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MLB

Pelicans to host Horry County Special Olympics Spring Games on April 19

Athletes to compete in various events to potentially participate in State Games
By Scott Kornberg
March 17, 2016

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 17, 2016) - The Myrtle Beach Pelicans will host the Horry County Special Olympics Spring Games on Tuesday, April 19, at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. Approximately 400 Special Olympic athletes from across Horry County will be joined with 400 "buddies" and volunteers to compete in various events to possibly receive the opportunity to enter South Carolina's Summer Games, held from May 6-8 in Columbia.

"The Horry County Special Olympians and coaches are so excited to be able to compete in a professional ballpark," said Horry County Special Olympics Area Director Erik Karney. "We are really looking forward to a fun atmosphere at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark."

Gates open to the ballpark at 8:15 a.m., and registration for all athletes, buddies and volunteers will be at Gate 1, located near right field. The Horry County community is encouraged to join the Pelicans' pep rally to welcome the athletes into the ballpark. The Games are open to the public at no charge, and all community members are welcome to cheer on the athletes.

The day begins with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run at Myrtle Beach's Socastee High School at 7:30 a.m. The torch will be lit on the field at 9:30 a.m., marking the first year the Games are being held at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark.

Events begin at 9:45 a.m., with athletes competing in the softball and tennis throws on the outfield grass, 100m and 50m runs and walks on the outfield warning track and the long jump in the visitor's bullpen in foul territory down the left field line.

Members of the Special Olympics Youth Athletes (ages 2-7) will also take part in the festivities at the ballpark. Entertainment throughout the day, which concludes at 1:30 p.m., includes an Olympic Town with a DJ, inflatables and local mascots.

The 2016 season will be the 18th season for the Pelicans franchise and second as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2016, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

ABOUT THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS: The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. Special Olympics is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy, and benefit from participation in individual and team sports. These must be adapted only as necessary to meet the needs of those with mental and physical limitations. Special Olympics believe that consistent training is indispensable to the development of an individual's sports skills. In addition, competition among those of equal abilities is the most appropriate means of testing these skills, measuring progress, and providing incentives for personal growth.

ABOUT THE PELICANS: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and play their home games at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The park has ranked in the top eight in all of Minor League Baseball by Stadium Journey in each of the last five seasons. The same publication also placed the Pelicans in the Top 100 Stadium Experiences in all of sports in each of the last five years and the best in the Carolina League for five straight seasons as well. In May 2015, TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark won the 2015 TripAdvisor.com Certificate of Excellence award. The Pelicans are the defending Mills Cup Champions, winning the title in 2015 as well as 2000 and co-Mills Cup championship honors in the inaugural 1999 season. The Pelicans have made nine postseason appearances behind 11 half-season Southern Division championships, including the first half of the 2015 season, as well as five Southern Division titles, most recently in 2015. For more information on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, please contact the Pelicans at (843) 918-6000 or emailing [email protected].