Opening Night Tomorrow Night
Published on April 5, 2006 under International League (IL1)
Norfolk Tides News Release
The Norfolk Tides are pleased to announce their Opening Day Ceremonies and promotions for the game on Thursday, April 6 at Harbor Park. Mayor Paul Fraim and Virginia Wesleyan Men's Basketball coach David Macedo will throw out the Ceremonial First Pitches, and the Tides will host their fifth-annual Public Safety Night.
Prior to the game, there will be a special ceremony honoring Hampton Roads' Police and Firefighters. At the third base gate, an American Flag will be displayed from the ladder fire trucks of the cities of Hampton and Norfolk.
Representatives from each department will carry their city and state flags, along with American flags to present the colors on the field. Twenty-five members of the Police Unity Tour will be included in the ceremonies. Sheree Muller, a member of the Virginia Beach Police and Fire Department, will sing the National Anthem, as 50 local Firefighters carry an American Flag (30' by 20').
Gates will open at 5:30 PM, and the first 10,000 fans will receive a free Tides magnet schedule courtesy of Bank of the Commonwealth and ESPN Radio 1310. The Tides take on the Durham Bulls, with first pitch set for 7:15.
TIJERINA NAMED TIDES' INTERIM MANAGER
Tony Tijerina, who is the Mets minor league field coordinator, was named the interim manager for the Norfolk Tides today.
Ken Oberkfell, the manager of Norfolk (AAA) of the International League, had surgery on February 15th to remove blood clots in his left leg. Oberkfell experienced discomfort in his leg and underwent a procedure to alleviate the discomfort at Lawnwood Medical Center in Fort Pierce, FL on March 23rd.
"Hopefully Ken will be able to resume his duties when his medical condition improves," Special Assistant to the General Manager, Tony Bernazard said. "Until that time Norfolk is in very capable hands. Tony Tijerina has a long history with the organization as a player, coach and manager."
Tijerina, 36, enters his 16th year in the organization. Tony's responsibilities as the minor league field coordinator include overseeing spring training for the minor league teams, extended spring training, and the team's Instructional League entries each fall.
"It's Ken Oberkfell's team, I'm just filling in until he returns," said Tijerina. "I wish Kenny a speedy recovery and I'm going to run the club the way he would. I'm honored the organization selected me to fill in and I expect to lean heavily on our experienced coaches Howard Johnson and Randy Niemann."
Tony has compiled a 333-308 record in six seasons as a minor league manager. He guided the Brooklyn Cyclones (A) of the New York-Penn League to the McNamara Division title in 2004 after managing Capital City (A) of the South Atlantic League in 2002-2003. In 2002, he was named the South Atlantic League's Best Managerial Prospect by Baseball America. He managed St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League in 2001. Tijerina began his managing career in the New York-Penn League in Pittsfield from 1999-2000. Tony was also Pittsfield's hitting coach in 1997 and 1998.
He spent six seasons (1991-1996) in the Mets minor league organization after being drafted as a catcher out of Texas Tech University.
TIDES ANNOUNCE INITIAL ROSTER
The Norfolk Tides have announced their opening day roster for the 2006 season. The club will be led by interim manager Tony Tijerina, who will manage at the Triple-A level for the first time this season. Howard Johnson will return as hitting coach for the Tides, with Randy Niemann coaching the pitching staff and Donovan Mitchell assisting as a coach.
The Tides roster includes catchers Zac Clements, Joe Hietpas, and Sandy Martinez; infielders Chris Basak, Jeff Keppinger, Chase Lambin, Ray Navarrete and Juan Tejeda; outfielders Cory Aldridge, Lastings Milledge, Julio Ramirez and Todd Self, and pitchers Heath Bell, Pedro Feliciano, Bartolome Fortunato, Jeremi Gonzalez, Yusaku Iriki, Tim LaVigne, Jose Lima, John Maine, Blake McGinley, Juan Perez, Royce Ring, Steve Schmoll, Jason Scobie, and Mitch Wylie.
The 2006 Norfolk Tides roster features 14 players who have appeared in the Major Leagues, eight of whom played in the Major Leagues in â05. The roster includes players from the United States, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Japan. Two Tides players reside in Virginia, including Tim Lavigne (Virginia Beach) and John Maine (Fredericksburg). Eleven players have previously spent time in Norfolk, and four players (Zac Clements, Yusaku Iriki, Lastings Milledge, and Ray Navarrete) will be making their Triple-A debuts.
The Tides begin their 2006 regular season tomorrow night with a home contest against the Durham Bulls at 7:15 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1310., and can be heard online at norfolktides.com.
International League Stories from April 5, 2006
- Indianapolis Indians 2006 season preview - Indianapolis Indians
- Braves announce starting rotation - Gwinnett Stripers
- Opening Night Tomorrow Night - Norfolk Tides
- Red Wings Home Opener This Saturday - Rochester Red Wings
- Lynx Stadium To Be A Wireless Hotspot For 2006 Season - Ottawa Lynx
- Indians Trade RHP Tadano to Oakland - Buffalo Bisons
- Ottawa Lynx Opening Homestand Preview - Ottawa Lynx
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.
