PCL1 Fresno Grizzlies

Rivalry Series Adds Weight To Final Five Home Games Of 2008; Grizzlies Honor Diamond Dogs On Friday

Published on August 19, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


FRESNO, CA - The Fresno Grizzlies will resume the Highway-99 Showdown Series against the rival Sacramento River Cats on Wednesday, August 20th at Chukchansi Park. The match-up has taken on an added significance in 2008 as the losing team will make a donation to the winning team's community fund at the conclusion of the year. Additionally, on Friday, August 22nd the Grizzlies will welcome head coach Mike Batesole and members of the College World Series champion Fresno State Bulldogs to Chukchansi Park to honor their accomplishments.

The Grizzlies and River Cats have shared the Pacific Coast League's Pacific Southern Division since 2000, when professional baseball returned to Sacramento. The rivalry between the two clubs, though in no formal manner, has extended beyond Chukchansi Park and Raley Field to the close geographic ties between the two cities, and the fact that their Major League parent clubs are rivals on the field as well. The San Francisco Giants (Fresno) and Oakland A's (Sacramento) engage in the annual Bay Bridge Series, one of the fiercest interleague battles in baseball.

In 2008, the rivalry has been born anew, christened as the "Highway-99 Showdown Series", a nod to the California highway that links the two largest cities in the state's Central Valley. To celebrate the relationship between the two teams, and their big league affiliates, both the Grizzlies and River Cats will wear throwback jerseys of their parent clubs for one game during each series (August 22nd in Fresno) in a ‘Throwback Throwdown'. The Grizzlies will be dressed in orange Giants jerseys from the 1970's, while the River Cats will wear classic, green A's jerseys.

At the conclusion of the year, all of the jerseys will be auctioned off at each team's home park to benefit their respective community funds. Should Fresno win the 16-game season series, the Grizzlies' Community Fund will also receive half of the proceeds of the River Cats jersey auction, and vice versa if Sacramento wins the series. After the first seven meetings of the season between the teams, Sacramento currently leads the series four games to three.

Beginning this season, the team with the best record in the season series will be crowned the champion of the Series and receive the "California Cup" trophy, bearing the inscription of the annual winners, and earn the title of the top Triple-A team in California.

On Friday, August 22nd, the defending Triple-A champion River Cats will not be the only title holders in attendance at Chukchansi Park. Coach Mike Batesole, and members of the 2008 College World Series Champion Fresno State Bulldogs will also be on hand and will be honored during the game for their incredible run to the top of the college baseball world.

The Highway-99 Showdown Series resumes on Wednesday, August 20th when the Grizzlies welcome the rival Sacramento River Cats to town for their final five games of the season at Chukchansi Park. For information regarding tickets, promotions, or Grizzlies baseball visit FresnoGrizzlies.com or call 559.320.HITS.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 19, 2008


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