Friday, June 05, 2009

Newark Bears Host 2009 All-Star Game & Celebrity Softball Game with Queen Latifah on June 23rd!

Get ready to bring your favorite stars to Newark and make 2009 the most unforgettable Atlantic League All-Star Game yet! Hosted by the Newark Bears, the 2009 Atlantic League All-Star Game will take place in Newark, New Jersey on Tuesday, June 23rd at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium with a game time of 7:35 PM, and a host of exciting pre-game festivities including a celebrity softball charity game led by Newark native Queen Latifah. Bringing together the best in Atlantic League play, fans can start voting on the Atlantic League website at 12:00 Noon, Wednesday June 3rd to send their favorite stars from the Freedom Division and Liberty Division to face off against each other at the All-Star Game.

Fan voting for All-Star Team selections will take place in regular fashion on the Atlantic League website, at www.atlanticleague.com/vote, with links from all individual Atlantic League websites as well, and voting will run from 12:00 Noon Wednesday, June 3rd to 12:00 Noon Tuesday, June 16th.

A combination of fan, media and team voting will determine the starters and remaining roster players, with the Atlantic League announcement of All-Star selections expected on Wednesday, June 17th. The pitching for both squads will be determined by the respective managers selected to lead the Freedom Division and Liberty Division All-Star Teams. Management and staff for the two All-Star Teams will be announced by the Newark Bears later this week.

Now in its 12th year, the 2009 Atlantic League All-Star Game will bring together the Atlantic League's best players in a fierce matchup as the Freedom Division looks to defend its All-Star title against the Liberty Division at this year's game. The Newark Bears host the Atlantic League All-Star Game for the second time in Newark, having last hosted the All-Star Game in 2001.

The Newark Bears have several entertaining pre-game activities in store for fans to honor baseball's rich history and the local community, including a pre-game celebrity softball showdown led by Queen Latifah to benefit charity and empower the local Newark community. Fans are encouraged to come to Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium early to enjoy the festivities, which will include a special traveling exhibition from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum titled "Times, Teams & Talent", the pre-game celebrity softball showdown beginning at 5:15 PM, and much more.

Tickets for the 2009 Atlantic League All-Star Game start at $12 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), the Newark Bears Box Office located at 450 Broad Street in Newark, NJ or by calling 1-888-85-BEARS. For more information, also visit www.newarkbears.com.

About the Atlantic League
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Inc. began play in 1998 to bring a high level of professional baseball and affordable family entertainment to selected communities not presently being served by Major League and Minor League teams. Comprised of 8 teams split into the Freedom Division and Liberty Division, the teams in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland include the Bridgeport Bluefish, Long Island Ducks, Newark Bears, Somerset Patriots, Camden Riversharks, Lancaster Barnstormers, York Revolution and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. Led by CEO Frank Boulton, the Atlantic League's managers, coaches and player development staff all have Major League experience, which includes Bud Harrelson, Atlantic League Executive Director Joe Klein, Ellie Rodriguez, Sparky Lyle, Gary Carter, Tim Raines and Tommy John. For more information, also visit www.atlanticleague.com.

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