Miracle fans love Dinkelman

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The fans have voted, the results have been tabulated and in a narrow victory, Brian Dinkelman has been named the "Mightiest Miracle Player". Miracle Baseball, in conjunction with the Lee County Elections Office Community Awareness Program, gave fans a chance to vote for their favorite player throughout the summer at Hammond Stadium.

Dinkelman didn't need to stuff the ballot box to win the award. The Irvington, Illinois native joined the Miracle in June from Beloit, and quickly became a fan favorite with his play on the field and his interaction with the fans off the field.

"This is a neat award to win. I want to thank all the fans that took the time to vote, not only for me but for all of us," said Dinkelman.

Supervisor of Elections Sharon Harrington presented Dinkelman with a plaque during an on-filed ceremony Saturday night. (Photographs of the ceremony are available per request) Fans cast their ballots on iVotronic touch screens, the same voting machines used in the last election.

"My hope is that if people think it is important enough to vote for their favorite Miracle player, then that awareness will carry over into their local, county, state and federal elections," said Victoria Collins, Community Awareness Program Director.

The Miracle play their final regular season home game on Wednesday, August 29 against the Sarasota Reds at 7:05 p.m. "Thursty Thursday" beer prices will be in effect, "Your Hot Dog Is A 'Weiner'" where every hot dog purchased will contain a numbered certificate that will be redeemable for a prize and "Buffet on the Berm" highlight the final night of baseball at Hammond Stadium in 2007. Box seats are $7 and grandstand reserve seats $5.