BB&T Home Run Derby Lineup Announced
Ten of the top home run hitters in the South Atlantic League, five from the Northern Division and five from the Southern Division, will compete for the grand prize of $500 courtesy of BB&T. The top four home run totals from the first round will advance to the second round. Then, the top two hitters will advance to the championship round.
The ten participants in the 2011 BB&T Home Run Derby have blasted a total of 122 home runs through games on June 14. The derby will feature three first round draft picks (Harper, Hewitt, Parker) and a second round draft pick (Thompson).
The five derby participants from the Northern Division will be: Bryce Harper (Hagerstown), Jim Murphy (Lakewood), Brady Shoemaker (Kannapolis), Trayce Thompson (Kannapolis) and Anthony Hewitt (Lakewood). Harper ranks second in the South Atlantic League with 14 home runs and fourth in the league with a .601 slugging percentage. Murphy is tied for third in the league with 13 home runs. He connected on two homers in a game against Charleston on April 26. Thompson is tied for ninth in the league with 11 home runs. The Ladera Ranch, California native hit six homers in 22 games in April. Shoemaker has hit nine home runs this season. He clubbed two home runs against the Shorebirds on May 21. Hewitt has connected on seven home runs. The 2008 first round selection hit two homers on May 1 against Savannah.
The five derby participants from the Southern Division are: Adam Duvall (Augusta), Kyle Parker (Asheville), Adam Bailey (Lexington), Chris Wallace (Lexington) and Bryce Massanari (Asheville). Duvall leads the South Atlantic League with 17 home runs on the year. He belted two home runs against Asheville on June 4 and hit home runs in three consecutive games between May 19 and May 21. Parker, the former quarterback at Clemson, has connected on seven home runs. Parker had seven RBIs in a game earlier this season against Lakewood. Bailey ranks tied for third in the circuit with 13 home runs. The Lincoln, Nebraska native hit two home runs in a game against Asheville on April 16. Wallace has launched 13 home runs this season including the only three homer game in the SAL this season on April 17 against Asheville.
Amongst the participants, Jim Murphy has the most career home runs (38). He connected on 25 in his first three minor league seasons and has added 13 this season.
Duvall has hit a home run in three consecutive games (June 12-14). The Louisville, Kentucky native ranks sixth in all of Minor League Baseball in home runs.
"The BB&T Home Run Derby will be a fun spectacle for the fans because of all the talented home run hitters," said general manager Chris Bitters. "BB&T has really stepped up to the plate to help us deliver an exciting derby."
Fans must have a ticket to the 2011 South Atlantic League "Strike Out Hunger" All-Star Game in order to watch the BB&T Home Run Derby.
For tickets and information, contact the Shorebirds Box Office at 410-219-3112.
NORTHERN DIVISION DERBY ROSTER
Bryce Harper (Hagerstown)
Anthony Hewitt (Lakewood)
Jim Murphy (Lakewood)
Brady Shoemaker (Kannapolis)
Trayce Thompson (Kannapolis)
SOUTHERN DIVISION DERBY ROSTER
Adam Bailey (Lexington)
Adam Duvall (Augusta)
Bryce Massanari (Asheville)
Kyle Parker (Asheville)
Chris Wallace (Lexington)
Delmarva Shorebirds
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The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class "A" Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Shorebirds are owned by 7th Inning Stretch, L.P., the same company that owns the Stockton Ports of the California League and the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League. The Shorebirds are the proud hosts of the 2011 South Atlantic League "Strike Out Hunger" All-Star Game presented by Perdue. The game will be contested on June 21, 2011. For more information, call the Shorebirds at 410-219-3112.
The Shorebirds are celebrating 16-years of professional baseball on the Eastern Shore. During the 2009 season, the Shorebirds finished with an average attendance of 3,567 fans, the largest average since the 2002 season. In 2007, The Shorebirds had the top attendance based on market size in Minor League Baseball(tm), according to Sports Business Journal (Aug. 2008). In 2010, more than 6,000 fans packed Arthur W. Perdue Stadium nine times including a season high of 8,993 fans on August 7th.
The Shorebirds were established in 1996 by an investor team headed by legendary chicken company owner, the late Frank Perdue. The Shorebirds have called Arthur W. Perdue home ever since. For more information about the Delmarva Shorebirds call 410-219-3112 or visit www.theshorebirds.com.