Online fan voting underway for Cricket Wireless Triple-A All-Star Game

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - With the Cricket Wireless Triple-A All-Star Game in Portland, Oregon, just under six weeks away, Triple-A Baseball and Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) announced today that online voting is now underway. Voting begins today and will run through Friday, June 26. This year's contest will take place at PGE Park on July 15 at 7:00 PDT (10:00 EDT) and will match selected players from the Pacific Coast League and the International League.

Fan balloting will account for one-third of the total vote along with ballots cast by members of the media and each club's field manager, coaches, and general manager. Using MLBAM online voting services, fans can access the ballots at the official websites of Minor League Baseball (www.MiLB.com), the Pacific Coast League (www.PCLBaseball.com), the International League (www.ILBaseball.com), and the websites of all 30 Triple-A teams.

All fans who participate in the online balloting will be able to vote for players from both the PCL and IL rosters. Fans can select their favorite players at each of the infield positions, plus three outfielders, a designated hitter, and four pitchers - two starters and two relievers. Write-in votes for players not listed on the ballot will also be accepted. Up-to-date statistics and position-by-position comparisons will be available at the click of a mouse to help fans make their selections. Voting updates will be made available weekly for both Leagues. Once the balloting period is over, fans can check the aforementioned websites for updates and features leading up to the All-Star Game.

The 2009 Cricket Wireless Triple-A All-Star Game will be celebrating its 22nd year this season, featuring the top players from Minor League Baseball's top two leagues and will be broadcast to a national television audience live from Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday, July 15, on ESPN2 at 7:00 PDT (10:00 EDT). Additional events planned before the game include the All-Star Home Run Derby presented by American Family Insurance (July 13), Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division All-Star Fan Fest (July 11), All-Star Gala presented by Widmer (July 14), All-Star Luncheon (July 15) and several other activities to mark the historic event. Past and present major league stars that 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 and Bernie Williams.