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CHECK OUT THE PROMO'S
The Sussex Skyhawks have announced a number of new and unique promotions for the upcoming 2008 season.
Drop the hammer cause the green flag is out. Check out Dale Earnhardt's #3 NASCAR car on Opening Night, Thursday, May 22nd at 7:05 The following night, May 23rd, is the first of 9 massive fireworks shows that will be exploding over the outfield this summer.
Do you need a new TV? Be here on Saturday, June 7th at 5 pm, as Service Electric Cable TV is giving away a television every inning. Famous wrestler George “The Animal” Steele will also be on hand that night. He promises not to eat any of tv's, but the bases are another story.
Saturday June 28th at 5 pm, the Bergen Record is sponsoring an iPod giveaway. Can't get enough NASCAR? Tony Stewart's #20 Home Depot car roars into Skylands Park on Saturday, July 12th at 5pm. Casino Night is back on Thursday August 14th at 7:05. Two lucky fans, 21 and over, will be winning a getaway trip to Las Vegas that night, be there if you want to live the dream. Want more trips? The Skyhawks will also be giving away trips to Cancun and a Caribbean Cruise over the course of the summer. Aloha!!!
A historic Skylands Park first will take place on Sunday, August 10th, at 2 pm. Scheduled for that date, provided they don't get cold feet – there will be a home plate wedding. One lucky couple will receive an all-inclusive wedding, compliments of the Sussex Skyhawks. Here comes the bride all dressed in pinstripes…or something like that.
The Skyhawks will also be bringing back a number of last seasons fan favorites. How about every Tuesday this summer it's $1 beer and soda. Military Appreciation night takes place this year on Thursday, July 3rd at 6:35. Get your tickets in advance as you won't want to miss the holiday presentations in support of our men and women in uniform. Saturday, July 26th at 5 pm we will be giving away a limited edition team photo to the first 1000 fans, and on Sunday, July 27th at 2 pm kids 12 and under will be receiving their very own Sussex Skyhawks baseball bat.
This year School Day is on Wednesday, June 4th and is a 10 A.M. start. Camp Day on Wednesday, July 16th is an 11 A.M. start. There will be two scout sleepovers on Saturday, July 26th and Saturday, August 9th.
Check out the website at www.sussexskyhawks.com or call us at 973-300-1000 to get your tickets to the season of fun.
SKYHAWKS ON ESPN RADIO/MUGS MEDIA
1490 ESPN Radio, WDLC-AM, broadcasting out of Port Jervis, New York will be broadcasting 17 Sussex Skyhawks regular season games during the 2008 season. The broadcast will be called “Sussex Skyhawks Game Night” with the first broadcast schedule for opening day, May 22.
Games broadcast on 1490 ESPN Radio during the 2008 season are as follows: May 22,23; June 6, 13 (@New Jersey), 19, 27; July 3, 4, 10, 11, 25, 31 and August 8, 14,21,22,24.
The above schedule and any additional information about the games being broadcast can be found at www.1490espnradio.com. Kevin Halpenny will provide the play by play and Eric Wharton will be commentating.
In addition, the Skyhawks will once again have six games live on Service Electric Cable Channel 10. Mugs Media will handle the production of the games and Jerry” Mugs” Morelli will broadcast his popular Sports Beat show live from Skylands Park on Friday, May 23.
S.C.I.L. Baseball Tournament Returns to Skylands Park
 Sussex Skyhawks General Manager, Ben Wittkowski announced that the 2008 Sussex County Coaches Baseball Tournament will be held at Skylands Park in Augusta, New Jersey.
The 4-year old tournament which features the nine varsity high school (High Point, Hopatcong, Kittatiny Regional, Lenape Valley, Newton, Pope John XXIII, Sparta, Vernon, & Walkill Valley), baseball teams in Sussex County is at Skylands Park for the second consecutive year.
The action heats up at Skylands Park with a Tripleheader on Thursday May 15th and a single game Friday May 16th. Thursday's games get underway at 2 pm with 7th seed Kittatinny against #2-Sparta. Game two at 4:30 pm features #8 Walkill Valley against Top Seed - Pope John. The last leg of the trifecta starts at 7:30 with #6 Hopatcong taking on #3 Jefferson under the lights. Friday's single game pits #5 Vernon against #4 Lenape Valley at 5 pm.
Saturday, the tournament moves to the semi final bracket with the games at 2 pm and 5 pm. The match-ups feature the Kittatinny/Sparta winner vs. the Hopatcong/Jefferson winner in the early contest and the nightcap is the Vernon/Lenape Valley winner facing the Walkill Valley/Pope John winner.
Championship Sunday is a 2 pm first pitch with a post game trophy presentation immediately following.
Tickets for all games are $3 and can be purchased in advance by calling 973-300-1000.
Skylands Park is the home of the Sussex Skyhawks (Can-Am League) professional baseball team, the Sussex County Community College Skylanders, and the Centenary College Cyclones. With a seating capacity of 4,358 and ten luxury suites, Skylands Park has drawn over 1.6 million fans through its gates since its opening. There have been over 50 major league baseball players to play on its field, as well as the Big East Baseball Championship in 1995 and the NCAA Division III Playoffs. Other notable events include an Alabama concert, the September 11th Memorial, and an appearance by King Kong Bundy & Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka.
The Skyhawks open the 2008 season at home Thursday, May 22nd against the Worcester Tornadoes. Game time is set for a 7:05 start. For a complete schedule of all 2008 Skyhawks promotions, log onto our website at www.sussexskyhawks.com, and don't forget parking is FREE for the 2008 season.
SKYHAWKS MAKE MORE ROSTER MOVES
The Sussex Skyhawks announced the re-signing of pitcher Edisbel Benitez. Benitez was a key figure during the 2007 campaign, posting a 6-6 record with a 4.48 E.R.A. in 24 games for the Skyhawks. The Skyhawks have also signed pitcher Gary Galvez. Galvez began his career in the Red Sox organization, pitching for their “A” league teams in Augusta, Greenville, and Wilmington, posting a 29-27 record over 4 years in the organization. Upon his release after the 2006 season, Galvez pitched for Can-Am clubs in Brockton and North Shore last year, going a combined 7-9 with a 3.66 E.R.A. in 117.2 innings pitched. Galvez struck out 84 while walking only 42, holding opposing batters to a .245 batting average.
The Skyhawks also pulled off a four-player trade, sending infielder Ben Tinius and pitcher Vince Davis to the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association in exchange for infielder Jay Yaconetti and a player to be named later. David appeared in 18 games last season for the Skyhawks, going 6-8 with a 4.28 E.R.A. in 109.1 innings pitched. Tinius suited up for the Can-Am Grays last year, hitting .275 with 83 hits, 7 home runs and 50 RBI's. Yaconetti, who played one season for the Minnesota Twins rookie level team in Elizabethton, appeared in 91 games for the Saltdogs last year, hitting .278 with 97 hits, 5 home runs, and 57 RBI's.
The Skyhawks also announced a trade for RHP Matt Petrusek from the Joliet Jackhammers for a player to be named later. Petrusek appeared in 41 games last season for the Jackhammers, primarily in a relief role, notching a 1-2 record with 11 saves in 40 relief appearances. Petrusek struck out 42 while only walking 10 batters in 52 innings of work.
The Skyhawks kick off the 2008 season at home on Thursday May 22nd. Come by and check out an appearance by Dale Earnhardt's #3 car. Parking is free all season long!!
SKYHAWKS & JACKALS TO PLAY EXHIBITION GAMES
 The Sussex Skyhawks welcome their cross-state rivals, the New Jersey Jackals, on Wednesday, May 14th at 6:30 PM for the first of a home and home exhibition series. The Skyhawks will travel down to Yogi Berra Stadium on Friday, May 16th.
Tickets for the event will be $5 general admission. For more information, or to purchase tickets for the exhibition game, please call the Skyhawks ticket office at (973) 300-1000 X 21.
The exhibition game will host all of the Skyhawks' ticket package holders at the pre-season picnic party. Please contact Ben Wittkowski at 973-300-1000 x18 to RSVP. The Picnic will start at 6:00PM.
AMAZING!! SKYHAWKS ADD ANOTHER MAJOR LEAGUER
 The Sussex Skyhawks announced today the signing of former Baltimore Oriole first baseman/designated hitter Walter Young. Young appeared in 14 games for the Baltimore squad in 2005, batting .303 while driving in 3 runs and hitting 1 home run. Young is a native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi who turned down a football scholarship from LSU to sign with the Pittsburg Pirates. Young worked his way up through the minor league system, eventually hitting 150 home runs and driving in 621 runs throughout his minor league career, including a personal best of 33 home runs with the Bowie BaySox during the 2004 campaign, which lead to an appearance for him in the Eastern League All-Star game.
Young, who is best known for his large size and his ability to hit towering home runs, eventually lost his spot on the Oriole roster to Kevin Millar but Young got right back on track and in 2007 he hit .313 with 21 home runs, 78 RBI's, and 120 hits for the Winnipeg Goldeneyes of the Northern League.
In other roster moves, the Skyhawks re-signed infielder Kevin Rios; Rios, a former New York Met farmhand, played the 2007 season with the Skyhawks, appearing in 71 games and hitting .275 with 27 runs scored, 71 hits, and 39 RBI's. A new addition to the Skyhawks roster comes from the San Francisco Giant organization. Matthew Weston was taken by the Giants out of the University of Houston and sent for the 2006 season to their short season team, the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. In 63 appearances for the Volcanoes he hit .280 and drove in 27 runs, while earning the Northwest League Player of the Week honors in August 2006. From there he was promoted for the 2007 season to the Augusta Green Jackets of the South Atlantic League. He played in 118 games for Augusta, hitting .276 and finished the season with 120 hits, 35 doubles, 11 home runes, and 69 RBI's before being released by the Giants after the season and making his way to the Skyhawks organization.
The Skyhawks also announced today that pitcher Trey Stephens has been traded to the Edinburg Coyotes of the United League for a player to be named later. Stephens who has spent his entire career in Independent baseball, amassing and 13-12 record, was 1-2 for the Skyhawks during the 2007 campaign, appearing in 22 games and posting a 3.86 ERA in 77 innings pitched.
The Skyhawks 2008 season will kick off on Thursday, May 22nd at 7:05PM. Skyhawks season tickets and mini plans are currently available. The Skyhawks 12-game mini plan is the only way to guarantee a seat to every regular season firework show during the 2008 season. For more information on the 2008 season, fans can log onto www.sussexskyhawks.com or 973-300-1000 x21.
#3 and #20 NASCAR NIGHTS AT SKYLANDS
 Today, the Sussex Skyhawks announced the addition of two exciting promotional events occurring during their 2008 season. The legendary #3 Goodwrench driven by the late Dale Earnhardt and the #20 Home Depot Tony Stewart Show Cars will be appearing at Skylands Park this Summer.
Dale Earnhardt's Goodwrench #3 show car will appear on May 22nd. Earnhardt was a very polarizing figure in NASCAR. He was both loved and hated in the sport, yet despite his numerous detractors, Earnhardt remained one of the sport's most popular drivers. His death drew a considerable amount of reaction from the nation, NASCAR, and his fans. Earnhardt drove the #3 car for most of his career, spanning the early 1980s until his death in 2001. Team owner Richard Childress immediately retired Earnhardt's #3 car, and it is generally believed that current NASCAR owners have agreed never to use the #3 in Sprint Cup competition again.
Tony Stewart's Home Depot #20 show car will appear on July 12th. Pick a racing series. Chose a style of racecar. Name a venue. Chances are, Tony Stewart has proven victorious. The driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has scored 11 championships since he first wheeled a go-kart at a Westport, Ind., racetrack in 1978. His most widely known titles are the two he scored in NASCAR's pinnacle series. Tony is a two-time Sprint Cup Series champion.
There will be photo opportunities with the cars and both NASCAR themed nights are sure to have many unique prizes along with a great family night of Sussex Skyhawks Baseball. Bring the whole family, enjoy some great show cars, and of course the national pastime.
The Skyhawks 2008 season will kick off on Thursday, May 22nd at 7:05PM. Skyhawks season tickets and mini plans are currently available. The Skyhawks 12-game mini plan is the only way to guarantee a seat to every regular season firework show during the 2008 season. For more information on the 2008 season, fans can log onto www.sussexskyhawks.com or 973-300-1000 x21.
ROSTER MOVES CONTINUE
 With Opening Day a little more than two months away, the Sussex Skyhawks have continued to bolster their roster for the 2008 season. The Skyhawks acquired 2B Chris Brown from the Joliet Jackhammers in exchange for a player to be named later. Brown, in two seasons with Joliet, hit .276 with 115 Hits, 58 RBI's, 69 Runs, and 10 Home Runs in 416 At-Bats.
In addition, the Skyhawks have signed two Rookie players, Nick Vardaro from the University of Southern Maine and Edward Roberts from Broward County Community College in Florida. Vardaro hit .308 with 49 Hits, 16 RBI's, 30 Runs, and 1 Home Run in 39 games as the starting shortstop for the USM Huskies. Hailing from Norwood, Massachusetts, the 5-11, 170 Lb Vardaro was a unanimous first team all-conference selection in 2006. Roberts, a 30th Round draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association First Team All-Region 8 team in 2005 and was the NJCAA's selection as the Gulf District Pitcher of the Year for 2005. This will be both players' first year of professional baseball.
The Skyhawks have also traded 2B Rob Gandolfo to the Camden Riversharks in exchange for a player to be named later. In his one season with the Skyhawks, Gandolfo appeared in 87games, hitting .273 with 92 Hits, 46 RBI's and 40 Runs in 337 At-Bats. The Skyhawks have also released 3B Brian Rios who played in 75 games in 2007.
CECIL FIELDER TABBED AS NEW ATLANTIC CITY SURF MANAGER
Atlantic City, N.J. – The Atlantic City Surf, member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, have announced former major leaguer Cecil Fielder (pictured) as the club's new field manager in a press conference today.
Fielder spent 13 seasons in the major leagues from 1985 to 1998 with the Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Anaheim Angels and Cleveland Indians. He also played one season with the Hanshin Tigers of the Japan Central League. One of the top 100 home-run hitters in major-league history with 319 round-trippers, he also made three All-Star Game appearances (1990, 1991 and 1993). Fielder's 51 home runs for Detroit in 1990 marked the first 50-homer season for an American Leaguer since Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle accomplished the feat in 1961. He led the majors in RBI from 1990 to 1992, and is the only Detroit Tiger to ever hit over 25 home runs in six consecutive seasons (1990-1995).
Fielder appeared in the playoffs in three seasons (Toronto-1985, New York-1996, New York-1997), and hit .391 during the 1996 World Series.
The Los Angeles native made his managerial debut with the Charlotte County Redfish of the independent South Coast League last season. His son, Prince, the 2006 National League Rookie of the Year, is a first baseman with the Milwaukee Brewers.
“I'm excited to join the Surf organization,” Fielder said. “This is a great opportunity, and we're putting together a team that will give one hundred percent every night. I'm looking forward to managing in such a strong baseball area, and we're working to bring another championship to Atlantic City.”
Skyhawks Continue To Make Off-Season Moves
RHP Ryan Dittfurth was traded to the Lincoln Saltdogs (American Association) in exchange for RHP Kyle Ruwe.
Ruwe has spent the past three seasons with Lincoln. The 6'5” Florida native compiled a 26-12 record over those three seasons; winning 10 games in 2006 and 2007. In 270 innings of work with Lincoln, Ruwe only allowed 36 walks during that time. Dittfurth, who went 9-5 in 2007 with the Skyhawks, finished the season as the Sussex team leader in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched.
In addition to obtaining Ruwe, the Skyhawks have re-signed CF Ron Perodin. Perodin finished the 2007 season as the Sussex team leader in steals and triples.
Finally, the Sussex Skyhawks have placed the following players on irrevocable waivers for the purpose of giving them their unconditional release: RHP Nick Colletto (Rookie), RHP David Lipson (Rookie), LHP Derrick Van Dusen (Veteran), and C Tom Terrill (Rookie). All four players were late additions to the 2007 Roster. |
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Thu., 5/22/2008, 7:00 PM
vs. Worcester
NASCAR Night - Featuring Dale Earnhardt's Goodwrench #3 Show car!!!
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