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ApL Princeton WhistlePigs

P-Rays news and giveaways

August 11, 2005 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Princeton WhistlePigs News Release


2005 MERCER CUP CHAMPIONS: The P-Rays captured the 2005 Mercer Cup Championship on Tuesday night, August 9 at Bowen Field in Bluefield with a 4-3 victory over the Bluefield Orioles. The win gave the P-Rays their sixth victory in the 11-game series versus the Baby Birds this year. The trophy was presented to the team at home plate following the game by coach Len Johnston of the Orioles, who had won the Cup in 2004. The P-Rays also won the Cup in 2003, thus giving Princeton the title in two of the past three seasons. The Mercer Cup, which was originated in 1992, is awarded annually to the winner of the Princeton-Bluefield regular season series.

AUGUST 12-14 HOMESTAND PROMOTIONS: The P-Rays return to Hunnicutt Field on Friday, August 12 for a three-game homestand versus the Kingsport Mets with great promotions and giveaways scheduled for all three games:

Friday, August 12 will be J&M Heating and Air Sweatshirt Night with the first 500 fans to receive a FREE P-Rays' sweatshirt. Game time is at 7:00 p.m. with the gates opening at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 13 will be 1st Choice Cash Advance "Back to School" Night with many goodies awarded to our youngsters getting ready to head back to school at the end of August. Also it's Character Counts! Mini-Poster Night with the first 500 fans thorugh the gate to receive a FREE 5"x7" mini-poster of P-Rays' outfielder John Matulia courtesy of Mercer County Schools. This will be the third "night" in the program's four-part mini-poster series for 2005 as the Matulia poster giveaway follows those of pitcher Robert Findlay and outfielder Chris Cunningham. The last mini-poster of the four poster series will be given away during the team's last homestand. Game time is at 7:00 p.m. with the gates opening at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 14 will be El Mariachi Mexican Fiesta Day certificates for great meals and other prizes to be awarded by Princeton's favorite Mexican restaurant. Game time features a 4:00 p.m. afternoon start with the gates opening at 3:00 p.m.

JOHN STEARNS COMING TO TOWN: When the Kingsport Mets visit Princeton from August 12-14, they will be accompanied by John Stearns, who is currently the roving catching instructor for the New York Mets. Princeton fans of course fondly remember Stearns as the man who led Princeton to their only Appalachian League championship in 1994. John wore jersey number 33 while the manager here (Princeton was a Cincinnati affiliate at the time and was known as the Princeton Reds) and the number 33 was permanently retired from Princeton professional baseball in November, 1995 in honor of his accomplishments and for his contributions to the development of professional baseball in Princeton. The P-Rays invite everyone to attend the August 12-14 games and please say hello to John while you are here.

JAMIE NELSON BOOK AVAILABLE: For those of you that missed the P-Rays youth coaches clinic on July 23, the 30-page manual authored by P-Rays manager Jamie Nelson, "The Game The Way I See It," is available for purchase. The booklet features instructions, strategy, and recommended drills in all facets of the game of baseball through the eyes of Nelson, who has led Princeton to the Mercer Cup championship in two of the past three years. This is especially valuable for youth baseball coaches. The booklet is available for $20.00 plus a $2.50 postage and handling fee (if the book is required to be mailed). Please make your check or money order payable to:

Princeton Devil Rays Baseball P.O. Box 5646 Princeton, West Virginia 24740

For more information on the Nelson book, please contact the P-Rays either by e-mail at raysball@sunlitsurf.com or by telephone at (304) 487-2000.

2005 P-RAYS' BASEBALL CARDS: The 2005 Princeton Devil Rays' team card sets have arrived and are available for purchase either at the stadium or via mail. For more information, please contact the Princeton Devil Rays either by e-mail at raysball@sunlitsurf.com or by telephone at (304) 487-2000.

BOOSTER CLUB CAR WASH & BAKE SALE: Mark Saturday, August 13 on your calendars now for the Princeton Devil Rays' Booster Club Car Wash and Bake Sale. The event will be from 9:00 am-2:00 p.m. at AutoZone on Stafford Drive in Princeton. In addition to getting a great wash job on your car, several P-Rays' players will be on hand to meet and visit with fans from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Any person that wishes to donate baked goods to the event may contact Booster Club President Bobby Choate by telephone at (304) 487-1853. The money that this group raises is used directly on the players for purchasing the meat to serve at meals for players after Sunday home games and for a player gift at the end of the year--so we encourage you to come and get your car washed and pick up a delicious homemade treat on that day.

BOOSTER CLUB JAKETS: If you would like to purchase a P-Rays Boosters Club jacket, you need to do so by Sunday, August 14. You will need to pay your Booster Club dues of $10 (if you haven't already paid them) and place a $30 deposit for your jacket. The actual cost of your jacket will depend upon how many are ordered, so encourage your friends to buy a jacket, too! (In our last order of jackets, the balance due varied from $8.14 to around $12 and we ordered 17 jackets.) If you would like to see a jacket and/or purchase a jacket, contact Judy Foster in the ballpark during one of the home games against Kingsport.

HAVE YOU BEEN PUTTING OFF GETTING OUT TO THE BALLPARK? THE P-RAYS ARE AN EXCITING TEAM TO WATCH AND HAVE A 25-22 RECORD THROUGH THEIR FIRST 47 GAMES. THE TEAM HAS NINE HOME GAMES LEFT IN THE 2005 SEASON AND WE APPRECIATE YOU AND HOPE TO SEE YOU AT HUNNICUTT FIELD MANY TIMES THROUGH THE BALANCE OF AUGUST. IF YOU ARE A REGULAR ATTENDEE, DO NOT FORGET TO BRING ALONG THAT FRIEND OR NEIGHBOR YOU HAVE BEEN MEANING TO BRING TO A GAME. SHOW THEM WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW-THAT P-RAYS BASEBALL IS BOTH AFFORDABLE AND GREAT FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT!

SEE YOU AT THE BALLPARK!

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