Perdue to be Inducted into SAL Hall of Fame

Salisbury, Md. - The Delmarva Shorebirds are extremely excited to announce that Frank Perdue will be inducted into the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame at the All-Star Game Luncheon on June 21 at the Fountains Wedding & Conference Center. Frank Perdue is the single biggest reason why Arthur W. Perdue Stadium was constructed in the mid-1990's. Andy MacPhail, the President of Baseball Operations for the Orioles, will serve as the keynote speaker at the luncheon.

Mr. Perdue's contributions to the Delmarva Shorebirds and subsequently the South Atlantic League were best summed up by Wicomico County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Gary Mackes in a 2005 article published in the Shorebirds 10th Anniversary Collector's Guide.

"If it was not for Frank Perdue's wallet and generosity, there would not be a stadium here in Wicomico County."

In the mid-1990's, Frank Perdue graciously agreed to donate approximately four million dollars to the joint venture between Maryland Baseball and Perdue to build a minor league baseball stadium, now known as Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. In addition to the monetary gift, Mr. Perdue also donated 39-acres of prime real estate for the construction site of the stadium. The real estate was owned by his company, Perdue Farms, Inc.

At the All-Star Game Luncheon, Frank Perdue will be inducted into the prestigious SAL Hall of Fame along with former Gastonia Rangers player Mike Hargrove and former Asheville Tourists Manager Ray Hathaway.

MacPhail, who has been the President of Baseball Operations for the Orioles since 2007, will discuss a wide array of topics at the luncheon. MacPhail was the CEO/President of the Chicago Cubs from 1994-2006. He won two world series championships as the general manager of the Minnesota Twins in 1987 & 1991.

All of the South Atlantic League All-Stars will be formally introduced during the luncheon.

The luncheon will run from 11:30-2:00 p.m. at The Wedding & Conference Center located adjacent to route 50 less than one mile from Perdue Stadium. Luncheon tickets are available to the general public. Tickets, which include a catered meal, are $50 person and $400 for a table of eight.

For more information, call the Delmarva Shorebirds at 410-219-3112 ext. 168.

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.