Cal Ripken Jr To Attend Charlotte Stone Crabs Inaugural Season Home Opener
The Charlotte Stone Crabs is the newest team to join the Florida State League as the High Class A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. Cal Ripken Jr will be attending to celebrate its inaugural season home opener. The Stone Crabs are the third team under the ownership of Cal Ripken Jr., the other teams being the Aberdeen Ironbirds (class A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles) and the Augusta GreenJackets (class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants).
WHEN: Thursday, April 9, 2009
WHERE: Charlotte Sports Park
2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
COST: Check website
It is unclear whether Cal Ripken Jr will be signing autographs at all, but it’ll be worth it to attend whether he does or not. Having attended a few minor league games, I can say that minor league baseball is much more of a fan experience than an MLB game. The fans are more into the game, you get to see rising stars, and the atmosphere is a lot different than watching overpaid athletes. More importantly, it’s always a treat to attend the inaugural season home opener because of all the promos that usually happen.
The Tampa Bay Rays have always been known to have a strong farm system year and year and Class A is where it (usually) starts, so be sure to keep an eye out on the following outfield prospects:
- Desmond Jennings – considered to be in the top 5 of Rays entire minor league system
- Ryan Royster
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