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SKYHAWKS OF SOLD TO DETROIT TIGERS
The Skyhawks announced today that the contract of OF Josh Burrus has been purchased by the Detroit Tigers. Burrus was obtained by the Skyhawks from the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association in October of 2009.
Last season with Lincoln, the 26-year-old hit .282 with 10 home runs, 44 RBIs and 68 runs scored. Burrus also collected 108 hits, 21 of which were doubles, along with 36 stolen bases. He was a starter for the North Division in the 2009 league All-Star Game held in Grand Prairie in July.
The Marietta, GA native was selected in the first round (29th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in the 2001 draft. Burrus spent seven seasons with the Braves before joining the Atlantic City Surf of the Can-Am League in 2008.
Burrus is the third Skyhawks player sold to a major league organization since last season. Pitcher Stephen Fox was sold to the Boston Red Sox and 1B Matt Weston was sold to the Houston Astros.
The Skyhawks open their 2010 home season on May 27, as they take on their cross state rivals the New Jersey Jackals. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 973-300-1000 x 21.
Skyhawks Re-sign Starter Tim Stringer
AUGUSTA, NJ- The Sussex Skyhawks have announced today the re-signing of starting pitcher Tim Stringer to the 2010 squad. Stringer appeared in 7 games for the Hawks last season, starting 6 of those and compiling a 1-3 campaign. Stringer compiled a 3.50 E.R.A. with the club, striking out 30 opposing batters in 36 innings pitched, holding them to a .248 batting average.
Tim was a four-year starter for the Montclair State University Red Hawks prior to joining the Skyhawks organization where he led his club in strikeouts for three straight years and earned all region honors. Stringer was named MVP of the 2006 NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Region Tournament.
The 2010 Skyhawks season opens at home on May 27th as the Skyhawks host their in state rivals, the New Jersey Jackals. For tickets and more information, please log onto our website at www.sussexskyhawks.com.
SKYHAWKS RELEASE 2010 SCHEDULE
AUGUSTA, N.J.- The Sussex Skyhawks have released their 2010 schedule today. The Skyhawks will play 94 games in 2010, 47 at home and 47 on the road beginning Memorial Day weekend and running through Labor Day weekend. Opening night is scheduled for May 27th 2010 with a 7:05 start with the opponent being cross state rivals the New Jersey Jackals.
The promotional schedule will be released in the upcoming future but some events are already scheduled. The annual Military Appreciation night will be Friday, July 9th with a 6:35 start time. The School Day game will be Wednesday, June 2nd with a 10:05 start time. Camp day will be on Wednesday August 4th with an 11:05 start time.
There will be two scout sleepovers in 2010, scheduled for Saturday, July 17th and Saturday, August 14th.
For more information on the Skyhawks or to view the schedule and purchase tickets to any 2010 game, please visit our website at www.sussexskyhawks.com or call at 973-300-1000.
FORMER YANKEE TOMMY JOHN TO MAKE APPEARANCE
Former New York Yankee pitcher Tommy John will be in Sparta, NJ on Feb. 5, 7:00 PM to take part in the 14th annual Our Lady of the Lake Beefsteak Dinner.
John spent 26 years in the major leagues. At the conclusion of his major league career, John complied 288 wins, which is seventh all-time for left handed pitchers, struck out 2,245 batters and was named to the Major League Baseball All-Star team 4 times. John may be best known for the now “famous” surgery named after him.
In the middle of the 1974 season, John was cruising along with a 13-3 record as the Dodgers were en route to their first National League pennant in eight years, before he permanently damaged the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm, leading to a revolutionary surgical operation. This operation replaced the ligament in the elbow of his pitching arm with a tendon from his right forearm. The surgery was performed by Dr. Frank Jobe on September 25, 1974, and although it seemed unlikely he would ever be able to pitch again, he spent the entire 1975 season in recovery and returned to the Dodgers in 1976. His 10-10 record that year was considered "miraculous" but John went on to pitch until 1989, winning 164 games after his surgery—one fewer game than all-time great Sandy Koufax won in his entire career. After Phil Niekro's retirement, John spent 1988 and 1989 as the oldest player in the major leagues.
Tickets for the Beefsteak are limited and can be purchased by calling Tom Cifelli at 973-726-5802. The event will take place at McKenna Hall (which is located within Our Lady of the Lake Church in Sparta). Tickets are $45 and must be purchased in advance. Children under the age of 14 are not permitted.
PITTSFIELD, MA PROPOSED AS SIXTH CAN-AM LEAGUE TEAM
 In a vote of league directors of the Can-Am League, preliminary approval was given for the transfer of the membership of the American Defenders of New Hampshire from Nashua, NH, to Pittsfield, Massachusetts for play in the 2010 season. Final approval will need to come from the city for use of Wahconah Park with a decision expected by early January.
Buddy Lewis, Chairman of the team, made the presentation for transfer of the membership. The ownership group headed by Lewis currently has a lease on Wahconah Park for a team in the New England Collegiate League, and they will make application for transfer of their current lease for play in the Can-Am League. Dan Duquette, former General Manager of the Boston Red Sox, is also part of the ownership group.
Lewis, in his presentation to league directors, stated that he team will have a contest for a new name. In presenting his application for transfer, he cited Pittsfield's strong history in professional baseball. Pittsfield was a member of the original Can-Am League from 1941-1942 and 1946-1951. The city was also a member of the Eastern League for many years (1919-1930, 1965-1975, and 1985-1988) and the New York-Penn League from 1989 to 2001. The city's last membership in professional baseball was as the Berkshire Black Bears in the Northeast League in 2002-2003. The city has spent over one million dollars for improvements at Wahconah Park in recent years, and the geographical fit for the Can-Am League would be excellent.
The Can-Am League will begin play in 2010 on May 27, and the regular season will end September 6. Current members are the Worcester (MA) Tornados, Brockton (MA) Rox, Sussex (NJ) Skyhawks, New Jersey Jackals, and Quebec Capitales. The current edition of the Can-Am League began play in 2005.
OGDENSBURG SCHOOL AWARDED $1,000 GRANT
 The Sussex Skyhawks and D&H Alternative Risk Solutions congratulate Ogdensburg School as the 2009 winner of $1,000 towards their school's library! Ogdensburg School had the highest ratio of participation for the 2009 Reading Program this past June, out of over 40 schools! A presentation ceremony will be held at Ogdensburg School on Monday, December 14th to present the school with their award and congratulate them on a great success!
The “Score an A” Program began four years ago as a reading incentive program, and since then it has grown more each year! It is designed to work with teachers' curriculums and provide a fun way of learning for all grade levels.
Upon their school's enrollment, students receive a bookmark with four baseballs, each representing an assignment. When their teacher signs off on all four assignments, the bookmarks are sent back to the Skyhawks and each student is given two complimentary tickets to a Skyhawks game! A teacher can use the bookmarks to provide an incentive for extra credit, reading or writing assignments, or any other assignment they choose.
This is a great opportunity for students and schools to get involved! The program is funded completely by D&H Alternative Risk Solutions, and is free for schools to participate. The winning school will receive a $1000 grant for their library, and is chosen based on the percentage of participating students to their original enrollment. This allows for all schools, even small ones, to have an opportunity at winning the 2010 library grant.
Getting involved is as simple as filling out an enrollment form! The 2010 Reading Program dates are June 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of 2010. Each school will select a primary date, and a secondary date, and will be contacted when further materials and details are received.
Is your school enrolled?
Please contact Kim Rutledge at (973) 300-1000 or krutledge@sussexskyhawks.com to participate in this year's program! Don't miss out on this fun-filled opportunity!
SKYHAWKS SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
Internships available for college credit/resume experience
Commitment: May to September (flexible with college semester schedules)
Internships are available within 3 departments
· Stadium Operations/Event Management
· Media & Community Relations
· Sales and Marketing
Stadium Operations/Event Management
· Learn and operate all aspects of ticketing system and experience working in box office.
· Pro Shop inventory control, display methods and operations.
· Stadium maintenance, game day setup, part time staff oversight and assistance with in game promotions and creation of corresponding elements.
· Develop and update ticket sales reports for use by Skyhawks management
· Assistance with all pregame activities; to include: national anthems, baseball buddies, ceremonial first pitches, etc.
· Manage in game revenues streams (ie: program sales, playground setup and promotions, etc)
Media & Community Relations
· Prepare all gameday notes, media releases, website maintenance.
· Handle and oversee press box needs, to include, but not limited to: scoreboard, message board and music operation.
· Handle scheduling of outside player/mascot appearances.
· Attend outside community events to promote upcoming games/programs.
· Serve as “street team” in efforts to blanket market with team literature (ie: pocket schedules, posters, etc).
Sales and Marketing
· Heavy emphasis on all ticket sales; to include: groups, packages and individual tickets.
· Develop of nightly promotions
· Creation of programs that increase ticket sales and sponsorships.
· Assist with community events.
All interns should be prepared for other responsibilities that may not appear on the above job descriptions; to include: assistance with field preparation and handling weather related situations; cold calling for ticket sales; external marketing, to name a few.
Interested candidates should send resume to Ben Wittkowski (bwittkowski@sussexskyhawks.com). In addition to resume, include cover letter that states the following:
1. Which department do you have interest in.
2. Why do you have interest in this particular department.
3. What is your availability and school schedule (if applicable).
RHP FOX SOLD TO RED SOX
The Skyhawks announced today that the contract of RHP Stephen Fox has been purchased by the Boston Red Sox.
In his first season of professional baseball, Fox pitched in 19 games for the Skyhawks. The righty sported a 0-3 record with an earned run average of 3.98. The resident of Washington Township, NJ struck out 42 batters and walked 22 in 40 2/3 innings pitched. Fox, 23, didn't allow an earned run in his final nine innings of work (while striking out nine) and he had a 1.90 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 24 innings over the final two months of the season.
Fox is the second Sussex player (Matt Weston – Houston Astros) and the sixth overall sold to a major league organization in 2009.
RHP Eddie Pena (Worcester Tornadoes) - Pittsburgh Pirates
RHP Mark James (Quebec Capitales) - Cincinnati Reds
C Craig Maddox (New Jersey Jackals) - Atlanta Braves
LHP Tom Cochran (Worcester Tornadoes) - Cincinnati Reds
INF Matt Weston (Sussex Skyhawks) - Houston Astros
RHP Stephen Fox (Sussex Skyhawks) – Boston Red Sox
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Thu., 5/27/2010, 7:05 PM
vs. New Jersey
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