Shorebirds to Host 2011 SAL All-Star Game
The 2011 South Atlantic League "Strike Out Hunger All-Star Game" is sponsored by Perdue on behalf of the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank, the Delaware Food Bank and Virginia's Food Bank of the Eastern Shore.
"We are extremely excited to host the 2011 All-Star Game, and to showcase Arthur W. Perdue Stadium and Delmarva's attractions to the rest of the league " said General Manager Chris Bitters. "We're also excited to partner with Perdue and use this opportunity to highlight the importance of the three local food banks. This partnership is something unique in the league and we're proud to be able to increase the Shorebird's involvement in the Eastern Shore community."
"Strike Out Hunger builds upon our company's long-standing relationship with the Feeding America network of food banks, and honors Frank Perdue's love of baseball and commitment to the community," said Steve Schwalb, Perdue's Vice President of Environmental Sustainability and co-chair of Perdue's Strike Out Hunger Campaign. "We're proud to partner with the Shorebirds to bring the 2011 All-Star Game to Salisbury."
The South Atlantic League All-Star Game features the top players from the Northern Division pitted against the premier talent from the Southern Division. Over the years, the SAL All-Star Game has featured major league talent including current Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward, who starred in the SAL back in 2008 for the Rome Braves. Other former SAL All-Star participants include: Hank Aaron, Bob Gibson, Chipper Jones, Don Mattingly, Eddie Murray and Willie Stargell. Current Shorebirds skipper Ryan Minor was selected to the 1997 All-Star Game.
The last time the Shorebirds hosted the SAL All-Star Game was in 1999. The South defeated the North 5-2 in 10 innings.
The Shorebirds are planning three-days of festivities surrounding the 2011 All-Star Game. Fans, area visitors, team dignitaries, league representatives and Delmarva residents will be treated to three-days worth of planned events. A complete itinerary of events will become available as the 2011 All-Star Game approaches, as well as details on how the local community can support the "Strike Out Hunger" campaign.
"We are really excited to partner with the Delmarva Shorebirds to bring a professional all-star game to Perdue Stadium, and to use this opportunity to bring our Eastern Shore communities together to 'Strike Out Hunger,'" said Andrea Williams, Vice President and Controller, Perdue Food Products, and co-chair of Perdue's "Strike Out Hunger" campaign. "We're looking forward to working with the Shorebirds and the food banks next season to create excitement leading up to the 2011 All-Star Game."
A formal announcement of the All-Star Game was made as part of an on-field ceremony before the Friday, June 18 game against Lexington. General Manager Chris Bitters spoke about the event and provided further details about the 2011 mid-season classic. Representatives from Perdue and from the Delaware Food Bank, the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank and Virginia's Food Bank of the Eastern Shore were also on hand.
For more information about the 2011 All-Star Game, contact the Delmarva Shorebirds front office at 410-219-3112.
Delmarva Shorebirds ----------------------------- The Delmarva Shorebirds are the Class "A" Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Owned by 7th Inning Stretch L.P., the Shorebirds are celebrating their 15th Anniversary on the Eastern Shore in 2010. 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™, according to Sports Business Journal (Aug. 2008). Arthur W. Perdue Stadium is a Wicomico County asset that is leased by the Shorebirds. In 2009, more than 6,000 fans packed Arthur W. Perdue Stadium nine times. 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.