BB&T Ballpark to be renamed on Thursday

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Aug. 26, 2015) - The Winston-Salem Dash and BB&T are happy to announce that Debbie D. Harllee of Winston-Salem is the winner of the 2015 BB&T Ballpark Ultimate Fantasy Fan Experience Sweepstakes.

Harllee will be an honorary member of the Dash this Thursday, August 27, at 7 p.m. against the Frederick Keys. BB&T Ballpark will also be renamed Debbie D. Harllee Ballpark for the day.

As an honorary member of the team, Harllee will receive her own locker in the Dash clubhouse, complete with her own customized uniform. She will also have the opportunity to take batting practice with the team prior to the game. In addition, Harllee will deliver the lineups to home plate during the umpire meeting, throw out the ceremonial first pitch and take the field with the Dash as the lineups are announced.

Harllee and 19 of her friends will then enjoy the game in the dugout suite, which is adjacent to the Dash dugout. She will also be featured on the cover of the Dash gameday program, PlayBall.

A season-ticket holder since the opening of BB&T Ballpark, Harllee's late husband Victor picked their seat location in Section 205 from a blueprint drawing of the ballpark in 2008. However, he was never able to attend a game at the new park. The couple had season tickets with the Warthogs and had attended Winston-Salem Spirits games together as early as 1984.

While growing up in Cherryville, N.C., Debbie developed a love for baseball by traveling with her father to various American League games growing up. After moving to Winston-Salem in the 1970s, she began traveling with Victor and getting involved in the community as a volunteer leader.

Through her travels, she founded Bookmarks, a literary arts nonprofit organization that connects authors with readers in an annual Festival of Books and Authors, an Authors in Schools program, and a series of Author Talks. The organization, where Debbie still serves on the Board of Directors, will hold its 11th-annual Bookmarks Festival on September 12.

The BB&T Ballpark Ultimate Fantasy Fan Experience Sweepstakes ran from July 3 until August 8, with hundreds of fans registering for the contest through the Dash website. Last year's winner was Jennifer Clark of Walnut Cove.

The Dash return home on Thursday for their final regular season homestand of 2015. A four-game series against the Frederick Keys begins with a Thirsty Thursday, presented by Camel City Goods, meaning select beers are available for $1 through the seventh inning. For tickets, call the Dash at (336) 714-2287 or visit wsdash.com.