Navs News Roundup: June 3, 2008

• The players have been out in the local community reading to kids at elementary schools. They'll be at it again today and tomorrow.

• Practice will be held tonight at around 5 PM - we'll post pictures and info from practice once it's over.

• The mascot has been named & the contest winner has been notified - for real this time. You'll find out about the name soon!
  

Navs News Roundup: May 29, 2008

9 days until opening day!

• The Navigators will be hosting a baseball clinic in July. Expect a press release about this later in the day.

• The previously scheduled "Dominican Day" on July 10 is going to be expanded - there will now be a "Latino Baseball Series." I don't know many details about this event just yet, but when we learn more we'll share it with you.

• It's another exciting day to be at the ballpark. The Comcast and Chick-fil-A logos are now up on the outfield fence and it looks like they're setting up the main concessions tent as well.

• A personal note of congratulations to the Boston College women's sailing team for winning the national championship, giving new meaning to "Shipping Up to Boston."

Navs News Roundup: May 27, 2008

11 days 'til opening day!

• Greetings from the stuffy upstairs office at the Howie Grob Clubhouse, which we in the Sports Information Department have affectionately nicknamed "The War Room." This is where the magic happens.

• As you can see by the gigantic banners both here and at NSNAVS.com, Chick-fil-A is sponsoring "Meet the Navigators night" on Wednesday, June 4 from 5 to 7 PM at the North Shore Mall in Peabody. Fans will have the opportunity to meet the players, win discounted Chick-fil-A food, and win tickets to Navs games. Chick-fil-A is also sponsoring 1,000 free sandwich night on Opening Day. Expect a full release on this, probably by the end of the day.

• Kent Graham and the Trinity College Bantams suffered their first loss of the season this afternoon, giving up a 9th inning run on a passed ball to lose 4-3. They are currently playing Johns Hopkins in the winner-take-all national championship game; a link to live video is available at D3baseball.com.

• Something else to keep your eye on - we're shaping the promotional schedule for the season and will be announcing some exciting events shortly. We may well have a mascot name as well. Stay tuned.

• We just found out that incoming Navs pitcher Wayde Kitchens of Chapman University is 6'5'', 270 pounds. That's going to be fun to watch.
  

Navs News Roundup: May 26, 2008

12 days 'til opening day!

• Greetings from the press box at Fraser Field. In about 30 minutes, day two of the Clancy tournament will get underway when Classical and English square off in the consolation game. North Reading and St. Mary's play for the title at 4:00. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12.
  

• Things are starting to come together at the ballpark. The new scoreboard in right centerfield is complete. It's a black scoreboard with white text, similar to the football scoreboard at Manning Field. Three sponsor banners now adorn the outfield fence: Equitable Bank, Old Neighborhood Foods, and Willow Labs. A "Home of the North Shore Navigators" sign is now hanging behind section G. The ticket booths are set up, some of the concession stands are out to sell sandwiches, sodas, and ice cream, and the grounds crew has the field looking spectacular. In short, baseball is in the air.
  

• One of the big changes at the park this year is that the former owner's box behind section G is now a beer stand, with openings facing both the concourse and the field. No beer is being sold at the Clancy Tournament, but the stand will be ready to go for Opening night on June 7.
  

• I'm currently working on a story to send out to the local media introducing the NECBL. I'm lining up my interviews and contacts now – I hope that it will serve as a useful intro to one of the best collegiate summer leagues in America.
  

• We're also working on the promotional schedule for this season. Current ideas either confirmed or rumored include 1,000 Chick-Fil-A sandwich night on opening night, and "Ugliest Sweater Night" at some point during the summer. We also may be lining up a few bands to provide pre-game entertainment.
  

• Trinity College is off today, as they await one of Adrian, Wis.-Whitewater, or Johns Hopkins to emerge from the loser's bracket to face them tomorrow for the D3 National Championship.

Navs News Roundup: May 25

13 days until opening day!

• The Navigators will be hosting the Clancy baseball tournament today and tomorrow at Fraser Field. Games will take place today at 4 & 7 and tomorrow at 1 & 4. Come check out some of the best high school baseball in town.

• The Navigator Alligator (still to be named) will be making an appearance next Sunday afternoon at the Hot Dog Safari at Suffolk Downs. For more, visit www.hotdogsafari.com

• The team will be arriving in Lynn on Sunday, June 1. Media day will be held on June 2.

• Navs players are competing at the D3 World Series today:

• Wayde Kitchens & Chapman University were downed by Wisconsin-Whitewater, 7-4. The loss eliminated them from the tournament.

• Kent Graham and the Trinity Bantams will play Johns Hopkins tonight at 8. Check out live stats here.