Pulaski Mariners, baseball, Southwest Virginia, Minor league

Mariners set to return home

PULASKI _ The Pulaski Mariners return home Monday, June 30 after a grueling six-game road trip. The M’s host the Bristol White Sox for a three-game set before Princeton comes to town for three.

Monday will be “Bread Night” at Calfee Park as the first 150 fans through the gate will receive a loaf of bread courtesy of Flowers Bakery. It will also be Craig County Community Night with discount admission for residents, and motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to ride their bikes to the game as part of “motorcycle night”.

Tuesday, July 1 is Civic Club Night as groups from through southwest Virginia are encouraged to network during the game. The evening is also Wythe and Bland County Community Night hosted by WXBX Radio in Wytheville.

Wednesday is Carroll and Hillsville community night with special displays by the Pulaski Town Police Department as part of “crime prevention night”. Thursday is Giles County community night hosted by Pepsi with the first 200 fans through the gate receiving 2-liters and other items from the company.

In the second series with Princeton that will begin on July 4 at Calfee, there could be plenty of fireworks. The Rays bring the franchise’s number one pick into town in the form of 18-year-old Tim Beckham.

The Griffin, GA, high school shortstop was taken number one in the first round by the Rays this past month. He was recognized as one of the best pure athletes in the draft and labeled a legitimate five-tool player. He established himself as the top prep prospect in the nation with solid performances at last summer's high school showcase events and hit .482 with six homers, 13 doubles, 41 RBIs and 23 stolen bases as a senior.

Beckham is the third high school shortstop taken No. 1 overall in the last five years, joining Justin Upton (Arizona, 2005) and Matt Bush (San Diego, 2004). Baseball America ranked him as the No. 1 high school prospect in the country entering the Draft.

In his first game for Princeton, he went 1-for-4 with an infield single and a run scored in a 7-6 win. Beckham stands 6-foot, 188 pounds, which lends him the physical stature to play most positions. So far, he has only appeared as a designated hitter. The Pulaski series could be his first as a professional shortstop.

The M’s took two of three from the Rays earlier this season.

Be a batboy or batgirl this summer

Hey, are you between 14 and 18 years old and looking for something fun to do this summer? Well, the Pulaski Mariners are recruiting bat boys and bat girls for the 2008 season that runs from June 17 to August 30.

14-15 year olds will be required to have worker’s permit from your local school board. Over 15 will be required to fill out a job application.

For more information, call the team office at (540) 980-1070.

Mariners announce trainer

PULASKI _ Colby P. Harris, a graduate student from Virginia Tech, will serve as the 2008 Pulaski Mariners trainer. Harris is a native of Wyoming, and has worked with the Lady Hokies lacrosse team this past season.

He has vast experience including an internship with the Arizona Cardinals NFL team in 2006. He has certification with the American Red Cross, and Virginia Board of Medicine. He is also a member of the National, Mid-Atlantic, and Virginia Athletic Association.

PULASKI _ The Pulaski Mariners have turned to a local face to serve this season as its club house manager. Thomas Reed has been named to the post.

During his baseball career he has become familiar with all aspects of Calfee Park. As a player with the PCHS Cougars, Thomas played on the field. The 2006 season saw him in the position of Assistant Club House Manager to the Pulaski Blue Jays where he worked with the players and still keeps in contact with some of them. Last summer without a minor league team to work with Thomas got another view of Calfee Park. He split his time between announcing games and working the scoreboard and sounds for local teams. This season he will be working with the coaches, players, umpires, and bat boys of the Pulaski Mariners in their daily schedules and during the games. When the Pulaski Mariners take to the road, Thomas will be traveling with the team to assist the trainer and coaches.

Thomas is the son of Dennis and Anita Lynn Reed. He was a member of the 2007 graduating class of Pulaski County High School, where he played on the Pulaski County Cougar Varsity Baseball team his Sophomore, Junior and Senior years. He was a member of the National Honor Society his Junior and Senior year.

He was named to Who’s Who Among American High Schools Students his Freshman and Senior years and was named an All-American Scholar. Thomas was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Art League for 2 years at PCHS. He is a member of the Fairlawn United Methodist Church and when possible assists the Dublin Ruritan Club with their Community activities

Thomas is currently a student at King College in Bristol, Tennessee where he is majoring in Sports Management and this fall he will begin classes to become an athletic trainer. He is coming off a rewarding season with the King Tornado baseball team lead by Coach Mark Conkin.

Thomas split his time between being the Varsity bullpen catcher and the starting JV catcher. He started in 6 of the 7 JV games and saw action early in the 7th game. He had a .450 batting average , .625 OBP with 7 singles and 2 doubles, 4 RBI’s and crossed the plate to score 8 times. The JV finished their season 3-3-1. In Appalachian Athletic Conference play the Varsity Tornadoes were slated in the preseason to finish fifth. They were able to improve on that and tied for second in regular season play with NAIA nationally ranked #14 Union College. They went on to finish fourth in their Conference tournament and were knocked out of the NAIA Regional XII tournament in a close 11-10 game by the NAIA national ranked #9 Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs.

PULASKI _ The Pulaski Mariners is seeking recreation baseball and girl’s softball youth teams for its 2008 DISH Network Field of Dreams. This is an opportunity for the players to run onto the field with the starting lineup during home games for the playing of the National Anthem.

A maximum of 15 players are allowed on the field with the team. Players must be wearing a uniform.

Mariners Going Green

PULASKI _ The Pulaski Mariners and Cycle Systems have announced a green partnership for the upcoming season. The minor league baseball team, in cooperation with the local recycler, will collect clear soda bottles that are sold and then consumed at Calfee Park.

In a statement, the Mariners management said the effort was a small part that the organization was able to do to try and help the environment. “We know the amount will be small, but over the scope of 34 games, we should take a lot of clear soda bottles out of the garbage stream. Cycle Systems has stepped forward in being a leader in community recycling, and we are happy to be partnering with them in this effort.”

PULASKI _ The Pulaski Mariners have announced that reserve and general admission 2008 season tickets are now on-sale. Reserve seating is $125 per person for the full-season, while a book of 30 general admission tickets is $60.

Regular single-game prices are $6 for reserve and $4 for general admission. By purchasing season tickets, you will save up to $79 for reserve seats.

The team will play 34 home games this season at Calfee Park as a member of the Appalachian League.