drove in 22, and hit three doubles.

Last year Contreras played the majority of the season with Midwest of the Frontier League. He recorded 20 RBI while batting .248 in 32 games, with six doubles, a triple, and two homeruns. Contreras finished the season with the Shreveport Sports, alongside current Pelicans Catcher Justin Humphries. With the Sports, Contreras hit .292 with six doubles in six games.

Contreras played with the Yakima Bears in 2005 and 2006. The Bears are the short-season single-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2005 Contreras hit .223 with eight doubles, a triple, and four homers in 46 games. A year later he hit .192 in 19 games, posting four doubles, a homerun, and eight RBI.

The addition of Contreras fills an infield position that was vacated when the Pelicans sold Jimmy Mojica to the Seattle Mariners organization. With the addition of Contreras, the Pelicans roster now stands at 11 pitchers, two catchers, six infielders, and three outfielders.

Pelicans Training Academy Summer Programs

The Pelican Training Academy Summer Program is in full swing. The Summer Program is a great way for kids aged 6-12 to spend their days. Kids will play a variety of team sports games. Kids will also receive lunch and a snack each day.

Weekly Sessions will be held Monday-Friday. Camp activities start at 8:45 and run until 3:45 All campers receive lunch and snack throughout day 1ST half of day consists of learning baseball skills with a game before lunch 2ND half of day consists of various team sports/games (baseball, flag football, kick ball, soccer basketball, dodge ball, etc.) Ages 6-12; limit of 20 full-day campers per week.

Dates:

7-6 thru 7-10

7-20 thru 7-24 Price: $200 per session for full day which includes lunch and a snack.

Also available is the Pelican Advanced Fast Pitch Softball School Spend a week this summer having fun while improving your softball skills. The Camp takes place July 13-16 Each day starts at 8 am and ends at 1 pm. Cost is only $170.00 and includes school t- shirt Limited number of students; first come first serve

Sign up by calling the Pelican Training Academy at 332-6274

And if pigskin is more your thing...

The Panhandle Youth Football Academy will hold a full-fledged football academy during the summer for players ages 10-14 at the Pelicans Training Academy. The climate-controlled, indoor location will play host to the camp from July 26-July 29.

The camp emphasizes speed, agility, and strength training for middle school football players looking to gain the skills necessary to excel at the high school level. Instructors will provide position-based drills and lessons, as well as a competitive atmosphere to practice the teachings of the day.

Instruction comes from coaches with NFL, collegiate, and international experience. Coaches include Larry Bielat (Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys), Clay Ingram (National Champion Florida State University), and Kevin Sluder (Mississippi State and NFL Europe).

Interested players can register and participate at the Pelicans Training Academy, located at 4920 N. Davis Highway, Pensacola, FL 32503.

Registration is $200 to the first 20 applicants, and $230 for all others.

New Instructor!

The Pelicans Training Academy is pleased to announce the addition of Tim Spooneybarger to the Academy staff. Spooneybarger brings major league experience to the Pelicans Training Academy, pitching with the Florida Marlins and the Atlanta Braves.

Spooneybarger was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 29th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft and spent three seasons in the minors before making his major league debut with the Braves on September 5, 2001. He spent most of the 2002 season in the majors recording a 2.63 ERA in 51 games for the Braves. On November 18, 2002, Spooneybarger was traded to the Florida Marlins along with minor league pitcher Ryan Baker for Mike Hampton.

He started 2003 in the majors appearing in 33 games before going on the disabled list with elbow tendinitis. Before beginning a rehabilitation assignment, he was forced to have Tommy John surgery and miss the entire 2004 season.

Spooneybarger and all of the Training Academy instructors offer individual, group, and team lessons. Call the Pelicans Training Academy to sign up or call (850) 334-6274 for more information.

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Pelicans $10,000 Charity Donation Contest

At each Pelicans home game, fans have the opportunity to vote for their favorite charity. At the end of the season, the organization with the most votes will be awarded a $10,000 check from Pelicans owners Quint and Rishy Studer. In addition to the charity winning, one lucky fan who completely fills out the Fan Survey Card will win $1,000! The announcement and drawing will take place on Sunday, August 30.

Results from games through June 30

Alfred Washburn Homeless Center- 131 American Cancer Society- 686 American Red Cross- 119 ARC Gateway- 168 Autism Society of the Panhandle- 198 Big Brothers Big Sisters- 175 Boys and Girls Club- 83 Council of Aging- 19 Covenant Hospice- 2 Favor House- 46 Grey Hounds- 54 Habitat for Humanity- 3 Humane Society- 249 Indpendendence Blind- 53 Junior Achievement- 36 Junior Humane Society-23 Leaning Post Ranch- 109 Learn to Read- 77 Miracle League Baseball- 302 Navy-Marine Corps Relief-271 Nemours Childrens Clinic- 4 NWFL Blood Center- 26 Pace Center for Girls- 79 Pensacola Civitan Club- 9 Pillars for Promise- 2 Pyramid Performing- 10 Ronald McDonald House- 524 Santa Rosa Education- 45 Take Stock In Children- 29 The ZOO- 177 United Cerebral Palsy- 10 United Way- 109



American Association Stories from July 2, 2009


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.

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