Sports stats



IL1 International League

Triple-A All-Star fan balloting underway

June 1, 2006 - International League (IL1) News Release


With less than six weeks to go until the 19th annual Triple-A All-Star Game in Toledo, Ohio, the online fan voting is now underway, marking the first time Minor League Baseball fans have had an opportunity to vote online for an All-Star event. The voting began today and will run through Friday, June 23. The results of the fan balloting will account for 1/3 of the total vote along with ballots cast by members of the media (1/3) and each club's field manager, coaches, and general manager (1/3).

The ballots can now be accessed from several websites. Triple-A Baseball and MLB Advanced Media have made the ballots available at the official websites of Minor League Baseball (www.MiLB.com), the International League (www.ILBaseball.com), and the Pacific Coast League (www.PCLBaseball.com), as well as the websites of all 30 Triple-A teams.

The Triple-A All-Star Game matches the best players from the International League against the top players from the Pacific Coast League. All fans who participate in the online balloting are able to vote for players from both the IL and PCL rosters. Up-to-date statistics are available at the click of a mouse to help fans make their selections. Categories include each of the infield positions (1 each), catcher (1), outfielders (3), a designated hitter (1), as well as starting pitchers (2) and relief pitchers (2). Write-in votes for players not listed on the ballot are also accepted.

The competition looks fierce across the board as the voting begins with many of the game's best young players striving to earn a spot on Triple-A Baseball's biggest stage. The top performers in both Leagues are among those fans can choose from, such as hitting leaders Chris Denorfia of Louisville (.338 - 1st, IL) and Howie Kendrick of Salt Lake (.385 - 1st, PCL), home run leaders Kevin Witt of Durham (13 - 1st, IL) and Scott Seabol of Albuquerque (16 - 1st, PCL), and stolen base leaders B.J. Upton of Durham (22 - 1st, IL) and Freddy Guzman of Oklahoma (17 - 1st, PCL). The top hurlers are also making their case. The ballot includes League ERA leaders in Charlie Haeger of Charlotte (0.93 - 1st, IL) and Chris Baker of Round Rock (1.71 - 1st, PCL), saves leaders in Julio Manon of Ottawa (11 - 1st, IL) and Jason Karnuth of Sacramento (11 - 1st, PCL), and strikeout leaders in Tom Gorzelanny of Indianapolis (67 - 1st, IL) and Francisco Cruceta of Tacoma and Chad Billingsley of Las Vegas (68 - T-1st, PCL).

Updates will be made available weekly for each of the voting categories for both Leagues. Once the balloting period is over, fans can check in at MiLB.com, ILBaseball.com, and PCLBaseball.com for updates and features leading up to the big event. This year's Triple-A All-Star Game will take place at Toledo's Fifth Third Field on Wednesday, July 12 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

DON'T FORGET - FANS VOTING ONLINE CAN ENTER THE TRIPLE-A GETAWAY SWEEPSTAKES!

As part of the first-ever Triple-A fan balloting program, the Toledo Mud Hens and Minor League Baseball are now offering fans the chance to win the Triple-A Getaway Sweepstakes. One lucky winner and three guests will win the ultimate All-Star experience - a four day, three night trip to Toledo, Ohio for the 19th annual Triple-A All-Star Game and All-Star festivities at Fifth Third Field, including Monday night's Home Run Derby and the Triple-A Fan Fest.

Fans can register for their chance to win the Triple-A Getaway Sweepstakes as they participate in the online balloting for the Triple-A All-Star Game. The Sweepstakes is running concurrently with the balloting, beginning today and ending June 23. After making their choices for both the International League and Pacific Coast League All-Star rosters, fans will be given the opportunity to enter the Sweepstakes.

As with the All-Star balloting program, fans will be able to enter the Sweepstakes via MiLB.com, as well as the official websites of both Leagues and all 30 Triple-A clubs.

Contestants who don't wish to enter online may enter the Sweepstakes by mailing their name, address, city, state and zip code, day & evening telephone number, favorite Triple-A team, and email address (optional) to: Triple-A Getaway Sweepstakes, c/o Baseball Advanced Media, 75 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011. Mail-in entries must be postmarked by Friday, June 23, 2006.

********** DID YOU KNOW... **********

The fan balloting gives fans in each Triple-A city the chance to make sure their favorite team is well represented at the All-Star Game. In the first 18 years of the Triple-A All-Star Game, the club that's boasted the greatest number of All-Stars is the IL's Columbus Clippers with a total of 39 All-Star players, including two last year (Mitch Jones and Michael Vento). Will fans in other cities such as Buffalo (38), Albuquerque (36), Las Vegas (34), or Richmond (33) be able to help their hometown teams catch the Clippers this year? Stay tuned...

Check out the International League Statistics



International League Stories from June 1, 2006


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.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central