MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps Get Creative with Pepsi "Lost Art of Bunting" Contest

June 5, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps are going to have a little fun with the 50th annual Midwest League All-Star Classic.

Most All-Star games are preceded by a home run derby. But what about the lost art of the bunt? Playing within the spacious dimensions of Fifth Third Ballpark, often times it is the fundamentally sound "small ball" approach that wins games for the Whitecaps.

With that in mind, the Whitecaps have announced that the Pepsi "Lost Art of Bunting" Contest will be the pre-game skill competition of choice prior to the 2014 Midwest League All-Star Classic, presented by Amway.

The contest will take place at 6:00 p.m. prior to the 7:00 p.m. game on Tuesday, June 17. Gates will open at 4:00 p.m. and pre-game festivities will also include batting practice and an autograph session with both teams.

"We are excited to host this salute to the lost art of bunting," said Lew Chamberlin, the CEO and Managing Partner of the West Michigan Whitecaps. "The Whitecaps take pride in offering fans unique and creative entertainment at Fifth Third Ballpark. We're going to have a bit of fun with this one, and we think the fans and players will too."

Three players will be selected from each division to participate in the contest, led by Whitecaps' outfielder Wynton Bernard on the Eastern Division squad. The six contestants will each have 10 opportunities to lay down bunts towards targets placed on either side of the infield. A bulls-eye will be rewarded with five points and $50, while a ball that stops rolling on one of the target's four outer rings will result in a corresponding point total.

The player that accumulates the most points will take home $200 in addition to the Lost Art of Bunting Trophy.

Bernard is one of six Whitecaps' players that will represent the host city in the 2014 Midwest League All-Star Classic, making the West Michigan contingent the largest of any team in the league. Joining Bernard will be second baseman Javier Betancourt and pitchers Jonathon Crawford, Austin Kubitza, Buck Farmer and Joe Mantiply.

The Whitecaps continue their playoff push on Thursday night with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch against the Great Lakes Loons. RHP Jonathon Crawford (2-1, 2.27) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Scott Barlow (1-1, 3.93) of Great Lakes. The theme of the evening will be Country Night and it will also be an Altogas Thrifty Thursday featuring $2 beers, Pepsi products and hot dogs. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics



Midwest League Stories from June 5, 2014


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