|
July 22, 2011 World Series tickets on sale Tuesday; prices remain the same Little League International’s Lewin takes personal pride in Bangor’s dedication
But on a hot, humid, and hazy day that saw the temperature reach 90 degrees and a heat index of 98 degrees, World Series officials announced Thursday that tickets for this year’s series will be available to the public at Mansfield Stadium Friday and at all five Leadbetter’s Super Stop locations in Greater Bangor beginning Monday. On Friday, however, series officials learned of a technical problem that would delay the availability of tickets until Tuesday. Ticket prices will remain the same: $35 for an adult series pass, $25 for a student series pass, and $10 for a day pass. Series passes are good for all 23 games. Day passes are good for one day only. Leadbetter’s is offering ticket-holders a free Polar Shock Slushi. Redeeming a ticket for a slushi will be as easy as having the ticket punched so fans can keep their ticket as a memento. Leadbetter’s Super Stop locations are in Bangor on Hammond Street, Outer Hammond Street, and Stillwater Avenue; in Brewer on Wilson Street; and in Holden on Main Road. “Fund-raising is so important to this tournament,” Tournament Director Mike Brooker said at Thursday’s news conference. “Without the sponsorship of the many business that have supported us throughout the years, along with the attendance of the fans, is what enables us to put on this tournament. And we hope that the businesses and the fans continue to support us.” Dennis Lewin, chairman of the board for Little League International, praised the city and the series staff for what has been a successful nine-year run of the series, which moved to Bangor in 2002 after 16 years in Kissimmee, Fla. “The city of Bangor just does a marvelous job putting this event on,” Lewin said. “Mike Brooker and his staff are just fabulous with the work they do. That was exemplified by the award they received this winter from the Chamber of Commerce on the hundredth anniversary of the chamber when they received the service award.” With his wife hailing from Maine and the couple keeping a summer home only 25 minutes from Bangor, Lewin said he takes special pride in seeing the series continue to thrive in the Queen City. “There’s few facilities in the world better than this one in Bangor,” he said. “Being here with these facilities is really special to me.” Brooker noted that more than 50 Bangor World Series alumni have gone on to play professionally or at the NCAA Division I level. Of those, five alumni have played in a Major League game: Shairon Martis (2002 and 2003, Pabao L.L., Willemstad, Curacao, Dutch Antilles), Jair Jurrgens (2002, Pabao L.L., Willemstad, Curacao, Dutch Antilles), Ruben Tejada (2005, Activo 20-30 L.L., Santiago Veraguas, Panama), Kenley Jansen (2003, Pabao L.L., Willemstad, Curacao, Dutch Antilles), and Domonic Brown (2004, Dade City L.L., Dade City, Fla.). “You will see as good a baseball talent in this tournament as you will see anywhere in the world,” Brooker said. “This is a great tournament, it’s a great way to provide an opportunity for our local kids to compete on an international level, and we hope they can continue to do that.” Thursday’s news conference coincided with the beginning of the Maine District 3 tournament, the winner of which will represent the host district in this year’s series. Last year, Bangor East/West became the first Maine District 3 team to win more than a single game in a series, and then some, as the team finished pool play with a rousing 4-3 comeback win over 2009 series champion West University L.L., Houston, Texas, to qualify for the semifinal round with a 3-1 record. Another comeback win – 9-3 against a Manhattan Beach L.L., Manhattan Beach, Calif., team that had not lost a game in its tournament season – put the hometown team in the championship game against Aruba South. Aruba South prevailed, 8-1, behind a dominant pitching performance by Shawn Duinkerk, who signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics in December. |
Printer friendly version