EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Irving Oil Home Run Derby Participants Announced

Published on July 7, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


Manchester, NH- The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, today announced the six participants for the 2008 Irving Oil Home Run Derby, scheduled to begin at 5:00pm on Wednesday, July 16 as part of the festivities surrounding the 2008 Northeast Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star Game at Merchantsauto.com Stadium.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats outfielder Travis Snider will be joined by fellow Northern Division All-Stars Luke Hughes, a third baseman for the New Britain Rock Cats, and Nick Evans, a first baseman for the Binghamton Mets. The Southern Division All-Star representatives include two members of the Bowie Baysox -outfielder Lou Montanez and third baseman Jeff Nettles- and Erie SeaWolves catcher Dusty Ryan.

Six lucky fans who entered the Irving Oil Home Run Derby contest at Fisher Cats' home games this season will be randomly paired with the six Home Run Derby participants. Irving Oil will present the winner of the Home Run Derby with a $1,000 grand prize, and the fan teamed with the Home Run Derby Champion will receive a $500 Irving Oil gas card. The runner-up in the competition will receive a $500 prize, and the fan paired with him gets a $250 Irving Oil gas card.

"The Irving Oil Home Run Derby will offer our fans the chance to see some of the league's top sluggers battle it out as a thrilling prelude to the Northeast Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star Game," said Fisher Cats President/General Manager Rick Brenner. "The excitement should be ratcheted up by the financial benefits provided by our partners at Irving Oil."

The first two rounds of the 2008 Irving Oil Home Run Derby are scheduled to begin at 5:00pm on Wednesday, July 16 at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. The finals will be held during a stoppage in play during the middle of the second inning of the Northeast Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star Game later that night.

Snider, 20, is tied for the club lead in home runs (11) and leads the active roster with 47 RBI despite not being promoted to the Fisher Cats until April 21. The Everett, WA native is ranked the Blue Jays' number-one prospect by Baseball America.

Hughes, 23, is tied for third in the Eastern League in home runs (15), ranks first in slugging percentage (.605) and is third in the league in batting (.332). The Australia native will also represent the Eastern League in the MLB XM Satellite Radio Futures Game at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, July 13.

Evans, 22, is tied for fifth in the Eastern League in home runs (14), ranks second in slugging percentage (.562) and is tied for fourth in RBI (53). The Glendale, CA native made his Major League debut on May 24 with the New York Mets, going 3-for-4 with three doubles, two RBI and a run scored. Evans played nine games with New York before returning to Binghamton. Montanez, 26, leads the Eastern League in home runs (18), hits (108), extra-base hits (43) and runs (61), and his 60 RBI rank third in the EL. The Puerto Rico native was the Bank of America Eastern League Player of the Week for the week ending May 26.

Nettles, 29, rates second in the Eastern League in home runs (16). The Englewood, NJ native has 51 RBI and a .460 slugging percentage.

Ryan, 23, leads all active Eastern League catchers in home runs (13), slugging percentage (.514) and OPS (.879). The Merced, CA native is batting .270.

Tickets for the 2008 Northeast Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star Game are on sale now by visiting www.nhfishercats.com or by calling (603) 641-2005. The Bank of America Baseball Block Party is scheduled to begin at 6:00pm on Tuesday, July 15 at Veterans Park in downtown Manchester, NH. Admission to the Block Party is free.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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