Rangers, Pelicans and Chanticleers Announce Baseball Game Mar. 29
11/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 16, 2010
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MYRTLE BEACH - The first game in the history of Myrtle Beach to include a Major League Baseball team took on a significant local flavor with the announcement today that the reigning American League Champion Texas Rangers will oppose Coastal Carolina University in an exhibition scheduled for Tuesday, March 29, at BB&T Coastal Field.
Coming off the franchise's first World Series appearance, the Rangers will wind down their 2011 spring training schedule with a trip to the home city of their new Class A-Advanced affiliate, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. For the Chanticleers, this game will represent a return to the site of the 2010 NCAA Baseball Championship Regional & Super Regional that CCU hosted last June.
Fans can purchase individual tickets for the 6:35 p.m. game on March 29th starting at Noon today (Tuesday, November 16th) at the Pelicans ticket office, on-line at www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com and by phone (843/918-6000). Tickets are priced at $22 for Field Box, $18 for Reserved Box/Grand Strand Reserved and $14 for Budweiser Thirst Inning Deck seats.
"Both the Rangers and Coastal Carolina ballclubs energized their fan bases with incredible seasons in 2010," said Rangers Managing Partner and CEO Chuck Greenberg, who also serves as the Pelicans Managing Partner. "As we forge a new partnership between Texas and the Grand Strand community through the affiliation with the Pelicans, this match-up will provide an ideal stage to showcase both teams."
Former Pelicans shortstop Elvis Andrus (2007) will headline the full Rangers squad including Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young and 2010 AL Rookie of the Year Neftali Feliz as the team breaks camp in Arizona to make a cross-country journey to celebrate the team's new Player Development Contract with Myrtle Beach. The following day, Texas will shuttle back to the Lone Star State for its final exhibition game against their Triple-A team in Round Rock before opening the 2011 regular season at home on April 1st.
"Myrtle Beach was one of my best minor league experiences," remarked Andrus from Venezuela. "They have great fans who are very knowledgeable and passionate about baseball and are very supportive. The city is amazing with lots to do and is one of the greatest places to play in the minor leagues. I'm looking forward to returning in March."
Coastal Carolina led the nation in winning percentage (.846) and wins (55) in 2010. The Chants return 17 lettermen from last year's Big South Championship squad and will be in the midst of its regular season when the Rangers visit the home of the Pelicans. CCU will have already played some early season tournament games at BB&T Coastal Field prior to the game against the Rangers.
"First and foremost I have to thank (Texas Rangers owner) Mr. Chuck Greenberg as well as the entire Texas Rangers organization, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and the City of Myrtle Beach for this incredible opportunity," explained CCU's Head Baseball Coach Gary Gilmore. "We are humbled by this chance to live out a dream every one of us have had, which is to compete against the best of the best and see what it is like to play against major leaguers."
The exhibition game involving the Myrtle Beach's parent club will prime the ballpark for the start of the Pelicans 13th season here at the Beach. The Pelicans new crop of Texas-supplied players will open the 2011 Carolina League season on Friday night, April 8 at 7:05 p.m. against the Wilmington Blue Rocks. For the Chants, the meeting will come between conference games at UNC Asheville and hosting Liberty. And, like the Rangers, Coastal will be playing the game after being on the road, going to San Diego, Pepperdine, The Citadel and UNC Asheville from Mar. 15-27.
FULL TEXT OF COASTAL CAROLINA HEAD BASEBALL COACH Gary Gilmore'S REMARKS:
"First and foremost I have to thank (Texas Rangers owner) Mr. Chuck Greenberg as well as the entire Texas Rangers organization, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and the City of Myrtle Beach for this incredible opportunity. We are humbled by this chance to live out a dream everyone of us have had, which is to compete against the best of the best and see what it is like to play against major leaguers.
"This game will be great exposure for both of our programs. For us, we will get the benefit of having the highlights on ESPN across the country, showcasing our program on a national level. For the Rangers, this is a great way to show their new affiliation with Myrtle Beach and show how this organization is committed to our community.
"On a personal note, our players will have an opportunity of a lifetime, being on the same field with the players they idolize. They will get to take pictures and ask questions of the big leaguers and see first-hand things they have only gotten to see on TV. More importantly, I hope our players can learn by watching the Ranger players all the things it takes to be a major league baseball player.
"Again, we are very grateful for this chance to promote our program. Only a handful of teams get the chance to play a major league team in an exhibition. This is huge for our players and I know I, and the rest of the team, will be in complete awe. With all that being said, we will be ready to play when that first pitch is thrown and we look forward to seeing where we stand as a program."
