On Monday, June 16th, the Wilmington Sharks will welcome the U.S. Military All-Stars to Buck Hardee Field as part of a special and exciting exhibition game that area baseball and military fans are sure to enjoy.

The traveling All-Stars are currently making their swing through North Carolina, playing the Fayetteville SwampDogs on Sunday and sliding over to the coast to face the Sharks on Monday at 7 p.m.

The Military All-Stars were established in 1990 as part of a Presidential request from then-President George H.W. Bush as a way to boost morale amongst the troops.  Over 21,500 Active Duty and Reserve personnel have participated over the years on the tour, which routinely attracts over 25 million fans during their 350 appearances worldwide.

Comprised of Active Duty, Reserve, and Veteran soldiers currently off-duty, the All-Stars will be touring the world between April and August, including a Central American visit from April 20-May 10, a Summer League tour which kicks off in June, culminating with the USA World Series in Orlando, Florida from August 1-9.  The team signifies a long-standing relationship between the military and the game of baseball, with baseball giving them an avenue to express their ultimate mission – “to promote the awareness of Americans in support of the honorable sacrifices our Armed Forces make at the ‘Tip of the Spear’”.  The team completely covers their own expenses, ensuring that any and all government funding goes to those serving overseas.

For a further glance into the history behind the military and baseball, including more information regarding the team itself, please see the story at http://wilmingtonsharks.com/news/sharks/the-sharks-to-take-on-the-military-all-stars.html or for those receiving this release through e-mail, see the PDF file attached to this media release titled “Military and Baseball”.

The Military All-Star Exhibition is just the beginning of an exciting week of baseball at Buck Hardee Field at Legion Stadium.  On Tuesday, June 17th against the Wilson Tobs, the Sharks are hosting Community Competition Night on Time Warner’s Two-for-Tuesday.  Come on out and represent your community in various on-field contests and promotions and at the same time, receive two tickets for the price of one and enjoy two-for-one hot dogs and soft drinks.  On June 19th, come on out and enjoy $1 beers and soft drinks on Blackhorn Bar and Kitchen’s Thirsty Thursday.  If you get there early enough, you will receive a Budweiser pint glass!  For ticket information, please call the Sharks office at (910) 343-5621 and for more details on these and future game promotions check out our Web site at www.wilmingtonsharks.com.

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