GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Grizzlies Baseball Club has offered a one year contract to former Carolina Panthers quarterback, Jake Delhomme.  After seven seasons with the Panthers, Delhomme was released Thursday and has officially become a free agent.

The Grizzlies are looking for Delhomme to be a starting pitcher and pitch quality innings during the 2010 season.

After N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson was a top prospect in the Coastal Plain League in 2009, the Grizzlies are hoping for similar success with Delhomme.

While all the specifics of the contract have not been released a few details have surfaced.  The Grizzlies are unable to pay Delhomme because of the Coastal Plain League rules, but they have agreed to set him up with a job as a coach for the Grizzlies summer camp.  The Grizzlies have also offered him the opportunity to sell autographs and merchandise.

The Grizzlies have also offered Delhomme a host family throughout the summer if needed.

“Our goal is to provide Jake with a more relaxed environment in which he can succeed, said General Manager Jesse Cole.  He has obviously demonstrated tremendous arm speed for the Panthers, we just hope we can harness his control and make him a top pitcher in the league in 2010.”

With the potential signing of Delhomme and possible return of Russell Wilson, the Gastonia Grizzlies have also considered entering this team into the Canadian Football League in 2010.

If Delhomme signs with the Grizzlies, head coach Jason Plourde has agreed to make him the starting pitcher on opening night on May 27th against the Asheboro Copperheads.

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Grizzlies Baseball Club announced today the signing of franchise home run leader Randolph Oduber from Western Oklahoma.  This past season Oduber’s nine home runs broke the previous record held by Seth Waller who hit seven in 2007.

Oduber, a 48th round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants in 2009 recently signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Oklahoma State University. 

Oduber, a 6-2, 210 pound sophomore from Aruba, started 42 games in the outfield for the Grizzlies in 2009.  While leading the team in home runs (9), and stolen bases (19), Oduber also finished second on the team in RBIs with 30 and did not make an error during the season. 

In the fourth week of the season, Oduber was named Rawlings Hitter of the Week batting .538 with 14 hits, four home runs and 10 RBIs. 

After the 2009 season, Perfect Game named Randolph Oduber as the 11th best prospect in the Coastal Plain League.

In his freshman year at Western Oklahoma, Oduber led the team in hitting at .472 clip to go along with 32 home runs and 98 RBIs.  He also led the team in slugging percentage (.995), total bases (217) and stolen bases (25).

“Randolph proved himself as one of the top prospects in the entire Coastal Plain League in 2009,” said General Manager Jesse Cole.  “We are very lucky to have Randolph back in Gastonia.  After this season we expect him to begin a very long and successful professional career.”

The Grizzlies home opener is May 27th and ticket packages are available including the new “All You Can Eat Package” which includes tickets to the five games of the year including four fireworks shows and All You Can Eat hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and soda for only $50.

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Grizzlies Baseball Club announced today the signing of pitchers Tim Combs and Kendall Lewis from Eastern Michigan.

Combs, a 5’9”, 170 pound Junior starred for the Petersburg Generals in the CPL in 2009 and led the team with 3 wins and 41 strikeouts.  As a sophomore at Eastern Michigan, Combs made 20 appearances and finished third on the team with strikeouts with 40.

Lewis, a 6’4”, 195 pound freshman led Eastern Michigan with five wins in 2009 including beating Ohio State and Ohio in the MAC Tournament.  This past summer Lewis pitched for the Waimea Waves in the Hawaiian Collegiate League and went 2-0 with a 3.69 ERA.

“Combs, a rubber armed RHP, has experience in the league, and will be an asset out of the pen,” said Head Coach Jason Plourde. “Lewis was an all star and a top prospect in the Hawaiian Collegiate League last summer. Both of these guys come highly recommended by Western Michigan Coach Jay Alexander.”

The Grizzlies home opener is May 27th and ticket packages are available including the all new “All You Can Eat Saturday Package” which includes tickets to the five biggest Saturday games of the year including four fireworks shows and all you can eat hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and soda for only $50.

Lewis

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Grizzlies announced today the release of their 2010 schedule.  The schedule is highlighted by the July 9th “Midnight Madness Game” against the Forest City Owls with first pitch at 12:00 AM.   The game will feature a pregame party, play catch with the Grizzlies, and Grizzlies Home Run Derby.  The Grizzlies plan to have discounts for fans wearing pajamas and big prizes for fans that stay past midnight. 

The Grizzlies home opener is Thursday May 27th against the Asheboro Copperheads, followed by the first fireworks game of the year on Saturday May 29th against the Forest City Owls.

The Grizzlies will host an exhibition game on Thursday July 8th against the Carolina-Virginia Collegiate League 2009 Champions, the Kernersville Bulldogs.

The schedule includes seven Saturday games, seven of the popular “Thirsty Thursday” games and six “All You Can Eat & Drink” Tuesday games.

“We couldn’t be more excited about our 2010 schedule, said General Manager Jesse Cole.  The Midnight Madness game will be the first of its kind in the Coastal Plain League and it has already generated a lot of buzz.  We are also very excited about our heavy load of Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday games.”

In addition to the midnight game the Grizzlies will play one day game on July 7th with a noon start against the Martinsville Mustangs.  Every other Grizzlies home game will start at 7:05.

As of press time, there were less than 40 box seats season tickets available for the 2010 season.  General Admission season tickets, Grizzlies family plans, bonus books and the new “All You Can Eat Saturday Ticket packages are available at the Grizzlies website www.gastoniagrizzlies.com. For more information about any of the Grizzlies ticket plans you can call the Grizzlies front office at 704-866-8622.

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Grizzlies Baseball Club announced today the signing of Zeke Blanton, a Forest City native who attends Gardner-Webb University.

Blanton, a 6-0, 200 pound outfielder transferred from the University of North Carolina in 2009 and will begin his first season with Gardner-Webb in 2010.   Blanton, who is projected to play left field for the Bulldogs, comes to the Grizzlies with an impressive pedigree.  The sophomore won a state championship at East Rutherford High School in 2007 and earned All-State honors.  Blanton played 19 games for the College World Series bound North Carolina Tar Heels in 2008 before transferring to Gardner-Webb.

This past summer Blanton led the Southern Collegiate League in hitting while playing for the Morganton Aggies.  Blanton batted at .415 clip while leading the league with 71 hits in only 45 games played.  He had 3 triples, 3 homeruns and drove in 21 runs while stealing 18 of 19 bases.  Blanton was selected as a starter in the Southern Collegiate All-Star game. 

“Zeke is one of the top hitters in not only the state of North Carolina but in the country,” said General Manager Jesse Cole. “This past summer in Morganton he demonstrated his outstanding hitting abilities by leading the league in hitting.  We expect this success to carry over with the Grizzlies in 2010 and for Zeke to be an exciting player to watch this summer.”

Grizzlies 2009 All-Star Byron McKoy also starred in the Southern Collegiate league in 2008 before playing for the Grizzlies last summer.  

The Grizzlies home opener is May 27th, against the Asheboro Copperheads. Limited season tickets are available.  For more information call the Grizzlies front office at 704-866-8622 or visit the website at www.gastoniagrizzlies.com.

GASTONIA, N.C. – The 2009 Summer Ball Conference came to a close Tuesday afternoon marking the first ever promotional seminar for college summer baseball.  More than sixty-five representatives from college teams around the country came together for three days to discuss the growth, innovations and ideas that are unique to college summer ball.

The event organizers, Infinity Pro Sports, put together the action packed three-day seminar that included a trade show, big panel discussion and ballpark tour.  One of the highlights of the event included a feature presentation on Sunday from Steve DeLay, the Chief Marketing Officer of Mandalay Sports, who owns six Minor League teams.  DeLay discussed the sell out mentality that has helped lead the Dayton Dragons to 704 consecutive sell outs.

Monday’s events included six breakout sessions dealing with all aspects of summer college ball from ticket sales and community relations to player recruiting.  Monday night all attendees visited Sims Legion Park, the home of the Grizzlies and were given a ballpark tour and feature presentation from Vern Stenman, GM of the Madison Mallards.  Stenman discussed the promotions and events that have made Madison become the top team in college summer ball, averaging more than 6,000 fans per game.

The event concluded on Tuesday with a final speech from Minor League Baseball’s promotional guru, Mike Veeck.  Veeck lead a hilarious speech discussing the importance of having fun promotions at the ballpark and trying anything and everything.  All attendees were then treated to a Big Panel discussion where all speakers answered questions and wrapped up the event.

The 2009 Summer Ball Conference marked a remarkable success for an industry that began as a small business and is now primed and ready to grow at a tremendous rate.  Gastonia Grizzlies and Forest City Owls owner Ken Silver stated: “This is exactly what happened to Minor League Baseball in the 1990’s.  The industry became almost an over night success after the teams began to treat each game as entertainment and putting on a show for the fans. We may look back at this Conference and say this is what propelled college summer baseball into what Minor League Baseball is today.”

With the success of SBC 09, the Madison Mallards have already agreed to host in 2010.

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Grizzlies Baseball Club announced today the signing of pitcher Ben Booker from East Tennessee State and first baseman David Chester from the University of Pittsburgh.  Booker was named to the All-Star team after leading the Grizzlies with six wins.  Chester finished second in home runs for the Grizzlies with seven.

Booker, a 6-2, 175 pound junior, started 10 games on the mound for the Grizzlies in 2009.  While leading the team in wins, Booker also finished second on the team in ERA (3.65) and limited opponents to a .283 batting average.  In his last start of the season, Booker beat the Forest City Owls, who finished the season as the #1 team in the country. 

Booker will begin his first season at ETSU after pitching two seasons at Cleveland State Community College.  As a sophomore, Booker led the team in innings pitched (69.2) and strikeouts (76) while compiling a 6-2 record.

Chester, a 6-5, 230 pound junior, started 48 games for the Grizzlies in 2009.  Chester batted .238 with 7 doubles, 7 home runs and 28 RBIs to go along with a .990 fielding percentage.  The seven home runs were the second most hit by a Grizzlies player in franchise history.  

Chester will begin his first season at Pittsburgh after starring for Seminole State Community College.  In both his freshman and sophomore seasons Chester led the team in home runs and finished his career with 36 home runs.

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Grizzlies Baseball Club has been named the host of the first ever Summer Ball Conference on November 8-10th.  The event will be held at the Sheraton hotel in Charlotte and will feature college summer teams from all over the country.  Leagues represented include the Alaska Baseball League, Northwoods League, West Coast League, Texas Collegiate League, Southern Collegiate League, Great Lakes League and the Coastal Plain League. 

The Summer Ball Conference will be headlined by feature speeches from Mike Veeck, President of the Goldklang Group, Steve DeLay, EVP of Mandalay Baseball Properties and Vern Stenman, GM of the Madison Mallards.  The conference will feature 24 breakout sessions involving all aspects of college summer baseball include tickets, sponsors, marketing and recruiting.  A trade show featuring more than 20 vendors will also be present during the three day event. 

The Grizzlies home stadium, Sims Legion Park will be visited and toured by all attendees on Monday November 11th. 

“We are very excited about this opportunity, said General Manager Jesse Cole.  College summer ball has grown tremendously in recent years and this event is shaping up to be a can’t miss for all college summer teams.  We are honored to be recognized and chosen to host the first ever conference and we hope to start a great tradition with this event”

The Grizzlies finished 15th in the country in average attendance in college summer ball with 1,637 fans per game.  The Grizzlies also finished 7th overall in all of minor league and college summer baseball in increased attendance with 465 more fans per game in 2009.  The franchise attendance record was broken with 39,296 fans in attendance in addition to the single game record being set on August 4th with 3,788 fans.

The website for the event is www.summerballconference.com and a complete agenda is available as well as registration forms.

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Grizzlies Baseball Club named Jason Plourde from Belmont Abbey College as the new Head Coach for the 2010 season.  Plourde was recently named the new pitching coach at Belmont Abbey after serving as the Assistant Coach at Fort Hays State from 2006-2009.

Plourde is no stranger to the Coastal Plain League after spending four seasons with the Fayetteville SwampDogs.  In 2009, Plourde served as Associate Head Coach leading the SwampDogs to the second round of the playoffs with a 30-23 record.  Plourde also served as Associate Head Coach for Fayetteville from 2005-2007, compiling a 114-47 record.

In 2008, Plourde was the Head Coach of the Rochester Honkers of the Northwoods League and had six players selected to the All-Star Game.  He also served as a pitching coach for the Madison Mallards in 2003 and 2004.

“We are very excited to have Jason as our new manager,” said General Manager Jesse Cole.  “He has a tremendous amount of experience in this league and has proved to be a winner.  We expect big things from him and feel he is the perfect fit for this organization in leading the Grizzlies to a Coastal Plain League Championship.”

As a player, Plourde played baseball at LA Valley College where he was an Academic All Western State Conference player in 1998 and 1999.   He graduated from Cal State Northridge in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a secondary in Physical Education.

The Grizzlies now have a Facebook fan page and are attempting to get more than 7,500 fans.  If the Grizzlies reach 7,500 fans, any Facebook fan can win free Chick-fil-a chicken sandwich from the Chick-fil-a at Westfield Eastridge Mall in Gastonia on November 5th.  Also, Facebook fans will have the chance to win a free five night Bahamas Cruise from Creative Travel, the official travel agent of the Grizzlies on Facebook Fans night during the 2010 season.

GASTONIA, N.C. -  The Gastonia Grizzlies announced today the completed field renovations for Sims Legion Park.  Immediately following the Grizzlies season, the City of Gastonia began work on repairing the field and adding drainage.  Both foul lines were dug up as well as the area behind the infield and new sod was planted.  In addition to the sod, new mats were placed around both dugouts to help with drainage.

The project which took just under a month added brand new Bermuda Grass down both foul lines and out of play areas, in addition to around the infield.

 “The City of Gastonia did a tremendous job on the field,” said General Manager Jesse Cole.  “We can’t wait until next year when our team play on one of nicest playing surfaces in the Coastal Plain League.”

The field hosts over 180 games a year including the Grizzlies, American Legion, Highland Tech, college baseball and youth tournaments.

In 2009 the Grizzlies shattered their franchise attendance record with 39,296 fans.  The single game attendance record was broken on the last game of the season with 3,788 fans. 

GASTONIA, N.C. - 2009 Gastonia Grizzlies Russell Wilson and Randolph Oduber were named top prospects by Baseball America and Perfect Game Crosschecker.  Wilson (N.C. State) was named the 5th top prospect in the Coastal Plain League while Oduber (Western Oklahoma) was named the 11th top prospect by Perfect Game.

Wilson, also the starting quarterback for the Wolfpack starred for the Grizzlies in his short time with the team.  Before leaving the team after the first half, Wilson led the team with 12 stolen bases. 

Oduber was named a starter in Coastal Plain League All-Star game after leading the Grizzlies in home runs and stolen bases.  His 9 home runs broke the Grizzlies franchise record and placed him in the top five in the league.  Oduber was drafted in June by the San Francisco Giants in the 48th round.

Baseball America’s Recap on Wilson:

5. Russell Wilson, 2b, Gastonia (Jr., North Carolina State)

Wilson is better known to Atlantic Coast Conference sports fans as the all-ACC quarterback for the N.C. State football team, and his commitment to the gridiron as well as a knee injury suffered in the Papajohns.com Bowl last season have limited him on the baseball field. But Wilson is undersized for football at 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, and scouts believe he has a brighter pro future in baseball. Wilson played just 20 games in the CPL before heading back to campus for football obligations, and he hit just .205/.320/.241, but he did steal 12 bases in 16 tries. An exceptional athlete, Wilson is an average or slightly better runner with untapped raw power and all the skills to be a good defender at second base. Scouts insist that Wilson's pure baseball instincts are off the charts, and if he focused full-time on the game he could take off in a hurry. He has outstanding makeup, earning plaudits for his work ethic, energy and humility. Wilson's bat is very raw, obviously, but he has plenty of bat speed and the ability to make consistent contact; he just needs at-bats. Scouts say they hope he'll shelve his football career after this fall to give his baseball career all the attention it needs.

The Grizzlies box seat season tickets are on sale now at the discounted price of $100.  With a $25 deposit fans can secure their tickets now until October 1st.   

GASTONIA, N.C. - The Gastonia Grizzlies enjoyed a record breaking 2009 season at Sims Legion Park.

The team drew a total crowd of 39,296, breaking last year’s season attendance total of over 29,000.

The Grizzlies also broke the single-game franchise attendance record by drawing 3,788 fans on Aug. 4.

Gastonia eclipsed fan totals three times in 2009.

The Grizzlies set an attendance record on opening day with 3,402 fans.

On July 3, Gastonia drew a record crowd of 3,514 and rewarded the fans in attendance with a fireworks extravaganza after the game.

And on July 7,  a crowd of 1,611 enjoyed the largest attendance for a day game in team history.

In 2008, The Grizzlies broke the all-time attendance record by drawing 29,120 fans to Sims Legion Park.  Gastonia averaged 1,172 fans and drew more than one-thousand 13  times.  The highlight was on July 3 when the Grizzlies drew 3,355 fans, breaking the previous attendance record set on opening night in 2003.

Former East Lincoln standout Greyson Schram was among six Gastonia Grizzlies voted to the 2009 National Coastal Plain League All-Star team.

Schram, a junior at Concord University and native of Stanley, was named a starter along with Boston College’s Matt Hamlet and Randolph Oduber of Western Oklahoma State.

Ben Booker of East Tennessee State and Temple’s Byron McKoy, from Independence High in Charlotte, were also named to the National All-Star team.

Catcher Ty Nelson was named to the 2009 American Coastal Plain League All-Star team.

Five members of the Gastonia Grizzlies – Travis Witherspoon, Jamaine Cotton, Randolph Oduber, Teddy Fallon and Eric Valdez – were selected in the Major League Baseball draft.

Witherspoon (Georgia Southern) was picked in the 12th round by the Angels.

Cotton (Western Oklahoma) went in the 28th round to the Giants.

San Francisco also selected Oduber (Western Oklahoma) in the 48th round.

The Mariners grabbed Valdez (Indiana State) in the 35th round. He had a record of 1-0 and an ERA of 1.80 with Gastonia.

Fallon (USC Upstate) was taken by the Pirates in the 43rd round. He earned a save for the Grizzlies.

Robert Jeroszko (College of Charleston) broke the Grizzlies single-season record of 91 K's.

Jeroszko was tabbed Rawlings Pitcher of the Week for week nine of action (July 27th-August 4th). 

Gastonia’s Joe Rodriguez was picked as the Rawlings Pitcher of the Week for week three of action (June 15- June 21).  

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Randolph Oduber was tabbed Rawlings Co-Pitchers of the Week for week four of action (June 22nd-28th).

Greyson Schram (Concord University) broke Seth Waller's RBI record in 2007.