The Wilmington Sharks are a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league.  Celebrating its 12th season, the Coastal Plain League features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.  The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats.  Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts.

Many Changes, But Some Familiar Faces

   The Wilmington Sharks enter the 2008 Coastal Plain League Season with a new member joining the ownership group, a new general manager and a new coaching staff, yet there are some familiar names on this year’s roster.

   University of North Carolina pitcher Bryant Gaines is back to play with the Sharks after he posted a 1.81 ERA last summer.  

   UNCW will be well represented on this summer’s Wilmington Sharks squad.  Kyle Lewis, David Shambley, and Bobby Leeper will be making the move from Brooks Field over to the Legion Stadium complex where they will look to hone their skills at Buck Hardee Field.

   Also joining the Sharks, is Wilmington local Brad Mincey.  Before heading off to ECU, Mincey played for New Hanover High School and Post 10, which both use Buck Hardee as their home base.

New Owner - New Promotions

Tickets prices less than a gallon of gas!

   With only one week before opening day of the 2008 Coastal Plain League season, the Wilmington Sharks announced the addition of a new, local owner and a season-long ticket promotion that will make coming to a Sharks game at Buck Hardee Field more affordable than a gallon of gas.

   Conor Caloia has joined Lew and Darrell Handelsman as a partner in the Wilmington Sharks Baseball Club and will be the first local owner in the team’s 12-year history. The Handelsmans have owned the Sharks since March of 2007. Caloia will serve as Director of Operations and be involved in the day-to-day management of the team.  He previously worked as the Director of Marketing for the Western Athletic Conference and in several roles with the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League.

   “We are extremely excited to have Conor join our group and participate in our efforts to provide affordable family fun entertainment to the Wilmington area,” Lew Handelsman said. “Folks will find Conor to be most professional and approachable. His passion as well as enthusiasm and experience in minor league and collegiate sports make him a great partner”.

   The new ownership group’s first order of business is announcing a season-long ticket promotion dropping the price of a Sharks general admission ticket to less than a gallon of gas.  General admission tickets currently cost $5.  The Sharks will take the price of the cheapest gallon of gas in the Wilmington area and round it down to the nearest quarter.  Therefore, if a gallon of gas is $3.73, a Sharks general admission ticket will cost only $3.50. This promotion will be honored at all 29 Sharks home games in 2008.

   “This is a great way for our ownership group to introduce ourselves to the community.  A fan can sit in one of the best seats in the ballpark right behind home plate for less than the cost of one gallon of gas,” Caloia said. “We understand that the current state of the economy has been challenging for everyone.  A family of four can get tickets and dinner for just $25 at the Shark Tank. We pride ourselves on offering a family entertainment option that can’t be beat anywhere in Wilmington.”

 The price of a Sharks ticket can be tracked throughout the season at wilmingtonsharks.com.  Opening night for the 2008 season is Wednesday, May 28th at the “Shark Tank”.  The first Sharks Fireworks Extravaganza is scheduled for Friday, May 30th.  Both game times are set for 7 p.m.  For more information, call the Sharks office at (910) 343-5621.

     For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league Web site at www.coastalplain.com.