EL1 Altoona Curve

Parney Grounds Airplane... For Now

Published on March 31, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


ALTOONA- Altoona Curve General Manager Todd Parnell recently announced his intentions to skydive out of an airplane, perform a parachute landing and deliver the ceremonial first baseball of the 2008 season to Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis this Thursday evening prior to the Curve's Home Opener at Blair County Ballpark. Unfortunately, his waistline has created a bit of a snafu.

On Sunday, "Parney" went to perform his practice jump, but found out he was eight pounds over the limit to make the jump. If he can drop the weight in three days, he will go back Wednesday to make the requisite jump.

"I was shocked," said Parnell of learning the news that he didn't make the weight limit. "I thought I had been doing well, but now that I think about it I'm not shocked. It doesn't take long at my age to pack on extra pounds and that's exactly what happened."

Parnell's attempt to lose eight pounds in three days resulted in a pair of trips to The Summit Tennis & Athletic Club on Monday and a diet consisting of grapefruit juice and saltine crackers. At the time of this press release he had already dropped 3 ½ of the necessary pounds.

Even if he fails to make the regulated weight limit, "Parney" has vowed to drop from the skies one way or another.

"Even if this plan gets foiled, we have already explored backup plans and I'm positive that I'll find some way to bring that baseball to Jerome from high up in the atmosphere," added Parney.

Jerome Bettis' ceremonial first pitch will highlight Thursday's Opening Night festivities at Blair County Ballpark. Other promotions include a Curve Schedule Magnet giveaway to the first 5,000 fans courtesy of AIG, Post-Game Fireworks and the club's first "Thirsty Thursday" of the season, featuring soda and beer discounts from 5-7 p.m. Ballpark gates will open 90 minutes early at 5 p.m.

Great seats remain for Thursday's Home Opener and the rest of the club's season-opening, seven-game homestand, which runs through Wednesday, April 9. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Blair County Ballpark Ticket Office during normal business hours, by calling toll-free (877) 99-CURVE or by logging on to AltoonaCurve.com.

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Eastern League Stories from March 31, 2008


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