All-Star Game returns to the beach

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are proud to announce that for the second time in three seasons, the Pelicans and the City of Myrtle Beach will host the annual Carolina League-California League All-Star Game at BB&T Coastal Field. The game, which will be held on Tuesday, June 22 at 7:05 p.m., will be surrounded by two days of activities, both at the ballpark and with featured attractions along the Grand Strand.

The 2010 Midsummer Classic in Myrtle Beach will mark the second consecutive All-Star Game on the Carolina League circuit which the Pelicans will be hosting. The club hosted the 2008 Carolina League-California League All-Star Game, which was regarded as one of the best in event history. A crowd of 6,599, which remains tied for the largest in BB&T Coastal Field history, packed the ballpark for the 2008 event, which featured numerous top Major League prospects, including current big leaguers Pablo Sandoval (San Francisco Giants) and Matt Wieters (Baltimore Orioles).

"On behalf of our ownership group, management team and Myrtle Beach Pelicans, we are honored to once again host this great tradition at our beautiful ballpark," said Pelicans chairman and managing partner, Chuck Greenberg. "This will give us another opportunity to show off our wonderful facility and our great staff who make the gameday experience at BB&T Coastal Field one of the best in Minor League Baseball. This will be a great chance for our fans, and baseball fans from all across the country, to see some of the top prospects and most talented players in the Minor Leagues. We know this will be a great opportunity for the Pelicans, as well as a great boost to the local economy with the number of visitors this event will attract."

The Pelicans are hosting the contest on a short turnaround after the Carolina League's Winston-Salem Dash were unable to fully commit to the event because of construction complications with their new ballpark.

"The Carolina League is thrilled the All-Star Game is coming back to Myrtle Beach," said Carolina League president, John Hopkins. "After the 2008 event, many of our league GM's and owners agreed this was one of the best run events in the history of this game. We appreciate the Pelicans stepping up on such short notice to take on the challenge of hosting this showcase that many clubs need a year and a half to prepare for. This is a testament to their dedication and commitment to our league. I am also excited for the economic impact the All Star Game will have on the Grand Strand area, as we know the 2010 game will draw even more fans from across the country than the 2008 game."

The 2009 Carolina League-California League All-Star Game was hosted by the Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League. The California League bested the Carolina League, 2-1, in that contest at The Lake Elsinore Diamond.

"We look forward to putting on another first-class event like we did in 2008," said Pelicans' general manager, North Johnson. "Many people raved about the game a couple of years ago, and now it's time for us to learn from that experience and go above and beyond it for next summer's Midsummer Classic."

Tickets to the 2010 All-Star Game will be available soon, but fans can guarantee tickets to the event by purchasing a 2010 Pelicans season ticket package. Season tickets are available for as low as $560 and can be purchased by calling the Pelicans' box office at (843) 918-6000. Additional information, including a list of the numerous perks and benefits of being a Pelicans season ticket holder, can be viewed at MyrtleBeachPelicans.com online.