Smokies Caught Corking Bats
June 19, 2003 - Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
Sevierville, Tenn. - Recently two front office staff members at the Tennessee Smokies, the class AA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, were found to be corking a bat. That bat, along with 1,499 others, will be given away Saturday June 21st, at the Smokies home game against the Jacksonville Suns. The first 1,500 kids (14 & under) through the gates with paid admission will receive a complimentary wooden bat courtesy of Suntrust Bank, WATE-6, and the Smokies.
Three of the wooden bats will have a special marking, with only one having cork inside. The corked bat will be determined by using a circular saw to reveal the makeup of each bat between innings of the Smokies game. The corked bat holder will be the grand prize winner of a trip for his/her family to Cork, Kentucky. The holders of the two other bats will receive a lifetime supply of cork, although they may trade for a Smokies hat and 4 tickets to a future home game.
In honor of the corked bat promotion, a Sosa from East Tennessee will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
"With all of the recent attention focused on corking bats," Brian Cox, General Manager of the Smokies explained, "we thought it would be appropriate to enhance our annual wooden bat giveaway night by mixing in a corked one."
The Smokies would like to advise the kids that all bats be used exclusively for batting practice, especially the one with cork.
*Note: The Sosa who will throw out the first pitch is no relation to Sammy Sosa.
Southern League Stories from June 19, 2003
- Cloud Burst, Poor Drainage Dooms Game - Mississippi Braves
- Stars and G-Braves Rained Out - Huntsville Stars
- Rays - Barons Washed Out Again - Orlando Rays
- Clutch hitting fails Suns in 5-2 loss - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Smokies Shut Down Suns - Knoxville Smokies
- Smokies Caught Corking Bats - Knoxville Smokies
- Florence Native Willingham Goes on DL - Will Not Play in Huntsville - Huntsville Stars
- Florence Native Willingham to Play at Joe Davis Stadium - Huntsville Stars
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.
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