Cricket Wireless sponsoring All-Star Game

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Beavers today announced that the team has entered into a title-sponsorship agreement with Cricket Wireless for the 2009 Triple-A All-Star Game, which will be held at PGE Park in downtown Portland.

It was also announced today that the Cricket Wireless Triple-A All-Star Game will take place July 15, 2009; a start time has yet to be determined.

As the title sponsor of the Cricket Wireless 2009 Triple-A All-Star Game, Cricket Wireless will join the Beavers in proudly showcasing the city of Portland, the state of Oregon and historic PGE Park during the 22nd-annual contest that will feature the top players from Minor League Baseball's top two leagues -- the Pacific Coast League and International League -- in a head-to-head contest that is annually broadcast to a national television audience.

"This promises to be a great event for Portland and for every baseball fan who lives here in the Rose City," said Neil Grubb, president and CEO of Cricket LCW, the joint venture that operates Cricket in Oregon and Southwest Washington. "We're honored to be involved with such a fantastic family event, and we're pleased to help bring the Triple-A All-Star Game to Portland as its title sponsor."

Already a valued corporate partner of the Beavers during the 2007 season, Cricket Wireless is the pioneer of unlimited-everything wireless services (anytime minutes, U.S. long-distance and text/picture/instant messaging) and never asks customers to sign a contract for its flat-rate monthly plans.

"Cricket Wireless has shown its commitment to the community of Portland and to the state of Oregon through its involvement and support of this landmark event," said Ryan Brach, vice president of business development and broadcasting for the Beavers. "We couldn't be more pleased to partner with Cricket Wireless and to deepen our already strong relationship."

In recent years, the Triple-A All-Star Game has evolved from a one-day competition into a week-long, city-wide celebration. Additional events planned around the Cricket Wireless 2009 Triple-A All-Star Game in Portland include a home run derby and skills competition, All-Star Fan Fest and autograph sessions, All-Star Gala, All-Star Luncheon and several other activities to mark the historic event.

Since its introduction in 1988, the Triple-A All-Star Game has attracted more than 250,000 fans to a host of premier cities and ballparks. The 2007 game was played in Albuquerque, N.M., as the International League defeated the Pacific Coast League in a spirited contest that drew 12,367 fans to Isotopes Park and thousands more to an impressive variety of city-inspired events. The annual game, which rotates PCL and IL host cities each year, will be played in Louisville, Ky., in 2008. Recent games have been held in Toledo (2006), Sacramento (2005), Pawtucket (2004), Memphis (2003), Oklahoma City (2002) and Indianapolis (2001).

Major League stars who have played in past Triple-A All-Star Games include Derek Jeter, Pedro Martinez, Chipper Jones, Jim Thome, Todd Helton, Kenny Lofton, Alfonso Soriano, Mike Piazza, Garret Anderson, Bernie Williams and Brian Giles.

Tickets for the Cricket Wireless 2009 Triple-A All-Star Game and its surrounding events will be made available initially to Portland Beavers ticket-package holders, while tickets for the general public will go on sale on a to-be-determined date. Additional details about the Cricket Wireless 2009 Triple-A All-Star Game, including an exact time for the game and its corresponding events, will be made available in the months to come.