2005 Eastern League All-Star Game - Portland, Maine

HOME RUN DERBY TO KICK OFF ALL-STAR GAME
Western Union Home Run Derby to begin at 5:15 PM on July 13th

Portland, Maine- The Portland Sea Dogs have announced that the Western Union Home Run Derby will take place prior to the 2005 Hannaford Eastern League All-Star Game. Five players from each team will take place in the contest scheduled to begin at 5:15 PM. The probable participants for the 2005 Western Union Home Run Derby are:

North Team:
  Shelly Duncan, Trenton Thunder (21 HR)
  Mike Jacobs, Binghamton Mets (18 HR)
  Danny Matienzo, New Britain Rock Cats (17 HR)
  Dan Ortmeier, Norwich Navigators (15 HR)
  Jared Sandberg, Portland Sea Dogs (16 HR)

South Team:
  Jose Bautista, Altoona Curve (11 HR)
  Josh Bonifay, Altoona Curve (16 HR)
  Dee Haynes, Harrisburg Senators (14 HR)
  Randy Ruiz, Reading Phillies (21 HR)
  Jonathan Van Every, Akron Aeros (15 HR)

The Home Run Derby will begin at 5:15 PM with the first representative from the South team. Frozen Ropes personnel will pitch to the participants. In the first round, each player will receive ten swings. Anything that is not a home run is counted as an out. The top two participants from each team will advance to the second round and get five swings apiece. The winner from each team will advance to the final round and get five swings. If a tiebreaker is necessary, each player will get three swings to break the tie.

For each home run hit Western Union will donate $50.00 to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. Ten lucky fans were selected from a contest at Hannaford and will be paired up with a player. Each lucky fan will sit in their teams respective dugout during the event. Winning fans will win money based on how well their player does. A check presentation will take place on the field following the Western Union Home Run Derby.

Gates will open at 3:00 PM for the Western Union Home Run Derby and the 2005 Hannaford Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 13th. Once in the ballpark, there will be no re-admittance. Tickets to the game are sold out. Tickets do remain for most 2005 regular season Sea Dogs games and may be purchased by contacting the ticket office at 207-879-9500 or online at www.seadogs.com.