San Rafael Pacifics to Play Exhibition against Sonoma County Grapes
July 24, 2012 - North American League (NAmL)
San Rafael Pacifics News Release
HEALDSBURG, Calif. - Centerfield Partners LLC - the owners of the San Rafael Pacifics and Sonoma County Grapes Baseball Clubs - have announced a historic move to bring independent, minor-league baseball back to Sonoma County.
For the first time since 2002 when the Sonoma County Crushers concluded their successful run as an independent franchise, the Grapes and Centerfield Partners LLC, announced the scheduling of two free exhibition games for the County's new professional minor league baseball team on August 2 and 9, at Recreation Park in Healdsburg, Calif., Centerfield Partners' Mike Shapiro said.
The Pacifics will visit the host Grapes at Recreation Park in Healdsburg at 7:15 p.m. on August 9, 2012.
The Grapes, who have been serving primarily as a travel team playing in the North American League's North Division in their inaugural season, will offer a sneak preview to their fans next month. As the Grapes search for a permanent home in Sonoma County for 2013, August's contests promise to offer exciting, high-level baseball, and incredible fun for families and fans of all ages.
"We see this as a fantastic opportunity to formally introduce the Sonoma County Grapes to the members of their own community - the Sonoma County residents," Shapiro said. "We didn't want to wait until next year to give the public a taste of their new professional minor league baseball team right here in their own backyard. Rec Park has been a big part of Healdsburg for many years and we are excited to use it and pay homage to those who have done so before us."
Recreation Park, Healdsburg's newly-renovated ballpark whose wood bleachers were built by hand by volunteers over 80 years ago, has been a fixture of the Healdsburg community and sports culture since the early 1920s. The Park is home to Healdsburg High School sports teams and is used by local youth football leagues and area adult baseball leagues.
The Grapes' two exhibition games will also feature a second local opponent - a semi-professional team from across the Bay, the East Bay Lumberjacks, featuring former San Francisco Giants pitcher, Wayne Franklin. The two teams will face off on Thursday, August 2, at 7:15 p.m.
Tickets are free but space is extremely limited. Please register online to ensure your seat. You can register for game one on August 2, HERE . And game two on August 9, HERE .
The Other Guys Wines will provide wine to fans 21-years or older with a valid ID. Gates open at 6:15 p.m. For more information, contact (415) 485-1563.
Fans in attendance are also encouraged to bring used sports equipment in usable condition as part of an equipment and glove drive, benefiting local youth sports and under-privileged children.
The Grapes, who are trying to improve on an 11-24 record, are in their inaugural season in the North American League this year. The team, led by hot-hitting catcher D.J. Dixon from Carlsbad, Calif., and powerful first baseman Brandon Gregorich of Oakley, California.
Right-handed pitcher Dustin Crenshaw of Pinole, Calif., has been impressive on the mound for the Grapes, leading the North American League in ERA.
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